Alpha & Omega

CHAPTER 1: DARK TIMES AHEAD

Gryphus Palace, Mount Talos, 11 years after the second coming of Nightmare Moon

The atmosphere of the palace was warm and homely, braziers in front of the wooden pillars that held up the upturned longship that served as a throne room crackled and snapped loudly, a handful of griffons and the occasional pony scattered near them, holding their claws and hooves up to them to keep warm.

Gilda sat on a stool next to the vacant throne of the griffon king, who was saying goodbyes to the citizens and nobles that had attended this evening's court. She stretched her shoulders and ruffled her feathers. The lamellar armor she wore was heavy as could be, and she wanted nothing more than to be out of it. She wore a pair of heavily baggy earth-green pants, which tightened as they got nearer to the fur leggings she wore, and on her hip was a flintlock with reddish wood in it's similarly colored leather holster.

Shifting in her seat, Gilda crossed one leg over the other, tapping her claws on the steel, veiled helmet that rested on her hip. To her side was a runed scabbard custom made for her ulfberht, a straight longsword made from the finest steel in the north.

She sighed, eyes lazily looking around the throne room.

There was a massive green rug that stretched from the throne to the massive wooden doors, trimmed in golden griffonic knots that twinkled in the light of the braziers. The rug split when it got to the long stone firepit that took up most of the center floor, before reforming on the other side and continuing to the doors. It actually went all the way down the steps that led to the throne room, but during blizzards such as the one outside you couldn't see it.

Similar knots were engraved into the surfaces of the massive pillars, some of them depicting images of dragons. On the faces of the square pillars and lined across the walls of the ship were large board shields, painted with custom imagery and patterns that was completely individual to each shield. On top of each of them was the helmet, acting as a memorial to the brave warriors who bore them.

In between the pillars and the walls of the longship were long dining tables surrounded by dozens of chairs, set with the finest platinum candlesticks, platters, cups, and whatever else people put on dining tables. Gilda never understood why someone would pay a thousand gold for a fork, or even waste precious metals on something you'll just stain with food. Then again, her family was never the rich type.

This room was absolutely massive, as large as a small airship hangar, and that was only about a third of the longship. How her ancestors put this thing on top of a mountain, she had no idea.

Around the room were hundreds of different trinkets, religious or otherwise. Some were placed on shelves, others on tables, some larger ones just sitting on the floor in a corner, out of the way. All of them were clashing designs from hundreds of different cultures, no doubt from the pony, zebra, cervidas, and whatever other immigrants that came here during Griffonia's history.

It disgusted Gilda to no end.

A giggle broke her out of her frustrated stupor, her eyes watching as the king's chick Alex was being chased after his sister, Aria. They had wooden swords in their claws, and when Aria finally caught up to her brother they duked it out in a surprising display of combat skill -- for seven year olds, that is. Gilda noticed they were covered in snow.

A small red reptile as tall as the chicks and wearing a black robe scurried out to meet them, and give them a stern talking to about not playing in the throne room while daddy is having a court. The disappointed looks on their little faces made Gilda's heart sink, but a tiny sneeze from Aria caused her to stifle a giggle.

"Come, let us get you near a fire, and put some warm soup in your bellies. You must have a cold from being in the snow all day!" That would be Klaus, the king's personal kobold servant. Placing his scaly little hands on their backs he led them back into the halls of the longship, the sound of a door closing signifying they were gone.

Two guards wearing identical armor to Gilda, albeit wearing their helmets so that their faces were concealed, walked over to the large doors across the room and pushed them open. A torrent of snow flurried in as the room began to empty, the citizens putting on their cloaks and scarves and such and heading out, waving goodbye to the king. He was a people person indeed, no wonder the ponies loved him so much.

"And therein lies the problem," muttered Gilda under her breath, resting her beak on her gloved claw and snorting in frustration.

"Gilda, please," came a voice from her right. She almost jumped out of her feathers when she saw King Rhosus II standing next to her in front of his throne. He moves fast for an old hawk. "Show some respect to the Henosians. They are our allies, after all."

Gilda sighed in faux content and forced a smile, "Of course, your majesty," she lied, cheeks red in embarrassment of the king hearing what she said. He gave her a weak smile, looking at her with his weary eyes. The feathers on his head were a dark brown, elongated feathers on his chin gave him the appearance of having a goatee. The feathers around his eyes were a slightly lighter shade of brown, almost a dark tan.

A blood-red cape trimmed with the fur of a snow leopard was draped over the chainmail tunic he wore, a modest golden crown atop his head. A long pair of scars traced a wicked-looking line across his left eye and yellow beak, causing his eye to become milky white in contrast to the bright yellow of his other eye. The king turned back to watching the citizens leave, as did Gilda. She paid more attention to the ponies in the group, however.

These ponies were different than the ones you might find in Equestria, which was far, far away from Griffonia. Henosis, on the other hand, was a vassal of Celestia, and it's population was comprised of Snow Ponies. Like all the pony sub-races, they were basically the same except with a few defining traits. In this instance, snow-ponies mostly had light-colored coats, white being a very common one. Their unicorns also had a natural affinity for frost magic, and some rumors say that the pegasi could summon torrents of snow from their wings -- what garbage.

Some of them come to Griffonia for their pilgrimage, some sort of cultural thing the Henosians have that designates them becoming an adult, similar to an Equestrian gaining her cutie mark. They're supposed to prove that they have earned their cutie mark by heading out into the world and making something of their lives, which is why there are white-coated ponies on basically every continent on Mundus, and is the reason the main population of Henosis is so low.

As the guards closed the massive doors once more, King Rhosus stretched his back and yawned, "I suppose it would be time to 'hit the hay', as it were," he said, chuckling at the saying he picked up from the snow-ponies.

Gilda forced another smile, standing up from her stool and stretching her body with a series of satisfying pops. She grabbed her helmet and placed it on top of her head -- not that it was really needed, she just thought it looked awesome, despite how warm it made her -- and fastened her scabbard around her waist.

She walked over to a door flanking the throne, but Rhosus beat her to if before she could open it, already stepping through and waiting for her. Old man never believed in having other people do simple things like opening doors and bathing him. Gilda was thankful she never had to do the latter.

"My lord, you really should allow me to take the lead," said Gilda, walking with Rhosus down the halls of the palace as she spoke, "What if an assassin was behind the door?"

Rhosus chuckled at this, "Please, Gilda. Who would want to assassinate me? Not only are we in a time of peace..."

"...But the people love you," finished Gilda, a genuine smile hidden beneath the chainmail veil of her helmet. Rhosus nodded, before turning back to look ahead of him. The walls of this area were actually made of stone brick, built inside of the longship only a century ago. For those who hadn't lived here a third of their lives like Gilda, they would have been shocked by the sudden change in architecture.

Multicolored banners and shields lined the walls. Similar to the ones in the throne room, they all had custom pattern individual to each. These had no helmets on top of them, however.

Gilda heard a giggle down the hall, the orange firelight which shone through a crack in the door flickered in and out of existence, likely the shadow of someone walking in front of the door. Rhosus rushed over to the door, at least as fast as an 80 year old bird could 'rush', cracking it open and peeking inside.

"Daddy!" came a tiny voice from the room, followed by elated squeals and giggles. No matter how bad Gilda was feeling, the sound of the little chicks giggling and squealing brought a smile to her beak every time. She stepped over to the door and peeked inside, seeing Rhosus knelt down in front of his two chicks who embraced him in a hug. Klaus was in the corner, who took a quick glance at Gilda and smiled at her.

Turning away from the door and allowing Rhosus to be with his chicks, she almost squawked when she saw the cold yellow eyes of Cassandra staring into her own. She jumped back, a few feathers flying away.

"By Pride, Cassie, you scared the life out of me!" said Gilda between short pants, holding onto her chest with a gloved claw.

The white griffon smirked, her claws crossed in front of her, "Good, maybe now you'll learn to be more alert. I coulda been an assassin, you know."

Gilda gave her a flat look beneath her veil, bending over to pick up one of her feathers before Cassie placed an armored black claw on her chest, "He's never going to listen to you, you know."

Gilda sighed, "Is this about Henosis again? I told you, I've gotten over that," holding two feathers in her claws which she pointed at Cassie in an accusing manner.

Cassie laughed, "You're a disgrace of a liar, you know that, Gilda?" Gilda sighed once more, turning away from Cassie who placed her claw on the retainer's chest once more, making her look back at Cassie, who had her other claw lazily resting on top of the axe fastened to her hip, "I hate the snow-ponies being here as much as you do. They're loud, they use up our resources, and they see our culture as nothing more than tourist spots. But my father, he's deathly afraid of the Princesses. They'd see his attempts at making Griffonia a land of griffons as an act of aggression, and invade."

Gilda scoffed, "Please. Their idea of conflict is throwing pies at each other. They couldn't even defend their land from a stampede of rabbits! They're all pacifists."

"Similar to how we are. Or at least, what the princesses have turned us into. Maybe not you or I, but certainly the people. This land is in dire need of change, and we're the ones who can bring it."

The door squeaked open, and out walked King Rhosus, slowly closing the door behind him. Gilda looked at him then back to Cassandra, "I'm just the King's retainer, Cassie. I wouldn't know anything about that."

Cassie gave Gilda a grim look, before turning to Rhosus, "Did you tuck the chicks in, father?"

Rhosus smiled at the sight of his daughter, "Yes. Klaus is reading them a bedtime story."

Gilda let out an overly-dramatic gasp, a smile on her beak invisible beneath the chainmail, "I thought it was my turn to read to them!"

"No, you read to them last night," said Rhosus, chucking, "Tonight is Klaus, then Cassandra, and after that is you." Rhosus turned to Cassandra, "You best get to sleep, my child. All of you have an extremely important day in the morning."

Cassandra smiled, "Father, please, I'm not a chick anymore." Rhosus' smile faded at her words as he sighed.

"I know, my dear. It seems this old hawk just has a hard time seeing his chicks growing up so fast," a smile grew back onto his face, "I'm proud of you, Cassandra." Rhosus seemed to jump, as if forgetting something, "And you too, dear Gilda."

"Thank you, your majesty," said Gilda, bowing her head in respect.

Rhosus watched Cassandra walk down the hall to her bedroom. When she turned the corner, Rhosus looked back to Gilda, "I best get to bed -- wouldn't want to miss Alex's first day in combat school, would I?"

"I shall lead you to your chambers--"

"No need, Gilda. You've had a long day, and I am thankful for you sticking with me no matter how boring it may have been. You deserve some rest."

Gilda blushed beneath her helm, "Just part of the job, your majesty."

They shared a final bow, before Rhosus walked down the hall in the same direction Cassie took, but heading down the left hall instead. Gilda walked over to a table on the side of the hallway, examining the plates and candles atop it. But what she was really there for was the round shield placed above it. On top of the simple black and white quadrant pattern was a vicious looking eagle made of black and red griffonic knots. It's wings curved with the round shape of the shield, half it's face shown with it's blood red eye staring right at Gilda.

Wrapped around the edges were a series of runes -- Gilda couldn't understand what they said, however. Crossed behind it were two large battleaxes, the steel heads of which had a similar pattern of griffonic knots. This was the only shield in the hall that had a helmet on top of it, this one almost identical to Gilda's.

As she futilely attempted to decipher the runes, a loud crashing nearly made her heart leap from her chest. Claws wrapped tightly on the hilt of her sword, she flew around the corner and swung open the door to King Rhosus' bedroom.

"No..."

There, on the ground, lay King Rhosus II, wheezing heavily and grasping at his chest. Gilda practically threw her sword to the ground, ripping off her helmet as she knelt down and tried to help Rhosus up.

"No..." she whimpered, tears forming in her eyes as Rhosus began to cough. With all of her strength she lifted him onto the bed and placed the covers over him. He stared at her with his weary yellow eyes.

"It seems my time has come," said Rhosus.

"No... no, you can't! I-I can get an apothecary, they'll help you!" croaked Gilda between sobs, her voice broken as tears fell onto the bed.

"No need, my dear," said Rhosus in a calm voice, placing a claw on top of Gilda's, turning away from her to look at the ceiling, "If Pride wishes my audience, who am I to deny him?"

Rhosus coughed once more, weakly raising a claw to point at a chest-of-drawers across the room, "If it isn't too much to ask, could you grab my beads?"

Without a word, Gilda left his side and walked over to the chest, grabbing a necklace of multicolored beads which lay in a small pile on top of it with both of her claws and bringing it to the king. He took it in his claw and held it to his chest, his breathing becoming somewhat labored as he looked directly into Gilda's eyes.

"Gilda... my friend. I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me..."

"...I-I was just doing my duty--"

"No, do not give me that. You may think you were just doing what you were ordered, but you and I both know that Gilda Blacktalon is more than just the King's retainer. She is my friend."

Gilda smiled, tears still falling as Rhosus continued.

"Even at my worst you have been at my side when my children were more interested in politics, despite our disagreements you still supported me the whole way through. And that alone is the greatest kindness you could have bestowed upon me. And I cannot thank you enough for it, Gilda."

Rhosus grabbed Gilda's claw and held it tightly, wrapping the beads around both of their claws, "May Pride guide you on your journies, Gilda Blacktalon I."

Gilda sniffed, her eyes reddish from the tears, but she still gave a weak smile, "...And may Pride guide you on your journey, Rhosus Ironclaw II."

Laying back down, Rhosus let in a deep breath through his nostrils and closed his eyes, "So this is what it's like," he said to no one, "Curious, they always said there would be a light..."

With one final breath, the Griffon King passed.

"No... no..." Gilda squeaked, letting go of her composure completely as she began to sob.

A tiny voice behind her was the scariest thing she had ever experienced in her life.

"Daddy?"

"...Oh, God no."