A Renewed Ending

Sunday, January 2, 1008 A.L., Gryphonia

Instead of going to Gryphonville, Gregory instead decided that he would head out into the storm to the Eyrie. He’d have to walk since he couldn’t be teleported by magic. Starlight and Shining Armor would combine their magic to make their way down to Gryphonville. None of the horned ponies in his house could teleport in the lower magical environment, so it was decided that Gabby and Gilda would fly both ponies down while the two ponies used a shield to protect them against the storm. They would then see if they could borrow some élanite from Zecora to boost their magic for a teleportation. If that didn’t work, they would fly back up with Shining using his shield magic to protect them from the fierce winds and heavy snow and ice. Cadance was staying behind to watch over Flurry Heart, and Trixie would stay as well to keep the young filly entertained. and everyone else was staying to keep warm and watch over the house. The cats were apparently in good hooves as Fauna Spirit said she would look after them.

Gregory walked with Sunset, Amira, Silica, and Gwendolyn up the road towards the Eyrie. Sunset was creating a mobile shield around the group as they walked up the thick snowdrifts. It was weaker than she would have liked, meaning that Gregory had to wear plenty of protective snow gear. Amira was carrying Gregory on her back and Silica held Sunset in her arms. All around them, they saw nothing but white with hints of homes nearly buried in the snow.

“It’s a good thing that Zecora helped fix that Gryphonstone branch,” Silica said as they made a turn that led them up the path to the Eyrie. Despite the weakness of Sunset’s shield, they could all still hear each other.

“It could have fallen,” Gregory agreed before reaching down to rub Amira’s neck.

Amira looked back at Gregory and chuckled. “Something on your mind, Gregory?” she asked.

“Eh, just remembering a time when I rode on the back of a horse back home,” he said.

She raised an eyebrow. “A horse, huh? Don’t those still exist in Gryphonia somewhere?”

“They’re wild,” Gwendolyn explained, “but they do exist, specifically in the Himaleyo’s.”

“Wow, I wish I’d known that,” Gregory said. “How many are there?”

“I don’t know, to be honest,” Gwendolyn said. “Why?”

“Back where I’m from, they were used by humans as beasts of burden or as means of pulling carriages or even as transportation for a single human,” Gregory explained. “Actually, humans would ride on horses like how Amira is generously letting me ride on her back. Many still do. It’s not as common anymore as our technology advanced, but some still do it.”

“I wonder if humans here did the same,” Silica wondered. “I mean, wherever the human homeland was may have had horses.”

“Perhaps that is why this feels natural to me?” Amira pondered. “Saddle Arabians and Equestrians have a slightly different ancestor in the genealogical record, according to our own studies.”

“I did wonder why the images of Saddle Arabian clothes seem to have a saddle,” Gregory said, “and why that’s an actual word here.”

Amira seemed to be lost in contemplation, but it lasted for only a few moments. “When I speak with my brother next, I will ask him to look into this. It’s quite intriguing.”

“Thanks,” Gregory said, “I’m sure Silica and I will love to hear anything about human history here.”

Silica chuckled, Amira smirked, and Gregory smiled. Sunset, who had been listening, asked without turning, “Do any of you have any theories as to what could have happened to humanity? I read a bit about them back in Canterlot, but it was all just vague mentions of them. They’re thought to be myths by those who do study pony mythology. Or they were myths.”

“We aren’t myths,” Gregory chuckled. “My old home nation had a population of around three hundred and forty million when I left.”

That made everyone’s jaw drop. “Three hundred and forty…million?” Sunset gaped at that.

“Gregory…the entire known world has a population of…maybe three hundred and eighty million…”

Gregory immediately knew he had screwed up. He had told only Gabby about being from Earth. “Well, cat’s out of the bag on that,” he said with a heavy sigh.

“Cat’s out of what bag?” Silica asked.

“I’ll tell you all when we get to the Eyrie,” Gregory promised. “It’s something I’ve kept hidden about my place of origin. Something I really didn’t want to talk about, but since I screwed up and let something slip, there’s no point in hiding it.”

There was silence as the group continued heading forward. Nobody spoke until they reached the gates of the Eyrie. The moment they entered, they felt the warmth of the interior wash over them. “I’m glad this place is warm for the winter,” Gregory said as he dismounted from Amira and began to take off his thick winter gear so he could change into his official Convocation robes.

As he went to change in another room, Geoffrey came walking up. He had his own robes with him as the two went into the room to change together. “Ah, Gregory. I take it you’ve heard about our unusual guests?” he asked as he began putting his clothes on. “I’m sorry you had to be dragged here through the storm.”

“Well, you know what they say,” Gregory said as he peeled off several unneeded layers of his own clothes, “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow and all that.”

“That’s the motto for the mail service,” Geoffrey chuckled with his deep jovial tone he had whenever he was amused. “I just saw the princesses arriving. They seem to have brought a large number of chests with them.”

Gregory frowned. “Chests? Huh…I wonder what could be inside…?”

“I suppose we’ll just have to wait,” Geoffrey said. “Still, I don’t particularly care for them bringing that many. It’s pretty suspicious.”

“You think it’s some sort of bribe instead of a gift?” Gregory asked.

“I’ve known Princess Celestia for decades,” Geoffrey said as he put his cloak on, “and she is a very wily one. She has over a thousand years of political maneuvering experience.” He put a claw over his chest. “Even before you appeared, I prided myself on being good in the diplomatic field, but the princess has always had a known history of being many steps ahead of everyone.”

“Well, being immortal will have that effect on someone,” Gregory agreed as he straightened his clothes up in the mirror before reaching for his own cloak. “Still, a bribe? That’s a bold if perhaps a foolish move on her part.”

“Correct,” Geoffrey said. “Her nation is in an economic crisis. Giving us chests of gold, if that’s what’s in them, would be an act of a desperate leader. We are growing economically and we are also gaining new citizens who are fleeing Equestria.”

Gregory, who had just finished putting his cloak on, leaned against the wall and crossed his arms, looking down at the portly but experienced gryphon diplomat. A frown creased his brow. “What do you think she wants?” he asked.

“It’s possible she has sent somepony to investigate us,” he said, “and she probably knows about our dealings with other nations. She might think she’s being kind in giving us money or gifts or whatever is in those chests, but Equestria has depended on exports from other countries for years now. Ever since that incident with Emperor Wright and the changelings, not only has Equestria shut its borders until recently, but other countries have promised to cease trade.”

“At least, three that we know of,” Gregory nodded, already knowing this to be the case. He knew she had sent Sweetie Drops because he’d seen her and Lyra in the Green Dragon Inn a few days prior.

“Actually, we know of six who have promised to cut off trade with Equestria,” Geoffrey said as he opened the door to leave the room.

Gregory followed behind. “Is that including Saddle Arabia, the Crystal Empire, and the Dragon Lands?” he asked as the two walked down the hall to the throne room.

“Correct,” Geoffrey said. “Some of our couriers have brought news from the Qilin Shogunate, Zebrica, Farasi, and the Himaleyo Leap have all decided to refuse trade for the time being. So, the kirin, zebras, and snow leopards are also going to refuse to trade. And we did receive a message from the Matriarch of the Leap asking for trade and aid.”

Gregory thought about it. The snow leopards, like Allura from G5, were a race of winged snow leopards who lived far east in the Himaleyo Mountains. They could be thought of as distant cousins of gryphons, given their very similar appearance and characteristics. “Gabby told me a little bit about them,” he said truthfully. “They have a special magic, some kind of beast taming? They call it Purrsuasion?”

“Correct,” Geoffrey said, “and they can also create ice. The myth behind them is that they learned that particular magic from a windigo they used Purrsuasion on centuries ago.”

“Damn, they can tame a windigo?” Gregory asked with a surprised look. “Those wispy equines who bring deadly ice and snow when they detect hatred?”

“The snow leopards are a powerful set of clans,” Geoffrey said by means of explanation as they began walking up the stairs towards the throne room. “They are also a relatively peaceful race who were once a vassal state of the Imperium. The Emperor left them be and only asked for aid if asked. We traded with them during the Imperium as well since there were plenty of fruits they could grow in the Himaleyos that we couldn’t grow in the valleys. After the Imperium fell, they sort of retreated, building a massive ice wall around their territory using their magic.”

“A wall?” That made no sense, Gregory reasoned. How could a wall stop gryphons or other flying beings, like dragons.

“It was a symbolic gesture,” Geoffrey said. “Some of the more powerful snow leopards out there can use their Purrsuasion on gryphons, ponies, dragons, and the like. They may be peaceful, but they can be dangerous if provoked.”

A shiver went down Gregory’s spine as he remembered the Secrets of Starlight special. That kind of power was terrifying. “I can only imagine,” he said.

Geoffrey must have sensed Gregory’s nervousness, because he flew up and patted Gregory on the shoulder. “Don’t worry,” he said, “they are peaceful, but reclusive. As long as nogryphon or nocreature bothers them, they won’t attempt retaliation of any kind. Still, getting a message from their Matriarch and their Leap is unusual.”

“Times are unusual,” Gregory said as they reached another level, only to spot Sunset standing at the next flight of stairs, looking up with a nervous look in her eyes. “Sunset? What are you doing here?”

She turned and gave a nervous smile to the two. “Hey,” she said. “Sorry, I just…I know Celestia and Luna are up there already. I don’t know if I’m quite ready to face Celestia yet. I’m not sure if I’m that brave.”

“Nobody would ever ask that of you,” Geoffrey said. He was aware, as were the rest of the Convocation, about the circumstances behind the three ponies in Gregory’s house being outside of Equestria. “If you want, you can head to the kitchens and get something warm to eat or drink. This meeting may go long.”

“You don’t have to face her if you don’t want to,” Gregory reassured her. “You also could have stayed home and not braved the storm. You knew she was here, and you came anyway because you wanted to help me. You’ve survived, and you’ve changed from how you said you used to be. You’ve also been braver than most ponies in your position.”

Sunset looked up the stairs, then back at Gregory. Her lovely light greenish-blue eyes were uncertain for a bit, then she nodded. “Thank you,” she said, then she approached Gregory, stood on her hind legs, and hugged him. “I needed to hear that.” She released him, then turned to Geoffrey and nodded at him gratefully. “Thank you for your hospitality and your kind words, as well.”

Geoffrey chuckled. “You’re a valued member of our community, and a friend to my friend here,” he said, gesturing to Gregory, “so there’s no need to thank me. Now then, run along. I believe the cooks here have a stew going that they keep cooking throughout the day that ponies can eat.”

Sunset smiled slightly, then headed downstairs. Gregory looked over at Geoffrey. Friends? They were friends? He thought about it for a few moments as the two resumed their climb up to the Convocation. No, they were friends. He decided that at some point, when the storm ended, he would treat Geoffrey to a nice meal. As they walked, Gregory spoke up again. “Have we sent a reply back to the Leap yet?”

“Not yet, seeing as not all of the Convocation is present to read it,” Geoffrey said, “but now that you are here, perhaps we can discuss that after our meeting with the Equestrian envoy.”

“A Convocation member’s work is never done,” Gregory sighed.

A few moments later, they arrived at the doors to the throne room. They were both closed, and two of the city watch stood guard. Geoffrey stepped forward and asked, “Have the Equestrian princesses arrived?”

“They’re inside with the rest of the Convocation, Ambassador,” one of the watch replied, “along with a lot of chests.”

Geoffrey gave Gregory a glance, and the two exchanged a look. Gregory stood up taller and once more straightened his tie. Geoffrey flew up and adjusted it again for him. Gregory did the same for him before Geoffrey landed. Gregory turned to the watchguards and was about to say something when he stopped.

In an instant, several thoughts flashed through his mind. The previous conversation he’d had with Geoffrey about the possible bribery from Equestria, and the confirmation he had just gotten about chests in the room were enough for an idea to start forming. Gregory had been raised in what his neglectful parents called a ‘Christian’ home, but he knew they were anything but that. They only really cared about appearances. They never beat him or yelled at him, of course, but their lack of care for him was enough to scar him. Still, despite that, he would fall asleep listening to old CDs of a man reading the Bible every night for years. The man’s voice was soothing, and the stories he learned were fascinating.

One in particular involved Joseph and his brothers during the famine in Mesopotamia. This was what he was thinking about when he looked at one of the guards. “How many chests were there?”

“I counted thirty,” the same guard said.

“I could have sworn it was thirty-one,” the other said.

“That one hardly could count as a chest,” the first guard said, holding out his claws apart. “That chest was about that big.” The guard held his claws apart no bigger than the size of a shoe box.

“Thirty large chests and one very small one, then…” Gregory said.

“Something on your mind, Gregory?” Geoffrey asked.

“Hello, you two,” Gwendolyn’s voice said.

He turned to see Gwendolyn walking up to them, with Grandpa Gruff beside them, the latter muttering to himself in frustration. Geoffrey raised a claw. “Gwendolyn, nice to see you again. Gruff, I didn’t think you’d make it,” he said. “It’s good to see you again.”

“Not even a nor’wester seems to deter business, huh?” Gruff said in his normal, well, gruff manner. He scowled as he looked at the doors to the throne room. “Are they here already?”

“They are,” Gregory said.

“Fine, then let’s get this over with,” Gruff said. “My granddaughter is going to try and visit me later tonight, and I want to be home to fix dinner before she arrives.”

“Not yet,” Gregory said, eager to explain his plan to Geoffrey, “I’ve got to talk to Geoffrey about something.”

Gwendolyn must have noticed something because she approached with a worried look on her face. “Hey, is everything alright?” she asked.

“I just got told about the large…gifts…that the Equestrians brought,” Gregory said, “and I was about to talk to Geoffrey about how we’re going to deal with the envoy.”

Gwendolyn looked a bit confused, then turned to Geoffrey. “Gifts? I didn’t hear anything about this.”

“You left before the envoy arrived,” Geoffrey explained. He then went on to explain just what the Equestrian princesses had brought. “We don’t know what’s in them,” he finished, “but it’s likely money, gems, maybe more.”

Gruff scoffed “They must think we’re still the greedy assholes we were before Gregory returned the Idol.”

“Maybe,” Gwendolyn replied, “but we can’t make those assumptions.” She then looked up between her fellow Convocation members. “What should we do? How should we approach this?”

“Come with me for a bit,” Gregory said and gestured for the three to head into a small room near the throne room with him. It had once served as the Emperor’s personal dining area when mealtimes came around. It was also the Emperor’s office when he needed to look over documents. He closed the door and looked at the two gryphons. “Tell me, do either of you know the idea of a Good Cop, Bad Cop routine?” The blank expressions told him what he needed to know. “Okay, so here’s what it means…”

Several minutes later, the human and three gryphons came out of the room. Gregory turned to the guards. “Gentletoms, please open the door.”

The two nodded, grabbing one side of the door each, and pushed.

When Celestia had arrived in Gryphonia on the Friendship Express with Luna and their combined entorage, it had been snowing heavily. The snow had began about an hour after the train had crossed over into Gryphonia. It was light at first, but it soon became heavier. Wind had even picked up and she had seen the snow plow on the front of the train kicking up drifts of snow that had piled onto the tracks several times. The trees were heavily laden with thick piles of snow. She had never seen so much snow in one place before, but then again she had to remember that Gryphonia didn’t have weather teams. Their weather was not controlled. Storms were a complete rarity in Equestria thanks to that fact. Still, seeing snow that would go up to her knees was a rare sight.

When they had gotten to Gryphonstone Station, Celestia was stunned to learn that the station had been renamed as Guto River Station. Not only that, but the train line had actually been extended. Their next stop was a town called Gryphonville which lay at the foot of Gryphonstone’s mountain. Once they had reached that town, Celestia had noticed that the snowfall had turned into a snowstorm. Visibility was very low, and she doubted that they could travel up the mountain which was completely hidden from view.

Somehow, however, their arrival had been discovered, and a group had met her while she, her sister, and her entourage were getting something to eat in a nearby restaurant. To her complete surprise, one of the creatures who came to meet her was Shining Armor. There were two other ponies she didn’t know, but they all had promised to teleport them all up to Gryphonstone, more specifically the Eyrie.

Celestia had tried to speak to Shining Armor, but he was cold towards her. Polite, but professional. He did explain that he was doing this as a favor to the human who had let him, his wife, and their daughter stay at their house since they got caught in the storm, which was apparently called a nor’wester.

They had then traveled to a local apothecary’s shop, which was run by a very familiar zebra mare. She was less than pleased to see Celestia, but when Starlight explained that they were hoping to borrow some élanite, Zecora acquiesced. The moment Celestia saw the red gemstone, she felt the magic inside her grow. She asked that she be allowed to keep it until they left Gryphonstone because of the amount of magic there being less than the rest of the world. Zecora seemed reluctant, but eventually agreed.

Celestia and Luna had lent magic to Starlight Glimmer and Shining Armor, who both teleported the entourage and their chests to the Eyrie. She was immediately impressed by its ancient magnificence and the renovations it had apparently gone over in recent months. What she hadn’t expected was the large number of gryphons who were around. From what she knew of the Eyrie, there had not been anygryphon living there for centuries. Still, Gabby and Gilda explained that they had been making temporary repairs so that the Eyrie could be used as a shelter for homeless gryphons who had returned from their former Badlands colony after being kicked out by the changelings.

The group had been escorted to the old throne room, where the two had been tended to while the other Convocation members were gathered for an emergency meeting. While they waited, Celestia looked out of the window. The nor’wester here was deadlier than any storm she had seen in many, many years. She could only see white out of the window and the wind howled outside. The massive fireplace in the throne room was lit with a roaring blaze which warmed the room and there were what looked like oil lamps around the walls.

As Celestia walked around the room while waiting for the Convocation members to arrive, Luna sat and watched, sipping on a cup of steaming tea. “Quite the storm, is it not?” she asked as she put the cup down and watched her sister.

“The young gryphon named Gabby says these storms happen multiple times a year,” Celestia said, “mostly in the winter months. It’s a regular occurrence. It’s also a wonder that the Eyrie hasn’t come down. It’s older than Canterlot.”

“The Imperium did make sure to build things to last,” a female voice said from the door.

Celestia and Luna turned at once to see a gryphon female standing there. She looked to be somewhat older than the two gryphon females who had accompanied the group back to Gryphonstone. She had light brownish-gray fur and dark pink feathers in her plumage. She was wearing a suit of dark brown with a black tie hanging from the collar. She also wore a white cloak with golden fringe and a bright yellow hood. The broach was a gold and silver-plated foreword facing head of a bald eagle. In both of her claws she held bowls of some strange glowing liquid which she set at two spots at the table.

“They do indeed,” Luna said.

The gryphon bowed her head slightly. “My name is Georgia, one of the members of the Convocation,” she said by means of introduction. “Allow me to introduce you to two other members.” She walked over to the bowls and pulled out a small pearl which she dropped into the bowls. Mist rose from each of the bowls and moved back to the two chairs in front of where they had been placed.

Two nearly solid figures emerged from the mist. One was a dark mauve furred and light red feathered older female gryphon and the second was an older black furred and gray feathered gryphon male. Both wore identical clothes as Georgia did. The two looked around, then their eyes locked onto Celestia and Luna at almost the same time. “Well, this is an unexpected surprise,” the male said with a raised eyebrow.

“Princesses, let me introduce you to Ginna and Gael,” Georgia said, gesturing to the female and male respectively. “They are currently out of the country at the moment but can still attend this meeting.”

“Nice to meet you two,” Ginna said with a wave.

“A pleasure to meet you two as well,” Celestia said, hiding her surprise. She had never seen a method of long distance communication like this before. Equestria had its own methods, and she knew the changelings had their own, but she didn’t think that the gryphons had something like it, too. Having instant communication magic like this was incredibly difficult because it consumed a good deal of magic on both ends. “If I may ask, where are the two of you?” she asked.

“I’m in Saddle Arabia right now,” Ginna replied.

“And I’m in the Dragon Lands,” Gael added.

“A fascinating magic you have created here,” Luna said, leaning in closer to focus on the bowls. There was mist still rising from the bowls, so she didn’t get too close. “Are these Saddle Arabian bowls?”

“They are,” Georgia said with a smile, but there was something predatory behind those eyes that Celestia almost cringed at, “and they are on loan from the Sultan’s daughter. Please don’t touch them.”

Luna moved back. “Apologies, we were just curious,” she said.

The predatory look was gone, now. “Everyone is,” she said as she took a seat. “So, while we’re waiting for the others to arrive, I understand that you were in Gryphonville earlier?”

“Yes, we were,” Celestia said.

“I lived there for a year several years ago,” Gael said, “and it’s by far one of my favorite towns. Quiet and relaxed. Before the Idol of Boreas was returned to us, it was friendly by old gryphon standards. Now? It’s growing exponentially into the friendliest town in Gryphonia. One of the most prosperous, too.”

“Did you see much of it?” Georgia asked.

“Only a hoofful of buildings,” Celestia admitted.

“If you have time, you should stop by the Sweet’N’Savory,” Ginna said. “They have some excellent cuisine.”

“Actually, we did,” Luna said. “I procured a delectable grilled cheese sandwich with steaming tomato soup. And the bliss they have there is much better than what we have in Canterlot.”

“Their hot chocolate and cupcakes were rather good, as well,” Celestia said. She thought back to seeing one of the employees there, one Blanch Blend, a pony cook who had prepared the hot chocolate fresh for them and had baked the cupcakes earlier in the day. Despite the snowy weather, the place had been busy with jovial gryphons and ponies along with a couple of dragons who were engaged in a game of darts in the corner. A dragon version of darts, she had noted, which involved the dragons heating up the points of the darts with their fire and throwing them at a fireproof dartboard with paper in the bullseye.

“I actually prefer some of their new dishes that Gregory has been introducing to them,” Georgia said. “Their cheeseburgers are a smash hit.”

Hearing the name of the human being mentioned caught the attention of Celestia, and judging by how one of Luna’s ears flicked, it had caught her attention as well. “Is that restaurant a staple of the local community down there?” Celestia asked.

“It’s one of the best restaurants in Gryphonville,” Georgia said.

“I prefer their root beer floats, myself,” Gael said.

“That’s because you have the sweet beak of a cub,” Ginna replied with a frown.

“Hey! I’m perfectly fine with that, thank you very much,” Gael retorted.

Celestia watched the two ghostly gryphons arguing while Georgia watched with a smirk. This was different. All she knew about gryphons was that they were greedy and wanted only to make a quick bit, or talon in their case. But something about the gryphons she had met since arriving a few hours ago was different. Her eyes wandered to the artifact on the table. In fact, there were four articles on the table. A gold ring, a sash, a crown, and a strange looking object on a stand. It was a golden statuette forming a wing and a base shaped like a griffon talon with a rose colored orb in the center. A glow emanated from the interior of the sphere and it looked as if a cloudy liquid resided inside it. There were ancient looking runes on the wing itself, runes she couldn’t read, and she was well versed in many ancient languages.

When Celestia leaned closer to examine the object, that’s when the other three gryphons must have taken notice. “Enjoying the Idol of Boreas, are we?” Ginna asked.

Celestia looked up in confusion. “The Idol of Boreas?” she asked. It sounded vaguely familiar, but she couldn’t place it.

“Our most revered icon and artifact,” Georgia said. “The legend goes that King Grover found it at the founding of the Imperium long ago. It was apparently made from the dust of golden sunsets that was blown across the mountains by the north winds. It is a powerful magical artifact, but only the Bearer can utilize its power.”

“I heard that the Idol was made by some long gone race of mythical beings before being lost to time and then found by King Grover,” Gael said.

“I’ve heard that one, too,” Ginna said.

“I don’t know which one is true,” Georgia said, “but its effects have certainly been felt in the past few months.”

“Could you tell us more about it?” Luna asked, looking curiously at the Idol itself. “I can sense a magic emanating from it that is foreign to me.”

Georgia’s smile faded and she faced the princesses. “With all due respect to you,” she began, “as a representative of the Convocation and thus the people of this continent, I ask that you not touch the Idol with your magic. It is important to us gryphons.”

Luna backed away, looking a bit shocked by the sudden change of attitude in the middle aged gryphon. “My apologies,” she said, “I was merely curious. I can sense the magic without needing to cast any of my own.”

That caused the gryphon to relax a bit. “As long as you are aware of how much we revere it,” she said.

“Regardless,” Celestia said, “it is a fascinating and, actually quite beautiful idol.”

Georgia’s smile returned. “Yes it is,” she said, “We are all happy that it’s come back to us in our time of need. Our pride has returned, and much more it would seem.”

“I’m sure you’re aware of the stereotype that we are all a bunch of greedy bastards who would sell our parents out for a bit,” Gael said, “and while that is an exaggeration, we did focus on wealth both before and after the first time.”

“Hey, I heard that Gwendolyn was reading some things about the Imperium and several descriptions of how some gryphons felt at the time,” Ginna said, “and she says that this pride is different.”

“You’re correct,” a new female voice said. Celestia turned to see a younger and quite beautiful gryphon female with light brown fur, golden feathers in her plumage which fell down her sides, yellow claws, and bright green eyes. Standing in the doorway. Next to her was an older gryphon male. He had a dark black eye, the other blind from what looked like some kind of scar that ran down his left eye, reminding Celestia of Jason immediately. His fur was a slightly purplish gray, what little remained of his plumage was a darker gray, and he wore a dark red fez on his head.

Both were dressed in the same garb as the other members, plus an additional pin on the left side of the female’s clothes. It was a gold depiction of the Idol of Boreas, with the rose colored portion that represented the orb glowing slightly with the same magic, albeit with less intensity. She closed the door behind her and inclined her head towards Celestia and Luna. “Hello, princesses. My name is Gwendolyn. I’m the Convocation’s treasurer, secretary, and mage. This is Grandpa Gruff, our Convocation’s historian. Nice to meet you.”

The last status that Gwendolyn used to describe herself caught Celestia by surprise. She knew that the Imperium had something called the Imperial Mages, but those were rare. Gryphons who had sphinx or in rarer cases snow leopard blood running through their veins could use magical artifacts or create magical items with enough training. She had assumed that when the Imperium fell that they had all gone extinct, but apparently not. “Miss Gwendolyn, Mr. Gruff, a pleasure to meet you,” she said.

The mage ran a claw through her longer feathers that looked more like hair than anything else. “Sorry if I look a bit frazzled,” she said, “but I just arrived with another Convocation member after informing him about your unexpected arrival. The storm out there is extremely difficult to get through.”

“You can catch yer death of cold out there!” Gruff said as he plopped down into another chair, glaring up at the ceiling. “By Grover’s plumage, at least it’s warm in here.”

Celestia immediately felt guilty at her poor timing. “If you wish to postpone this meeting, we would be more than glad to find an inn for the night,” she said.

Gwendolyn shook her head fervently. “Nonsense,” she said as she took a seat in one of the chairs, “We’re almost all here now. The last two members are making some last minute preparations, but they should come in soon.”

The instant after she said this, the doors swung open, revealing two figures. The first was an older heavyset gryphon male. He was wearing a fez himself, and had dark gray claws, very dark brown eye feathers and plume, orange eyes, yellow beak, a light beige set of fur and a darker beige pair of wings. Celestia recognized Ambassador Geoffrey right away. And standing next to him, much taller than any gryphon when they stood on all fours, was Equus’ second human.