Tercio stood before Princess Celestia, wanting more than anything to simply gaze upon her with his mouth agape. She was beautiful, even more so than when he'd seen her at a distance. He'd often heard others speak of her as the ideal of the pony form, and as he took in her radiance he couldn't help but agree. Everything about her was perfect in its grace, its shape and figure, and he found himself in a momentarily trance-like state as he focused on her long, colorful mane and tail that seemed to flow with an unseen ethereal wind and sparkle with the mid-day's sun. The curves of her body, soft yet shapely, the confident and comforting gaze of her pink eyes, her--

"Tercio? Are you feeling alright?"

The princess' voice snapped him back to reality, and he quickly composed himself and cleared his throat, trying his hardest not to make it obvious.

"Uh, yes, Princess. Ahem. I am simply honored and taken aback by finally meeting the ruler of Equestria."

She offered a warm smile. Tercio thought she was likely used to such a reaction, and he wondered how many times she'd seen that same look.

"You are too kind, but please, have a seat." She motioned to a row of large pillows off to one side. Her golden, metallic shoes clacked on the marble floor as she took her place alongside Tercio, and only then did he realize just how tall she was. From her hooves to the top of her head she was just as tall as he was, a fact that surprised him greatly -- Tercio was nearly twice as tall as every intelligent creature he'd run into, with the exception of a few particularly large earth ponies who came up to the middle of his chest. The long, spiraling horn on her head made her taller than him by a bit, and he could imagine her being both intimidating and awe-inspiring to behold by any pony in the land. She was beautiful, regal, and carried herself with confidence, just as he imagined the sovereign of his nation would be.

"Tercio Krosus, our newest centurion. It has been a long time coming, has it not?"

"My promotion, you mean? I merely seek to serve Equestria by any means, my Princess, regardless of rank."

She laughed softly. "It is okay to speak freely around me, Tercio. Please, do not think of me as one of your superior officers, but rather as a friend."

"Yes, my Princess," he said said before he could even think. Years of discipline had ingrained it in him. "My apologies, it's simply a bit unexpected."

"We'll work on it." They sat down on the large pillows; Tercio had to adjust his sword belt to keep it from dragging against the floor. "Congratulations on your promotion. Your stallions spoke highly of you, and they played no small part in considering you for such a position."

"Thank you, Princess. I'm honored that so many of them considered me worthy of such praise. To be honest, I sometimes wondered how long I would be a decanus. My father reached the same rank before he left the Equestrian Guard, you see."

"I remember him. Roughshod, I believe his name was."

Surprise was plainly visible on his face. "You knew my father?"

"Briefly, yes. We talked for a short time when I was touring a Guard camp. That must have been, oh...forty years ago? How is he these days?"

"Quite well, if prone to foul moods. I forget you've lived such a long life," he said with a chuckle. "I imagine you've spoken with quite the number of soldiers over the years."

"One or two," she answered, laughing quietly.

"But yes, to answer your original question: I'm glad to be of service to Equestria as a centurion. And a Praetorian, no less. Two new titles in one day is quite unexpected, as you can imagine." He rapped his knuckles against the helmet at his side. "Royal Guard for six years, Equestrian Guard for eight before that. Sometimes, when I was younger, I'd see you and Princess Luna, and--"

He caught himself, wincing at the boundaries he felt he'd just overstepped. An almost imperceptible flash of emotion went through Celestia's eyes, but she hid it with a practiced smile.

"Ah...my apologies, Princess. I did not mean to bring up such a personal memory in your presence, especially after...."

"No, it's fine," she answered. "The memory you speak of, is it a happy one?"

"It is."

"Happy memories are how I choose to remember my sister, Tercio. Not as the thing she became. Please, continue."

"Yes, Princess, of course. I...I'd sometimes see the both of you riding in your pegasus-drawn carriage, and I'd imagine meeting you in person, but I was young and I held no real hope of such a thing. After all, what was I but another soldier?"

She smiled. "And yet, here you are."

"So it would seem. My brother and I, we would often sit out back during our visits home and watch the moon rise over the mountains. He was convinced you and your sister were nigh unapproachable." He laughed and added, "he, uh, often professed his infatuation for her." That made Celestia chuckle, and he was glad he hadn't stepped on any proverbial hooves.

"Your brother and half of Equestria, it sometimes seemed. Perhaps one day I will show you the veritable mountain of scrolls she received from admirers." Tercio didn't ask, but he imagined Celestia received just as many.

Finding his throat dry, he lifted the cap from his water flask and took a long gulp.

"Pardon me, Princess."

"No need for apologies. If you're thirsty, you need only say so. Perhaps we can get you something a little more tasteful than lukewarm water."

"Oh. That would be quite nice, thank you."

Celestia tapped her hoof against the floor three times, and an attractive young mare appeared in the doorway a moment later.

"Yes, Princess? How may I help you?"

"Primrose, would you mind fetching a pair of glasses for myself and my guest?"

"Of course, Princess Celestia. Anything in particular?"

"Juice of some kind. Surprise us."

"As you wish."

The mare disappeared back around the corner, returning a short time later with two drinks carried on a tray on her back.

"Thank you, Primrose."

"You're very welcome, Princess. Enjoy your refreshments."

Tercio grabbed a drink from the tray, swirling it around in the cup that almost seemed to be made of mother-of-pearl. A dark, purple juice met his lips and he took a cursory taste -- sweet, but not overly so.

"This is quite good," he said between sips. "Thank you, my Princess."

"You're very welcome. Opalberry juice, from the Everfree forest. It's only in season for a short time, so we make sure to stock up on it."

"To be honest, this is the first drink I've been offered since my arrival in Canterlot that isn't alcohol of some sort. I was beginning to wonder if everyone here had stomachs of iron."

"I have never been much of a drinker, mostly special occasions. A nice glass of juice helps keep my mind focused, I find."

Tercio finished his glass and set it to the side. "Princess, would you mind if I asked you a question? About my posting, I mean."

"Not at all," she said with a reassuring smile. "Ask whatever question you like."

He chewed his lip as he mulled over how to ask what was on his mind, eventually deciding to simply speak earnestly.

"My posting -- here, to the Praetorians, and as a newly-promoted Centurion -- what brought about such a decision? Surely there are members of the Royal Guard, or the Legion, who are better qualified for such an honor. Ponies who have fought in actual combat, or know the inner workings of Canterlot and its garrisons. I suppose what I'm ultimately asking is..."

"Why you?" she finished for him.

"Yes. If it's something you can share, of course. I would not want to intrude on things above my pay grade."

Celestia adjusted her position on the pillows, looking at Tercio for a moment before answering.

"It was a matter of many different factors. Welcoming someone into my personal guard is a heavy undertaking, with weeks of reviews by current and former officers, conversations with those who served under the soldier in question, disciplinary record reviews...all manner of potential criteria. You can imagine the trust that is needed for such an assignment."

He nodded. "That I can."

"With that said...yes, there are more experienced soldiers in the Royal Guard or the Legion, or even the Equestrian Guard as a whole. Yes, there are ponies who know Canterlot like their birth home. But there is something inside of you that I saw from the moment I watched you run out into that courtyard on that horrible night."

The night Luna was banished, he thought.

"Even after witnessing one of your own lose his life, you did not hesitate for a moment to do your duty and protect the palace. There is something special in your heart, Tercio." She placed a hoof over his chest. "Devotion."

"Devotion? I'm not sure I understand. We are all devoted to protecting you, Princess."

"That may be true, but I speak of more than just devotion to your duty. I've read your service history. I've spoken to your friends and your commanding officers. They all come to the same conclusion: You devote yourself -- mind, body, and heart -- fully and completely, striving to make yourself the best you can truly be, because of how different you are."

Tercio felt her words in the very depth of his being, as if he's spoken them himself.

"You are not the fastest, or the strongest. You cannot fly or perform feats of magic. But you do not give up on something once you set your mind to it. You have potential, Tercio Krosus. That is why I selected you for my personal guard."

He wasn't entirely sure what to say; he felt honored by her placing so much trust in him, but potential? He saw that in every soldier he'd ever commanded or taken orders from. He wasn't going to question such a decision, however. Not when it came directly from the princess herself.

"I...shall endeavor to fulfill that potential you see in me, Princess. I believe it may simply take some time to get used to my new posting."

"I'm sure it will. You will meet your fellow Praetorians later today; most of them are out on a training exercise outside of the city. In the mean time, please speak with Centurion Polaris, just outside the palace entrance. He'll familiarize you with the Praetorian barracks."

"Of course, Princess." Tercio stood up and brushed himself off. "I realize I may not be privy to such information, but is there any news on the war? Any victories or defeats?"

Celestia shook her head. "Nothing of importance thus far. Scouts from Cloudsdale have been relaying Whitetail positions to our forces as frequently as possible, but the Whitetail are surprisingly slow to launch a major assault for their rapid push into Equestrian lands."

"Any idea why?"

"I couldn't say. My hope is that the Whitetail senate is just making a show of force, but I'm preparing for the worst. I've spoken with representatives from Zevran, the Griffon Empire, and the Cervedaen Hegemony, asking them all for support or negotiation backing. They don't seem particularly fond of getting involved militarily, and I can't say I blame them too much. We have not seen a war in our lands for hundreds of years. And now this happens..."

"Well whatever may come, Princess, I stand ready to defend both you and my country from aggression. No matter the cost."

"Thank you," she said with a light smile. "But I have kept you for too long, and no doubt you have personal effects to attend to. If you have any questions, Legatus Stonewall will be your immediate commanding officer. He's a good stallion, if a little...rough at times."

"So I've noticed." Tercio placed a fist over his chest and bowed in a salute. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Princess Celestia. Thank you for your time and your company. Oh, and the drink, lest I forget." He laughed nervously and added, "and here I thought I would never even get the chance to see you in person. I am greatly honored."

"The pleasure was all mine," she answered with a bow of her own. "Perhaps we will speak again soon."

"I would like that very much."

With that, he turned smartly in place and walked out, through the double doors and past the sentries, down the great entrance hall and around the glistening foyer that marked the entrance to the palace's inner chambers. He felt rejuvinated, relaxed -- for all his worries and doubts, he had encountered no more issue speaking with the ruler of Equestria than he would have had with any other citizen. Less, in fact. Something about her presence made him feel alive.

He hoped it wouldn't be the last time they met.

Victus drew his sword from its sheathe, clutching it tightly in his mouth. He was focused intently on his opponent who had done the same. Both of them stood in place, daring the other to make the first move. A few seconds was all it would take to decide the battle -- strike, counter-strike, death blow. Quick, practiced, deadly. His opponent struck first, splaying his wings open in an attempt to distract Victus' eyes, but the Legionary knew better than to fall for such a simple trick. He parried the first swing of the enemy's gladius, feeling the clash of metal on metal reverberate through the sword and into his mouth, then down his body. A second strike came in, and Victus sidestepped it and answered the attack with his own thrust into the side of the neck, stabbing hard and decisively.

"Ow! Alright, alright, I give! Goddesses, Victus, that thing hurts."

The young legionary dropped his training sword and rubbed his neck with a hoof.

"Oh stop being a child, Nimbus. You're lucky they're blunted, or you'd be bleeding out right now."

"At least if bled out I wouldn't have to listen to your incessant nonsense, you cocky bastard."

"True enough." Victus chuckled and tucked his sword back into its scabbard, taking a moment to watch the others doing their own combat drills. They practiced in pairs and small groups, all under the watchful eyes of the legatus and his centurions. An earth pony came running up to the legatus at speed, stopping in a cloud of dust as he saluted and presented a scroll from his saddlebags.

"Wonder what's going on there," Nimbus said, motioning to the officers.

"No idea. Looks important, though."

"Hmm. Maybe they're reassigning you to latrine duty."

"Only in your dreams, my friend. And if you do have such dreams, do us both a favor and keep them to yourself."

"No promises."

The messenger saluted once more and headed for a tent while the officers talked in a large circle. Whatever they were talking about, they seemed highly animated about it.

"Something tells me this isn't good."

"Yeah..."

The legatus raised a hoof in the air and whistled loud enough to be heard over the noise of weapon training.

"Attention, legionaries! Cease your training and gather round immediately!"

Victus swore to himself. "Just once I'd like to be wrong about bad news."

The entirety of the 44th Legion was soon assembled, numbering nearly a thousand strong. They talked idly to each other and speculated, as soldiers are wont to do, but no one seemed to know for sure what was going on. The legatus stepped onto a small platform to better be seen by the masses.

"Everyone listen up! I have just received word from our scouts in Cloudsdale: Whitetail forces have attacked Witherfell en masse. Reports are mixed but the number varies from two thousand to twenty-five hundred deer, at least as far as we can tell." There was a murmur of shock and anger that only settled down when the legatus raised his hoof again. "At this time we aren't sure of how many civilians made it out, but what we do know is that the Equestrian Guard unit stationed in that area has been nearly wiped out."

"Why didn't we have more forces in the area?!" someone shouted.

"Because we weren't expecting the deer to push north-east. Our assumption was that they would push south-east, along the river White Shoals, but we underestimated the deer and their ability to traverse rough terrain. And you would be wise to watch your tongue, legionary."

Victus leaned in and spoke just above a whisper to his comrade.

"Witherfell? I've never heard of the place."

"Farming community, maybe four hundred ponies. We used to visit there when I was a colt."

"Close?"

"Thirty leagues, give or take. No more than four days' march from here. Less, if you don't stop for rest."

"Shit..."

The legatus looked over his scroll once more and motioned to the crowd.

"This is the first serious act of aggression by the Whitetail, and you can be sure it won't be the last. Attacking a village so close to a major outpost -- ours, if you're wondering -- is quite the bold act. The tree-rutting deer want our land, and by the Goddesses, we'll make them pay for every inch they take. That said, we will not be moving out immediately."

More commotion by the gathered legionaries, shouts calling for immediate revenge.

"Silence! You're soldiers, damnit, act like it!" Silence filled the outpost once more. "Good. Now, there is a good reason for our delay. I want to get out there and carve up those sons of whores as much as you do, but we are not ready. Not yet. The deerfolk are like no enemy we've faced before, and so your combat drills are going to be led by a new adviser."

A figure stepped out from the tent behind the legatus, altogether unfamiliar and foreign. It stood on four legs, but two of them were thin and bird-like. Its body was divided into two distinct halves, with the chest and head covered in a plumage of white, blue-tipped feathers and the beak of an eagle, and the waist and hind legs of a dark-brown lion. A long, thin tail swished the air behind it. The gathered soldiers let out a collective gasp.

"Allow me to introduce Battle-Master Gilias, of the Imperial Griffon Skyguard."

Nimbus prodded Victus with a hoof. "That's a griffon? I...I've never seen one before! Goddesses, look at it!"

"Battle-Master Gilias has flown in all the way from the Griffon Empire to be here today. She has first-hand experience with the deer and their fighting style."

"She?"

Someone in the crowd yelled out after the announcement.

"What do you mean, 'she'? You expect us to take orders from a damned woman?!"

Gilias was fast. Nearly as soon as the words had left the legionary's mouth she was in the air with a single, powerful flap of her wings. The griffon dove down through the rapidly parting crowd, knocking aside a pair of unicorns as she landed on the pony who had dared to question her, sending him sliding across the ground on his back. A sharp, curved blade was stuck against his throat before he could even react.

"If you wish to keep your innards within your body, Equestrian, then I suggest you keep your fucking mouth shut." She pressed the blade into his neck just hard enough to draw a trickle of blood. "Do I make myself clear?" The legionary sheepishly let out a 'yes' and, just as fast as she had attacked, Gilias withdrew back to her spot beneath the platform.

Victus, along with the entirety of the 44th Legion, stood in stunned silence. Whoever this...griffon...was, she was damn good. The legatus spoke up once his newest adviser had resumed her position.

"I trust there will be no more outbursts? No? A wise decision. Battle-Master Gilias is here on unofficial terms; that is to say, she does not have the backing of the Griffon Empire or its military. Not as far as politics and formality is concerned, anyway. No, she is here as an adviser because of the simple fact that the griffons have decided to maintain an official stance of neutrality in this conflict. However, they know as well as we do that the loss of territory to the Whitetail military will only lead to reduced trade with Equestria, and a stronger deer presence along their southern borders. Thus, Battle-Master Gilias is only here to observe as a neutral party. And if she just so happens to be training, say, the 44th Legion in deer-crushing tactics, well...that's entirely under plausible deniability. But perhaps you'd do better to hear from the griffon herself."

Gilias stepped forward with a blade clutched in her claw-hand. If there was any doubts as to her legitimacy as a soldier, they'd already been shattered. She'd seen to that.

"Pay attention, because I'm only going to go over this once! As your commander said, I am Battle-Master Gilias, commanding officer of the Fourth Imperial Skyguard, Ker'rat Company. For the last twenty-two years I have served the Holy Emperor and all He surveys. I have fought in Cervedae, Saddle Arabia, Zevran, and the Great Expanse. If there is a sentient being out there, I have most likely fought and killed it."

She began to pace back and forth in front of the gathered ponies. Not one of them said a word.

"Your commander, Legatus Lentius, personally approached me and asked that I be of assistance in your rapidly-evolving war with the Whitetail. I accepted, on the condition that I be placed with the closest thing you ponies have to an elite fighting force. Thus, here I am." She sneered at the pony who had called her out. "Though if this is the level of discipline I can expect, this is going to be a very short war. I can only hope you prove me wrong."

She paused for a moment, looking out over the crowd.

"You may think you know the deer, but you have no idea. They are not like any enemy you have ever fought. Considering the last time you dirt-humping Equestrians faced a bigger threat than some scum-sucking bandits was several hundred years ago, you're going into this war completely unprepared. As the spearhead of the Equestrian military, it is up to you to make sure that those fucking antler-scraping deer don't run your asses into the ground."

A hoof stuck up from someone near Victus.

"What do you want, Equestrian?"

"Hasn't the Griffon Empire been at peace for just as long?"

Gilias actually smiled; it reminded Victus of a hydra about to devour its victim.

"You know what, Equestrian? I'm glad you asked that. Have we been at peace just like you ponies? If you believe everything you hear, sure. But conflicts are not always black-and-white. The Empire must maintain its place of power in the mountains, and any who threaten that power are dealt with. Harshly. Countless shadow wars have sprung up over the years, and yours truly has fought in most of them. You'll never read about them in history scrolls, but trust me: They're there. You just have to look."

The griffon stood up on her powerful, lion-like hind legs and drew a second curved blade from the opposite side of her body. As she did so, jagged, pink scars became visible across much of her chest and around her wings. She struck a menacing figure, easily twice as tall as the largest pony around, with strong muscles apparent throughout her body.

"So when I say I can teach you how to fight the deer, I damn-well fucking mean it. We're going to train hard. Damn hard. And by the end of the week, I guarantee each and every one of you will be a deer-slaughtering legionary motherfucker with a raging hard-on for Whitetail blood!"

She stopped and grinned with the same, predatory look on her face.

"That, or you'll be dead."