Quashed

The next morning, Arrow awoke to a burst of cold air. Boneshatter had sat up, taking his radiant warmth with him. As the large bovid climbed to his knees, he left a pocket of cold air that came as a rather nasty shock to the little pony.

"Good morning, Arrow, smiled Boneshatter. "Did you sleep well?" Arrow nodded as he struggled to sit up. His arms and legs were still bound, though not for long, as Boneshatter set him free immediately. The two exited the tent to find that Ironblood was already preparing breakfast. His injuries were healing up nicely.

Celestia and the other guard hadn't slept well, though they both had been fed the night prior. Celestia was looking rather stoic, as if she'd steeled herself for what was about to happen.

"Good morning, Princess," smirked Steelhorn as he sat down. "Sleep well?"

Celestia said nothing. While she put up a brave front, Steelhorn could see that she was just about ready to break.

"I take that as a no." He sipped some cold water that was starting to turn stale, as it had been gathered yesterday. "Don't worry too much, Celestia. Soon, we'll have taken Canterlot, and you'll be able to sleep in your bed. Tonight, in fact, if you'll help us to take control of your sister."

Celestia scowled. "Never."

"Never?" Steelhorn raised an eyebrow, then tilted his head back to look up at the sky. "Princess Twilight Sparkle should be finishing her first bout of whipping soon. Her second should begin shortly."

Celestia again said nothing, but couldn't resist biting her lip.

"I can stop it right now, if you want," Steelhorn offered. He lifted up a scroll. "I have here a letter that says you've joined our side, and there will be no further need to harm your protégé. All I need from you is to turn this falsehood into a truth. Otherwise..." He dangled the scroll over the fire. "I could always write one that extends her tort--"

"No!"

The camp grew silent after Celestia's outburst. Tears ran in streaks down her cheeks, washing away the dirt that had gathered there. Her eyes now showed the true vastness of her fear.

"Please, no," she whimpered. "I'll do as you ask, just... Don't hurt Twilight."

Steelhorn stood up and gave the scroll to Ironblood, who attached it to the leg of the carrier falcon. As it flew away, Steelhorn raised Celestia's chin. "That's all I needed to hear." He walked back to his seat and sat down. "We're not going to let her go, of course. If we did that, there's no reason for you to remain in our charge, and you may just revolt again. We can't have that, can we? Call it insurance. The minute you turn on us, she'll be in for quite a harsh treatment. Then again, if that day should never come..."

Celestia nodded. "I take your hint. You have my word, that so long as she is unharmed, I will do as you ask."

Steelhorn reached behind her back and shook her hand. "Deal." He turned to the guard who still hadn't said anything. "And what of you? You've not said a word since the first night."

The guard closed his eyes and swallowed hard. "I swore my allegiance to the Princess. If she orders it, I will march under your command." He kept his head low, as if he were ashamed to be involved in such an arrangement.

"You will do as he says," commanded Celestia. "You will not allow harm to come to Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Steelhorn clapped his hands together. "Excellent. After breakfast, we make our way to Canterlot to bring Luna into our fold. Hopefully, with your help, she will see reason, and there will be no cause for more harm."

The guard was completely untied, and Celestia was given her arms and legs. Her wings stayed bound for now, but she was allowed to feed herself. After breakfast, they tore down their camp and packed their supplies. Steelhorn tossed his into the royal carriage and climbed in with Celestia in tow. The stallion guards were once more secured into their positions at the yoke, and the minotaurs took up defensive positions around the carriage to ensure their safety. Ironblood walked beside the unnamed guard, Boneshatter next to Arrow, and Hardtusk and Scrimshaw at the rear.

As soon as they were back on the road, Steelhorn turned to Celestia. "Without a doubt in my mind, I can safely say that there are guards looking for you, as well as this carriage. When they see it, all beaten up as it is, you're to tell them only half of the truth. You were ambushed on the road, and many of your guards perished thusly. We, the minotaurs, released you from your rope bonds. You are concerned for the safety of Equestria, and are entrusting us with your security. You're also going to send for Princess Luna in a private audience."

"And if they ask of my well-being?"

"Tell them that you have only minor physical injuries, and that the greatest blow you felt is the result of stress. Tell them that a hot shower is more important for your well-being than a physician."

Celestia shivered. Nothing he'd told her to say was wholly untrue. "What if they ask for further details?"

"Defer the question. You are the princess, after all. Tell them that they will hear more when you feel safe. Remember, we have a deal."

"You needn't remind me," growled Celestia. "I remember."

"Now, when we have this private audience with Luna, you are to demand that Ironblood and myself accompany you. For safety reasons."

"Whose safety?" snorted Celestia.

A grin spread across Steelhorn's face. "I think you know who is in a position to be harmed." His mouth straightened out. "And I would ask that you cease with the harsh tone, princess. Our ruse must be believable. The people must believe that you are on their side with this. Such is the face of a politician."

Celestia nodded. "You won't harm Luna, will you?"

Steelhorn shook his head. "Not unless we have to. If she becomes too belligerent, we may have t--"

The carriage came to a sudden stop. Much shouting was heard outside of the carriage, eventually settling down to only a few voices. They were quite angry about the state of the carriage, and who was guarding it.

Steelhorn turned his eyes back to Celestia. "I'm going to hold firmly to your tail, so you don't try to fly off. Remember what we talked about." He untied her wings and wrapped her tail around his fist. She opened the door, leaned out and explained to the captain who had intercepted them what the situation was. The captain sent his fasted pegasus ahead to Canterlot to prepare a private audience chamber, before joining his forces to the procession.

Celestia sat back down as the carriage resumed its movement. "To think my soldiers would walk in formation with the very brigands that absconded with me. It's sickening."

"Don't be too upset, princess. The worst is yet to come. If you behave yourself through it, I'll make sure that it's as painless and quick as possible."