Chapter Five
Two unicorn guards stood at the castle gates, stoically watching the citizens pass by their post. The two were more vigilant today, more than usual, after being told of special arrivals for Luna. According to Celestia, they were to welcome these arrivals with open arms. Their only problem right now, is that they do not know what these guests look like or how to identify them.
"Hey, Light Glow, any idea what theses 'new arrivals' look like, exactly?" The first guard asked, looking at his partner, confused. "Lieutenant-… I mean, Captain Armor was not very clear about that part."
'Light Glow' rolled his eyes. "How should I know, Silver Shield?" He asked, shrugging his shoulders. "They are Mercenaries? So look for brutish vagabonds trying to pick a fight with someone? After all, Mercenaries are a bunch of brutes, actually being paid just to fight. I find it sickening that we have to associate ourselves with those vagabonds."
"Awh, too bad you think that way, darling." A feminine voice called out, causing both stallions to look forward. Their jaws nearly hit the ground, seeing the most unbelievable bat pony mare, her coat white as the very moon and her wind swept pink mane tied into a pony-tail. They couldn't take their eyes off of how athletic she looked, especially wearing the tight brown leather armor. "You two strong looking stallions are so handsome, too bad you won't associate with a poor little vagabond, like me."
She let out a giggle, walking past the two of them, while readjusting the long bow tied around her quiver of black arrows. In her passing, the mare lifted both hands up, and closed their jaws of the two Royal Guards, who kept their eyes on her… Barely catching the fifteen bat pony rangers following their leader. One of the rangers began to laugh, seeing their reaction. "Seems like the Captain did it again."
Another nudged his comrade. "How long do you think it'll be, before she has them kissing at her hooves?" They asked, the other bat ponies laughed at the thought of those two kissing at the mare's hoovs.
"Twenty bits says within the week's end." The first said, laughing a bit more, holding up a pouch of bits in his hand. The other thought about it for a moment, thinking on something dealing with the two guards.
He suddenly smiled, realizing something rather fun. "You're on, I say the next three days." The second ranger betted, as they entered the castle grounds.
The guards blinked, confused. "Uh… Did two of those mercenaries just bet on us falling for their leader, Silver Shield?" Light Glow asked, the two still watching the bat pony rangers walking into the castle court yard.
"T-They did." The other answered, before a snort of hot breath caused them both to freeze.
The two guards, slowly, turned around and came face to face with a massive, grey, black streaked, armored wolf! Their eyes widened, but a cough made them look up to see something strange… A grey armored earth pony, bearing a green cape. His armor clad nearly all over his large body, making him seem like a hulking tank on the back of an armored war beast. "Are ze two of vou going to moe vore me, and my knights?" The armored earth pony asked, his voice rough and powerful. It sounded like the kind of voice belonging to some great hero of old, a champion of sorts. Though, there was a hint of warning, too. But towards what? They couldn't figure out.
"A-A Germaney Knight…" Silver Shield said, the two moving out of his way so that the Knight could pass, with around thirty other knights right behind him. "And those are Fenrian Wolves! The chosen mounts of the Germaney Elite Heavy Calvary!"
"Y-You don't say…" Light Glow said, eyeing the armored war wolves passing by, with heavily armored earth ponies riding on their backs. "I wonder what else is-?"
"Ahaha! Such a grand city! Titan Will is considering making his home here!" They both looked back towards the street, and saw at least twenty Minotaur Barbarian Warriors, their leader wielding a massive battle-axe, slung over his shoulder, wearing what looked like plate and mail armor with a cloak on his back. Light Glow recognized the white skin and black fur. "Titan Will is liking this contract already!" The other minotaurs, clad in mail and scale armor, all laughed at their leader's words. Some making comments about how they couldn't see him actually moving to such a 'prissy' city, like Canterlot.
They gave the minotaurs a wide birth, Light Glow nervous about who he saw. "That was Titan Will, the Breaker! I read about how he, alone, broke through a Saddle Arabian Army and crushed their warlord with that very axe." He looked at his partner. "Rumors say, one swing of his battle-axe… And he could cleave a whole squad."
After the minotaur passed, both guards went back to standing guard, like before. "That was three of the five group… I wonder who else Princess Luna hired." Silver Shield noted, feeling a bit nervous about those who had passed.
"Not telling… But look at these newcomers." Light Glow motioned forward, aiming at the eleven, black cloaked, figures. Their leader was wearing a golden unicorn mask, completely hiding their face, while the others kept their hoods completely forward. "In the name of their majesties, I order you to halt!"
The cloaked figures suddenly stopped in front of the two. The masked one slowly stepped forward, as the two guards moved towards them. "Identify yourself!" Silver Shield ordered, neither of them able to make anything out because of their mask and cloak.
They reached into their left sleeve, causing the two to tense up, but relaxed when they pulled out a scroll. Light Glow opened I up, and read said contract, then looked up at the leader. "A contract for their services, and pardon for whatever they do."
"Does It say who they are?" Silver Shield asked, eyeing the other ten cloaked figures. There was something off about them, it sent a chill down his spine at hearing such strange orders from the contract… He got an even worse feeling, the moment he saw one look at him, and a pair of purple eyes suddenly flashing towards him.
"No, just says 'those found with this scroll' and doesn't say who they are." Light Glow answered, handing the scroll back to the masked one. They nodded, taking the scroll back, and walked into the castle, with the others following. "That leaves only one group left… And I don't see any others coming."
Silver Shield scanned the streets, not seeing anyone that he had not seen before today. "I wonder who they are, or where they could be? Rather rude to be late for a meeting with the Princess."
-Ponyville-
A group of forty finely dressed, uniformed, unicorn stallions, all having a half cloak over their left shoulder and a lance in hand, eyed their leader. The unicorn stallion, wearing a large hat, with some flamboyant white feather on it, threw his map down. "Well, mon friends, I believe we are lost." He had a thick Prench accent, slowly stroking his handle bar mustache and triangular beard.
"But, mon Capitaine, how are ve going to meet up in ze Canterlot, vith ze others?" One of his men said, their Captain placing hand on to his forehead.
"Oh, mon na mi! I can hear Frere Bulwark now!" The Captain said, shaking his head. "Talking about hov late ve are, and how ve are not proper soldiers!"
His men began to look at one another, as their Captain picked his map back up. "Do you know where ve went wrong, mon Capitiane?" A Lieutenant asked, he and another also looking at the map.
"I do not knov, Lieutenant… Ve vere following ze trial on ze map! I cannot see vhere ve vent vrong." The Captain answered, as the three Prench Officers eyed the map. Though, when a beautiful mare's voice sang around them, the Captain pulled his map down.
The three went slacked jawed, seeing a pure white unicorn mare, with a very well kept purple mane and tail. She was wearing a white and black corset-dress. The mare was currently hanging her wet laundry, singing as she worked. V-Vho is that lovely angel?" A lieutenant asked, all of the stallions nodding and watching her.
"That, gentlecolts, is our angel, sent from heaven!" The Captain answered, removing his hat and straightening the blonde mane underneath. After that, he made sure every hair in his coat was straight, then evening ensuring that his uniformed looked its best. "Now, vatch, mon friends! I am going to shov you, hov a noble speaks with an angel." With that, he walked towards the mare, while his men stayed behind.
The mare continued to sing her song, taking the tune to a gentle hum. She gently strung her white sheets on to the laundry line, smiling. "Ah, Rarity, your skills at fashion seem to flow over to your skills at washing clothes." She giggled, placing a hand on to her hip.
"Bonjour, mademoiselle!" A, Prench accented, stallion called out to her, making Rarity 'eep' in surprise. When she turned around, the fashionista was met by a uniformed unicorn stallion, who held a smile over his blonde, prench, beard. "Ah, pardon me, mademoiselle, I did not mean to startle you."
"Heeeeeeello, handsome!" Rarity thought, replacing her surprised look with an affectionate one. "Oh, darling, it is quite alright. Just surprised me, is all. Is there something I can help you with?" She asked, eyeing the well-designed uniform he was wearing, identifying the stallion being some high ranking individual. "Mister?"
The stallion removed his hat, allowing the blonde mane to drape out, and bowed before her. "Fancy Lance." He answered, holding a hand out towards Rarity. The mare placed her on in his, the stallion kissing the back of Rarity's hand. "Capitaine Fancy Lance, and hopefully such a beautiful angel can help this vayvard soul, and his comrades?" Rarity blushed at his words, looking slightly away from him. "By chance, might you knov hov to get to ze city known as Canterlot, from here? My band and I have an appointment vith ze Royal Fmily, and ve are terribly late."
Rarity looked towards the stallions behind him, each removing their hats and bowing, before smiling down at Fancy Lance. "Why yes, I do... There is a train station in town, it could take you straight there." She informed, making the stallion smile up at her. "Is that all you require of me, darling? Or might there be something else Ms. Rarity can do for you?"
The mare gave Fancy Lance a charming smile, he could see the class and culture she held. "For now, oui, mademoiselle. My men can repay your assistance, by staying here to protect you. As for myself?" The stallion reached into his half cloak, causing his sheathed rapier to tap against his leg, and pulled out a glistening rose. "I can only offer you this rose, vhich pales in comparison vith your own beauty… A promise that, one day, ve vill meet again and I will repay your generosity." Rarity blushed even more, taking the rose, before Fancy Lance placed his hat back on and tilted the brim to her. "Au revoir, mademoiselle Rarity."
Rarity watched, as the stallion turned around and left, the wind flowing through his half cloak. The mare held his rose against her breast, enchanted by the obvious gentlecolt who suddenly appeared before her… Like a dream come true, from her filly days. "I will hold you to that promise, Monsieur Lance." She smiled, placing a hand over her blushing cheek.