Strike and Fade

“The tactics of combat are of paramount importance, Rarity,” Twilight said, placing several colored chits on the table between them. “Terrain and weather can play a part, but it all comes down to tactics.”

Rarity watched as her bodyguard placed the chits in varying locations on the rough map she had drawn. Once the lavender hue of her magic faded from the tiny markers, Twilight caught Rarity’s eye.

“Which of these two groups has a tactical advantage?”

Rarity frowned.

“How should I know?”

Twilight smirked, gesturing at the map.

“All the information you need is right there.”

Rarity scrutinized the map. It was rough, mostly generalized, but she recognized the prominent features of Lauralda, the kingdom she was to rule one day. She frowned again, looking closer at the positions of the chits.

“The red ones would have the advantage,” she said in a musing voice. “They are placed in the Dwindling Hills and would have the advantage of the high ground.”

“Very good,” Twilight said. “But you also missed the fact that should things turn to the worst, they have the Golden Forest to retreat into.”

“Retreating as a tactic? That seems counterproductive.”

Twilight raised an eyebrow, a flicker of mirth in her eyes.

“All tactics are viable in a fight. Some people seem to think that superior numbers spell certain victory, but the logistics alone could break an army’s strength.”

She gestured towards a narrow path in the north.

“Garulda Pass can fit maybe three ponies side by side,” she said. “Even if a thousand soldiers were marching against us from there, you could hold the pass with just a few hundred rotated regularly. The immense numbers mean nothing if you cannot bring their might to bear.”

She rolled up the map and set it to the side.

“Beyond that, individual tactics are important. Even in a pitched fight between armies, it almost always boils down to one-on-one fights. Over and over across the battlefield. Of course, there are mages that can cause large scale destruction or siege equipment that can stymie a defense, but once the fight is joined, it comes down to you and one other pony.”

Rarity nodded. It made sense, when she thought about it.

“And the three best tactics that I will teach you are Strike, Fade, and Run.”

Rarity blinked.

“Excuse me?”

Twilight drew her sword and stepped out into the training yard.

“I suppose calling them tactics is a bit of a misnomer,” she admitted. “They’re more like combat moves. You already know several types of strikes, both from your fencing training and the small amount of supplemental training I’ve given you.”

“Fade is a disengagement tactic. After a strike, you would withdraw and use a method of your choice to obscure your location; terrain, magic, a blinding move of some sort.” Twilight whirled, slashing her sword in an upswing, dust and sand being pulled along in its wake. “All is fair in a life or death fight.”

“Run is precisely what it sounds like, and it is what I want you to be proficient in.” The guardsmare looked at her gravely. “Whether you use it to escape or to reset your location to your advantage, running is a useful tool in the end.”

“I can’t argue the fact, but why would I run?” Rarity huffed.

“Honestly?” Twilight asked. “Just because I’m teaching you combat, you have not lived it like I have. My role has not changed; should it become necessary to save your life, even if by merely buying time for you to escape, that is my duty. Your feelings towards me do not alter that fact, Rarity. Nor should mine for you.”

Rarity’s mouth suddenly went dry.

“Your feelings…” she whispered.

“I do not deny that I feel deeply for you,” Twilight said. “You are marvelously beautiful, intelligent, and more stubborn than some new recruits.”

“Rude,” Rarity muttered.

“But in all of that, I cannot deny that I do feel for you as you do for me. But in that, I fear that I may be having difficulties sublimating my affections for you,” Twilight admitted, cheeks reddening. “I know that I should, for propriety's sake at the very least. I do not think I could be as effective a guard if I were to give into them.”

Rarity smiled.

“You’re a very silly mare,” she said.

“Your pardon?”

Rarity reached over and laid her hoof onto the other’s.

“I would daresay that leaning into your emotions would make you more effective,” she cooed. “You’d be more invested in my well being, but not constantly on duty.”

“It would be a scandal, my Lady,” Twilight stammered.

“Would it, truly?” Rarity returned. “After all, how many brave knights have been elevated to nobility for their service? No one sees anything wrong with some duke’s daughter marrying a nobleman that was once just a common soldier. Why would it be different for us?”

Twilight pursed her lips. “I… feel like it would be a poor choice, my Lady.”

“Rarity,” returned the princess. “I told you, in private, I am Rarity, not your Lady, or Highness, or any other stuffy title others use.”

“Of course, my Lady,” Twilight said.

Rarity rolled her eyes. “Now you’re just doing it to be difficult.”

A soft smile crossed the soldier's face.

“Only with you, Rarity.”

Rarity felt her cheeks heat up again. She looked at her guardsmare and impulsivity took her.

Twilight froze when she felt the lips touch hers. Or maybe time had frozen, as she could feel the subtle motions of Rarity’s mouth in the kiss, the small sizzle of surprise moving through her. Twilight blinked before relaxing into the kiss as well. Time returned to normal when Rarity pulled back slightly.

“I am not afraid of people judging me for my choice of romantic companions,” she said, gazing into Twilight’s eyes. “I am afraid of you dying in the discharging of your ‘duty’, however. I am asking you not to allow yourself to be killed. Do not make me turn that into an order.”

Twilight smiled and her eyes closed slowly.

“Understood,” she spoke gently, leaning forward to capture Rarity’s lips again.

“My love.”