Season 1
Episode 2
Part 2
Royal Introduction
And just as hard as it was to find, it was a difficulty finding his way back. But finally, damp from wet clotheslines, and bathwater, and winded from his chase... Umek finally had gotten back, only now to find the lights all on inside despite the sun burning high in the sky at early afternoon. With an unhappy groan, he hung his head, opening the door with his blade-horn, a bell jingling away to invite him inside.
A strange dark red brown pony was fishing around through... something. It was the first time Umekile had stepped inside, and might he had been a little surprised. It was a very comfy place, not fancy, not rabble by far. It was cooler than it was outside. Hardwood flooring, darkwood walls, a patternized red carpet beneath him that could be rolled up at any time. A chandelier hung overhead, only built for four candles(Three of them lit) there were glass cases, and many shelves stocked either very organized, or very sloppy with potions, and philes of all shapes and sizes.
The young stallion rather admired it, stopped at the desk, curiously looking over the counter to try and see what the older male was looking for.
When he stood tall, it was a unicorn, but a startled one, "Bwah!", he magically flicked the contents of an open potion onto Umek.
"AH!", the young pony reeled back onto his hind legs, eyes shut tight at it had gotten in his face, "What was that?! You poisoned me?!", he demanded, almost stumbling onto his side.
"What? Poison?", however the shop-owner calmed down rather quickly, "Oh heavens no! I keep that locked away!", he flushed furiously, "It's merely Berry juice my boy~!", he had a very stranch accent, as if he had stuffed nostrils. He was funky looking, sporting a small goatie at the end of his chin, and sharp hairs off the tip of his ears. Not only this he wore light robes across his chest and flanks, accumpanied with small satchels hung around his neck, "Calm down calm down-" he was fairly old...
But not nearly as old as Star Brimmer.
"Maybe if you wouldn't have thrown it in my face!"
"Well it was your fault! You startled me.", he declared, standing tall despite his aging body. However he furiously waved him down with a hoof, "Fine fine fine! Ten percent discount on your next purchase and we'll call it even~!", that seemed forced.
"Only ten?!-"
"Very well! Twelve and a half percent is my final offer~"
"I'm not here to BUY anything!"
The strange pony opened his eyes after aqquiring a proper, businessman-esque pose, as if he had been rehearsing negotiation. But when this strange little stallion declared the white flag, he was surprised, "... Oh.", he blinked, and looked down at him, "Then what are you here for?- If you're looking for a bank it is right down the road~ Ehhh that or the flower shop is next door-"
"Are you Archerine or not?!", he squinted, the berry extract was really burning right about now.
"Eh why yes of course! Ehm~", The declared Archerine seemed off put, wondering what the strange unicorn wanted. And strange truly hit his mind, "Is that your... horn?"
"Ugh!", he groaned, squinting in a little pain, "Yes... Yes just- aye take it!", he hovered the letter out of his pack, and slapped it on the counter, his first task completed and Umekile didn't know whether to be happy, or if he should leave praying he would not get more berry juice shoved into his face... or worse. He was happy to see that "Archerine" was a unicorn like him... albeit an odd one, and easily startled, he started panting, looking around, finding a glass of water, he snatched it in his magical grip. Dumping the contents into his eyes, "Ahhh~"
He hoped Archerine would not be upset at what he'd done... but now he seemed so caught up in his letter.
"... Who are you, boy?~", the elder asked most unusually, as if he'd seen the ghost of a long lost friend, "Where did you~ Who gave you this letter?", he hadn't finished it, only about half way through.
"My mother.", he blinked a few times, eyes wide, facing the other direction, still trying to get the burning fluid out of his eye, "She sent me from Hefferlin... she told me to find you."
"Marien? Marien is your mother?", he flicked the note aside, "You are the Umekile that letter mentions? Marien is not a unicorn.", his eyes narrowing with a demand for an answer to THAT.
"Yes I know I know! Believe me...", he huffed, "I'm here because of that~ If I wasn't I'd be back home."
"And neither is Lodin now that I remember it more clearly~", flicking his head to the side, Archerine had a severe doubt this was their son.
"What do you want from me?", Umek cocked a brow, his head reeling back in apall, "A contract with their signatures proving it?"
"And why is your horn-... are you sure you're a unicorn?"
"Ugh!", Umekile collapsed his head onto the counter, "Listen, I don't much like the prospect of this as much as you do... anymore.", with a snort, "I was born from my mother, Marien Scythe... My father is Lodin, I don't know why I am a unicorn... I can't tell you why! But I do know that my mother asks of you one thing, that I may stay here, in Canterlot, with YOU."
"With ME?", Archerine immediately snatched up the letter again, reading it far more vividly passed the personal portions, his ears dropped, and his magic dying, a dumb-founded look on his face as the goatie lost it's life, and he stared out into space, dropping the letter to the floor. Regaining his consciousness with a violent shake of his head, "I'm sorry! Take it, and go. Find somewhere else!", he shoved the letter back into Umekile's chest, "I don't have the room, nor the patience.", unable to believe the first time he'd heard from a very old friend in many many years... and be asked of something so ridiculously overwhelming.
With a paling face, the young pony's heart dropped, "You're just throwing me out like that?" gritting his teeth with some hurt, was this alchemist for real? "I-...", he tried to change his tone, "My mother said you would help me."
"I don't teach, and I do not take apprentices.", he turned around, magically fumbling through old, full bottles, and dusty papers in the shelve under the countertop, moving passed a wall into another section of his shop. Umek followed.
"But, Archerine-"
"Do not beg me!", he popped his head around the corner, "Do not use my name! You do not know me, and I do not want to know you!", it showed in his eyes, he was very upset.
Umek's ears folded down, his tail dropping quickly, "Oh...", that was unfortunate enough to weaken him, "I'm... sorry to have been a bother then~", not wanting to make much more of the scene, he whipping around quickly, head hung, teeth grit.
"I do not have the room in my home, nor the patience.", Archerine added with his very nasally voice, trying to maybe clerify his reasoning.
"Uh course... you're right, I'm sorry to have been a bother.", the young stallion replied. From his saddlebag, he floated his hat up, gently resting it over his horn, despite it not concealing it as well as it used to... but he would never dare to put a whole in his hat for his blade would fit, "I guess I'll find somewhere else to stay then...", he stopped at the door, looking out the aging window, taking in the last of the arcane markings on the walls, pictures, and items that littered the clustered building.
Archie seemed settled, if he walked on two feet he'd have his arms folded over, and his eyes closed without a hint of remorse.
"My mother wanted me to say thanks, Archerine... And that she was happy you would be so kind~", he magically opened the door, slinging his saddlebags more firmly along his side. However he delayed the bell over the door.
Archie's mood faltered, a frown crossed over him. He heard the bell just then, and all the attitude writhed away, and a guilt washed over him. How could he be so cold? "Wait! Wait.", with a heavy sigh, looking down, his eyes closed, "Get back inside, it's going to rain soon~"
Umekile blinked, looking up at the sky. Perturbed that he was right, it wouldn't be heavy, but the clouds were gathering, and it was faintly noticeable in the air. He leaned back inside, and looked back at the older pony.
"Iiii~", he thought for a short while, "Could."
Umek's face brightened, "Cooouuuld?", wanting him to finish.
"Could~", Archerine stood tall, looking down on the much younger unicorn with a look of devious recovery, "Use a good hard working slave for all the back-breaking labor I cannot seem to get around to in my old age. So much cheaper than before~ But I'm sure your rural upbringing should prove exceptionally qualified to eghm~ partake."
His expression dropped. Backbreaking labor didn't sound too pleasant, but then again what could some alchemist do to him that his father did not have him do not eight weeks ago. But the bright side showed it's lovely ray of hope. At least he was permitted to stay, "I'll do my best and... hopefully I won't break on you.", with an uneasy, yet optimistic, toothy smile.
"Excellent my boy, simply delightful.", though Archerine Aiago was very conservative in his opinions about this decision... he couldn't turn it down. How could he? Apparently holding his relation with Marien close to heart, "Now ehm~ Are you any the least bit good with potionry?", he nudged Umekile to follow.
"Uh. No?"
"Alchemy?"
"No~"
"Ehm. Are you any knowledge of herbs?"
"N-... Maybe."
With a low groan, the older unicorn shook his head, "Ohhh dear what has your mother done to me~?", grumbling, looking aside, "Come along, I believe I have an exceptional bit of space in my attic if you would not mind~"
"Attic? Shouldn't be a problem at all.", he'd feel right at home, considering his small room was the attic of their farmhouse.
"Good good. But I warn you... I've got a hint of rats in that attic, cannot seem to be rid of them."
"I'm... sure? They won't bother me too much.", Umek stopped at the top of the third floor, looking left a right, througha door he could see Archerine's master bedroom, to the right a very old bathroom which seemed to have a... bathtub? A big one at that, "How do you get water all the way up here?", he asked. Afterall the tallest building he'd ever been used to was a windmill.
"Oh?", he cocked a brow, shifting back, looking in himself, "Ah~!" Archerine nodded with a happy smile, "A few years ago somepony- cannot seem to recall his name- figured the secrets of moving water up, rather than down. Fascinating discovery that nopony truly used until he showed it could be done to supply large homes with running water.", he smiled, "It is a rather flawed system... powered by magic alongside machinery to make it work better but~ I've enjoyed hot baths ever since."
Umekile seemed content with the thought of not having to fetch water himself... or take the time to heat it up, despite having magic... he was not permitted, "Wow.", with a smile, removing his hat, and resting it over his back.
"Quite so indeed- NOW.", he raised a hoov, and gestured to the end of the hall by the right. An old door, small, and thin, big enough for anypony really, but still small, "You'll find it a bit cramped... but I do not go up there very often, so I'm sure there shouldn't be too much aside from old books or two... Magic and whatnot."
"Magic?-"
"Yes yes magic, figured you for a spellcaster... What with the oddity in the skull and who-not.", Archerine let out a huff, "I'll send up some sheets, positive there may be a bedframe up there already from my early years... we'll head to the market for a mattress later today, or morrow morning. May I might show you around town whence you've done all you need to do up there for now.", he stood straight, and proper, "And be mindful of any guests, or customers... I intend to keep my reputation spick and span."
A knock could be heard, and shout from the bathroom window, "Ey Archie! Jingle Jarey's come for his daily medication!"
"Archie?", Umek grinned softly.
The older unicorn facehooved very lightly, pulling his goatie, and flexing it with his own red bubbly magic, "Egh~ Mind it little.", he rolled his eyes, and smiled, "And remember this... be courteous, and mingle softly.", he made a bow of his head, and looked to the bathroom, and across at the window, "I'LL BE DOWN IN A MOMENT, YOU RAPSCALLIONS!", he grit his teeth, panting uneasily, shaking his head and regaining his posture, "Soft Mingle... My specialty."
Umekile blinked, ears down, his coat uneased by the power behind the strange old alchemist's voice, "... Right then.", he nodded rigorously, and smiled, "And... Thanks."
"Mm?", Archerine had nearly made it to the steps.
"Thanks for all this. It means a lot, really.", Umekile nodded, "I'll make sure you don't regret it... Archie.", he threw in that last piece before closing the door hastily, and the rumbling of him heading upstairs ensued.
"Oh what have I gotten myself into?", the new mentor rolled his eyes, reeling his head back in some dismay before he hastened himself down his stairs, more knocking, "I'M COMING!"
Up in the attic, Umek found it to be a welcoming sight. For once the ceiling wasn't low enough to hit his head, at least not all the time, there were still rafters, and where the triangular portion cut too low of course. It was nice, and cozy warm, a double window just like at home, which he opened nice and wide to find it faced out toward the outer walls of Canterlot in it's Medieval prime. Over the edge one could spy the ongoing fields, and further ahead the forests, and beyond those the mountains, and further beyond that... mist-seeing as it was so far away. An awe inspiring scenery, he leaned out the window, resting his head on his hoof, his horn glinting when the sun's rays bounced off him.
The streets were a bustle with activity, and it made him feel so very happy to be here. But now he was on to important things... such as the condition of his room. Which were less than admirable. Archie wasn't lying, he certainly hadn't been up here in a while, there was so much dust it felt like if he touched something he'd merely fade through it, and discombobulate the ethereal forms the dust had taken! But there were highlights; like a tall candlestick which seemed like it managed to stay in one piece this whole time, or the beframe Archerine promised. Some barrels he had yet to open... unsure whether there was really something in there, or whatever the rats had left.
He rolled out a long dust carpet, raising a brow, it had tan rims, and a dark maroon base, filtered with all sorts of arcane markings. His horn glowed brighter, and he pushed everything out of his way, making space, before resting the carpet out wide... just enough room to lay it all out, "Wow...", his ears fell. It was a ring of symbols, and covered in tapper writing mostly done by sowing it into the designs... there was nothing magical about it, it seemed MORE like a reference table amongst others.
All the while setting things down wherever he pleased, placing a small desk under the window, and setting the candle righteously on top of it.
A bookshelf he may have to fix he pushed not too far next to it... most were very old dictionaries, particularly in standard pony languages... some translation books. Novels about monsters, or shortstories in regards from Business, all the way to Piracy. It felt like Archerine had left a goldmine in his attic`.
THUMP!
The skitter scatter of rat claws washed over him, "Wah!", Umek hiked one of his legs in the air, as if trying to leave the ground, his horn glowing, and soon blasting at the floor nearby... missing but it gave him the satisfaction of hearing them hide away. "Phew~", wiping his forehead. But Umek noticed the interruption had overturned a book back in the far corner... falling out from between all the rubble, and laying open face-down across the floor.
Some of the papers had been loosened, and actually slipped out from the pages, enticing ones curiosity a little more, enough to walk Umek over, and pick it all up, floating the pages before him, he turned the cover and took a gander at it.
He was never one to talk to himself often, however the last thing he expected was to find a very old book by the likes of spell casting. He flipped the torn pages over and under, there didn't seem to be an inch of empty space on them. They had been written on, and doodled over with arcana symbols. Unicorn magic by the looks as he recognized one or two basic spells he could perform.
"Wow.", he slipped the loose pages inside, and closed it.
"Where did you find that?", the voice had Umek jump.
"Find what?", he whipped around, neglecting to hide the item, and look at Archerine with a very sheepish smile.
"Why I haven't seen that in years, give or take a... decade.", he smoothly walked up the stairs. Though magically he pulled it out of Umek's grip, and turned the cover over, "Could never learn a quarter of the spells in this book.", he grumbled, browsing, "But it was the thought that counted... A trade for medicine by some old, hobbly mare. Said she did not quite need it anymore.", he slipped it into Umek's chest.
"And you never use it?", the younger unicorn held it to his face a little, unsure where to begin.
"Heavens no I'm no wizard. I'm a potions Master, and an alchemist.", Archie shook his head most rigorously. He waved it off with a hoof, "If you think you could make use of it, then be my guest.", he turned around, "If you can come up with five silver bits by the end of the month that is.", the shopowner smirked, looking over his shoulder.
"Five silver-", his heart dropped.
But this made the stallion laugh, "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!", what a relief that was! "Come along, we've a good half hour before the rains hassle into town.", he looked out the double-door window, "A small bed for ONE...", he reminded, climbing down the narrow, steep attic stairway.
"Of course.", Umek smiled, closing the spellbook, and setting it over on the desk with the candle. He had trouble looking away from it, he'd never just seen a book with spells countlessly lined up against one another... they were all lyrical as well combined alongside his horn magic. And it sure did feel like it was calling out to him when he tried to leave. Not literally of course but he wanted to get back to it very soon, that was for sure.
"Umekile, come come, I've things to do."
"Oh!", he turned, and hopped down the stairs, "Yeah yeah I'm comin."
Transition~
"And this list is the only one, right?", he asked uneasily. Umek was happy to have gotten a bed not too long ago, and he was grateful, but to entrust him with all the sorts of medicine was a questionable feat.
"Of course, I have my own orders to fill and I can't just go to the palace and hand out these myself you know~", Archerine magically tugged his beard, "Just remember, Baron Eferon is blind as a bat without his... Just make sure he does not drink it all at once. He's stubborn as a mule, but you should manage it."
"Right, anything else?"
Archie stopped mid-stride across the room to his ingredients table, "Ah~ Yes be polite if you do happen to come across princess Celestia, she's a strong-willed little mare mind you. Give her this, she had the strangest of allergies. Once a week, I would give it to her personally but I'm afraid I cannot meet the deadline tonight."
"... Princess Celestia?", he swallowed hard. The one who had so nastily put him in a tight spot regarding ruined laundry, and gave him a rough kick when she refused to accept his thanks? Not good. The unicorn snapped back to reality, "For real?", he sounded displeased.
"Yes why would I tell you otherwise?", the tone offset Archie, and he stood tall, cocking a brow at him, "Well off you go, you haven't got all night!", he gestured to the door.
"So whats the occasion I need to be so cautious about?", Umek asked, opening the door, and jingling the bell.
"Why you don't know? Today is the little Luna's birthday, of course!", he stood tall and proud, "Why I was there the day she was concieved, strong little filly she is, she will be eleven years old toda-"
"Yeah yeah I got the picture, was just asking.", he rolled his eyes, "I'll be sure to practice my curtsy." Umekile hastened out the door, and down the streets, which had began to darken tonight. The palace glowed the brightest in the distance, and the ground was wet from the warm rain that Archie had predicted earlier.
Right about now darkness was beginning to fall, and it was an exhausting last few hours, carrying a matress for much longer than a ten minute walk, as Archie seemed to become easily distracted by all the things Canterlot traders had to offer him. He ended up buy, and stacking things over the bed, adding more and more weight. Then there was carrying it home. It had taken a toll, but he more or less grunted, and grumbled it off, "Right."
Getting inside the palace wasn't all that hard, he showed Archerine's signature on a small parchment he'd given him, and the guards let him over the drawbridge, and through the great double-doors which were forged of shiny iron and wood with marble columns adorning each side. It was a magnificent sight, so powerful-looking. Umek noticed a giant telescope jutting out at the sky, low and large. It was made of metal most likely brass, and concealed in a stone cylindrical room, while the rotating ceiling with which to aim the eyepiece was made of strong, durable oak.
Magnificent.
Wandering the palace, finding those on the list didn't prove all that hard either, "Archerine said not to drink it all-..."
Baron Eferon raised the phial and without much consideration for Umekile's orders, he very aggressively chugged the potion.
"...Nevermind.", ears flicking down, he tilted his horn slightly, getting the glass shoved back into him.
"Get uh sheathe fer that, boy!", the grouchy old earth pony told him, "Could poke out the king's eye with a folly like that!", slam, the door locked on the other side.
"A pleasure meeting you~"
And others he happened to stumble on were not in the greatest of settings, "ASSASSIN!"
A hop, stumble, and a leap behind cover, his teeth grit, as he hovered the potion around the corner. His breath rapidly on alert, before he hastened away quietly, "Yeesh~", he muttered, almost panting. His horn glowed purple, and he set his hat over it to cover it up this time, shaking his head, and shaking himself to get his mane out of his eyes, "Right then..."
Seemed like these hallways went on forever, and ever. And dang were they brightly lit, the blue rug beneath his hoof, looking up at the stained glass picture windows. He only had one bout of medicine to hand off, and so far he didn't much want to find Celestia at all-
"Oomph!"
"Ow!"
Umekile flopped back onto his rear, "Geez Sorry sorry, NOT an assassin~"
"What? Wha- You!", it was a mare, and the worst kind, the kind he didn't want to run into.
"And you!", he stumbled to his feet, both putting distances between one another, "What are you doing here?!"
"I live here, duh.", the white princess tilted her head at him with a dumb-founded look, "What are you doing here, peasant?", yikes. Now that he got a much better look at her, Umek found Celestia to be... much better looking when she wasn't kicking him in the face. Pretty~ Gosh dang it was true. Her mane was a sparkling pink, very strange, something he'd never seen before, and he much liked her pink violet eyes. But that didn't make up for the mark he had on his chest still.
"Well I live with Archerine, so he sent me to give you this.", he levitated the potion out of his saddlebag, and shoved it into her.
"Hey! What do you mean you live with Archerine?!", she set it at her hooves, and glared at him, she wasn't much shorter than Umekile, "I've never seen you before. Hmph!", she looked away, pushing the potion at him.
"Because I just moved in, that's why.", he grunted, raising a hoof, and pushing it back at her, "He told me its for your allergies, I'm not gonna poison you!"
"What makes you think I would expect you of all ponies to get rid of me? Like a simple unicorn had a chance.", she sounded so stubborn. Either she just did not like him much in general, really liked him, or just wanted to tussle with someone for the sheer fun of it... it was hard to read.
"Oh yeah?-", he flinched when she came at him, wincing as Celestia clashed her horn with his.
"Yeah!", she snapped back, "Why did you blow my cover?!", she demanded.
Oh so thats what this was about, his ears fell, but he grew a spine rather quickly, and pressed back agaisnt her, to the point they both growled at one another, a sharp, shiny blade versus a elegant, and powerful princess' horn, "It was an accident! I didn't know it was you! Why'd you kick me down for its a much better question!"
"You wouldn't leave me alone, that's why!", Celestia's tiara slid off her head, as it was just aliiittle too big for a mare her size, her mane fluxxing backwards, as did Umek's as though they would square off in an epic battle of verbal abuse. Eye-to-eye they were on the verge of breaking down.
"You're nothing but a dumb foal who wouldn't leave me alone."
"Yeah, right after you helped save a bunch of ponies from a runaway cart~"
"So what?!", she demanded, "I didn't sneak out to go be a hero, I just wanted to see places! It's not my fault my daddy won't let me out of the palace without dozens of guards to watch me!", Celestia turned her pretty head away, shutting her eyes disgruntled with him, "Just leave me alone! Unless that's too hard for you."
"I was just trying to say thanks!", Umekile snapped back.
"Well you weren't very good at it, were you, stupid!", she clashed their horns again.
Grrrr! They both growled simultaneously.
"You're a terrible replacement for Archie!"
"You're a horrible princess!"
"Coming from a commoner~!"
"Alright alright! Break it up you two.", the voice caught them off guard, both young equines jumping at the sound when a rugged guard larger than either of them, and stronger to, dressed in shiny armor and red cape, "The princess is not to be bothered by a simple common unicorn, bugger.", he shoved Umekile down the hallway.
"What?! Really?!", he complained, before groaning with distaste, "Fine fine I'm going, I'm going! But I have to deliver medicine to some of the guests, first."
"Do as you see it fit, boy. Yet keep your hooves off, and away from her Royal Celestia.", Umek could see the white pretty mare smirk with delight as she waved him off with her very slim, delicate-like hoof. She wasn't all that delicate!
"Right right.", he grumbled, shaking his head and moving off ahead, "Bunch of sods~"
Umekile fished in his bag, and pulled out a handful of potions labeled with names, six bottles to go, and then he was OUT of here. Hopefully Archerine would not make him come to the palace anytime soon for cryin out loud, "Yeesh.", he rolled his eyes, and moved through another door, concealing his horn with his hat yet again, and moving on now!
Transition~
Outside the rain had come and gone, now on it's third wave, not too heavy, but humid and moist. The ground was covered in small puddles, and the normally gravel and cobblestone road had become dabbled in water, flowing off onto the sides of the street.
Two stallions were guarding one of the smallest gates into Canterlot, a fifteen foot wall of stone and an eight foot wide iron gate, like a prison cell. The sharp ends dug into the ground, but slowly began to rise up into it's cradle.
One of those stallions was pulled down, rolling the lever and locking it when the gate was up to it's maximum. He slowly moved around to the front, and stood at attention, "None know of your return, yes sir?", he asked, his partner turning his head and cocking a brow.
"What goes on?~"
"Ah ehm yes, forgive me, private.", that stallion draw a spear, and openly, amidst the darkness pulled a swift stab through the leather armor of that colt, his hoof coming up and covering his mouth to prevent a cry out, and dropped him. He had no horn but a bout of magic enshrouded the body, pulling it outside the gate as... he stepped out.
Concealed by a dark brown cape torn and tattered, but thick and flowing, a slender sharp mane hung out of it's edges, "Well done, my friend...", he flipped his hood up, not letting it fall but showing a set of eyes shaded in by the dark and shadows, "You've seen to it that no others can speak for my arrival?~", it was a unicorn, no doubt the sharp horn jutted out from the cloak, his wet dank hooves pressing into the murky, watery ground.
"None, sirrah.", the guard bowed his head, they whispered when they spoke, "You've come alone?"
"Hardly~", others moved up behind him.
"You truly intend to rid us of the king?", he grit his teeth nervously, hanging his head, "I complain not, but do you truly believe you can do it?"
"Of course.", a glint of reflected light was concealed under his cape, not revealing the subject matter to this stallion, "Ask me no further question, Duncan... Tonight Equestria shall be rid of a senile failure once and for all~ And then we can truly end the suffering...", he lowered his head, and smiled most confidently.
"Marhal you have always had my support. Be swift... you and your party will not be mistaken whence the act is committed~"
"Aware.", he spoke up, his voice not so deep, yet full of power and command. The four ponies behind him, two were unicorns, also draped to conceal their faces, and the other two were earth ponies, one with a heavy flail held in his painted skull face, and the second wore a black mask, a broadsword over his back, his forehooves and shoulders covered in steal armor. The were ready to begin a heinous activity.
"Worry no longer, my friend... it will all change after tonight.", the tall, dark unicorn nodded, turning, and facing him, "Stay on duty... we will not need the gate longer... you are innocent."
"Yes, Marshal~", he bowed his head.
The "Marshal" looked over his shoulder, and gestured his head, "Let us make merry the blood of the greatest fool...", and with that they hastened ahead through the dark rainy streets, quiet as could be, perhaps the only real sound was the dangling flail of that one pony. Or their hooves slopping around In the rainwater.
End Part II