Author's Note
Profanity warning! This chapter, and many onward will have swear words!
Chapter 2
After their lunch, Larentia and Dagmar wandered the streets of Canterlot. The conversation was still fresh in their minds, but Larentia was the one pushing to forget it. Dagmar noticed this. She did not like it. Larentia chatted anyway. About the weather, about the birds, what the ponies were wearing. All the while, Dagmar grew more and more irritated and snippy. Finally, she had had enough.
"Larentia!" Dagmar snapped finally. Larentia halted in her tracks and tucked her tail. Dagmar looked around, spying some startled and wary ponies that had heard her rough outburst. She grabbed the griffon's tail and hauled her into a side alley. There, she confronted the griffon. "Enough of the games. Why are you acting like nothing is wrong?"
"Because nothing is wrong!" The griffon shot back. Her tail throbbed where the dragon had pulled. She pouted and rubbed her tail, her feathers ruffled.
"Bullshit," Dagmar hissed softly. "You know something about that griffon, don't you?" Larentia flinched involuntarily, but it was all Dagmar needed. "Tell me, Tia," She growled, "Tell me so I can help you."
"I don't need help! I was probably over-" She didn't get to finish her sentence.
"Do not tell me you were just overreacting, Larentia," Dagmar growled harshly. "I know you don't overreact. Otherwise I wouldn't have found you half-starved and scared to fucking death that day out on the border. The exact same spot you found those tracks, and those feathers, did you not?" Larentia's eyes widened, and the griffon looked down, ashamed. Of course Dagmar had already been contacted to track the griffon. She was a bounty hunter; she had probably been tracking him for weeks. A thought struck her then.
"Dagmar," Her tone grew hard, and Larentia looked her friend directly in the eye. "Did you intentionally set me up to find that?" Her friend nodded. Her heart sank to her belly. It felt like a punch to the gut, winding her. "Why?" She rasped.
"Because I recognized the scent of the other birds. It was the same scent you had when you first arrived to Equestria. Older, male by the scent of musk. But the same regional scent. That scent lingers on you, even now. When I first smelled the feathers, I couldn't place it, but it was so familiar to me. But then I realized I had just gotten used to it on a different bird." Dagmar's eye narrowed. The dragon sighed and looked very tired. Larentia looked away again, guilt pricking at her heart. "I'm not ready...Dagmar... I-I can't talk about it..."
Dagmar snorted and rolled her eye. "Alright then. Keep your secrets, but don't come crying to me when they come around and bite the hell outta you."
For some strange reason, Larentia felt like Dagmar had just relayed some sort of prophecy or omen. Like she knew something more than she let on, or maybe she didn't even realize she knew. The sinking feeling worsened, and Larentia's eyes grew wide and worried. Dagmar made no motion to comfort Larentia; She wasn't that kind of friend. She didn't give false reassurance for others, much less herself. If Dagmar felt it was important, there was no getting her to lighten up. Or give up.
Larentia sighed, but before she could speak, a voice interrupted them. "I'm looking for Lance Corporal Larentia?" Both Dagmar and Larentia turned to look at the intruder. A unicorn stood in the entrance of the alley, looking nervous and fidgeting. "I'm sorry to interrupt," He cleared his throat and stuck out his chin. It wasn't his best impression, but both creatures were vastly bigger than him. "The Captain's asked you to cut your day off a little early. We're suddenly short on guards and..." He didn't get to finish his sentence.
"Wait," Larentia blinked, "How are you suddenly short on guards? When I last checked, there were at least twelve other guards on standby!"
The unicorn shifted nervously. He looked frightened, or at least, unwilling to talk about it. "Please, Larentia..." He pleaded. "We are short and we don't have anyone else who can do the palace night shift. Princess Twilight has a big council with her friends tonight too."
"How convenient..." Larentia sighed. She got up and began to walk out of the alley until Dagmar placed her hand on Larentia's shoulder. "Hold on a minute," Dagmar said with a look of determination. Turning to the stallion, she narrowed her eye. "Name."
"Uh...Oh! Silver Steel!" He replied in confusion. Dagmar nodded. "Hello,Silver Steel. I am Dagmar, and I am going to help guard the palace with Larentia." It wasn't a request, or even a question if she could. It was a statement. A fact. The pony seemed taken aback by Dagmar's words.
"I-I will have to ask-" He was cut off again. "I will deal with it later," Dagmar said with a growl. "I will be helping Tia, and I will guard the palace. Your lieutenant knows who I am, and they know I am reliable."
"Yes, but we can't just have any dragon waltzing about the palace! If something goes missing..." He didn't finish the thought. Dagmar suddenly looked furious. Insulted. She loomed over him, flames flickering from her maw. Her teeth were bared, and she looked downright murderous. "Did you just insinuate that because I am a dragon that I am greedy and treacherous?" He hesitated, then nodded meekly. "How dare you," She hissed. "I am no thief! I have never stolen in my life!" Silver Steel gulped and took a step back. Dagmar leaned away and spat in his direction. "Disgusting." She swept past him with a heavy step. Larentia noticed that she subtly, but oh so intentionally whipped her tail to hit the pony on the nose. He yelped and stumbled back. He rubbed his nose as Larentia approached.
"That's Dagmar?" He whispered, terrified she might hear him. "I heard stories about her, but she is a right fearsome beast."
"Dagmar's just...sensitive." Larentia murmured. She gently took Silver's face and examined his nose. "No open wounds, but you do have a nasty welt forming on the bridge."
"Sensitive?" Silver scoffed. That was hard to believe.
Larentia nodded and went on. "She's got her reasons. Plus, I would feel a lot better with her helping me tonight. Dagmar's a really good dragon, and she never fails at the jobs she takes. Trust me," Larentia smiled at Silver, who shrugged and sighed. "I suppose...but you better get going. Captain wants you on post in three hours."
"Alright," Larentia sighed too. They parted ways, and Larentia rushed to track down Dagmar.
Three hours later, Larentia walked the empty hallways of the palace. She wore her armor...formerly used for the Lunar Guard, the private branch that was once dedicated to Luna. It was the only set that fit the massive griffon, even though there was some modifications to be done for it. She had her crossbow secured to her hip. tucked, with its quiver of bolts, snugly out of sight under her wing.
She was patrolling the east wing of the castle. Dagmar had taken the west and central wings. Once in a while Larentia could hear Dagmar's claws clicking almost silently on the marble floor. It was much quieter than her own steps. Suddenly, she felt heavy and cumbersome. Dagmar could sneak up on a cat without making so much as a noise. Larentia chalked it up to the fact that Dagmar made her living tracking and hunting wild animals. Larentia did not need such stealth. Thinking back, she remembered hungry days where such skills had been needed to find food. It had been a long time since she had last hunted for a meal. Larentia felt a bit jealous of Dagmar, who probably hunted her food, as well as the beasts she was paid to kill.
Larentia turned to head down an empty hallway, only to find that it wasn't empty at all. A cloaked figure stood in front of an open window. A window that Larentia knew had been closed. The figure was huge but slender, almost thin. Whoever it was, their dark eyes gleamed as they spotted Larentia. Like they had recognized her. As Larentia started to call out a warning, the figure turned and hurtled down the left corridor.
"Hey!" Larentia called to them. She took off at a bound, stopping in front of the window. Larentia looked down, and saw a ebony black feather settled on the windowsill. She picked it up and squinted. The scent had been masked, but it was griffon. Narrowing her gaze, she closed the window and gave chase to the cloaked intruder. She turned the corner, only to run smack into Dagmar. The two collided and sprawled out on the floor, groaning.
"Aw...damn it Tia," Dagmar huffed and sat up. "What the hell got into you?" She got to her feet and shook her head to clear it. "I heard you call,"
"I-I'm sorry Dagmar!" Larentia jumped to her paws and looked around. "There was someone here! They came in through the window! Did you see where they went? They came this way!" She looked both ways, checking the rooms on the corridor, but saw nothing.
"No, Tia, I saw no one. Just a big white goofy bird who ran me over." Dagmar frowned. "Did you find a scent?"
"Yes! Griffon! But I can't place it."
"Did you see the intruder?"
"Uh, duh! It was standing right in front of the window, looking at me!" Larentia paced, growing more and more flustered. Dagmar let out a frustrated growl and looked up. Without looking, Dagmar gently took her friend's neck, pinched it, angled her beak upward, then released. Larentia was dazed for a moment, but when her focus sharpened, she gasped. "Found em." Dagmar murmured.
The cloaked being was hiding in the rafters high above them. A long tufted tail swept down, and Larentia's suspicions grew deeper. Without waiting, the intruder rushed them, knocking them down before sprinting the opposite direction.
"Gah!" Dagmar and Larentia stumbled back, but Dagmar hadn't lost her footing. She took off after the intruder, hard on their tail. "They're heading to the throne room!" She snarled, "Halt!" She barked the order at the fleeing figure.
Larentia scrambled to her paws and bounded after. Whoever it was, they were fast. Faster than either of them! By the time she caught up, she was panting softly. She arrived just in time to see the cloaked figure disappearing into the throne room.
"The Princess and her friends are in there!" Larentia gasped. She drew her crossbow and loaded it while Dagmar pulled her longsword from its sheathe. They charged the throne room together, and Larentia's eyes fell on the stranger. She pulled the trigger. The bolt flew.
But it never made it to the target. A magenta colored magic shield came to life in front of the figure. Princess Twilight had stopped the bolt. Larentia was confused, but as Princess Twilight lowered her shield, she smiled calmly at Larentia and Dagmar. Her friends were with her, all looking startled and worried.
"I'm so sorry for the confusion," the Princess murmured to Larentia and Dagmar. "I forgot to mention I had a guest coming tonight. She didn't feel comfortable using the main gates, so I gave her permission to come in through the east wing." The lavender alicorn walked up to the towering figure, and she looked deep into their eyes before her gaze roamed to Larentia. "I see the resemblance,"
"What?" Larentia blinked. She put her crossbow away with a worried glance to Dagmar. But the words that came next took her breath away.
"Now now, my child..." The cloaked figure cooed in a silky sweet voice, "Is that any way to greet your mother?"
Equestria was warm and bright and sunny, just as it always should be, and always will be. No matter what dark forces threatened them, no matter what perils darkened the skies and made its citizens afraid, Equestria always prevailed.
It was this hopefulness that inspired Larentia to make her home here. Not just her home, but her life. She wanted to be part of the sunny cycle that Equestria gave its citizens far and wide. Only four years ago, long after the change in leadership from the Princesses Celestia and Luna to Princess Twilight Sparkle, the gentle snow white giant had joined the royal guard. With her size and skill, the griffon was a valuable asset and member of the elite protectors of Equestria. She was professional. She could follow orders and fix problems without asking a senior member for advice. She was perceptive and strategic. She was fun to be around when off duty, and firm and unmoving when tasked with difficult situations. She was what new recruits aspired to be, and what made the older guards proud. Even Gallus, a senior officer and a fellow griffon (though he hailed from Griffonstone) acknowledged her as a valued member of the guard.
It was one of those perfect days in Canterlot. Even with winter heading their way, Equestria was sunny and bright. Not even the chilly breeze bothered anyone who was strolling about. Larentia was enjoying on of her rare days off. The giant griffon was basking in the sun, purring so loud that it rumbled the immediate area around her. Her long body was stretched out, taking up a good chunk of the main square in the middle of the city. The fountain trickled, and once in a while, ponies would toss a few bits in and make a wish. Larentia watched this with amusement. What could they possibly wish for? They had everything they wanted! It was a beautiful time to be living in Equestria.
A shadow fell over her head. Larentia looked up to see her best friend Dagmar standing there.
Now if anyone asked Larentia, Dagmar was terrifying to behold. The dragon stood at six foot five and bore scars all over her dark red, brown and black body from countless hunts and battles. She wore an eye patch to cover her right empty eye socket. Her arms and legs were covered in thick molten rock armor, that from what Larentia knew, were natural formations on Dagmar. Even her spine was covered in the thick plating, all the way down to the tip of her tail. One of her horns was broken halfway. She had long sharp claws on her hands and feet. She was lean and toned from years of traveling, and her muscles rippled with each movement. She looked like the embodiment of hell compared to Larentia, who looked like a sweet angel next to her friend.
The two had met upon Larentia's arrival to Equestria. Over ten years ago. She had been little more than a fledgling. Her body had been covered in down, but she had flown all the way to Equestria alone. Dagmar had been tracking a troublesome beast, and thought it was the young griffoness. They fought each other, and Larentia nearly died at the end of Dagmar's sword when the real beast appeared. Together, they took it down and forged a lasting friendship. Larentia had made her first friend that day, and looked up to the older creature with awe and respect. Dagmar was over one hundred and sixty years old at the time, but she looked so young and fit, so un-aged that many thought she was less, even with the scars and wounds that littered her body.
Even ten years later, Dagmar still looked healthy and young. Age didn't affect dragons the way it did other creatures. Larentia found herself smiling as she looked at her friend.
"Dag," She purred.
"Tia," Came the clipped response.
"I take it you are ready for our lunch?" The griffon asked. Dagmar nodded, but she didn't seem too happy or excited. Dagmar never was...at least outwardly. She was shockingly quiet for a dragon. Always thinking ahead. Always relying on her actions than her words. It had taken Larentia a long time to read her friend well enough to understand her. And while Dagmar would never admit it, Larentia knew the dragon appreciated having a friend who was patient with her. Someone who let her open up at her own, rather than try to crack her open and spill her contents all over the floor. Her appreciation and friendship was shown through the occasional lunch together, training, or even when Larentia felt bothered or bullied, Dagmar was there to set things right. She wasn't an affectionate dragon. She didn't like the idea of cuddling and hugging every five minutes. Unless it was her pet bunny, Leo.
Larentia yawned, her beak splitting wide open. She got up and stretched out each limb, wings included, before she stood next to Dagmar. While Dagmar was tall, Larentia was even taller. Larentia stood at a massive twelve foot ten, and her wing span was large enough to envelope an entire group of ponies... twice! She was what the Princess considered an evolutionary phenomenon; No other griffon could say where Larentia had come from, or what her breed was. Until her arrival to Equestria, the only griffons Equestria had ever seen had come from Griffonstone... and next to her, they looked like house cats! But even with all the curiosity surrounding her, Larentia refused to tell them about herself, or where she came from.
Now that she was up and stretched, she bounded along happily beside Dagmar. The dragon looked over her with an eye and offered a small, if faint, smile. The griffon's enthusiasm amused her. The pair made their way to their designated lunch spot; It was a large restaurant with an outdoor dining area. For the two large creatures, it was perfect.
"So what do you want?" Dagmar asked. It was routine now as they approached the doors to the restaurant. Larentia would hop the fence surrounding the outdoor area to get their seats while Dagmar ordered the meal. The staff weren't thrilled with it, but after some serious explaining from Dagmar, they reluctantly allowed it for Larentia alone. What was worse? A huge griffon hopping the fence to eat food that was being paid for, or that griffon trying to squeeze inside and navigate the many tables and chairs and other customers? They had agreed with some level of annoyance that the latter was the worst scenario. But Dagmar made up for it, but paying handsomely each time, and making sure that the food they made would be portion specific for the two overgrown creatures.
"You know, I think I want to try their salmon filet this time," Larentia replied. "Maybe with a side of lamb chops."
"Lamb chops aren't a side, Tia," Dagmar looked at the griffon.
"I know, but I don't really want the veggies. Hmm...maybe a double order of the baked potato?" Larentia looked at Dagmar hopefully.
Dagmar sighed. "I'll get you the lamb chops, and a baked potato to go with your salmon." Dagmar chuckled and went inside. Larentia giggled and turned. With a single, easy bound, she cleared the fence, landing in the corner of the dining area. They had cleared it specifically for her. Larentia shuddered at the memory of her first time doing it. She had landed flat on a couple and ruined their meals. After extensive apologies, they had their meals reordered and they were forgiven. It was one of the many things Larentia loved about her new home. Forgiveness was abundant, and she felt safe even when she did something wrong.
Today the outdoor area was empty. This was odd. Usually there was at least one other creature dining outside. Larentia chuckled and pushed away the thought that something was wrong. "Just a slow day," She told herself. She picked the best seat and made herself comfortable. She looked around as she waited, noticing that inside she could see at least ten other customers, and no sign of Dagmar. "Huh..." Larentia hummed. Why was she the only one outside? The griffon began to worry; her feathers began to fluff up, and she clucked deep in her throat, anxiously searching for any sign of Dagmar.
"Surprise!" Came a loud cry behind her. Larentia squawked and jumped. She twisted her head around to see Dagmar standing there with the plates, and balanced on her tail was a large cake. The dragon smirked and sauntered to the table, setting down their plates of food and the cake. Larentia was confused.
"What is this about?" She asked warily. Dagmar was not one for breaking routine or going out of her way to do something like this.
"It's the anniversary of your arrival to Equestria," Dagmar explained. She sat down across from Larentia and smiled. "I know it's the first time I ever brought attention to it, but I thought ten years later was a good enough amount of time to celebrate," She said warmly.
"You...remembered?" Larentia asked soberly. She hadn't known about dates when she arrived in Equestria. She didn't even know what day her actual birthday was. As a result, she had picked the first day of the new year to have as her birthday. It was a day of rebirth and renewal. The start of an entirely new year. Another year to make friends and enjoy a life she wanted.
"Of course I did, bird-brain," Dagmar said and pushed the cake to Larentia. It was coated in white frosting, with blood red decorative icing around the bottom and top of the cake. As she examined it, Larentia noticed that it was sprinkled with flakes of salmon and trout. The big white bird felt a soaring rush of affection for her best friend. It was so thoughtful and kind of Dagmar, who she knew was never good at showing her soft side. It meant a lot that Dagmar felt so at ease around Larentia.
"Oh...wow this is so amazing!" Larentia squeaked. She opened her beak to take a bite of cake, but was promptly rebuked by Dagmar, who, wielding a spoon, rapped it hard on her beak. "Ah-Ah. Eat your food first. Dessert is best when it is last." She sounded like a scolding mother. In some ways, Dagmar was like a mother to Larentia. She had been her mentor and friend since they met all those years ago. It was Dagmar who had inspired Larentia's choice in career. Dagmar was a mercenary who collected bounties on troubling monsters that were just asking for it. She wasn't against being bought to bulk up armies, or guard a home or homestead while the owners left either. Whatever it was, it was work she'd take as long as the pay was decent. It wasn't the same as being a royal, but it was what Larentia had wanted to do, with less killing involved. Dagmar had put in a good referral to a friend she had in the guard, and before long, Larentia was recruited. She had been in service for four years, and she loved it.
Larentia chuckled and dug into her meal. Her beak snapped up the salmon filets, and she swallowed them whole with gusto. Dagmar had gotten a more modest plate of steak and alfredo shrimp. They dined and chatted, enjoying the company of the other.
"So," Larentia paused long enough to speak, a filet skewered on her talon. "Any new jobs?"
"Only the occasional timberwolf or two for now." Dagmar replied between bites. "How's the guard? I've heard impressive reports about you." Her friend kept her updated.
"Oh, it's great!" Larentia snapped the filet up and swiped her tongue over her beak. "I managed to take down another criminal last week." She seemed to hesitate, then shrugged. "Then they sent me on a tracking mission...it was... for a pretty big baddie from Griffonstone. A wanted outlaw. He was making trouble in one of the northern towns bordering the Frozen North."
"A griffon...from Griffonstone.... was that far North?" Dagmar questioned. She was sniffing for the holes in the story. Dagmar had a way of just knowing when someone was lying to her. This was no exception. Larentia felt guilty, but she didn't want to explain it yet. She was still trying to tell herself it was just an abnormality...but deep down she knew otherwise.
"So did you find him?" Dagmar asked, sitting back and frowning. Larentia shook her head. "His trail disappeared once he crossed the border. Not even a feather. He didn't even seem to be in a hurry. Some of the trail seemed to be left deliberately. As though..."
"As though he wanted you to find him." Dagmar finished, and her frown deepened. "Be careful, Tia. When someone wants you to find them by laying out a trail, they aren't trying to make friends. It could have been an ambush, or a trap of some sorts." Dagmar growled, and Larentia swore she could see the air start to sizzle around her friend.
"I-I know, Dag..." Larentia reached a wing over to place on the dragon's shoulder, wincing as her feathers became singed from the heat. Dagmar seemed to realize her friend's discomfort and forced herself to relax with a long breath. The griffon continued. "I know how it might seem. They have me on this investigation fully now, but we haven't had a sign for a couple weeks since then. Maybe they are gone?"
"Doubtful, but possible." Dagmar grumbled. A silence fell between them, and they ate their food without so much as a word or glance to the other. Larentia knew Dagmar was onto her, but there was no way Larentia was ready to tell Dagmar about her suspicions, or what it might mean if they were right.
When they finished, they put the cake in a to-go case and left the restaurant together. The conversation had unsettled them, and Larentia knew there was going to be hell to pay when Dagmar learned the truth.
Author's Note
Hi there! Welcome to Cold Winds and Frozen Wings!
This story is less focused on any actual characters from the show, MLP:FIM and more on my own characters Larentia and Dagmar. The story takes place after the events of MLP, now that the show has officially ended.
I am going to try and make this story at least 30 chapters per book. Yes that's right! This is going to be a series! A series of three books and 30 chapters each! Please be patient with me!
Thank you for reading!
