"Message!" A messenger calls riding up to Sky from the headquarters.

"Report." Sky says.

"Overlord, Sir Dark Tail is facing complications. It seems that the fiefs of Seventy Navigators and Tiny Diamond have come to Lochbush's aide. They are holding their own, but haven't conquered the fief yet." The messenger says.

Sky nods. "Anything else?"

"Overlord, the messenger you have sent have come back. They will sit down and talk once you are outside the borders." A warrior said running up.

"Excellent. You go and inform Yarborg he is to prioritize both Moonlight and Dark Tail's armies until further notice. The rest of you will come with me." Sky instructs.

"Sir." They said before going off where they need to go as the rest follow Sky as he walks away.

"Warriors, strike the camp. We are heading south!" Sky calls.

"Yes, sir!" They all call as they pack up.

"Celebrimbor!" Sky calls for his salamander.

The salamander hisses as it lifts its head up and gets up and walks to him.

Sky mounts Celebrimbor as the other riders do so as some warriors begrudgingly put back the supplies they had started to unload from their supply wagons.

"Yeah, life's a bitch." Sky said chuckling.

Soon the troops marched again, many unhappy they had to skip a meal as they made their way south, marching for another three days before finally reaching the border where they saw an army a fifth of their numbers, standing there waiting for them. "Men, set up camp. We will rest a day." Sky calls before turning to a messenger. "You go announce us." Sky orders.

The messengers nod and run off toward the waiting army.

Sky waited atop Celebrimbor for the messenger to return with their response and soon he did. "Overlord, Lady Lucy Dawn awaits to see you on a bridge." He informs.

"Very well." Sky says getting Celebrimbor to move forward.

"What about us sir?" A warrior asks.

"Rest. Tomorrow we will continue south." Sky instructs.

"Yes, sir." A warrior said before they started making camp.

Celebrimbor kept walking towards the army, obviously unnerving some of the hoof soldiers until he stopped in front of a mare, wearing higher quality clothing than the rest atop a wildebeest like creature that was lean and looked like it was made for running and charging. "Lady Lucy Dawn, I presume." Sky says.

"I rather avoid bloodshed. Do you?" Lucy asks staring at him.

"I would." Sky says.

"Then how about a deal? I give supplies and we get to keep our land." She suggested.

"I desire all of Gual. If you don't wish to fight me just swear yourself to me and I will not take your lands and give you a place in my court." Sky says.

Lucy frowned before sighing and looking down. "Fine."

"Send a banner to the fortress of Iron Whispers with a letter saying you have submitted to my rule so it may be added to my court as one of the ruling class. Also, expect ponies to arrive soon to do work in your lands. I have issued decrees about building projects that you will be informed about later." Sky says.

Lucy nods and waves a hoof and somepony run off.

"Lady Dawn, I still intend to enter your lands. Do not be alarmed there won't be any harm done. I wish to speak with the knight order that has based itself in your lands." Sky says.

Lucy looks to him shocked at that. "What for? They isolate themselves for a reason."

"I wish to convince them to join me." Sky informs.

"They remain isolated and unaffiliated for a reason." Lucy repeats.

"And that needs to change if the province is ever to know peace." Sky says surprising all who heard before Celebrimbor turned around and headed to the camp being constructed.

"My lady, are you sure you will go through with this?" A knight nearby her asks.

"We have already submitted. If we go back on it now, then our word will mean nothing and we would be seen as unjust and the knighthood of Perche would ride out against us." Lucy says.

"So we all drop to our knees in surrender?" He asks frowning.

"We have no choice. Even leaving, all we could muster our numbers still don't match his and look at the soldiers." Lucy says.

The knight looks over as Sky reaches back to the camp and Celebrimbor goes back to where the other salamanders were held then to the soldiers and many looked ready to run as it was.

"What has come from the north?" Another knight said out loud without expecting an answer.

"I say those have to be salamanders. A fire-breathing beast from north of the mountains." A knight who was a scholar in civilian life.

Lucy nods. "Everypony…go home. You have to be at work tomorrow. A lot of work."

Black Tail roared as he used the staff of his metal spear to knock five more mounted knights away as his salamander breathed fire at the hoof soldiers trying to attack it with spears, sending them scattering or being engulfed in flames.

"General!" A messenger calls running up.

Black looks to the messenger as he stabs a hoof soldier behind him. "What is it?"

"Reinforcements have arrived general. Twenty thousand new light salamander riders and they tell us ten thousand more heavy riders, fifty thousand infantry, and forty thousand more archers are right behind them." The messenger says as he defends himself with a long sword and shield, managing to cut down a spear wielding hoof soldier at the end of his sentence.

"Then get back to them and tell them to put their flanks to good use and try and force the enemy's right flank to collapse." Black orders.

"Yes, general!" The messenger calls, running off to relay the order and Black Tail smiles.

"Thank you Yarborg." Black Tail says before lifting his spear up, signaling the heavy salamander riders to him for a charge.

Sky and his army sat outside a castle overlooking a lake, waiting. "Will the Knight Commander meet with me?" Sky asks.

"They will…but only in the middle of the lake. One to one." A messenger said.

"Very well. All of you, stay here." Sky orders before starting to walk towards the dock.

They wait and sit as Sky gets on a dinghy and rows off as a knight on the other end does the same toward him.

"I must admit, I was unsure you would meet with me knight commander." Sky says.

The knight looks to him as they stop rowing and the knight locks the dinghies together with a paddle. "Only because you have met one of mine before. I am interested in what you have to say since you left her alive."

"You mean Applejack?" Sky asks.

"Who else?" He said as he looks Sky over. "Why did you let her live? In fact, why did you not take her as your own and mark her as such?"

"There was no need. So she is back with you as knights don't usually fight with the fiefs." Sky says.

He nods. "It would decimate us. Why do you want us to join you? You can take us out easily and without trouble. There is no need for this. In fact…you can do what that lord did to his castle."

"I have no interest in such things and I want you as you are knights that uphold justice and honor." Sky says.

The knight stares at him before sighing and shakes his head. "What else do you want from us?"

Sky smirks. "How about Applejack working personally with me? I do like her. Funnier and less stoic than most knights are."

"Thank you for that." He said dryly.

"So…do we have a deal?" Sky asks.

"Yes, as long as you will not hurt the citizens we personally protect." He said unlocking their boats.

"Very well. How many knights can you spare?" Sky says.

"Five thousand. That is most of our order." The commander says.

"I'll take four." Sky said smirking as he gets ready to paddle. "And I will want Applejack to lead them to me, ready for a war."

"Very well. I will send them with knight captain Dinbor and Desmar." The knight commander informs.

Sky rolls his eyes. "Fine with me." He said before rowing back to his side of the lake.

"Daring, I restricted you to the infirmary." Snow says opening her door.

"No, I am not." Daring said at her desk.

"Yes, you are. You carry Sky's foal." Snow says.

Daring rolls her eyes before Snow turns her around and grabs her head. "Look, I need to work on this."

"You are pregnant. You need rest." Snow says referring to her growing stomach.

Daring frowns. "Back off."

"No, I will not. You may not care for the foal, but I do." Snow says, her words stinging Daring.

Daring stares at her at that point.

"Now come on." Snow instructs.

Daring frowns as Snow pulls her away.

"Fluttershy, why do you have the biggest flank around?" Tear asks looking to her as they kept cooking.

Fluttershy eeped as she tried to cover it.

Flitter chuckles nearby. "Now that's being shy. But why hide? Why not glorify it for Sky? Maybe a little less clothing and more showing?"

"Please don't say that…shouldn't you be confined to bed?" Fluttershy whispers.

Flitter smiles and walks up behind her and hugs her. "Simple. I am not as stubborn as Daring." She said running a hoof along her flank. "Besides, I like to enjoy my wives."

"Where is Flitter?!" Snow's voice was heard.

"But I do like to run." Flitter said before running off after giving a spank to Fluttershy's flank and makes her jump and freeze.

"I really feel the need for a slave, maid, or a wife right now." Sky said sitting on his tent bed as he looked at the map.

"Overlord, what are your orders?" A warrior asks.

Sky remained silent for a while, making those in the tent wait in an uncomfortable silence.

Sky sighs. "We will leave eight thousand warriors and two thousand archer behind in Elfedge to guard it. We will head to Elfacre and join Moonlight in besieging the lands." Sky instructs.

"Yes, sir." They said before most went away and started to pack up.

"Call knight Applejack." Sky instructs.

"Yes, sir." Another left behind said as he runs off.

Sky smiled as he popped his back as he leaned back, waiting.

"What does he need again?" He hears Applejack ask.

"Yes, the overlord has summoned you." A warrior says.

"Fine, fine." She mumbles before stepping inside the tent and looks to him. "What is it?"

"Come sit Dame Applejack." Sky instructs.

Applejack rolls her eyes as she sits opposite of the little table spread out before them.

"So here we are. Not even two years later." Sky says.

Applejack crosses her forelegs. "What is it?"

"Tell me your opinion of me now that I rule all the northern tribes and four fiefs of Gual now." Sky says.

"Simple. You are tough." She said huffing and rolling her eyes.

"Is that all?" Sky ask tapping his helmet that was resting on the table.

Applejack stares at the helmet. "Yes."

"Oh, lying to your overlord now?" Sky asks.

"I am not lying." Applejack said staring at him.

"That is two. Lie to me a third time in a row and I will take you as my wife." Sky says.

Applejack glares to him. "You shall not."

"I can. It's within my power so." Sky says smirking.

"Well, not my life as it is not yours to barter with." Applejack warns.

"Your commander has decided to join me. Your order of knights is officially under my command." Sky says surprising her.

Applejack glares at him. "Well, my body is my life. You can't have it."

"Then don't lie to me." Sky says smirking at her.

Applejack frowns. "What do you want?"

"Tell me the truth." Sky says smiling at her.

"What truth?" Applejack asks huffing.

"What you really think of how far I have come since you first met me on that ship? One more chance. You lie, you will become my wife and you can't refuse to answer." Sky says.

Applejack growls before she suddenly feels warm inside. "Fine enough."

"Go on." Sky says leaning closer.

"No." Applejack argues.

"Is that number three offense?" Sky asks.

"No, it is not." Applejack said glaring at him.

"It is. Lie number three." Sky said as Applejack realizes that the tent entrance seems to be darker than normal and looks to see the entrance blocked by a dark wall.

"Ok fine. I didn't expect you to live long, let alone gain any real territory." Applejack says.

"Oh?" Sky asks letting his darkness fade.

Applejack nods angrily. "Yes."

"Well, you were wrong." Sky says knowing the tent had a silence seal on it to keep anyone from overhearing a strategy meeting.

Applejack shakes her head. "What do you want?"

"What do you want?" Sky asks as Applejack feels the warmth in her grow.

"Don't repeat me. What do you want?" Applejack asks tapping her hoof on the table as she tries to ignore the feeling.

"I think you want something else." Sky says getting up and walks past his armor on a stand.

"I don't want anything." Applejack said watching him.

"Your body language tells me different." Sky says.

"So that was your first time huh?" Sky asks the now armorless knight.

Applejack frowns as she stayed on the far side of the bed. "Quiet."

Sky smiled as he reaches over and massages her back.

Applejack kept frowning before sighing and relaxes. "Why me?"

"Maybe because we have a connection." Sky whispers into her ear before holding her close and kisses her.

Applejack hums as she kisses back and wraps her hooves around him before pulling her head back. "Why do this?"

"Because this feuding chaos must come to an end. I will smash all the fiefdoms if I have to and make them into one country." Sky says.

"You won't win." Applejack said.

"Are you so sure?" Sky asks getting her to face him.

"Yes." Applejack said frowning.

"You would be right if I was alone, but I am not. I have many of those of talent and those who share my dream." Sky says brushing her mane out of her face.

"And what dream is that?" Applejack asks raising an eyebrow.

"The end of this chaos and true peace. Even your knight commander has joined me now." Sky says before kissing her again.

Applejack rolls her eyes before she kisses him back and pushes him back onto the bed before letting go of the kiss and sitting up on him.

"So tell me all about your order and your mounts and what they can do." Sky instructs as he felt her impale herself on him again.

Applejack gulps and tries to glare at him. "Which parts of it?"

"As a mount to ride into battle. They will not be like our salamanders." Sky says.

Applejack grits her teeth and placed her hooves on his chest. "They are…useful for riding fast and pushing through lines."

"What about mobility? How quick can they turn, about face, and stop when need to?" Sky asks.

"Very well. They are…dang it…good for traveling, but not fighting." Applejack snips out as she bounces on him.

"So what about the turning, stopping, and about facing?" Sky repeats.

"Very quick." Applejack gasps as she stops for a moment and tries to stay still for a moment.

"Which ones?" Sky asks holding her down on him.

Applejack gasps as she tries to hold herself up. "Almost…all of them…expect the fat ones."

"The ones that are beasts of burden?" Sky asks.

Applejack nods slowly as he pulls at her mane bands and lets her mane loose with her tail.

"What is the impact and shock?" Sky asks.

"Heavy." Applejack pants hugging him tight as she lays her head on his shoulder.

"Now tell me, I have noticed quite a few pike welders here in Gual. Is it a specialty?" Sky asks.

Applejack nods as she tries to keep bouncing her flank on his lap. "It's…how we hold the line."

"I see. Well, when I rule Gual, I shall keep that tradition alive…in fact, that gives me an idea." Sky says thinking with a serious thing.

Applejack slowly stops moving and pants heavily over his shoulder. "Don't you dare break it."

"No talking about it. Gave me a good idea." Sky says rubbing her cheek.

Applejack just stares at him before closing her eyes and rests herself against him.

"You don't want to keep going?" Sky asks.

Applejack looks at him before looking down again.

"If you aren't, I am going to get up and do some work." Sky says.

"Go." Applejack said sighing.

"Not unless you don't want to continue." Sky says before rubbing her flank with a hoof.

"I don't." Applejack said sounding tired.

"Alright. Lay down and rest." Sky says getting up after she gets off of him.

Applejack tries to follow him with her eyes as she stayed down before closing her eyes.

Sky sat down at the table before grabbing a bit of parchment and ink before starting to write.

"And that is all for my report." Sky says finishing writing down all the details on a parchment about his movements and what had happened. "Deliver this as well to Iron Whisper's commander. Tell him I want the scribes to make as many copies as possible and to be posted in all villages, towns, and cities in our realm." Sky says giving the messenger a second scroll.

"Yes, sir." The messenger said.

"That is all, dismissed." Sky says and the messenger immediately heads out. "Sorry for the wait." Says turning to the three knights.

"It's fine. What do you need?" Dinbor, the red-coated and slightly more bulky stallion that was bigger than his twin brother, Desmer, a purple stallion that seems to be leaner than most warriors, asks.

"I asked you here to discuss how best to deploy you in the coming battles. A few nights ago, I invite Dame Applejack to my tent to ask about your mounts in detail seeing as they are so different from our salamanders…what are their names? I forgot to ask that." Sky says.

"Wildebeest." Desmer said.

"Right. Now that I know more I am thinking we put you with the light salamander riders. As for speed, you can stay together better." Sky says pulling out some rough sketches for possible formations.

"And what kind of groups are we getting?" Dinbor asks.

"The knights will be in their own groups of two thousand. Each under their captain's command." Sky says.

"And us?" Desmer asks.

"You are knight captains, aren't you two?" Sky asks.

"We are." They both said.

"Then you're their captain and you report to me directly like the rest of the cavalry. Captains are charged with fighting on the front lines and to give on the ground orders. I want you to think out there." Sky instructs.

"Yes, sir." They said.

"Applejack will remain by my side for a few battles till I am comfortable giving orders to the knights." Sky informs.

"Just make sure she isn't hurt." Desmer said.

"Or you will regret it." Dinbor adds.

"Yes, yes that is all. We will be moving into the fief of Elfacre soon. Prepare your knights for battle." Sky instructs.

They salute before walking out leaving Sky alone with Applejack. "So want ta tell me why we headin to invade Elfacre?" Applejack asks.

"Simple, I sent an army to invade Lochbush and the fiefs of Seventy Navigators and Tiny Diamond came to the aide of Lochbush." Sky says.

"And instead of helping your other warriors?" She asks.

"Tell me, looking at this map, who is bordering Elfacre?" Sky asks.

"Elfedge, Golddale, Seventy Navigators, and Troyes." Applejack recited.

"Now you see why we are invading Elfacre now instead of heading back through our recently captured territories?" Sky asks.

"Yes." Applejack said looking away.

"Luckily it is the only choice for general Moonlight to take with his vanguard." Sky says.

"Vanguard?" Applejack asks curiously turning back to him.

"Yes. You see, instead of sending one huge army, I decided to split the vanguard into three armies to launch a three-pronged invasion." Sky says.

"To block." Applejack said.

"Yes, so no area is left undefended. I would have moved to take out the last fief of Gual to the west of us, but this is more important to aid my soldiers." Sky informs.

"You care, don't you?" Applejack asks.

"Yes, I do." Sky says.

Applejack looks at him before looking away again.

"Tell the warriors outside to get everyone away and strike the camp. I want us moving by the time the sun is visible to us." Sky instructs.

Applejack nods and walks away.

"Don't worry Moonlight. We will help your brother as soon as possible." Sky says starting to put every important document back into his chest.