Being in love with the most powerful mare in Equestria had its downsides. It was an unfortunate reality that a budding romance between a soldier and the Princess was something that, for the time being, had to be kept a secret. Tercio did not resent her for it, though he wished he could be more open around the others. In the week following their mutual admission of attraction he had not even told his own parents, much less the other guards or, gods forbid, Imperator Stonewall. Yet they still wished to see each other regularly, which meant that one unfortunate reality led to another in the form of increased night shifts. Only after the sun had set and most of the palace was asleep was he free to spend time with her.

Things had progressed slowly since the first night, something he did not mind. Celestia was a wonderful conversationalist who had no shortage of stories to tell from her many hundreds of years of experience, and he was always surprised and delighted when she enjoyed his own tales in return. Sometimes they would simply sit outside on her private balcony, wrapped in blankets, and enjoy the company of one another. She would lay her head against his shoulder and smile as he ran his fingers through her flowing mane, softer than any silk, and in those moments he truly felt at peace.

"It still does not feel real, like all of this is a dream," he said quietly, watching low clouds sweep in over the nearby mountains like a blanket of cotton against the dark, cold night.

"If this is a dream, then I do not wish to wake from it." Celestia smiled and gently kissed his cheek. It had been so long since she'd felt the warmth and joy of love, so long since the sensation of simply being with another made her head swim in a delightful fog of affection. It was intoxicating, brighter than any wine could ever hope to bring. "I feel foolish for waiting so long. I am supposed to be the steadfast leader of Equestria, always so sure of myself. Yet I denied my own feelings out of trepidation." She laughed to herself. "What would my mother say?"

"I would hope she would approve of me," Tercio said.

"I think she would. My father though...well, he was always very protective of his daughters."

"That is a father's job, after all. Mother spoils the children, and Father keeps them in line and disapproves of any potential romances. At least, that's how it was when I was growing up."

"I think your father and mine would have been great friends," she quipped.

"You're probably right. Though I think my father would be beaming with joy if he knew I was in a relationship with the Princess of the Sun herself. That, or he would have a heart attack in disbelief. One of the two."

"Good to know I can still be a status symbol after all these years," she said in a teasing tone.

"I prefer the term 'mare of social elevation'. Just think of the contacts I could make!"

"I know a very good jailer in the dungeon, perhaps I can get you two acquainted."

"Right, point taken," Tercio laughed. He laid his head against a cushion and let the cold, fresh air drift over him. "You know, after so long in the Guard I had almost forgotten what it is to have a truly casual moment with someone. Even when we were taking a meal or strolling through the garden there was a lingering sense of formality. I know it makes me a good soldier, but still...being here, with you, just like this? I haven't felt so comfortable in an age."

"I could say the same. All of the pomp, maintaining an image, it grows tiresome. It's not something you ever fully get used to. There are few in Canterlot I can truly be at ease with. Rosewise and Mended Heart have been my dear friends and assistants for years, but being with you is a closeness like I have not felt in a very long time."

"Then I hope it lasts many more years to come," Tercio said.

"As do I."

She had a softness about her, a warmth and gentleness in her caress and in her kiss. Nothing he'd experienced had even come close, and looking back on old relationships he found them to be nothing more than lust or curiosity masquerading as love. What he felt now, with Celestia, was something he could have hardly imagined.

He wished he could spend the whole night with her, but their visits were disappointingly short. "I suppose I should get back to my post. If Stonewall happens to wake up and stop by for an impromptu inspection we'll have quite a bit of explaining to do."

"And I should get some sleep," Celestia said with a sigh. "I will likely have to have someone else stand night guard for a short time so as not to arouse suspicions."

Tercio frowned. "Having to hide my feelings for you is not ideal, but I understand."

"I know, and I'm sorry it has to be this way for now. But it is only temporary, until we can figure something out. Soon we'll be free to spend as much time together as our schedules allow."

"I look forward to it, Celestia," he said, running his hand down her neck.

"As do I." She kissed him lovingly and smiled as only she could. "Before you go, there is something I wanted to show you. Consider it a surprise."

"Oh? What is it?"

Celestia stood up and motioned to her quarters.

"Come, I'll show you."

Intrigued, Tercio followed her inside, parting the sheer curtains that gently billowed in the wind, where she pulled a long, thin case from under her bed. A layer of dust hid a dark wood exterior that was decorated with carved and painted stars over a horizon of jagged mountains. Whatever it was, it was clearly valuable.

"Please, open it," she said, levitating it before him. Carefully, Tercio unlatched a pair of golden clasps and lifted the lid. A silvery sword lay in a fitted bed of dark blue velvet, so strikingly beautiful that it nearly took the breath from his lungs.

"This is -- was -- Princess Luna's personal weapon," Celestia explained. "I want you to have it."

Tercio was speechless. "I...I couldn't. This belongs to your sister. Who am I to--"

"You're a Praetorian, and a fine one at that. You're a good man. And you're the one I care for more than I can say." When Tercio still hesitated to take the sword she stepped closer and met his gaze. "Tercio, Luna will not be coming back for a very long time. When she does return, I do not know if I will be able to save her even then. I have held onto this blade because part of me still expected the thing that she has become to be nothing but a bad dream, but like many other things I had simply been lying to myself. Luna is gone, and I must accept that. This sword was created for her when she was still pure of heart and pure of mind, and it deserves to be wielded by someone who is both of those things."

He looked at her. "Pure of heart and mind? I could hardly claim to be either, Celestia. There is still a darkness that lingers within me, and I am fortunate that it has not surfaced again."

"It has not surfaced because you are stronger than it is, even if you do not fully understand it. That is why you are worthy of such a gift."

Tercio wanted to object further -- a blade of royalty, carried by a mere soldier? -- but as he cautiously reached for the weapon he felt a sense of calm overtake him, flowing from his fingers up through his arm and down his body. The sword visibly glowed with a faint, white light; the brilliance of the shining moon, reflected across its polished, silver surface. He grasped the hilt and firmly wrapped his fingers around the metallic grip of curved steel. To his amazement, it wasn't cold and hard like an unwrapped metallic grip should have been. Instead, it felt warm to the touch and seemed to conform to his hand, flexing and contracting until it felt like an extension of himself. Celestia smiled at his clear look of awe and wonder.

"Before my father passed, he had the finest blacksmith in Equestria create two swords, one for each of us. Mine was lost to the assassin's attack, but Luna's has remained untouched for several years."

"It's...amazing," Tercio said, hefting the longsword. The diamond-shaped pommel was inlaid with a sapphire that swirled with magical energy, and the shining crossguard was intricately detailed with a carved pattern of knotwork. Inscribed into the base of the blade was a glowing crescent moon with unknown symbols trailing away from it along the length of the fuller. They pulsed dark blue in a slow, subtle manner.

"It's ancient Equestrian," Celestia clarified, reading his curious expression. "It means 'Guard the night, that it may guard you.' I always thought it fitting."

"I can feel it...changing...in my hand."

"An old forging technique, reserved for only the greatest of weapons. Its steel is smelted with a very rare metal found only in the deepest of caves where magical conduits are at their strongest. I have long since forgotten its process, I'm afraid."

A flick of the wrist and the sword cut through the air with a sound like a flitting arrow, leaving a trail of rapidly fading white energy in its wake. He found it perfectly balanced, despite being more than twice as long as a standard gladius, almost as if it was made for his form. It was, he decided, the finest blade he'd ever held.

"I have never seen such a magnificent weapon in all my years. Are you truly sure you wish me to have it?"

"I can think of no one else I'd rather give it to."

"In that case, thank you. I am honored more than I can say." Tercio lifted the sword, already comfortable with its handling, as if he'd trained with it for years. "Does it have a name? Something I may use to honor the memory of your sister before her fall?"

"Nocturne."

"Nocturne, then. A good name."

"She always thought so," Celestia said, a warm smile spreading from the old memories it brought up. "Allow me to have the honor of formally presenting it to you."

A yellow glow lit the room, and Tercio's holstered gladius lifted from his belt. In its place, a longer, black sheathe of fine leather inlaid with silver latched on and fastened itself in place.

"Centurion Tercio Krosus, Praetorian of Equestria, protector of the realm and all its peoples, I, Princess Celestia, hereby present you the blade of Princess Luna, that you may wear it with pride and wield it always in good standing. As sword and soldier you are now bonded -- keep it safe, and it will see you safe in return."

Tercio saluted, crisp and formal, before relaxing and accepting Celestia's loving embrace.

"I will keep it with me always. Thank you."

Tercio was deep into an adventure story when he was interrupted by a heavy stomp on the floor. Standing beside his cot was a well-built earth pony with a dark brown coat and cropped orange mane, a loose tunic adorning his torso.

"Decanus Rimeberry," Tercio said flatly, looking over the top of his book.

"Centurion Tercio," the other returned the favor. "You are hereby invited to a night of merriment and inebriation, should you so choose."

"Should I? Hmm. I'm not sure. This novel is quite interesting."

"It means getting away from the barracks for a few hours, sir."

"'Sir'. I like that. It has a nice ring to it. Perhaps if you addressed me in such a manner more often..."

Rimeberry laughed. "Come on, you ass! A couple of the guys are going to get drunk at the caupona in town and stare at mares way out of our league. You going or what?"

"Pull my leg, why don't you?" Tercio answered with a grin. "Of course I'll go! Not like I have much else to do, eh?"

"Not unless you're particularly invested in that book of yours."

"It's average at best."

"That's what I like to hear! Grab your coin and join us, we'll be at the palace entrance."

Tercio quickly pulled on his tunic and slipped a small dagger into his thigh holster as Rimeberry trotted off. A quick peek into his coin purse revealed a decent amount, at least enough to pay for a few drinks. With no night guard duty he didn't have any other plans for the night. Briefly, he wondered what would happen if he invited the princess to go to drinking with them. The thought of a drunk Celestia made him laugh more than he knew it should have.

Moments later he was crossing over from the castle grounds to Canterlot proper. Besides himself and Rimeberry, their small group consisted of Thunderburst and Polaris -- stallions he'd served with since his first day of training for the Praetorians -- and two newer members who had proven themselves fighting the whitetail before being selected to join the private guard of Canterlot Castle: Frost Wind, a pegasus with a knack for cloud control, and Baer'barisater, the only zebra Tercio had ever seen in the Equestrian military, nevermind the Praetorian Guard itself. To Tercio's eyes the stocky soldier looked strange, though he imagined Baer'barisater thought the same of him.

Of course, there was the slight issue of no one in the Guard being able to say the zebra's name properly. As a result, over the last few weeks he'd earned the affectionate nickname of "Bear", a title that he wore with pride. Tercio knew next to nothing about him, but he was sure the zebra had some interesting stories to tell.

They chatted idly while they left the familiar confines of the palace, heading into the hub of Canterlot's commercial and social district. More than a few stares were directed at the group; having a zebra at his side was sure to draw more than usual, even by Tercio's standards. Still, no one was directly hostile or rude, and he soon came to ignore them entirely as he focused on finding the establishment that was tucked into an alley just off the main roads. A simple sign hung above the door as Polaris pointed it out, proclaiming "Banded Buzzard Inn and Drinks" in green lettering.

"Right, first round's on the new guys," Rimeberry said, ducking into the doorway and descending the short flight of stairs.

"Hope you brought a deep purse, friend," Thunderburst said to the newest Praetorians.

"We are the first to buy, yes?" Bear asked in heavily accented Equestrian. "This tradition, I am not familiar with it."

"That's because he just made it up! Now come, drinks wait for nopony. Or zebra."

Bear shot a curious look to Tercio. "Sometimes, I still do not understand Equestrians."

"You and I both," Tercio chuckled.

The Banded Buzzard was a relatively small place, with a bottom level serving as a bar and small kitchen, and the top two levels filled with rent-able rooms for weary travelers or those who had simply had too much to drink. Magical torches burned in the corners and cast multi-colored light on the customers who were seated at round, wooden tables or tucked into seats that surrounded dice boards, and pretty mares in eye-catching outfits trotted to and from the bar with trays covered in mugs, decanters and carafes. It was a comfortable if somewhat loud environment, not the type of place Tercio would have frequented on his own, but just fine for a night with those he considered to be his brothers.

"Right, lads. Bear and Frost Wind have the first round. I volunteer Tercio for the second." Polaris led them to a corner table with large seating cushions, and the newer Praetorians left to grab the first of the night's drinks. Tercio took a spot next to Rimeberry.

"I was under that assumption that I had to volunteer myself."

"Not in the Guard, my friend. Besides, it'll make you look good to the new guys."

"If that's the case, then I 'volunteer' you for the one after."

Polaris knocked him on the shoulder with a hoof.

"Now you're getting it."

There was a line for orders at the bar, with a pair of bartenders rushing about to try and take care of everyone's needs.

"So Polaris," Tercio started.

"Hmm?"

"What's the story with Bear? I've hardly seen him a handful of times since he was accepted into our ranks."

Polaris shrugged. "Not entirely sure, to be honest. I only know what he's told me: he wanted to join the Equestrian ranks because it paid more, so he did."

"There are a lot of things that pay better than military service."

"Right? The guy's a good fighter but he's about as open as Equestria's royal coffers. Stonewall might know more but he's tight-lipped as usual." Frost Wind and Bear were at the front of the line now, a pair of trays steadied on their backs for drinks to be placed upon.

"I'd rather have Frost Wind at my side," Thunderburst added.

"What, because you're both pegasuses?" Rimeberry countered.

"Pegasi, Rime. Pegasi. Would I be so wrong for saying yes? It's rare we get another pegasus in the Praetorian Guard that isn't already shackled to Celestia's sky carriage. A pair of pegasi working together is a force to be reckoned with, especially when paired with you poor lot stuck on the ground." The newer members of their group were finally on their way back, carefully stepping around ponies to avoid spilling their precious cargo. "But yeah, I guess Bear's an okay zebra. Haven't met enough to know for sure. He doesn't talk much, you know?"

"As long as he does his job he can have his privacy. We've all got our secrets."

Royal secrets, in Tercio's case.

"Gods' honest truth," he said.

Bear and Frost Wind slid their trays onto the table and passed around the wooden tankards.

"We'll start off with a bit of the finest swill Canterlot produces." Frost Wind slid the frothy mugs to Tercio, Rimeberry and Polaris, then moved over to let Bear set his drinks down next.

"And for Sir Thunderburst and Sir Frost Wind," Bear said cheerfully, "we have ciders from...some place."

"Some place?" Thunderburst asked.

"The drinks tender, he said only that it was 'better than the cheap shit you will find for the same price'. I took his word for it."

The pegasus eyed his drink. "Right...if I die, it's your fault. What are you so happy about?"

A big smile spread across Bear's face as he took the last cup into his grasp, much smaller than the others.

"They had joi'liq."

Rimeberry scratched his head. "Joy-what?"

"Joi'liq, my friend. It is rare to find it outside of Zevran or eastern Equestria."

"Zebra drink, I take it."

"Oh yes. A favorite of many of my kind."

Tercio raised his mug and held it out before him. "Less talking, more drinking. Praetoria Victor!"

"Praetoria Victor!" the others echoed as one, then knocked their drinks together and took long pulls of their alcohol of choice. The mead in Tercio's cup was slightly sweet with a sharp bite at the back of the throat, a taste he'd developed a fondness for since being introduced to it by Rimeberry. The foreign drink had become a Praetorian favorite, even if some still staunchly refused to drink anything but Equestrian alcohol.

"Lemme try that joy-lick stuff," Rimeberry said with an impatient wave of his hoof.

"Better you than us," Polaris laughed beside him.

"Your loss, Pole." The big earth pony sniffed at the drink, shrugged, and knocked back a gulp...then immediately began to cough and gasp for air, pounding his hoof on the table. "Celestia's cock! What the hell is in that?!"

"A few ingredients, mixed in the proper amounts, and reduced in a cauldron for three days." Bear grinned in self-satisfaction. The biggest member of their ranks had been brought to tears by a simple drink. "It would seem the earth pony was wrong, perhaps the zebras are truly strong..."

Rimeberry laughed despite his hacking, wheezing breaths and the sound of his comrades joking around him.

"Shit! You know what? You win this one, Bear. I'm not even gonna deny it."

"As you say," Bear answered simply.

"Tercio! You need all the hair on your chest you can get, you poor bastard. Have some of this, it'll make you sprout a coat in no time."

Tercio was not in any particular hurry to try it for himself, but he could hardly say no. Cautiously he picked up the small, ceramic cup and brought it to his mouth. It smelled like herbs, an almost tea-like scent. That scent was replaced by the burning of a miniature sun he was convinced had suddenly taken refuge in his throat and was working its way down into his stomach.

"Gods, that's foul!" he laughed, quickly chasing the Zevran liquor with his far mellower mead. "Remind me never to get in a drinking contest with you, Bear, else I may burn a hole in my innards."

Polaris knocked his hoof on his mug.

"Now that you two have fallen on that particular blade, let's get this started properly! Tercio, you're full of stories and shit in equal measure. Entertain us!"

Tercio lifted his drink and smirked.

"Where should I begin?"

He hadn't noticed her yet, too busy with his friends and colleagues to bother studying the bar. They had been drinking and eating for hours, laughing and regaling each other with tales of bravery and embarrassment. She hoped they would not be there all night; patience was not her strongest trait, though if it meant making things right in some small way she would do what it took.

The bar tender had made a decent profit from her, content to bring her juices and lightly alcoholic drinks since she'd arrived. She hid her annoyance. Overpriced and watered down, that's what they were. A far cry from her private selection. And the stallions! She had been approached so many times it had passed the point of being a compliment. Now she just brushed them away, sometimes having to raise her voice to be rid of the more persistent ones. Besides, she was in the mood for mares tonight. Ones with a little more class than the tarts who threw themselves at the first drunken soldier with a bursting coin purse. That would have to wait, though. For now she simply watched, and waited.

Another hour passed before the human got up from his seat. He said something to the others and they started to leave without him; she saw him pull a selection of bits and place them on the table, then stop and briefly talk with a stallion she didn't know. A friend, probably. A few minutes later he was headed for the door, tripping over himself once. He shook his head to try and clear the alcoholic fuzz from his mind, and that was when she fell in behind him. Clad in a typical body wrap and concealing her face with a fashionable veil, he did not take notice of her. They went onto a busy street and she struggled to follow, only able to keep him in sight thanks to his tall figure and the pleasant song he sang to himself. The street gave way to a series of smaller alleys, and once they were free of other guards she finally made her move.

"Away must I go...my darling, so dear..."

"Excuse me..."

"To battle I march...but please, do not fear..."

"Excuse me, Sir Tercio?"

Was someone actually calling to him? It couldn't have been. Surely the drinks were playing tricks.

"Sir Tercio, if I may?"

He stopped. His addled mind took a second to process that a mare was standing behind him. She was a pleasant looker with deep blue eyes, somehow familiar.

"Yes? Do you require aid?" he asked. "If you're looking for a guard I am afraid I'm off duty right now."

"I am in no danger, but thank you." The mare unwrapped her veil and pulled her vividly pink mane from under a head wrap, long and curled at the ends, a pleasing compliment to her cream-colored coat. "I was actually hoping we could talk..."

Despite his haze Tercio recognized her almost immediately.

"What do you want, Sapphire?" he grumbled. "I thought it was made quite clear that you are not to be in my presence again."

Sapphire Quill dipped her head slightly in shame, her ears flattening against her head.

"I know, I know. Look, I'm sorry about that night, okay? What I did was wrong, and you've every right to be angry with me."

"It's not just about right or wrong. How long have you been following me?"

"Hours," she said. "I was in the bar, watching you and the others."

"And how did you know I'd even be there?"

She giggled. "I have my sources."

Still the same old Sapphire, he thought in growing frustration.

"Tell your 'sources' to stay away from me. I want nothing to do with you, or have I not made that clear enough?"

"Fine, fine, it's not really so complicated as I make it out to be. I see your Praetorian friends coming here quite frequently. I knew it was just a matter of time until they brought you along."

"So you stalked me for most of the night. Congratulations. What is it you want, exactly?"

"I wanted to apologize."

"And I hear your apology. Is that it?"

"Not quite. Please, just hear me out. I won't take long."

Tercio leaned against the wall and crossed his arms.

"Fine, then. Speak and be done with it."

"I've...I've thought a lot about that night, about my actions. Even immediately following it I felt no concern. And then Tia -- Princess Celestia, rather -- came to me and made it very clear that I had done something terrible."

"And you needed her to tell you this?"

"Yes. I know it sounds ridiculous, but you must understand: I live a life of privilege, Sir Tercio. It is not often that I am told 'no'. This experience has been somewhat of a wake-up call for me. As I understand it, you chose to show mercy when she asked you what you wished to happen. I could have been banished from my home, from Equestria, but you allowed me to keep the life I have worked so hard for. Forgive me for asking, but...why?"

Tercio thought for a moment.

"Because you are still young. I am by no means an old man, but I've made some bad decisions in my time. You made some particularly poor ones, but was it worthy of losing everything you have, of ruining your life? In the end, I did not believe so. We must all learn from our mistakes."

Sapphire cast her eyes at the ground.

"Thank you. It is more than I deserve."

"Mmm. Maybe." Tercio quickly looked around to make sure they were alone. "Look...we will not be friends any time soon, but for what it's worth...I accept your apology."

"You do?" she said in disbelief.

"You are not the only one to have learned something, Sapphire. Being with--being around Celestia has taught me a good deal about forgiveness, among other things. So yes, I forgive you, but know this: if I should ever cross your path again, I will not be so kind. Now, if there's nothing else--"

"Wait," she quickly interrupted. "There is one more thing."

"Yes?"

"I've been trying to think of some way to pay you back for your kindness, and I think I've figured it out."

"I am not interested in further wine or sex, if that's what you were thinking."

"I am wounded, Sir Tercio. Is that what you think I would offer?" When he didn't answer she kicked a hoof at the ground. "Okay, fine, so I probably would offer those things to others. But that's not what I had in mind. When we were speaking in my chambers you mentioned your brother, Victus, and how you had not seen him for some time."

"And?"

"And fortunately for you, I have made many connections over the last couple of years. Some of them within the Equestrian military. I wrote a few letters and asked for a few favors, and I believe you'll be pleased with the results. Consider it my way of making up for my past transgressions."

She wrapped her silken veil loosely around her mouth once more, a smile tugging at the fabric.

"I believe your Imperator...Stonewall, is it?...will have some news for you tomorrow. No need to thank me."

"That's all you're going to tell me, isn't it?" Tercio asked as she began to trot away, her tail playfully flicking to and fro as her familiar confidence returned.

"Come now, Tercio. A lady never reveals all her secrets."