My Little Pony: Island of Warriors
Chapter 1: Coming Together (Prepare for War)
Aetós. To us that is our home. From her bosom we have gathered stone to build our cities and temples. From the soil came our food with grain to bake our bread and trees to grow our olives. There is peace among our people, yet a dark cloud was looming over the horizon. A day came when an envoy from Equestria came to my island kingdom.
My name is Gorgo. I am the queen of the city-state of Talon. Tales tell that we have the greatest of all warriors, and we have our reputation. I could see a look of distrust in the eyes of my guards at their posts at the palace. None the less, I treated the envoy to wine, "Now then, you come at such short notice, so what business do you have?"
"Only that of my princess, O great queen" said the stallion envoy, I was not convinced by his flattery, "Princess Celestia wishes to bring friendship to your city-states, and wishes to being you all together in friendship and help to do her bidding when the time comes," I had my kopis at my side, and a few of royal guards came forward to my aid.
"Her bidding, I would have expected a princess to come to our island herself instead of send a messenger," I replied
"She has other business to attend to, she sends her deepest apologies," said the envoy as he walked with me around my palace to discuss the terms.
"Is that so?" I said stopping at the courtyard where the pit lays. I had my back to him, and scratched my chin in thought. A messenger came from Aquila stating that they turned down their terms. I suppose those philosophers and lady-lovers have some nerve, but we have a reputation, "my good messenger, I see a minor flaw in your terms,"
I unsheathed my kopis, and chopped off his head with one clean slash, "You should not have come alone," I said to him, his head and his body fell into the pit below as I sheathed my blade. I will not allow my people to be subjected, or do the bidding of another. We answer to no one except the city-states when it comes to certain matters.
"I am thinking the terms were not reached, my queen," said a young warrior, Gaea, handing me a scroll, "I have kept safe the scroll you entrusted to me, are we attend the gathering of the city-states concerning the matter of war?" she asked, I lightly nodded to her. We Talonians are said to be the descendants of the great Nemean Lion of old.
"There are many things we disagree and quarrel upon, but this is still our land, and we will fight for it," I replied with a light, queenly smile.
"I will see to it that our army will be assembled and ready to march in your absence," said Gaea before returning to the palace,
A Talonian's life begins at birth. If they have any defects they will be left to die. Only the finest. Only the strongest and healthiest will become warriors. When a fletchling first learns walk and fly, they are trained in the ancient arts of combat. You will be trained until your sword, your spear, and shield are as much to you as your own beating heart.
The greatest honor for a warrior is death. There is no greater honor than to die on the battlefield for a good cause. When the battle is won, we will not celebrate those who live to fight another day, but those whose sacrifice will be remembered and whose memory will live on passed our time. The hour is close at hand, and a dark cloud is approaching
The weapons of our people are simple: the sword or 'Kopis', the spear or 'Dory', and the shield, the 'Hoplon'. Some soldiers from the other city-states also use a sword called a 'Xiphos'. We also wear a bronze cuirass to protect our chests, and a crested Chalcidian helmet. My warriors often recognize me in battle from the lightning bolts on my helmet.
I made the journey to the city of Sarissa, and joined the counsel of city-state leaders, "We are gathered here from all the city-states to answer the threat of Equestria,"
The speaker for the gathering is the Sarissian King, Pericles. A very good, and strong king he is. Something Sarissa has been lacking in recent history, "It gladdens me to see representatives of Talon and Nemea are present today, Princess Celestia's ambitions are great, and her retribution will be swift, we either unite as one or we will all perish,"
"I can assure you that these actions will not go unpunished, Equestria is mighty, but they are still mortal, anything can bleed when struck with a blade," I said, committing both myself and my armies to the cause, many of the other delegates looked ready to fight as well. They have families and homes to protect. All are things worth fighting for.
The Queen of Nemea is Gia, and she too had her say, "I will see to it that our soldiers are committed to fight, it is time we put away our petty differences and fight," she said, "the problem is we still need to time to mobilize the troops from the other city-states, I request that we fight alongside the Talonians and hold them off until you are all ready"
"What she say is true, well then Gorgo, do you have any objections to Queen Gia?" asked Pericles,
"I do not object to her offer, I hope she can keep up," I joked to the king, Gia lightly nudged me in the elbow as the meeting was adjourned. Each city-state is home to a different species of griffon. Sarissa has puma griffons. Nemea has black panther griffons, and we Talonians are lion griffons. As of this moment, Aetós is at war with Equestria.