"To think nearly seven months ago, I was living free. Now I am at the head of five thousand warriors." Sky mused to himself on his salamander as he looked around longingly, knowing that Snow wasn't with him and he had to lead this final battle against the Shining Claw tribe alone. "Yarborg, are the catapults ready to fire?" Sky asks.

"Yes, sir. We are ready." The stallion next to him with heavy armor says.

"After the fifth volley from the catapults, sound the horn for the salamander riders to charge followed by our warriors and supported by our archers." Sky orders as he looks out on the enemy force. Unlike all other tribes he was fighting, this one is on the field and not in their settlements.

"Yes, sir." He said looking to the tribe in the distance.

"The wind is to our backs. Keep that in mind and fire!" Sky orders.

Loud winching was heard as the catapults were launched and sent rocks flying off into the group of the tribe and screams were heard as they were wined up again for another volley as Sky makes his salamander walk off along the back ranks of his warriors. "Listen to me my warriors, we may outnumber the Shining Claws by nearly half of their numbers, but do not underestimate them. There is a reason why they haven't been conquered by any of the other two tribes bordering them. Stay strong, fight bravely, and look after your brothers in arms. For today, we shall be victorious!" Sky yells raising a sword pointing at the enemy force.

"Yeah!" The warriors all cheered as their raise their own weapons and prepared to charge as Sky continues walking past them.

"Fourth volley and the enemy's formation is starting to become dispersed." Sky observed as the fifth volley was loaded onto the catapults.

"Ready!" Yarborg calls as he takes out the horn and gets ready to blow before the catapult fires and he blows into the horn and the riders ride off into the tribe as the archers let loose their arrows as the other warriors run off behind the riders.

"Now will the training hold up and will they follow it?" Sky asks and smiles as the salamander riders charged in column through the disoriented enemy trampling and burning anything unfortunate enough to get in their way or near them.

He watches as the salamander rides right through the crowd of tribe members and runs past them before turning around as the warriors collide with them and distract them and holds their line before the salamanders ride back into them and strike them from behind.

"The anvil and the hammer." Sky says sounding very pleased.

"Pardon, sir?" Yarborg asks.

"It's like breaking some hard substance. The warriors are our anvil and the salamander riders are our hammer." Sky explains.

"I see sir." Yarborg said looking back to the battle.

"The battle is won. They are starting to flee. It seems our salamanders are too powerful for them to counteract." Sky says.

"So conquer?" Yarborg asks.

"We have to break off five hundred warriors and go seize the capital village of the tribe." Sky instructs.

Yarborg blinks before nodding. "Yes, sir."

"With this, the Shining Claw is now mine." Sky says moving his salamander to the catapults that had stopped firing to avoid hitting the warriors or riders.

"What is your next target?" Yarborg asks.

"We shall see. For now, go secure the capital personally." Sky instructs.

"Yes, sir." Yarborg said nodding and walks off.

"With this, five tribes will be mine to command." Sky says as he watched as the battle continued for fifteen more minutes before the entire force broke and started running. "Give the signal to a pursuit and take captives for a bit, but not too far or in the woods." Sky orders and soon a green flag was raised and horns were sounded.

The army charges after the fleeing group as Sky sighs. "What's the word on my wives?"

"No messenger has arrived with the word yet chief." A warrior says.

"Very well. Continue on." Sky instructs.

The battle had lasted only forty minutes, but was in the end, a decisive victory for Sky's forces. Soon after, the chief of the Shining Claws was captured when he returned to his capital by Yarborg on top of him and his chosen five hundred warriors capturing the capital giving him a lot of honor and respect from all the warriors

Sky smiles as he looks to the griffon tied in front of him as Yarborg and some of the Warriors stood behind him. "Take him to the shamen. Tonight, we feast. Send word to all tribes who are with us that we have conquered the Shining Claw." Sky said getting up and walking over.

"Yes, sir." Yarborg said dragging the griffon away as Sky yawns and walks off to his room. "This is going to be a long campaign."

As he walks into his room, he was soon grabbed and held by a familiar pair of hooves. "Snow." Sky says smiling.

Snow smiles and looks up to him. "Hey."

"Where have you and Flitter been?" Sky asks.

Snow chuckles. "You don't have to worry anymore. We have gotten you another tribe."

Sky blinks once and motions to the bed. "Sit and explain to me." Sky instructs.

Snow sighs as she follows him to the bed and takes a seat. "Me and Flitter went to the Strike Terror tribe and we were able to strike a deal. They have agreed to align with our tribe. As along its under one condition."

"And that is?" Sky asks.

Snow nods her head towards the door and Flitter steps in before stepping aside and lets a small mare walk past her. "Marry her." Snow said as Sky could only guess the mare around a year or two younger than him, maybe three.

"Her name?" Sky asks looking at the young unicorn with a white coat and black mane and tail as she looks around the room.

"The chief's only daughter, Tear Drop. She's a great student." Snow said smirking as Tear walks up to Sky and looks him up and down.

"This is him?" Tear asks pointing to Sky.

"I am Sky Sprint. The leader of these tribes, yes." Sky says.

Tear blinks. "Are you big?"

"Come again?" Sky asks raising an eyebrow.

Tear tilts her head. "Are you big?"

Snow clears her throat and pats his lap. "That part." She said smirking.

"Oh. You will find out soon. Snow, you mind giving us some time alone. As you heard, I just returned from doing battle with the Shining Claw tribe and the warriors are taking him to the shamen now." Sky says.

Snow smiles. "Great job." She said before getting up and taking Flitter and leads her away as the doors shut behind them as Tear and Sky were left staring at each other.

Sky walks close and sniffs her mane. "Yeah. You have defiantly spent your life at sea. I like that." Sky says as Tear catches a faint scent of the sea on him as well.

"Of course, I would be. I have been born at sea. What do you intend to do to me now?" Tear asks following him with her head.

"Can you guess where I am from and then I will tell you." Sky says.

"The federation?" She asks tilting her head.

"Got it in one. Now it involves us on the bed." Sky says.

Tear kept her head tilted before looking under him. "Are you big?"

"You are about to find out." Sky says.

Sky smiles as he rested on the bed and rubs the sleeping small mare's back. "Master, we have…oh." White said stopping at the sight of them unclothed and no covers on. "I see you have mated with her."

"This is White, Tear. She is one of our slaves." Sky says getting up.

Tear moans and looks up and turns her head to the mare. "Slave? What does she do? Oh. My legs…stomach…" She moans holding her hooves to her stomach.

"Everything from cleaning to preparing meals. She was once a shaman and you can probably figure out what that means." Sky says.

"Wow." Tear said before moaning in pain again. "Okay. This hurts a lot."

"White, see to your new mistress." Sky says walking out, knowing that Snow had sent for him.

White smiles as she looks to Tear rubbing her legs. "Yes. He is able to do that to us. You're going to feel this a lot. I'm surprised your body was able to take him." She said smirking.

"You called for me Snow?" Sky asks seeing signs of tailor work.

Snow hums. "We are working on outfits for you. What do you think?"

"I am thinking that someone is behind that changing blind." Sky says.

Snow chuckles. "Well, we need to dress up as well. Flitter." She calls.

"She is ready." Flitter says.

Sky raises an eyebrow as out steps a female griffon wearing a dress that seems to emphasize her flank more than necessary. "Huh. So this is my griffon turned huh? It would interesting to have fun with."

"Yes, she is all yours. Just don't mess up her clothes. She will need it for the meeting coming up soon." Snow says.

Sky chuckles. "Don't worry. I'll undress her quite well." He said taking her claw and leads her away.

"Not so fast. We need to get you some proper clothing for the meeting." Snow says holding him in place by his tail.

Sky sighs. "Of course." He said rolling his eyes.

"Come on now." Flitter says leading him behind the blind.

"So have you chosen her name yet?" Sky asks.

Snow smiles. "We were thinking Star Line."

"Alright. All of you will be coming with us right?" Sky asks.

"Some. We can't put all of us in one basket." Flitter said.

"I meant all my wives and slaves. I suspect you and Tear will like seeing your families." Sky says.

"Ah yes. The self-part. Joy." Snow said.

"Ok. So what can I expect?" Sky asks.

"Big tough calling. With four more tribes remaining, it's going to be a yelling competition." Snow said sighing.

"I will bring something to read." Sky says sounding uninterested.

"I'll get you something good." Flitter said.

"Thank yoYOW." Sky calls sounding like he got stuck.

"Something the matter?" Snow asks smirking.

"Watch that needle." Sky says.

Snow hums as she holds up a needle. "I have no idea what you are going on about."

"This is payback, isn't it?" Sky asks.

"You did beat me." Snow said.

"You're the one who wanted to fight me in training." Sky defends.

Sky sighs as he rode his salamander up the rugged path. "This is so boring. No wonder rulers don't have time for citizens. They have to travel this much just for a meeting."

"Oh quit your whining." Snow says as she rode up on another salamander.

"Do I need to worry about a fight breaking out?" Sky asks rolling his eyes.

"Not here." Flitter says as she and Tear rode in a carriage pulled by salamanders.

"Good. You doing okay there Tear?" He asks looking back to her.

"I am fine." Tear says laying down.

Sky sighed looking back ahead. "Alright everyone, pick up the pace." Sky calls to the five hundred salamander riders coming with them.

Snow hums as she looks to the landscape. "You need to learn."

"You can lecture me later." Sky says spurring his salamander to speed up.

Snow spurs her own to catch up. "You need advice for what we do."

"There they go again." Flitter says.

"Again?" Tear asks looking to her.

"Sky is a bit of a free spirit and Snow wants to tie him and ground him more in the tribe's traditions." Flitter says

"Why do I have a feeling it won't work?" Tear asks.

"He is going to need somepony to keep telling him what they are." Flitter says.

"At least he would know for the moment." Tear observed.

"So I have heard of the sons of the Strike Terror chief. What are they like?" Flitter asks trying to pass the time.

"My brothers are like warriors. They mostly handle the finance and armies and trade routes." Tear explains.

"Oh, will I get to meet them at the meeting?" Flitter asks.

"If possible. If they are not busy." Tear said looking away.

"So what do you think our husband's next move is?" Flitter asks.

"Possibly the tribes to the north. They are good at what you are spending the most on." Tear said.

"I have heard him mutter about needing my salamanders." Flitter says.

"Well, he does look like he needs rides." Tear said shrugging.

"The problem is he knows that the population of salamanders in his lands is starting to dwindle." Flitter says.

"Should we have a breeding program in place?" Tear asks.

"He already has set aside hundreds of them for that. The problem is he want more to train riders now. Not years down the line." Flitter says.

"Then he should have started early." Tear said laying her head down against her.

"Well, we hadn't started taming them even a year ago." Flitter says.

"Should started training in some way. It doesn't have to be salamanders." Tear mumbles.

"Yes, I have asked Fluttershy to do something for me and a few warriors have been training in secret. I want to surprise Sky." Flitter says.

Tear smiles at that. "I want to be a good wife."

"Well, you could talk your brothers and father into helping us with their fleet. I think it is the time we claim the two islands to our east for ourselves." Flitter says.

"I can see what I can do." Tear said smiling to where Sky is arguing with Snow.

"A few surprises for our husband." Flitter says smirking.

After a few more hours, they finally arrived at the meeting spot. "This…is the spot?" Sky asks looking to the worn down castle sitting on a cliff side.

"Yes, this is it." Snow says.

"Wasn't expecting a castle." Sky says.

"It's the old buildings that the fiefs used back in the day before abandoning the whole land." Snow explains.

"And this is the Highland Citizens main base?" Sky asks as they rode up to the warrior guarding the entrance, obviously disturbed by them riding salamanders.

"Somewhat. When it's time for a tribal meeting, they relinquish control so the land can become neutral and allow these meetings as such." Snow said as Sky looks around at everything.

"I see." Sky says adjusting his helmet a bit before the doors were opened, letting them in.

"You looks good." Snow suddenly said.

"You're happy I kept the helmet." Sky says getting off of his salamander as they stopped inside.

"We have to deceive your age." Snow warns getting off hers.

"Yeah, yeah, let's go." Sky says.

Snow shakes her head as Tear and Flitter get out of the wagon and follows them into the broken down castle. "Don't they repair this place?" Sky asks.

"Not that I know of." Flitter says.

"Then when I take over, this place is getting a renovation." Sky whispers to her.

"Later." Flitter says getting him to continue walking.

"Tear. I see you have arrived." They hear and turn to a stallion wearing a warrior's armor.

"Brother." Tear says happily.

Sky raises an eyebrow as Tear runs over and hugs the stallion. "You are the brother?"

"Oh how rude of me. Brother, this is my husband, Sky Sprint." Tear says letting go.

The brother let's go of her and looks him over. "Seems like a fine stallion."

"Are my other brothers here?" Tear asks.

"Yes, but they will be in the back." He said chuckling.

"And father and mother?" Tear asks.

"Up front. They will be talking to all leaders." He said smiling at her.

"Are we last to arrive?" Sky asks.

"Yes. The rest has all gathered in the meeting room." He said looking to him.

"Then let us go." Sky says walking on.

He nods and gives one last hug to Tear. "It's good to see you again sister."

"It is good to see you as well. May we have dinner together?" Tear asks.

"Soon. After the meeting." He said letting her go and walks off. "We must hurry or we will miss the meetings."

Tear runs after Sky and the others.

Snow frowns slightly as Sky was leaning his hindlegs on the table as everyone argues in front of them. "Does this happen often?" Sky's bored voice asks as he kept his eyes closed.

"Yes." Snow whispers to him as he reads.

Sky sighs and puts the papers down. "This is getting tedious."

"Just sit through it." Snow whispers.

"Yeah…great. I would rather slam an ax on the table." Sky mutters.

"You can get their attention." Snow says and no sooner has she said that did he slam his ax into the table.

Everyone stops and slowly looks to him at that.

"Can we switch the conversation to something more productive like the what are the changelings up to as they have been active lately." Sky says.

"He's right. They are on our borders and they are getting antsy." The Lycan Moon warlord said.

"And the last thing any of us needs is the bugs infiltrating the tribes. They are up to something. The question is they aiming for us or those southeast of them?" Sky asks.

"Or even those that have the happiest areas. They feed off love." Tear's father suggested.

"Either way, we can't ignore them." The Lycan Moon warlord says.

"Then what do we do?" Flitter's father suggested.

"The Lunar Moon is the ones on the east coast so it is their responsibility." Sky says.

"Excuse me?" The warlord asks raising an eyebrow.

"You control the entire eastern half of the land the tribes inhabit so it is your responsibility." Sky says.

"And the changelings would be our problem." He points out.

"Yes, but we can't do anything about them in the west." Tear's father says.

"Then we just have to cover the entranceway borders. We can cancel immigration and until we deal with the problem." The Lycan Moon suggests.

"That is a problem as the traders control that." Sky says.

"Then watch the borders." He clarifies.

Sky, hearing this, rolls his eyes under his helmet before going back to reading. The rest went back to arguing with each other about something or another.

"And this is every year." Snow said.

'If I have my way, this may be the last.' Sky thinks.

"That…was horrible." Sky said setting up the salamander's saddle.

"But you sat through it." Snow says.

"And it was horrible all the same." Sky said rolling his eyes.

"You won't have to sit through that for a long time." Snow says getting onto her own.

"And probably won't ever again after I'm done. I intend to finish this place and make sure we are prepared for anything." Sky said getting on his.

"Sky, before we go. I had a talk with father." Tear says.

Sky looks over to her. "And what does he want?"

"He has agreed to lend us ships." Tear says.

Sky smiles. "Tell him thank you for that. I'll make sure they rise to the top as the most powerful ships in my fleet."

"The only ships in your fleet." Snow reminds.

"I think you misunderstand. Father is lending you these ships so you can take the two eastern islands." Tear says

Sky slouches and groans. "Great. Just…send a message to the armies over at the eastern seaboard. We are going sailing soon."

"Very well." Snow says as Tear watches Sky start to smirk.

"Why are you smirking?" Tear asks raising an eyebrow.

"I have heard rumors." Sky says before grabbing her and kissing her.

Tear squeaks before kissing back.

"It seems sister has gotten quite use to her new husband." They hear behind them.

"Brother? What are you doing here?" Tear asks pushing Sky off.

Sky rubs his chest as he looks to see three stallions with Tear's father nearby. "Going home. We are just packing up our wagon for it." Tear's first brother said.

"Oh right." Tear says embarrassed as Sky got on his salamander.

Sky sighs as he stretches. "Come on Tear. We better beat the light."

"Coming. It was good seeing you all again. Say bye to mother for me." Tear says before getting into the carriage.

They all wave at her as Sky and the others ride off. "Are you happy Tear?" Sky asks after a while.

"Yes." Tear says sticking her head out of the window.

Sky smiles. "Good. Better stay that way and if you want to head back home, tell me."

"Yes, husband." Tear says.