Chapter Two: Wrath
Princess Celestia recognized the anger in King Talonblaze's eyes, and actively fought to resist the attempt to smile at him.
She also made a mental note that, should he ever been so gracious as to extend an invitation into Draconia to conduct business-unlikely as that ever would be - she would have to politely decline. The mare didn't stomach the thought of being forced to eat meat.
The alicorn would also make sure to learn from this, remember to take his advice and have a more reasonably wider selection of cuisine if she were to ever make alliances with more carnivorous races again. The griffon delegates, she surmised, would at least be more receptive to them.
Rhem was at work devouring food left and right as if it were his last meal, creating messes on the fine tablecloth. The general licked his chops and released a loud belch that knocked over his goblet of wine, splashing the deep red substance to complete his mess.
"Goodness!" The princess' eyes slightly widened and she allowed herself to drop her mask for the moment, scanning the stains and bits of food the young dragon was currently licking up. While part of her was a little surprised, she did let herself to smile. "… Hmmm."
She was glad at least somebody appreciated the meal.
The olive green Draconian wrinkled the bridge of his snout in revulsion.
"Hmph. This is one reason why I don't dine with non-royalty."
Rhem glanced off in mild embarrassment, running his snakelike tongue over his lips again.
"It is all right, King Talonblaze." Princess Celestia allowed a slightly larger smile. "It is just a tablecloth-it can be cleaned… or replaced. Such a matter is trivial."
Plus, she realized, it was kind of refreshing to see such a display. It had reminded her of Princess Luna, during simpler, more carefree times.
"Such behavior is NOT all right," he huffed, pinning the general with a sneer.
He did have a point, as much as she was reluctant to admit it.
"Hmm. I will concede to that. Though, I am willing to overlook this… one instance."
She gave Rhem an expression-though her slight grin suggested she didn't hold it against him.
The dragon reacted by leaning back a small degree, arching his scaly brow at the pony. Still, he wasn't sure what to make of those smiles of hers. He just wasn't used to those kinds of smiles.
"Still… do try and keep it to a minimum in the future," she admonished, attempting not to come across as intimidating. Sighing, she turned to King Talonblaze. "It is quite late in the evening. Do you perhaps wish to discuss matters tonight, or start first thing in the morning?"
"The morning."
King Talonblaze tore his glare off of Rhem and surveyed what was left of the food, supremely unsatisfied. He intended on taking himself and his general out to hunt in the forests soon.
Princess Celestia nodded, finishing up her meal.
"Very well then. In that case, shall I show you both to your guest rooms?"
The still hungry beast nodded, rising up from his sitting position and setting his helmet back to its primary place on his head. Rhem-still only slightly hungry-took the cue and got up himself, waiting for the two royals to head out first before slipping his own helmet back on and following them.
As Princess Celestia did so, she was tempted to apologize again, but figured she had already done that enough already. She turned a corner to lead them down the polished marble hallways, a thick red carpet laid in the middle and the walls adorned with several banners, tapestries, and paintings.
Once they reached the guest wing, she paused in front of the line of doors.
"King Talonblaze, General, you will be staying here in this wing. You may use any of these rooms in this hall for your perusal."
Without another word to the alicorn, King Talonblaze strode past her and entered one of the luxury suites, slamming the door behind him with his tail. Rhem, however, was disinclined to pass her-or more accurately, going near her-and remained rooted in a defensive crouch.
Princess Celestia watched him enter the room, before heaving a heavy sigh. Turning, she was lightly bemused to see the red-scaled reptilian still standing there.
"…? … Is something wrong, General?" she asked.
The dragon gave the mare an intense stare, his fiery eyes flashing. Yellow-orange pools still on her, he lowered his head further as if to protect his armored throat, flexing his claws.
She gazed into his eyes, looking still somewhat confused-until understanding overcame her features.
"You may relax, General. I am not going to harm you."
The look in his sun-like orbs clearly stated that he didn't trust her at all. Readying his muscles to spring away at any sudden movements, he stalked past her, his eyes not leaving her once.
Princess Celestia merely arched her eyebrow, attempting to appear as completely non-threatening as possible-but still standing her ground in a way to make it clear he shouldn't try anything, either.
Truth of the matter was she, too, didn't trust him.
Once he was past her, he swiftly spun his body around so that he was facing her. He was not willing to have his back turned to her. He directed himself into one of the open chambers and backed in, also slamming the door.
She just continued to watch him, until he had disappeared inside one of her guest quarters as well. The instant the door was closed, she let out another sigh, before turning around and cantering off.
A few hours rolled into the night before the farmlands bordering Canterlot were filled with horrified screams that gained the attention of patrolling royal guards. They made haste to the palace, not bothering to stop and explain to any more fellow soldiers and precipitated to the chambered door of the solar princess' private quarters, throwing it open.
"Your Highness! There is an uproar in the farmlands! We believe there has been an attack! We eagerly await your orders!" came the panicked voice of one of the pegasi.
Princess Celestia was laying down on her stomach, her accessories removed and set off to the side. She was looking over a document that had been submitted to her when the guards burst into her room. Snapping her head up, about to reprimand the trio of stallions for disturbing her without knocking, but gave pause upon receiving the news. Breathing a gasp, she instantly rose to her hooves.
"Scramble the pegasus guards to secure the perimeter. I shall investigate this personally."
Saluting, the stallions galloped off to do just that.
A herd of cattle, petrified at a distance, stared in terror at what their eyes beheld. On the ground, was the mutilated corpse of their largest and fattest calf with King Talonblaze voraciously eating out of the slashed gut.
Nearby, the young general stood over the trembling form of a fallen calf, his clawed hand raised, about to strike a killing blow to the skull.
Both dragons were now without their armor, their full muscular bodies completely visible-Rhem's sporting multiple scars over his own while the monarch only had a few on his neck, shoulder, and across his chest.
The princess had taken to the sky from her castle, her wings spread majestically as she scanned the expanse of the farmlands below in the bright moonlit night. Thanks to the clear, cloudless sky, and the sounds of the screams, it did not take long for her to determine the source.
As she flew lower and landed, her eyes widened in shock at the presence of the two Draconians terrorizing her populace-the elder one devouring the remains of one, the younger poised to attack. Her eyes flashing with rage, her anger consumed her as she opened her mouth to bellow out with all her fury in the traditional Royal Voice.
"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!"
Both dragons froze and shifted their attention to the alicorn. The blood-soaked maw of King Talonblaze curled in a frown, his forked tongue snaking out to lick his upper lip.
"You call crocodiles made of stone and wolves of branches edible game?" he snarled, his brows compressing.
Princess Celestia shuddered in barely containable anger. Her eyes were wide, pupils dilated to pinpricks, and her mane and tail glowing.
"I SAID-" she began, before stopping herself and closing her eyes, shaking her head and reducing her volume. "I said that you were permitted to hunt in the forest for your food. And you-and you-you!"
It was absolutely clear that the expression on her face was one of being utterly livid.
"I GIVE you food, I tell you where to procure more, and yet you… you DARE to attack MY SUBJECTS, on MY SOIL?!"
"We found NOTHING edible! We DO NOT eat stone or branches! You expect your GUESTS to go hungry when we cannot find anything?!" King Talonblaze growled, digging his muzzle back into the calf and tearing out a chunk of muscle.
Rhem, while he did have his craving for meat, lowered his paw to the ground and stepped away from the calf. He was going to play it safe and not incur the princess' wrath upon himself.
Princess Celestia shook very hard-the look on her face telling him she did not believe him for a single instance.
She knew there were animals in the woods. She could even spot the forest not very far away, just on the horizon.
No, it had seemed very clear to her that he hadn't even bothered looking-and simply saw cattle that were ripe and apparently free for the taking.
"King Talonblaze," she hissed. "I will give you one chance-ONE-to give me a very good reason why I should not expel you from my country this very instant."
The dragon swallowed the strip of flesh in his jaws.
"How was I supposed to know that you consider cattle as your subjects? You did not tell me your citizens are not limited to just ponies!"
He… did have a point. She groaned, sighing and rubbing her temple.
"I did not inform you because I was under the obviously mistaken assumption that I would not have to." She snorted, nostrils flaring. "I value ALL lives in my country, equine and non-equine alike, and ALL creatures, great and small, under my jurisdiction receive my protection.
"You have committed a great personal offense to me by assaulting my citizens. And you continue to insult me by consuming his remains in my presence!"
As much as the dragon wanted to continue eating and satisfy his appetite, he ceased and backed away from the carcass.
"I was not aware of this. Still, it was your own fault you didn't inform me."
Princess Celestia's anger was only fanned by his words, though she restrained it. But only just.
"Trust me, that is not a mistake I will make in the future. I will… overlook this offense tonight since you were unaware.
"You have my sympathies that you were unable to procure a meal tonight," she pressed him. "But that failure is nothing more than the result of your own shortcoming. There is food for you there to eat, I know that for a fact. I would not have sent you there if I had known there wasn't.
"You will limit your hunts to the forest-and ONLY the forest-the duration of your stay. If I receive word that you attack ANY of my citizens again, be they pony, donkey, mule, cattle, sheep, or pig, you can consider our business concluded. Do I make myself clear?"
The Draconian was seething on the inside, but he retained control of his facial muscles and nodded once.
"… Yes."
Rhem couldn't believe it. All Draconian soldiers had the idea of their king being an all powerful and invincible ruler hammered into their brains and he was no exception.
And yet… here he was, witnessing King Talonblaze submitting to the regal mare.
"Good," Princess Celestia replied tersely, before dismissively turning away. Biting her lip, she trotted over to the herd. Spotting the grieving mother, she felt a horrid pang of sadness in her heart. She glanced back at the remains of the young calf, before squeezing her eyes shut. Wrapping a foreleg around the childless bovine, she forced back a sob-mentally kicking herself as King Talonblaze's words ran through her mind.
Gazing down at the poor cow, the alicorn's eyes shimmered with the utmost sorrow, and leaned in to press her head against hers.
"I'm sorry," the princess whispered. "I'm so, very sorry."
While King Talonblaze about faced and sat down, licking his paw and grooming his face, Rhem watched the princess and cow with intrigue.
The bovine clenched her eyes shut, her cheeks soaked with tears.
"M… m-my b-baby…" she moaned miserably.
"Shhhh. Shhh." Princess Celestia tried to comfort her, stroking her hoof down the cow's back as she pulled herself closer to the poor mother. "It'll-"
She stopped herself. No. No, it most certainly would not be all right.
"I'm truly sorry," she said quietly to her. "This was my fault… I cannot ask for your forgiveness, but I will personally see that your child is properly buried and that you will be compensated."
Despite her bitter feelings towards the princess, the cow nodded, lifting a leg to wipe away her tears. She at least appreciated the promise of a funeral and compensation But that did not sooth the aching hole in her heart.
"Th-th-thank… y-you…"
Princess Celestia was silent for a moment, before whispering into the cow's ear, "I'm sorry-I know there is nothing I can offer that will ever adequately compensate for the loss of a loved one… but rest assured I will not forget this transgression against you."
Hugging the cow once more, she let her go and turned to face King Talonblaze and Rhem.
Saying nothing else, she spread her wings and lifted off the ground to make her way back to the castle.
The former mother, too said nothing more, but broke into fresh tears at the sight of her son's partially eaten body.
Face now cleaned, the Draconian king snorted, pissed that he had to leave his kill alone. Snarling, he spun around to his general, his eyes flickering with wrath.
Rhem knew that look in his eyes. King Talonblaze wanted to vent out his anger… on him. He lowered himself onto his stomach to take the punishment. He released a loud yelp that shook the air as he was given the first slam into the side below his rib cage, which goaded his assailant even more. Crying out was a sign of weakness and punishable. And so, he kept his jaws shut as heavy blows rained upon his body.
Princess Celestia came to a cessation as the yelp coming from behind her reached her ears. Looking behind her, she noticed her guests were not following her-and she gasped out when she saw King Talonblaze beating his general. Immediately, she glided back to where they were.
"Excuse me," she hollered. "What is going on here?!"
Attention grasped and settling on the royal alicorn, the dark green dragon huffed with a glare, utilizing his self-control to prevent himself from raising his voice.
"How I punish my retainers doesn't concern you, Princess Celestia."
He then resumed the beating Rhem, who was now laying on his side, too dazed to summon the strength to pick himself up.
Princess Celestia narrowed her eyes, her horn glowing to envelop the dragon king in a temporary magical bubble to get him to halt. Not to stop him from beating his general, but rather to get his attention long enough to listen to her.
"… No. What you do to your troops is something I have no bearing on." Her eyes narrowed again. "At least, so long as I am not present. And believe me, had I caught you beating any one of my guards I would have no qualms with summoning a solar flare to strike you dead where you stand. I will warn you just this one last time.
"I do not tolerate violent outbursts in my country, King Talonblaze. Whether it be to one's own men or to my own. This is the third time now tonight that you have tried my patience. I am honestly, seriously thinking it was a mistake to allow you to come here to conduct any sort of business."
He was more than tempted to leap right in and tear the princess' throat out for speaking that way to him, but… they were in her country.
With a snort, he nodded in acknowledgement.
"Fine," he finally said. "He is not through with his punishment. He is to have no food until we return to Draconia."
If he couldn't punish his general by beating him, he would do it some other way.
Like HELL he'll go hungry!
… Was what Princess Celestia wanted to say.
Due to the events of the night, and still being rather frazzled, she did not deem it wise, or healthy for anyone in the vicinity, to further undermine the king's authority in front of his own general.
"… Very well. As you wish."
Fixating back onto the slaughtered calf, she sighed and shook her head. Seeing her guards approach her, she cantered up to Rhem to examine him.
King Talonblaze didn't even give Rhem a second glance. Having his hunger partially satiated, he unfolded his leathery wings and took off. Right now, he wanted to get away from the alicorn and fall asleep in the comfortable bed in his room.
Rhem laid on his side, half conscious. His scales held hairline cracks from the reptilian monarch's tremendous power and small amounts of blood streaked from both nostrils and the side of his mouth where a fang had pierced his gums. The beating he received had been brutal-a normal sized pony would have died under the first hit.
Groaning, he partially tilted his head in order to gaze up at the blurred patch of white that made up the princess-though, he wasn't able to recognize her in his current state.
Frowning lightly, she focused on the speak in the sky that was King Talonblaze. She wished to keep an eye on him, but at the same time, she couldn't leave the general.
Reaching to very gingerly smooth a hoof down his face, she turned her head to the nearest guard.
"Summon a medical team and get him to the infirmary at once."
She paused, directing back to the mutilated corpse again.
"And," she continued, her voice, her voice sounding completely weary and heavy. "See to it that this poor boy is readied for a proper burial."
"Of course, Your Highness…" one of the stallions said, his voice also carrying a heavy note. Bowing, he departed in a hurried trot.
A trio of armored ponies cautiously approached Rhem to look him over. One of the pegasus soldiers took his spear into his mouth and prodded the dragon curiously.
"He's definitely going to be tender in the morning," stated one, shaking his head after analyzing the Draconian.
"No, I think he's pretty tender now," remarked the third.
Princess Celestia sighed, frowning at the poor young male regarding his injuries. He was indeed pretty beaten up-and hoped that he would recover quickly. Suppressing a yawn, as she was quite tired, she decided to turn in for the night.
Leaving the scene, she made her way back to the castle, intent on getting to bed.