Handmaidens are a distinct breed of Changelings. Almost as rare as the Queens they serve, a Handmaiden is a Changeling Queen’s right hoof, doing the Queen’s bidding without question.

Handmaidens are not as large as Queens, but they are slightly larger than their lesser brethren, and bear eyes like their Queens.

Unlike the Queens they serve, Handmaidens are not single creatures in a large brood of lesser Changelings, but rather a brood of their own. From birth they each train to become the Queen’s Chosen, competing against one another in a series of challenges once they have reached maturity. When these trials are complete, the current Queen selects one of them to serve her heir. As such, Handmaidens are often their Queen’s elder by several years. There have been cases where Handmaidens were even dozens of years their Queen’s elder, several where they were about the same age as their Queen, and even a few where they were younger that their Queen.

Once they have been selected to serve, the Handmaiden goes into work immediately. They stay at their Queen’s side at all times, unless instructed otherwise, and continue their training to suit their Queen’s needs.

The rejected Handmaiden Candidates are often integrated into the Queen’s Royal Guard (see entry for more details). However, Handmaiden Candidates have been known to give up their lives once another has been selected and move into a different branch of a Hive (see Glossary: Former Handmaidens for notable cases), go into a civilian life, or leave a Hive altogether (see entry Outcasts).

As her internal clock ticked over to morning, Truth Uso woke. If someone (or somepony, as those to she had encountered outside the hive insisted on saying) were to be in the room observing, the only immediate indication that the changeling had woken was a slight hitch in her breathing. After a moment, Truth’s eyes opened and she propped herself up. She easily slid out of her bed and began her morning stretches, wincing slightly whenever one of the holes in her legs reminded her of its presence.

It was a mere two months following the failed invasion of Canterlot, but the hive had still fallen lower than many had anticipated. They had lost many during the invasion and many more during the trek home after being scattered to the winds by the repelling spell of the alicorn and the Guard Captain. They were still getting groups arriving at the gates, half dead and a fraction of the number they had started their journey with.

By the latest count of the scribes, the hive had lost twelve percent of its total population, both military and civilian. In two months.

Their stores of food were running low and the raw magical love they needed to live was all but gone. They were in a catch-22 in terms of solving that problem. With the world at large suddenly reminded of their existence, they had to be more discrete in their siphoning of love. However, they needed more love than they could gather with this method. Unfortunately, higher risk methods of harvesting ran the chance of their central hive being discovered and most likely subsequently razed to the ground.

Truth sighed as she thought over their predicament, as was now part of her morning routine. She mentally ran over every solution to their woes that came to mind, but often came up with nothing viable. At least her Queen would arrive today.

Truth finished her stretches and slipped into a tight-fitting, black tunic before making her way into her kitchen. She quickly ate a modest breakfast of milk, honey, and clovers. The serving was a tad smaller than she would have liked, but with the rest of the hive on rations as well, Truth wasn’t about to complain to anyone.

After breakfast, the Handmaiden decided to skip her daily soaking in the hot springs in favor of going directly to her Queen’s chambers. She left her home and buzzed off through the hive.

Truth had no doubt that many of Equestria’s denizens thought of a changeling hive as a dark, humid hole in the ground filled to the brim with honeycombs puking out larvae and slime. Granted, they did have those, but the hive was more than that.

Nestled inside a mountain, the hive was mostly a nest of twisting tunnels all leading back to a massive centralized cavern. Naturally luminescent crystals gave them light, and were worth something to Diamond Dogs, who occasionally traded with (disguised) scouts. The crystals also seemed to be somehow synced with the sun’s progress through the sky, brightening and dimming as it rose and set. Edible fungus grew in the lower levels, lakes of lava kept the hot springs warm, and the mountain itself sheltered them from the elements and prying eyes. While they had built a great many structures in the cavern, a number of massive stalagmites and stalactites had been carved into as well to form homes. In the months before the failed invasion, they had a presence on the mountain itself, but had since withdrawn entirely into the mountain.

Truth slowed herself to a hover outside the landing platform to her Queen’s home, coming to a gentle stop on its worn smooth surface. She briskly made her way inside, whistling merrily to herself. She was intent on straightening up a little and arranging her reports for her Queen with the least important on bottom and [Holy Shit! Read Now!] on top.

So imagine her surprise upon entering her Queen’s office and discovering she was already there. Her Queen wore shimmering green robes that more accented her figure rather than hide it. A moment after the thought passed through her mind, Truth blushed and hastily began rubbing her cheeks to try and make it go away.

Queen Chrysalis was suddenly aware she was not alone and looked up from the report she was reading. Truth hastily dropped to a knee, bowing her head.

“My Queen,” she said, eyes fixed firmly on carpeting before her. “I had thought you arrived later. My apologies.”

“Apologies are unnecessary, I arrived earlier than expected,” Chrysalis said with a dismissal wave of her hoof. “You may rise.”

Truth bowed her head once before rising to her hooves. “My Queen, if I may ask, were you successful?”

Chrysalis seemed to mull the question over before she answered. Two weeks prior, she had left the hive on a desperate mission to broker a peace with the newly restored Crystal Empire. She had insisted she go alone, as she wanted to show the Empire she wanted nothing but peace. After a week and a half had passed the changelings had feared that some terrible fate had befallen their Queen, but a letter had arrived that day via magical teleport bearing the Queen’s writing and signature. The letter assured the populace of the hive that their Queen was alive and well and was to return soon.

After a few moments, Chrysalis spoke. “Things are… delicate at the moment. But, I have a good feeling about the coming weeks. Which reminds me....”

Chrysalis moved behind her desk, resting the report she had been reading on top of it, and pulled a small crate from behind the carved piece of rock. She placed the crate on the desk and then held up a crystal vial filled with pink liquid.

“...Do you know what this is, Truth?” Chrysalis asked.

The Handmaiden blinked a few times to ensure she was seeing it correctly before answering, “Love Extract, my Queen?”

Chrysalis nodded. “There are a few dozen vials in here.” she patted the crate. “I need you to deliver them to the ration stations around the hive. Tell them to mix it in with the current rations and to increase the amount of rations as well.”

Truth nodded and approached the desk, taking the crate in her hooves.

“And Truth?”

Truth looked up from the crate at her Queen. “Yes, my Queen?”

“Don’t tire yourself out delivering these. I have a feeling I shall have another task for you once you have completed this one.”

Truth nodded. “Yes, my Queen.”

Truth hefted the crate as Chrysalis returned to the report she had been reading. As she left the office, Truth spared a glance back at her Queen, noting that it appeared as though the holes in her legs were smaller. But that might have been a trick of the light.

Hunger Holes [sic] can most easily be classified as a defense mechanism built into Changeling Physiology.

When a Changeling goes for a long enough period without feeding on Love or feeding too little, their body literally begins to eat itself to sustain them. These so called ‘Hunger Holes,' while painful at times, do not hinder a Changeling’s physical abilities, for the most part. However, the longer a Changeling goes unnourished or undernourished, the larger and more painful these holes become and they soon begin to hinder the Changeling.

Feeding on Love can halt the widening of these holes, but a Changeling must return to a healthy diet to begin closing them. Excessive feeding can close these holes quicker, but a Changeling overfeeding on Love is similar to any other creature overeating. Tummy aches and sitcom marathons.

Truth brought herself to a quick stop with a flutter of her wings. The crate *thunk*ed louder than she would have liked as she tried to gently place it on the ground. She was tired, having perhaps pushed herself a little too hard in her eagerness to reach all the ration stations before the day ended.

After taking a moment to catch her breath, Truth hefted the crate again and made her way inside. She stopped at her Queen’s door, knocked and waited for her Queen to allow her entry.

“Come in, Truth.” Chrysalis’ voice came from behind the door.

The Handmaiden entered the office, placing the crate down against the wall and quickly closing the door. Her Queen still wore the shimmering robes from before as she sat behind her desk, but Truth managed to keep her thoughts pure. She walked to the center of the room and fell to one knee again, head once more bowed.

“I’ve finished the deliveries, my Queen.” Truth said, eyes fixed on the carpet once more.

Chrysalis allowed herself a small smile as she rested her head on her folded hooves. “Very good, Truth, very good. You’ve finished quicker than I had anticipated.”

“I wanted to be able to tend to your other task, my Queen.”

Chrysalis nodded to herself. “Yes, ever faithful my dear, a quality that is certainly needed in these times.” Chrysalis opened a drawer on her desk and extracted a stack of paper from within. “Rise,” she said to Truth as the placed the papers on her desk.

“Your reports were well put together, as always, but I need to talk to you specifically about this one.” Chrysalis tapped the report. “Colonel Gisei has been acting rather… odd, according to your reports. He’s been making speeches, winning over troops, separating them from the rest of the army.” Chrysalis sighed. “He seems to be rather displeased with me.” Chrysalis met Truth’s gaze. “This report is simple observation, correct? None of your personal opinions colored it in any way?”

“I was objective, my Queen.”

Chrysalis nodded, more to herself than Truth, and spun her chair to face the large window behind her desk. The Queen looked out over the dimming lights of the hive for a time before speaking.

“There are very delicate events unfolding, Truth, and I cannot risk them being undone by even the best of intentions. I think it is time for Colonel Gisei to retire.” Chrysalis looked over her shoulder at Truth. “Do you understand?”

Truth nodded.

Chrysalis returned the nod and pulled a crystal vial like the ones from the crate from within her robes. “Drink this before you begin your work. It will help.”

Truth approached the desk cautiously and leaned forward to take the proffered vial. Despite herself, she couldn’t help but admire the way the her Queen looked in the soft light, the way her shimmering green hair caught the light of the crystals. There was a slight hitch in her breathing. She was close enough to smell her Queen. She smelled the same as usual, that sweet, enticing aroma that just made you want to shower her with kisses.

Truth felt heat creeping into her cheeks. She took the vial and backed off a little too quickly. For a moment she feared her Queen would say something, but if her charge noticed anything, she did not voice it.

“Return to me in the morning to inform me of the success of your task.” Chrysalis said, returning her gaze to the window.

“Yes, my Queen.” Truth bowed low and backed out of the office.

As she made her way to the platform, cradling the vial, Truth couldn’t help but replay the previous scene over and over in her mind. Each time, she felt worse, seeing herself more and more like some lecherous fiend.

However, she couldn’t help but think she might have detected some other scent on her Queen. It was familiar, but the Handmaiden couldn’t quite place it.

Truth shook her head to clear it and instead looked at the vial she’d been given. She wondered how strong this Love Extract was anyway….

The Handmaiden pulled the crystal stopper out and put the vial to her lips and tipped her head back. The Extract was surprisingly warm and sweet, and before Truth knew it, she was licking the neck of the vial, trying for more. Her body started processing the Extract quicker than she expected. A gasp escaped her lips as she felt energy fill her being, renewing her vigor.

Truth shook her head again, a little overwhelmed by the Extract’s effects, and took off from the platform, heading home. She had things to prepare.

“Lieutenants” are yet another fascinating subspecies of Changeling. While not as powerful as Queens or Generals (see entries) Lieutenants are yet a vital part of a Hive.

Slightly larger than the troops they often command, Lieutenants serve as the Officers in any Hive’s military force. They are required to command respect among their troops and be fierce fighters on par with the Royal Guard.

In what is likely a quirk of a society long dead, some Lieutenants have a near obsession with ‘honor’ and doing things the ‘honorable’ way. [Basket Cases] In these cases, Lieutenants are likely to clash with those ranked above them on certain issues, all the way up to and including their Queens. Coup attempts are not unknown. Seppuku is not uncommon either.

Colonel Gisei sat in his admittedly small office, listening to the larger of the two griffons sitting across from him blather on. He had encountered the griffons while he and a squad of his soldiers were patrolling the mountainside a week ago. How the mix-matched creatures had found them was still a mystery, but Gisei would leave that for another time. The griffons had made him an offer of support, and given recent events, Gisei was inclined to at least hear what they had to say.

When they requested a meeting on his… ‘soil’ as they said, Gisei gave them a time and a place. When the griffons arrived, he had them blindfolded, deafened, and put plugs of moss in their nostrils to keep them from learning the location of any of the access tunnels. Gisei and a dozen or so of his most trusted soldiers had then escorted the griffons to his modest home. And here they were.

“The rifle, as you can see, is simple yet elegant.” the larger griffon was saying. He spoke with an almost patronizing tone, but the Colonel had to admire the fact that the griffon had learned to speak in the Changeling’s own tongue.

The rifle the griffon was speaking about was currently laying across Gisei’s desk. A good four feet in length, the rifle was mostly polished wood with steel and iron comprising important parts like the trigger, the hammer, and the barrel.

“It breaks open here for reloading,” the griffon said, pointing to the top section of the rifle where the stock met the barrel. “All you do is release these two latches and insert the ammunition and powder. The latches are very secure, which means it won’t pop open when you don’t want it to, but it will increase reload time. A fair trade off in this environment, da?”

Gisei nodded, taking the rifle apart with his eyes. It seemed sturdy enough, although he would have to test that himself. And with practice, his soldiers could reload with speed. But that wasn’t what was really bothering him.

“And there is no need to worry about having the enemy getting too close with no time to reload. Each rifle will come with a shtyk, a blade that goes on the end of the rifle. Perfect for dealing with nasty little, eh…” the griffon paused. “I am having trouble finding the correct word.”

“Bykshtays,” Gisei offered.

The griffon nodded. “Da, dealing with nasty little… as you said. And in addition to the rifle, we have something else for your consideration.” the larger griffon then looked to his smaller compatriot.

The smaller griffon returned the stare blankly before snapping to attention and withdrawing a dark, metal object from the tunic he wore. It took Gisei a few moments to realize it was some sort of pistol, but with a cylinder set into the middle.

“Something very rare in this part of world.” the larger griffon began as the smaller one placed the weapon on the desk. “The cylinder holds six chambers, each containing a shot, and the trigger mechanism causes the cylinder to revolve, lining the next chamber up with the hammer.” the griffon pointed a talon at the back of the cylinder. “There is a little lever there that opens to expose a chamber, allowing for loading.” the griffon nudged the pistol closer to Gisei. “Consider it a gift.”

The changeling regarded the pistol, but allowed it to remain untouched on the desk.

“Impressive weaponry.” Gisei said. “But what exactly are you offering?”

The larger griffon smiled. “We are offering to sell you one hundred of these rifles, and a hundred loads of ammunition for each. We also have a dozen of the revolving pistols, and more can be delivered in a few month’s time. All this for the cost of twenty thousand bits or equivalent.”

Gisei thought this over for a few minutes, silently brooding while the two griffons eagerly awaited his approval. After a time, Gisei simply said, “No.”

The larger griffon’s brow creased. “If the price is a problem, I have been authorized to negotiate.”

“The price is fair, but I’m afraid I have no use for these weapons.”

“Surely these would be a boon for your task.” the griffon said.

Gisei eyed him. “What do you mean?”

“I have done the necessary research, tovarishch. And I know any coup would be greatly helped by these weapons.”

Gisei growled softly. “Take care in what you imply.”

“We meant to imply nothing.” the smaller griffon stammered out.

Gisei fixed him with a gaze but quickly returned to the larger griffon. “Look around you.” he said, sweeping a black hoof around the room. “This is the room of an honorable warrior. If I were to attempt to overthrow my Queen, I would not do so through trickery. I would face her openly and honorably.”

“With what, that?” the larger griffon scoffed, gesturing to the sheathed sword sitting behind Gisei.

The Colonel’s eyes narrowed. In a single, swift movement, he pulled the katana from its sheath and impaled it through the stock of the rifle and the desk beneath it.

“Yes,” Gisei said simply, taking some pleasure in the griffons’ shocked expressions. Placing a hoof on the desk for leverage, Gisei pulled the single edged sword from wood, quickly running a cloth over its curved length before returning it to the black sheath. He place the katana on the desk. “This is the weapon I will be using to oppose my Queen, for she will be using the same to oppose me.”

The larger griffon breathed angrily through his nose, but ultimately relaxed in his seat. “Very well, if you change your mind…” the griffon shrugged. “We should be in the area a while longer.”

“Performing raids against Equestria’s trade routes?” Gisei raised an eyebrow.

The griffon looked surprised. “How did you-?”

“I have done the necessary research as well.” Gisei smiled. “Tovarishch.”

The griffon snorted in amusement. “Clever little buggers, aren’t you?”

Gisei nodded and sank back into his seat. “I will remember your offer when my work for my hive is complete. My subordinates will show you out.”

Gisei gestured to the sliding door just as something dark splattered against its crystal surface. The griffons’ eyes widened while Gisei’s narrowed.

“What’s going on out there?” the smaller griffon asked, fear evident in his voice.

“The Handmaiden has come calling, most likely.” Gisei said calmly. “I think the Queen did her research as well.” the Colonel stood and picked up his katana. “I advise you two to hide.”

The larger griffon scoffed. “Not likely.” he said, snatching up the revolver from Gisei’s desk. “Colonel, maybe a demonstration will change your mind soon, rather than later.” the griffon said as he loaded up the revolver. He picked up the rifle and passed it to the smaller griffon.

“She’ll kill you.”

The griffon laughed scornfully. “Ha! I will not be killed by a female. Certainly not one of your females.”

The larger griffon pulled his compatriot with him as they approached the sliding door. He shoved it opened and peered into the darkened hallway. Sneering back at Gisei, the griffon stomped into the hall, followed closely by his compatriot. The door slid close behind them.

Gisei bowed his head, listening closely. There was a gasp of surprise, the loud bang of the rifle, followed by two quick bangs from the pistol. A loud curse began, cut off by the sound of something being sunk into flesh. And then, silence.

Gisei raised his head as he heard the door slide open. There stood the Handmaiden, dressed in a tight fitting black tunic, her bloodied katana in one hoof.

“I suppose you’ve come to ‘retire’ me, yes?” Gisei asked.

The Handmaiden nodded once.

Gisei sighed. “Will you let me have my honor?”

Again, the Handmaiden nodded.

Gisei slowly pulled his own blade from its sheath, relishing the sound for what could be the last time.

“The rest of those in this house, the ones you have not yet encountered, will you kill them as well?” Gisei asked.

“Only those that will hinder my leaving this place.” the Handmaiden answered.

Gisei nodded, understanding. “I thank you. They were merely following me.” Gisei held up his katana. “This weapon has been
in my family line for a very long time. No matter what happens, it has always been looked after. Can you promise me that will not end here, Handmaiden?”

“I can.”

Gisei took a deep, calming breath. “Understand I am doing nothing but what I believe is best for this hive. I do not seek our Queen’s throne.” Gisei said as he moved around his desk. “I seek what is best for this hive.”

“As do I.”

Gisei allowed himself a small smile. “Prepare yourself, Handmaiden.”

She moved first, taking a running step towards him. He moved to meet her, but to his surprise, she anticipated his move. She blocked his swinging arc with her katana and then ducking beneath it, drawing another, smaller blade from behind her back. Hot pain stabbed its way through his abdomen, and Gisei fell to his knees, struggling to draw breath.

The Handmaiden rose, leaving the long dagger in the Colonel. As he wheezed, she raised her katana above her head. He knew what was coming.

“Remember your promise, Handmaiden.” Gisei managed, the strength of his voice wavering as breathing became more and more difficult.

“I shall remember.” the Handmaiden said as her blade chopped downwards.

Colonel Gisei’s head made a dull *thunk* against the floor. Truth gave the Colonel’s body a respectful bow and placed her katana on the desk. She then retrieved her dagger from the Colonel’s body, placing it next to its larger brother.

The Handmaiden carefully picked up the Colonel’s katana, giving it a cursory swipe of the cloth before returning it to its sheath and strapping it to her back. She then cleaned her own blades of the Colonel’s blood, sheathing them and leaving the room.

Outside in the darkened hallway, Truth was about to retrace her path through the house, hopefully not encountering any more of the Colonel’s house guards, when she heard a soft wheezing sound. Turning towards the sound, Truth stalked forward, slowly drawing her dagger.

She soon happened upon the source of the wheezing. It was the smaller of the two griffons that had attacked her. He lay bleeding from the slash across the chest she had given him, but apparently he was sturdier than she had anticipated. When he saw her approach, the griffon desperately tried to pry the revolver from his compatriot’s grip.

Truth reached him just as he got the weapon free. She grabbed his arm and wrenched the gun from him, dropping it out of his reach. He struggled with her for a moment, but quickly gave up, slumping back, one set of talons clutching his wound.

“Please,” he gasped. “Please spare me. I will tell none of what I saw. YA proshu vas!” he begged, reverting to his native tongue.

Truth sighed as she knelt down next to the griffon. “I am sorry, but I cannot.” she grabbed the griffon’s shoulder and stabbed the blade though his heart. She held him close as the griffon shuddered once and then slumped back, slipping off the dagger and coming to rest against the wall.

“Pokoysya s mirom.” she whispered solemnly, closing his eyes.

Truth wiped her blade clean on the larger griffon’s tunic and returned it to its sheath. She then picked up the revolver he had carried. She turned it over in her hooves a few times before pocketing it with a shrug.

The Handmaiden took a quick leave of the place, encountering none on her way out.

The so-called ‘King’ Changelings are now more commonly known as ‘Generals,’ as this is often the position they now fill.

A General Changeling, while no taller than a Queen, is far bulkier and certain broods of these monsters have been known to possess a ‘Spear-Tail.' Generals possess a great deal of raw physical strength, as well as cunning. And while Generals do possess wings, their bulk makes it difficult for them to fly very far or very fast.

Another known trait of Generals is the risk of them losing most of their mental functions and becoming rampaging Brutes (see entry). And a bit of an inferiority complex in certain cases.

Truth flipped the lever concealed behind the painting, starting the gears hidden in the walls turning. She was back at her home now, having already reported her success to her Queen. Their conversation had been… interesting.

“Colonel Gisei has bee retired, my Queen.” Truth said, head bowed.

“Very well.” Chrysalis replied, staring out the window at the below. A long silence stretched out between them, Chrysalis saying nothing and Truth remaining still as a statue.

“Are you… regretting his passing, my Queen?” Truth dared after a time.

Chrysalis seemed surprised by the question, but she quickly covered it up. “I suppose, in a way.” Chrysalis replied. “He was not evil, I think, but rather misguided.”

“The best intentions can have the worst outcomes.” Truth intoned.

Chrysalis smiled humorlessly. “Yes, they can.” she reached into a drawer on her desk and with drew three more crystal vials. “These are for you.” she said, placing them on the desk. “I want you to take a few drops every day. It should speed up the healing process.”

Truth rose and approached the desk, taking the vials and tucking them into her tunic.

“I shall be leaving by the end of the week.” Chrysalis said.

Truth froze in place. “Again? My Queen.” she added hastily.

Chrysalis nodded. “As I said before, the situation is delicate and requires as much attention as I can give it. I’ll set things in order here and return there for more negotiations.”

“I shall be accompanying you this time, yes?” Truth said, making it sound more like a a statement than a question.

Chrysalis looked away, staring out the window again. “I’m afraid not. It is better I go alone.”

Truth found herself grinding her teeth, but she kept her expression neutral. “Of course, my Queen.”

“You are dismissed.” Chrysalis waved her hoof.

Truth growled softly at the very recent memory, a little more than unhappy Chrysalis was doing this to her. The wall next to her split perfectly down the middle and the two sections swung outward. Truth shook her head as she entered her armory. Was she really this upset that her Queen was disregarding her position as Handmaiden, or was there some other reason she was so pissed off?

Truth just shook her head as she placed Colonel Gisei’s katana on the wall, making a mental note to clean and polish it properly tomorrow.

“So this is the trophy room.” a deep voice rumbled behind her.

Truth spun around, her katana in her hooves before she finished her 180 turn. What, or rather who, she saw surprised her. Leaning ever so casually against a wall was Silas, the Grand General of the Army. Also known as Swarm Master General, but he seemed to dislike that one.

“What do you want, General?” Truth asked, lowering her katana.

“Answers,” he replied.

Truth froze. Did the General already find out about Gisei’s death? How did he know it was her?

“About what?”

“About why you went into Colonel Gisei’s home and beheaded him.”

Truth’s grip on her katana tightened. She didn’t fancy killing the General, but she certainly didn’t fancy dying here and now either.

“He was a problem. I solved it.” Truth answered.

To her surprise, Silas laughed. “I suppose you did.” and just as quickly as the laughter started, it stopped. “But we still have other problems.”

Silas sighed. “Gisei’s heart was in the right place, but his methods…” Silas shook his head. “A violent coup will only create more disorder and kill more of our own.”

“Are you suggesting a non-violent coup then?” Truth asked, her tone bordering on playful.

“It might be for the best.”

Truth tilted her head. “I’d start explaining myself if I were you, General.”

Silas nodded and ran a hoof though his head-spines. “The Queen isn’t as popular as she used to be. The failure of the invasion was due to a variable none of us predicted, but many in this hive find it easy to blame it all on the Queen. And her recent behavior has not revitalized her popularity. Vanishing for two weeks, ordering the assassination of one of her detractors once she returns?”

“But what of the Extract she’s brought? It’s more than we’ve gathered in a month’s time.”

“And where did it come from?” Silas challenged. “I spoke with her myself earlier today and she refused to tell me its source. Only that it was a gift from the Empire.” Silas shook his head. “A gift like that begs a gift in return. I can only imagine what she’ll give them.”

“Is there a point to this, General?” Truth asked.

“I need your help, Handmaiden. You are close to our Queen. Closer than any other. All I ask is that you report to me what you learn from her.”

Truth’s eyes narrowed slightly. “To what end?”

“I want to understand if our Queen is truly working to a better tomorrow or spiraling out of control. If she is fine, there will be no need for anything to change. But if she is not, then the soon we take action, the better.”

Truth mulled it over for a time. “I’d just report to you what I find? Nothing more?”

Silas nodded. “You will divulge information at your own discretion.”

Truth was silent for a while longer before speaking again. “I am concerned as well, General. I’ll speak with you later, but I wish to be present at the meetings you will no doubt hold with the information I provide.”

A ghost of a smile crossed Silas’ face. “Very well, Handmaiden. You know where to find me.”

And with that he turned away and began leaving. A few thoughts of killing him now flittered through Truth’s mind. There was a crossbow sitting on the wall near her, the pointed steel tip of the bolt would no doubt pierce the thick chitin on his back. It might not kill him, but it would incapacitate him long enough for her to finish hm off.

He was nearing the door, but a few dozen paces away. She had to act quickly before he passed out of sight. Half a dozen paces.

Three.

Two.

One.

He was gone.

Truth let out a breath she wasn’t aware she'd been holding and her body visibly relaxed. She ran a hoof over her head and went back into her armory. She began going through the motions of properly cleaning and maintaining her swords.

The motions were second nature to her and her mind wandered as she worked. What she had done, accepting the General’s request, and then not killing him. And the thought of reporting him to her Queen never crossed her mind. Her Queen’s behavior bothered her as well, but for likely different reasons than Silas’. How had Chrysalis gathered so much Love Extract in such a short time? Why did she need to leave so suddenly again? And that smell. That whiff of something that clung to her Queen and stuck in the back of her mind.

Where in Tartarus had she smelled that before?

Truth groaned and rubbed her temples. She pushed aside her now clean blades and pulled out the gun she'd taken off of the griffon. She began to tinker with it, trying to figure out exactly how it worked. She soon became absorbed in her task, forgetting her worries, at least for the moment.

-Excerpts from One Thousand and One Creatures of Equestria and Her Neighbors and a Number of Interesting and Likely Useless Facts About Them

Author Unknown

Author's Notes:

And that's the first chapter of The Handmaiden. I hope you enjoyed it.

If it was unclear in the story itself, all characters are speaking Chitinese (Essentially Japanese) unless specified otherwise.

Translations of foreign words and phrases used (All words are spelled phonetically. If you know a better translation, I would gladly appreciate it.):

Gisei (Japanese) - Sacrifice

Da (Russian) - Yes.

Shtyk (Russian) - Bayonet

Bykshtays (Chitinese) - A made up word for a fake language. Translates roughly to bastards.

YA proshu vas (Russian) - I beg you

Pokoysya s mirom (Russian) - Rest in peace