Night's Chill

The mountains that marked the border of the Equestria and griffin territories rose like jagged teeth from the landscape, the dull stone unyielding before time. Built into the side of one of the mountains was a large facility, the first of its kind. It was the very first research facility constructed with both griffins and ponies in mind, a co-project if you will. It was designed to strengthen the shaky relationship between the two large factions.

Smoke now rose from the building, a tunnel having been bored through solid stone. The mountain stood against countless storms, but could not stop the magical drill that bit into its side. A full sixty griffins poured through the tunnel, joining those already inside. In the large room, two forces stood off; the attackers, and the disorganized collection of griffins and ponies.

The royal canterlot voice shattered the unsure atmosphere.

“THEY ARE SEPRATISTS! DO NOT JUST STAND THERE! FIGHT!”

The small contingent of guards around Princess Luna held their own, the only other semi-trained individuals being two griffin guards. One lunged at the opposition, bloodlust in his eyes. The other baited his opponent into a vulnerable position, then striking bone-shattering blows with a crystal-tipped baton.

The Blindweed Order was the name of their organization. Eadric had heard enough about them from his fellow guard-griffin Osfrid to know that. Their chests and faces were marked with a red slash, signifying...

Assassins.

He must have broken three of the attacking griffins' beaks before finally retreating back into the ring of guards surrounding Princess Luna. So much for a typical maintenance mission. The pony responsible for fixing the technical glitches at the research facility had only just arrived topside. Then these crazy Separatists attacked. Just his luck.

Luna was apparently charging up a teleportation spell, because all of her guards and the terrified griffin and pony scientists scooted a bit closer. Eadric could see the faint outline of a violet orb forming- apparently the magical suppression field had been activated, preventing an instantaneous departure.

That was when he saw it.

It was thrown by a griffin near the back of the assassins. A large serrated knife, designed to punch through armor and bone. The aim of the assassin was flawless, right between two guards and into the unprotected side of Princess Luna. With her focus solely on penetrating the suppression shield, there was no way she would notice the knife in time.

So help me Osfrid, if you were joking about that metal armor plate you gave me...

With only a microsecond of hesitation, Eadric shoved a body aside and with a jump, angled his chest at the knife. He was extremely aware that he hit the Princess with his shoulder, shoving her out of the way as the magical sphere around them began to spit white sparks.

This was going to hurt.

A burst of pain lit up his side just as the world faded to black. However that didn't obscure the thought ringing through Eadric's mind.

I just tackled a Princess.

Being a guard at the Canterlot Castle was a very dull job, to say the least. However, the pay was good, and the occasional crazy pony made life interesting.

That, or whenever Princess Luna became bored, which was often.

Unfortunately, the poor two guards on duty this day were new. Very new.

In fact, it was only their second day standing guard in the large hallway. It wasn't a significant hallway, one of many in the castle.

CRACK!

With a flash, the hallway was saturated with a bright purple light, a large purple sphere starting to materialize. The red carpet was burned away where the orb touched, and the stone walls began to discolor slightly due to the heat.

The new recruits could only stare as a literal pile of bodies materialized on the burnt carpet. The gaggle of royal guards that had been guarding the Princess seemed to be no worse for wear, if their annoyed groans were any indication. A few griffin and pony scientists quickly edged away, still in complete shock.

“That's a knife! Get that brute off of her!”

Ow...

The sound was was ringing in Eadric's ears, and shocks of pain ran through his body momentarily, then settling to a simple ache. What had happened?

Quick refresher. Facility...intruders, we fought...

Oh. Knife, flying at the Princess. I guess I stopped it.

Ouch.

Eadric's eyes flew open as he let out a shrill cry of pain. The guards nearest to him backed off momentarily, but kept their spears leveled at the griffin.

Princess Luna shrugged off the guards attempting to assist her, instead aiming her gaze at the still-stunned recruits.

“Please fetch my sister. Now.”

The icy tone was more than enough to send the two ponies skittering down the hallway to the royal reception area.

Luna then turned to the griffin lying prone on the floor. Her gaze narrowed as she noticed the slightly warped armor and his labored breathing. He didn't bear the strange red mark of the assassins...

Ah yes. He was one of the guards.

“Be at peace guards. This is not one of the assassins. He is a guard at the facility. Help him to the infirmary. Anyone with injuries go as well.” Her voice conveyed both authority and a firm, but gentle order.

As a few of the guards filed off, accompanied by a scientist or two. Luna's eyes widened with shock as she looked around at the surrounding ponies. The scientists were there, as were her guards. Everyone was accounted for except-

“Where is Silla? And Toxic...and Sky?”

Eadric looked down at his feathered arm, more than a little annoyed that a piece of metal was taped to his limb. The medical wing of the castle was made from the same off-white stone as the rest of the building, but soft lights helped cast a peaceful atmosphere. He was in a single room, a large misty window allowing for fading sunlight to filter in. Some of the guards had assisted him in removing his armor...

and the knife.

It had been a nasty wound, and more than few stitches later, Eadric found himself hooked up to an IV, antibiotics dripping into his system.

Now left alone, he found himself having a mental conversation with the needle embedded in his vein. He had already mulled the attack over in his mind at least fifteen times, and finally decided to put all those thoughts on hold. There just was too much he didn't know.

So, he conversed with the needle.

You stupid thing. I've never liked needles.

Oh, but I'm helping you!

I don't care. I don't like being touched, much less being invaded by a needle!

Oooh. Someone is mad.

“You seem to be doing rather well for taking a knife to the chest.”

Three ponies approached him. One was clad in simple hospital garb, whereas the other two were very sturdy pegasus guards.

Eadric nodded to the armor that was piled in the corner.

“The other guard that was stationed there had something to do with that. He gave me a spare armor plate...thankfully.”

The nurse appeared to only be half-listening, looking at the clipboard levitated in front of her face.

“Hmm, yes. Ok, I need you to confirm some information for me....”

It was the usual. Where he lived, when he was born, and so on and so forth. Eadric had been forced to go through this verification process once before, when coming back across the border.

“Well, looks like you are indeed Eadric Coalwing. Thankfully not much of the knife got through your armor the superficial muscle still needs to mend, magical healing spells or not. A day of rest should do it. See if you can stand please.”

Eadric complied, wincing slightly at the twinge in his side.

Note to self, thank Osfrid.

“If I may ask, where am I to stay for a day? Or rather...what I should do?”

One of the pegasus guards stepped forward, his steely gaze flickering over to Eadric briefly.

“We've been instructed to take care of that. You'll be staying in one of the spare rooms, next to the royal guard barracks. Once there, I'll explain more. Your armor is already there.”

Short, not-so sweet, but to the point. He could appreciate that.

“Lead on then.”

As Eadric followed the guards out of the medical wing, he stopped, almost forgetting his manners. Spreading one of his wings slightly, Eadric bowed his head to the nurse in an ancient display of respect.

“Thank you for healing me m'am.” His voice was even and soft, conveying sincerity.

A slight blush rose to the unicorn's face, despite her attempts to wave off the gesture.

“No problem.”

An annoyed cough then drew Eadric's attention back to the guards, who stood with a slightly perplexed expression on their features. He expected as much.

Eadric's head was swiveling the entire trip to his room. They passed by the hallway with numerous stained glass windows, most showing heroic actions of the Elements of Harmony. The plush carpet continued down each hallway, but the windows were replaced by bland stone, and the occasional painting the farther they walked. It made sense, to keep all the grandeur in the frequented hallways.

“Here we are. This is where the guards of diplomats stay. I think you will find it quite comfortable.”

Eadric nodded, walking inside the indicated doorway, a thick wooden door already open. The room was simple, but elegant. It was hewn from the same stone as the rest of the castle, but a few simple paintings covered the walls, and a large dull green carpet lay spread across the floor (to which Eadric assumed could be changed, depending on the diplomat's national colors.) The bed was a large one, built to accommodate a large pony, griffin, or any individual in-between. The sheets were a dark blue, lighter sky-colored pillows and blankets lining the edges.

Apparently the last diplomat had been into blues and greens.

There were a few simple drawers, as well as a large closet and bookcase, all made from a dark stained wood.

“Wow.” Eadric couldn't help but sound like a foal in a candy store with his surprised exclamation.

The griffin's sharp hearing picked up the slight amused huff from one of the guards, and sure enough, the two ponies were smiling slightly as he turned to glance at them. Apparently his outburst had cracked the stiff guard demeanor.

“Hey, some of us don't get to stay in the royal castle every night, even if it's the barracks. Or Canterlot...or wherever you stay.”

One of the guards shrugged his wings, nodding further down the hallway.

“Barracks. Married couples live in Canterlot.”

Eadric couldn't resist shooting the other guard an amused glance.

“Judging by the fact your companion is trying to suppress a smile, I can guess where he lives.”

A bit of the pony's grin broke through as he nodded.

“Indeed. Now then...” The guard's voice then changed slightly, resuming the professional clipped tone.

“Your armor is in the closet, but it needs to be repaired and cleaned. If you wish, someone can show you to the armory for that. Before anything else, the Princess's have requested your presence. I recommend cleaning up before that.”

Eadric's eyes widened at the guard's words.

“Wait...what do they want to see me for?”

The guard clearly was trying to avoid rolling his eyes.

“You tackled Princess Luna out of the way of a knife, that's a start.”

“Oh. Well, so they want to see me now?”

“Now.” The guard's voice didn't hold any room for argument as the pony nodded to a side-door, to which Eadric guessed led to the bathroom.

“Let me guess, you'll be waiting for me here?”

The guards nodded, and then took up positions outside the main door.

Royal guards...strange mannerisms. Then again, I'm not one to talk.

Eadric made his way to the bathroom, trying to convince himself that his next home wasn't going to be the moon.