Author's Note

I did it! Its Saturday! I am a Go-!

What? What do you mean its Sunday. No its right here....oh shit. Fuck.

Here's a chapter. I'm a dumbass.

Heartbreak

The first thing to greet his nose was the sea sand and ocean. The second was the smell of over sun baked fish as they had come in from the wrong side of the city. Toward the docks and packaging warehouses of the city state known as Neighbon. It made him want to gag. The combination of smells made him think of someone trying desperately to hide the fact that they took a massive load in the toilet and had forgotten to flush.

It seemed not to affect his traveling companion all that much. A wrinkle of the beak, “seriously how the hell did that work,” and she went back to taking in the sights. Her guard behind her, the ever stone faced Gilda Broadwing, walked behind them taking in the sights for a different purpose. That one, before had seemed so stone face and job orientated, but over the last few weeks they had developed a working relationship. Both having worn the rough edges off each other.

Behind her marched five porters, carrying the bare essentials as most had been left back in Avery. Behind them were fifty red armored guards. Her personal platoon of guards had stayed behind to oversee the revitalization effort in Avery.

During the time spent there, the troops had actively gotten involved in plowing fields with the new plows that had come with the shipment of equipment and food. Building small bridges inside the village where new streams for irrigation had been dug and shored up. Some had even taken on work helping the masons use the new ideas on plaster to both build silos, above and below ground, and insulate the homes for the coming winter.

As things stood now, not only would Avery weather the coming season well, but thanks to Orion exhausting himself every other day, the farms surrounding the town would have a major bumper crop. So much so that only a small portion would actually be needed to be distributed with the locals.

Bloodbeak had stayed behind to help organize the distribution plans to get the food stores to other towns in the immediate vicinity. There was also going to be a large shipment to Griffonstone itself, to feed the thousands of homeless there. Those shipments would involve most of the fast growing crops till the day the first snows fell. With any luck, Griffonia would see its first well fed winter in centuries.

Coming back from his own musings, he eyeballed Screaming. No, her first name was actually Grace. How and why had no one told nor corrected him?

“Grace.” She cringed a little.

Truth be told he might have gone overboard with the tantrum he threw when he found out her first name. But he had been running around from party to party those first couple of weeks calling her Scream till he was blue in the face. What those nobles must have thought. Shit is embarrassing.

“Yes Orion?” She was meek. Okay maybe he had raised more than a little stink about it.

“I wanted to apologize to you. I should not have lost my shit like I did. I felt, embarrassed, for calling you Screaming to a bunch of nobles. I felt I had made a fool of myself. But I should not have taken that out on you. I’m sorry.”

Her ear tufts had perked up a little, a happier look graced her beak as her feathers stood up a little. He was beginning to understand the body language of the griffons. She was happy, and he had her interest. Before when he had said her name her ears hand laid flat, her feathers too. Indicating she was contrite. The tilt of her head down and to the right had made that abundantly clear.

“It’s okay. I should have told you. Honestly I am so used to Screaming being used, even my Uncle and Aunt use it. But this isn’t what you wanted to talk about is it?”

“No it's not, but it was something that needed to be said. Anyway, my original question was going to be to ask: How in the fuck are we gonna hide fifty troops? They are not exactly the stealthiest of the flock so to speak. They can’t go marching into the city like this.”

“That will be no problem Master Falls.” Captain Goldwing had spoken up. He had actually volunteered for this babysitting duty. Him and a Lieutenant Eggo, whom Orion was privately calling Leggo.

“Oh? What can you guys turn invisible or something?”

A deep chuckle. “No Sir. Only a small contingent will go inside the city with you. Dressed in civilian clothes and spread out to minimize impact. We will stay armed with only daggers and short swords. In the event that you need quick extraction the rest of the troops will be on standby to sortie in and retrieve you both. We have a roster of rotations. So that all troops can both guard and enjoy some time off.”

“Oh, shit that works. Though if it really came down to it, I can get both me and her out with a teleportation spell. How about we look for a good place for me to ‘port into should shit hit the fan. Have a contingent of guards stationed there. Then all you have to worry about is the guards still inside the city. With them being unmarked civilians, they can easily leave. Sound like a good idea?”

He could almost see the lightbulb go off above his head. “Sir that is a capital idea. I had already forgotten that you are a unicorn with no small amount of strength. This would minimize the impact we would have in an emergency. Still we will have to send notice to the local authorities. That way they know we are here. Would not wish to step on any toes.”

Orion, didn’t much like that idea. Corruption can be in any form of government. He was worried that one of the council, which was pretty much just a bunch of hippogriff merchants that ruled the city state, might take it into their heads that they could auction off the fact that a wealthy noble was in the city. Easy for some band of pirates, who often used the port for resupply, to take it into their own heads that they could make a quick bit.

“You sure? I don’t exactly think it would be in our best interests to let anyone know we are here. Honestly it would likely be better for us that no one knows where we are. Can I please impose on you the idea of keeping our mouths shut and not look for trouble?”

Goldenwing's head turned down, in the way most griffons did when they thought. Surprisingly the next to voice was neither him or Orion, but Eggo. “Sir, he may be correct about this. If we were to notify the local authorities of our presence, we could be asked to pay extra for special leeway.” He surprised him by voicing his own concerns next. “There is also the fact that one or more government officials may be corrupt, and use the information about nobility being in the city to gain influence and money.”

The captain gaped for a moment before his beak slowly closed and his head started nodding.

“True, while normal procedure would be to announce our presence, as we do not have influence with Neighbon, it would likely not be a good idea to do so. Excellent thinking lieutenant, and you as well M’Lord.”

He stopped, causing the column of soldiers and porters to do also. “What did you call me?” His voice was quiet and hand an undercut of a sharp edge.

“I’m sorry sir, but I called you ‘M’Lord’. On account you are with the Lady Rush. I had assumed you were nobility.” He spoke tentatively.

“I am an Orphan, captain. I hold no such title. I hate it that you insist on calling me ‘Sir’ all the time. Don’t call me, ‘My Lord’ again. Are we clear?” He didn’t want to yell. It was an innocent mistake in reality. But the idea of someone treating them as someone better, irked him in ways he did not understand himself. “Look I’m sorry, for some reason that pissed me off. Please don’t believe that I think any less of you. Just, none of that crap. Please?”

Goldenwing had looked worried up to that point. With a polite smile he nodded in confirmation. “As you wish Orion, thank you for understanding, and I apologize if I had implied something offensive. Shall we continue on to the city proper?”

Neighbon itself had taken much of the architecture from the griffons. Many of the shops, homes, and work areas were built into the cliff face. What they took from the ponies, more specifically the pegasus, were the roman style of design of their own buildings. It was like he had traveled back in time.

The markets were already busy, considering it was approaching noon that was to be expected. Hawkers of fish, beads, furniture. It was a literal one-eighty from the near destitution of Griffonia’s towns and cities.

But all this was secondary to the people themselves. On hooved feet they walked, dressed lightly in silks and soft cottons. The wings having gold, silver, and even a strange black material, banded about the wings as cuffs.

The males, of which they followed the pony way and called themselves stallions, were naked from the waist up. Wearing baggy pants, the inseam rose only halfway, which allowed for ease of movement. Walking, or flying about with tools, ropes, shopping bags. Broad shouldered and lean. Many days of hard work were evident on their bodies.

Orion’s eyes were however drawn to the females, the mares. They too walked around in soft cotton and silks, colorful garments that did little to hide their lithe forms. Where the stallions were topeless, the females wore tops that seemed to gently wrap their breasts. Only providing covering, not support. It left very little to the imagination and he quickly had to avert his eyes to the faces.

Of which brought even more speculation. The hippogriffs, one and all, had golden chains going from beak nostril holes to the bottom of the ear. Just one chain. But there seemed to be something important about those chains. It varied from one to the other, but some held tiny medallions. Two or three here. None on that one as they toiled away under the sun hauling in a box of fish from a ship.

He suspected they might indicate rank amongst them. But he could not be sure. A merchant had five medallions, but they were of a different size, the merchant in the stall next to his had a similar set of medallions, at least in design. Though she was missing one large one.

Still looking for more examples they made their way to the cliff face. His Majesty, King Bloodbeak, had recommended an inn that was not too rich but definitely not too poor that existed high on the cliff side wall. ‘Dawning Spray’. As far as names, it wasn’t the worst. Screaming spotted it before he did.

“Orion! It’s up there!” She pointed to a similarly roman structured inn about halfway from the top of the cliff. A good hundred or so yards up. Obviously, at least to him, it had been meant for flying clients. He judged the distance thought about teleporting, but the potential hazard made him choose another option.

“Ah cool. I’ll meet you up there.” A clawed hand landed on his shoulder. “What?” He asked annoyed.

Eggo had been the one to stop him. “Sir would it not be better if we flew you up there? Teleporting might upset the locals.”

He just grinned back. “Who said I was teleporting?” With that he jumped into the air making sure to clear the wooden docks by six feet before his horn blazed to life and flames burst forth from his hands in a controlled burn as he soared up and landed with a bit of a hop onto the platform leading into the inn.

He could feel his arms shake from the effort of keeping himself righted, might have wanted to practice that a few times before giving it a real go. But it worked and he knew what to do to make it easier next time.

A pair of thuds behind him made him turn around, Goldenwing and Grace were both staring at him. “What?”

“YOU CAN FLY?!” She screeched, drawing even more attention to them.

He held up a finger. “Yes and no. Complicated really, it's more along the lines of falling with style. I can only go straight up for so long before my arms would give out. Any forward motion would see me descend at an even pace. If a bit fast”

“Where did you learn that sir?” The captain had seemed to have recovered his composure. Eyeing his hands warily.

“Oh I figured this one out on my own. Most ponies don’t realize this but a unicorn’s magic doesn’t just come from their horn. As long as the horn remains free and unblocked they can channel that magic into their hands. It seems limited however, to only small scale spells. Nothing large, or mana draining intensive seems to be channeled through the hands. Still, the applications are useful.”

Before anyone else could speak another pair of thuds alerted them to armored guards. Specifically hippogriff armored guards. Though similar in design to griffon armors the bright white gleamed in the noon day sunlight.

“Sir, did you use a weapon earlier? Are you aware that magical weapons are prohibited inside Neighbon, as per article three section seven of the Neighbon Accords?” The lead one, his chain jingling as he spoke.

“Yes I am aware, that wasn’t a weapon. It was propulsion. It allowed me to fly from the ground up here. If you had bothered to pay attention.” That got a more severe frown from the lead guard.

“You discharged a spell that can have lethal effects.”

“If I use levitation right, I can jam an apple down your throat. That's a lethal effect. You’re making a mountain out of an ant hill. You know it, I know it.” He glared back. Oddly enough this guard was as tall as he was. So the glare might not have been as intimidating as he hoped it would be.

“I am Sergeant Buck Thorn, Sir. Treat this with the gravity it deserves. You could have burned somepony.”

“You saw me do what I did correct?” A nod. “Do you have any idea why I jumped so high into the air?” A head shake. “Because I already knew of the dangers and compensated for them by putting distance between myself, and everybody else. So how about we file all that crap you said under shit I already know. You wasted both my time, and yours. I have read the charters. I have read the codes. I know what was safe and what was not. And if you are going to stand there and argue with me, then you might want to tell everyone down on the docks to put out their torches and lamps at night. Because those represent a hazard too.”

Each sentence had been punctuated with a step, till they were both nose to beak. The glare he received back told of trouble. But he was prepared to make the cost too great for this asshole to want to continue.

“You can pocket that nullstone ring bud. It doesn’t work with me. I know how to break them.” That got a strangled look from both guards. He didn’t want to admit to the knowledge. But he saw little choice in this situation. He should have been apologetic. But they had already had the ring ready the moment he turned around. They fully planned to arrest him.

“That is a lie.” The lead hippogriff stated, confidence restored.

Before anyone could do anything Orion had snatched the ring from his partners hands, set it on his horn, and a hum could be heard quickly picking up in pitch. Glass was beginning to rattle in the window frames. Suddenly a crack was heard. Both guards looked at the glass in the inn’s frames. No glass was broken. Looking back they had noticed the nullstone ring had broken apart and was falling into his waiting palms.

“Was it?”

Joy, he had another massive headache.

Checking into the Dawning Spray had been little trouble. Though for three in the party was oddly quiet, side glances from both officers and a still stunned looking Screaming. They moved to separate rooms and began putting away their things for the stay.

Captain Goldenwing could not believe it. The unicorn had just proven that nothing could hold him. At least not for long. His ability to fly, or as he called it falling with style, alarmed the older drake. The idea that other unicorns could do the same as he frightened him. If they could figure out how to fly, nowhere was safe for griffon forces.

Putting away his things and arming himself with a pair of long daggers he walked down the hall and knocked on Corporal Broadwing’s room. He knocked quickly. Hoping to convey the urgency in his requirement to speak.

“Can I help you Captain?” There was no salute. Technically they were incognito and any give away of the fact that they were armed escorts would be bad for their charges.

“Yes, can we speak inside. I’d rather this conversation not be overheard.” He stated meaningfully.

She stood to one side and gestured for him to come in. The door thudded behind him as he began to pass in her small accommodations.

“What's on your mind sir?” Though it was obvious, the events of earlier were also fresh in her mind as well. But her stoic demeanor never cracked.

“In your opinion, as you have had more contact and interactions with him, how dangerous is Orion Falls?” He stopped and watched her face. Judging for any hint of what she was really feeling.

“I think in terms of potential crisis, he would likely be the worst thing outside of an invading force, sir.” Nothing else.

“Can you expound on that Corporal.”

She sighed. “Sir, I will admit that may have been a bit hyperbolic, but you have to understand something about him. He is normally full of jokes and being a pain in the tail feathers. Otherwise harmless.” She raised her hand to forestall any comments. “ You came to me, Sir.”

Sitting down in the only seat in the room she gestured to her bed for him to sit.

“How much do you know about him, Sir?”

“Not much. I was only told about his potential for disruption. Then seeing him come out of that cave left me shaking. I had never seen anything so terrifying.”

“Well, I believe you need to be briefed on the subject of Orion Falls.”

“That can’t be true!” He screamed in a hushed whisper.

“I assure you Sir. Every detail is true. Or at least what his Majesty could gather. Orion Falls is a strangely benign walking hazard. He has the potential of great violence. But you have seen first hand what he pursues. Not glory, but help. Not violence, but compassion for those around him. Despite his mouth running away with him sometimes, I have grown to respect him. While he makes rash decisions he does so with the best intentions in mind.”

“To be that capable, at his age. The only thing worse would be if Celestia showed up, and all he does with his time is help.”

“Yes, Sir. Every act of violence we have recorded has been the last possible option. He tried to talk his way out of that fight with the students. His fight with the timberwolves was only in seeking justice for a family wronged. He has never gone out of his way to find trouble. But I doubt he will ever shy away from aggression.”

Goldenwing could only shake his head in amazement. “He is a walking disaster, and instead of destruction he brings food.” A laugh erupted from him.

“Likely from his viewpoint he was heading off trouble before it really began. The guards of Neighbon are known for scams. It is very likely they were attempting to extort money from us. There likely would have been no end once we were marked as easy. His actions likely made it clear that we knew how to act within the law. He saved us a hassle. If I were a betting hen, I would say he had planned it.”

That got a very disturbed look from the Captain. “Are you saying he set a trap, one to catch corrupt guards?” A nod was all he got. “Well, that is frightening.” Getting up he coughed. Not knowing what to do.

“You could just ask him Sir.”

Orion had no idea how to respond. Sitting on his bed he looked between Gilda and Goldenwing with incredulity.

“You're...asking me, if I had planned that shit?” A nod from the pair.

How in the hell could he have planned for that nonsense. He didn’t even know the guards were there. While he had read the city’s charter and local codes, he had never planned for the event where some hustler would try and extort money out of him. The headache had abated none.

He could lie, and make him seem a brilliant strategist. But too many stories he had read had shown that tactic to make things worse for the protagonist. Not better. So he went with the simple truth.

“Fuck no I didn’t plan for the bullshit. I didn’t even know they were fucking there! How in the hell did you two figure I planned for that?”

Both gaped at him. It was beginning to be a trend.

Gilda recovered first. “But sir, surely you knew about the less savory guards employed by the city?”

“Oh that? Sure I did. Rumors abound in Avery. Not to mention I had asked others on the train before arriving to Griffonia. So yes, I knew about the extortionists. Did I expect them to come after me? Not on the first day, and not for some bullshit charge like that. The docks are fucking stone. Did they think I was an idiot. Don’t answer that.”

He had stopped Goldenwing from opening his beak.

“Listen, as much as I would love to have you think I was some genius fourth dimensional chess player. I really am just an over aggressive dick. My only redeeming quality is I am knowledgeable and quick thinking. Mostly.”

Gilda looked thoughtful. “Sir, why not just have teleported and not had any issue at all?”

Orion, rubbed the back of his head. “How much do you two know about teleportation?” He doubted they knew anything if at all.

“As we are not of the pony race, next to nothing, Sir.” It was Goldenwing’s turn to speak. He was getting some weird twin vibes with these two. They played off each other well.

“Okay, so story time. There once was a very accomplished mage. Years before the founding of the nation of Equestria. The mage’s name has been lost to history but he discovered the folly of teleporting to some place he had never been. Have you ever noticed that in major pony cities, they have an area set aside for teleportation on the various roads?”

“Can’t say I have ever been to any pony city, Sir.”

“Ah, understandable. Well we do have those. While it is true that unicorns break the rules and teleport all the time nearly everywhere, they are however encouraged to use those locations when in an unknown area. You see, that nameless mage teleported into a tree, he lived for about two or three minutes before he died. The moment he realized what he had done, and the unimaginable pain he must have been in, he tried to teleport away. Only now he dragged the tree with him. Unable to separate himself from the plant he caused major destruction and ended up fusing with several more things. A lamp, cart, a half eaten apple. The list goes on.”

Both griffons stared at him in horror. He chuckled.

“By the end of it he had to be chiselled out of a baron’s bedroom wall. He was burned, one of the few cremations ponies had ever had. There was no way they could bury him with all that shit he had in his body. Thus an excellent warning to those who can actually use the skill. I had no idea if someone might come out while I was teleporting up. I do not like the idea of becoming some sort of chimeric horror. Would you?”

The rapid shakes of heads and flattening of ears spoke for them.

“But, how did you break that ring? It should have been impossible.” Gilda was certainly on the course for employee of the year that was for sure. “They prevent unicorns and other magic channeling creatures from casting or even hold it.”

“Not really, Miss Broadwing. First and foremost, it is a common misconception that unicorns lose the ability to channel, we still have our magic, we are just unable to project it from us. Secondly, do either of you know what harmonic frequencies are?” They both shook their heads, and he debated whether to tell them or not. “Well, in the case of the stone I matched the resonance frequency of the rock itself. That is what caused it to shatter. I won’t go into details, because honestly, not many even understand. That's unicorns, not just griffons.”

Understanding dawned on Gilda’s face before Captain Goldwing. But when it did they both nodded.

“I take it, you don’t want that knowledge getting around. “ It was his turn to shake his head no at the Captain. “But you understand that this information will likely land in his Majesties hands, correct?”

“I would be surprised if you didn’t tell him. He is your king, I just don’t want this becoming public knowledge, not that it would be the end of the world if other ponies found out about it. I just would rather not have it advertised.”

“I would imagine not, criminals would fully take advantage of this apparent weakness.” Thank you Captain Obvious.

“Yes, that would cause chaos and cruel measures to be put into place till a solution is put in place. No good for anyone.” They all nodded at that, arms folded. Orion smiled. “On the downside of that ring shattering trick, it gives one massive headache. Could someone please get me some aspirin or something?”

“Annnnd that is nearly fourteen thousand tons of ore. I never imagined this would be our life. Sister, considering our luck, how good of an idea was this?”

Barney stood in the middle of the vaulted storage hold they had built for themselves over the last couple of weeks. The massive cavern with supporting pillars was a feat that, until now, he had never imagined his people could do. Who could have known a pony would know so much about support structures for mines and underground tunnels.

The effect of good food and sleep had done wonders for the Diamond Dogs. Over the course of the last three weeks they had sworn their oaths, dug a new home, which was done with the new knowledge that was held in the book of his sisters' paws. The new den no longer had the rough oval hallways so often associated with his people, instead they were wide half circles with supporting pillars. Plenty of room for traffic.

They were well lit too. Another gift of knowledge from the pony known as Orion Falls. It seemed some of the dogs were capable of crystal magic. A team of four, two for the home den, and two for the mine proper, kept the crystals set into the walls charged with their own magic.

The pony was surprised to learn that it seemed. But he reasoned out that it might have something to do with the ease of dogs being able to carve through earth like they do. ‘A projection field’ he had called it. The way Barney understood it was that the little magic they could wield projected through their paws, to allow them to carve through stone as easy as dirt.

It made sense to him. The four best diggers also seemed to be the only ones capable of charging the crystals. So while it hurt that they had lost the best diggers they had, the light allowed for the pups, mothers, and elderly to pass through the tunnels with no hassles. So the trade off was good.

With the light and better tunnels, came better personal dens. Rooms that had once been carved for the very basics now had shelves, proper doors for both the entrance but private rooms as well. The pups who could dig were tasked with this idea of plumbing, which meant Tilly didn’t wrinkle her nose every time she left her own private rooms. Fresh water from a spring was even available.

A public bathing den had been created, at his sister’s suggestion. Dogs would go and wash up after a hard day working in the mine. The old would soak their bones in the cool water. Even the pups would splash and play. For the first time in a very long time, Barney heard laughter echoing in the tunnels, not just pup laughter. But Diamond Dog laughter.

No, not Diamond Dog. Iron Dog. It was a strange thing to be called such, but it seemed to fit them. For they were truly a different pack all together. The first and most notable change was leadership. Tilly had taken the leash firmly in hand the day they swore. No longer would a leader rule by gender but by capability. The days when a pack followed the lead of a dumb ignorant male was over. At least for them.

Now, what was it that pony called their people? Yes, a meritocracy. Were the one most capable didn’t depend on strength or birth, but by knowledge. And it was working!
Already Tilly had put in a system that numbered and labeled rooms. Private residences now had a number designation. With a hole carved out under the number. Where gifts or items even orders would be placed for those that lived there. Tunnels had names. Something he never thought of. But it made finding their way around so much easier.

Many of the dogs were having trouble using the system, but day by day improvements were made. When Orion had come down to view their work, he had remarked how some of the tunnels were marked in red, asking if they could see that.

A smile crept onto his face when one of the dumbest of them, Rover, told them of course they could and asked if pony dumb. Sputtering the pony had tried to defend himself but it was a losing battle. They all could only laugh. A strange question, but the laughter was good.

The same tunnel planning also went into their mine. With colors marking the sectors, with the name of those sectors subsections underneath. All in all. They were producing so much iron and coal that the town of Avery was having to build three more smelting facilities. There was even talk of building a couple inside a separate mine just to help process it all.

Tilly looked up from her own checklist, brushing her pants, real pants not just some shaggy leather he had managed to stitch together. “What was that about luck brother?”

“Oh I was just remarking on how good our luck has been lately and when the bottom might fall out on us.” He sheepishly said, looking away.

“I wouldn’t worry about that too much cousin! We are doing great. I’m doing great!”

The new voice in the vast room had to be the biggest surprise. They had been worried she might never wake up, but when she had. She sounded the same, but spoke different. Whatever had happened between her and Orion had knocked the dumb instinct right out of her. Aspen had slowly begun to speak with more cognitive reasoning over the last two weeks. Almost to the point where they couldn’t tell her from a normal Iron Dog.

Barney was secretly considering how to get Rover to get the same treatment she had gotten. Maybe the mongrel would finally be competent. Though to be far, since he had started digging irrigation lines for the birds, he had been doing remarkably well.

Tilly laughed. “Of course you’re doing great Aspen, I think however what he means is, are we in for trouble again.” Turning to look at her brother she shook her head. “No, I do not believe we will. Careful planning and staying true to our oaths is what we must do. We will not give up this opportunity.”

He nodded. It was true. They had been given a chance of a generation. Stable food, clothing, running water, even a rough form of income. Once they had become recognized. They could sell their services to those willing to pay. Their pack would be able to soon buy luxuries. Not just necessities.

Grinning he looked between the two females. His family. For once they had peace. True peace.

“This is absolute bullshit.”

Shining was fuming. First Arber, than Oberjoch. Then it was Cochem. Somehow they had even ended up in Berry. A pony town that had likely not seen a tax collector in several generations, sat on the edge of the border between Equestria and Griffonia. Trudging back over the border they once again found themselves in Griffonstone.

When he went to confront the King on his lies, he was informed he was no longer in the capital at all. The Queen. Made him want to eat his armor in vexsation. She told him in very friendly terms that she had no idea where her husband may have gone. He knew that was a lie. Judging by the flight activity of the scouts, they were headed north east.

He wanted to know where they had hidden away the wayward colt, and he wanted that knowledge NOW.

“Sir! Sir!” Again Corporal Broad Strokes came pounding down the halls. Metal hooves making an echoing ring that only seemed to increase the headache he already was dealing with.

“What is it, Corporal?!” He snapped, and immediately regretted it. Strokes had been one of the few confident ponies he had with him. The fact that he was a pegasus had long since stopped being a liability in his eyes. “I’m sorry. I have a headache that seems to get worse by the day, what is it, soldier?

The hurt look vanished as quickly as it had come. “Sir, he has been spotted in Neighbon.”

“What in the buck is he doing in Neighbon!?” Wait wait. This could be another ruse.” Rubbing his temples he asked. “Where did this information come from. If it's from the bucking birds I swear…”

“No, Sir. An agent stationed in the city sent word down through our contacts. We just got word through dragon flame. Are we to move out, Sir?”

Smiling for the first time in weeks. “Yes. Let's get this little shit. We will be taking the train. You guards need time off your feet.”

Watching the poor stallion leave without so much as a fare thee well, Her Majesty Queen Fairheart sighed, before writing down a hastily written note to her husband. Knowing they would be using the train gave the advantage of speed to them, but not time. The train must loop back to Equestria before they switched to the one bound for Neighbon.

She watched as the three couriers took flight. In war time, the griffons would send three out to deliver the same message. A practice the royal family did even now. With messages in code so that it would be difficult to crack. The cypher for this message remained in her husband's head.

‘Ponies on the move to Neighbon. Warn Orion.’

She smiled. Orion may never become her nephew, but he had given a gift far more than the possibility of a hippogriff bloodline. He had given their nation hope, even if the general populace would never know it. For him, no favor was ever going to be great.

This had been an amazing idea.

It had been a couple of weeks since their arrival. No more trouble from the local guard forces. The two missives sent to Orion from individual council members were ignored, and the general lack of responsibility was invigorating. Screaming was enjoying the sun and sand. She had taken to the local clothing style with vigor. He had to look away more often than he would have liked.

“Jesus Christ the wrap is nothing but a suggestion!”

It was true, she filled out the clothes which left even less to the imagination then many of the hippogriff mares. The first time she had stepped out of the tailor shop. There had been three accidents in flight. He would have laughed if he was not doing everything he could not to look below the neckline.

Red, the whole set up was red. Even the jewelry was red. That meant something but he had no idea what. As his brain short circuited on priorities of what his eyes should be doing the curiosity for that particular inquiry was given to the squirrel in his head. That squirrel buried the question.

Such was their time. Him spent looking at anything else but her below the neck, and her blushing and smiling softly. The glares he was getting seemed to want to start fights, but once he took his shirt off, those looks went elsewhere. Scars were good for something.

In the markets they had bought trinkets to send home, he was already sending out things to various folks. Many would be surprised to hear from him in any such way.

He also discovered that the black metal bands the locals wore, were highly magically conductive. In fact it was better than gold. So he shipped three small crates of adamantine back to Forager. A message with bits to store it away for safekeeping.

The food was great. Eating fish to the shock of many locals, had been almost orgasmic. The way they prepared their dishes with salt, actual seasalt, was heaven for him. Not to mention the spices complimented each dish impeccably.

Yesterday he had a brilliant idea. The hippogriffs had surf boards. This gave him the idea of making a Sailboard. It was mostly guess work. But his intuition had worked. He, and Screaming once she had fallen enough times to amuse him, were surfing about just beyond the crest of the waves enjoying the sun and breeze. He did nothing fancy, not trusting himself not to crash and burn into the waves. But the feeling of freedom had never felt so physical.

On the shore, others were attempting to recreate his hedonistic abuse of his people’s creations. Some were doing better than others. He handed off his to a local with a brief instruction on how it works. Let them enjoy something fun.

He had let his mind let go. Truly he had allowed for worries to fall by the wayside for once since he arrived and lived in the moment. Well, almost.

Screaming had obviously stepped up her game to gain his attention. The new outfits were only the tip of the iceberg. She had begun to touch him, innocent at first, though contact was quickly lasting longer and longer. On top of that she had also pressed herself up against him, making sure her breasts were pressed into his arm.

At one point he bit his lip so hard it caused him to bleed. Gilda and Goldenwing were no help. Gilda with a chip on her shoulder, and Goldenwing seemed to smile as if it were the grandest idea in the world that the pair should become a couple.

Yawning he put his pen down for a moment. The moon had risen only an hour ago. The stars twinkled brightly. He eyed the moon not for the first time. A silhouette of a unicorn seemed to be etched into the moon's surface. It would be just like Celestia to have a huge ego trip and plaster her likeness onto the lunar object.

“Sir, are you not asleep?” Gilda poked her head in. The same disgruntled look on her face that seemed to be a mainstay these past few weeks.

“Nah, was thinking about going to the balcony, having a beer to finish off the day. Want to join me? I have extra.” He closed his notebook. Placing the pen in a little holder on the front of it.

“Sir, you have alcohol?” Well so much for that olive branch.

“Yes I do. And if ya threaten to take it, I’ll magic a crab into your panties.” Her head shot up ears and feathers puffing out. Alarmed. “Come have a drink with me, and tell me what's got your knickers in a knot.” Not waiting for a reply he tossed a bottle to Gilda and proceeded to sit outside on his private balcony.

He heard her close the door and watched as she took a hesitant seat on the bench opposite him. For a long time they just stared out into the night, listening to the waves crash, the murmurs of people going about their nightly visits. It was a festival. One just beginning but celebrated the dawning of the sun. Even in another country he couldn’t get away from Celestia’s shadow.

It took so long for her to speak that Orion had finished two beers and was quickly starting to nod off.

“Why will you not return my ladies affections.”

“Fucking finally, my God did that take forever.”

“Because despite her beauty I do not love her, Gilda.” The sharp look he got would have shaved his head right off if it was physical.

“Why?! She has done everything for you. Went on this mad quest. Pinned for you for years. Spurned other potential mates in hopes that you would take her hand! So why?!”

He did not rush, this was a delicate thing, and he was feeling a little buzzed.

“Not to be a dick, but what does that have to do with me? How am I bound to return her affections? Why is it expected of me to have to want her?” Taking a sip of his third beer he looked at her expectantly.

“W-w-what?” She sputtered the winds having been knocked from her sails.

“Okay look at it from this perspective: You have been a guard since you came of age. You have worked tirelessly to achieve goals you set for yourself. Now, a potential lover is asking for you to give up those dreams in favor of being with them. On the surface it's a major duh, of course you’ll stay with them. But as you commit to a relationship, and marriage, and children. You eventually realize that you never could accomplish what you set out in your heart to do.”

Another sip.

“You begin to resent your partner. Realizing had they not come along, you might have made something of yourself. Oh the thought occurs to you that you could have just dragged them with you, but they would likely have suffered their own loss of happiness. Would that have been better? No. And you know it. So instead you resent, that resentment turns to anger. The kids notice first because, hey kids are sensitive to that shit. Your partner doesn’t realize, nor understands where that anger comes from.”

Sip.

“Suddenly you are arguing everyday. It gets worse and worse. The kids are crying as your partner, the one you swore to have and to hold, storms out on you never to look back.”

Gilda’s expression had started off angry, but as he kept going on, all that was left was resignation. Sadness and resignation.

“Not saying that would happen between me and Scream, but I have the added baggage of being Celestia’s PR toy. Not that I have much choice in it. Imagine the political pressure she could enforce. This, coupled with my own personal goals that I will not bend on. I have my dreams and aspirations. In order to see those through I cannot tie myself to a relationship that would only be strained with my constant absence. I would not drag her from place to place, never staying more than a few years at a time. I could not in good conscious subject her to that. Would you?”

She shook her head, a tear forming in her eyes. “No, what you're doing is a kindness, and you have no idea how to let her down easy.”

“Exactly. I have wracked my brain for a way to let her down without hurting her. Dear God do I not want to hurt her. But as it stands I will eventually have to say something.” He paused and looked at her squarely in her eye. “When the time comes, be there for her. You may be just a guard in your eyes, but she does rely on you.”

“I will, Sir. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“Me too, Gilda. Me too.” He downed the last vestiges of his fourth beer, when had he finished the third?

Screaming couldn’t move, she could speak. Tears leaked from her eyes, smearing the red makeup she had carefully applied.

Tonight was going to be the night, her plan was simple. She wore a translucent negligee of red, with rubies and fire drops sown into the top. The tailor claimed that he would never be able to resist this get up.

She had believed it too. Covering up with a robe she had carefully crept down the hall and opened the door to his room, just a crack to listen, she wished to all that was good she hadn’t.

He didn’t love her. Everything she had tried, every touch, hold, compliment. Nothing had worked. And now the truth had been laid bare.

What hurt worse was the kindness in his voice. He didn’t want to hurt her. He didn’t want to break her heart. So he had stayed quiet, let her think she was winning the war for his heart.

She fled back to her room quietly, her sobs barely being muffled behind her hands.

The shadow of Captain Goldenwing watched her go, a sad frown creasing his beak.

Guiding Gilda out of his room, he bid her goodnight. Stepping back and wobbling slightly he heard a splash. Looking down he found his hoof in water. Bending down and touching it, he brought it to his nose and sniffed. Salty. Oh shit.

“Well, that’s one way to find out I suppose.”

Dawn brought Lieutenant Eggo into the ‘Dawning Spray’. A knock on Goldenwing’s door stirred the tired drake to alertness. His heart was heavy from the events from the night. Blinking away the crust of sleep he answered his door.

“Lieutenant. What brings you here. You’re not due for rotation for another three days? Something happened?

He did not say anything, just handed over a courier paper. Taking it into hand he opened, the memorized cypher in his head helping him translate the information.

“Wake the others.”

The sound of rapid knocks brought Orion from his reverie. He had woken early, unable to sleep later than he wanted. Opening up he was greeted by Leggo.

“What’s up buttercup?”

The lieutenant shook his head. “Sir, do you just say things to confuse us all?”

“Ahhh you’re learning. Still what's going on bud?”

“I have been told to tell you to prepare for departure. A certain unicorn is on their way here, and will be here within five hours. Depending on any issues that may arise by traveling by rail.”

“Oh shit, he finally wised up eh?” He smiled his horn already alight as his bags were being packed. “Agent in the city?”

“More than likely, Sir. The Captain has asked whether you were up to teleporting everyone out. Are you?” The drake's eyes drifted to the seven bottles of empty beers he had put away last night.

“I can totally make that jump. Don’t worry, I drank plenty of water. I don’t even have a headache.”

“Just a heavy heart.”

“Very good, Sir. We have arranged for one of the guards to come in and pay for your stay once you depart. The grounds are being kept clear.” He nodded and turned back to the captain’s room.

Orion sighed heavily. Well today was going to take on a epic levels of suckitude.

Screaming packed her things quietly. Her eyes were red, she had not gotten more than a few hours of sleep and she felt emotionally and mentaly drained.

Gilda was helping her, the hen hadn’t left her side since she had woken her up this morning. Wordlessly she knew that she had overheard them last night.

She wanted to be angry, she wanted to scream, to throw something, to beat Orion with a stick. Anything! But all she felt was defeat. She could not compete with goals that took him far away. She only wished she would have seen the signs sooner.

Gilda picked up Screaming’s discarded negligee from the floor.

“No, leave it” She said sadly.

“Are you sure, my Lady? It was ridiculously expensive.”

“I am sure. It would only be a reminder of my pain.” Her voice held barely any emotion. It was raw, and scratchy. It would take some time before she could even speak to him again.

Three knocks on the door. It was time to go. As her guard took the bulk of her baggage, Screaming looked to the scrap of fabric she had pinned her hopes on. One last tear trailed down her cheeks as she closed the door of the room.

“And you are absolutely positive that they have not left?”

“Yes, Sir. I am. There is no back entrance out from the inn. And while I couldn’t fly up to look through the windows, the colt was drinking heavily the night before so it is unlikely they have left due to him likely being under the weather.” The hippogriff said confidently, spoiling that with him licking his beak in a nervous tick.

It meant little to Shining. Drinking, at his age? Bah foal of a colt.

“Excellent, thank you for the information, you may go. Equestria thanks you for your service.” Dropping a small pouch of bits into their hand, he turned away eyeballing the distance. “Corporal Strokes, going to need you to make sure the landing remains clear.”

A brief salute and Broad Strokes was off like a rocket. Seconds later Shining Armor found himself on the platform after receiving the okay from the reliable Corporal.

Walking in he observed the quiet dining room of the ‘Dawning Spray’. It was vacant at this time in the afternoon, the locals and those staying not yet coming in to enjoy the hospitality of the inn.

Behind the bar stoop an older griffon. His once golden feathers now heavy with gray and white. Approaching the counter Shining smiled pleasantly. “Excuse me, Sir. I am here to inquire if Orion Falls is staying here? Black unicorn, Orange brown mane. Possibly with a goat’s beard?” He never understood the fad of having a beard, it was so unprofessional.

Looking up from a mug he was cleaning with a fresh rag, the old bird nodded. “Aye, that he was. Left early this morning, though I don’t know how. But they paid up so I have no problem wiff em ‘porten out all willy nilly. Sorry friend, ‘fraid ya just missed em.” The smile on the old bird’s face said he wasn’t sorry.

Shining Armor, First Lieutenant of Her Majesty’s Royal Guard, had been had once again.

A sudden shout of anger could be heard across the waves, startling a young hippogriff off his new Sailboard. It was a gift from the coolest unicorn he had ever met. Not that he had met many.