Helios 2: Politics and Poundings.


                                            =Helios 2=


                                            >You stood silently outside the meeting room.

                                            >Your duty was to guard the door while Princess Celestia met with the Griffin High Thane inside.

                                            >The Griffin Kingdoms had been going through massive political upheaval, with new Thanes and Jarls taking leadership constantly.

                                            >The current leader of the nation was here in Canterlot today in an attempt to smooth over the frosty relations between Griffin and Pony kind.

                                            >Opposite your side of the door stood a member of the Thanes Highguard.

                                            >Sporting a more impressive and protective set of armor then the rest of the Thane's guards, he stood ramrod stiff and glared ahead.

                                            >You clear your throat, no reason you can't try to lighten the mood...

                                            "So...does that armor make it hard to fly?"

                                            >He glances over to you. "Our armor is based off the Golden Fleece. Light as a feather, yet hard as steel."

                                            >You let out a low whistle and lift up your arm.[spoiler][/spoiler] "I'm in Dragonbone Plate, myself. Light, fireproof, and durable enough to keep me whole."

                                            >He continues to eye you. "Equestria has the resources to down dragons?"

                                            "Heh. We just had a few bones from a long time ago..."

                                            >"Still. Impressive that a monarch would commit such resources to her personal guard." He said.

                                            >That...was a bit odd.


                                            >Suddenly, the door to the meeting room swings open, almost smashing you in the face.

                                            >Out walks a Griffin in highly ornate armor. "I will not stay here and be patronized by a child playing at Queen!" He shouts

                                            >The Thane to the guard next to you. "Eitri! We are done here, we make for Gryphus at once!"

                                            >The High Thane stomps his way down the hall with his bodyguard tailing him.

                                            >They both take to the skies as soon as they are out of the building, flying North at high speeds.

                                            >As they departed, Princess Celestia slowly walks out of the meeting room. Her head low.

                                            "What happened?"

                                            >Princess Celestia shakes her head. "The High Thane refused my peace offering. He says that Equestria is too weak to be allies with The Griffin Kingdoms."

                                            >Shit...

                                            "Are all Griffins like that, Your Majesty?"

                                            >Celestia adopts a disappointed demeanor. "No...but many Griffins still cling to the old ways. High Thane Weisshaupt is simply one of them."

                                            >The two of you stand in the hall in silence for a time.

                                            "What now, Princess?"

                                            >Celestia's face grows steely. "I must speak to Shining Armor." She says as she makes for the door.

                                            "Yes, Ma'am."


                                            >The guard barracks were located on the opposite side of the city from the embassy.

                                            >Along the way, you got to play your second role as Royal Queensguard.

                                            >Crowd control.

                                            >Many citizens tried to get close to Princess Celestia as she walked the streets, it was your duty to ensure they didn't get too close.

                                            >This was the aspect of your job you really didn't enjoy.

                                            >Any of these ponies could be hiding a weapon on them, and when they swarmed like this it made it overwhelming.

                                            >Celestia pressed onward, however. Her patience and grace keeping the two of you moving at a decent speed towards the barracks.

                                            >You found Shining Armor drilling a few new recruits in the barracks central courtyard.

                                            >He turns to you as he dismisses his troops. "Anonymous. Princess Celestia. What may I do for you?" He asks with a bow.

                                            >Princess Celestia chuckles. "Rise Shining Armor, there is no need for that among friends and family."

                                            >The guard captain smiles as he returns to his feet. "What's the nature of your visit today, Princess?"

                                            >The monarchs face falls again. "I recently had a meeting with High Thane Weisshaupt regarding our two nations. It...did not end well."

                                            >Shining Armors face hardens. "What needs to be done, your majesty?"

                                            >"I need you to prepare the guard for any actions the High Thane may attempt."

                                            >She turns to you. "Anonymous, I want you to coordinate with Shining Armor. Two minds are better than one here."

                                            >"Yes Ma'am." You and Shining Armor say in unison.


                                            >"Anon?" Shining asks.

                                            "Hmm?"

                                            >The Guard Captain grows a wry smile. "Have you been practicing your combat skills?"

                                            >Oh, this again.

                                            "More so than you just standing around looking important."

                                            >Now his smile is a full blown smirk. "Care to test that?"

                                            "Any time anywhe-..."

                                            >Your eyes drift up to the giggling Princess Celestia.

                                            "Uh...That is, if Her Highness doesn't mind."

                                            >"Oh no, go on. I know how competitive you two can be."

                                            >Your face reddens a bit.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Thank you, Ma'am."

                                            >You throw off some of your bigger armor and grab a practice sword off the rack.

                                            >Shining Armor was easily the best swordsp0ny in all of Canterlot, perhaps all of Equestria.

                                            >You were good, but you had your work cut out for you.

                                            >Shining was still wearing his smarmy grin as he lunged at you, his sword held in a magical grip.

                                            >You stepped back and blocked his swipe. "On the defensive already, Anon? Not good..."

                                            >That was the other reason Shining Armor always won duels, he never shut up.


                                            >This jerk had the endurance of a minotaur.

                                            >His wife must be ecstatic.

                                            >You twist yourself out of Armor's assault and begin one of your own.

                                            >He retains his smirk even as he backpedals against your strikes.

                                            >You scrape the tip of your practice sword along the ground and toss sand up into his eyes.

                                            >He erects a shield over his eyes a moment too late as the dirt traps itself in one eye.

                                            >Armor smiles through his now closed eye. "Not bad, Anon. But let's see if you can keep it up."

                                            >You're happy to oblige as you swing on the his blind side.

                                            >Shining's sword snaps up to block you, but you don't stop.

                                            >You continue your assault to the sound of Shining egging you on. "Faster! Faster! Disrupt my focus!"

                                            >You swipe low at his feet before you rocket up, inches away from his face. "You're gripping the sword too tightly!"

                                            >You adjust your grip on the sword and swing at Shining's head once more.

                                            >This time however, he twists his sword around yours and hurls it into the air.

                                            >He then emits a short blast of magic at you, pushing you back.

                                            >You lower your hands from your face to see Shining Armor holding your own sword to your neck.

                                            >"Now too lightly." He says with that grin.


                                            >You had lead Celestia to her room like you did every evening after the sparring match with Shining Armor.

                                            >Imagine your surprise when she asked to meet her at the dining hall.

                                            >"I was planning to grab some food before I retired, would you care to keep me company?" She had asked.

                                            >You were a bit surprised at the request, but you accepted soon enough.

                                            >Celestia may be your monarch and it was your duty to protect her, but she was also a good friend of yours.

                                            >You had removed your armor at your room and found Celestia sitting at the table when you arrived.

                                            >Princess Luna was also at the table, albeit farther back.

                                            >You and Celestia sat at the table as you ate, talking as friends over the events of the day.

                                            >"Perhaps I should make Shining Armor my bodyguard after his performance today."

                                            "I don't want to badmouth a friend, but he cheated."

                                            >"Did he now?" Celestia chuckled.

                                            "Shining Armor knows that he can be distracting, and he has magic. Tell me Celestia, how am I supposed to compete against that?"

                                            >Celestia releases a laugh as she feeds another forkful of salad into her mouth.


                                            >Princess Luna chooses that moment to rise from her seat and walk towards the two of you. "Thy guard should apply himself more, Sister."

                                            >Celestia grows an annoyed frown at Luna. "Anonymous has valid points, Luna. He does not have the magical aptitude that Shining Armor has."

                                            >You really should figure something out for that...

                                            >Luna scoffs. "I had heard that something happened with the Griffin Thane today, is it something I should know?"

                                            >Celestia's frown grows more honest now. "Yes. Thane Weisshaupt has declined my offer for an alliance. He says that we are too weak in his eyes to warrant one."

                                            >"Arrogant kit..." Luna mutters as she makes for the door.

                                            >"Fear not, Sister. I shall see to the Thane..." She calls back.

                                            >Luna shuts the door behind her casting the room into silence.