Far off from the confines of Canterlot's great walls, at the foot of the Bridle Ridge mountains the capital city had clung to for the last two centuries, a small collection of buildings glowed orange in the flickering light of dozens of torches, like muted flashes against the star-studded night sky. They were old, far older than the grand city towering above, their dark onyx stonework now crumbling and run through with growing mosses. Unused for countless years, little remained of their ancient glory save for a few rough-hewn walls and beaten stone paths. Once, they had held significance to passing ponies and travelers from far-off lands; now, only the Praetorians of Canterlot's standing military visited their old foundations.

In the center of the once-great courtyard a gathering of soldiers in ceremonial armor stood at attention, their numbers now a scant four dozen of a force that, until a few weeks ago, had numbered nearly eighty. They stood in rows of four across and two deep, their cloaks flowing behind them in the gusty winds. At the end of each row a pair of crested helms marked the places of honor their fallen brethren held, mementos of the lives they had lost.

Before the gathered formation, Imperator Stonewall hobbled along the stone walkway that led to a raised platform covered with golden laurels and flags of the Praetorian Guard and Equestria. His left foreleg hung uselessly at his side, a reminder of the battle that had so shaken Canterlot over two weeks prior. He supported one side of his body with a carved, ornately decorated cane; the other, with a wooden replacement that now served as his right foreleg, secured to his mangled stump with leather straps and iron buckles. For a time he stood before his gathered soldiers in silence, looking over them as a father looks over his children.

"For thirty generations we Praetorians have guarded the sovereign rulers of Equestria! For thirty generations we have fought, and bled, and died, that others may live in peace! We, the finest of our nation's military might! Yet, until a fortnight past, never had we suffered an assault on our beloved homes. In a singular moment we saw the worst equinity has to offer, a band of traitors and murderers who killed without mercy or thought, driven by a fanatical devotion to the fallen princess of the night. For three nights we battled them, rooting them out of their holes and driving them before the blade, and in the end we were victorious, just as we have always been, and just as we will always be!"

He dropped the volume of his voice, now heavy with loss.

"Our victory, sadly, came at a great cost. Thirty of our brothers lost their lives in defense of Princess Celestia, Canterlot, and its people. To the last they fought with courage and honor, often in the face of overwhelming odds, and without their sacrifice we may not have held the city when all was said and done. Of the lost, we honor first the ten who served with distinction for years, even decades, as faithful Praetorian brothers and comrades-in-arms."

A young earth pony approached the platform, cradling a purple-crested, golden helm at his side. He set it down before the Imperator, then returned to his place in the formation.

"Before the gods new and old, we honor the lives and memories of our kin. When Equestria called on them, they did not falter nor hesitate to give their lives for those they cared about. Exemplary, each of them. May they find peace in the Great Beyond, now and forever."

"Now and forever," the gathered soldiers echoed.

The earth pony returned once more, with a silver helm this time.

"We Praetorians are a proud bunch," Stonewall continued. "Few are selected, and fewer still see the day they may call themselves 'Praetorian'. Yet even an aspiring soldier can show great feats of courage and dedication. So it is with the twenty recruits who died in battle, fighting side-by-side with their seniors, each a veteran soldier in his own right. Through their actions they proved themselves to be true to the cause and to each other, and so I hereby grant them the title of Praetorian in service of Equestria. May they find peace in the Great Beyond, now and forever."

"Now and forever." The soldiers bowed their heads in reverence, offering a moment of silence and prayer for their lost brothers.

"Recruits Thunderburst, Rimeberry and Krosus, I would ask that you approach and take a knee."

Tercio and his comrades looked at each other for a moment, then fell out of formation and took their places before their commanding officer. Each of them showed lasting wounds from the battle -- Rimeberry's jagged scar down his side, still pink with mending flesh. Thunderburst's wooden leg, a near match to Stonewall's. Tercio's weakened arm and torso, both covered in deep gashes that remained wrapped in bandages under his ceremonial armor.

"The soldiers you see before you fought at my side in Princess Celestia's defense. For a time we held the throne room against a large, desperate force of traitors and fanatics, but they were too many in number. Venerin fell after a courageous final stand, allowing the rest of us time to get the Princess to safety. For this, we owe him our eternal gratitude. Morning Star, as fine a soldier as I have ever seen, was slain by an assassin's blade. Such a waste of a good stallion."

Stonewall frowned.

"A fierce fighter, this sell-sword was. Even though we outnumbered him four to one, he managed to inflict terrible wounds on all of us, and I do not know if any of us would still live if not for the bravery of the soldiers you see kneeling before you. And so, with the blessing of the Princess herself, I hereby bestow upon Decanus Thunderburst, Decanus Rimeberry, and Centurion Krosus the title of Praetorian in Celestia's service!"

One by one Tercio and the others bowed their heads, allowing Stonewall and his assistant to remove their old helms and replace them with custom-created golden replacements, topped with crests of royal purple. Matching cloaks were soon affixed to their backs and shoulders.

"You won't be needing this anymore, Krosus," Stonewall said as he folded the golden fabric of the old Royal Guard unit Tercio had not seen in months. "Congratulations, you're one of us now. I thought it would be fitting if I showed you this before you wear it." He held out the purple material, letting it unfold and sway in the wind. In the center, a red and gold silhouette of a charging bull stood out against the dark background.

"Back when Equestria was young," he explained, "the bull was a symbol of tenacity in battle and of unrelenting strength. Given your particular method of destroying the assassin, Lacertus, I'd say it's only fitting. Just don't let it go to your head. Understood?"

Tercio nodded. "Yes, sir, I'm honored. Thank you."

"Mmm. Don't think this lets you off the hook. I've still got my eye on you and your gangly limbs...but perhaps you've earned a slight bit of leeway. For now."

Stonewall stepped back, putting his wooden leg to his chest.

"Honor to the Princess!"

"Honor to the Princess," the three praetorians answered in return.

"Congratulations. You are truly brothers in battle now." He raised his voice to the assembled crowd. "A salute to our newest kin! Honor to the Princess!"

"Honor to the Princess!"

Tercio raised his head and looked out across the center, a swelling of pride and accomplishment forming a lump in his throat. Through the spilling of blood, his and his enemy's, he had earned his right to be called "Praetorian". He only wished his brother and parents could be among the crowd.

Princess Celestia sat upon her dais in the warmth of the mid-morning's sun, reading over the many scrolls and papers that had gathered there since the previous night. She had been staring at the same one for many minutes, her mind elsewhere. It was not, for once, filled with worry and dread. In truth, it was the first time since the start of the war that she felt some small sense of normal life returning to Canterlot -- the Whitetail armies were steadily being driven out of Equestria, the capitol city had been repaired, and the citizens of Equestria had shown remarkable determination in the face of such a horrific attack. They were strong in mind and spirit, no less eager to help their fellow pony. With all of the death and destruction and sadness that had swept her nation, she could hardly remember the last time she'd simply...relaxed.

"Rosewise," Celestia called out, "may I see you for a moment?"

Her assistant trotted around the corner, dressed in a ruby-colored shawl with a matching hair band.

"Yes, Princess? Can I help you?"

"Rose, when was the last time we hosted a celebratory event? Nothing too large, like a royal ball. Just something smaller."

"Oh. Hmm..." She tapped a hoof to her chin as she thought, her emerald eyes affixed on the ground. "To be honest, I can't properly remember. Four, maybe five months past? Before Princess Luna, umm..." she trailed off, not wanting to bring up such a hurtful memory.

"It's alright, you can say it. Before she was banished."

"Right. I think that may have been the last time. It was, if I recall correctly, a nice dinner for six of your guests. Senators from Whitetail, I believe."

"That sounds about right," Celestia nodded. "If only we'd known then what we know now, hmm? Regardless, I believe we're long overdue for something to take our minds off all of this."

"Of course, Princess. What did you have in mind?"

Celestia levitated a length of parchment, along with a quill and ink, from a desk at the corner of the room. She began to write, taking care to properly spell out names and make the writing legible and regal -- just as she had practiced so many times before.

"I would like you to invite these guests, please. There are not many, but I believe a small celebration will go a long way towards returning a bit of joy, and perhaps even a little hope."

Rosewise glanced over the list, making a note of each name.

"And what of this last name? It appears you've separated it from the rest."

Celestia smiled softly.

"That is someone I would like to invite prior to the main event. I believe I owe him my life. I know it's short notice, but would you be able to set up a small dinner for two? Nothing opulent, of course."

It was indeed short notice, less than twelve hours away. There would be much to order and arrange. Rosewise rolled the scroll and tucked it under a foreleg.

"Princess, in twenty-two years I have not let you down even once, and I don't intend to start now."

"Hold still, Krosus, or you're going to look like you just lost a fight with a timberwolf."

Imperator Stonewall stood on his hind legs, attempting to secure the fabric fasteners that lined the side of Tercio's off-white tunic. A vertical stripe of purple ran down each shoulder, denoting the human as a newly-christened praetorian. The fabric was a comfortable if simple dyed wool, and Tercio was thankful he wouldn't be forced to wear his ceremonial armor for the occasion.

"Apologies, sir," Tercio said as he looked himself over in a large mirror. He was clean-shaven and his hair was neatly cut to military specifications, and he approved of the cut of the tunic that now adorned his body. The tailor had done an excellent job with his unique frame.

"It's not 'sir' anymore, Krosus. You're a praetorian now, you can knock off that 'sir' shit."

"Uh, right. Sorry, sir--erm, Stonewall."

Calling his commanding officer by his name still felt odd, like a decade's worth of training was fighting back at the very thought of it. It was all so...informal.

"You'll get used to it." Stonewall tapped Tercio's waist. "Other side."

"So if we're all on a first-name basis, you don't have to address me as 'Krosus' anymore, correct?"

Stonewall grunted with a length of fabric in his teeth.

"Suppose so. Old habits die hard. Besides, sometimes you have to be reminded who's in charge here, despite the touchy-feely nonsense this first-name thing is supposed to promote. You're still Krosus to me. Best you get used to it."

"Already am...sir."

For the first time, Tercio saw Stonewall chuckle, however briefly.

"There may be hope for you yet, Krosus." He tugged at the last loop of material, swearing to himself as it refused to tie off. "Times like this I wish I was a prick-headed unicorn. All that fancy magic shit probably comes in handy."

"I wouldn't know."

"Of course you wouldn't, you're practically an earth pony yourself. Better than having your head in the clouds or buried in an arcane tome. Hokey ancient magic is no match for a good blade at your side and the strength to drive it home, if you ask me." Tercio hadn't asked, but by now he'd learned to let the old stallion have his ramblings. It meant less sweating and swearing for everyone else. "Alright, that's done. I trust you can do the rest yourself."

"I should hope so."

With his tunic neatly in place, Tercio grabbed the long toga from his storage closet and draped it over himself, leaving his right shoulder and chest uncovered to show the honorary stripe beneath it. He ran a hand down the fabric, far softer and smoother than his woolen undergarment, making sure no dust or dirt clung to him. The toga fell down to his knees, nearly to the top of his strapped leather sandals. He carried no sword or helm, not even a provision belt. His only weapon was a small blade, more of a knife than anything, strapped to his upper leg in a leather holster. Praetorians had to be armed at all times, as the ancient mandate stated, but no one was in a particular hurry to bring their swords and shields to a dinner party.

"Would you mind if I asked you a question?" Tercio prodded as he made some last-minute adjustments to his formal wear.

"That depends on the topic."

"Have you ever dined with the princess? Or any royalty?"

"I have," Stonewall said with a quick nod, "many years ago. I was invited by both of the princesses to join them for food and drink, back when I was about your rank. Maybe a bit younger. They wanted to congratulate me on my quick rise through the Guard, as well as my contributions against the wild plains-dwellers to the south. Nasty bunch, they were."

"And how was it?"

Stonewall shrugged. "It was dinner. Food was good, wine was good. To be honest I don't remember most of the two or three hours in question."

"Because you were drunk?"

"Drunk? Ha. No, not exactly. Because I spent the entire time staring at Celestia and Luna in slack-jawed reverence. At least, that's what it felt like. They tell me I was quite talkative, but I'll be damned if I can remember what I said. The one thing that stands out is just how incredibly beautiful they were. It was the first time I'd seen either of them up close. I'll never forget it." He laughed and added, "funny thing about nigh-immortal goddesses -- they don't look a day older after all those years. Shame about Luna. I always fancied her, however ridiculous the notion may have been."

Stonewall seemed lost in thought for a moment, then stood up straight and nodded sharply to Tercio.

"Right, that's enough story-telling from a grumpy old fuck like me. You have a date with the princess! Now get going, royalty doesn't like to wait."

"Thank you for your help, Stonewall," Tercio said with a slight bow. "Any advice before I head out?"

"Just remember that you represent the Praetorians when you're there. This is a singularly high honor, you need to treat it as such. Don't make yourself look like an ass, or I'll find out. Oh, and have a good time. That's an order."

"Mr. Tercio! I'm so glad to see you've made it. Please, follow me."

Tercio did as he was asked, keeping behind the polite, middle-aged mare as she led him down a series of hallways. They passed the throne room, then continued through a simple wooden door that opened to an elegant kitchen and storage area. An older stallion in an apron was waiting as Tercio rounded the corner, flanked on either side by a pair of ponies in matching outfits.

"Hello," Tercio said politely, bowing slightly in respect. "I must admit I wasn't expecting some sort of...honor guard."

The old stallion laughed with a shake of his head.

"Honor guard? No, no, nothing of the sort. I am the princess' personal cook, Silver Platter, and these are my assistants. Would I be correct in assuming you're the guest of honor for tonight?"

"Oh, sorry. Uh, yes. I was told Princess Celestia called on me."

"So it would seem. I will not delay you any longer, I simply wished to introduce myself. If there is anything -- anything at all -- that you would like us to make, by all means, let us know. We will do our best to make it happen."

Tercio thanked them and carried on, ignoring the whispers that the assistants were no-doubt using to talk about how strange he looked. After more than thirty years he'd grown used to it; it was to be expected when you were different from every other living being on the planet. At least most ponies didn't outright insult him for it.

The kitchen hallway opened into a large, circular room with a vaulted ceiling and carved limestone pillars. The last light of the setting sun peeked through the colorful frescoes that lined the walls, images of old Equestrian history forever kept in glass and bronze.

At the opposite end of the room there was a tall pair of frosted glass and wrought iron doors. Vague shapes were visible through them, and only when Tercio stepped through them did he realize where he was.

"Here we are," Rosewise said cheerfully. She offered the way forward with a hoof, and Tercio stepped out onto the terrace that hung from the side of the castle's largest tower. Immediately he was struck by the view -- he could see for countless miles all around, from the distant plains of the south to the forested northern expanses that remained mostly unexplored to this day. Banisters wrapped around the edge of the tiled terrace, topped with glittering orbs of polished amber. Throw pillows of red, gold and purple sat in small piles next to carved wooden stands that held bronze bowls overflowing with fruit. It took his breath away, the most regal place he'd ever seen.

"Hello, Tercio," Celestia's familiar voice said from just off to his right. The ruler of Equestria sat comfortably on a large cushion next to a low table, and she smiled warmly as Tercio approached.

"My Princess," he said with a salute. "It's good to see you again, under much more favorable circumstances."

"It's good to see you, too." She motioned to the opposite end of the table. "Please, sit down."

As Tercio sank into the large, obviously expensive cushion, Rosewise trotted to his side and cheerily asked what he would like to start off with.

"I...honestly could not say. I've never dined with royalty before," he laughed. "I think I shall bow to the Princess' superior judgment."

"How about a simple Zevran appetizer?" Celestia asked. Rosewise smiled and turned smartly, closing the large doors behind her as she went to relay the request to the cooks. For the second time in as many months, Tercio found himself alone with the sovereign of Equestria.

"Thank you for coming, Tercio," Celestia said. "I'm glad you could attend. I trust it was not too much of a problem to free yourself for a few hours?"

"For my Princess, I am always at the ready," Tercio answered confidently. "If you wish my company, I am more than happy to oblige. Such is a Praetorian's duty."

Celestia arched an eyebrow, then laughed quietly.

"I see you spoke with Stonewall before coming here. Would I be correct in that assumption?"

"Well..."

"I should have expected as much. I'm sure he filled your head with talk of 'upholding the honor of Equestria' and 'representing the Praetorians' and the like, but really, you needn't worry about such things here. It's okay to simply relax and drop that stuffy bearing. You're not on duty, after all, you're having a meal. I would much prefer company that's talkative and laid-back to a guard detail."

Tercio worked his jaw up and down as he tried to find the words, then gave up with a chuckle.

"My apologies, Princess. Imperator Stonewall is quite clear in his words. This transition between years of military drill and ceremony, and a much more casual attitude as of late, is taking some getting used to. I still call Stonewall 'sir'." He allowed himself to relax with a deep breath, leaning against a stack of pillows that supported his back. "I suppose our first meeting wasn't exactly an exchange of strategies between generals, was it?"

"No, I would say not. It was nice to simply talk," she answered with a smile. "So, how are you fairing? Do your wounds still bother you?"

"Thankfully not. At least, for the most part. It is occasionally still tender when I touch my ribs or my right arm, but I'd say it's naught but an annoyance at this point." Tercio glanced at Celestia's side, noticing that it showed no signs of scarring from the vicious attack she'd lived through. "And what of you? If I may ask, of course."

"I am glad to say I'm back to my healthy, pre-assassination attempt self. The apothecaries even managed to heal my scars away completely, thanks to some very dedicated ponies with an affinity for medicinal spells."

A slight breeze rustled the sheer, white and gold fabric of her formal gown and the warm, yellow shawl that hung over her shoulder and across her chest. Her mane and tail, previously faded and lacking its usual sheen, billowed gently of its own unseen wind, sparkling in the fading remnants of daylight that peeked over the mountains.

Tercio caught himself beginning to stare, and blinked himself back to reality -- hopefully before she could notice.

"Well, I am glad to hear you're doing better, Princess. And might I say, you look absolutely lovely."

She smiled back and tipped her head in his direction.

"Thank you, you're too kind. You look quite ravishing in your formal attire as well. That's a very nice toga."

"My mother made it many years ago, she would be glad to hear it," he laughed. "But yes, thank you. Truth be told, I have not worn it since my induction into the Royal Guard, nearly five years ago. It's held up nicely, I think."

Rosewise returned moments later, carrying a tray of fluffy, dark bread, a tall jug of liquid, and a small platter of some sort of wrapped leaf. She set the trays down, bowed curteously, and she was gone once more.

"Have you ever had Zevran quisine?" Celestia asked as she floated a silvery fork and knife to her tray.

"I have not, though I hear it's...it's quite good." Tercio took his own silverware and stabbed one of the dark green, oily leaf bundles. He looked at it as if it were alive, unsure of what to make of it.

"The zebras make some wonderful food. This is one of my favorites, a light appetizer that won't fill you up before the main course." She lifted a wrapped leaf off the tray, then sliced it down the middle. A thick, yellow liquid dripped out and revealed the collection of fine-grain rices and greenery contained within.

"This is k'wal'e, a kind of all-in-a-pot curry wrapped up in grape leaves. The ingredients vary, but it's always rice and assorted vegetables. It's meant to be eaten with this sweet molasses bread."

Celestia daintily sliced a piece of bread from the loaf, wrapped it around the curry mixture, and slid it into her mouth. When she didn't immediately keel over, Tercio decided to try it for himself. No matter how he tried, the bread simply would not yield to his knife. He muttered to himself, much to Celestia's amusement.

"It takes some practice. But please, don't worry about such things. It's perfectly fine to use your hooves -- or hands."

He settled for simply tearing off a piece, then cautiously took a bite. The food itself was nothing to look at, but the flavor seemed to explode in his mouth. Slightly sweet, a little spicy, with an earthy aftertaste.

"Consider me surprised," he said after he'd swallowed it down. "This is quite good."

"I thought you might like it. A visiting dignitary from the Zevran Tribal Lands brought some with him, many years back. It was one of Luna's favorites, and she's quite a picky eater. Was a picky eater, I should say." A shadow of sadness crossed Celestia's face for a brief moment, and then it was gone.

"I'm sorry, it's still quite hard sometimes," she apologized.

"There is no need to be, I would feel the same way. In your position I'm not sure I could have kept my head as high as you have. You show remarkable courage, Princess."

"I try to. Life in Equestria does not simply stop because I mourn my sister, and its citizens all have concerns of their own. It would be selfish of me to simply lock myself away from the world." She took another wrapped curry and finished it, then poured a glass of amber-colored liquid for both of them. "But, today is not a day for such things. Today is a day of celebration, in your honor." She lifted her crystal glass and held it over the table; it bobbed lightly in a field of yellow magic. "To our newest Praetorian, Tercio Krosus. May you live a good life, my friend."

"And you as well, Princess. Thank you," Terco replied, clinking his glass against hers. "And, if I may: to my brothers in battle. They will be missed."

He tipped his glass back and took a drink of the amber liquid. It was sweet and refreshing, with an alcoholic bite at the back of his throat.

"Amasec. Very good amasec, at that," he said, swirling it in his hand.

"You know your wine. I take it you're a fan?"

"Occasionally. I've really only had it a few times, but never like this."

"The best in Equestria. I'm glad you approve."

"Very much so," he laughed, downing the remainder of his drink. "May I?" He motioned to the jug.

"Be my guest."

Tercio poured a drink and sat back, cradling the glass in his hands.

"I wanted to say thank you for the beautiful cloak, while I'm thinking of it. I'm honored that you would have such a thing made for me."

"You did save my life, after all," Celestia answered, "so I thought you deserved something special for it."

"Not that I would turn such a gift down, but I was not the only one at your side that day."

"Of course. All of you were very brave, and I'm glad to have had each and every one of you protecting me, but it was you that defeated the assassin, Lacertus. What's more, even though he used that word to try and tip the scales in his favor, you retained enough control to not harm a fellow Equestrian. I can't thank you enough for what you did."

"I am glad I could do my job, Princess. Getting to talk with you over a lovely meal and some fine amasec is far more than I could have hoped for."

The double doors swung open once more, and Rosewise led a trio of ponies that held large trays on their backs. One by one they slid the food onto the table, a veritable feast for the senses. There was fruit paste and sliced cheese in a stone bowl, a pasta dish with a citrus and herb drizzle, small sandwiches of feta and cucumber, and, for the centerpiece, an entire pumpkin stuffed with a thick, hearty vegetable stew.

"My dear Silver, you have truly outdone yourself. Thank you so much for this wonderful food."

"My pleasure, Princess," the cook said. "Please, enjoy yourselves."

Tercio had never seen so much food in one place; he hardly knew where to begin.

"Any recommendations, Princess?"

"Most of this is new to me, so I really couldn't say. I suppose we'll find out together, won't we?" She smiled warmly.

"I suppose we will. Right, then. Mares first, Your Highness."

"Please, call me Celestia. It's rare I hear my own name these days."

"Very well...Celestia."

Tercio waited for her to take her choice of the food, then scooped some stew into a bowl with a few small sandwich slices on the side. It was the best stew he'd ever tasted.

"Gods have mercy," he chuckled after his first spoonful. "I do hope my mother will forgive me for saying this is far better than anything I've had in many years."

"It will be our secret," Celestia said, blowing lightly on her own portion to cool it down. "Truly magnificent. Silver Platter is the best cook I've had in ages. I can hardly even boil a potato at the best of times, I swear."

"That makes two of us."

"Speaking of which, how is your family doing? I have not had the pleasure of your parents' company for far too long, I'm afraid. I believe they were Roughshod and...Glittering Grace?"

"Glimmering Grace," Tercio corrected her. "I have not seen them since before the war began, though mother does send letters once in a while. They are well, but they worry for the safety of myself and my brother. After the attack on Canterlot she was nearly frantic with worry, but I've at least managed to reassure her that I'm okay in my own letters back." He took a long drink of his amasec, then said, "I have not told them what happened. The fighting, the loss of Venerin and Morning Star, the...change...that overcame me against Lacertus. Mother and father are getting older, and I worry that too much stress could cause undue harm."

"It sounds like you care for them very much."

"Of course. They took me in when they had no obligation to do so, some sort of...strange child though I was. I had quite a rough childhood, as you can imagine." He cast his eyes down and idly rubbed his thumb across his glass. "Children can be very cruel, as can adults. I never felt like I truly belonged in Equestria, but my adoptive parents worked their hardest to make sure I had a loving home and a warm meal to come home to every day. I owe them the world."

Tercio let out a deep breath and laughed to himself.

"My apologies, it's just something that is as clear now as it was then. I have far more fond memories than sad ones, and I'm quite thankful for that. The sad ones simply seem to be more vivid."

Celestia smiled reassuringly, but it soon became the slightest hint of a frown.

"I understand completely. I have lived a long time, and I will live many more years to come, I hope, and in those years I have seen some terrible things. Criminals, famine -- war. But the single most horrible moment of my life was being forced to banish my own sister. It will be a very, very long time before she returns..."

"I'm sorry," Tercio said. "I never got the chance to meet Princess Luna in person, but I'd always admired the both of you from afar. She seemed like a wonderful mare."

"She was. Kind, generous, beautiful...until she became corrupted by jealousy and anger. But let's not focus on the negative, hmm? I would much rather hear about the good times." Celestia set her drink down and adjusted herself against the cushion. "What of your brother? What was it like growing up with a pegasus as a human?"

"Oh, where to begin? To this day I envy his ability to fly. He's always taken good care of me and stood up for me, especially before I was tall enough to stand up for myself against the barbs and bullying that came from the other children. I am truly thankful for him. Of course, my brother and I have had our share of perilous moments in our lives, mostly thanks to our own childish curiosity when we were younger. There are far too many to tell, though one in particular stands out: the night we stole our way into a neighbor's orchard to get at his fruit trees."

Celestia floated a small serving of pasta to her plate and smiled.

"Do tell."

"Very well, though I'm sure my experiences pale in comparison with yours."

"If there's one thing I've learned over the last several hundred years, Tercio, it's that everyone has a story worth telling."

"Right. Well, this was many years ago, obviously. I was probably...twelve? Thirteen? Something like that. Even at that age I was as tall as most stallions. Anyway, we were quite bored one night, and Victus had the idea to sneak into our neighbor's farm -- Applewood, I think was his name. Of course, being young and full of more bravery than intelligence, I thought it was a great idea."

Celestia laughed. "That sounds familiar."

"So in the early hours of the morning, well before sunrise, Victus and I hopped the fence into Applewood's orchard. We must have eaten ten pounds of peaches and apples that night! They were perfectly ripe and juicy, and we spent oh, two hours or so out there just talking about colt things. You know...what we wanted to be when we grew up, the kind of mares we were going to inevitably marry and have ten kids in a large house with, things like that. It was a great time."

"I'm assuming there's an 'and then' coming up..."

"You would be right! We were having a great time, and then...Mr. Applewood decided to take a late-night stroll through the orchard."

"Oh, dear."

"That was my reaction, albeit far more surprised and with a few words of foul language! When the farmer came tromping into the field, we had nowhere to hide. We attempted to take cover behind a large apple tree, but Victus' damn tail was still sticking out like a blonde duster, and Applewood happened to see it. He called Victus to come out, but I don't think he saw me. We were scared out of our wits! At that moment, I came up with a plan that, in hindsight, could have ended very poorly had Mr. Applewood been armed."

"Which was...?"

"I decided to cover my face in and arms in mud, wait for the farmer to get near us, and then jump out and scare him. Flawless!"

Celestia giggled at the thought.

"What in the world would make you want to do that?"

"I don't know, I was a child. It seemed like a good idea at the time!"

"Did you succeed in your daring plan?" she asked between sips.

"I did! I jumped out from behind that tree, arms raised, and roared with all the fury my pre-pubescent voice could muster. The poor stallion fell backwards, and it gave us enough time to make our escape. Unfortunately, I am the only human that I know, and when Mr. Applewood realized he'd just been terrorized by a strange-looking child it wasn't difficult to make the connection. He informed our parents the next morning. I would have been upset with getting in trouble, but I was too busy being sick from eating my own body weight in peaches and apples."

They laughed together, and Tercio found it very good to relax for the first time in many days. With the orange and pink sunset, the wonderful food, and Celestia's company, he regretted that he would eventually have to go back to reality, and the grind of military life.

"So yes, that's my story. I'm sure I could think of many more, but the wine dulls my thoughts. Pleasantly so, of course."

Tercio lifted his plate to grab another helping, but Celestia was already floating it over. He thanked her and stabbed into the cheese and fruit paste, finding it just as good as everything else he'd had that night.

"It sounds like you and Victus are quite close."

"We were," he nodded. "Unfortunately, age and careers have caused us to not be in contact nearly as much as we'd like. With my service in the Praetorian Guard, and his in the Legion, we are often on opposite sides of the country. The last I'd heard from him was when he was just about to head off to fight the Whitetail near the Everfree forest. It's been several weeks since then, and I've not received word on his health. I like to hope he is simply too busy to write, but part of me cannot help but fear the worst."

"I will see if I can locate news for you, but Victus sounds like a strong stallion. You'll see each other soon, I'm sure of it."

Tercio looked towrd the distant mountains to the west -- somewhere out there, far beyond their mighty peaks, Victus was pushing the Whitetail menace back. He wished he could be in two places at once.

Sensing his mood becoming weary, Celestia quickly changed the subject.

"So tell me, Mr. Tercio, is there a mare in your life? Somepony who waits for you to return after the war has ended?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, no, nothing like that," he laughed quietly. "Most of my time is spent in the barracks or around the castle. Occasionally I'll travel down to Canterlot proper, but no, I have not exactly been a busy man in that regard. Between my job and my, ah, unique looks, it's rather hard to find someone who doesn't view me as some sort of, I don't know...adventure, I suppose? I've fancied a few mares in my time, but they always ended up breaking things off after a short while. I think they were just curious more than anything."

He gave a short, humorless laugh.

"Such is my lot in life, being an oddity in this world. My mother, gods bless her, keeps trying to arrange potential marriages with the local mares. I don't begrudge her for it, though I do think it's somewhat old-fashioned. Maybe she's right," he said, shrugging, "and I'm getting too old to not be siring a child. If I'm honest, I don't believe it's even possible for me to do so. Though I'm similar to ponies in some respects, for the most part I am as different as a bear is to a hen."

Celestia thought for a moment, then said, "I don't believe you should give up on finding somepony of your own. Even if you cannot give your mare a child, there is no reason you have to spend your days alone. I'm sure there's someone out there for you, you just have to look for her."

"Maybe," he said distantly, watching the last rays of light fade over the mountain tops. "I am thankful my job keeps me busy, else I might have too much time to dwell on such things." Tercio looked back at Celestia and cocked his head. "What about you, Princ--ah, Celestia? I have noticed there is no prince in Equestria. If you don't mind me asking, of course."

"No, it's fine," she reassured him. "It's sort of...complicated."

"How so? You're the most powerful mare on Earth, you've got hundreds of years of knowledge and experience in all manner of things, and you're incredibly beautiful, if I may be so bold. Surely you have many who call as potential suitors?"

Tercio swore he could see just a hint of a blush, though it may very well have been the soft, pink light of the sunset.

"That's very sweet of you. It's strange to discuss such a thing, but Luna and I received many letters from all over Equestria and beyond. Love-struck stallions -- sometimes even mares -- who had convinced themselves that we were 'meant to be' or 'destined by the stars' or some-such flowery poetry. Nothing ever came from them, of course. Watching over Equestria is something I take very seriously, and it occupies much of my day. With Luna no longer around, I have had to take up double duty and raise and lower the moon in addition to the sun. Such a schedule, as you can probably imagine, leaves little time for a stallion."

Tercio wasn't sure what answer he was expecting, but it seemed odd for someone in her position to be by herself for so long.

"Surely there must have been someone who caught your eye?"

"Just once, many, many years ago. I was still learning to be a princess after my mother and father passed away, and I was feeling very vulnerable. Luna tried to help, but she's younger than myself, and was rightly concerned with finishing her royal education. One day I met a charming stallion -- a unicorn -- who was visiting after the unification of the three races. He was rather plain-looking, but handsome in his own way, and he was incredibly smart. At the time he was the utmost authority on arcane magic in the land, and to this day many of his spells are commonly in use."

Celestia turned her head and focused, slowly bringing the sun below the horizon. Her horn shined like a thousand points of starlight, bathing the terrace in a warm glow.

"For some time we saw each other, though only on his visits to the old castle that now lies unused in the Everfree forest. I enjoyed his company, and he enjoyed mine, and for a while it seemed all would be well."

The moon now rose until it just peeked over the hills. Celestia closed her eyes and, with a final surge of magic, set the moon on its gradual, graceful arc through the sky.

"So what happened?" Tercio asked, downing the remainder of his glass.

"His work on the arcane arts took its toll. Magic was still very much an unknown medium back in those days, and during the autumn of that year he made a terrible mistake: he cast what turned out to be an aging spell on himself. In a matter of weeks he went from a healthy stallion in the prime of his life to a fragile shell of his former self. With Luna's help we eventually found a counter-spell, but it was far too late."

She closed her eyes and frowned deeply at the memory.

"The stallion I cared for so much had doomed himself to an early death. He lived another couple of years, too ashamed to see me again, and spent all of his time in solitude, until one day he simply...passed away."

"I'm sorry. That sounds terrible." Tercio set his glass on the table, feeling more than a little guilty for bringing up such an old wound.

"No, it's alright. It was a very long time ago. Time heals all wounds, even those that we think will never stop hurting. So it is with my dear, old Starswirl."

Tercio thought he knew the name from somewhere, but he could not place it for the life of him.

"I have not told that story to anyone in many years," she added.

"Well, thank you for trusting me enough to do so. I can only hope that I find someone I can care about as much."

"I'm sure you will. You need only search your heart."

"And Canterlot," he quipped.

"Yes, and Canterlot, I'm sure," she said with a soft smile. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to hear some more of those stories you seem to tell so well. I've no further duties until I retire for the night, and I would love to enjoy such pleasant weather as we're having. I assume you're available for a while yet?"

"For you, Celestia, I am always available."

Surprisingly, the princess reached a foreleg across the table and placed her golden shoe upon Tercio's shoulder.

"Thank you for agreeing to come by tonight, Tercio. You've been a wonderful dinner guest."

Tercio grasped her hoof in both hands and smiled.

"And thank you for inviting me. I've not had a more pleasant evening with more charming company in a very long time."

He refilled their glasses, passing one across the table, and put his arm up on a cushion.

"So, where would you like me to begin?"