Praxilus turned over in his bed, grumbling at the commotion outside. It felt like he'd just turned in for the night, but by the sound of things half of Equestria might have been outside his dwelling. Didn't they have the decency to keep quiet until the sun rose? He shoved a pillow over his head and ignored them as best he could, quickly drifting off once more.

His door flew open and banged against the wall. He jumped at the sudden intrusion and scrambled up to a sitting position, convinced in his half-asleep state that Corvalix's assassins had finally found him.

"Gather your things immediately, we need to leave!"

A pony in full battle dress stomped into the room, followed by three others who stood in the doorway. The gears in his head slowly clicked into place as his tired mind recognized the intruder.

"Centurion Moonlight? What is the meaning of this? What's going on?"

The charcoal-coated earth pony nodded to the soldiers with him. They set about piling Praxilus' meager belongings into a cloth bag, apparently unsatisfied with his haste, or lack thereof. Moonlight was one of the few ponies he'd met who spoke fluent Whyttalia, accented though it may have been.

"There's been an evacuation order, Senator. We need to leave."

Praxilus blinked. "Evacuation? For me?"

"For the city. We don't have time to sit here and discuss this. Get dressed, we're moving out with all haste." Moonlight tossed a bundle of winter clothing at him, then left just as suddenly as he'd barged in. Confused, cold, and dreadfully tired, Praxilus quickly threw on his Equestrian garments and gave a check to his room to make sure nothing had been left behind.

The bag of valuables was shoved into his chest by a pegasus as he stepped outside. The freezing pre-dawn air was like a ripple of tiny daggers against his skin, with a biting wind that howled mercilessly through the streets that were packed with more ponies than he'd ever seen. The entirety of Marestopholous seemed to be in a state of panic, and everywhere he looked there were armored stallions directing shivering groups of ponies by flickering, whipping torchlight.

"Come with me," Moonlight ordered, not waiting for him to throw the bag over his shoulder. He scrambled to catch up and nearly had to run to stay at the ill-mannered guard's side, teeth chattering with every gust. The three guard ponies fell in formation around him, one on each flank and one to the rear. "My orders are to escort you to the southern exit. Once we arrive you'll be handed off to General Phalanx of the First Equestrian Army. What he does with you after that is none of my concern. Do you understand?"

"Yes. I-I mean...no! What exactly is going on here?" Praxilus asked, his words coming out as small puffs that quickly dissipated in the wind. Winter in Whitetail might have been cold, but this was unbearable! Between it and the clipped answers he was getting, he could feel his mood souring and had to stop himself from swearing at the centurion. Moonlight looked at him with disdain.

"The Princess has ordered a general evacuation of all civilians from Marestopholous and the surrounding area, effective immediately. She believes a prolonged siege will do nothing but cause unnecessary deaths. The entirety of Marestopholous' Equestrian Guard division is helping in the effort. With any luck this place will be home to naught but ghosts by mid morning."

Praxilus couldn't believe what he was hearing. "But there's thousands of ponies here!"

"Which is exactly why we need to hurry. The sooner I dump you off with Phalanx, the sooner I can return to helping Equestrian citizens." Moonlight had never kept his prejudice against deerkind much of a secret, typically speaking to Praxilus only in brief sentences and often with muttered swears. To his credit, he'd managed to keep himself from being outwardly hostile, and his dedication to learning how to communicate with other species, at least as a jailer, spoke to a considerable intellect hidden under that coarse exterior. "Doubtlessly there will be those who refuse to leave their homes and businesses. I will not waste time convincing them otherwise." He glanced up at Praxilus. "After all the trouble we've gone through to keep you safe, I'd better not hear that you've been found by those tree rutters, understand? If you should find yourself unable to escape from Corvalix and his thugs, it would be best if you took your own life."

Praxilus didn't answer, though the thought of plunging a dagger into his heart was not one he was eager to spend too much time on. A unicorn couple was arguing with a trio of soldiers somewhere nearby; he let himself be occupied by their voices instead, picking out words here and there that he recognized. A long line of ponies with heavy-looking bags had formed along a major cross-street, many of them with scared and confused foals at their sides. Their collective voices were sorrowful and angered as they waited to pick up small satchels of essential supplies being handed out by guards.

"Where in the world are these people supposed to go?" he asked Moonlight.

"South. We've set up a number of shelter and supply sites between here and Canterlot."

He was sure he misheard. "You can't be serious. Canterlot is a week's travel by road, at the very least. Surely there must be--"

"Look, whitetail, I just do what I'm told," Moonlight interrupted with an annoyed retort. "And right now we have to convince an entire city to up and leave in the middle of the night, in the freezing cold, on a trek that may very well cost some of these people their lives. I don't know what will become of them, and frankly I can't concern myself with anything beyond my immediate orders, else I'm liable to lose my gods-damned mind.

"The pegasi are free to leave on their own, should they so choose, but everyone else will have to hoof it. You don't like it? Tough shit. I don't like it either. Suck it up and keep moving, because the alternative is staying in an empty city to die to the redtail." He remained silent for the rest of the way, passing by throngs of shivering ponies who were being formed up into roughly company-sized groups. Their number seemed to be without end.

A large force of soldiers waited at the southern road. One of them stuck out a hoof and asked for identification. Moonlight reached into his bag and pulled out a scroll, presenting it with a salute.

"Centurion Moonlight, prisoner transfer detail."

"We go to see General Phalanx," Praxilus added in passable Equestrian. The guard looked up at him with a cocked eyebrow.

"Is that a fact? Why aren't you with the rest of the whitetail prisoners?"

"He's an important politician or some such," Moonlight answered for him. "Can you get him to the general?"

The guard nodded after he finished looking over the scroll. "You can count on us, sir."

"Good, that's what I like to hear. Gods know we have enough problems as is." He spoke to Praxilus in Whyttalia. "This is where we part ways, whitetail. Best of luck with whatever it is you plan to do after the war. I've got a lot to do, so if you have anything to request before heading out I suggest you do so now."

"Nothing I can think of. I'll be fine." With a dip of his head he switched to Equestrian and saluted with a hoof over his chest. "Thank you, may the princess watch over you."

"Yeah...same to you."

Praxilus watched them leave for a short time, then considered the guard at his side. Several others had joined him, each armed with a tall spear and shield. "I am ready," he said. With a final look over his shoulder he lamented that these ponies may never see their homes again. They cast their accusatory gazes upon him, full of scorn, and in that moment he was ashamed to be a deer.

Back and forth they scrambled, like aimless children, a rabble of fools and desperate cowards silhouetted against the descending moon. They thought they were wise to leave before the coming of dawn; perhaps they hoped to avoid the coming armies, to leave the invaders with nothing but an empty city. In their minds, no doubt, it would be a grand insult. Look here, and see that Equestria is forever one step ahead!

Corvalix smirked at the very idea. Such an empty gesture. Did they truly think to outsmart him? Equestria had been moving its citizens south for the last week, and he and his bucks had found entire villages, farmsteads and towns empty in increasing numbers. They were looted for what meager valuables remained, then simply left alone. From the few ponies they had captured who had insisted upon staying in their homes, all of Equestria was apparently under the idea that he would burn everything to the ground, as if he were some sort of monster. It was utter nonsense. Why would he burn down the very place he would soon come to rule? Homes could be repurposed for redtail use, farms could be sown with new crops. The transition to Cervidaen control would be a rapid one. All he had to do was make an example of those who resisted every now and then, perhaps set fire to their dwellings while the others watched, and his point would be made.

How odd, he mused, that Equestria was easier to bring to heel than Whitetail ever was. Once the Princess and her armies fell, the rest of the nation would bow before him.

Perhaps he should not have expected so much from a lesser race after all.

"Brother-General, sir, our scouts report the remainder of the Equestrian First Army approaching Marestopholous from the north-west. They will arrive at the city shortly," an older stag with lines of gray streaking his neck reported as a gust of wind billowed his winter garments. Flecks of snow blew against his battle-scarred armor "I also bring word from Brother-Commander Aerindel. He says his bucks are in position along the eastern flank, and are ready to strike at your word."

Corvalix stared into the darkness, picking out the forms of flying ponies darting above the city. Had they seen him? It was only a matter of time until one of them chanced a flight near the craggy ridge.

"Tell them to hold position, Brother-Captain. We are merely observers to this event."

"Yes, sir, as you say." The stag saluted and loped away with the message as Corvalix returned to his position behind a large boulder. Doubtlessly the good Brother-Commander would wonder why he had to remain idle when the battered remnants of Quillyyn Keep's one-time defenders were out there, just waiting to be finished off. As far as Corvalix was concerned, he could wonder all he liked. Eager though he was to crush Equestria's resistance, the fact remained that the further he marched inland the harder it was to obtain replacements and supplies. To that end, he had made it a policy to engage only when a swift, crushing victory was assured. He would save his bucks for the assault on Canterlot, for he knew it would be a vicious battle.

Furthermore, every pony who evacuated south was another mouth to feed. Equestria would quickly become starved for food and resources alike. Who knew? Perhaps they would welcome him, and what a strange sight that would be!

No, he would not ransack Marestopholous and slaughter its denizens. They were doing a fine job of bleeding Equestria dry all on their own. For now he would simply watch, and wait.

"So you're that senator I've heard so much about. Had enough of Whitetail's bullshit, have you? That makes two of us."

General Phalanx considered Praxilus with his good eye. He exuded an air of confidence and leadership, carrying himself proud and tall with his cloak flapping behind him in the wind. It sparkled with white and gold even in the darkness, almost mesmerizing to behold.

His soldiers, however, were a different story. Many of them wore visible bandages stained red and pink. Some were missing ears or eyes, while others hobbled along on makeshift walking sticks held against their bodies to support their weight when shattered or severed limbs could not. They stared Praxilus down with distrust or outright hatred.

He gulped back a sudden jolt of fear, hoping they would not take it upon themselves to shove a blade into his back as revenge for their grievous injuries and lost compatriots.

"Not much of a talker, are you? I'd always thought Whitetail politicians loved the sounds of their own voices," Phalanx prodded.

Though he hadn't understood everything the general had said, he was able to grasp the gist of it.

"Apology, General. Equestrian of mine is not perfect."

Phalanx snorted. "Suppose I should have expected as much." A shrill whistle caught the attention of a red-crested soldier in steel and gold armor, who galloped over and saluted. Praxilus' spirits instantly lifted as he recognized the stout earth pony. "Decanus Rockfall, I am assigning you as the personal translator and guard to Senator Praxilus of Whitetail. Is that understood?"

From the look in his eyes, Praxilus could tell this stallion was not thrilled by whatever had just been said.

"Yes, sir, as you order. Though, if I may, my squad is--"

"Your squad will be fine without you. If shit hits the wall you'll be free to join them in battle, but for now this deer is your only concern. If he so much as talks about wiping his ass I want you to translate it."

"Yes, sir."

The general trotted off to speak with a gathering of important-looking ponies, leaving Rockfall to his newly assigned task as bodyguard and minder.

Praxilus smiled. "It's good to see you again, Rockfall," he said in Whytallia, bowing his head slightly with a hoof over his chest in respect. "It is thanks to you I am still alive and in good health. Are you well?"

"I live, though I would not say I am well in mind or spirit." The tone in his voice was unmistakable, and reminded him of Caethil after the loss of his unit. Praxilus felt his heart grow heavy.

"I'm sorry to hear that, my friend. I cannot claim to know what has happened throughout Equestria and beyond since my internment within the city, but from what I understand the Cervidaens are advancing nearly unopposed. Is that why the entirety of Marestopholous is being evacuated?"

Rockfall glared at him. "We lost hundreds of good stallions trying to hold Quillyyn Keep against your 'cousins', and many more have fallen since then. So no, I would not say their advance is 'unopposed' in the least."

"Ah, I see." His ears flattened in a display of shame as he lowered his head. "My apologies, I did not mean to imply--"

"Forget it. All that matters right now is getting these people to safety. It's gonna be a long march, so if you've any issues I suggest you keep them to yourself unless it's absolutely necessary to tell General Phalanx about them."

He stayed silent for a moment, then said, "Your grasp of Whyttalia has improved quite significantly. I'm glad we are able to speak freely now. It will make translations much easier, I should hope."

"It's been increasingly useful as of late, what with whitetail civilians seeking us out for aid."

"So I imagine. You sound like you've been speaking it for years."

"Yeah...your Equestrian is still shit, though." A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, and Praxilus chuckled in return. It was good to know that Rockfall hadn't completely lost his sense of humor due to recent events.

"I make no claim to the contrary." For a brief moment he spotted the unmistakable silhouette of antlers intermixed with the main body of ponies in the distance. "Are those prisoners?"

Rockfall craned his neck to see above the crowd. "Not that lot. They're apparently fighting for us now, if you can believe it. They call themselves the Whitetail Loyalist Regiment. Just over six hundred, all told. I think they're led by a...Eralexal? Eridaius?"

"Eradaxis?" Praxilus said hopefully.

"That's it. He was the one who led a big group of civilians away from Evinwiir before the war with Cervidae began in earnest. Seems like a trustworthy sort, at least as far as you can trust a deer. No offense."

"None taken."

"Still, we're keeping an eye on them. Can't be too careful."

"I understand. Do you think General Phalanx will let me speak with him?"

Rockfall shrugged. "Hell if I know, but we can always ask." A trumpeting series of horns sounded throughout the formation as the long line of Marestopholous citizens began to stream out from the gates. "Stick close to me, Praxilus. It's going to be a long walk to Canterlot."