Quashed

"Now then, to the task as hand," called Jericho. "We are poised to defend your land. However, we shall not work for free. What do you think would be a decent fee?"

Cadance leaned back in her chair and considered it. "It's not a secret that our citizens and yours don't often agree with each other. Certainly, Equestria can claim a few zebra citizens, as well as vise-versa. We have shown in the past that we can come to agreements, but our relationship as countries is not a strong one. I'm not sure what you might want in exchange for your soldiers' efforts."

"We are aware your hands are tied," replied Jax. "With culture differences set aside, the crystal ponies are very rare. We'd ask that some enter our care." Seeing the scowl on Shining Armor's face, he held up a hand so he could continue. "We would not harm them, rest assured, their safety would be quite secured."

Jax's addition did nothing to calm Shining Armor's temper. "The crystal ponies are not to be treated as slaves! They spent enough time under King Sombra's rule, they don't need a repeat performance! Where do you find the nerve to come in here demanding that the crystal ponies become slaves!?"

Cadance placed a hand firmly on Shining Armor's shoulder, and pulled him back into his seat. "What my husband means is that the crystal ponies have endured much in the way of hardship by means of enslavement. They have suffered greatly because of it, and we are reluctant to place them back into bondage. Surely, you can understand that?"

"We certainly do," nodded Jericho, adopting a smile. "We would not dream of marring such a precious gleam. However, we would be remiss if we left our soldiers without their bliss. Can we not reach a compromise? You surely must have some small prize?"

Cadance shook her head. "I'm sorry, but what you are asking is something too grave to give. They are my citizens, and I must protect them. Even the ones that break our laws still have rights. We can't take that away from them. I'm sorry, but we cannot offer you such a gift."

Jericho shook his head. "If that's your final stance, I respect your decision. I trust you've arrived at it with complete precision. If you've nothing to sate us, then it's time that we go. My men and I will be outside your city, encamped in the snow."

"Nonsense," replied Cadance, causing Jericho to look up in surprise. "You shall be granted a room in the castle. We just need to find a way to justify your men working for us, right? We shall meet again tomorrow. I should think of a few options by then."

Jericho bowed. "Of course, princess, it is as you command. We'll meet here tomorrow, a new offer planned. I'm sure we can both benefit from this deal. Whatever you give us, we'll repay with zeal."

The trio of zebras left the room. Malakai returned to the soldiers to relay the situation to them, while Jericho and Jaxton made their way to one of the many guest rooms to discuss their stances.

Shining Armor readjusted himself in his chair. "We can't give away our citizens as prizes. Do you have any idea what the zebras do to their slaves?"

Cadance turned to look at her husband. "Do you? I was unaware that you'd ever been to their cities, let alone interacted with their slaves."

"I know a few of them," volunteered Rainbow. "I've seen Prince Jericho before, when I was in the Zebrican capitol. He was visiting one of the former slaves that still lives there."

Cadance's attention turned to Rainbow. "Are you the one who told him we were in trouble?"

Rainbow shook her head. "I never said a word to him until today. When I passed him last time, I thought he was just some guy in fancy clothes. I didn't know he was a prince."

Cadance nodded. "So, how are the slaves treated?"

"You're not seriously considering this as an option!?" interrupted Shining Armor. "They're people, not property!"

"I've heard your objection, Shiny," nodded Cadance. "I know you're against it. I'm not planning to just hand them over, I just want to know where to draw the line."

"You draw the line at giving the crystal ponies to these slavers! That's too far!" Shining Armor stormed over to the door. "If you find your conscience, I'll be in the barracks." With that, he exited the room, slamming the door behind him.

Cadance returned her attention to Rainbow Dash. "So, how desperate do we need to be before we give in to their demands?"

It was just after sunset now. The zebras staying in the castle had already eaten their dinner, a gift from the princess. Malak and Jax had showered first, leaving Jericho for last. He'd just stepped out of the ensuite bathroom when the trio heard a knock at the door. Covering himself with a towel, Jericho opened the door just a bit to find the princess herself standing outside the door.

"I've come to have a word with you. May I come in?"

Jericho furrowed his brow. "My return from the shower is exceptionally recent. Should I be granted a moment to make myself decent?"

Cadance nodded and closed the door. Two minutes passed, and the door opened back up. Jericho was wearing a thin shirt with half of the buttons undone and the rest so hastily done that they were out of alignment. It was also creased in strange places and wrinkly, as if it hadn't been ironed since being unpacked from a small bag. Sure enough, as Cadance entered, there was a travel bag sitting at the foot of one of the beds, right alongside the shields and masks. Their armor was stored against the wall.

Jericho sat down at the small table in the corner of the room, and invited the princess to take the opposite chair. "Have you come to an arrangement that benefits us both? I should like to see our mutual growth."

Cadance looked deeply into Jericho's eyes. "I want you to tell me the complete truth, Prince Jericho. If you were given a slave who was entirely compliant to your carnal wishes, and would cause you no harm, would you hurt them in any way?"

Jericho didn't break eye contact. He reached forward, taking Cadance's hand in his own. "Compliance in slaves is the most desirable trait. If we didn't have to harm them, that would be great. It's an unfortunate truth that we must face, that this so very rarely the case."

Cadance narrowed her eyes. "But she would be unharmed if she complied with your wishes?"

Jericho nodded. "We may be slavers, but monsters we're not. If she pleases us willingly, she shall want for naught."

Cadance, detecting no lies in his statement, nodded. "In that case, I have an offer for you. Only one slave, but there are a few conditions. First, that she stays here in the Crystal Empire. Every one of us is unique, and it takes all of us to use the protective magic that fuels the empire. She is instrumental to that task. You and your men may come to see her at any time, and if she's not seeing to affairs of state, you may use her body as you so please. She is not to come to any harm from you or your men, unless she breaks this agreement."

Jax shook his head. "You're asking our army in return for one mare? I'm not sure that exchange is so fair. It's unlikely this deal will have us impressed. What makes this mare better than the rest?"

Cadance stood up and took a few steps toward the center of the room. "As princess, it is my solemn duty to protect the citizens of the crystal empire. I cannot give them to you as a gift." Her shoulders shifted, and her dress tumbled to the floor. She turned around and showed her lack of underwear to Prince Jericho. "The mare volunteering to be your sex slave in order to save her entire country is the crystal princess herself."