The environments a knight would find themselves in varied greatly. From deserts of scorching sands to ice-capped mountains in northern tundra; the densest of jungles to the widest of open valleys; a knight had to learn what roamed in each and everything between, and what plants grew to thrive in these conditions.

Vincent had suffered the darkest of caves, rolled amongst giant protoplasmic entities and flesh-peeling vines, before barrelling out into the most enchanting of forests to house a rainbow pallet of healing flora and gracious white antelopes of peace. Rather the misnomer, not because of the animals own behaviour, the creatures were a delight, but because they just weren’t actually attuned to how savage their surroundings could be. It was more of symbolic name given by locals, mostly for how placid they were amongst others.

Despite this, when one cantered past— one hundred miles from its natural habitat—Vincent couldn’t help but continue to marvel at his current surroundings.

The white buck hopped along merrily, golden antlers shimmering in the light, and bound down the dirt path shaded by outstretching branches sprouting lush leaves. More animals scurried to and fro between the thin trees, playing and racing, chattering and chasing. Bird houses were on offer and often filled with a large variety of species, burrows had been built beside the path and some were reinforced with wide pipes. Not all animals were native, and as he walked beside Rarity he couldn’t help but find the spectacle mesmerising. Maybe he’d come back here?

“Now, there’s something you should know about Fluttershy,” Rarity began as they reached the end of the path, bushes and thick canopy obscuring anything beyond. She looked to him with a tactful eye, one of kind consideration, “You see, she’s rather… well, shy to cut it with Occam’s razor, so please take no offense if she behaves rather reserved in your presence.” Vincent turned away from the family of bunnies curious about him and saw the gentle smile on her lips.

“I always try to be brief and friendly, Miss Rarity, I’d hate to make her uncomfortable.” He replied with that warm tone of his. Not a lie, but not necessary the full truth. He’d stay for as long as he needed in order to be thorough and methodical and to ensure a mission was completed, his disposition was his choice; a mission was prioritised over another's sense of ease. He was simply considerate and worked efficiently.

“Oh, absolutely not, Ser Vincent,” Rarity replied sincerely whilst daintily touching his elbow, “Whilst here in your company you haven’t once made me feel uneasy.” His elbow lightly moved against her hand, resulting in its retreat. She didn’t seem to notice. “But… I can’t help but recall how we first met, dear, and…” Rarity nibbled her lip and glanced to the opening ahead before turning back. “At first glance you are rather imposing, darling.” She finished as she manually took hold of her parasol from her magical grasp. She still rested it against her shoulder, slowing spinning it.

“You’re a rather considerate gentlestallion so I hope you wouldn’t mind if you let me introduced you first, to warm her up so to speak.” The blank gaze of the mask was locked onto her: twitching ears, spinning brolly, and a flickering tail, a combination of mannerisms and features he’d label as light worry. The kind smile and sparkling gaze of reason? She was sincere.

He nodded, once again in an exaggerated fashion.

“Of course.” Reading ponies was not something he opted to specialise in, more something one learnt as the rewards of time. Expressions were read in Canterlot all the time, for tricksters and saints. Mannerisms came from crooks with something to hide or an innocent with guilty thoughts. “And there’s no need to be so reserve.” He added in case she thought he was offended. “I’ll leave it all to you, and I’ll leave Miss Fluttershy when I learn where she found those crates.”

Saying the name himself brought another recent memory.

‘Miss Fluttershy, the Element of kindness. Other than that? I can’t tell you much; she disappeared from everypony’s sight, guards included, and returned as herald of the Royal Garden revolt, where she lead every animal under auntie’s sun into a frenzy inside the ballroom. Tables upturned, dresses savaged by the teeth of exotic fauna, stains one dares not recall—she struck the final blow that finally killed the evening.

No. I doubt that this was not intentional.’

It was with Blueblood’s final words for the Elements of Harmony that they reached the end of the shaded path. They stepped out into the opening just as a flock of blue, red, and green jays flew across a small bridge that lay ahead. The old stone was moss ridden, spanning a small stream wherein otters lounged, and lead to cottage. Though it can hardly be recognised as such.

The grass had hugged the base of the walls, shrubs and ivory holding the building in place for fear of it abandoning the ground, and what of the yellowed timber could be seen was capped by a living rooftop. Rugged with lush greenery, the cottage seemed to have grown its own hilltop hat, the illusion broken by the wide ocular windows and brickwork chimney. The entire thing was riddled with birdhouses and burrows, and as the pair walked to the foot of the bridge, Vincent noted that not one tree was without a nest.

“I’m sure if you keep up your warm demeanour she should take a liking to you,” Rarity commented with a small smirk, “Just no sudden movements.” She giggled, the skirt of her dress stroking the bright flower bed along the path.

“Miss Rarity, what exactly is Miss Fluttershy’s job?” Vincent inquired, watching the white antelope bound by, a merry smile plastered on its muzzle, despite the bandage covering one eye.

“Oh, well she’s— ” She came to halt before the door, her spinning parasol suddenly picking up speed as she turned to face him with a playful smile. “You can ask her yourself, I’m certain speaking about her animal friends will help comfort her.” She turned to daintily rap against the wood of the door, Vincent trailing behind with a shake of the head. Locks and tumblers were heard before a small creak accompanied the door opening inch by inch.

A light-rose strand fell through the gap, slowly revealing itself to be a framing lock of mane for a butter-yellow face. What little was revealed, anyhow; Vincent could only spot a petite muzzle offering a pleasant smile.

“Hello, Rarity, this is a surprise-- but, um, a very nice one.” He’d wager her voice was on par with clouds in terms of softness, her words warm like a mother’s touch. More of her face poked out, her caring smile complimented by her calm teal eyes.

“Good afternoon Fluttershy, it’s nice to see you too,” Rarity began friendly enough, though less reserved by comparison to Miss Fluttershy, “How’s my little princess doing?” Vincent couldn’t see her face due to standing behind her but he could hear the concern in her tone. She magicked the parasol off her shoulder, letting it hover by her side as she took a delicate yellow hand into her own. “Please tell me that she’s alright.”

He felt the small whimper at the end was rather melodramatic, but who was he to challenge how much love one could have for their pets?

“Opal’s making a fast recover, you shouldn’t worry! She’ll be fine after another night’s rest.” So Miss Fluttershy was a veterinarian of sorts? Handling sick animals? Vincent glanced around, his sight caught on the ivory buck peering hard into the grassy roof with his good eye. Guessed it made sense. He was about to follow its gaze when Miss Fluttershy raised her voice… to regular volume as she ‘called’ into her abode.

“Opal! How are you feeling?” A long, sickened meow echoed from within. “Oh no, do you need more medicine?! Do want more fish?”

A much more delighted cat call came from within.

“Oh Opalescence, momma’s here to look after you too! You’ll be back home soon enough!” Rarity chirped, leaning into the half opened door.

An even longer, sicker meow echoed from within.

By this point, the buck snorted and backed away with its antlers lowered. Vincent, having spotted the sign of a wary beast countless times moved slowly away from it, but noted something peculiar. White antelope of peace do not retreat before charging, in fact, they rarely charge at all. It would stand its ground if it could, meaning that something was beyond its defencing capability. Large bird of prey were common predators of the antelope, striking from above.

“Miss Rarity,” Vincent began, missing a startled squeak whilst looking between the antelope and her, “I think you should step inside for a moment.” His tone, though calm, was curt. It was less of a recommendation and more of an order. He’d seen what had scared the antelope and had quickly blasted himself for believing it to be a long, thick drainage pipe.

It was not.

“I can’t just charge in, Ser Vincent,” Rarity replied with surprise in her voice, turning back to him. She saw him starting to quickly look between her and a spot above her head, but paid no mind to it. “It’s not exactly polite.”

Miss Fluttershy, still as of yet to reveal herself, edged further out--

“Rarity!” Vincent startled the well-dressed mare when he firmly gripped her arm and snatched her towards himself. She yelped as she was quickly drawn to him. Before Rarity knew it she was held in his padded embrace, bewildered, and a look of shock on her face as it was pressed against his form.

“Ser Vincent?!” She cried, pushing away to look up with wide-eyed flabbergast, “What is the meaning of this!?”

Thump!

Her attention snapped to the source of the heavy thud, her pupils quickly shrinking as she stared in mute horror.

A thick, reptilian body slipped from the roof edge, burying a wide and triangular head. The large serpentine body coiled around and around and around right until the tail of the brown spotted, black constrictor slumped on top of the pile. Sluggishly, and with a pained look in its slit eyes, the head of the snake wobbled over the top from within its own knee high coil. With a shrill shriek of blind terror, Miss Rarity leapt into Ser Vincent’s arms, his instincts and a good measure of luck catching her as she continued to wail.

‘The lungs on this mare!’ He was surprised that he could even hear his own thoughts.

“Snake! Fluttershy, there’s a snake! Aaaargh!” Her arms were around his neck for support and when she decided to tighten her grip it brought Vincent uncomfortably closer to the buxom mare.

“Mr Yig Jr.! Just what do you think you’re doing out of bed?” Both Rarity and Vincent looked at the bizarre sight before them, the former’s fearful stare shifting to perplex and the latter tilting his head.

She was a slim, dainty creature. The pegasus was handling the snake as a concern mother would handle their child, and quite frankly the description fit. Her long-sleeved jumper loosely fit her lithe form, her wings neatly folded on her back as she bent over, stern faced, and told off the now ashamed snake.

Admittedly she was… adorable, from the caring creamy colour of her fur to the sweet perfumed mane and tail that tried to obscure her. It was probably the white paw prints on her attire that sealed that deal. Her ears were down, a good sign that this was a scolding born of worry.

“If you have migraines and toothaches then scaring my friends is not the best way to recovery, is it now?” Her rhetorical question was emphasised by a hands on hip stance and the lightest of stomps Vincent had ever seen.

The snake merely hissed, Vincent spotting a blue tongue darting out as the creature remained hidden. It was then, with a sudden flutter of wings, that the grounded pegasus jerked back on shock, hands on muzzle. She then fell to her bare knees, stroking the body of the reptile whilst offering the sweetest of apologetic looks the knight had ever witnessed.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that Angel Bunny was uncomfortable with you in my room, I’ll have to have a word with him soon. You should have come and found me.”

There was a long hiss.

“You should have taken the stairs instead of the window.”

This was quickly followed by a short, weaker his.

“Don’t you dare say that!” Fluttershy quickly said, reaching and drawing the wide head of the snake out. It faced down and away from the mare, weak and limp despite having the head the size of a large trowel. She brought him (she did say mister, after all) close and hugged the body as the snake laid his head over her shoulder. “I’m sure it’s because you scared her is all, and besides, you should really be getting to sleep.”

‘Sleep huh? I wonder if… yeah, it should work.’ All knights had a specialty, and maybe Vincent’s might come in handy.

By this point, Vincent’s mind had caught up to him. He was still supporting Miss Rarity, who was still enraptured by the display, and rather than draw attention to it he simply began to lower her down. Unfortunately, when he started to do so, she couldn’t help but feel slightly abashed. Once able, she stood up right and began to dust down her dress, lightly flushed in the cheeks.

“Pardon my reaction, Ser Vincent,” she began whilst pampering her mane, smiling despite herself, “I’m not exactly fond of… snakes, heh.” Her blush was receding but she managed to regain her dignity, holding her hands in front of her waist and offering a smile of gratitude. “Thank you for catching me.” Vincent was preoccupied observing the pegasus and the snake, but managed to turn his head slightly in her direction.

“Don’t worry, everyone’s got something to be afraid of.” His reply seemed to have placated her as Rarity then moved to greet Fluttershy.

“Sorry about my behaviour.” Her apology was met with a kind smile, whilst the snake seemed to be wincing as it rested against Fluttershy’s closed wings. “I’ve been here enough times to know to mind my manners with your… patients.”

“It’s fine, really, so long as you apologised,” Fluttershy replied with a small smile, still stroking the constrictor. She then glanced over to Vincent, her expression shifting to look petrified. Ears splayed back, body shrinking, and eyes locked onto him. Rarity, spotting this, looked between Vincent and the mare, wincing as she bit her lip.

‘I suppose her ideal plan fell through. Dear me, Miss Rarity wasn’t kidding.’

A weak hiss drew everypony’s attention. Fluttershy instantly returned to stroking the snake.

“Oh dear, let’s get you inside and find you some medicine before anything else.” Fluttershy said, attempting to rise to her feet. The weight of the snake was easily underestimated and its heavy form brought her back onto her rump. She squeaked as the constrictor visibly shuddered, his head shaking from side to side.

“Fluttershy, do you need a hand?” Rarity chimed in whilst collecting her fallen umbrella with her magic. She kept it in the air as it spun in the sunlight—no need to let dirt soil her pretty dress now. With a smile and a gesture of the hand, she brought Vincent into the conversation. Knowing his cue he stepped in. The pegasus shrunk away at his presence, but otherwise tried to put on a polite smile.

“Good afternoon, Miss Fluttershy, are you caring for all these animals?” If she wasn’t then this was a serious problem. Animals were literally nestling into her abode. He kept his voice warm. “Must be hard work.”

“O-Oh, yes, um, I take care of sick animals wh-whilst letting others lodge whilst they migrate,” she replied softly. Vincent turned back, spotting the antelope creeping up behind him. Quiet and friendly, no wonder they’re associated with peace—they hardly disturb anything.

“This one, in particular, caught my eye,” Vincent commented, reaching out to halt the animal. It did so, tilting its head in confusion briefly before braying at him. “How did this one end up so far from home?”

“He’s not well,” Fluttershy managed, feeling brave now that the coated stallion wasn’t staring at her with that blank, scary mask. “Poor thing hurt its eye and I couldn’t let him walk around injured.” Her sentiment was warming, the passion coming through as her ears perked up and her confidence was bolstered.

“He’s still over a hundred miles from Windtail Forest,” Vincent added, his hand slowly retreating as the buck made up its mind to ignore him and push forward. They did that. “Unless of course there’s more to it than that.” He lowered his hand and turned back to her, witnessing her knelt form wither under his hidden gaze.

“S-Stan doesn’t have a good sense of direction.”

At that point, the antelope bumped into Vincent’s side, rebounding off his solid form enough to fall on its haunches. Slowly the knight looked over his shoulder to spot the buck shaking its head before looking up to call at him again. ‘More of a dull, loud moan, really.’ Vincent reached out, as many times as he had done so to its kind before, and stroked the muzzle of the creature, mindful of its bandaged eye.

“And until his eye gets better… he doesn’t really have any good depth perception.” Vincent tore his gaze away from the incredibly content looking animal to look to Miss Rarity, who had been studying the two through calculating eyes.

“He had a decent enough sense of valour to warn Miss Rarity and me about the snake, speaking of which… what exactly is the problem?” Vincent asked innocently, his friendly voice reaching the mare’s ears. Fluttershy had been looking at Stan, smiling as a dopy look spread across the buck’s face. Like a big puppy really. With antlers. And hooves.

She looked to the tall masked stallion before her, seeing the bite mark on his shoulder, the clawmark on his lapel, the thin slice down his snout, and the burn on his gloved hand. Yet… as he petted Stan she couldn’t see any reason to be afraid. Well, he was a stranger, so she had no more reason to be more terrified of him than any other.

“This,” Rarity chirped, stepping in, “is Vincent, Fluttershy.” She turned to face him, arching a brow and offering a grin. “Or rather, should I say Ser Vincent, of the Solaris Knights.” Vincent gave a polite bow of the head.

“A knight?” Fluttershy’s surprised look diminished, her ears shooting up only to fold back when he squatted down to her level. His hand slipped along his belt pockets, migrating to his right side.

“Indeed. Ser Vincent Costello,” he answered as he plucked out a corked bottle. The green glass was dark but revealed itself to be a quarter full. The label had three ‘Z’s ascending in a staggered formation. “I would happily offer my assistance for anypony in need, if you’ll let me of course.”

“Well…” She began with hesitation creeping into her voice. Vincent pointed the mask away, as if to study the limp, coiled body of the sickly snake. Fluttershy, still with the animal draped over her like a lead-weighed scarf, looked to Rarity for reassurance. Sure enough, her friend’s beaming smile and small nod boosted the confidence in her judgement. “Okay, if you don’t mind.”

“Excellent,” he replied with subdued merriment, “Let’s start by getting you off the ground.”

Ser Vincent then proceeded to hook his arm over the ringed body of the snake, scooping it up with a grunt. The snake wriggled, slackening to spill loops of itself about, making hoisting the body across his shoulder difficult. Fluttershy, now able to stand, soothed the snake by holding its head close to her chest. She heard Vincent grunting, looking over and seeing him struggle to reach out with that little green bottle.

“Miss Fluttershy, please dab a little under his nostrils, maybe five or so drops worth.” She followed his instructions, hesitation and discomfort rattling her nerves due to the masked stallion’s presence. But Rarity seemed okay with him and Stan was lingering by still. He was certainly caring in how he handled Mr Yig Jr.’s slumped form. She then noticed the snake, whose head she had been cradling in one hand, went limp. In fact, it seemed his entire body stopped writhing.

“A sleeping potion?” Her inquiry was met with a slow, restrained nod as she corked the bottle.

“It’s good for… large fish of large lakes…” he grunted as he spread the weight of the snake evenly across his shoulders, “... wyvern adolescents… manticores… and some small children.” When he was comfortable, he turned to her and tilted his head. “I rarely use it on snakes but I can. But more later, how about we get this one comfy?” His caring words brought a smile to Fluttershy’s lips.

“Certainly, I’ll fetch his basket.” She decided to keep hold of the bottle, rather than bother him with it. Oh but she was certainly going to return it! Right after he finished bringing— “Dear me, um, please come in.”

Vincent couldn’t help but huff in amusement at her sheepish display, fortunately it didn’t reach the pegasus’s ears. She returned to her home and Rarity followed, an idle remark escaping her.

“Well it certainly was not my original plan but we achieved the desired result.” She held the door open with her magic, still opting to keep her and her parasol as far away from the snake as possible. He followed her through without outward complaint.

‘Burdening myself with a serpentine scarf was a desired result?’

It was a spacious interior. A cosy cottage feel expanded to fit a large enough room for several chipmunks, squirrels, birds and cute rodents, and much more. It was surprisingly neat as well. Cupboards were tucked into one corner, bird cages were lined against a staircase opposing a stone fireplace; there was a plush viridian couch next to a window, accompanied by a coffee table and comfy chair. He was rather embarrassed that he’d forgotten to wipe his boots.

“That was a certainly handy to keep on hand,” Rarity remarked, cantering in to take a seat on the couch. She regarded him with bright, quizzitive eyes. “A potion for every pocket I presume?” He remained by the door until he knew where to deposit his reptilian weight.

“All knights need a specialty—mine made me qualify for a combat alchemist role.” Vincent’s attention shifted to the stair case, “I make a lot of my own potions but I can’t equip them all. It was useful for subduing fugitives, like on my last job.” Vincent wasn’t exactly sure whether being a representative of his kind meant embellishing in past missions or whether others did so with gusto and he’d never really bothered. Or rather, ever liked the notion. Still, stories and reputation were important for knights.

“And what was that?” Rarity inquired, placing her close brolly across her dressed lap.

“Track down a group of hunters scaling silver barbed eels,” he said with a shrug, “Subdue them and bring them in. A very long two days without sleep.” He caught a glimpse of Miss Rarity’s cheeks attempting to match the cushions. Perhaps he had embellished too much.

“What happened to the eels?” Fluttershy’s question surprised him, mostly because she fluttered down the stairs so silently. She held a large dog basket in her grasp, slightly overbearing for her size given how she had to raise a bare thigh to stop herself from dropping it. For the first time since meeting her Vincent could see confidence in those strong teal eyes, no, a potent courage born of passion. Animals. Her life may be around animals; it was at this point he noticed her cutie mark: a trio of pink butterflies. Maybe she cared for all life.

‘It would certainly be characteristic associated with kindness.’

“I spent the second night and the third day helping to relocate the ones that been dumped into a nearby lake, where coincidently, there was the illegal farming site of eels,” Vincent replied as he wondered over to her. He didn’t see her face when she lowered the basket to the ground, nor could he see it when he began to carefully coil the constrictor into bed. He continued with a proud tone. “I’m happy to say we managed to save the school of endangered eels, largely thanks to careful application of the sleeping agent… after we got them out of the lake.” With a weary sigh, he rose to full height, eyeing his dirtied lower half whilst rolling his bitten shoulder.

“Had somepony who didn’t check if an eel was out cold, almost took his head off,” he said whilst looking to a now wide-eyed Rarity, “Managed to avoid a rather gruesome incident, and on the whole no one was hurt severely.” He looked back to Fluttershy, finding her hovering with concerned stare and hands comforting each other.

“So are the babies okay?” she asked, her tail swishing.

“I’m certain that they’ve been taken to a specialised facility to house them, I saw to that personally.” He bowed his head, believing he had fulfilled his part in representing his elite regiment. Now to the important reason to his visit.

“Excuse me,” Rarity chimed in, still eyeing his shoulder and raising a hand, “but, um, baby eels?” She pointed to Vincent and he followed her line of sight to the rest of the scars in his attire.”

“Yes, baby silver barbed eels can grow up to the size of Mr Yig Jr. before adolescence.” Fluttershy replied, taking on a scholarly manner as she grew unaware of Rarity’s horrified expression, “Their scales are fourth to a dragons in durability and have blade-like fins and tails; they’re really fast in the water and have a very sharp bite, which can also open as wide as a snake’s too!”

Ser Vincent was very much aware.

“But… baby eels?” Rarity reiterated, her ears folding as she shuddered. “I’d hate to think what an adult could do.”

“No matured eels were present. I checked. I don’t think this would last from taking a tail whip from an adult barb eel,” Vincent added, tapping the hairline fracture on his mask. “Again… the same stallion… not checking for sleeping eels.” He sighed, shaking his head. He probably didn’t have to mention where the clawed lapel came from.

“Anyhow, Ser Vincent,” Rarity began, swiftly changing the subject, “Didn’t you have something to ask Fluttershy?” The pegasus in question landed softly, focusing her attention on the knight.

“Me?”

“Yes.” Though Ser Vincent stood tall, hands behind his back and as an icon of professionalism expected of a military member, his friendly tone slipped through easily enough. “That is, if you are the one who first discovered several crates of weapons and armour.”

“Well, um,” Fluttershy started weakly, curling the tip of that long lock of rose mane around her primary finger, “It wasn’t me but Angel Bunny who found them.”

“In that case could I meet them? It seems that one of the crates went missing so it’s rather important.” He replied. She nodded eagerly.

“I’ll go get him.” She then fluttered back upstairs, a door opening a brief moment where in a cat could be heard mewling. Vincent noted the wilted look striking Rarity briefly, her lips pursing as Fluttershy returned. With a tilt of the head, Ser Vincent regarded the snow white bunny looking none too pleased to be held up under its arms.

“Okay Angel, remember those crates you found a few days ago when you were playing with your friends?” The rabbit, still flat faced and grumpy, arched its head up to face her. “Did you see five crates there?” She placed him on the floor after landing, the rabbit bringing a poor to its chin and thumping its foot as it pondered. Surprisingly, it made a clicking sound with its paw that one would associate with fingers. Then it nodded.

“So somepony took a crate then.” Vincent concluded, restraining an exasperated sigh. That either meant looking around town once more, or looking around the rest of Equestria depending on what evidence was still present at the location where the crates were found.

‘Go to Ponyville, drop off the letter, pick up the crates… why did that have to be so complicated?’ His masked gaze fell back to the rabbit, now dancing with it paws in the air and a dumb expression on its face. Its ears were flattened against its head. Vincent looked to its caretaker and found her staring intently, reading its movements. Glancing to the couch, he was greeted by an unsure shrug from Miss Rarity. Then the rabbit started barking.

If it hadn’t been for Miss Fluttershy’s gasp he probably would have been befuddled by that sight for the rest of the evening.

“Diamond dogs!” Her soft voice shook with apprehension, as if the name should be feared. For Ser Vincent it was a name for more hard work. After tracking them down he’d have to retrieve the crate, how smoothly that would happen he could not say.

He released that exasperated sigh. Well, no time like the present.

“I’ll need to see where the crates were originally found, it’s likely they would have taken it back to their den.” He brought a hand to his hood, pressing until he could feel his temple. He lowered his head, thoughts of the implications of a nearby dog den running wild. Freshly armed. Unknown numbers. Possessive tendency. The more violent packs inevitably become raiders.

His gaze snapped to his belt, his fingers already flicking up numerous pocket lips. Resources were low, he had come prepared for subduing numerous criminals and the naturally defensive eels, so most of his empty pockets once housed more of the sleeping potion. There were gone, and he only had those two vials and numerous pellets remaining. “It’s going to be a long hunt if three days have already passed.”

“I suppose forty-five minutes is a long time,” Rarity chimed in as Vincent removed one of the vials, thick glassed and filled with an oozy-granite-like fluid. He slowly craned his head to face her, tilting it slightly. She offered a ghost of a smile. “Follow the road to the south and you’ll come across an opening in the tree line to an arid patch of land rife with precious gemstones.”

“You know of them?” To this she chuckled, a rich warming laugh.

“We were acquainted and I can’t say I favoured their company for long,” she answered whilst pampering her tail by her side. “They should be rather docile now, though.”

“I see,” he said, easily hiding his annoyance. So the town was aware of the dogs but did nothing? Then again, perhaps this was due to the lack of garrisons to the south compared the rest of Equestria; local militias and mercenary groups tended to work to protect their towns, so perhaps the prince’s pledge for more troops was warranted. That didn’t excuse leaving a town open to a potential threat. So what if the Elements lived here? Should they be exposed to this?

“Then farewell and a pleasant evening,” Vincent added, bowing to both mares before moving to the door.

“H-hold on!” Fluttershy’s cry halted him. He looked back to see her holding the green bottle. “Um, here you go. Thank you.”

“I believe you’ll get more use out of it as it is, just remember five drops or dabs maximum.” Vincent cast a titled gaze down to the sleeping snake, still coiled in its basket. “He may need it. I hope he has a speedy recovery.” Fluttershy heard the smile in his sincere voice, resulting in a gratuitous one of her own.

“Thank you, err, do I say Ser Knight or Ser Vincent?” She inquired. He chuckled.

“Either or Miss, either or.” Once again he turned back to the door, only to get stopped by Rarity.

“You’re not actually planning on visiting those diamond dogs by yourself, are you?” she asked with disbelief in her tone. The emotion spread to her expression when he nodded. “In that case I’ll com-“

“I’m afraid I cannot allow that, Miss Rarity.” His voice was still low; curt, stern, and laced with an indisputable tone that stopped her in her tracks. Vincent didn’t sound warm, nor was he cold, but he talked with solid facts as if they were written in stone.

“These dogs are, as of now, armed and dangerous, whether they intend to use the stolen weapons or not. If they are hostile, then I refuse to allow civilians such as yourself to be put at risk.” He reached for the handle. “Don’t worry, with diamond dogs it all boils down to respect.” He pulled open the door, startling Stan outside. He looked back over his shoulder. “I’m certain they will do as they’re told.” The viridian cloaked stallion then walked out, patting the antelope as it tried to nip at Vincent’s limp brown tail.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fluttershy, and it’s always a pleasure to meet a friendly face again, Miss Rarity. Goodbye.”

“Bye,” Fluttershy replied, smiling despite the uneasiness nestling in her stomach.

“If you must go alone… good luck, Ser Vincent, don’t be a stranger,” Rarity replied, shifting uncomfortably in her seat. He chuckled heartily, his light baritone echoing inside his mask.

“I doubt you’ll see anypony stranger than me.” She cracked a smirk at the statement, one that slowly dissipated after he closed the door.

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“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Fluttershy asked, seating herself on the opposite side of the couch Rarity was on. The rabbit had scampered onto the coffee table to view out the window, beady eyes narrowed in suspicion at the hooded figure now heading south.

“We mustn’t forget that he’s a knight, Fluttershy.” Rarity responded, though she too was stealing glances at the disappearing figure. It was remarkably difficult: he was just off the path and already he seemed to merge into the general scenery. “On top of that he is the prince’s finest, and I can’t imagine that arrogant buffoon would pick just any knight to protect him.” She offered a shrug and a calming smile.

“Who knows? It probably is something he deals with on a daily basis every now and then, he certainly seemed confident enough.” She added. Fluttershy nibbled her lower lip.

“Yes, but I’m still worried about him.” She fidgeted with her hands momentarily, “Maybe we should help him?” She wiped the animal fur that had clung to her jumper from her chest, brushing off final strands from her bare legs and hooves.

“I agree.”

“Really?”

“Give it five minutes and I’ll head over Twlight’s,” Rarity explained, leaning in with a conspirator’s twinkle in her eye, “I know tea at Twilight’s is in half an hour’s time, but we can surely start early if I mention that a knight might end up in trouble.” She leant back, grinning. “I believe he underestimates us.”

“Well, he certainly seemed confident enough, and he doesn’t seem tired even after three days of protecting animals from meanies, so maybe we don’t need to help him at all,” the pegasus reasoned. “He really nice thinking about our safety like that.”

“He hides it well, trust me,” Rarity commented with a shake of her head, “He tends to slouche just a little and his legs moves sluggishly; I’d thought it was that armour underneath but even his tail dangles limp, drained off all energy. Do you think we should leave him be?”

“Not realy…”

“Then I’ll mention it to Twilight when we pop over.”

A long cat wail sounded through the cottage. Rarity shot up, quickly trotting towards the stairs.

“Momma’s coming opal!”

Author's Notes:

And it's aaaaaalll down hill from here, Ser Vincent. Like, favourite, and comment below, but please, can anyone tell me why I have to Author's notes appearing at the bottom of the chapter?

Ta.