"Portenius, Plowshare, you're next. I want to see good, clean strikes." The two stallions saluted each other and stepped into the sparring ring, then drew their weapons. Tercio watched them with a judging eye, looking for any sign of poor form or slight lapses in concentration that might very well get them killed in the heat of combat. "Keep your stance squared, Plowshare. The deer like to knock us off balance with quick bursts of magic before going in for the kill. Keep that in mind at all times."

The two Praetorian hopefuls had come a long way from their first days of training, a compliment that could be said of most of the recruits who had not washed out. Out of a starting roster of thirty stallions, fourteen had given up or had been kicked out for lack of performance over the last several weeks. They would return to their old units while the sixteen remaining would be assigned to their temporary barracks at the end of the day. Their trial by fire would come soon after, with the newest recruits serving as reserves for the main Praetorian force.

"Don't turn your head so much when you strike, Portly," Rimeberry warned, stomping for emphasis. The unfortunate nickname had been given to Portenius early on due to an incident involving a poor sense of timing and an unfortunate decision to attempt to sneak a bit of honeyed bread from the kitchen. To his credit, Portenius thought the name amusing and openly embraced it. It was a mild jab at best; Tercio remembered being called some variation of "monkey" or "ape" many, many times during his training under Stonewall.

"Decanus Rimeberry, if you would watch the rabble for a moment? I must attend to something," Tercio said over the clash of sword and shield. Rimeberry nodded and took his place as he stepped away, heading for the entrance to the castle's training armory. Cold air whipped at his legs and face. A full day of combat sparring and formation movement drilling was on the list, and the already strenuous day was doubtlessly going to be made that much more trying when everyone was shaken by wind chills.

A crackling fire was a welcome sight. It warmed him as he entered the armory, where row upon row of training weapons and shields gleamed in all of their worn glory. He reached for a long sword, a weapon typically carried by unicorns who didn't have to mouth-hold a weapon or strap one to their forelegs. It fit in his hand quite comfortably, if imperfectly. A few swings confirmed that it was suitable for his needs, and he tucked it into the ring holster at his side.

"It is no magical blade, my friend, but it fits you." Tercio swung around with a start to find Bear standing mere steps behind him, a knowing grin on his face. "If I were a deer you would be in an unfortunate situation right now."

"Well I'll be damned. Look who shows up just in time to join us." Tercio struck out his fist and bumped it against Bear's hoof. "Welcome back. Get bored of the easy life away from the Praetorian Guard, did you?"

Bear chuckled. "Not exactly, but I will explain in due time. Polaris said you were in the sparring court and I thought I would come by and offer my greetings after my absence."

"Well it's good to see you again. Ready to get out of those civilian clothes and back into your cuirass?"

"Soon, yes." He lifted his necklace of deep garnet stones, polished wood beads and fire-red feathers with a hoof, a small totem of his tribe's protector spirit dangling from the center. "There is much you are unaware of, my human konae'sa. Outside of these walls, events have transpired that will determine the fate of entire peoples. I am afraid I have not been entirely forthcoming with my purposes within the Equestrian military. I did not leave because of a Zevran tradition or celebration, but rather, because I do not want to see all of you suffer."

Tercio cocked his head at the statement. Zebras were known to be somewhat mysterious in their ways, and Bear was no exception. "What do you mean? Are we in immediate danger?"

"Not as of this moment, no. It is difficult to put into words. I have been absent for these long weeks attempting to change fate itself, grandiose though that may sound. There is a stag, a good stag, who has helped me along the way. It is because of him that the forces of Zevran have mobilized for the first time in many seasons," Bear said. "I apologize if this seems confusing, but my journey has been arduous and I admit to no small amount of weariness. I believe all will become clear with the new day.

"For now I need to return to my Elder and speak with him about the princess' words, but I wanted to come and let you know I have returned before I do so." Bear drew a spiral over his chest with his hoof. "It is good to see you are in good health, Tercio. I will return at my earliest convenience, for I am sworn to protect the princess above all else." He took a deep breath and trotted past. "I only hope she will forgive me for my falsehoods."

General Stonewall sat at a low table with half a dozen other high-ranking officers representing the four branches of Equestria's military, poring over scrolls that had come in during the impossibly hectic day. More continued to arrive even now, delivered by runners or willed into existence by skilled unicorns. It had been hours since General Phalanx had convened the meeting and it would likely be hours more before they were done. Everyone was tired, mentally and physically, from the strain of overseeing the coming of the largest military action in Equestria's history. Even the battle of Whitetail Wood couldn't hold a candle to the supplies, personnel and know-how required to defend the capital.

General Phalanx ran his hoof over the map, drawing a line from Canterlot up through Marestopholous and further on to the border. "Latest estimates put the number of deer at around thirty thousand. They're mostly redtail, unsurprisingly, but there's been a steady stream of whitetail trickling in from the north, likely unskilled conscripts judging by their equipment. Looks like we're not the only ones dredging up anyone who can hold a sword."

Stonewall let out a low whistle. "That's a hell of a lot of bodies to throw at our defenses. At this point they could win just by sheer weight of numbers."

"That's certain to be part of their plan, though I doubt they'll cast that many of their own into the fray without some kind of assurance. The deer are far more nuanced than we give them credit for."

"They only have one way in: from the Coriander Road," General Septimus of the Royal Guard added. "A head-on attack is their only option, especially now that we have the zebras watching any and all access points into the valley from the east. We would have noticed a large force heading that way days ago. At this point we can safely assume the western entrance is the one they'll be focusing on."

"What's our status in regards to Royal Guard bombardment ability? Can our catapults even reach that far?" Phalanx asked.

"Just barely. We've modified them to withstand heavier strain from the thicker rope coils we'll be using, but I can't guarantee they'll hold together for as long as we need them to. They were never designed to lob a stone ball so far, even with the range advantage we'll have from placing them along the rim of the city."

"We don't need them to last forever, just long enough to make an impact on the enemy's lines. Do what you can."

"Of course."

"What about the Praetorian Guard? Do you have a plan of action, Stonewall?"

Stonewall rubbed his chin with a hoof. "I believe so. It is my belief that Princess Celestia will attempt to speak with either Corvalix or Elinwynn before the battle. She knows there is little chance of negotiating peace, but the attempt must be made regardless. If that is the case, our entire Praetorian contingent will act as a screening force via sky carriages. After that, we will return to the castle and assume the roll of a secondary force should the Royal Guard require assistance. Protection of the princess is above all else, of course.

"We will also assist in overseeing the civilians into the mountain shelter tunnels. I've already tasked 2nd and 5th Barracks with making sure everyone is safe. It's not a flawless plan, but it's the best we can do."

"I see," Phalanx said as he considered Stonewall's words. "And what of the princess? After she returns to the castle, that is. Are you able to secret her away somewhere?"

"We've got some places planned out, depending on the situation, but the usual route -- the path under the dais leading to the crystalline cave -- is already known to Elinwynn, seeing as how we now know she was the one who told the assassin about it. The cave will not be our first choice, but we are not ruling it out. It is still difficult to reach without wings or teleportation magic, after all."

"Fair enough. Let us hope we don't have to put those plans into action, but be prepared to do so." Phalanx picked up one of the new unit markers that had been placed on the map table, a striped spiral. Several of them had been added since the unexpected aid from Zevran had shown up. "That leaves the zebras. I spoke with Elder Mwolan'e's senior-most officer, a stallion by the name of Mzembu, and he assures me that his forces will be ready when we need them. They've split their forces into a main body of Ambin'aa regulars and Nan'shakaa elites. Not sure if I'm pronouncing those right...

"The elites are analogous to a combination of our Royal Guard and Praetorian branches, and I'm assured they can fight hard and decisively. Mzembu is leaving it up to me to decide where to use them best. I'm thinking of keeping them along the Coriander Road, but I'm open to suggestions. The regulars will join the bulk of our army at the entrance to the valley. Any questions?"

"I've got one," Stonewall said. "Can the zebras contribute any sort of magical support? Is that even a thing for them?"

"Apparently so, though it's far different from our unicorns casting spells or pegasi affecting the clouds. Something about magical potions or brews. I haven't seen it in action myself, though. I suppose we'll see, won't we?"

Legatus Mountain Spring tapped a hoof on the table. He was one of the younger stallions in attendance, but his actions during the attack on Canterlot had propelled him through the ranks and earned him the position of second in command for the Royal Guard. His scarred face and stump of a left ear spoke to his dedication to Equestria far more than his words ever could.

"Speaking of the pegasi, I've managed to form a sizable group of our finest fliers taken from across the various branches. The defense of the city will require us to pull out all the stops, and that is exactly what we intend to do. With your permission and approval, Generals, I would like to personally lead them into battle."

Phalanx turned to the senior Royal Guard officer.

"Septimus, this is your call. What say you?"

"I don't see why not," Septimus said. "How many pegasi are we talking about, exactly?"

"At least two hundred, sir," Mountain Spring answered confidently. "We've been training in the mountains for weeks now, albeit after our regular hours."

"As long as you promise not to die before you take out ten deer for every one of you, you can do as you damn well please, Legatus."

"Thank you, sir. We'll stick with the Royal Guard cohort until the time is right to break off."

"Anyone else?" Phalanx asked. A middle-aged unicorn wearing the crimson red of the Legion raised his hoof.

"There is one more thing, sir. The Whitetail Loyalists, as they're calling themselves. Are you sure we can trust them to take up arms and fight against their former countrymen?" The roughly 500 volunteer deerfolk had certainly been enthusiastic about 'taking their homes back', but at the end of the day they were still deer. Nobody was truly sure what to expect from them.

"So far they've been steadfast in their cause and dedicated in their training. A stag by the name of Eradaxis has been helping them out and getting them ready; I think he was a Standard-Commander back in Evinwiir. His bucks are from all over Whitetail but the majority of them were there to see Corvalix's barbarism first-hoof in the capital.

"Obviously it's taken them some time to get used to using Equestrian armor and weapons, but I think they'll be able to hold their own. We'll be keeping them on a tight leash just in case."

"Yes, sir. The Legion stands with you."

"I know you do, son. Any other concerns before we adjourn? No? Alright, looks like that's it, then. All in all, lads, we're looking at just over twelve thousand of our own, including conscripts and foreign fighters. Needless to say, we're going to have to make the deer pay for every inch of ground. Equestria has never faced such a large force, and certainly never one within spitting distance of the castle grounds. If the prick-headed tree rutters want to take our land, then by the gods we're going to make them pay one hell of a blood toll! Honor to the Princess!"

"Honor to the Princess!" the others echoed, saluting with hooves over their chests.

"And honor to Equestria. We'll meet back here at sundown for one last session. Get plenty of sleep and eat hearty, for tomorrow we push those fuckers all the way back to Cervidae! Hah-ooh!"

Canterlot Castle was a place that held many treasures from throughout Equestria's storied past, from colorful frescoes and paintings of beloved ponies to beautiful and detailed carvings made of stone, marble and bronze. One could spend a lifetime appreciating their grandeur, a testament to the talent and dedication of ponykind.

Of all its wonders, Celestia considered the Hall of History to be the crowning achievement of the royal artists. Everything about its design inspired awe and a childlike wonder in those who gazed upon it for the first time. Step into its polished expanse and one would be greeted with its timeless, classical architecture of chiseled columns and a high, arched ceiling that shone with thousands of points of magical light, a faithful recreation of the night sky visible on even the brightest of days. Proceed down the hallway, toward the large double doors emblazoned with the twin crests of the sun and moon, and the entire history of Equestria would be laid out along the western wall. Here could be found the intricate stained glass mosaics that continued to tell a tale long after their creators had passed on. From the arrival of King Argo Navis and Queen Aurora, to the uniting of the three pony nations, and all points in between. Some spoke of sorrow and dread, images of warfare and bloodshed between warring factions, while others inspired hope and optimism for the newly united kingdom of Equestria.

Celestia passed by each of them in turn, gazing up at the beautiful works of art that cast their vivid colors across her in soft, dappled light and the warmth of the setting sun. It was here that she felt the weight of the past upon her, a strange contradiction of comfort and worry that she could not have put into words. The hall had survived the trials and tribulations of time, even after being damaged in the attack on Canterlot, and in a way it gave her a confidence that no brash generals or aides speaking in flowery prose could hope to approach. She hoped it would remain untouched by the deer and their unjustified war.

Down the hallway and past the guarded entrance she turned into the bedchamber wing, stopping to grab a candelabra from a corner table. She paused in front of the oaken door just beyond, if only for a moment, then pushed her way through. Candle light illuminated the darkness, casting its gentle glow on mosaic portraits and trinkets of the past.

"Hello, Luna," she said to the empty room, setting the candles down on a dresser that had been faded and worn by time and use. Motes of dust floated around her as she sat on the dark blue bedspread. It had been more than a month since she'd last stepped hoof inside, and longer still since she'd had the room cleaned. After the attack on Canterlot by those claiming to be her sister's followers she had found a new appreciation for keeping it tidy, at least for a time, as a way of keeping the hope of Luna's return alive. She knew it was foolish to think such a thing, but sometimes it was the only thing keeping her from spiraling into the deep depression she'd felt after the banishment.

Celestia tugged open the curtains from the room's small window -- Luna had never been much of a day pony -- to let the fading sunlight in. Hues of amber and orange spilled over the dark brown furniture and brought a modicum of warmth into the otherwise cold room.

"Luna, it's time to wake up." She could still picture herself prodding Luna with her hoof, trying to wake her without aggravating her sometimes snappy demeanor.

"'Tis nary a star in the sky, leave us to our beauty rest," Luna would protest, inevitably having to have the covers yanked off her with a shout of protest and the occasional colorful word. She'd always had a bad habit of staying up later than she should have.

"I doubt anypony would accuse you of needing beauty rest. Come, it's time to raise the moon." Often her answer would be a pillow either being thrown in her direction or shoved over Luna's head. "Now, Luna."

"Thou art insufferable, sister."

She laughed at the memory that was, thankfully, still fresh in her mind. "Three hundred years is a long time to remain stubborn," she said out loud. "One day we'll break you of that habit, I'm sure of it."

She sat in silence for a short time, fondly reminiscing about their journey across the centuries. It had been multiple lifetimes worth, an unthinkable stretch of time for most ponies, yet it now seemed to have passed so quickly. What she wouldn't have given to go back and be a filly again, exploring the old castle in the Everfree forest with her sister and looking upon the half-completed Canterlot with a sense of wonder that could only come from the innocence of childhood.

Tears welled in her eyes and she wiped them away. "I'm going to be here all night at this rate." Standing up again she approached the far wall that had been partially covered by crates and satchels of supplies, a necessary part of stocking up for a possible prolonged siege. She moved them aside one at a time until she could see a small indentation marked with the shape of a long lance with a crescent blade. Pressing the tip of her horn against it, she uttered a few quiet words and focused her magic. There was a quiet 'click', then a soft chiming as the barrier spell waned to reveal the outline of a door.

Inside the hidden storage closet sat two trunks decorated with old Equestrian writing and delicate jewel work that glittered as she dragged the right-most one into the room. A deep exhale of relief; she'd forgotten how heavy it was. Along the rim of the lid, carved into the woodwork and finished in gold leaf, was an inscription that had faded only slightly with time: For the Princess of the Sun, first of Royal Blood, on the centennial of Her birth.

Celestia unlocked the latch and lifted the lid back. Within its padded walls, exactly as she'd left it, was a set of glimmering golden armor. Painful memories welled to the surface, those of death and destruction at the uncaring hands of the second human and his deer masters. Flashes of desperate combat interlaced with strange moments of clear thought, scattershot in their--

"Princess?"

"Oh!" She jumped at the sudden interruption, scrambling to close the trunk as she turned to face the unexpected company. "I'm sorry, I was just--" Tercio stood in the doorway, looking as if he'd just committed some great breach of privacy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude. If you prefer I come back later..."

Celestia let out a breath she suddenly realized she'd been holding. "No no, it's fine. You gave me quite the start, that's all. Do you have need of me?"

He shook his head. "No, nothing official. I wanted to come by and see how you were doing. One of the guards said you were in here."

Her spirits lifted at the thought. "In that case, please, come in. Shut the door behind you, if you would."

Tercio did as he was asked, closing it quietly before embracing her and sharing a loving kiss. "It's good to see you again, carissima. I was hoping you would be available, for it has been an arduous day to say the least. The thought of you is sweeter than any wine and twice as intoxicating."

"That's so sweet of you," she said. "Did you come up with that yourself?"

He hesitated before answering. "Not exactly, I heard it in a play once," he admitted with a laugh. Celestia giggled and kissed him once more.

"Well it's the thought that counts, I suppose. I had planned on calling on you some time ago, but things have been, well...I don't really need to say anything, I'm sure. I'm glad you decided to visit, my love."

"As am I. You seemed quite lost within yourself, I do hope I wasn't interrupting."

"I'd say it was less of an interruption and more of a relief." Celestia hefted the lid once more, the latch clattering. "I had just pulled this out, and for a moment it brought me back to a time I'd rather forget."

"Is this...your armor? From the memory you shared?" Tercio ran his hand over the shining plates, each piece so familiar despite having never seen it for himself.

"The same. I have not worn it in a very long time."

The detail work on every inch was exceptional. Flawless gold plating covered the finest Equestrian steel, forged into all manner of sturdy protection from her knees to the base of her horn. The largest piece, made of segmented strips meant to cover the torso, had the letters "EQ" flanked by stalks of wheat carved into each side. As he looked closer he could see a background of an ornate mountain range that gave way to a forest and a winding stream that spilled into a glittering sea.

He lifted a pair of shoulder pauldrons, finding them lighter than they appeared. Each one had been shaped to resemble a mighty phoenix with its wings spread out in attack and flames wreathing its body. In its talons it held a spear and an olive branch, traditional symbols of might and prosperity.

"I have never seen such craftsmanship. Was this a gift from your father?"

"I'm afraid not. He'd passed into the Great Beyond several years before. A smith by the name of Alabresius Pontius created matching sets for Luna and I for the one-hundredth anniversary of our births. Hers came later, of course." She pointed to the underside of the lid, where old Equestrian symbols had been chiseled into the woodwork. "I am thankful that he chose to sign his work, else I fear I would have forgotten his name after all these years like so many countless others. Even after being repaired it has retained its luster -- a testament to his skill and dedication."

She watched him turn one of the pauldrons over. In those striking eyes she had seen the same potential for mindless slaughter that the deer had so ingrained in Secundus, a dark power that had threatened to corrupt Tercio from the inside like a disease. That a single word of deertongue could set him off so had been a terrible revelation, the culmination of three decades of fear. The animalistic determination as he tried to reach for her in the throne room had been one of the most horrific moments of her life, and in that moment she could hear Luna's warning pounding in her head.

"He is dangerous, Sister."

And yet, somehow, he had found it within himself to overcome the twisting, vile magic. He had stared into the face of the abyss and returned by some great miracle. Tercio was a good man, a strong man in mind and stature with a selfless heart. Those same eyes now spoke of love and sincerity, despite the best attempts by the deer.

Luna had been wrong. She had seen the opportunity at a life worth living taken from Secundus, and she would have given up her crown before she let the same thing happen again.

"Tercio...I want you to promise me something."

He set the armor back into the chest and turned to her. "Of course. I would do anything you ask of me."

Celestia hesitated, having to force herself to say the words. "Do not let me be taken alive. If it should come to it, I will not let myself be captured and paraded as a war trophy. I would rather die first."

"Do not say such a thing," he insisted, taking her hoof in his hands. "I am prepared to give my life for you! We all are! Is that not our very vow?"

"I know. I would never ask such a thing of you if I did not mean it." Her voice trembled at the very idea, try though she might to remain steadfast.

"I would go to the ends of the earth if you so wished it, but you cannot ask me to plunge my blade into the heart of the mare I love more than anything else in this world." His hand gently lifted her chin. "I could never live with myself. You are everything to me, Celestia. Please reconsider your words lest I am cursed to be driven to the depths of despair once more."

But Celestia stood her ground. She knew the cruelty Elinwynn was capable of, the lengths she would go to in order to accomplish her treacherous goals. No, she could not put herself at the mercy of someone so unflinchingly self-serving and wicked.

"You must promise me. Should the worst come to pass and Equestria is lost, I will not let my people see me as a slave. They may live on, but Elinwynn will make an example of me. I cannot suffer that disgrace. Please. You must swear to me. I ask you not as your princess, but as the mare who loves you more than she's ever loved anyone."

In that moment, Tercio wanted to shun his oaths and cast his sword aside. He hated the very thought of taking her life...but she was right. The legacy of Equestria's great winged unicorns, the nigh-immortal rulers that had united a nation, could not end with humiliation and suffering. More importantly, he could not watch the mare he loved be held as a perverse spoil of war.

He let out a shuddering exhale and nodded. Tears welled in his eyes, and he did not try to hide them. "Alright. I swear to you, on my honor and my life, that you will not become a captive." He did not tell her that he would turn the blade on himself after. He had already felt the pain of death once before, and he did not fear it, but there would be no coming back from it this time.

Celestia tried to answer. The words caught in her throat as the weight of tens of thousands of lives and millennia of history was firmly on her shoulders. She would have given anything to have Luna at her side to help carry the burden, the Luna of years past that had been the pillar of strength Equestria needed. But she was gone now, banished to a place between life and death. How disappointed her parents would have been to see how she had let Luna fall to darkness, to say nothing of the impending destruction of all they had struggled for.

Equestria deserved better.

"I'm so scared," she said. The effort had drained her more than a week of sleepless nights. "I just want it all to go back to how it was." Tercio wrapped his arms around her and comforted her as best he could, running his fingers through her flowing mane.

"I know, my love. I know. It will, soon. You'll see."

He rocked her gently in his embrace.

She wanted to cry, but she had no more tears to give. In their place was only a deep, unending exhaustion, and the overwhelming numbness of inevitability.