Polish

Chapter 2 - “Canterlot”

The carriage bumped and rattled, creaking as it swayed back and forth on the mountain pass. Silver had cried herself to sleep, but one such jarring bump in the road woke her up. With a start, she jerked upright, inhaling through her flared nostrils. Looking out of the window, she saw sky on one side, and dull, brown earth on the other… They had already left the flat farmland around Ponyville and were in the mountains. The sun hung low in the sky, lighting everything with an amber glow. She opened the door and peeked down, seeing plenty of room on the mountain path to walk beside the carriage.

“Silver? Is that you?” Her dad grunted. She hopped down out of the carriage, trotting to catch up with her burdened father.

“Yeah… You doing okay?”

“’M fine… I think this is the last rise…” He muttered. Her father was certainly strong. He was a stocky earth pony, not quite as Applebloom’s bigger brother, but he could certainly give Big Macintosh a run for his money in a fight. He was lathered in sweat from pulling the cart all day, but his breathing was deep and steady. He plodded on, hauling the carriage with all their important belongings up the rather steep incline. If Silver wasn’t afraid of interfering, she would have helped. Instead, she trotted ahead, to scope out the road. Indeed, at the top of the rise, she was able to look slightly down at the city of Canterlot.

“This is it.” She called back to him, waving. “It’s all downhill after this.”

“Thank Luna,” he grunted. She watched him put a little more effort into the cart, sweat dripping from his chin as he crested the incline. “I’ll be… I didn’t think we could make it in a day…” He panted, looking rather worn now. He breathed easy enough, though. “I’m gonna rest for just a moment before we start. Put the brakes on?”

“Yeah, hang on…” Silver clambered up to the top seat of the carriage, pushing the brake down until it clicked. The cart wouldn’t move from it’s crested spot atop the last rise before Canterlot. Her father disengaged the harness from the frame, still wearing the leather buckles and straps as he walked around slowly.

“I thought you were taking a break?” She asked.

“I am… Gotta keep moving, though. ‘S bad for your muscles otherwise.”

“Oh…” Silver and Buzz Saw grew quiet, the daughter looking down at Canterlot while her father cooled down with a few laps around the carriage. About fifteen minutes later or so, he ducked back into the harness, and Silver jumped down from the top. “Are you going to be okay?”

“It’s downhill. I just can’t go too fast, or it’ll get away from me. Do me a favor, stay up there with the brakes?”

“Right. Sorry.” Grumbling slightly, she scrambled back on top, tearing her focus away from the mountainside city below. She disengaged the brakes, and paid careful attention to their decline down the hill into the city. Before long, though, they evened out and the road turned to cobblestone. As they approached the edge of the city, she saw the guard post. A solitary pegasus hovered above it, spear in his hooves. He arched an eyebrow at them as they stopped at the checkpoint, taking a moment to appraise the situation before he landed in front of Buzz Saw.

“Name?” He asked.

“Buzz Saw and Silver Spoon.”

“I don’t have you on the schedule. What business do you have in Canterlot?”

“Silver, toss me my bag, will you?” She searched around for a few moments before locating his satchel. He caught it deftly in his hooves as she tossed it, and pulled a rolled scroll from within. “The family crest should be sufficient. If you need to break the seal, you’ll have to deliver that yourself.” The guard’s eyes went wide at the sight of the wax seal.

“No, sir! Sorry, I didn’t know… Are you-“

“Shh.” Buzz Saw raised a hoof at the guard, glancing up at her before beckoning him close. The guard leaned in as her father whispered hushed words that she couldn’t hear. The pegasus guard looked up at her, then back at Buzz Saw.

“I see… No, sir I apologize for the delay. Please, go right in. Would you like an escort?”

“Directions would be better.” Her father grumbled. “Can’t remember the way there from the hoof-path…”

“Aah. It’s not far. Nine blocks straight ahead, and a left on Hoofington Lane. It’ll be the fourth on your right.”

“I remember Hoofington… Thank you, friend.”

“So, quick question… You’re Buzz Saw?” The pegasus leaned his spear against the nearby wall, eyes wide. “You know, the pony that-“

“Shush. Please.” Another glance up at her. “She doesn’t know what happened back then…”

“Oh. Right. Look, you’re… Well, you’re kind of an unsung hero around here. I hear your name passed around the other guards… We’d love it if you’d come hang out with us… There’s a lot we new guys could learn from a vet like yourself.” Her father listened carefully before heaving another sigh.

“I’m just a washed-up security guard now. I couldn’t teach you a thing.” He started forward, leaning into the harness firmly. “Thank you for the directions. Have a good day.”

“Oh! Eer… But, Buzz-“

“Bye!” Her father called back, moving as fast as he dared with the carriage. They entered the city of Canterlot proper, just as the sun began to sink down behind the mountains… Silver wanted to ask her father what the whole exchange with the guard had meant, but they were soon surrounded by socialites and high-brow ponies, all of them trotting or walking about as if they were the most important things in Equestria. Nopony spared either of them a second glance, and indeed, many of them sneered at the sight of an earth pony pulling a carriage. Silver, however, got several appraising looks. Everything from jealousy to admiration crossed the faces of the ponies looking at her.

Did they think Buzz Saw was her chauffer? That she was being led along by a servant, or a driver, or… Oh no… Silver wanted to glare at them all, to tell them that this was her father, and she was up top to handle the brakes. Instead, she remained quiet, her expression blank, her gaze set on the road just in front of her father. She didn’t know how she felt about the looks she was getting… She didn’t know how she felt about being back in Canterlot. In short, Silver just plain didn’t know how she felt…

All she knew was when they turned onto a side-street and she saw the large mansion for the first time in almost six years, she wanted to cry again. But she was too tired to cry. The nap in the carriage had been restless, and now that night time was almost completely upon them, she could only think about curling up in her bed at home, and waking to the sound of the farmers at market the next morning… The large brick mansion was both home and business place for Silver’s mother, along with a rather large amount of other whores. It was, for lack of a better term, a whorehouse. A large and well-appointed, fully staffed, and rather prestigious whorehouse. But a whorehouse nevertheless.

A group of four servants in matching tuxedo uniforms trotted out of the front doors as they pulled up, helping Buzz Saw with the harness, helping unload the boxes and bags and effects from the carriage. Silver clambered down to stand by her father as another pony exited the large mansion, smiling at them as she approached.

“Buzz, so good to see you again.”

“Hullo, Miralee. I wish the circumstances had been better.”

“Don’t we all… Is this Silver? My, how you’ve grown.” Miralee was a pegasus, and a rather beautiful one at that. Her sleek coat was a deep, crimson red, and her eyes a striking emerald green. The contrast was both mesmerizing and slightly intimidating… But the warm smile she wore was disarming. She slowly walked up to Silver, her hooves open for a hug. Silver stood stone-still as the pegasus embraced her, trying hard not to gag at her overpowering perfume. It wouldn’t have been that bad if she hadn’t shoved Silver’s face into her neck, where she had obviously sprayed it directly onto.

“Hello, Miralee…” Silver grumbled. Miralee was, for lack of a better word, the one who ran this place Silver was at. She handled contracts and hiring new mares and all manner of other things about the official part of the business. For not having seen her in six years, Silver thought she hadn’t changed much. Maybe a ghost of a line around the edge of her eyes, but Miralee was still very attractive. She wore a flowing dress the covered her mark, but Silver knew it was two wings wrapped around a heart. A mark of her trade, it seemed.

“You two must be exhausted. Our night is just beginning, but we’ll make sure you’re somewhere quiet. Don’t worry, your things will be moved in for you.”

“Our things? We’re staying here, then?” Silver asked. Miralee blinked at her like she was crazy.

“Eer… Of course. Where else would you stay?”

“A hotel would be preferable…” Her summers staying in this place had invariably exposed her to things she’d just as soon not recall. Predominantly were the arguments her mother and father seemed constantly engaged in… But the fact that they were almost always about her was close behind them. Further down the list were the several times she had walked in on the whores of the building engaged in their service. She’d just as soon not remember any of those things.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Silver. We have to stay here.”

“You say that like it’s final…”

“It sort of is…” Buzz Saw grumbled. Silver glanced between him and Miralee. The two of them appeared to be having a silent conversation… They conversed with nothing but raised eyebrows and slight expression changes. Finally, Miralee asked a question.

“Does she not know?”

“She does not.”

“Oh dear… I thought you would have told her.” Miralee raised a hoof to her lips, looking down at Silver sympathetically.

“Told me what?” Silver asked, perking up slightly. This was only all too reminiscent of the silent arguments that took place whenever she was in the presence of both parents. Questions asked about her, to her, but always left unanswered… Buzz Saw shook his head and nudged Silver.

“Tomorrow. I promise. You’ll find out one way or another.”

“I’d rather find out right now!” Silver stood her ground, planting her hooves. “You drag me away from my home with just the news that mom’s dying, and now this? No. I’ll not set one hoof inside that building until I know exactly why I’m here. What’s this about me not knowing? What are you two even talking about?”

Miralee looked between her and Buzz Saw several times, trying to decipher all that happened.

“You didn’t tell her anything? Neither of you did?”

“No…” Buzz Saw mumbled softly.

“Oh my goodness… Luna help me, this is going to be hard for you to hear…”

“Don’t-“

“Don’t stop me, Buzz.” Miralee cut him off. “She deserves to know more than anypony else.” If ever Buzz Saw looked like he would lose his cool, it was then. He stared at Miralee, his expression a mixture of rage and shame. Finally, he dropped his head.

“Fine. Tell her.”

“I’m assuming she thinks I’m the pony who runs this place?” Her father nodded once, an almost imperceptible gesture. Miralee looked back to her with an expression that was sympathetic and sad at the same time. Silver was very, very confused… “Well, that’s a lie. I don’t run this establishment. At least, I didn’t.” She straightened up, her wings ruffling slightly as she looked down at Silver.

“Your mother did.”

Silver’s heart skipped a beat.

“Wha… What?”

“Your mother wasn’t a whore, Silver. Your mother was a Matron. She was the pony in charge of all the whores. What you think my job was, that was hers… Once she fell ill, I stepped into the role temporarily. I’m the whore here, not your mother.” Miralee’s expression then turned very serious, her tone low.

“She’s dying, Silver… The house can’t go without a Matron.” She leaned in a little, her emerald eyes fixed on Silver’s. “The Matron’s daughter takes her spot when she passes.” The next was a whisper, and it sent chills through her entire body. “That would be you.”

The world went black.