Quashed

Two weeks had passed since Rainbow Dash returned to the Crystal Empire. She was doing her usual flight path of thirty laps around the capitol while she considered options as to how to storm the castle and return the princesses to power. despite their best efforts, recruitment wasn't going well. On top of that, many of the refugees were all either economic leaders or artists. Almost none of them had experience in farming or smithing.

She was called from her thoughts by the sounding of the crystal flugelhorn. It was sounding from the south gate, demanding the attention of a captain or higher. Rainbow didn't fall into that category, but she decided it best that she be in attendance. She flew to the gate, where she saw an approaching army.

Every member of this army was lightly armored, some of them clothed, but mostly not. Their armor consisted of wooden greaves, sabatons and gauntlets. They also carried large wooden shields, which if turned to face one side, could create an armored tunnel through which troops could be funneled safely. The only part they couldn't hide behind their shields were their faces, which had their own forms of shield, by way of large, wooden masks.

As they reached the gate, the leader of the army raised a fist, commanding those behind him to stop. Alone, he stepped forward and removed his mask, the largest and most decorated of them all. It was the taller of the two clients Fluttershy had been servicing when Rainbow had gone to visit. He recognized her as well, smiling and bowing his head in her general direction.

"I hear you're facing minotaurs that have you all afraid. Today, I bring good news, in that I offer you my aid. If what I hear is true, then I request you let us in. If not, we'll turn and walk away, feeling much chagrin."

Rainbow turned to the guard holding the lever. "Open the gate. I'll escort them to the crystal palace."

The captain nodded and the gate was opened. Rainbow flew down to meet the leader as he donned his mask once more and continued into the city, his soldiers breaking formation and beginning the setup for their encampments. There had to be about two hundred soldiers in this party alone. If this was the negotiation party, Rainbow could only imagine how powerful and numerous the rest of the zebra army would be.

Rainbow guided the leader, as well as two of his advisors, to the crystal palace. "What's with the masks?" she asked. "I get that they mean different things, but why are they being worn? Wouldn't it be better if you could see each other's faces?"

One of the advisors turned to face her. His mask had black and red stripes, a black leather bridle, and yellow resin plates covering the eyes. If he could see anything through his mask, it would all be filtered yellow. "We wear these when we go to war. They identify us, no matter the gore."

The second advisor continued. He wore a rounded rhombic mask, blue with white stripes. It was decorated with furs and horns. "We could just carry carved nametags, but these make much more noticeable flags."

When they arrived at the palace, A conference room had been set up, and Cadance and Shining Armor were already waiting for them. "An envoy from the Zebrican kingdom? To what do we owe the pleasure?"

The leader removed his right gauntlet, and shook Cadance's hand. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, what a beautiful sight." He turned to shake Shining Armor's hand, as well, "And Prince Shining Armor, her valourous knight." He made his way over to the table and sat down, prompting his followers to do the same. He took off his mask and set it down on the table. "We've come to contend with your minotaur foe. To lay siege to their castle would be terribly slow. My warriors can fight by the light of the moon, meaning you could be reunited with the other princesses soon."

Cadance sat down across the table, with Shining Armor and Rainbow Dash at her sides. "I don't recall sending for your aid. I don't mean that as a complaint, I'm just wondering how you knew we were facing minotaurs."

"I received word from a favoured concubine," answered the leader. "She said her friends' safety was in sharp decline; one captured, the rest frightened by a great bovine. The worry on her face was a troubling sign. To bring back her smile, I'd gladly join your coup. My men, on the other hand, need something more to chew."

Rainbow looked away. She knew he meant Fluttershy, and she knew that Fluttershy had heard it from her. She was glad to know that Fluttershy was watching out for her, but Rainbow had just intended to vent her frustrations and ask for advice. She wasn't expecting an army. On a lesser note, while she wasn't glad that Fluttershy was a sex worker, she did feel a little bit proud that she was a favoured sex worker of a high-ranking zebra such as this.

Cadance shook her head. "Before we go into the negotiations, I'd like to know who you are. You already know who I am, as well as my husband. To my left is Rainbow Dash, we've assigned her as a consultant for her unwavering loyalty."

The leader released a chuckle. "Of course, Princess. What a horrid mistake. To my left is Malakai, charmer of snakes."

Malak stood up and removed his mask, bowing to the princess. "I also dabble in other tasks, as well, but my reptiles' happiness is where I most often dwell."

"On my right is my cousin, Jaxton the grave. Forgive him his coldness, his job's to train slaves."

Jaxton removed his mask for a brusque nod, not bothering to stand or speak.

"Slaves, is it?" Shining Armor had a sour look on his face. "We're not too fond of forcing ponies against their will to do what we tell them. It seems needlessly cruel."

"You don't have to agree with our way of life," replied Jax. "We've found that repeat criminals cause a lot of strife. A system for rehabilitation is good, as it makes them ask whether or not they should. In such, we've reduced our rates for violent crime. All it takes is an investment of my time."

"Well, I still think it's wrong."

The leader stood and bowed. "I am called Jericho, recently returned from a pilgrimage, wherein much was learned. I spoke with the sky, the earth, and the trees. I became one with nature, whom I have now appeased. My army has the will of the earth on our side, and for your cause, her wrath will be plied. She supplies us with strength, which to battle we bring. I shall direct it, as son of the king."

Rainbow's jaw dropped. Fluttershy was sleeping with royalty?