Needless to say, the day that the human envoys arrived was a day Goldleaf was not at all upset about being woken up early for. And by early, he meant only several hours after he fell asleep. Princess Luna had sent a letter regarding their arrival three days hence, causing much stir in Lithton. Of course, nopony had expected them to so boldly ride their slaves right up to the city gates! When the guardsponies refused to let them in, Luna had to explain their zôshai, as they called them, were not to be ridden upon. Such a display would be humiliating and insulting to all Equestrians. Goldleaf still felt some burning indignation within him when the image of humans using their dimmer cousins as beasts of burden entered his mind. At least we unicorns treat our serfs like the ponies they are, not as dumb animals...

“These zôshai arre not like you.” Said the human envoy, as he stood before the gates. His accent was stronger than even some of the southern earth pony tribes. “See their thrree hooves, their small eyes, their long faces? Haô could they be rrîlated to you?”

“We will not suffer such displays of barbarism and cruelty within our city!” Shouted the captain of the guard.

“Verry vell...” Sighed the human, gesturing for his companions to dismount. They muttered amongst themselves in their own languages. Goldleaf watched the entire scene unfold, from atop the walls with Lady Hemlock. Traveling with the humans was Princess Luna and Rye the earth pony. Later that day, after the zôsha problem had been solved and the humans' lodgings secured, there was a formal audience before the two alicorn princesses. The elder Aegis Vigil was there too, as were the pegasi queens and kings and ladies and lords, as well as Ember Platinum and her nobles.

“Hail, Prrîncess Celestia and Prrîncess Luna, Rregents of the Sun and Moon, and Diarrchs of Ekvestrria.” Announced the leader of the humans, a man in brown robes and cloak. He bowed his head and knelt before them, upon one knee. The other humans with him did the same; one held the Imperial banner, another had a a black banner with a silver eight-rayed star. Goldleaf was sure it was the Banner of Heaven, a sign of truce and unity amongst the humans. “I am Kairrôs Gadis, Împîrrial Financier and Master of Coin, sent of Katastanîôs of House Taizârres, ninth of his name, Emperror of Ar-Athazîon, Prrotector of the Faith and Dîfender of Sarrathûl.” Why does he do that sound with his r's? wondered Goldleaf. No doubt other members of the court were wondering as well.

“What brings you here, Kairôs Gadis?” Asked Princess Celestia coldly.

“Ît has come to our attention that you have declarred var on a vassal of my liege.” Replied Kairôs, looking up. He stayed knelt though, perhaps a wise idea. The other two humans did not look up, however; they merely held their banners and looked at the floor, as if unworthy to gaze upon the alicorns. “Obviously, that is unacceptable. Our Lorrd the Emperror vishes me to sorrt thîs out, and put thîs matter to rrest.”

“Does Emperor Katastanîôs think Our statement to be a jest?” Celestia again questioned.

“No. He thinks it unvise, and urrges you to rrîconsider this courrse of action.” Answered the Imperial Financier.

“Unwise.” Echoed the white alicorn, flicking her pink tail. This seemed to make Kairôs the Financier nervous, for whatever reason. It was then Luna chose to speak:

“We are sure you have had a long journey, perhaps you would be in a more fitting state of mind to discuss this tomorrow, in private.” Suggested the Regent of the Moon.

“I agrree. Ve have come a long vay... Rrest vould be most helpful.” Agreed the envoy.

“So be it.” Acknowledged Celestia. “This court is dismissed for the day.”

Several hours passed without much incident. The humans kept to their assigned chambers in the dungeons of the castle, knowing it was a bad idea to wander out alone here. Their status as envoys might have given them protection in Sarathûl, but here nopony was afraid of divine wrath should they break the sacred protection over messengers and ambassadors.

“What do you think of them?” Hemlock asked, as they sat idly in the room where they did the Night Court's work.

“Well, it's interesting to see real humans.” Said Goldleaf. “I hope they can work out an agreement with the Princesses.” Both ponies looked at Luna, who had fallen asleep, her head on a desk. Goldleaf and Hemlock were supposed to be sleeping too, they had to attend the “private” meeting tomorrow. It was really going to be the same audience, without the members of the Day Court and Ember's court present.

“I don't think anything will come of it. Celestia is just too... angry, I guess.” The pegasus spoke with a shrug. “She'll never agree to anything, even if Luna and Aegis do.”

“A terrible shame. We have so many better things to do with our time than fight an unwinnable war...” Sighed the mahogany unicorn. Did Celestia really think that she could take her fight a thousand miles to another continent? The logistics of such an endeavor would be nigh impossible to manage, especially for a land as loosely-organized as Equestria.

“I supposed we should get some sleep ourselves, before tomorrow.” Hemlock said.

“A good choice.” Said a third voice, old and grizzled. Both ponies looked to the door, and saw Aegis Vigil. They bowed at his presence.

“Good evening, my lord.” Greeted Hemlock.

“Lord? I am no lord.” The golden alicorn replied with a smile. “Just an old pony now.”

“Forgive me, my lord, but it does not feel right to call you by any other title.” Goldleaf said.

“I can understand that, young ones.” Nodded Aegis. “But I have another young one I must see to.” His horn glowed red, and the glow enveloped Luna's slumped figure as well. Aegis lifted her up, and placed her over his back. “You know, Lady Farpeak, I never thought I'd be doing this again. Carrying foals off to bed for the first time in... Oh, what my wife would say if she were here to see this!” Wisely, neither pony commented about Aegis's reference to his wife. “Goodnight, you two. Tomorrow, things will get interesting.” The alicorn left them with Luna's sleeping body, as they bowed again. Goldleaf turned to speak to the pegasus, but stopped when he saw her troubled expression.

“It's sad, really...” She said quietly, ears falling. “All his children he raised, he buried...”

They departed on a suddenly somber tone that night.

As Aegis promised, though, the next day was interesting indeed. After breakfast, Luna and her meager Night Court went to the main court, which had been cleared out of all the regular ponies. The pegasi queens and kings were there, as was the Unicorn queen, and Rye for the earth ponies of the south, and of course the three alicorns. They were arranged at an arcing crescent of a table, the alicorns in the middle, their nominal vassals arrayed around the sides. Before them all was a great open space, where the humans stood. Celestia must have not wanted them to feel at ease.

“Here we go...” Muttered Goldleaf nervously, as he took a seat between Hemlock and Queen Swiftrain.

“Let the proceedings begin.” Announced Aegis Vigil, who was sitting to the left of Celestia. “We welcome the envoys of man to our halls once again.”

“We would not put it so warmly.” The Regent of the Sun spoke, directing a scowl at her granduncle. “Kairôs Gadis, we last left off on the subject of your Emperor wishing Us to rescind Our declaration of war.”

“Yes, your majesty.” Nodded the Financier of Ar-Athazîon. He was apparently wearing his most formal clothes today, of dark blue rather than brown. His hat was removed as well, his banner-bearers stood tall, and he had six men in armor behind him. As if several halberdiers would be able to do anything if Celestia wanted him dead...

“It does not pain Us to say that this wish is impossible to grant.” Celestia said coldly.

“Vhy?” Asked Kairôs, bemused. “Vhat could you gain frrom such foolerries?”

“Fooleries! Is that what you call vengeance over there, now?”

“Ît is vhat ve call a pointless happening.” Answered the envoy sharply, though with a not quite right use of words. “Haô could you stand against all the might of Sarrathûl? Învading us vould be folly!”

“Really?” Returned Celestia.

“Rreally, your majesty.” Nodded Kairôs earnestly. “Our Lorrd the Emperror vishes not for needless bloodshed, he is busy enough.”

“Perhaps then he should not have sent the Grey Shadow to us then, had he not wanted more bloodshed!” The white alicorn retorted. This is already going bad, Goldleaf sighed to himself. He resisted the urge to bury his face in his hooves. Hemlock was watching with tense interest, while the Queen of Highcrest to his right leaned forward and smiled. She wants this to go bad!

“Do you accuse the Emperror of sending thîs vile plague?” The human seemed offended by the notion.

“We accuse all of you.” Simply stated Celestia, narrowing her eyes. This sweeping charge seemed to bewilder the envoy, as his mouth opened and closed, and he twisted his face in confusion.

“Ît is bold to say that, your majesty.” Kairôs finally replied.

“If the truth is bold, so be it!” The white alicorn said. “There will be justice for what you've done to my kind!”

“Ve have not done anything!” Defended the human. “It vas not knôn to us that your leaders died until you sent that letter!”

“Somehow, We doubt that.”

“Is thîs vhat you honestly think?” Kairôs asked, looking at all the ponies before him. “That our rrace is so crruel and hateful as to eksterrmînate another?” Nopony answered.

“You stole our homeland from us!” Said Celestia, fire in her voice. “And now you would steal this one too!” The envoy was incredulous.

“You left your homeland.” He replied. “Ve moved in.”

“Left!?” Exclaimed the white alicorn. “You wretched degenerates spread your filth and disease until almost all of us were dead, and then you slaughtered those still alive until we fled! And now you invaders dare come here and tell us we left our homeland!?”

“Ît vas not by choice my people came south!” Yelled Kairôs back. “And vhen ve came, all ve had to do was so much as brreathe on you, and you fell over dead! Ît vas as if God villed us to take Sarrathûl!”

“You took our lands because you thought your non-existant god willed it?” Fumed Celestia. By the human's expression that followed, this was a grave insult of a statement. The six human soldiers glanced among each other. Goldleaf felt his heart beat faster, there was no way this was going to end well. Queen Clearspring seemed to have a gleeful look on her face, as did most of the Highcrest pegasi. Meanwhile, Hemlock looked deeply worried, Princess Luna was doing a bad job of looking neutral, and Celestia really did seem to have something burning in her eyes. Aegis Vigil just wore a grim mask.

“Sister-” Began Luna.

“Quiet.” Ordered the white alicorn, still staring wrathfully at the human. “There will be retribution for what you've done, scum of all life! Your race will suffer as mine has!”

“Is thîs your decision, then?” Asked Kairôs.

“Emperor or not, you are doomed.” Celestia threatened. “None of you will escape Our wrath! Our homeland will be reclaimed, and you will return to whatever nightmare you came from or perish in flame!”

“Then you have elected the path of pain.” Said Kairôs, anger edging his voice. “For millennia ve vere hunted by the Grreat Enemy, until ve vere but a feû tribes left. Even then, he could not best us, and vas cast daôn into Hell!” Declared the human, raising a hand above. He then pointed two fingers at the white alicorn. “You, Seleztîa, are not the Grreat Enemy. You too vill be cast daôn.” Kairôs almost made to leave, and then turned back again. “I rregrret Prrîncess Lûna and Lorrd Âjis do not rrule, they vould have chosen peace. Hear thîs, Seleztîa: The Banners of Heaven avait your arrival.”

With that, Kairôs Gadis and his men departed the hall.

“Peace was never an option.” Celestia declared in an icy tone. Queen Clearspring of Highcrest looked very pleased at the moment, as did many other pegasi. Far on the other side of the tables was Ember Platinum, looking somewhat disinterested, and Lady Splendor, who looked like she'd just seen the end of the world. Everypony eventually filtered out, after Celestia departed with the Highcrest pegasi. Soon, only Hemlock and Goldleaf remained, because Luna did not move. Aegis didn't go either.

“Now what?” Whispered the mahogany unicorn.

“I don't know.” Hemlock replied.

“I fear the worst now...” Admitted Goldleaf. “She's really doing it. She's really going to fight them all.”

“Well, I don't know about all-” Before Hemlock could say more, the golden alicorn spoke.

“She's going to fight them all.” Said Luna's granduncle, sounding as if he had the weight of ages on his shoulders. He probably did. “The envoy said it himself.”

“He did?” The beige pegasus asked.

“When humans wish to talk to their enemies, they bring out the black banner with the silver star. The Banner of Heaven. It is forbidden to attack those who carry it, lest you suffer God's wrath.” Explained Aegis. “But when danger threatens many, they cast down their realm's flags and all fly the silver star on a field of black. The Banners of Heaven await Celestia. She will be attacking a unified Sarathûl.”

“Shit...” Swore Hemlock under her breath, not daring to be so vulgar within hearing of royalty.

“There's going to be a lot of blood on her hooves before this is all over, isn't there.” Goldleaf commented grimly, not phrasing it as a question.

“There will be blood.” Nodded Aegis sadly. “Alas, that she should not be only a little older. The young are always full of anger, none moreso than one at Celestia's age. Especially after what she's lost.”

“I don't supposed we could just... lock her up until she calms down, or something?” Suggested Hemlock.

“I could best her in battle, yes.” Admitted Aegis. “I have fought many wars and slain many enemies, far greater than any that walk this world today. I would crush my grand-niece like you would crush a spider.” Goldleaf shivered. “But what would I do after? I could never kill her, but she grows in power every day, bit by bit. In a century, her flame will rival mine. In three or four centuries, she will be able to toss me aside like a ragdoll. Perhaps this is for the best then, that she does this while she is young and not yet at her zenith of power.” The three thought on it for a time, before Luna broke out of her deep thought.

“Aegis, who was the Great Enemy?” Asked the midnight alicorn. Goldleaf ran through all that had been said, trying to recall mention of that name. It had been uttered by the human envoy... All turned to look at Aegis Vigil for his answer.

“The Great Enemy?” He repeated. “Hmm...” Aegis drifted off, and looked as if he saw something far away. For minutes, he stared into the space ahead of him. A troubled expression finally came over him. “I'm afraid I don't remember much, but he was a very big figure in the human religion. They name their children for heroes who fought him, in the stories.”

“I was hoping for more information.” Said Luna.

“Sounds like he was some kind of monster.” Hemlock guessed.

“Yeah.” Agreed Goldleaf. “Like Queen Ascela.” He said in reference to the changeling queen of myth. Ascela had been the ruler of Equestria before Discord, so it was said, though there was no proof she ever existed. The changelings were a shadowy race, few in number and lacking in strength. How could they ever rule Equestria? Besides, nopony lived in Equestria before Discord, he had already been there when they moved south of the Crystal Mountains after the windigoes came.

“Or Redfang the Wrathful, Scourge of South!” Suggested the pegasus with an excited grin. “Or King Vesper of the bat-ponies! Or Hurricane and the Nine Worms!”

“The humans certainly saw him so, I know that.” Aegis nodded. “And to set matters straight, King Vesper actually existed, Lady Hemlock. Not like those other stories.”

“So there really are bat-ponies!” Hemlock exclaimed.

“I met some once.” Luna said absent-mindedly. “They dwell far northeast of Everfree, and only come out at night. They weren't at all like they were in the stories though. Rather, they were quite accommodating.”

“I thought everpony knew King Vesper was real.” Goldleaf muttered. They had analyzed folktales at the university, picking them apart for information. The story of Vesper and the bat-ponies was consistent with Equestrian historical records and the accounts of the alicorns. Redfang the Wrathful was not, and Hurricane of Highcrest and the Nine Worms was likely completely fabricated by later Whitewinds. That wasn't to say Hurricane had never fought nine of something, but not even the Sun Queen had ever heard of great Worms. Most Equestrian folktales had their origins in truth, but had been twisted and exaggerated over so long that very few resembled the events they were based on. Even the three race's journey into Equestria was beginning to warp, and that was their most important tale!

“Oh, I could spend all day hearing what you all have to say!” Giggled Hemlock, apparently forgetting Celestia had just declared war on an entire species not an hour ago. “What about Discord and the Elements of Harmony? That's my favorite!”

“Alright, I can forgive not knowing about Vesper, but how could anypony not know the Elements are real?” Goldleaf cut in sternly before Aegis spoke.

“I know they're real.” Hemlock replied, sounding very much like a seventeen year-old young mare. “But I want to know if the quest of Sequorus and Mica was real!”

“Well, Sequorus and Mica certainly did go on a quest to get them back.” Aegis said, searching his expanse of memories. “However, the story you were told when you were a foal is... darker, in reality. I'm not going to tell you why, I wouldn't want to be the one who ruined your favorite story.”

“Oh...” Hemlock looked thoughtful, before asking about the next story she had in mind. The day wore on, and Goldleaf found himself in a refresher course for Equestrian folklore, as Hemlock found out just how fictive most of her foalhood stories were. It was a nice distraction, for a while, but a gnawing in his gut came that was not born of hunger. He couldn't stop thinking about what Celestia and the envoy had said to each other. It's really happening, isn't it? They were actually going to attack an entire species that not only outnumbered them, but had a technology advantage. Was the Regent of the Sun so blinded by her rage as to actually think she had a chance? Goldleaf remained troubled throughout the evening; he was unable to focus long on anything. Finally, Hemlock asked after dinner: “Are you alright?”

“I must confess I am not.” Admitted Goldleaf, while they travelled the long halls of the castle. They couldn't sleep yet, but he wanted to do something to get his mind of this dreary business.

“Obviously...” Remarked the pegasus with a sigh. “Lay it on me.”

“Don't you get the feeling that this is all going to go horribly wrong?” Asked he. “I've had it all day, ever since that debacle of a negotiation. How can I explain it... Have you ever stolen something?”

“No.” Said Hemlock blankly. There goes that analogy, Goldleaf thought as he recalled his days as a student at the university, just barely getting by.

“Well... It's like going up to a dragon's lair, and stealing the treasure. But you realize you've left evidence behind that it was you, and now the dragon is going to come for you!” It was a weak example, but it was the best he could come up with on best notice.

“So we're pulling the tiger's tail?” Guessed Hemlock.

“Uh- sure. We've pulled the tiger's tail.” Where'd she get that? That's no saying I've ever heard... “The point is, we've just gotten ourselves into a very bad situation, and I don't like our odds. Not one bit.”

“I see.” Nodded the beige pegasus. “Well, as long as we can stay here, we'll be fine, right?”

“That's just it, Lady Hemlock. What if they bring us with them on this errand of destruction?” Worried Goldleaf, his eyes going wide at the prospect. “I'm supposed to be one of the most powerful unicorns in the whole realm, of course they're going to want me- Oh no! They are going to take me across the sea to my death! To all our deaths! Equestria will come crashing down as it bleeds itself to death on the shores of Sarathûl! And then what? A land of earth ponies and other miscreant brutes!”

“You're getting rather worked up here.” Commented Hemlock, as she smiled in amusement. “You're no use in combat, too jumpy. It's me who should be worried, I'm supposed to have fought in war by now.”

“Yes...” The unicorn said, as he tried to calm down.

“I bet they'll try something with that Blackwind pretender.” Hemlock said. “They've probably trained her all her life for this battle, she'll most likely be nigh unstoppable, like Maelstrom was. Not even Clearspring could best her in combat, it's said. Only Celestia could.”

“Quite a warrior, that Maelstrom Blackwind.” It really was true, the Blackwinds had a bad habit of not dying when they should. That's why their line managed to survive whatever disaster befell it. A curse on the pegasi of Highcrest as black as their namesake, some would say. “But Tempest is young. Untried in real battle too, I suppose. Queen Clearspring would make quick work of her.”

“I hope so. Her wrath and hatred for the rest of you must be terrible, she will show no mercy, I expect.”

It was then they heard voices coming down the hall. One belonged to Aegis Vigil, their third encounter within an entire day. The other had an unmistakable Tarsen accent. In fact, those words were unmistakably Tarsen itself!

“Hide.” Whispered Hemlock, as she darted into the shadows. Before he could do anything, she yanked on his tail and dragged him into the darkness between the wall and some statue. Convenient placing, thought Goldleaf. This was a unicorn castle after all, there had to be hiding places for spies somewhere. Hemlock pulled him closer, as three humans and an alicorn passed the corner. Luckily, humans were tall, and so was Aegis. Both of them were well over five and a half feet at their eyes. They wouldn't think to look down for two lesser ponies.

Whatever they were saying, neither pony knew. They spoke not the human tongue, but Aegis did apparently. From the sound of it, both were amiable, and there was no tension or worry in their voices. The alicorn and collection of humans went right past them, and continued on a ways, where they stopped. None looked back, so Hemlock peeked out a little further. They continued talking in Tarsen, and Aegis levitated some package of sorts, in front of the envoy. The envoy took it, and bowed his head. The two groups departed in opposite directions.

“Well, that was unexpected.” Goldleaf commented, as he carefully came out from behind the statue.

“Ever since joining up with you and the Princess, my life has gotten more and more interesting.” Hemlock said, staring down the hall. “Do you think we should tell anypony?” Goldleaf frowned in thought.

“...Probably not. If he has a reason for doing something, it's got to be a good one.”

“You know, Goldleaf, I'm getting tired of just waiting around. All these little things, it's like we're being kept from the actual... happening.” Sighed the beige pegasus. “If there's a storm coming, it better break soon.”

“The moment that envoy gets back to his city, we'll have a storm alright. I just hope it breaks far from here.”

Author's Notes:

This is what happens when I blow off homework for a weekend and just write. I'd do it more often, but now I'm going into geology lab tomorrow with only a basic outline of what I'm supposed to know. Worth it? Worth it. I've had this scene brewing in my head for months. Well, I've had the whole story, start to finish, thought out for months too. We're finally getting somewhere!
Speaking of things being cooked up for months, be sure to check out The Age of Night. It's a bit different from my style here, less organic, but I think you regulars might like it.