A Soldier in Silver Chapter 6

 Some disclaimers:
Tangmare Air Station and "Fetlocks and Fillies" Pub are both owned by Tempestwulf: Used with permission.
Lanceor and Swordred Shieldon are © :GeneralDurandal: Used with permission.
Destrier, Eaglewing, Wildflower and Charger are © littlebittysami. Who is also me, Honeycrisp.

All MLP Settings ™ Hasbro.

“Here” was a pub just outside the station known as “Fetlocks and Fillies.” If a pony was in the Royal Guard of Equestria at any point in their career, you had visited the pub at least once. Only new trainees were unaware of it, as were both Charger and Eaglewing.

Destrier used his magic to open the door and motioned for the colts to take a seat at one of the tables. He then went to the bar and to order drinks for himself and his companions. They would be here today. He was supposed to meet them here after his meeting with Princess Celestia. He wondered if they had any idea what had happened.

Destrier nodded to the bar mare Barley Hops, catching her eye as he waited his turn. It was the way one did these things. One never waved money around or yelled at the barkeep for attention because that was considered vulgar and would most likely get you ignored.  Then your fellow guards would throw you out on your bum for reflecting poorly on them, especially since the proprietor’s son was a member of the Guard.

Destrier knew better, he’d been here when his father was still alive and Courser had taught his son properly.

After getting the drinks for his charges and offering to buy a drink for Barley Hops as well, Destrier went over to the last table nearest to the fire, where his mentor and his son sat.

Lanceor and Swordread Shieldon were the best friends he had in the Guard. The dark red unicorn strode over to the younger, roughly butting shoulders with the stallion that had trained him in combat. It was a ritual greeting for both stallions, a test of strength. But it wasn’t something that they took too seriously. If you were caught by surprise and stumbled, it was something for the other to laugh about at least until the next time.

“I was wondering if you had gotten lost, Knightsbridge.” Swordread laughed, “Late as always.”

The white unicorn was still in his armor, though he had removed his helm. His brown mane was tied up in a top knot. This was just one of the things that made him stand out amongst the guards. Like his friend and his father he bore facial scars, though his was behind his eye, not through it.

“I had some detours along the way.” Destrier answered, wondering if the news had gotten to his friends. Looking at Lanceor, Destrier figured it had. The heavily scarred older unicorn was frowning. To most outsiders this was how the unicorn always looked, but Destrier knew better.  This wasn’t the usual look for the white unicorn with the broken horn and half an ear. It was more…disappointment than out right fury.

“You have left the Guard,” the older unicorn said, pretty much dispensing with the pleasantries. He wasn’t happy about this development at all and it showed.

“I am retired, my master," Destrier said keeping his eye on his commander's face and standing straight and tall. There was no slouching around a pony that was considered by most that knew him as the Supreme Commander of the Royal Guard, even though he hadn't gotten that title. He was Head Captain of Princess Celestia's Personal Guard. "I think it is about time that I did."

“Over a fire with no casualties, Guard or civilian?” growled the white unicorn incredulously. “That certainly doesn’t merit us losing a healer of your caliber, Knightsbridge.”

“I had to leave. They appointed me as liaison between the merchants and the Guard. The merchants were represented by Greenbacks. You know what Greenbacks did. You know how I think of him. Left to my own devices, I would have killed him. I will not dishonor the Royal Guard, the Princesses or you with such a thing. Retiree sounds better than a wanted murderer. ”

Lanceor’s expression became even grimmer, and Swordread swore out loud; he had a very colorful vocabulary. Destrier remembered that at the hospital after the events at the circus, Greenbacks blamed the Royal Guard for the chimera’s attack. As badly injured as he was, Destrier charged him and had to be subdued by Swordread. Lanceor had led the fat little pony away from the ward, and there was a discussion.  Destrier figured there was very little talk involved.

“You have always had Courser’s sense of honor.” Lanceor said, “You do both the Guard and his memory proud. I hate to lose you, but now I understand why you made your choice.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“So where are you going, Red?” asked Swordred, “I know you aren’t staying here.”

“Ponyville, one of my traveling companions is from there.”

“Good. The six chosen by the Elements of Harmony reside there. Having a former member of the Guard watching over them is ideal.”

PART 8

All of the Royal Guard was well aware of Elements of Harmony and the six chosen ponies that could wield their power. Most knew that the chosen six lived in Ponyville. Only a few knew exactly which of the mares in that village the chosen ones were. Of course the Shieldons knew. The Captain of Princess Celestia’s personal guard would know much more that the average guard pony would not. Destrier was only in the know because he was a personal friend of the Shieldons.

“If that is a covert mission you are asking me to take on, I think I should remind you that I am retired,” Destrier said with amusement.

“Mission? Who said anything about a mission?” Lanceor said, and Destrier knew that it was exactly that. “I am just saying that having a retired guard pony there that I can trust would be an ideal situation. The chosen ones need not know that you are watching over them at all.”

“I should get going then. Would you like me send a monthly report then, sir?”

“Perhaps. Maybe send a report every six weeks or so. You should be adjusted to living in Ponyville then. I do expect you to return to Canterlot for Hearths Warming here in the pub.”

As his father and Destrier spoke about the chosen ones, Swordread had made his way over to where Charger and Eaglewing sat. He spoke to them for a short while and returned with a strange expression on his face just as his father mentioned Hearths Warming.

“We will be expecting you for Hearths Warming. It’s tradition after all.” he said, and then he shook his head and spoke with a more serious expression on his face. “Whatever you are planning to do, make sure you take the balloon to Ponyville. Don’t march them to tire the Pegasus out. I don’t think that Eaglewing shuts up; I bet he talks in his sleep. I spoke to him for what - five minutes, and I barely got a word in. I was tempted to hit him with a silencing spell, but I think that he’d try to gesture a conversation with his hooves and mouth words even if he couldn't talk.  He’ll drive you to madness if you choose to hike down the mountain. Spend the bits on yourself and Charger for the balloon. He can fly alongside.”

Swordread knew him too well, for Destrier had been thinking of doing just that. His assessment of Eaglewing was spot on, but then the white unicorn knew what to look for in trainees and could easily spot signs of trouble. He also knew that Destrier was not the most patient of ponies and Eaglewing’s constant droning on and on would wear upon his nerves.

“I think you’re right, as usual.”

“Of course I am. You forget that too often for your own good.”

Destrier chuckled and shook his head. “I will report as frequently as possible once I get settled in Ponyville, sir, and I will be back for Hearths Warming, I wouldn’t miss it. Until that time comes, farewell to you, my friends and brothers.”

With that, Destrier returned to his companions and then shepherded both Charger and Eaglewing out of the pub, nodding to the Shieldons one last time before exiting himself.