Alea Iacta Est

11th of the Maple Moon, 877 CE.

It wasn't without a big smile that Romulus stepped out of his command tent. .The two guards on each side of the entrance snapped to attention, but Romulus didn't eye them. It was coming down hard, the rain drumming on the many tents in the massive camp, and puddles creating some mud on the unprotected paths of the camp.

But none of that caught Romulus's attention, as he just looked at a cloaked stallion trotting up to him, smiling up at him as he got closer. "What charming weather you have in the west!" The stallion said as he came close enough to be embraced by Romulus.

"Ah, good to see you again, Valor." Romulus said as the stallion embraced him as well. His tunic got a little soaked, but nothing that wouldn't dry quickly. "Come inside and dry yourself. You must be hungry after the journey."

The two stallions turned and made their way inside the tent. As they did so, Valor removed the hood of his cloak, and let out an impressed whistle as he looked around at the large tent. "Impressive, it's almost like a prober home." A servant trotted over and helped Valor take off the cloak, revealing his wings.

"It has been my home for eight years." Romulus chuckled, trotting up with a cup of mulled wine. "Here, this should warm you up." Valor smiled, and eagerly accepted the cup. "Now come and eat, and tell me what news you bring me."

A servant had prepared a table with bread, fruit, and other simple but tasty dishes. The two sat down, and Valor took a long sip of his drink before putting it aside. "Ahhh, that hit the spot..." He said, and his feathers ruffled slightly as he pleasantly felt the warmth spread through his body. "That reminds me, congratulations on your victory. Your name has been cheered in Equestria for weeks now."

Romulus smiled. "That's gratifying to hear at least..."

Valor nodded. "Indeed, I'm sure you've already heard about the rumblings in Canterlot."

"About stripping me of my command?" Romulus asked, then nodded. "Yes, I've heard our newly crowned Princess hasn't been too happy with me."

Valor sighed. "She hasn't exactly hidden those feelings. She feels the war could have been solved diplomatically."

That made Romulus snort. "She does? Well, she is certainly welcome to try next time. Until then, she can thank me for containing the conflict in the west, and do it without the funding of the crown."

Valor eyed his old friend. "You raised seven legions on your own, Romulus. You marched deeper into the unknown west without express orders from the Princesses. There is an argument to be made that you went far beyond your mandate, and led a war of aggression and expansion."

Romulus bit down on a loaf of bread, chewing for a few moments. It was hard to argue with those points, but Romulus knew it had to be done. He swallowed and looked back at Valor. "The Princesses could have recalled me, or ordered me to stop from raising those legions. But they didn't."

"And that is the point you must hammer home." Valor pressed. "If Princess Sparkle puts you on trial, then-"

"Trial?" Romulus snorted. "On trial for what?"

"Illegal warfare for a start," Valor frowned. Romulus shook his head, taking another bite of his bread. "Listen, your command was extended four years ago," Valor continued. "In six months, your command expires, and you will be replaced."

Romulus raised an eyebrow. "Yes, and?"

"I've heard rumors that Princess Sparkle wants to push for your command to end earlier than that, and have you recalled to Canterlot."

"Are you kidding me?" Romulus asked, his eyes widening a little. "Why would she do that? There is still so much that needs to be done here."

Valor shook his head. "My guess is that it's because it will be much harder to argue against you after those six months." Romulus looked confused at that answer, so Valor continued. "In those six months, you can have established your hold on the west much better, infrastructure, trade, outposts, maybe even new settlements. If that happens, it will be much harder for Princess Sparkle to argue for leaving the western region, and leave your new allies."

Romulus looked at his friend in shock and disbelief. Sure, he knew the Princess of friendship wasn't pleased with him, but this went far beyond what he thought she would actually do. If she charged him, and he went on trial, could he even win? If he battled it out in the court, he knew his enemies would have the advantage, and everything he had worked to build would get dismantled in the meantime.

Romulus grunted irritatedly and stood up. "She must be insane if she pulls that move!" Romulus declared, starting to pace. "Eight years of hardships, just gone in a blink of an eye! Because what? Because the Princess of friendship does not like war?" Romulus asked, confused. "No pony likes war, but I did what I had to do in order to secure our western borders."

Valor stood, and trotted closer to his friend, putting a hoof on his back. "I know, my friend. I know..." Valor sighed and lowered his hoof. "But it's the era of friendship and peace." Valor sighed, and trotted over to the table, and poured Romulus a cup of wine.

"She doesn't want to begin her reign with conquest..." He trotted back to Romulus, and gave him the cup. "She is a more shrewd political animal than any pony will give her credit for. Either that, or she is more naive than I thought... She's young, full of ideals. I've even heard she is planning to open a friendship school."

Romulus gulped the entire content of the cup in one go. "So everything we've done here is just for nothing then?" Romulus asked, his voice holding back the anger and disgust he was feeling deep in his gut. "Just so she can usher in her reign with total peace? I don't understand, what's the point? The war is over anyway? Why bother?"

Valor frowned, shaking his head apologetically. "I can only guess, but in truth, I have no way of knowing."

"Tell me," pressed Romulus.

"My theory is that your feats in the west rival her own in Equestria." Valor explained. "Even if they do not, she doesn't want you to stand next to her as a general, giving the impression we can win with friendship and military power. She wants it to be the power of harmony, and her feats that stand above your victories."

Romulus shook his head in disbelief. "Are you telling me she is doing this so her image is not soiled by mine?"

Valor looked slightly uncomfortable. "Like I said, it's only my thoughts on the matter. Maybe she really does believe you are a criminal, or maybe a mix of both, or something else." He quickly explained. "My point is you need to be careful. She is gaining more power by each week that passes, and your enemies are rallying behind her."

Romulus shook his head. "What about Princess Celestia?"

At the mention of the solar Princess, the one who had originally given Romulus his command, and also extended it, Valor looked more uncomfortable, if not ashamed. "She hasn't spoken on the issue, not that I know of. She and her sister are pulling away more and more, rumor is they will fully retire soon."

Romulus opened his mouth, but he didn't speak. No words came to mind. What could he say? Had the solar Princess actually left him out to dry? Had she abandoned him in the favor of her student? Had everything he had done meant so little, it didn't even earn him her protection?

The general closed his mouth, and steeled his resolve. No, he wouldn't be treated like some common criminal. He'd done his duty, and so had every pony under his command. They deserved better from their new Princess. Walking behind his desk, Romulus looked at his friend.

"When you return tomorrow, would you mind delivering some personal letters of mine?" He asked, taking both parchment and a quill.

Valor trotted closer to the desk, watching as Romulus started to write. "Not at all. what do you have in mind?"

Romulus didn't look up. "just calling in some old favors..."