An Unwanted Past

Many times at night I would lie awake and look out my window. It wasn't a terrific view, to be sure, but it was beautiful nonetheless. From my room in the servants quarters, I could just barely look out upon the streets of Capitol City and see the shops close and the ponies walk home with their loved ones. Some nights, when the sky was clear and the moon was especially bright, the light of the moon shone upon the white cobblestone paths and it looked like the middle of the day.

This night I remember with a particular fondness because it was my birthday. As usual I kept it to myself, mostly. There was too much work to be done around the castle to worry about silly things like birthdays or celebrations. Despite this, I was happy. I was close friends with the chef in the kitchens and birthdays were one of the few occasions when he would make absolutely sure to save something for me. That year, I think, was my 17th birthday. It's hard for me to really be sure, it was so long ago. He saved one of the red velvet cupcakes that the royals had ordered for desert and let me take it back to my room. He knew he wasn't supposed to, but he was always did anyway.

That night, I had taken it into my head that it would be a good idea to sneak out of the servants quarters and explore the castle. I wasn't allowed to go out into town, even during the day, but I had lived in the castle for my entire life and knew it well. As I walked through the halls, my hooves fell quietly on the polished marble floors. Unconsciously, I found myself walking the path to the library, where I always liked to read whenever I got a break. It wasn't until just before I went through the door that I heard the voices.

"Something must be done. If we wait too much longer, they will surely attack us and the Capitol must not let this come to pass." A voice said in hushed tones.

"Are you questioning my judgment, Eagle Standard? Do you think I am so dim that I haven't noticed already?" Another voice hissed in response.

"No, your majesty. I was only doing my duty as your adviser."

My breath caught in my throat and I stepped carefully away from the door of the library. Eagle Standard was the king's closest adviser, and in the event of a war he was the head of the entire army. The stallion he was talking to could be no other than the king, Night Lance. I remember my horror as I realized that in my sneaking about I had stumbled upon a war meeting!

The king sighed, "The last thing my kingdom needs is a war. My wife is expecting her second child any week now. The rebellions in the gryphon kingdom are worrying both their king and my subjects. Even Celestia, my own daughter, is starting to ask questions about it."

"I understand that, your highness. Any father would be concerned. But if war breaks out, if we let the enemy make the first strike, than they will make it here. Where would that put your family then, sire? Think of what would happen to your wife, and to your daughter, if the war was brought to the Capitol!"

I heard a sharp intake of breath from the room. I can only imagine that the king had, just as I did, pictured the terrible fate which would befall the royal family and the Capitol if a war broke out.

"The draconequus are strong. Not enough study has been done into their brand of magic to know how strong exactly, but it would be in our best interest, your majesty, to prepare for the worst."

The king exhaled deeply in defeat, "Then I suppose it can not be avoided. Prepare the troops, start making plans. It's nearly time for morning and it wouldn't do for me to be late for the sun celebration." I heard a chair being pushed back.

"Of course, your majesty. I will have preparations underway by tomorrow afternoon." Somehow I could tell that Eagle Standard was happy about the decision. There was no doubt in my mind that he would take great joy in warfare.

I heard hooves approach the door and quickly hid behind a suit of armor in the hall. Only once I heard the hoofsteps fade into the silence of the castle, did I sneak back to my room.