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.
Chapter Two: A Royal Question
Eadric swallowed nervously as he approached the large doors that led to the royal meeting hall.
Not the moon. Not the moon. Oh please oh please not the moon...
As the doors opened, his thoughts ended rather suddenly, taking on a much more sober tone.
No, it wouldn't be the moon. You of all griffins knows what she can do. It would only take a mili-second, and you would be a pile of ashes, if that. Not even enough to warrant dumping into a wastebasket.
What is one griffin compared to hundreds?
He took a deep breath and walked in, flanked by two royal guards. The large chamber was legendary, a large room dominated by a few chairs, tables, and of course, the two thrones (Eadric assumed the second hadn't been used for over a thousand years....)
And there they were.
The two alicorn princess's; the ones who, quite literally, held the balance of the world at their claw-erm, hooftips.
There was Princess Luna, who was regarding him with....curiosity? Then there was Princess Celestia.
Celestia.
The Sun Princess.
The never-ending flame.
Hopefully, the alicorn's powers didn't extend to mind-reading. If that was so, then he was in trouble.
“So, you are the griffin who saved my little sister....”
Eadric snapped back to reality, and his fears and doubts got shoved down by something else; the one thing that had gotten him....well, in griffin society, not that much.
But, it made him feel complete. Stupid at times, ridiculed....and yet admired in comments of passers-by.
The code.
Eadric quickly called to memory what he remembered of meeting royalty, or at least as much as the ancient text had recorded. Well. Who would have thought I'd get to practice this....
He bowed on one set of claws, extending the same-side wing out. The other was held to his side slightly drooped, to indicate no threat.
“Yes. My name is Eadric Coalwing. In the presence of....”
He nodded to the two princess's ;
“Princess Celestia, and Luna, respectively.”
Eadric could sense the two guards at his side shift uncomfortably, but that was not of his concern. Guarding royalty, and not learning the ancient code?
Understandable, but sad all the same.
He looked up cautiously, and only the gravity of the situation prevented him from grinning. Celestia's impassive mask shifted, her eyes regarding him with...amusement? Respect?
Acceptance?
It wouldn't have been noticeable if he had not been looking for a reaction.
Luna's reaction, on the other hand, was no small cause of amusement. Eadric swore that her right eye was twitching, and her mouth hung open with astonishment (hopefully.)
“Celly! He knows the old code!” Luna leaned over and not-so-softly whispered into her sister's ear; it bordered a filly-like excitement only found in youngsters when in a candystore.
Now Eadric couldn't help but smile.
“Indeed he does dear sister. Eadric Coalwing, you have been granted audience and may rise.”
He did so, more than a little thrilled that the royal sisters had recognized his actions.
But do not forget who you are dealing with. They'll ask you, of course....
“Guards, you can stand outside, we will discuss the rest of this alone. ”
The royal guards nodded, and clip-clopped their way out of the doors.
Ponies marching wasn't as intimidating as griffins. They stepped too soft.
As the doors closed, Celestia nodded to her sister, who returned the gesture and vanished with a 'pop' of light-blue magic. The Sun Princess's kind and caring features then shifted as she looked back to Eadric.
The griffin no longer found himself looking at the leader of the pony nation, known to be kind and benevolent. The kindness was hidden by a look sharper than any sword. It felt as though she could see into his very heart. Her mouth was drawn in a thin line as she looked him up and down. He was not just in the presence of a ruler....
She was the Princess of the Sun.
The never-ending flame.
The burner of a hundred souls.
“Now then, Eadric Coalwing, I have a few questions for you. I would think very carefully about the answers.”
“W-what?”
Celestia sat in front of him, and Eadric didn't even try to hide the fact he was terrified.
“Why did you save my sister?”
Wait, that's it?
Eadric shrugged his wings and shoulders, and it took every ounce of willpower to meet her gaze.
“Your majesty, you helped write the code to which I try to adhere...Is it not enough that it was the right thing to do?”
The hostility in Celestia's eyes faded slightly as she let out a long sigh.
“No, it is not. Not in this day and age. Is that the only reason? Some ancient code that bound you to save her?”
He shook his head, not understanding.
“Erm, your majesty? I'm not sure I understand. I swore oath to the Griffin Provinces and Equestria, and Lu-Princess Luna was occupied, too much so in order to defend herself, so I acted. I had armor, she did not. I assure you, there is nothing more than that.”
Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say, because Celestia looked at him again- and he couldn't look away. It wasn't magic that held him there, but the intense scrutiny in her gaze.
“Is that so? You are hiding something from me, Eadric Coalwing. I detected that as soon as you entered this room. With the attack on the facility as of late, what would that make you? An assassin? Your blood would not be the first spilled here on such an attempt.”
Oh fur and feathers. Speak you fool! Or you'll get thrown into prison....or worse.
“I am no assassin.” Eadric managed to gasp out before breaking his gaze. Any longer and it felt like his brain would have caught fire.
“Then what are you hiding Eadric? I would not interrogate you myself if I did not think this was a matter of security or a threat.”
Eadric's legs trembled with fear. He had a nightmare like this once...and now....
“B-Blackfeather.”
A sharp intake of breath was Celestia's response, and the atmosphere instantly changed. The tension evaporated, and it was as though a mist of sorrow flooded into the room.
“W-what did you say?” Celestia's voice had lost all edge, and instead was soft and contemplative, laden with hard to pin emotion.
Eadric finally leg his front legs give out, and he settled on the floor.
“Blackfeather. Two hundred and five years after the banishment of Nightmare moon. A border town-”
He stopped as Celestia held up a hoof, shaking her head sadly.
“Is that what you are hiding? Your fear for me? I am use to such reactions, but...it is not my position you fear, is it?”
Her question gave Eadric a reason to continue, hoping she indicated that he should do so.
“No, your majesty. I fear your power.....”
Say it!
“I fear who you are.”
Eadric waited. A sudden burst of heat, a tingle of magic, something to indicate a reaction.
Instead, there was nothing.
He looked up, and saw the ruler of Equestia, an individual who held the wellbeing of thousands of individuals at her hooftips-
Staring at the floor, a single tear running down her face.
“History is not kind to those who endure, Eadric Coalwing.”
She took a deep breath, and the mask was back in place. It was cracked and showing holes, but it was passable.
“Congratulations. You have seen more of the true royal Princess than most individuals in the castle.”
Eadric's silence simply caused Celestia to toss a slightly-amused look his way.
“If you have business else-ware, I can thank you with your pay, and you can be on your way, if that is what you desire.”
“No! I....erm....” Eadric found himself at a loss for words. Having Celestia be honest with him...like this, hadn't been at the top of his likely-to-happen list.
“I...can't go back. I live in the separatist province. They will have closed the borders by now.”
He shrugged again, shifting into a sitting position.
“I am still technically employed by you, and the griffin territories, your highness.”
She waved a hoof at his last words.
“Please. Just Celestia. Too few use only my name nowadays.”
There was a brief pause, and then Eadric spoke again, hoping not to seal his fate....again.
“Prin-Celestia, if I may be so bold, may I ask you a question?”
Genuine curiosity glinted in the Princess's eyes, along with sorrow. Perhaps she knew what he wished to ask....
“Yes.”
He took a deep breath, and managed to meet her gaze for a moment.
“Blackfeather. Why?”
There was a brief pause, and Eadric was worried about her response, but only for a moment. The royal Princess walked back to her throne and retrieved the cushion, bringing it down on the floor to sit upon.
“This is more than a comfort matter, Eadric Coalwing. That event....was an example of how I am just another pony. Immortal, or close to it, and powerful, yes, but a pony nonetheless.”
The weight that had seemingly lifted from Celestia's shoulders returned, and the ruler of Equestria looked up at the stunned guard griffin.
“You know the details. What was the nickname they gave me? Burner of....”
She fell silent as Eadric mouthed the rest.
a hundred souls.
“I am not perfect, and I never have said that I am such. The time after my sister's banishment was peaceful, for the most part. The incidents that day....”
Eadric swallowed nervously as Celestia once again locked her gaze with his.
“I have emotions, despite what many may say. That day, was a time I truly was angry. What would you do, Eadric Coalwing, if a group of individuals did...horrible things to your family, then killed them in the most brutal way possible? Would you let them go?”
His claws were curled into a fist as he shook his head.
“Exactly. Perhaps you can imagine my anger, or a fraction of it.”
Celestia sighed, looking out one of the stained glass windows briefly.
“I lost control. I do not hide that fact. The historians here do, and I have had to fight in order to preserve...the less admirable parts of my history. I think everyone should know about it, despite how it may affect my image. Justice was done that day, to the rogue band of griffins that killed my little ponies...but in the process, I condemned others to die. Innocent others. I burned Blackfeather to the ground, because I didn't want any of them to escape. I should have had better control, only targeted a few houses- but the anger....”
Celestia's gaze then drifted back to him as she paused briefly.
“I have to live a very long time with that fact, Eadric. I have long since engrained the innocent individuals's names into my mind. I killed them all in a fit of rage, not unlike what my sister tried to do. I punished her for that, but who can punish me? Griffin history is not kind concerning me, and rightfully so.”
It took a few moments for Eadric to regain some sense of voice, but finally he managed to speak, even if it was with a bit of a tremble.
“I saw both the brief records in your lands, and the many accounts in ours. They only mention that you did it out of revenge...but if someone harmed my family....”
I'd kill to protect them, to avenge them. If I had such power, would I be able to stay in control?
In that moment, a very strange feeling swept through Eadric's being. The individual in front of him changed; but not outwardly. The change was within his own mind. He finally managed to blend together the mortal aspects with that which he had learned over the years.
He finally saw the ruler of Equestria as few others did; another being, with feelings and perceptions, all hidden behind a mask.
Eadric bowed formally again, but kept his gaze on Celestia as a sign of respect.
“Thank you, your majesty. I...am sorry, for my biased perceptions.”
He then sat up, and managed to meet the alicorn's gaze with a newfound respect.
“Thank you for letting me meet Celestia, the alicorn, rather than just your majesty the Princess.”
Celestia smiled, a genuine and warm expression that seemed to increase the ambience of the room itself. She held out a hoof- and for a moment, Eadric wasn't sure what to do.
Oh. Duh.
He grasp her hoof in his talons and shook it. It was strange...to see a ruler so differently.
“Just Celestia, as my friends call me. And thank you, Eadric, for saving my sister, and for approaching me with such a question. It is not often I get to speak to individuals on such...candid terms. I, for one, am glad you are no assassin. Do you have arrangements to stay here, or anywhere else?”
Eadric shook his head, looking over as Princess Luna reappeared with a 'snap' of magical energy, most likely at a mental cue from her sister.
“Erm, not at the moment...”
Luna walked over to her sister and whispered something in her ear. Whatever it was caused a smile to twitch at the elder alicorn's features.
“Well, it would seem my sister has a solution to that problem. Tell me Eadric, what does the ancient code say about becoming a guard to royalty?”
Part of him could see where this was going, but his mouth was far ahead of his mind.
“Those who wish to serve and protect royalty, griffin or otherwise, must prove themselves in training, combat, or an act...of....valor.”
Eadric's eyes widened, his brain finally catching up.
“Oh.”
Author's Note
Ok. This was a tricky chapter.
PLEASE let me know if you think Celestia was out of character. I desire to have this preserve her calm and caring demeanor, but meld it with that of a ruler, and an individual who has emotions.
I appreciate any criticism or other helpful advice.
p.s. Did anyone else think of "Aye, the code...." From a certain movie when reading this? I know I did XD
