Survival Begins at Home

Shining sat in a carriage with two other guards, with two more pulling them. This was all just a precaution, as going into the territory claimed by the zebras was Shining's responsibility alone. There was a chance that this was a suicide mission, and the fewest lives lost here, the better.

"You're sure this is a good idea?" asked one of the guards. "I know this is an important mission, but shouldn't we send someone a bit more... expendable? You're a prince."

Shining shook his head. "First of all, the title of prince is misleading. I'm actually a royal consort. You have to be born royal to be a prince, and I just married into it. Second, it is an officer or a diplomat who needs to undertake negotiations rather than an enlisted soldier with little control over the military or the country as a whole. Third and most important, the Equestria I fight for has no expendable citizens. There is not a single one of them that I would say is worthless enough to send into this hornet's nest. We do, however, have ponies that are well-equipped to deal with this, and likely to survive."

"I still have qualms against sending you alone. I think you should have some backup. Shouldn't we come with you?"

"If this is a trap, it'll be safer for you out here. I should be back by sunset. If I'm not, you need to be alive to return to my wife." The carriage came to a stop, and Shining took a deep breath. "This may be my last day. If it is, send these striped bastards to the stygian abyss. I will be waiting for them there with a cactus and a croquet mallet."

"What are you going to do with those?" asked the other guard.

Shining said nothing, just smirking as he donned his helmet and stepped out of the carriage. His smile immediately faded as he was faced with four zebra spearmen and two zebra archers, their weapons pointed directly at him.

"I am here to speak with whosoever is in charge of this township at this time. We sent word of our coming to negotiate. Stand down at once, and call to us your local authority."

There was a pause, and some hushed murmurings among the zebra guards. After some deliberation, five of them stepped aside, both archers slowly released the tension on their bows, and one of the zebras lowered his spear and shifted his shield aside. "You are to come to the center of town. That's where the hearing is meant to go down. I will escort you, but do take care. Any harm to our soldiers, and your men we won't spare."

Shining pointed to his left hip, indicating that his sword was still in its scabbard. "I do not come to do harm, far the opposite. I am here to ensure that none from either side perishes unnecessarily. Lead the way."

Using the head of his spear to indicate direction, the zebra soldier led Shining to the town center, staying at least two metres away at all times. Shining took note that there were no ponies in the street, only zebras. There were some ponies watching from windows, but they kept quiet and watched intently. The zebras also watched from afar, clearing space for Shining as he walked. He caught the look on some of their faces, and he knew that it wasn't respect that shifted them aside, but fear. Part of that gave him some solace, but it had to be acted on quickly.

He soon reached the Whinnyapolis civics center, and was escorted inside. He'd been here twice before, the first time being a class trip, the second being a simple security check before a parade. Both times had been jovial, and both times he was greeted by the receptionist with a big smile. This time, she looked up and began to smile, but a firm hand on her shoulder pushed her back into her seat, as well as her despair. She gave Shining a pleading look, hoping that he might be able to save her. He nodded to her, hoping the exact same thing.

In the mayoral office, Shining found the zebra leader, sitting behind the desk. Four guards surrounded him, each armed with either a spear or some variety of wooden club. "The Shining Spectre has come to our meet. Come, take your helmet off and have a seat."

"If it is all the same to you, I'd rather remain standing. I do not need to be off my feet to discuss the terms." He took his helmet off as a sign of good faith and placed it on the chair he was indicated to sit in. With a firm press of his hand, belts sprang from the chair, strapping his arm to the back. Others surrounded where his arms, legs, and waist would be if he had sat down, indicating that the chair was trapped. With a flick of his knife, he freed his right arm and smirked at the zebra leader. "Now, given the level of courtesy you have shown me thus far in these negotiations, I'm having trouble seeing why I shouldn't send in my army to wipe you all away. Refresh my memory: why are your men outside of their prison cells?" One of the guards took half a step back. Another was squeezing tightly the handle of his mace. Shining really had them spooked.

"You have no authority to do that just yet. What say we discuss this until the terms are set?" The leader was showing no reaction to Shining's display, other than having lowered his hand so as not to offer a seat. "I apologize for the chair, someone must have been frightened, but it is good to know that your senses are heightened. Go ahead and tell us what you have to say. I have nowhere else to go today."

"Let me be perfectly frank," said Shining, trying not to smile. "Most of the reason I came here was to remove the civilians from your care. They are civilians, not soldiers, and are innocent bystanders who have done no harm to you or your men. I am here to negotiate for their safe return."

"What a sentimental guy. Honestly, you bring a tear to my eye." He reached up and pretended to wipe a tear away. Shining knew it was sweat that had run down from his brow. "However, they have become our charge. What you offer in return must be quite large."

"I offer you safe return to our border. Which border is entirely up to you. North, south, east or west, whichever you choose is where I can send you. I can guarantee that you will find no harm on your way, as I will be sending escorts alongside you to act as protection from other Equestrian soldiers."

"What makes you think we need your guard? Walking into Equestia's easy; walking out won't be hard."

"You'll be reunited with the rest of your army. You can rest, resupply, and begin your assault all over again. What say you to that?"