One Thousand and One Neighs

by Drakkanien
edited by a friend

There were very few things that managed to surprise Prince Blueblood once he came to age. He was a colt from a renowned and influential house, his family possessed enough land and wealth to allow him to have anything he wanted whenever he wanted. His cravings were fulfilled without a single question or ‘but’. He grew up as a pampered, arrogant stallion who had all the right and wrong reasons to feel more important than anypony else. But today, after witnessing the grand entrance of Saddle Arabians, he learned a new meaning of the word ‘opulence’.

He would obviously deny that when the dark blue clouds of incense started pouring through the crack of the doors leading into the throne room affected him. He was positively unnerved, a shy breath away from sharing the panic of his more faint-hearted subjects. His thoughts at the very moment went to fire - an outbreak like this could easily suffocate him and it would not be easily extinguished! Fires were something Prince had a first-hoof experience with. However after the doors swung open, no flames could be seen flickering. The ‘dangerous’ clouds rushed forth, he picked up their scent - myrrh and spices, not ash and smoke choking breath from his lungs. Prince calmed down, letting out a breath he was not aware he was holding. Stopping the tremble of his right hoof came naturally, though he swiftly concealed it by fixing his bowtie. Using hooves, not magic.

His gaze instantly went to his aunt, looking for comfort in her warm radiance. Alas, Princess Celestia did not look his way. She appeared on edge, though unlike everypony in the throne room, there was no hint of fear in her eyes - just concern. Alicorn stood on all four of her hooves, tall and regal, her magnificent feathery wings spread to their full length, trembling slightly above her as if she was about to take into the air if needed. Her vibrant, long mane and tail, previously carried on an unseen breeze, now moved as if roused by a gale, betraying Celestia’s agitation. Gone were all the traces of boredom and weariness from Equestria’s Solar diarch, replaced with tension. Yet this image quickly melted away once the doors swung open and Princess Celestia inhaled, her eyes previously sharp and focused, widening slightly in confusion or surprise. In that very moment she allowed herself to relax, sitting back on her worn, but comfortably looking cushion. Princess even let out a light giggle, knowing something nopony else has. This helped Blueblood to put his mind at ease, as he realised he wasn’t in any immediate danger.

The next part of the grand entrance helped ease Prince’s mind even more. Though what a common pony saw during the performance of the fire dancers was just a skill and showmanship, to Blueblood acute eye it was a mere distraction. While everypony’s eyes were drawn to oiled bodies and their spinning flames, a dozen of quick moving unseen servants carrying coffers of various shapes and sizes slipped behind them. These chests themselves were richly decorated, covered in brass and silver studs and plates. Some were painted in intricate patterns, with reds and blues being the dominant colours. They all looked heavy, judging how the taut bodies of the ponies carrying them strained under their weight. Coffers were dropped on the floors with a thud, a sound muffled by the swelling exotic music and murmurs of the gathered ponies. One could only wonder what manner of riches were stored inside of them!

“Whoa…” Blueblood heard a voice from his left, making him turn one ear in that direction. Beside him Ms. Inkwell stopped writing, now standing propping her forelegs on the flat surface of the table, her eyes wide in wonder as she watched the duo of dancers perform their routine. At this very moment they leaped up, passing each other in the air, landing with a flourish, performing a wide arc with flaming ends of their sticks. “Are they…?” Ms. Inkwell started, only to be cut off by Blueblood.

“Saddle Arabian fire dancers?” He finished Raven’s question, not even gracing her with a glance. Blueblood’s voice was low, carrying but a slight tremor, betraying his previous weakness. Stallion’s gaze trailed after the shining figures of the performers. “Yes.”

“They look different from the delegation we received previously.” Ms. Inkwell noticed, adjusting her thick-rimmed glasses with a poke of her hoof.

“Pah!” Prince scoffed, feeling his bravado returning. “I wouldn’t call the envoy we received back then as a proper ‘delegation’.” He argued. “They had no flair, no taste, came and went unnoticed. Now this…” He pointed with his chin at the quickly retreating duo of ponies who were quickly replaced by armed guards. “I call an entrance!”

The tension, which was almost gone thanks to the show, returned, making some of the ponies in the crowd upset once more. Their nervousness was not as great as it was initially. Prince Blueblood on his part did not feel threatened by the presence of armed strangers, quite the contrary - he knew it was just another show of power. Somepony here played their diplomatic game, showing off their pawns and assets. They were clearly counting on their entry to impress and possibly coax a more favourable deal without any unnecessary negotiation.

Prince smirked, almost gleeful - he managed to see through the Saddle Arabian game.

Ms. Inkwell tensed a little when she saw a flash of weapons on the foreigners. Seeing armed ponies was unusual in Equestria outside of rare guard, but Blueblood paid no heed to her whimpers. He himself was looking towards the other table on the other side of the throne, where Chancellor Neighsay sat at with other members of the council. To his pleasure he noted none of them were in any form of distress - it would not speak well for the most important ponies in Equestria, bar the Princesses and himself, to lose their wits under pressure.

Standing up and cutting through the middle of the throne room, Prince Blueblood approached the table reserved for the councillors, leaving Ms. Inkwell on her own. Mare’s eyes were still on these four exotic and armed equines. She was tapping her hooves nervously, her duties as a scribe completely forgotten for a moment.

“Your highness.” Always dutiful Seneschal Usurers greeted his Prince standing up from his chair and straightening, offering Blueblood a respectful bow.

Other Councillors, including Chancellor Neighsay, Constable Drustan and Mistress of Secrets Perplexity also rose from their seats, turning their attention from commotion taking the palace at the entrance, bowing their heads before the Prince.

Blueblood seized them, inspecting these dignified stallions and mare with great care, studying them closely.

Chancellor Neighsay, or more specifically - Lord Neighsay of House Properous, was a tall Unicorn stallion almost past his prime. His greying dark mane, beard and tail, faded azure-grey coat were clear indicators of his age. However the calculating look of his turquoise eyes told anypony that his mind remained as capable as ever. Blueblood found his overseeing of EEA while still maintaining duties of a Chancellor commendable, though heavy bags under stallion’s eyes pointed it was paid for with less than ideal amount of sleep, making him a bit irritable at times.

Seneschal Usurers, head of the legendary House Cuptor, was one of the richest ponies in the nation. He owned many businesses and led the largest trading guild in Equestria. Lord Usurers had a keen business sense, which seemed to run in the family, given how many successful investments Cuptors made in recent years. While not the youngest, he still held on strong, his coffee coloured feathers and coat shone brightly in daylight and neatly combed, reddish mane fell down his neck. Prince knew very little about him, beside being a diligent and stubborn individual that helped Equestria stay above the red line for over twenty years now.

Constable Drustan from the banner of Steadfasts, despite being a skilled duelist and strategist, never had an opportunity to try out his martial prowess in a real battle. Equestria was a mostly peaceful nation with little internal strife, most external threats were subdued millennia ago. The position was mostly ceremonial and limited to maintaining a limited number of guards in Equestrian outposts. Despite it, this dark green, with completely greyed from age mane and tail, Earth Pony stallion took his position very seriously. His eyes were mismatched, right being a dull brown colour, while left was white and blind. Blueblood found Lord Drustan boring on most days, but on the other hoof his overly serious demeanour and unwillingness to let even slightest offences slide created a number of dramas that Prince found hilarious and entertaining!

A mysterious and sensual Lady Perplexity Obscura, a minor noble whose house only recently attained any notoriety with her being hoof-picked into the position of Equestian Master of Secrets. It didn’t sit well with Prince Blueblood that somepony of such low importance held such a prestigious position, however Lady Perplexity was a devoted servant of aunt Luna and had a talent for finding out secrets. Her loyalty was never a question and it was a quality paramount in her position. She, like other councillors, was an older mare close to her forties. She sported a pale purple mane, dark yellow eyes and most ashen grey fur he Prince Blueblood has ever seen. Her most striking feature were her large, leathery wings, adorned with sharp claws at the joints. Indeed - Perplexity Obscura was a Thestral, commonly known as a Bat Pony.

“Councillors.” Prince Blueblood started, his tone official, yet he spoke hurriedly, well aware they didn’t have much time. “In a few minutes Equestria will wage a battle, I do not know what this new ‘enemy’ is, nor what they want. It is obvious however, they treat today’s engagement very seriously and arrive prepared.” He glanced over his shoulder at the back of heads of colourful rabble, the standoff between the guards was still ongoing.

Prince’s metaphor did not go over Council’s ears, even if it took Lord Drustan a moment to realise his Prince was not speaking in a literal sense. Once he did, he looked almost disappointed.

“We need to devise a strategy.” Blueblood finished.

“I wholeheartedly agree with you, your Highness.” Lord Usurers spoke first, his speech slow and very articulate, even if he ended every other word with an annoying smack of his lips. “Yet we do not know what and who we will negotiate with.”

“That is the real issue - we will have to extend negotiations.” Neighsay hummed, tapping a hoof against his short beard. “It won’t be hard to convince Princess Celestia to have Princess Luna included in the talks.”

“Good thinking.” Perplexity complimented the Chancellor, her voice low, almost purring, smokey. “It will give me more time to try and find any… leverage.”

“It may be problematic.” Neighsay quipped, rapping his hooves against the half-moon table they were seated behind. “If our guests are who I think they are, you might stumble upon something you have never faced before - language barrier.”

“Oh?” Perplexity lifted both of her fluffy ears and quirked her eyebrow at Chancellor.

Neighsay used his orange-hued magic to tug on the collar of his cloak, feeling a bit hot. He had some explaining to do. “It is a mere speculation of mine - we received a letter two moons ago from outside of Equestria, a letter which we failed to decipher.” He noted. “And now…”

“As if we needed tricks and espionage to negotiate a good deal.” Seneschal Usurers said calmly, smacking his lips again and again, causing Prince Blueblood to wince every time he did so.

“Not everypony has your nose for sniffing out every tiniest bit of gold, Cuptor.” Lord Drustan grumbled impatiently, splayed back on his chair.

Usurers did not seem bothered by the comment, quite the contrary - he grinned widely with an open mouth like an oversized, brown toad. “That is why I’m here with you on this very council - sniffing out opportunities for the good of Equestria.”

“Enough.” Prince Blueblood commanded, mildly annoyed. All councillors went silent. “We will council over it later.” His fuzzy ear swivelled towards the crowd as the voices coming from it picked in intensity and volume. Somepony of importance was approaching. “It is time - let us be on our guard.”

With his words heard, Blueblood turned around and briskly trotted back towards his table where Ms. Inkwell waited. As he crossed before the front of the stairs leading up to the throne, he cast one, brief look at his aunt. Princess Celestia returned his gaze with a nod and a tiny, kind smile, though a twitch of her right wing urged him to take a seat.

“Right, right.” He muttered, hastening his steps.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

The sight of foreign envoy cowing before the Solar throne tickled Blueblood’s ego. The fact this exotic mare spoke strange, melodic words with such reverence only intensified the sensation. Though he didn’t understand the language, he guessed it was a formal greeting. She knew her place and the role she had to play today.

A thorough look over her bowed form revealed little - most of the mare's body was concealed in a thick, flowing satin robe. Its main colour was a shimmering sapphire accented with darker midnight blues. Outer layer was intricately decorated with silver threads in floral patterns, depicting plants Prince Blueblood had never seen in his entire life. With each breath the mare took, with even the slightest motion, these images seemed to come to life and move on their own. It was as if the pony watching could almost step into that exotic garden roused by a gentle desert breeze.

Her mane was a brilliant shade of gold, cascading down the right side of her neck in a glimmering waterfall. Now, as she knelt, it was pooling on her side, sprawled on a crimson carpet leading all the way to Princess’ Celestia throne. Blueblood noticed a gilded hair net nestled in her mane - a caul interwoven with intricate strands, crusted with a myriad of tiny jewels. Under the afternoon sun, they sparkled with a phantasmagoria of colours.

Jewellery adorned every part of her: draped across her robe, woven through her hair, and hanging from her ears. When she fidgeted beneath Celestia’s scrutinising gaze, Blueblood could hear a faint sound of jingling when these pieces struck one another. The faint, musical jingle of the jewels echoed softly in the throne room creating an ethereal atmosphere, creating an illusion that this mare was not a mere mortal.

For a moment, even Prince Blueblood found himself enthralled by this vision. The spell only broke once she began to speak again, her foreign speech drawing him back to the present.

"I greet you, Monarch of the Sun!” Mare proclaimed, her voice reverent, soft, yet carrying a strength demanding everypony’s attention. It carried more than a hint of her Saddle Arabian accent, thick yet adding her tone a surprisingly melodic edge. Everypony’s eyes and ears were on her, including pale magenta Princess Celestia’s.

“One that makes light, one that makes Sun roam the sky, one that brings Day and dispels the Night, one that brings happiness and life.” She continued. “I stand here before you in awe of your magnificence, bearing gifts and kind words of my liege.”

Blueblood’s ear twitched as he processed her words, his satisfaction replaced by a sense of unease. She was reverential, overly so - but there was more to it. Her praise for Celestia’s dominion over the Sun and day came natural for everypony, anypony. For a thousand years, Celestia had been the sole ruler, the one who raised the Sun and guided the day. But it has recently changed. Princess Luna was back. And the way the envoy phrased her tribute seemed almost... exclusionary.

Was this ignorance? A calculated slight? Or simply an unfortunate choice of words? Blueblood’s eyes narrowed as he tried to read the envoy’s intentions, but her expression was calm, serene, revealing nothing.

Celestia hesitated, just for a moment, a faint flicker of surprise crossing her features before she spoke: "You may rise." she said, her voice warm but her eyes sharper, as if searching for the hidden meaning in the mare’s words.

“As you command, Your Majesty.” The envoy rose to her hooves straightening to her full height, once again making Equestrians realise just how much taller she was. She stood a head over even the burliest of the Royal Guards, yet her slim figure and delicate hooves only enhanced her ethereal qualities. Her gaze remained fixed right at the throne where Princess Celestia remained perched, her serene smile not betraying a hint of her thoughts.

“We spent a very long time on the journey.” She continued, her tone reverent, her shimmering eyes wide with awe. “Braving treacherous deserts and unnamed wastelands, sailing across wild seas plagued by monsters and storms. Yet we did not relent, knowing what awaited us at the end.” She paused for a long, dramatic moment, casting her eyes around at the faces of gathered ponies. Her eyes flickered towards the stained glass windows depicting various noteworthy events in Equestria’s history - the defeat of Grogar, ending the Chaos of Discord and banishing of the Nightmare.

“I am Ahrisham, in your tongue - Mirage. I came here carried by desert winds of Saddle Arabia, to speak on behalf of wise and merciful Sultan Hormazd, Atar Yazdana, bearing gifts, news and a plea for the righteous ruler of Equestria.” The envoy - Mirage, performed one more deep and servile bow before the Alicorn Princess.

“At-tar Yazdana…” Prince Blueblood mused to himself, butchering the ancient name in the process. “My memory might be spotty on the subject, but the last Saddle Arabian delegation had the patronage of a different lord. This name... it’s unfamiliar. - it wasn’t so… tongue-twisting.”

“I-I think you a-are right, Your Highness.” Ms. Inkwell whispered, shivering.

Blueblood scoffed, leaning back in his chair with a dismissive hoof wave. “Hmhf. I never heard this name - Atar Yazdana. It must be unimportant then.”

Prince’s attention was once again drawn to the foreign envoy - Ahrisham. Mare sharply clicked her tongue giving a signal to her entourage. As one, a dozen Saddle Arabian servants moved forward, carrying heavy chests that had slipped from Blueblood’s mind. They arranged themselves in a neat half circle before Celestia’s throne. There were eight chests, each unique - crafted from dark, sturdy wood, intricately painted, and reinforced with polished brass, silver, and shimmering jewels.

Ahrisham was strolling before the chests, counting and nodding, speaking hastily in her melodic, native tongue. Ahrisham never, even for a moment, has turned her back to Princess Celestia.

“Wise and merciful Sultan Hormazd bids me convey his deepest admiration for Your Majesty.” She declared, stopping just before the throne. “Your wisdom is a beacon that guides through the darkest storms; your might secures peace as steadfastly as the mountains, and your prosperity shines like a jewel across all lands. He is honoured to stand in alliance with Equestria, whose virtues are as boundless as the sky and whose name is known to all.”

Alliance? Blueblood’s ears perked up at the word. Beneath the flowery praise, it was a single, heavy term that drew his attention. What alliance?

Prince’s brow knitted as he tried to recall all the treaties and agreements Equestria has signed in recent years. He went over them one by one - modifications to trade treaties, student exchanges, border adjustments with the Crystal Empire… Only one document came to his mind, signed by Haakim of Saddle Arabia a few years ago. He did not recall details contained in it, but he was certain it did not involve anything of such magnitude!

“... for not being able to inform Your Majesty.” Ahrisham's voice interrupted Prince’s idle musings. She was pacing slowly across the throne room, turning right before Prince’s and Raven’s table, wafting them in her heavy, sweet perfume. It was composed of vanilla, honey and lilacs, Blueblood noticed. “Days of strife and conflict were plenty. Yet now His Majesty is happy to inform the Princess of Equestria, that Saddle Arabia is once again united under the banner of Atar Yazdana.”

Celestia's expression softened, though she took her time to respond. “I am overjoyed to hear it.” She said, after a lengthy pause. “How does the old Sultan fare? News from Saddle Arabia is scarce in Equestria.”

Ahrisham’s eyes sparkled with delight as she let out a light, melodic giggle, sounding like the chime of silver bells. “Your curiosity honours me and all of Saddle Arabia, Your Majesty.” She bowed deeply, brushing floors with her extravagantly long mane.

“My liege, wise and merciful Sultan Hormazd, is in good health. Recent events may have added a few wrinkles to his brow, but such is the burden of any ruler. I am certain Your Majesty knows best that ensuring the well being of your subjects is a very taxing duty.” Ahrisham sang, her voice carrying over the entire throne room, tickling the ears of any curious pony that was listening in. “Yet in the end, with providence of the Eternal Cycle, he preserved - reclaiming lands of his forefathers and bringing all of his unruly subjects back to the fold.”

Blueblood’s eyes narrowed further, as he listened to the news. War was unheard of in the land of Equestria, where harmony reigned. To hear somepony speak about it in such a casual manner… It was strange, even unsettling. Was it how ruling looked like in more barbaric lands, where one decision of a ruler or could shatter lives of countless souls?

“With his guidance, peace was finally achieved, and with it, we could reach out to our ancient allies.” Ahrisham’s horn lit up with a pale, flickering flame, casting an eerie glow over her face, turning towards the chest with offerings.

Blueblood watched, intrigued. He was no expert on magic, but he could recognize the unusual, almost wild quality of her channel - a sharp contrast to the refined, controlled spells of Equestrian unicorns. It completed the image of the Saddle Arabians as rough, untamed desert dwellers in his mind.

Ahrisham approached each chest in turn, her magic gently lifting their heavy lids. The first chest spilled out a cascade of round golden coins, rolling and bouncing across the red rugs and marble floor. The next revealed bolts of satin cloth, shimmering in colours of the rainbow, reflecting in the late afternoon sunlight. Another held wax-sealed boxes, their labels hinting at exotic spices. Next held sticks of incense, their heady, earthy scents tickling the nostrils of those nearby. Yet another chest contained finely tailored garments, each more vibrant and intricate than the last. The last was most unusual - smaller than the other, no bigger than a jewellery box, bound in straps of reinforced dark iron, commonly used to create items resistant to magic. Inside, on a soft pillow, laid a single, purple gemstone pulsating with a dim light. Each opened chest added to a growing display of Saddle Arabia's wealth, filling the throne room with scents and colours rarely experienced within Equestria’s border.

“Please accept our humble gifts. They are but a sliver of wonder and mystery of our home, Saddle Arabia.” Ahrisham concluded her grand speech, bowing deeply before the Solar ruler for one final time.

It took Prince Blueblood several moments to process what he had just witnessed. The whole thing was confusing, even surreal. The envoy’s entrance was a spectacle and an obvious show of power. Mare’s reverent words - were they mere flattery, laced with faux pas and ignorance, or a genuine attempt to attain Equestria’s favour? And the gifts… When Blueblood saw the staggering wealth of exotic goods laid out, he was momentarily stunned.

His stupor was broken only when he noticed Ms. Inkwell cradling a sizable coin in her hooves, her eyes wide with wonder. With a swift, sharp motion, Prince swatted at her hooves, causing her to drop the coin. “This gold belongs to the Crown.” He growled, making her yelp, more in surprise than in pain.

“I-I… y-yes, Your Highness.” Ms. Inkwell said sheepishly, folding her ears back.

With this pleasant distraction over, Blueblood stood up rolling his shoulders.

Princess Celestia and Ahrisham were still conversing, though nothing significant was exchanged between them now. Prince Blueblood was still unsure about the envoy's social status. Given she represented her liege before the foreign ruler in such a masterful manner, she certainly had a noble upbringing. Unless, of course, Saddle Arabia became one of these gauche ‘republics’. Prince mentally scoffed at the idea.

Princess Celestia, seeing her nephew take strides towards her guest, paused, tracing his movement with her pale magenta eyes. This brief interruption caused Ahrisham herself to stop and turn her head towards Prince Blueblood. She was looking at him with those dark and deep as oceans eyes, the only visible feature, beside her mane and horn. Was she studying him, bathing in his magnificence?

From up close Ahrisham looked even more imposing, easily standing a head taller over Blueblood, almost as tall as Princess Celestia herself. Her satin robes flowed around her with even the tiniest of her movements, catching and reflecting light. Mare’s perfume was pleasant to Prince’s senses, but he found it a bit distracting.

Noticing that the envoy was simply regarding him, one of her eyebrows raised in an unspoken question, Blueblood coughed into his hoof. Soon it should dawn on her the reason for his approach. His aunt received her praises, now it was his turn!

Another quarter of a minute passed with her merely tilting her head to the right side, mare’s expression remained puzzled.

Prince Blueblood tapped his hoof impatiently against the red carpets, still waiting. Surely, it wouldn’t take this mare that long to acknowledge him and his titles. Yet, she just tilted her head again, as if pondering over him like a puzzle.

Finally, she spoke, her tone light and questioning: “... you are?” Ahrisham probed, lowering her neck to be on eye level with him. The gesture felt very demeaning, as if she was speaking to a snooty colt. It made Blueblood nostrils flare in annoyance.

Before he could give her a proper tongue lashing for disrespecting a royal, Princess Celestia spoke up, her tone oddly mirthful: “This is my nephew - Prince Blueblood and my Royal Liaison.”

“Equestria has a prince?” Ahrisham blurred out, her tone confused. The question struck Blueblood like a slap; he recoiled visibly, taking a step or two back. A prince, unacknowledged in his own court? Preposterous!

Around him, a few ponies stifled giggles. Raven, Perplexity, and even his aunt seemed amused by Ahrisham’s ignorance. Their laugh was subtle, but to Blueblood, it felt mocking. It made his ear burn.

With a heated huff, Prince stomped his hooves against the floor before turning sharply and storming out through the backdoor of the Canterlot’s throne room.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

“How could she say such a thing!” Blueblood was not happy.

“I don’t know, Your Highness.” Replied a soothing, feminine voice from behind him.

“To not know about me? Me!” Prince’s voice turned into a whinny, he really was distressed.

“It is truly outrageous.”

“I would understand if it were a poorly disguised insult,” Blueblood huffed, nostrils flaring. “A deliberate slight, meant to undermine me in front of the court, but…”

“But?”

Blueblood’s lips trembled. “... she completely had no idea who I even was!”

Prince Blueblood was in a state of disarray. After storming out of the throne room, he had retreated to the safety of his chambers. A good, hot, and relaxing soak seemed the perfect remedy for his frayed nerves. Yet, even as he sank into the steaming water, the soothing warmth failed to wash away the memory of recent events. Frustration did not leave him, despite assigning Lavender, his maid, to scrub his back.

The light purple Earth Pony mare, with warm orange eyes and a neatly tied medium-length green mane, stood at the edge of the tub, her hooves and forelegs glistening with soapy water as she worked the foam into his coat. She listened to his tirade, nodding politely when necessary. It wasn’t the first and very likely the last time she did so.

The bathrooms in Prince Blueblood’s suite were, in his mind, a modest thing. A spacious hall of polished white and pink marble, adorned with intricate carvings and ornate, decorative columns that stood at strategic points. In the centre, a hexagonal bath, large enough to accommodate a dozen ponies. The tub was deep enough for a full, relaxing submerge; marble shelves lined its edges, ideal for lounging. The entire room overlooked the castle gardens, the windows were high enough to prevent any wandering eyes from spying on the occupants. Of course, a curious Pegasus could still sneak a peek, but they’d have to fly past vigilant winged sentries to do so.

Closing his eyes Blueblood let Lavender do her job. She ran her strong hooves over his shoulders and neck, smoothing any ruffled patches of his fur and inadvertently massaging him. Though not the most skilled masseuse, Lavender was competent enough. But even her best efforts failed to distract Blueblood’s agitated mind.

“Harder,” Blueblood barked, and Lavender obediently applied more pressure. It did not work at all, and only made the massage uncomfortable causing him to grunt.

Noticing his discomfort, Lavender paused, pulling back from the tub and stepping away with a soft, wet clop of her hooves. She moved to bring Prince’s favourite shampoo in hopes it would help soothe him. The bottle rested together with all the soaps and ointments inside the drawer resting against the wall.

“That’s impossible, my Prince,” Lavender cooed into his ear upon her return. “Everypony in Equestria knows who you are, even ponies living under a proverbial rock.”

Lavender’s words made corners of his lips twitch upwards. It was true, everypony in Equestria heard the name of Prince Blueblood! Yet, the moment his thoughts went to Ahrisham, this smile turned into a scowl. “In Equestria - yes. But outside of it?”

“Sire, you worry too much.” Lavender tried to say gently, pouring a reasonable amount of shampoo on her outstretched hoof, before applying it to Prince’s blonde mane.

Blueblood grumbled as she began to massage his scalp, careful not to let a drop of shampoo sting his eyes. Gradually, he began to calm, inhaling the familiar, clean scent, letting the warm water soothe his tense muscles… Yet, every time his body relaxed, he heard that voice again: ‘... you are?' spoken with a thick, melodic accent.

“Gah!” Blueblood shouted, kicking his legs against the water, sending a small wave splashing over the edge.

Lavender jumped back with a startled gasp, barely avoiding the splash. “P-Prince!” she stammered, her ears pinned back against her skull.

“I can’t get her smug face out of my mind!” He called, splashing hot water once more, before slumping in defeat against the back of the tub. His imagination already was hard at work reshaping the memory in his mind. In it Ahrisham’s word became even more deliberate and insulting than they were in reality - with the entire crowd of ponies bursting into laughter, pointing their hooves at him.

It reminded him of the only other time he had been so humiliated - at the Grand Galloping Gala, years ago. A single mare had dared to upset him in a similar way, but he had long since buried that memory. He hadn’t seen her at any subsequent events, and he liked to imagine she had been so frightened by his displeasure that she had never dared to show her face again in fright of his wrath. The thought lifted his spirits, if only a little.

With a heavy, audible groan, he sank deeper into the water until only the top of his head, his nose, eyes, and horn poked out, steam curling all around him.

Seeing his distress, Lavender stepped closer to the tub, careful to avoid slipping on the damp floor. ‘Prince could be so overly dramatic at times.’ She thought. “Crying about it won’t help.”

Blueblood’s ears twitched, and his head sank even lower, until his nostrils were submerged. He blew out a stream of bubbles, making a low, irritated noise.

“My Prince!” Lavender tapped her hoof against the honed marble floor. “Please act the part.”

He didn’t respond, so she leaned against the edge of the tub, her eyes softening. “If it bothers you so much, perhaps you should bring it up with Princess Celestia?” She suggested, tilting her head slightly.

This seemed to catch his attention. His ears perked up, and he resurfaced slightly.

“You are still Equestria’s only prince.” Lavender continued. “If you feel disrespected by somepony, especially a foreign envoy, surely you have the right to seek her counsel.”

“Well… maybe, but…” Blueblood hesitated, lifting his head above the surface of the water. “She was one of the ponies who laughed at me.”

Lavender raised one eyebrow, not believing what he just said. “Mhm, I can’t imagine Princess Celestia being mean to anypony.” She said, dipping her hooves into the water and resuming her gentle massage of his scalp. “Especially not to you, sire.”

“You’re right,” Blueblood muttered, his tone softening as the soothing sensation of her hooves finally calmed him. “You can take the rest of the day off…”

Lavender’s ears perked up. “Thank you, my Prince!” She brightened at the thought of going home early.

“… after you’re done clipping my hooves.” He added, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Her ears drooped a little. “Yes, my Prince.” She said, with a resigned sigh. “Let me just rinse your mane first.”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Prince Blueblood emerged from his chambers an hour later with his hooves trimmed to perfection and his mane and coat smelling pleasantly of floral balm. He had to admit that the bath, combined with Lavender’s treatments, had left him feeling much better. Not enough to thank her for it, of course, but as he left, she could clearly see a new spring in his step.

Lavender might be a mare who spoke out of turn, but her advice had proven invaluable at various points in his life. He always had to make a show of resisting it, if only to preserve his precious pride.

Using his unicorn magic to perform a few last-minute fixes, Prince Blueblood started to trot towards Celestia’s study. It was quite a distance from his chambers, but he didn’t mind the exercise. If anything, it would help clear his head a bit more.

At this late afternoon hour, the corridors of Canterlot Castle were mostly deserted, save for the occasional guard or two in their gilded armour. Each one tensed and saluted as he passed. Blueblood mostly ignored them, sometimes throwing in a single nod. The thick carpets muffled the sound of his hooves, allowing him to overhear distant conversations from the castle staff and guests.

“...make out of it?” “...would be wise to not ask…” “...smelled so nice, I can’t put my hoof…” “…thought it was a fire, I almost…”

Prince shook his head. The voices were barely audible, forcing him to strain his ears to catch any words, and none offered anything useful. He had no idea how Perplexity managed to do this all day - listening to pointless gossip and somehow picking out just the right bits.

As he moved through the wide, open corridors of the castle, his eyes passed on a centuries worth collection of art, sculptures, paintings, bas-reliefs and more. His hooves take him on their own towards his favourite pieces. His eyes drifted to a marble statue of a rearing Pegasus, wings outstretched, as if preparing for flight. It looked almost life-like, each straining muscle carved with painstaking detail. Normally, he would have paused to admire the delicate carvings of each feather, but today he rushed past without a second thought.

When ponies contemplated the opulence and décor of Canterlot, their thoughts often went towards works of countless artists that worked to beautify the place with their talents. Few however took note of one, very important factor - space. The castle was big, open enough even for a Pegasi to comfortably fly through the halls over the heads of the ponies. Reason for such open areas was twofold - in times of old it allowed flying defenders to get behind the enemy. Nowadays however it was a show of wealth, as maintaining so much open interior space was expensive. Despite the efforts to heat the castle during colder seasons, the vast halls remained unpleasantly chilly.

After several minutes and two staircases that left him slightly out of breath, Prince Blueblood arrived at the doors of Celestia’s study. Without the decorative arch and sun patterns above, they would have looked like those of any ordinary chamber. The two-pony-high doors, made of polished oak reinforced with brass, were decorated with a mix of sun and moon symbols carved directly into the wood. Subtle enough to be omitted by somepony not paying attention.

Surprisingly, there were no sentries standing guard outside.

Without thinking, Prince used his horn magic to grab the handle and push the doors inward. He didn’t care if she was busy, or even if she was inside at all for the matter. He needed her advice and comfort right now. If she wasn’t present, he would simply wait. A thought of browsing one of her myriad books or even napping on one of the sitting pillows seemed quite appealing.

As the door swung open, bathed in his arctic-blue aura, Prince Blueblood found something surprising.

Everypony was here.

His aunt, Princess Celestia, sat behind her ornately carved desk, which was larger than those made for an average pony. She wore a pair of cute half-rimmed glasses, her pale magenta eyes peeking over them, slightly smaller than usual due to the lenses.

Next to her, unexpectedly, was aunt Luna, her eyes half-closed. She was nursing a sizable mug of freshly brewed coffee, the scent of which filled the room. She looked as if she had just rolled out of bed, still swaying slightly, her mind seemingly stuck in the realm of dreams. Occasionally, she leaned against her sister as if she was about to fall into the warm embrace of sleep again.

Around a low coffee table, the councillors were huddled, lounging on the oversized, alicorn-sized pillows. They seemed quite comfortable in the presence of not one but two princesses, their conversation broken only by Prince’s entry. Each had a cup of their favourite beverage, complete with as many sugar cubes as they desired. At a glance, only Lord Drustan sweetened his tea, stirring it slowly with a silver spoon.

But one pony stood out from the rest…

‘Her’ Prince stiffened, his freshly brushed coat bristling.

“Ah, Prince Blueblood.” Aunt Celestia chirped, a warm smile brightening her already radiant features. “We were just talking about you.” Her horn glowed with a gentle, golden aura.

Before Blueblood could react, he felt the familiar warm tingle of Unicorn magic envelop him, his eyes widening in panic. His hooves scrambled against the polished floor, trying to resist the pull, but it was no use. The golden aura of the Alicorn's spell was too strong, effortlessly drawing him deeper into the chamber. As he was pulled past the threshold, the massive oak doors swung shut behind him with a resounding thud, trapping the poor prince inside.

His aunt could be so inconsiderate, especially when she wore that knowing smile - she had another absurd idea brewing.

With no way to make a dignified escape, Blueblood sighed in resignation. Using his magic, he straightened his mane, dishevelled by the Alicorn's spell, and tried to don his professional mask. An Equestrian Royal should always look their best, especially under pressure.

His bright, blue eyes scanned Celestia’s study. It was in the same disarray he remembered. The moderately spacious chamber, nestled in the Eastern wing of the castle, had two windows that let in the world outside. The soft, orange light of the setting sun seeped through, diffused by violet curtains. The dull, purple walls desperately needed a fresh coat of paint, though for some reason, Princess Celestia wouldn’t allow it. ‘Perhaps she didn’t want other ponies rummaging through her things?’ A stray thought shot through his mind.

Ancient, dusty shelves of black wood, their edges meticulously carved with geometric patterns, lined the back wall. Cloth-bound books of various shapes and sizes, along with rolls of scrolls, filled the shelves. A pony had an equal chance of finding a treatise on some long-forgotten mystery or a cheap romance novel on them, a genre his aunt was oddly fond of. The floorboards, softer and warmer than the stone outside, showed their age, creaking when somepony stepped on just the right plank in just the right spot.

SQUEAK

The sound made Blueblood grimace as he hurriedly lifted his hoof, stepping more carefully towards the heavy desk where his aunts sat.

“What is the meaning of this gathering?” He asked, casting his eyes at the councillors, then back towards a half-asleep aunt Luna. “I was not informed about any private council taking place.”

It was a lie. After his rather humiliating exit from the throne room, at least half a dozen messengers had knocked on his chamber door. Naturally, Blueblood instructed Lavender to send them away. He wasn’t in the mood to hear whatever news those ponies were so desperate to deliver.

“As it turns out, our guests require assistance with a certain very…” Princess Celestia paused, glancing to her left where ‘she’ was seated. Blueblood didn’t even bother to grace this visitor with a fleeting glance. “… delicate matter.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Blueblood retorted, feeling a migraine approaching. He resisted the urge to massage his temples, for now. “What is this ‘delicate’ matter we’re speaking of?”

“I think it would be best if the mare in question explained it herself.” Celestia said, nodding toward Ahrisham, who, despite her tall stature, seemed to shrink as she sat awkwardly on one of the borrowed pillows.

“Esteemed Prince.” Came that voice - strange, thick with an accent, yet surprisingly melodious, each syllable drawn out in a way that made the fur on his neck stand on its ends. “I first would…”

“Enough,” Blueblood interrupted, raising a hoof. “Let us talk business.” He was eager to be done with this ordeal, biting back the urge to ask, ‘Why do you even need me here?’ He knew better than to act so brazenly in front of his aunts.

Ahrisham’s muzzle scrunched at his obvious hostility, but she complied with his request. Blueblood almost did not notice that her veil was gone. “So be it.”

Shifting slightly on her pillow, she began her tale once more. Blueblood, for his part, ostentatiously refused to look in her direction, pretending instead to be amused by Princess Luna, who had dozed off entirely, her chin now resting on Celestia’s shoulder. She was still cradling her mug of hot coffee, tilting it just enough for drops to trickle down its edge, one at a time.

“... as I was saying - parts of the desert that were previously suitable for settling can become desolate overnight. We even experienced entire villages being swallowed by the storm, with few survivors to tell the tale. Worst of all - it is slowly encroaching towards fertile regions suitable for land-tending and husbandry.”

“Concerning.” Usurers mumbled, smacking his broad lips.

“How fast does it spread?” Princess Celestia asked, rolling her right wing as if to rouse her sister. It did not work, and only made Luna mumble and snuggle deeper into the soft feathers.

“The measurements are… imprecise, to say the least, Your Majesty.” Ahrisham replied, her tone oddly subdued. In the intimate setting of Celestia’s study, she was not as intimidating as she had been earlier. “On most days, it creeps forward, taking a few yards of land. But sometimes, it halts for weeks… only to surge ahead, swallowing entire swathes of land in a single day.”

“Equestria is pretty far from your homeland. Why come here?” Neighsay grumbled, raising his cup of white tea.

“That is correct, Lord Chancellor,” Ahrisham said, turning to him. “Equestria, being so far away, was not our first choice. But it remains, more or less, the magical capital of the world, and right now, we need magical expertise above all else.”

“That’s fair…” Perplexity added, cradling her cup of honeyed mango tea with the tips of claws on her wings. “But what about the Zebra shamans, their mysticism and alchemy? You’re practically at Zebrica’s doorstep.”

“Yes, however…” Ahrisham hesitated, carefully choosing her words. “Due to a delicate political situation, we couldn’t count on our neighbours’ help.”

This evasive answer everypony in the chamber to pause and look at the Saddle Arabian envoy. A variety of curious, questioning and even suspicious looks are being aimed her way. Even Prince Blueblood who was till this point trying to avoid glancing her way, turned, only now noticing that despite wearing the same thick and incense scented robes, the mare forgo her headdress and veil, exposing her elegant, elongated snout.

“What kind of… delicate situation?” Neighsay asked, though the question was on everypony’s mind.

“The wise and merciful Sultan Hormazd’s rise to power was not as smooth as our chroniclers would have you believe.” Ahrisham began. “We have few allies to call upon - fewer still who can truly aid us.”

Drustan, silent until now, set down his overly sweet tea with a loud clink. “And why should we bother?”

Several ponies gasped. Blueblood had to admit his thoughts were mirrored by Drustan’s words, though he wouldn’t have been so blunt.

Ahrisham recoiled slightly, her eyes flickering, as she turned towards the offending stallion, eyeing him.

“Lord Drustan, is it really…” Usurers croaked.

“You can’t just…” Perplexity started, only to be silenced by the combative Constable.

“Why?” Drustan pressed. “Saddle Arabia’s problems, or whatever you are calling yourself these days, are not Equestria’s.”

The chamber fell silent. If a pin was dropped right now, it would resound with unnatural clarity within these walls.

“You are obliged to.” Ahrisham spoke with confidence.

“What?” Several ponies, including Blueblood, stammered, their eyes wide.

Princess Celestia’s ear twitched. Her magenta eyes narrowed, searching Ahrisham’s face. Then, they widened, as she uttered a barely audible: “Oh…”

“Sultan Hormazd, may his reign be long and prosperous, is head of an ancient dynasty.” Ahrisham said, her tone devoid of her usual accent. “A millennium ago, when the Sun and Moon roamed freely across the skies, a bond was forged - sealed with blood, meant to endure transcend mortal lifetimes.”

“That is some poppycocks.” Drustan grumbled, folding his forelegs. “I’m to believe a tale from a thousand years ago obliges us now?”

In response, with a deliberate flick of her magic, Ahrisham lifted a heavy, hexagonal scroll casing from her satchel and set it down on the desk. The golden patterns shone in the light, revealing intricate carvings - six scenes, each telling a fragment of a story. For a moment, the room was silent, all eyes on the artefact. Blueblood leaned forward, trying to make out the details, alas - it was too far.

Chancellor gulped audibly, his eyes fixed on the scroll. Even Princess Luna, still half-asleep, stirred at the noise, her cyan eyes fluttering open.

Celestia’s eyes widened at the sight of the scroll. Princess’ lips pressed into a thin line, and she kept her eyes locked on the scroll casing. It was as if she was lost in a memory, one that had suddenly resurfaced after centuries.

Blueblood felt a cold drop of sweat run down his back at his aunt’s uncertainty. It was never a good thing when any of the mighty Alicorns behaved in such a manner.

Chancellor Neighsay’s breath was caught in his throat. “Is it... a copy?” He gasped, his usually confident voice oddly uncertain. Perplexity, always sensitive to the well-being of others, scooted closer to him, wrapping her leathery wing around his withers. He did not react to her touch.

A tiny giggle played at the back of Ahrisham’s throat as she shook her head, allowing her long, golden mane to sway gently. “No,” she said. “I apologise, but the mere thought of making a copy of such a sacred relic… It is amusing in just how offensive it is.”

She composed herself, coughing delicately into her hoof before continuing. “This scroll is the written proof of my words.”

With a pale blue flame enveloping her horn, Ahrisham opened the casing and unfurled its contents. The scroll was a thin, long sheet of silk, adorned with an ancient script written in elegant, tight strokes. The symbols seemed to glow faintly with an inner light, though it might have been a mere trick of the light.

“And how do we know it’s not a forgery or just a parlour trick?” Drustan barked, still unconvinced.

“It is not,” Princess Celestia replied softly. Though her voice was the quietest in the room, it was enough to make Lord Drustan cease any protests.

Princess Luna, now fully awake, darkened her gaze as she saw the ancient treaty laid before them. She glanced at her sister, and for a brief moment, their eyes met.

“We had almost forgotten about it. Yet…” Luna’s eyes scanned the text. “... one glimpse was enough for the memory to return with full force.”

A tense silence filled the room, far more tense than before.

“Will you aid us then?” Ahrisham asked, breaking the stillness, her tone strained.

Princess Celestia’s eyes remained fixed on the scroll, her expression unreadable. For a moment, no one moved. Around the coffee table, the council members exchanged glances, some uncertain, others resolute. Slowly, Celestia lifted her head, her gaze meeting Ahrisham’s.

“Equestria has always honoured its commitments.”