Quashed

Twilight trembled as she walked down the hall. Nopony could see her horn ring, but she could feel it, and that was enough. The smiling faces of the guards she walked past told her that they didn't know that the princesses were being held prisoner here. They were in the dark, as she had been this very morning.

They came to a door, and Ironblood had to grab Twilight's shoulder to stop her. She'd become lost in thought as she'd been walking, and had almost missed her turn. Twilight looked up at the door. "Princess Celestia's room?"

Steelhorn leaned down, so as to speak directly to Twilight's ear. "You wanted to see her, right? You told me that was the case in our short conversation earlier, yes?"

"Well, yes, but I wasn't expecting to do it like this..."

"This is the safest way. Besides, she's been very eager to see you." Steelhorn reached forward, turning the doorknob and pushing the door open.

The moment Celestia and Twilight locked eyes, they rushed to each other, throwing their arms around one another in a familiar embrace. Neither of them spoke, as their tears were enough to show their feelings.

Luna was the first to speak as the door closed. "We have done as you've asked, Chief Steelhorn." She rolled up a stack of pages and handed it to the minotaur.

Steelhorn looked over the pages briefly, just skimming, until he was sufficiently satisfied. "It would seem so. I'll have Ironblood inspect it closer, but you can see clearly that I've kept my end of the bargain."

"What bargain?" asked Twilight.

"Luna offered Chief Steelhorn a speech announcing him as our regent," explained Celestia. "In exchange, he was to deliver you to us unharmed."

"Unharmed?"

"Yes," answered Steelhorn. "You should be privy to this news as well. Among the three of you, any harm to befall myself or my men is to be met with retribution not for the offending parties, but for the other two. You were meant to be whipped this morning, but instead, you may thank Princess Luna for begging your pardon. Her altruism toward you was quite compelling."

Twilight looked to Luna. "You did that for me?"

Luna turned away. "We had to endure several lashes last night. We would not wish the same fate upon you, dearest Twilight." With a smile, Twilight waved Luna over to join in the hug, but with the raising of a hoof, Luna declined. "Our back is still sore, so we are not in a good place right now to receive hugs. Mayhaps at a later date?"

In truth, there were a few other reasons she didn't want to be involved in the hug. All morning, Celestia had been trying to come up with a plan to be rid of the minotaurs, completely ignoring her objections from the night prior. Luna felt it best if she could distance herself from the other two. If Luna was right, they'd not suffer through this occupation. If she was wrong, Celestia and Twilight would have an easier time planning if they didn't have to worry about seeing her tortured. Now was the time for subtlety.

"I'll allow you three some time to catch up," chuckled Steelhorn. "I'll see you again for lunch." With a quick turn, he left the room, returning to the conference hall.

After lunch with the princesses, Steelhorn met up with Ironblood, who had finished looking over the speech. "Princess Luna seems to have a bit of a weak grasp on public speaking of this era, but with a few modifications, this could be a masterful decree. She's very thorough in her details, and has excellent word choice."

"That's good," replied Steelhorn. "I'll have Arrow help to make it more appealing to the populace at large."

"Is that all you needed, my lord?"

"No, there's one more thing I want you to do for me." Steelhorn reached forward and placed a firm hand on Ironblood's shoulder. "You're going home."

Ironblood's eyes widened as the expression drained from his face. "You're sending me back to the Hornburg?"

Steelhorn nodded. "You're to leave tomorrow morning."

Ironblood's face turned to a scowl. "With all due respect, my lord, this is a mistake. How dare you send me back home with my tail between my legs? I am a proud shield-brother of the house of Hornburg! These injuries I've received are nothing compared to the shame you place upon me now!"

Steelhorn locked eyes with Ironblood. He said nothing, but waved for his lieutenant to continue his argument.

"I was instrumental in the procurement of not one, but two of the princesses. My sweat, blood and tears are all spilled in the protection of our home. My very life exists to secure the future of our people. I am more than capable of continuing this mission, and I insist that I stay here with you."

Steelhorn waited for several seconds, wanting to know if Ironblood had said all he needed to say. When he was sure that it was his turn to speak, Steelhorn spoke calmly, so as to be best understood. "It is not out of shame that I send you back, but out of necessity. You're absolutely right in your claim that you were instrumental in taking control here. However, as we now have control, less power is needed to keep it. We've left leadership of the Hornburg to our high priestess, but she is no warrior, wise as she may be. Right now, I need that wisdom, and the Hornburg needs a warrior seasoned in battle. I know that you're more than happy to protect our countrymen, even if it means your death. That's why you're going to do just that. As I am acting as regent of Equestria, I need my second in command to act as the regent for my people. Can you guarantee their protection, my brother?"

Ironblood was stunned. He couldn't find the words to express himself. Instead, he made his way around the table and embraced his leader. Tears flowed down his cheeks as Steelhorn returned the favour, making clear his mutual admiration.

As they pulled apart, Steelhorn looked his lieutenant in the eye. "Eat heartily tonight, rest well, and stay safe on the road. The Hornburgers need you. You'll be useless to them and to me if you collapse on the road."

With a nod and a salute, Ironblood promised that the Hornburg would not fall while he yet drew breath. Steelhorn knew he had made the right choice.