The Lunar Empire

The Bloated Dragon Tavern, Astrum Inferus

January 23, 1133

Ace Graymane

5:22 p.m.

“The way I ‘ere it, Dark Thunder blew up half of Celestia’s army with one spell and sent the rest packing!”

“Shut yer mouth Gale, you know those’s nothing but mare’s tales. Now the way I heard it, they got some kind of new weapon that unleashes nine kinds of hell on those Celestials. They say it can kill hundreds at once and can reach all the way to Canterlot!”

Grinning behind my tankard, I noted that no matter where you were in the world, a bit of drink could turn anypony into a master storyteller. I had no doubt that the tale would soon evolve into Dark valiantly fighting off half of the Celestial army while rescuing orphans out of a burning building, provided the ale was in season.

The ale here was quite good actually, but I hadn’t come here to drink. Presently, I was waiting for the return of my traveling companion, an Earth Pony named Dusk. I’d brought him along because like any good mercenary, he had contacts. He knew a captain who was willing to run the Celestial blockade and take us to Cervidas. This was the one part of the trip I was dreading most (running a highly armed naval blockade excluded), for every time I stepped hoof on a ship, I ended up showing the crew my last meal firsthand.

As I pondered the impossibility of flying all the way there, thus avoiding the miserable sea voyage, Dusk returned. The tavern fell silent as he entered, for his mere presence seemed to command it. Large muscles suggesting an extremely Spartan lifestyle rippled across his form. Every inch of his body seemed to be filled with raw power. One of his ears had a notch in it, traditional for a member of the Shadrin, and a long, ragged scar ran the length of his face. He was garbed in a heavy traveling cloak and chain-mail, both of which were colored to match his scarlet-maroon coat. A peculiar long, one edged sword was strapped across his back.

After receiving something akin to a death stare, the staring ponies suddenly found all sorts of other things that were much healthier to stare at, such as the wall. Trotting over to my table, Dusk sat in one of the chairs, which groaned under his bulk, and gave his report, "Captain’s an Earth Pony, name’s Wavebreaker. Runs the merchant ship by the name of Destiny’s Song. I’ve worked with him before, so I can vouch for his skill.”

“Merchant vessels aren’t usually built for speed,” I remarked dubiously, ”can we expect it to outrun a Celestial warship?”

Smiling knowingly, the mercenary replied, ”Well, this pony isn't your usual merchant; he’s a top notch smuggler. He’s presently making quite a handsome profit on spices from the zebra tribes in Zavros; at least that’s what his shipping records indicate. Word is some of those spice crates might contain some more, customer-satisfying substances.”

Realization dawned on me. ”And he probably has some 'customers' higher up who've agreed to look the other way to ensure his success, no?”

Grinning deviously, Dusk elaborated. "He certainly does. Have you ever heard of Admiral Starlight?” Surprised, I nodded. Starlight and I had met before on business and he had seemed such the professional pony… everypony has a vice though, I guessed. “Well, apparently he’s one of Wavebreaker’s top buyers, a very valued customer. You know, gets the monthly coupon catalog in the mail, the whole deal. Well, our less than honorable captain was originally going out to fill another order, and agreed to drop us off on the way. We’ll be able to pass through the blockade with no hassle. Apparently the Admiral has so wholeheartedly convinced his crew that Wavebreaker is on the up-and-up that they let him pass through without being boarded and searched.  He also stressed that while he would’ve taken us free of charge, for the glory of Luna and all that, the danger of the mission demanded equal payment.” Staring longingly at my coin-purse, I realized no matter how low I talked him down, we would still end up getting fleeced.

Running his hoof through his short lavender mane, Dusk yawned and announced he’d be heading to bed. I stayed a while longer nursing a tankard of ale. Finally I sighed and strode wearily to my room. Lying down on the less than magnificent cot provided, I resolved to get one last good night’s sleep. Did I mention I hate sea-travel?

“You can’t be serious,” I exclaimed,” five hundred bits!”

Shrugging his shoulders, the pony named Wavebreaker quipped,” Fine, find another ship that can get you within a mile of that blockade.”

Cursing under my breath, I tried. "Three hundred bits, you’re filling an order anyway.”

Eyeing me, he replied, "Three fifty, and I won’t go a bit lower. That’s an armed naval blockade of the finest Equestrian ships-of-the-line you’re asking me to sneak you past. Besides, if I were to turn you in I’d get quite the hefty reward. I hear they’re hanging traitors like you on the spot, no trial needed. I wonder how you two would look swinging from one of their masts.”

Pulling Dusk off to the side, I whispered, "I thought you said he was at least semi-loyal to the cause. From what I’m hearing, he’d sell out his own mother to the highest bidder.”

Smirking, my companion remarked,” We’ll just have to bid higher then.”

Nodding, I turned back to the captain. “How about two hundred and fifty bits and direct connections to some business opportunities in the Griffin Kingdom?” In the background, Dusk whistled, but said nothing.

“And how will you pull this off, if I may ask my good pony?” the now interested captain inquired.

Seeing I had his full attention, I continued. ”The Empire has secure trade routes that pass through many of the Griffin’s cities and eventually end at the capital, Gryphus. I have several connections with groups who’d be most interested in your wares. If you should agree, the Empire will grant you two wagon caravans and a squadron of Lunar soldiers to escort each. No questions will be asked, and you’ll have effectively doubled your profits.”

The look on Wavebreaker’s face was priceless. He could tell he’d just been beaten, probably for the first time in his career, but try as he might, he couldn’t find anything to complain about. Breaking into a smile, he shook my hoof and led us down to the wharf where his ship was docked. Destiny’s Song was an average merchant ship, at first glance. It was about two hundred feet long and seventy feet wide, with a large mast and sail. The timbers were painted a midnight-blue and the sail was colored a deep red. Affixed to the bow of the ship was a figurehead carved to resemble a beautiful mare, head lifted and mouth apparently open in song. The name of the ship was stylized across the stern.

Once upon the ship, I could see that Captain Wavebreaker had gone to great lengths to protect himself and his crew. The bulwarks on either side were taller and thicker than average, and had small support-beams bracing them. Every few feet there were sliding hatches to allow arrows to be fired from safety. At the bow end of the deck, a large object was covered by a thick tarp. Leaning into me, Dusk muttered, ”I’ll bet you anything that’s a ballista. One bolt from that would put a good sized hole in your hull. This crew looks like they’d do it gladly too.”

Scattered around the deck and rigging was a group of ponies that looked more like something out of a pirate tale than a merchant crew. Each one had an assortment of daggers, hatchets, cutlasses and spears. There seemed to be no one race more prevalent on this ship. Pegasi, Unicorns, and Earth Ponies all worked side by side without quarrel. I was willing to bet in a fight they killed together without quarrel as well.

Captain Wavebreaker took us below-decks and showed us to our cabins. They were quite a bit larger than others I’d been in, and much more lavishly furnished. The captain had wealth, and he spared none of it where his ship was concerned. “It’s going to take around five days to make the voyage, so make yourselves comfortable.”

At that point we cast off and I felt that sick feeling building in my stomach. “Um, actually I think I’ll stay above-decks until we approach the blockade.” My stomach lurched and I barely had enough time to dash up the stairs and over to the bulwark before I was viciously sea-sick. One of the crew members trotted over and patted me on the back.

“You know, there are easier ways to attract fish.” Giving somepony a venomous death glare is extremely hard to do when you’re vomiting.

Through the porthole in my cabin, I observed the Celestial blockade as we approached. Nearly fifty warships stretched in either direction, though one would have been daunting enough. Each was easily the size of Destiny’s Song, many bigger. Their massive hulls were painted a brilliant yellow, and their sails were a fiery orange. The Celestial’s device, a massive sun, was sewn onto each sail, and painted on their hulls.

One of them, The Summer’s Eve, drew alongside our ship and signaled for us to stop. Although the Captain had promised to get us through safely, I couldn’t help but draw my dagger and nervously fiddle with it when he crossed over to the other ship. Wavebreaker exchanged a few words of greeting with the captain and followed then trotted after him out of sight.

Their conversation didn’t last long however. Soon our Captain emerged from below-decks and hurried back aboard Destiny’s Song. Right behind him was a Pegasus carrying some sort of document. The pony leaped into the air and soared off down the line of ships. As the anchor was raised and we moved on, I breathed a sigh of relief and sheathed my dagger.

Moving into the hallway, I let myself into Dusk’s cabin. I found him with a troubled expression on his face, sitting as I had gazing out of the porthole. “What’s wrong?” I questioned. Not much fazed the mercenary, so I knew it had to be something important.

Shifting to face me he answered, “That Pegasus with the papers, what do you suppose he was doing?”

Shrugging, I replied, “He was probably just delivering the news that we were free to pass.”

Shaking his head, Dusk countered, “No, I don’t think so. He appeared to be in a hurry, and besides, would it really have been necessary?”

Seeing his point, I muttered, “It would seem we need to have a chat with our smuggler.”

The sun was setting below the horizon before we decided we were out of the Celestial’s view. We climbed the stairs to the main deck and entered Wavebreaker’s private quarters. At the moment he was scribbling some notes on a piece of parchment, but set his quill down as we entered. “What can I do for you two fine gentlecolts? Come to thank me for getting you past that blockade I’ll bet.”

Unamused, Dusk asked, “Actually, we came to find out what happened during your little talk with that captain.”

Squinting his eyes suspiciously, Wavebreaker replied, “I guaranteed us safe passage, exactly what I’m here for.”

Even if I hadn’t been an expert on reading ponies, I would’ve been able to see that the Captain was hiding something. “The Pegasus,” I put in, “where was he going with those documents?”

Wavebreaker shrugged impatiently and growled, “How should I know? He was in the room the whole time and left when I did; didn’t say a word the whole time!”

Shaking my head, I muttered, “I hope you were a better liar back on that ship, because it’s obvious you’re not telling us something.”

Dusk started to say something else but I cut him off, “We aren’t going to get anything out of him right now, we should just call it a night.” Shooting me a surprised look, Dusk shut his mouth and followed me as I exited.

Once outside he exclaimed, “What was that? You knew something was up, and you just left!”

Holding up a hoof to silence him, I explained, “As agitated as he got over those few questions, it was clear something occurred during that conversation that he doesn’t want us to know about. I am sure of one thing; you were right about that Pegasus being important.”

For the next several days we avoided contact with Wavebreaker. I wanted to allow the Captain some time to settle down before confronting him again. While we hadn’t gotten far the first time, I was sure with some more information I could turn the next discussion in my favor.

During breakfast on the third day, while conversing with a crew member at my table, I casually brought up the Pegasus. Perking up his ears, the sailor admitted he’d also seen the pony flying away with the papers. “What do you suppose he was doing?” I questioned the pony.

Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, he replied, “He did seem in a hurry. If he was just delivering the news that we were clear he wouldn’t have shot off like that.”

There it was; the same suspicion from an unbiased source! “Did you see anything else after the Pegasus left?” I pressed.

Nodding vigorously as if I had caused him to remember something, he answered, “Pretty quickly after that, three ships broke formation. Whatever that pony was delivering couldn’t have been good, their crews looked like they were preparing for battle.”

It felt as if a wedge of ice had driven itself into my gut. “What direction were they heading?” I asked weakly, though I was sure I already knew the answer.

“They were moving north-west, towards the coast.” And towards Astrum. Now I had a pretty good idea of what the Captain had been up to.

Pulling Dusk off to the side, I told him what I had found out. Cursing, the mercenary asked, “Astrum is one of our towns, right?”

“Correct. In fact, it’s one of our only ports, which is why the Celestials are blockading it. Still, the only reason for them to go on the offensive would be if they were attacked, or if an unchecked ship tried to get out.”

Rising, Dusk motioned for me to follow. “I’d say we’re long overdue for a visit to the Captain."

We wasted no time getting to the Captain’s quarters and barging through the doors. As Wavebreaker opened his mouth to complain, my large companion slammed his hoof into his face. Yelping in surprise and pain, the Earth Pony staggered back and hit the wall with a thud. Dusk was on him, pinning him down while he was still dazed.

Spitting blood, he struggled to rise even as he growled something about this intrusion being uncalled for. Nodding at Dusk to move, I helped the disheveled Captain off the ground. “I’m terribly sorry for this violent intrusion, but I’m here on official Lunar Empire business.”

Shaking free of me, Wavebreaker spat, “Like hell you are! What’s the meaning of this?”

Raising a hoof, I retorted, “We have reason to believe you betrayed the port city, Astrum Inferus, to the Celestials; This is treason."

Absolutely livid now, Wavebreaker roared, “Are you still on this? I told you, it’s none of your business what I do. You just pay and leave the rest to me!”

I sighed, “You’re just making this worse for yourself.” This time, Dusk slammed him in the gut and then shoved him down into a chair by his desk. Realizing that we could likely keep this up for a while, the Captain relented.

“Yes, I did sacrifice Astrum! But if I hadn’t, we wouldn’t have made it through!”

Confused, I asked, “But don’t you get by safely anyway?”

Relieved that he wasn’t being hit again, the smuggler continued, “Always! I expected to this time as well. Once that Celestial captain brought me into his quarters however, he said he needed to search my ship for stowaways. I inquired as to whom they might be and he named you, Dusk, and Dark Thunder. Apparently he had a spy who recognized you sometime during your stay in the city. The spy returned to the ship immediately after that however, so they had no idea if you were still there or not. Thinking fast, I said I’d heard you were staying there for a couple more days. The Captain said he’d been waiting for a chance to actually do some damage to the Empire, and this was it. He drew up some orders to attack the town and kill everypony in it; said they were all the enemy if they harbored rebels like you.”

I couldn’t believe it. This simple diplomatic mission had suddenly taken a turn for the worse. A whole city had been attacked and likely destroyed, and I was currently threatening my only mode of transportation in the middle of the ocean. Dark might be able to help the defenders, but they were far too few to stop an all-out attack. Definitely not one of my better days. Before anyone could respond, one of the sailors stuck his head in the door. “Cap’n, we’re approaching land!”

Rushing outside, we got our first glimpse of Cervidas. The coastline was made up of a large strip of soft white sand. Beyond that, it seemed there was nothing but enormous trees stretching on to form an unbroken green canopy as far as the eye could see.

Shaking his head in disgust, Wavebreaker said, “I hope the legends of this place are true. With any luck those beasts will lure you to your death and I’ll not have to deal with you ever again.” Quickly barking orders for his crew to lower the longboat, the smuggler trotted away for what everypony involved hoped was the last time.

The distance to the shore was shorter than it appeared and we were soon gazing after Destiny’s Song as it sailed over the horizon. After a short time, we arranged our traveling gear and turned to the forest. Glancing about nervously as we walked, Dusk asked, “What beasts was the Captain talking about? Did we come here to negotiate with savages?”

Laughing lightly, I replied, “Hardly. If anything they’re more intelligent than us ponies! They’re called the Elkine, and are quite regal creatures. Most of them are about as tall as Luna, but there are some exceptions; some are rumored to be taller than Celestia, while others are said to be no larger than a filly! The trek to their capital, Elgria, is going to take quite a while, possibly several weeks. These trees you see stretch infinitely across most of the region.”

Relieved that he wasn’t going to have to try to communicate with some dumb animal, my companion inquired, “What did that filthy smuggler mean by them luring us to our death? Didn’t you just say they were possibly more sophisticated than us?”

Shifting my pack slightly, I explained. “Their kingdom is one of the most just and absolute there is. The laws are fair and there is very little crime. This comes at a cost however; they have willingly and totally removed themselves from involvement from the rest of the world.”

“So,” Dusk pressed, “wouldn’t that mean that they aren’t going to be too happy with us not only intruding upon them, but asking them to join a war they have no part in?”

Nodding in agreement, I answered, “Yes, they will be quite put out by our intrusion. Their opinion of us will only go downhill when I mention war. Hopefully we can encounter one of their ranging patrols and get captured; that’d make getting into Elgria much easier.”

Already accustomed to my incredibly risky plots over the years, the mercenary just shook his head and mumbled, “Whatever happened to the days when my only job was to bash somepony’s skull in?”

Patting him on the back, I retorted, “Welcome to the world of politics, my friend. May Luna spare your soul.”