The guards of the royal palace in Canterlot are known far and wide for their loyalty to the princesses, their hard work and their dedication. Guards had two jobs, follow all orders from the princesses and protect what they order to protect. They worked in eight-hour shifts, got well payed and got three meals a day.
That's the life a guard named Golden Lance loved more than anything in the world. He graduated knight school and trained hard to be accepted into the royal guards at 20 years of age. He loved the monotone daily routine and the simple job of standing guard. He didn't need much in his life. He had a nice income, a nice job, and friends among the other guards, with which he would go out into town for a drink or two on a day off. That is, he went out with the other guards to keep appearance and up to date with the outside world.
Living in the barracks of the castle made sure he didn't have to pay rent and to socialize with others as he was a work hard and scarcely play kind of pony. His way of thinking and life could be seen clearly simply by looking at him. He always kept his white fur immaculately clean, his royal blue main cut short and his armor and weapon sparkling. All the while his face was fixated in an emotionless expression while at work. When he was off work, he always had a light frown but otherwise kept the same face as during guard duty. Even when his guard friends tried to make him laugh, he kept his sour face. This earned him the nick name guard of stone.
That was his life for 20 years. All this time working in the royal guard sure took its toll on him. Especially since Canterlot got attacked more than once by villains. Not to mention the destruction of the palace on multiple occasions. As he is an earth pony, Golden Lance had to use his strength alone to keep the castle save, he sustained physical wear, far earlier than a normal pony should. Other guards during that time weren't much better of either. But that still wouldn't keep him from serving the princesses. It is his duty after all.
Or at least it was until princess Celestia and princess Luna resigned the throne and gave charge over Equestria to princess Twilight Sparkle. Golden Lance had respect for the princess. After all, she saved Equestria on multiple occasions from certain doom. He was content of serving in the royal guard until he dropped. He wouldn't have had it any other way, but princess Twilight Sparkle had other plans.
With more and more other creatures starting to get positions in the royal guard, pony guards which had to go through rougher times than others during major incidents, were sent into an early retirement. She called it "rent a guard" program. As most pony guards like Golden Lance still wanted to stay royal guards but wouldn't be able to be of much help during a bigger incident, they were given the option of becoming guards for other ponies but still retain the title royal guard.
Golden Lance knew for sure that he would have to be part of that "rent a guard" program, if he wanted to stay a royal guard and serve Equestria's now sole ruler. Even if it ment being stationed somewhere else besides the palace in Canterlot, Golden Lance would never even think about retiring. But not even princess Twilight Sparkle couldn't have known what his new position would entail. Not that she would have ever known to beginn with.
A couple of years passed since princess Twilight Sparkle became sole ruler of Equestria and with the help of her friends, she made sure that neither any pony nor creature would have to go through any catastrophes. While she enjoys helping every creature and pony, despises the long, boring and nerve wrecking meetings with snobby nobles and loves to make Equestria a better place for everyone, she can’t help but feel guilty for all the royal guards stationed in the palace of Canterlot which had to go through so much.
Pacing back and forth in the giant throne room, she pondered how she could make up for all the things they had to endure. Her mane flowing like her predecessors and the sound of her hove steps echo while her muttering makes the guards stationed in the throne room question what she’s talking about. More than once they thought about interfering but better kept quiet in fear of disturbing her thought process. Even though they already served her for quite some time and have known her for even longer, they know better than to disturb a princess during such times.
It had taken hours upon hours until the princess of friendship to come up with a solution to her problem. The sweat drops on her forehead and the slowly fading flow effect of her mane were indicators that she didn’t make it easy for herself.
In the end, she ordered all royal guards to gather in the big courtyard close to the barracks. It had been constructed for announcements of the caliber she had planned anyway.
Every single one of the royal guards, be it pony, or other creature was busy getting ready for gathering in the “announcement yard” as it has been dubbed. Hooves, claws and paws were running towards their destination while their owners had rushed expressions on their faces. It was not every day that the ruler of Equestria would call all the guards at once. Most of the guards felt excitement, panic and many other emotions bubble to the surface. It has been over a hundred years since the last time a princess order all the royal guards to gather and no matter what would be said, it would be utmost importance.
The sun is shining, standing high in the sky, as all guards are standing in the “announcement yard”. Everyone standing at attention, neatly in rows. The seasoned soldiers don’t move a muscle, while the newer recruits tried their best not to faint, sweat or in some cases breath under the pressure of being part of such an occasion. With long and precise steps, the princess of Equestira makes her way onto the elevated platform in front of all everyone.
The princess’s voice spreads across the courtyard with a tone of strength and assurance that lets most of the feel the power behind the being standing in front of them. “Royal soldiers. I am relieved to see all of you here. There have been many times where the royal guards of Canterlot castle had to endure the harshest of times. As I cannot simply let all the sacrifices you had to make be for nothing, I concluded that things have to change.” A parchment makes its way to the princess’s face. A soft purple glow envelops it as it floats in front of her. “As of this moment, every royal guard with certain physical health, which have gone through a briefing with me personally, will be allowed to go into an early retirement.” Princess Twilight Sparkles voice carries her word to every guard standing in the yard thanks to magic. Many faces light up, with joy, breaking the always expressionless looks of the guards. After all, many had to endure too much in a short a mount of time. One specific pony felt dread though. If it weren’t for the many years of training and dedication, Golden Lance wouldn’t have been able to keep his posture and his blank expression.
For him the word retirement means he would lose everything that made him…… him. He doesn’t have much besides his job as a royal guard. Why should he? For him everything revolved around his position as a guard in Canterlot. His thoughts race. Faster and faster with every second, covering every scenario he could think about in the short amount of time it takes for the princess to continue with her speech.
“As I know that many of you live for the royal Canterlot guard, there is a second option to the retirement.” With these words of the princess, Golden Lance’s focus is again fixated on her. Hope starts tor rise inside him. “The second option is a special program. The “rent a guard” program. The name might sound misleading, but with this, the ones who want to stay guards can continue.”
Golden Lance is sure to absorb every word the princess says. He can’t explain why but with every moment that ticks by it gets more difficult to keep his composure. His life consists of being a royal guard and this program the princess created guaranteed him to stay a royal guard. His ears turn towards the princess to hear every single detail.
“The concept is rather simple, while the program is named “rent a guard”, it focuses on stationing the hove picked guards with ponies or creatures of high importance. Said guards will be under direct employment of their assigned individuals. They will not only be payed directly by their new employers, but they will also receive food and a place to stay. I hope that I do not have to say that it is of utmost importance that orders of each individual are to be taken with respect and treated as if they come from me directly. The ones who are assigned to such individuals, will not be at the front lines but still serve as royal guards. This still means that in case of an emergency where it is of need, even the ones stationed outside the Canterlot castle will be called.”
While the thought of becoming a special guard does sound nice to Golden Lance, it confuses him all the same. As a royal guard like him, he always takes his orders seriously and doesn’t question his assignments, but it still doesn’t make much sense to him what can be of such importance about these “individuals” that would need a royal guard to practically treat them like the princess themselves.
Before Golden Lance can continue his thought process, momentarily forgetting the heat that accumulated under his golden armor, the princess’s words bring him back to focus again. He even forgot that he lost focus a second ago. “You all might wonder what is so important about the ponies or creatures you will be assigned to. To put it simple, each of the them is already making Equestria a better place. I can not tell you specifically what each of them is working on or doing, as this is highly confidential but be assured that what they do equals in importance to guarding me directly.”
He couldn’t believe it. This must be too good to be true. He would get assigned to a being equal in importance as the princess herself. Even if it meant not being in Canterlot castle, the responsibility fills him with glee. Golden Lance couldn’t wait to be assigned his charge. He would show the princess his worth as a royal Canterlot guard.
The princess’s words brought him yet again back into reality. Golden Lance silently scolds himself for not paying attention like usual. “Now then, during the coming week, the ones assigned for an outside post will be called to me where the evaluation will be conducted. I already sent out information regarding this program to the ones some of you will be guarding. What I received where specific qualifications a guard should have to be suited best for the job. With this, everyone can go back to their post. I thank you for your hard work.”
Not a single guard moved until the princess was out of sight. Even if they were guards, the started to act more like little children which got the chance to get a sickly-sweet piece of candy. The mixture of voices grows louder, as small groups of guards start to build, talking about who would be sent off and who would stay. All the while, Golden Lance stayed completely still, the sweat that started to run down his fur didn’t bother him at all, neither did the unbearable heat. He was so focused on the thought of being assigned a special post that he nearly forgot that he was still on duty.
Now Golden Lance only had to wait for him to be called to princess Twilight Sparkle and receive his guarding post. At that moment nothing mattered to Golden Lance more than to get such an important post and be a royal guard. At least with this, he could still be one.
If only he had known what would await him at his new post. He might not have been so excited otherwise.
Three days. It had taken three days for Golden Lance to be called to the princess. During his time of waiting, he tried to continue his work as a royal guard, even if it turned out to be more difficult than he thought. Each time a pony or creature got close to him he was anticipating being called upon. It went so far that Golden Lance started to see someone where there was no one.
His time when he was not on active duty was not much better. As he focused his life completely on being a guard, he didn’t think much about worldly possessions but that didn’t stop him from organizing and reorganizing his few belongings over and over. It went so far that the other guards started to bet on how many times Golden Lance would pack and unpack his back.
On the day he was finally called, his emotionless expression nearly cracked. It would have been a joyous occasion, if the guards close to him when it nearly happened didn’t panic, running around as if the world would end. But who could blame them? Seeing Golden Lance smile could already be seen as a sign for the apocalypse, so their reactions were justified.
As Golden Lance made his way towards princess Twilight Sparkle’s private office, he felt like a new pony. Never in his life would he have thought that he would get the chance to become a personal guard of such importance. He knew that it was not for the princess herself, but she said that the one he would be assigned to is of equal importance and that was enough for him.
His polished armor sparkled in the light during his way to her office. Glances form the other guards and staff members accompanied his every step. He stopped only as he was directly in front of the massive double doors made of a rich, deep wood. The engravings on the door showing a beautiful landscape of Equestria. Golden Lance always wondered why royalty always had so many ornated things but as a soldier and guard, he would never have to think about such things.
Raising his right hove, he knocked on the door. The two guards stationed on both sides glance at him, trying to guess what must go through his head. One, two, three seconds go by before both guards to either side snap back into their perfectly symmetrical positions, as princess Twilight Sparkle’s voice bids Golden Lance to step inside.
One side of the giant door opens ever so slightly. Golden Lance has to squeeze through the gap, as the door wouldn’t open further. Luckily, he can get through, even if it’s just barely. Once he is inside the office, he sees why the door wouldn’t open further. Stacks upon stacks of different books are all over the room. Like a maze the books keep piling up. Stepping inside completely and closing the door behind himself, Golden Lance salutes. “Your highness, guard Golden Lance reporting as requested.”
A soft chuckle sounds from the other side of the large office room. “Please, come and sit. We have things to discuss.” Without hesitation, Golden Lance snakes his way through the stacks of books, not stopping until he spots Equestria’s ruler, sitting behind a wooden desk. The filled shelves on all walls and the stacks of books which cover the floor didn’t seem enough, as the desk barely has any workspace left.
Sinking a bit into the seat in front of the desk, Golden Lance waits for the princess of friendship to begin the probably long conversation they will have. It might not be like this normally, but the change for a special “mission” makes him giddy all over with anticipation. The chair creaks and he fixes his posture as the princess begins.
“First, I would like to thank you for your service to Equestria. I know that you, like many others have gone through more than what a pony or creature should have to go through.” Twilight Sparkle takes a deep breath. Her eyes gaining a sad look, as she remembers some of the harsher times. Shaking her head, she continues. It wouldn’t do her any good to think too much about the past anyway. “Now then. As I have announced in the court yard a couple of days ago, ponies like you, Golden Lance, are given the chance to retire early. That is, if they want to. The choice is yours, but if you were to want to continue serving Equestria as a guard, there would be an individual that would need protection.” Taking a deep breath after such a long sentence, Twilight Sparkle locks eyes with Golden Lance.
“My whole life I wanted to be nothing other than a royal guard and serve Equestria and it’s princesses. Therefor it would be an honor to continue serving pony and creature kind. Even if it means not being directly employed under your highness. I presume that I will be a royal guard in title only then as well.”
It was not a question but Golden Lance summarized the situation pretty much in one go. “Yes, you are correct in your assumption. It would normally not be possible to keep the title of royal guard if you are not directly employed under… well me, but as you would be under employment because of a direct order of mine, not to mention the importance of the creature you would be protecting, your title as well as your status stay the same. You would not be given reports to me or the captain of the royal guards anymore though.”
Golden Lance had to give it to the princess. He knows that she is concerned about every being there is in Equestria. It’s one of the reasons she has his respect. It may not look like it, but he admires her desire to help and serve Equestria as much as she does.
His ears slightly move, as Golden Lance tries to sort his thoughts. The slight smile directed at him ensures him that the princess genuenlly cares about her subjects to such an extent. After all, she came up with a program just for them, to give them the possibility of a job, with less risk of getting into fights that could end with injuries added to the already existing ones.
“I will gladly take the chance to keep serving under the Equestrian crown. I am a royal guard and would like nothing more than to continue being one until the day I am truly incapable of being one.” Golden Lances answer lets a new chuckle escape the princesses’ lips, as a cream colored folder slowly floats towards him, encased in the purple aura, before it stops a couple of inches before his face.
The princess herself unable to see the content of the folder starts to speak, as Golden Lance opens the folder. “I already thought you would say this. This folder contains all the information about your future guard job.” With princess Twilights words, Golden Lance skims through the text written, until his eyes fall onto a picture, pinned to a concern with a paperclip. A unicorn stallion in his mid to late 20’s, moss green fur coat, light thyme colored mand and tail, average height and build. All in all, an average looking pony.
“This is Breezy Bark. I know he might not look like much, but his work is vital for all of Equestria.” Golden Lance looks up from the folder. “After Zecora went back to Zebrica, he opened a potion shop near pony Ville, close to the everfree Forest. He focuses on medical potions to ease pain and cure illnesses.” As the princess continues speaking, Golden Lance can’t understand why a potion maker would be of such importance. His raised eyebrows and tilted head must have given his thoughts away, as Twilight Sparkle elaborates the reasoning for stationing him there.
“Normally a potion maker would not need a guard, but his research and potions brought breakthroughs in the medical field. The potions he made up till today do not cure any illness yet, but the lessened pain and the disinfecting properties exceed by far what other potions on the market are capable of. If he can continue his research and develop even better potions, it would help Equestria in fighting against most any disease, not to mention how many life’s he already changed for the better through his potions.”
Golden Lance thought for a moment but had to agree with the princess. Potions that helped already to such a degree, with potential to get even better, are worth guarding. As the pony himself is still young too, it means that he could achieve much in the future. For him it was clear that this pony was of great importance and why the princess sees him of near equal position as herself. True, he was no ruler and did not achieve what she did, but from what Golden Lance read in the folder, this unicorn could be called royalty when it comes to potions.
Golden Lance’s thoughts get interrupted, as the princess of friendship speaks up again. “As you know, I sent letters regarding the program to the beings I already found which need guarding, before I made the announcement. Therefor they were able to make requests regarding the personality of the guard they might need. You, Golden Lance, fit all his criteria. Breezy Bark even asked to speak to me in person after he received the letter. At first he wanted to decline, saying that he would need no guard, but I was able to convince him, to agree with it, if I could find a guard who does not get distracted, focuses solely on his duty, is a seasoned soldier and does not snoop around where they should not.”
Golden Lance nods as the princess lists the qualities. Apparently, this Breezy Bark knows what he wants and doesn’t seem like the type who wastes his time with nonsense. Just the type of pony he would be honored to serve as a guard. He wouldn’t have noticed that he spaced out, if the princess’ voice didn’t bring him back to reality.
“At first it was difficult to find a guard with such qualifications, but then I remembered that you, Golden Lance, are exactly that. I looked through your files and you are the perfect fit for this job. Therefore, if you agree, you will be sent to Breezy Bark as his personal royal guard.”
Golden Lance didn’t need to be told twice. “Of course, your highness. I will gladly serve as mister Bark’s guard.” Princess Twilight Sparkle smiled to his answer, lifting the folder away from Golden Lance to continue their conversation.
The joy could be heard in her voice, as she lifted a thick stack of papers from a distant shelve towards the royal office desk. “These are the transfer papers. I already have Breezy Bark’s signature so you only need to sign at the bottom before we can start with your transfer preparations.”
It didn’t take long for Golden Lance to sign the transfer papers. They incorporated a special contract which would make him Breezy Bark’s personal guard, but would still let him keep his titles, status and privileges of being a royal guard in the Canterlot castle.
After the papers were signed, it took several hours to discuss the finer details of his transfer and his future job as a personal guard. Golden Lance could feel the strain the conversation caused him once they were done, yet he felt happy, even if he didn’t show it. Standing up, straighten his posture and looking the princess directly in her eyes he thanked her one last time for this opportunity.
“You do not have to thank me Golden Lance. I do all of this so you all can decide your own future.” The sun was already starting to set, enveloping the office in soft orange glow. The princess looked out the window, thinking about her mentor before she turned her attention back to the royal guard standing before her. “How time flies. The sun is already starting to set. You should start preparing for Sunday. We wouldn’t want you to forget anything.”
With a salute and a short bow, Golden Lance excused himself, before making his way back to the giant double door at the other end of the room. Carefully opening it and stepping through the gap between wood once more, he exits the office before closing the door behind him again. Golden Lance gets glances yet again, but he is to focused on all the wonderful structured guard work he will be doing, serving as Breezy Barks guards. Some ponies and creatures had to look twice, thinking Golden Lance might have smiled or even chuckled to himself, while he passed them. This was certainly strange or at the very least unusual.
His happy mood was justified though, even if he made his soon to be ex-coworkers and staff members of the castle run in fright, as he made his way back to the barracks. He had more sorting to do before he would embark on his way to his new position.