Brother's Lament

Chapter 11: Luna saltator

Two weeks had passed since the issue of the duel. The incident with the dragon was dealt with by Twilight Sparkle and her friends despite the protests of both Shining Armour and Warsong, Shining Armour not wanting his sister to be put into danger and Warsong asking that he slay the dragon instead of putting young mares in danger. The friendship reports of the slumber party and the poison joke left Warsong with a raised eyebrow.

Bass Rhythm lay on a green plain on the outskirts of Ponyville, a cigarette in his mouth, a trail of smoke misting upwards his spectacles over his eyes, using a large rock to lay his head against, music played in the air, a boom box sitting next to the stallion with the sounds of a stallion singing in a strange hard to understand accent with the sounds of reggae.

Sitting on top of the rock sat the mare of the night herself Luna with her legs crossed “So this is what thee dreams about…Just relaxing on the outskirts of Ponyville with this…Strange device playing strange music?” Bass Rhythm didn’t move but did move the cigarette to the corner of his mouth to speak “Yes your highness the music is reggae it was born in Jamaneca, I heard your sister was a fan of the pony who is singing this song” Luna frowned, stepping off of the rock she looked down at the stallion “We thought thee was quitting” Bass looked up at her past his spectacles “Only in my dreams nowadays, in any case is that really you or is this just my conscious trying to bring back the dreams the real you has already seen?” Luna raised an eyebrow at the stallion’s question “We believe we are the real one Bass Rhythm, what dreams have we already seen?” Bass Rhythm slowly rose to his hooves.

“You mean you haven’t seen the…’Dreams’?” Luna shook her head frowning down at him “We think Celestia has pranked thee” Bass Rhythm hoof faced before he looked up at the princess “I’m sorry your highness, I’ve been having…Unsavoury dreams, I only want you to know I respect you as a mare and as a Princess and I would not like our relationship to break down because of my baser instincts” Luna frowned cocking her head at the small stallion “We do not understand, is thou apologising for having dreams of the private nature about us?” When Bass nodded sullenly she shook her head with a smile “Do not fear us, we are fine with what thee dreams, as long as thee continues to show respect for mares. On the subject of our relationship, we do have an interest in thee, but we will not rush it, we could start by having a proper dinner together”

Bass Rhythm raised an eyebrow “What was that dinner two weeks ago then?” Luna chuckled and smiled “That was a dinner between two friends, but in the ensuing two weeks we have developed an interest. We would perhaps place our relationship as real close friends but we’ll see where we go from there. Good luck in thy duel tomorrow” Winking at him she turned to leave the silent stallion to his thoughts and reddening face before she disappeared into a mist, blowing into the wind leaving the blue unicorn alone with his music as it went to the next song ‘Welcome to Jamrock’

***

Awakening from the dream he sat up in his bed with a loud yawn looking outside to see the sun rising, Warsongs bed was empty leaving the stallion to assume that the ancient warrior was already up and about.

“I would have guessed that he’d always be up before sunrise by now” Getting out of bed he took a morning shower before heading down to breakfast, it was mainly uneventful except for the occasional glances from Luna in his direction and the good luck wishers of several nobles who took a liking to the unicorn and Warsong having a conversation with Celestia on her visit to Ponyville “I don’t see the problem with making a visit to my student, what could go wrong?” Celestia asked to which Warsong simply answered “Anything, in my short experience in Ponyville I have come to know that at least once a week, shenanigans occur”

But Bass knew Celestia was going either way and soon after his duel, he had a sparing breakfast so he wouldn’t throw up from physical exertion and made his way out to the practise yard, he learned enough to get himself by while Warsong organised the Lunar guard which were on the verge of forming, they only needed a captain now and then training would begin, gripping the training blade in his hooves he fought against an earth replica of himself, having expanded his knowledge of lightning magic over the past two weeks he has also taken to beginning earth magic as his second area of study then he planned to move onto fire then water and wind as his last, Warsong has even taken to writing books for him to read in his own time when his teacher was too busy to teach him also making several references to the Starswirl the bearded section of the royal library, access being given to him, he even found an interesting time travelling spell, however saving his one shot to the past for a very rainy day.

It wasn’t until the sun was nearing its pinnacle in the sky when he stopped his practise and went inside to freshen himself up when he finished he made his way out to the royal arena within the palace grounds, this was only going to be one duel and it would be a short one so the ponies who were going to watch were only the nobles staying at the palace.

When he stepped into the arena the crowds of nobles stomped their hooves for his arrival, he waved at them with a smile, making his way towards the centre of the arena, the arena was usually used for racing but today it held a smaller duelling circle at the centre of the arena, elevated slightly so that everypony could see clearly.

A simple sword rack and bench were the only other features to this conversion, standing at the sword rack was his teacher Warsong and some distance away, Prince Blueblood stood with his own posse, a rapier at his waist already, tossing his mane when he saw Bass Rhythm approach he rose his snout in the air and made it obvious to ignore the Unicorn stallion. Warsong pulled a long sword from the rack with his magic, offering it to Bass “I’ve seen you training with this type of blade, best to use what you’re comfortable with, but since he’s using a rapier he will try for quick strikes so you must be quicker in parrying and counter. First round will be with magic the second, with hooves so you can use the second round to get back at him.”

Bass took a seat on the bench, eye balling Blueblood, a mare at his side whispering to him as she looked back at him, a smile coming to Bass’ face as he could see the nervousness in Bluebloods limbs “Each round ends with a draw of blood so there will be only enough rounds for three draws of blood so I would say there will be a maximum of five. You both will be changing what you handle your blades with each round, so third will be magic and fourth, hooves, good luck my nephew.”

Warsong guided his nephew up onto the duelling circle which had no boundaries so either fighter could fall out Warsong stepped into the circle with his student “Bass Rhythm one more thing, your magic is stronger than his so your long sword will be on par in speed with his rapier but you need to be quicker” Bass Rhythm nodded to him before he left the circle, looking across from him at Prince Blue blood stepping up into the duelling circle, looking past him he saw Luna and Celestia sitting in the royal box. He drew his blade from his waist and rested the flat of the blade against his shoulder with his magic surrounding it just as Blueblood drew his rapier taking a stance, Bass Rhythm taking his stance with the blade held above him.

He could see Blueblood was more nervous about getting hurt rather than fighting him, the starting horn sounded signalling the round, Bass Rhythm charged swinging his long sword downwards against the prince who deftly blocked it “My aren’t we a little confident peasant.” Blueblood pushed Bass’ blade away with his own before moving in close jabbing his sword at Bass Rhythm who quickly dodged and moved backwards, Warsong was outside of the ring screaming at Bass Rhythm like a boxing coach “Dodge! Dodge! Parry, now counter!” Blueblood and Bass Rhythm danced around the ring, the ringing of swords and the cheer of the crowd echoing around them but it silenced when the sound or steel on flesh sounded, blood dripped onto the sand of the ring, Bass Rhythm holding his right arm where Blueblood got a lucky jab past Bass Rhythms defence.

The Princes’ eyes seemed to light up and become more confident as he boldly stepped out of the ring as the round ended, Bass Rhythm limped out of the ring to sit on the bench, stopping the blood flow with his hoof as Warsong looked it over “It’s a little deep, I’m not skilled in healing magic but a doctor is on the way” a green earth pony mare wearing a white coat stepped up and pushed the large stallion aside to get a look at the wound “You’ve got some damage there, I’ll stitch and bandage it up but you are going to need to fight left hooved for the next round” Bass Rhythm grimaced angrily “That isn’t what I wanted to hear doc’” The medical mare stared at him sternly before she went to work stitching the wound “I know it isn't but it’s just how the dice landed, I’m rooting for you in there.”

Bass Rhythm waited patiently, when his wound was patched up he stepped back into the ring with Blueblood, both ponies went bipedal and held their weapons in their hooves, Bass Rhythm held his blade with his left hoof being above his now weaker right hoof where it would have been vice versa. Bass Rhythm decided to finish this quickly, exploiting the Princes obsession with cleanliness by slightly burying the tip of the blade in the sand and charged, swinging the blade upwards as he approached sending dust flying up into his opponents face, during his recoil he sliced across the princes chest, keeping it as shallow as possible so as not to kill him, giving him a paper thin cut which was barely noticeable until a tiny drop of blood fell from the wound and hit the sand, marking a quick end to the second round.

The prince stepped out of the ring screaming for someone to clean this dirt and blood off him, Bass Rhythm had his previous wound checked over by the doctor again for a more in depth analysis. “It’ll scar honey but it won’t slow you down, you’ll be at one hundred per cent when it heals” Was all the doctor had to say before Bass Rhythm was back in the ring with his blade held by his magic, the Prince looking angry Blueblood pushed on the offence against Bass, their blades moving back and forth heavily as they floated and struck each other, Blueblood lunged and scored a cut against Bass’ cheek ending the round, the two unicorns stepped out of the ring with the cheers of the crowd following them Warsong forcing Bass Rhythm to look at him and listen as the ancient warrior explained what Bass should do for the next round while the doctor put a band aid on the stallions cheek “Now get out there and make him bleed”

Bass Rhythm and Blueblood fought once more Bass Rhythm winning the round by cutting a shallow wound across Blueblood forearm close to the hoof, it would heal and leave no sign of damage but it lost him that round, both combatants were beginning to show signs of fatigue and the air in the stadium was fit to burst with tension as the fifth and final round was about to begin. “I grow tired peasant, would you agree that we finish this with one swing?” Bass Rhythm simply nodded as both Unicorns charged, slicing their weapons at each other as they passed and skidded to a halt.

Lowering his blade Bass Rhythm kneeled as a gash across his front exploded with blood, Blueblood flicked his rapier and sheathed it before he stepped out of the ring, Bass Rhythm’s magic dropped the blade in the sand as he fell, his hooves unable to support him the sudden sound of wind blowing past his ear and the feeling of a pony catching him was all he heard before he passed out from the pain and exhaustion.

Warsong supported his nephew as he caught him, appearing at his side faster than the wind could register; it wasn’t a teleportation spell but a simple wind element spell called the Flicker step, he yelled for the doctor as Luna and Celestia flew down to them, more medical ponies rushed into the arena with a stretcher to tend to the wounded pony.

***

Bass Rhythm stood on the plains outside of Ponyville, staring at the town in the distance, he wore his spectacles and a scarf around his neck as snow fell and covered the plains in a white blanket, hearing the ruffle of feathers behind him he turned to see Luna land behind him “I lost didn’t I?” he asked the Alicorn who solemnly nodded “You were wounded pretty badly but you mostly passed out from fatigue, you shouldn’t have did that morning practise session you were tired from round one, you could have beaten him” Bass just shrugged and looked back at Ponyville “How long have I been out?” Luna stepped up next to him looking into the distance at Ponyville with him “A few hours, its night time, they have a Unicorn healer dealing with your wounds, you should be fine in a few minutes…We have a proposition for you Bass Rhythm”

Bass looked up at the Princess, his eyes hidden by the spectacles “We want you to captain the Lunar guard, you proved your bravery and skill today and impressed us greatly with your devotion.” Bass’ eyes widened and his mouth opened “I-I accept your highness, I would be honoured, but what did Warsong say?” Luna smiled before looking down at him “He agreed, you were his first choice, you begin training with the Lunar guard soon, you will be doing the same training as the other guard but with more sword and leadership training in your regime”

Bass took a seat in the snow, his breath misting around his mouth “What about my enchanted blade?”

“We will go have it forged as soon as you wake up” Luna looked off into the distance as if hearing something Bass didn’t “Which is now” she lowered her head and kissed Bass’ forehead, suddenly waking him up.

***

Bass sat up straight in the hospital bed, his eyes opening he surprised the medical staff working on him, he looked over to his right seeing Luna stand near the door with Warsong, her form solidifying as if she were mist not long ago. Bass moved to get out of the hospital bed by the doctor wasn’t going to have any of it “You can’t leave just yet you’ve been healed but your wounds need time to properly dissipate. It’s like injecting a cure for a virus but it takes time for that cure to fight the virus, with this it takes time for the magic to properly heal your wounds it’s only fixed surface damage” Bass Rhythm pushed her hoof aside and stood up out of the bed “I think he’ll be fine doctor, we’ll take him from here” spoke Warsong as he stepped forwards with the princess.

The medical staff backed off when they looked upon the princess, letting the new captain of the Lunar guard leave, he had bandages around his chest and right arm but he didn’t feel the pain from the wounds anymore, ignoring the staff he stepped out with Luna, Warsong staying behind to explain the situation to the flabbergasted ponies.

The two ponies began making their way out towards the practise grounds “What did Blueblood do after I passed out?” Luna grimaced slightly but answered him “He bragged about it spitting on thy name and skill, many nobles believe thee deserved that win not him. Thy sister put him in his place when he tried to flirt with her, she bucked him right in that wound thee put on his chest and sent him flying.” Bass chuckled softly “That’s my sister…I probably look less in the eyes of everypony including you after that loss” Luna kept her face ahead but looked down at him “We do not think less of thee, if anything, everypony thinks more of thee now for thy bravery and honour”

They stepped out onto the practise yard, making their way to the black smith hut to see the Smithy and his assistant outside with a forge burning blue fire, a black phoenix perched on top with a golden ornate anvil and hammer and a barrel filled with water that always seemed to reflect the full moon on its surface the black smith approached the pair “I followed the list exactly as you requested your highness, it was tough to get some of the materials, especially that phoenix friend of yours” The black phoenix’s chest feathers puffed up in annoyance at the smithy’s comment “He is over a thousand years old, he would be a little regal and a little bit snooty” Luna whispered to the smithy who nodded “We’ve finished refining the moon rock and it’s come out to a very nice chrome metal, we are ready to begin creating the blade when you are”

Luna looked back at Bass, jerking her head “Come you’ll be hammering it yourself under the smithy’s guidance” The stallion looked nervous as he approached the anvil and hammer “Just hammer?” he asked, seeing the princess nod gave him some confidence. The smithy nodded and waited for the blue glow of Luna’s magic to start pouring into the forge where the metal awaited hammering before removing it from the blue flames, Bass picked up the hammer in his hoof and when the sword was placed on the anvil he began hammering, with each blow the moon light seemed to brighten then darken, like the heartbeat of the sword with each hammer blow, sparks flying from the chrome metal.

After hours of working, the sword was completed the metal glowed bright blue in the moonlight the handle and guard made of the same metal with the leather of a cockatrice wrapped around the handle giving it a smooth but firm grip, the flow of magic from Luna ceased and she sat down rubbing her forehead as light played over the blade, symbols engraving onto its surface down the flat of the blade, she looked towards the blue stallion. “Go ahead, pick it up Bass Rhythm.” The unicorn lowered the hammer gently picking up the blade with his hoof, it felt light in his hooves, giving a few practise swings the blade seemed to almost sing as it cut through the air, his magic enveloped it as it floated out of his grasp and the blue glow mingled with his magic.

The black smith and his assistant seemed to be shocked at the properties of the blade “Focus your magic into the tip of the blade and swing it at the target dummy” advised Luna, Bass turned to the target dummy, the tip of the blade seemed to glow brighter before he swung it at the dummy, a blue energy mimicked the slicing motion and shot towards the dummy, cutting it in half “What will you call her?” asked the Smithy, Bass Rhythm smiled “I’ll call her Luna saltator, Moon Dancer.”