Brother's Lament

Chapter 13:  Custodes nocte

Six weeks had passed since the beginning of training, the rest of the Lunar Guard recruits had arrived and the original four recruits fell into a rhythm of practise and training, heightening their skills and physique. News had arrived of a Sonic Rainboom firing off from Cloudsdale, the Lunar Guard training camp getting the very edge of the boom itself but many stopped to admire the array of colours in the sky. Many more black ponies now walked on the grounds wearing the armour of the Lunar Guard, the recruits were just arriving from their morning gallop being led by the Earth pony drill sergeant before they spotted General Warsong and their Captain Bass Rhythm sparring with their enchanted blades in the duelling circle. Warsong had changed his appearance to be the same height as Bass and both stallions were now circling each other slowly.

Warsongs blade was white hot from the constant combat with steam rising from its surface while Bass’ sword shined silver in the sun light only glowing blue at night. The drill sergeant saw that the recruits wanted to go watch before he called out “You may go watch the officer’s practise but do not get too close, those swords they’re using are special and when they collide, shockwaves explode from them.” To enhance his statement Warsong and Bass’ sword struck to cause another shockwave to explode from the collision, Warsong stood unfazed by the shockwave but Bass skidded backwards a little growling loudly as he struggled to keep his footing Bass Rhythm narrowed his eyes in focus “Come on you can do this” Warsong lunged forwards bringing his white hot blade down in a downwards stroke.

Blocking it with his long sword, Bass Rhythm braced himself as sparks and another shockwave exploded causing the stallion to buckle slightly under the pressure Warsong smiled a little seeing his student begin to adapt “Just a few more strikes and you may get the hang of it then we can make this fight a bit faster” Bass’ eyes widened in shock and a look of fear came upon his face “Are you mad? I’m barely holding my own right now!”

Warsong shook his head “This is nothing compared to the fights I got into with Bladesinger, many soldiers stayed well clear of our fights because of fear they might get caught in the constant shockwaves.” He heard many sounds coming from the watching recruits before he turned his attention to them “Don’t you ponies have lunch to get to? Or would you rather take it out here?” The drill sergeant stepped forwards “If it is alright with you sir we could serve lunch outside today? Celestia’s sun is quite nice today and watching you and the Captain duel gives the recruits inspiration for their combat training”

Warsong looked to his student who shrugged before he nodded to the earth pony who barked orders to the recruits to head into the mess hall, however the first four recruits that arrived stayed behind to watch their captain, over the six weeks Crosswind, Lightning Flicker, Heavy Hammer and Kasumi Grass Blade spent with Bass Rhythm and Warsong they’ve grown close as friends and colleagues. The four recruits respect Bass as more than a captain but as a leader and friend, Warsong called them Bass’ ‘Lunar Four’ and they rightfully earned the title as they were the most trained recruits on base at the moment and went through ten weeks’ worth of training in the six weeks they had with the ancient warrior.

“Alright then lets inspire the recruits then” Warsong said with a smile while Bass Rhythm recomposed himself and focussed himself before he and his teacher resumed their duel, gaining speed slowly in their strikes with Bass becoming more resilient to the shockwaves caused by the enchanted swords in time Warsong and Bass were having a proper sword fight, the recruits back from the mess hall cheered them on.

After the duel the recruits were ordered into their training groups, a unicorn drill sergeant being requisitioned to take Warsongs place as unicorn trainer so he could continue to train Bass Rhythm himself the two officers made their way to the many buildings that was the quarters of the recruits, stepping into Bass’ personal quarters Warsong grew to his full size again “Alright I want you to continue reading the books of great strategists and leaders in history. You’re becoming a good leader to these ponies and they will follow you into Tartarus if you ask them but do not show fear in front of them even if only you are in danger. I saw the look in your eyes when we were duelling, never show fear ever.” Bass nodded and focussed on his studies before Warsong spoke up again “We’re going to give the recruits a few days leave to go into Canterlot with their allowance tonight. You’re going with them, so live a little have some fun alright?” Bass nodded as his yellow reptilian eyes passed over the text within the book “I have dinner tonight with Luna anyway so I guess that could count as fun?” Warsong simply shrugged before he sat at the table across from the armoured stallion “Doesn’t matter to me we’ll be finished with training the recruits shortly before the grand galloping gala so that’ll be your first assignment as full captain of the Lunar Guard.”

After several hours passed and the sun began its trek below the horizon Warsong formed all the recruits up onto the parade grounds, the grounds filled with black ponies with yellow reptilian eyes and sharp teeth the pegasi all had draconic wings and fin like tails, Warsong stood before all of them in his full armour, Bass stood next to him in his captain armour looking much the same as the rest of the ponies before him Warsong cleared his throat before using the royal Canterlot voice.

“Mares and Gentlecolts as a reward for your hard training you will be given a few days leave, you will leave your armour here and will be given allowance to spend in those few days. While you are out there you are representatives of the Lunar Guard, do not make us out to be fools or hooligans, carry the respect and pride of the Lunar Guard, dismissed.” The recruits saluted before marching off in parade file.

As the sun set there was much activity where recruits were storing their armour back in the armoury, the enchantment wearing off of them and instead wore black berets with a silver crescent moon and black armbands with a dark blue, purple and silver patch with the crescent moon symbol along with some sewn stars along with the words ‘Custodes nocte’ meaning ‘Guardians of the Night’.

The airship arrived to take the recruits as the last ones were boarding the Lunar four waited for their captain, Bass Rhythm was about to step onto the ramp leading into the interior of the ship before he looked back to see his teacher watching them “Are you coming with us Warsong?” the ancient warrior shook his head “I have to stay here and fill in some paperwork” Bass nodded before he stepped into the airship with his friends before the ramp closed. The engines of the behemoth that was the airship rose in tempo as the crews worked to raise the former war machine into the air.

Making their way to the deck of the ship Bass rhythm made it to the railing in time to see the ship begin to rise, the wind blew against Warsongs mane as he waved a hoof good bye not directly at Bass but at all the recruits as well, the others ponies coming to the railing to give their good byes to their General who had earned their respect and admiration over the ten weeks of training that he had overseen.

When the training camp was a small dot on the surface of Equestria, the airship began it’s short journey to the city of Canterlot, many ponies were staying on the ship, wanting to head home to cities like Fillydelphia or Manehatten to visit family for the few days they had off. Being foreigners to Equestria, the only locals being Bass Rhythm and Heavy Hammer, the four recruits planned to stay in Canterlot for the duration of their leave. Lightning Flicker ruffled his wings, breathing in the thin air of the high altitude before looking at his comrades “Hey Heavy where will you be staying?”

The large stallion looked towards his Pegasus friend “I will be staying at parents’ home, I yearn for the taste of my mother’s sandvich and the foods of the old country” Flicker nodded “Think me and Cross Wind could bum our leave living with you? We don’t have a place and I’d rather spend my bits on exotic dancers and alcohol rather than a motel” The large earth pony shrugged his shoulder “Feel free, mama loves company and she cooks more than enough food even if it’s just the four of us. Myself, my papa and mama and my little sister who just turned twenty two weeks ago” Cross and Flicker looked at each other the mute pony shaking his head “Your right Cross…I would rather keep my head on my shoulders, no flirting with the sister” Heavy Hammer frowned at the Pegasi “I would be more worried about my sister flirting with you”

Bass Rhythm sighed looking at the full moon in the sky it wasn’t until Flicker repeated himself that Bass Rhythm snapped out of his train of thought “Where are you staying captain?” The Pegasus asked Bass looked to the others “I’ll probably stay at the palace like before, I have a filly there I plan on visiting.” He received many cat calls and remarks from his comrades Bass shook his head before he spoke in annoyance “Alright enough now!” this didn’t stop Lightning Flicker though “Come on guv’nor tell us who your shiela is, give us her name”

Bass Rhythm shook his head and walked away “You already know her!” he called back before he left them. This left the recruits in silence as they thought it over, Flicker looked to the mare from Neighppon “Where will you be staying Grass Blade?” the earth pony just shrugged “Unlike you, I will be staying at a motel.”

After a few hours had passed the airship began its descent, the clock in the airship read seven ‘o’ clock when it finally landed at the Canterlot airship docks, many Lunar guard recruits remained on board the ship but several disembarked and dispersed into their groups to go to the pubs and exotic dancer clubs or to head home to loving parents or wives and husbands. After much begging and argument, Bass Rhythm agreed to go to the pub with the Lunar Four for a quick drink, several other recruits joined the group wanting to spend time with fellow Lunar guard, their group growing to ten ponies by the time they reached a pub big enough for all of them. Stepping inside they were greeted with cheers from stallions watching the Hoofball game of the Canterlot Alicorns versus the Manehatten Lightning bolts and the smell of malt liquor and hard cider.

Many of the patrons of the bar looked at the large number of new arrivals, taking notice of the berets and the arm bands, Bass Rhythms armband however had a two silver bar badge clipped onto it showing his rank of captain but those who were not in the military didn’t know the significance of it’s worth. One particularly drunk patron made a nuisance of himself around a couple of mare members of the Lunar guard, Bass Rhythm had already finished his pint and was about to leave but to stop a potential bar brawl breaking out he went over to the elderly stallion.

“I think you’ve had enough for tonight, come on I’ll walk you home.” Bass Rhythm placed a hoof on the stallion and the old earth pony was kind Bass Rhythm helped walk him towards the door “Lightning Flicker come help me walk this old stallion home” The Pegasus from Manechester joined him as they walked outside, making their way down the street Flicker looked towards his captain with a quizzical look “Where does the old geezer live?” Bass Rhythm looked at the stallion “I live in that old mansion over there” he answered.

The trio made their way to the large house singing some songs that the old stallion started up, a smile on both of the soldiers’ faces as they virtually carried the drunken pony placing him down in front of the door, the elder Earth pony turned around “How much do I owe you?” he asked as Lightning Flicker held out a hoof “Twenty quid” a bag of bits placed in that hoof shortly after.

It was quickly picked up by a green glow as Bass Rhythm picked it up and gave it back to the Earth pony “And here is your change” The Elder stallion received the bag and smiled “Goddess bless you” he opened his door and stumbled inside before he fell over “I’m alright” was all he said as Lightning Flicker and Bass Rhythm walked away with a small chuckle. Making their way back towards the entertainment district Bass Rhythm stopped at the entrance to the district “I’m going to head off to the palace, have a good one.” Lightning flicker nodded before he left the Unicorn who walked towards the palace grounds.

Making his way into the palace, Bass Rhythm made his way to the Midnight wing, the torches lighting up as he passed the doors opening to reveal a waiting Luna sitting at a table filled with several dishes of food, half melted candles placed at the middle “We have awaited quite a while for thy arrival Bass Rhythm, may we ask what kept thee?” The stallion’s ears lowered at the tone of Luna’s voice, it was the same tone his mother took on when she was scolding him.

“I’m sorry Luna, I was having a quick drink with some friends and I helped walk this elderly gentlecolt home, I would have been here sooner but I was kind of just doing my job…” he trailed off near the end as he noticed Luna’s gaze on him, a childish smile on her face making him realise she was joking with him by taking on the stern act “We are only joking with thee, our servants have only just finished setting up the table, come sit with us.” Bass Rhythm visibly relaxed as he took a seat. This was his fourth date with Princess Luna, Bass taking some days away from the training camp for those dates and both ponies were getting very close.

“How has thy training been?” asked the mistress of the night while Bass made himself comfortable, removing his beret from his head “It’s been going fine, we are nine weeks away from completing the training, just in time for the Grand Galloping Gala” Both ponies went into conversation over Bass’ experience in the training he went through since their last date whilst eating dinner, after they both had finished they both took a moonlit walk through the palace gardens, both ponies virtually alone except for the wild life that populated the tree’s and plants around them.

“Where is thy sword? We thought that thee would keep it by thy side at all times.” Bass Rhythm looked towards the Princess, the light of the moon behind her framed her figure and face “I left it at the training camp, wouldn’t want to scare anypony if I walked in wearing a sword at my waist” Luna leaned slightly to look around him a smile coming to her face “Then what is that over by the wall?” Bass Rhythm turned with a frown that turned into shock when he noticed Luna Saltator leaning against the wall, sheathed with the belt attached and all. “Wha-? How?” blue magic surrounded the blade as it floated to them before the belt unravelled and began to wrap around Bass Rhythms waist and strap it properly. The stallion turned his head to see Luna’s horn glowing with her magic, a soft look in her eyes as she gazed at him.

“An enchanted sword reflects the personality of the one who enchanted it; Warsongs sword didn’t go to him because he ordered it to remain in the treasury. The swords of the other legendary swordsponies remain in the treasury because their masters have passed on. Our sister and our own blades remain in the treasury for we ordered them to as well.” Bass frowned as he thought it over “Then why is my blade here then?”

Luna finished strapping Bass’ sword to his waist, her magic dissipating from her horn and the long sword “Because she yearns to be with you, to be at your side, because she loves you” This caused the Unicorn to frown more deeply as he looked at the blade at his waist “If it reflects the personality of the one who enchanted it, and you were the one who enchanted it, then that must mean you-“ he turned to looked at the Alicorn but before he could finish his sentence he was roughly pulled into a kiss with the mistress of the night. The rest of the night in the Palace gardens was filled with kissing, snuggling and falling asleep in each other’s embrace on the cool ground in the warm spring night.