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Helios 2: Politics and Poundings.

By Mandroid
Created: 2020-12-19 13:06:34
Expiry: Never

  1. 1.
    =Helios 2=
  2. 2.
     
  3. 3.
    >You stood silently outside the meeting room.
  4. 4.
    >Your duty was to guard the door while Princess Celestia met with the Griffin High Thane inside.
  5. 5.
    >The Griffin Kingdoms had been going through massive political upheaval, with new Thanes and Jarls taking leadership constantly.
  6. 6.
    >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.
  7. 7.
    >Opposite your side of the door stood a member of the Thanes Highguard.
  8. 8.
    >Sporting a more impressive and protective set of armor then the rest of the Thane's guards, he stood ramrod stiff and glared ahead.
  9. 9.
    >You clear your throat, no reason you can't try to lighten the mood...
  10. 10.
    "So...does that armor make it hard to fly?"
  11. 11.
    >He glances over to you. "Our armor is based off the Golden Fleece. Light as a feather, yet hard as steel."
  12. 12.
    >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."
  13. 13.
    >He continues to eye you. "Equestria has the resources to down dragons?"
  14. 14.
    "Heh. We just had a few bones from a long time ago..."
  15. 15.
    >"Still. Impressive that a monarch would commit such resources to her personal guard." He said.
  16. 16.
    >That...was a bit odd.
  17. 17.
     
  18. 18.
    >Suddenly, the door to the meeting room swings open, almost smashing you in the face.
  19. 19.
    >Out walks a Griffin in highly ornate armor. "I will not stay here and be patronized by a child playing at Queen!" He shouts
  20. 20.
    >The Thane to the guard next to you. "Eitri! We are done here, we make for Gryphus at once!"
  21. 21.
    >The High Thane stomps his way down the hall with his bodyguard tailing him.
  22. 22.
    >They both take to the skies as soon as they are out of the building, flying North at high speeds.
  23. 23.
    >As they departed, Princess Celestia slowly walks out of the meeting room. Her head low.
  24. 24.
    "What happened?"
  25. 25.
    >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."
  26. 26.
    >Shit...
  27. 27.
    "Are all Griffins like that, Your Majesty?"
  28. 28.
    >Celestia adopts a disappointed demeanor. "No...but many Griffins still cling to the old ways. High Thane Weisshaupt is simply one of them."
  29. 29.
    >The two of you stand in the hall in silence for a time.
  30. 30.
    "What now, Princess?"
  31. 31.
    >Celestia's face grows steely. "I must speak to Shining Armor." She says as she makes for the door.
  32. 32.
    "Yes, Ma'am."
  33. 33.
     
  34. 34.
    >The guard barracks were located on the opposite side of the city from the embassy.
  35. 35.
    >Along the way, you got to play your second role as Royal Queensguard.
  36. 36.
    >Crowd control.
  37. 37.
    >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.
  38. 38.
    >This was the aspect of your job you really didn't enjoy.
  39. 39.
    >Any of these ponies could be hiding a weapon on them, and when they swarmed like this it made it overwhelming.
  40. 40.
    >Celestia pressed onward, however. Her patience and grace keeping the two of you moving at a decent speed towards the barracks.
  41. 41.
    >You found Shining Armor drilling a few new recruits in the barracks central courtyard.
  42. 42.
    >He turns to you as he dismisses his troops. "Anonymous. Princess Celestia. What may I do for you?" He asks with a bow.
  43. 43.
    >Princess Celestia chuckles. "Rise Shining Armor, there is no need for that among friends and family."
  44. 44.
    >The guard captain smiles as he returns to his feet. "What's the nature of your visit today, Princess?"
  45. 45.
    >The monarchs face falls again. "I recently had a meeting with High Thane Weisshaupt regarding our two nations. It...did not end well."
  46. 46.
    >Shining Armors face hardens. "What needs to be done, your majesty?"
  47. 47.
    >"I need you to prepare the guard for any actions the High Thane may attempt."
  48. 48.
    >She turns to you. "Anonymous, I want you to coordinate with Shining Armor. Two minds are better than one here."
  49. 49.
    >"Yes Ma'am." You and Shining Armor say in unison.
  50. 50.
     
  51. 51.
    >"Anon?" Shining asks.
  52. 52.
    "Hmm?"
  53. 53.
    >The Guard Captain grows a wry smile. "Have you been practicing your combat skills?"
  54. 54.
    >Oh, this again.
  55. 55.
    "More so than you just standing around looking important."
  56. 56.
    >Now his smile is a full blown smirk. "Care to test that?"
  57. 57.
    "Any time anywhe-..."
  58. 58.
    >Your eyes drift up to the giggling Princess Celestia.
  59. 59.
    "Uh...That is, if Her Highness doesn't mind."
  60. 60.
    >"Oh no, go on. I know how competitive you two can be."
  61. 61.
    >Your face reddens a bit.[spoiler][/spoiler] "Thank you, Ma'am."
  62. 62.
    >You throw off some of your bigger armor and grab a practice sword off the rack.
  63. 63.
    >Shining Armor was easily the best swordsp0ny in all of Canterlot, perhaps all of Equestria.
  64. 64.
    >You were good, but you had your work cut out for you.
  65. 65.
    >Shining was still wearing his smarmy grin as he lunged at you, his sword held in a magical grip.
  66. 66.
    >You stepped back and blocked his swipe. "On the defensive already, Anon? Not good..."
  67. 67.
    >That was the other reason Shining Armor always won duels, he never shut up.
  68. 68.
     
  69. 69.
    >This jerk had the endurance of a minotaur.
  70. 70.
    >His wife must be ecstatic.
  71. 71.
    >You twist yourself out of Armor's assault and begin one of your own.
  72. 72.
    >He retains his smirk even as he backpedals against your strikes.
  73. 73.
    >You scrape the tip of your practice sword along the ground and toss sand up into his eyes.
  74. 74.
    >He erects a shield over his eyes a moment too late as the dirt traps itself in one eye.
  75. 75.
    >Armor smiles through his now closed eye. "Not bad, Anon. But let's see if you can keep it up."
  76. 76.
    >You're happy to oblige as you swing on the his blind side.
  77. 77.
    >Shining's sword snaps up to block you, but you don't stop.
  78. 78.
    >You continue your assault to the sound of Shining egging you on. "Faster! Faster! Disrupt my focus!"
  79. 79.
    >You swipe low at his feet before you rocket up, inches away from his face. "You're gripping the sword too tightly!"
  80. 80.
    >You adjust your grip on the sword and swing at Shining's head once more.
  81. 81.
    >This time however, he twists his sword around yours and hurls it into the air.
  82. 82.
    >He then emits a short blast of magic at you, pushing you back.
  83. 83.
    >You lower your hands from your face to see Shining Armor holding your own sword to your neck.
  84. 84.
    >"Now too lightly." He says with that grin.
  85. 85.
     
  86. 86.
    >You had lead Celestia to her room like you did every evening after the sparring match with Shining Armor.
  87. 87.
    >Imagine your surprise when she asked to meet her at the dining hall.
  88. 88.
    >"I was planning to grab some food before I retired, would you care to keep me company?" She had asked.
  89. 89.
    >You were a bit surprised at the request, but you accepted soon enough.
  90. 90.
    >Celestia may be your monarch and it was your duty to protect her, but she was also a good friend of yours.
  91. 91.
    >You had removed your armor at your room and found Celestia sitting at the table when you arrived.
  92. 92.
    >Princess Luna was also at the table, albeit farther back.
  93. 93.
    >You and Celestia sat at the table as you ate, talking as friends over the events of the day.
  94. 94.
    >"Perhaps I should make Shining Armor my bodyguard after his performance today."
  95. 95.
    "I don't want to badmouth a friend, but he cheated."
  96. 96.
    >"Did he now?" Celestia chuckled.
  97. 97.
    "Shining Armor knows that he can be distracting, and he has magic. Tell me Celestia, how am I supposed to compete against that?"
  98. 98.
    >Celestia releases a laugh as she feeds another forkful of salad into her mouth.
  99. 99.
     
  100. 100.
    >Princess Luna chooses that moment to rise from her seat and walk towards the two of you. "Thy guard should apply himself more, Sister."
  101. 101.
    >Celestia grows an annoyed frown at Luna. "Anonymous has valid points, Luna. He does not have the magical aptitude that Shining Armor has."
  102. 102.
    >You really should figure something out for that...
  103. 103.
    >Luna scoffs. "I had heard that something happened with the Griffin Thane today, is it something I should know?"
  104. 104.
    >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."
  105. 105.
    >"Arrogant kit..." Luna mutters as she makes for the door.
  106. 106.
    >"Fear not, Sister. I shall see to the Thane..." She calls back.
  107. 107.
    >Luna shuts the door behind her casting the room into silence.

BiE 1: Introductions

by Mandroid

BiE 2: Train, pains, and narcissism.

by Mandroid

BiE 3: Exposition and espionage.

by Mandroid

BiE 3.5: More trains, soon to be back pains.

by Mandroid

BiE 4: Home Improvement.

by Mandroid