Chapter 47

I wait until the sun has risen and the vague sounds of ponies can be heard outside. I wake Luna, gently.

"Is it time already?" She moans sleepily.

"Yes, morning has come, and many ponies are about. If we are to accomplish our goals we must be swift, and soon the markets will be in full height of fullness. That is the optimum time."

"Yes, I know, I know." Luna rises, wearily. Despite her desire to feel positive, I can tell that Mary's death will still weigh on her as well. I help her out of bed, and we both assemble ourselves. We both pull out a jacket for ourselves. Both of them were a gift from Mary.

"Here, here."

"What is it?"

"I've made us all something nice. I think you'll like it."

"You should be resting, you old mare!"

"Psh, if I had you wouldn't have these lovely jackets now would you?"

Luna's is a soft pink, mine a dark blue, and they are soft and warm. Jasmine has one as well, a dark green with tan highlights. We've worn them several times each, but it will be the first time that we won't thank Mary endlessly for her fine craftsmanship. I sigh, slip mine on over my various straps. I stand in front of the mirror, looking at how it fits, as though it were new again.

"I will never get used to losing friends." Luna says, still levitating the jacket in front of her. "I think I am glad that I will never get used to it, but at the same time, I wish there was no need to miss them."

"You said yourself that we should not be too saddened by this." I look at her softly. "All we may do now is give her a nice farewell."

"Yes, and we must see to it today." Luna nods, slips into her jacket, and pauses. "Should I wear my crown or my hat?" She pulls the matching hat from the wardrobe, holding it ponderously.

"The hat I think. Maybe today, if we find the time, we can find some matching boots for when it snows. It would be nice to get a pair of my own." A thought occurs to me. "And Jasmine, we could get her a pair for a Hearth's Warming Eve gift!" Another thought crosses me. "But by the time she'd get them she'd already have needed them.. "

"I think that is a good idea, finding presents. I.. I think I want to make something for each of you." Luna tips her head thoughtfully. "We'll see what I can come up with."

"Jasmine said she would meet up with us. We should get going." I walk out the door, to find Alexander, Maclura, and several others waiting outside. "Hello there." Alexander nods to me in greeting.

"These ponies heard from the guards that fought with you last night, about what happened. I believe they want to join. I told them they could try their luck, but it's up to you and the princess what's to be done." I look at Luna, in shock, who looks back at me similarly.

"How experienced are they?" I ask first.

"Two of the seven are full-guards already, with several years under the belt, and the rest are still in training, but were near completion." Alexander answers, pointing to the two and motioning to the rest. I nod.

"What do you think, Maclura? Seeing as you're my second, what are your opinions?"

"Sir, I think that each of them are brave for stepping forward after seeing what happened last night, sir, and I personally know that each of them are hard workers. I've never spoken directly to them, but I've seen them training, and they're pretty good, sir." I nod at his words. I look at Luna.

"They may come with us on our outing, and if nothing happens then, we will discuss with them when we return." Luna decides. I nod.

"We're going out to make preparations. You will stay nearby, keeping an eye out for trouble. I hope that we would not be attacked while in such a crowded place, but I am not sure. Keep near, but don't make it obvious you're staying near us." As I speak, each of them salutes me and says, 'yes sir'. "Let's go." I step back, let Luna take lead, and walk by her side, with the gaggle of guards following us. I feel strange, giving orders. I wonder how I gained their respect, or why they decided they would try their hooves at being Luna's guard.

"You take well to being at the helm, Knights."

"I did well the first time, too." I remember back to when she was Nightmare Moon, and had an army that needed leading. I volunteered.

"As to be expected." Luna looks down at me like, duh. I look back at her. She smiles and we continue on. I turn my thoughts back to the guards behind us. The two stallions that are full guards are both older than me, and have the magic spell on that makes them look so very similar. I still wonder why the guards wear that spell, why they need to look like an androgynous mass of ponies and not like individuals. I can see, because the spell can't change size or shape, that they are both fit and likely talented with a specific weapon or group. I'll want to see how they can help me with training, seeing as they've gone through Alexander's course and lived and were passed on to full guards. They might be good as captains underneath me.

The other five, they vary in size and shape. There's one that catches my eye. He looks a lot like me, with a dark, ebony gray coat, and if I didn't know what a black coat looks like I'd think he was it. He's smaller than me, but most ponies are. He's an average build, but he looks strong. The others are all about the same size and height. They are a variety of colors, orange, maroon, white and another gray.

I want to test them soon, to see how much they're willing to endure, why they want to join and what they think they have to offer, but we're busy today. I'm going to be held up tonight. It will have to wait for tomorrow night.

I wince as we walk into the sunlight. I do not like it. I never have.

The ponies run about outside the castle, going here and there to accomplish tasks of their own. We get some stares, some ponies go out of their way to avoid us, but we pay them no mind. The guards spread out, the rookies staying in their own groups the two others seemingly vanish in the crowds, but I can tell they are near. Maclura 'scouts' ahead, walking ahead of us, quickly and unnoticeably, keeping an eye out for suspicious behavior, but I do that as well, and I feel and see nothing out of place. Alexander walks beside me. I wonder why he is here, but Celestia likely asked him to go with me, or he volunteered because he could. We'll be spending some time together tonight, though, while we take our punishment.

Despite the bright sun, it's actually pretty cold out. Canterlot looks warm, though, a symptom of having the bright colors of this city. The pastel coloring brings a hearty warmth to the eyes, but not to the body. Cold winds whip around, softly carrying the signs of approaching winter, short days and long nights. I look forward to the solstice, because the long night will be a good one, the first Winter Moon Celebration in a thousand years. I will be there to protect Luna, but I doubt anypony will try anything, seeing as Celestia will be there, and she will not hesitate to defend her sister. Her anger and fury towards those who attacked Luna before was subdued by her instinct to take care of her subjects, and it was still hot like forge iron. If she were present for an attack, I hold no doubt she would unleash a great deal more anger on the unfortunate ponies.

Luna guides us through the city, heading towards the flower shop first. We decided on tiger lilies, I think. Luna and I step inside, and talk for a half hour with the shop owner. She gives us her condolences, and promises the best tiger lilies for the Moon Princess's good friend.

We thank her, pay, and leave. Next stop is a carpenter, specifically one that makes caskets. This walk is not as happy. We're picking out a box to put our friend in. It disturbs me, a lot. But it's the right thing to do, I suppose. The rituals are strange when you really think about it…

We choose something nice, dark wood with intricate carvings of flowers and birds. The inside is softly lined with white silk. I imagine laying in one like this, and feel so very sad. I shake my head, and send the thought away. For now I must focus on laying Mary to rest, properly and with love, like she deserves. Anger floods up, as I remember her family 'history', what with her awful parents that forced her into a career that was not the one she wanted, and then abandoned her when that same career left her crippled. Even if they were still alive, I wouldn't forgive them for doing that. That's uncaring, unkind, and intolerable.

I topple the anger, and we ask for the casket to be delivered within the next couple of days to the castle's mortuary, where our friend is waiting. The builder expresses his sorrow, and we sadly thank him. I pay and we leave. Maclura is speaking with Jasmine when we come out. Jasmine waves and sadly greets us.

"I ran to my uncle before I came here. I thought he could make her a dress to wear… He agreed.." Jasmine sadly states. "It'll be done in a few days or so. He said he'd make it perfect."

"Good. Our friend is very deserving. I am sure your uncle will make the most beautiful dress for her." Luna nods in approval. "We must find a catering service to prepare the decorations, as we have already found a flower shop willing to send us the flowers and a nice casket."

"I know a good one, downtown. They make lovely paper lanterns for 'heartfelt occasions'. They can do a good job of it." Jasmine suggests.

"Let us see." Luna decides, and we walk with Jasmine down to the service store. Inside is a myriad of beautiful examples of decorations, ranging from glass ornaments to wood carvings, and indeed, there are paper lanterns, several examples. The ponies behind the counters greet Jasmine cordially. She explains the situation, but I don't pay attention because a feeling comes over me. Outside, past the glass, I can see Alexander look about suspiciously. The feeling isn't completely bad, but I feel as if the ponies are near. I stick close to Luna, fearfully. I let Luna and Jasmine take care of everything, because the feeling sets me off, and well, I'm not exactly the most color-coordinated stallion.

I walk outside first, after everything has been accomplished, very wary. My feeling is confirmed when the dusty stallion walks out of the crowd with a few other ponies with him. I tense up, but he stays, mostly, relaxed. Luna recognizes him, and she tenses as well. He shakes his head morbidly. He carries no weapon with him, and neither do his companions. Out of a saddle bag he pulls some papers. He walks over to some tables, sets them down and points to us, gesturing for us to get them. Then he and his companions walk away, disappearing into the crowd again. The maroon stallion, now revealed to be a pegasus, flies up and presumably watches them leave.

Luna grabs the papers with her magic, before anypony makes a move to grab them. She looks at them, briefly, and looks up.

"They are requesting for the bodies of their fallen, and desire compensation for their lives. They want your blood for this."