Sky kept staring at the bamboo scroll he had acquired months ago from a foreign merchant. As his daughter, Precious slept on his back.

“She admires you.” Snow says to the side as she rested on the bed with a book in her hooves.

“No, my baby girl loves me like you do.” Sky says.

Snow shrugs as she kept reading. “So…what’s the big plan for us?”

“Harvest was good this year so we are nearly ready…have you picked a name for our son yet?” Sai asks.

Snow sighs and looks down to the little colt sleeping against her. “I don’t know.”

“He nursing well?” Sky asks concerned.

Snow frowns and rubs a hoof along her colt’s back. “He isn’t drinking right now.”

“But has he been?” Sky asks.

“Yes. He drank about a few hours ago.” Snow says pulling her colt closer.

“Did he drink much?” Sky asks making Snow pick up her son and walk over to him.

“Hardly. Sky…” Snow starts as she sits by him and holds her colt to herself.

“I am worried too.” Sky says leaning against her, looking at his small son.

Snow shuts her eyes and nuzzles his side. “I don’t want to lose him.”

“Neither do I…even if it means…” Sky starts.

“I won’t turn him into a vampire.” Snow says immediately.

“Snow…” Sky starts.

“I won’t. I will die with him first.” Snow declares.

“Fine…no vampirism, but you must allow Raven, Twilight, and Zora to examine him with their magic.” Sky says.

Snow stayed frowning before sighing. “Fine.”

“It’s for the best. If magic and medicine can’t save our son, nothing will.” Sky says before pulsing his magic to let everyone know he was summoning all his wives and maids.

Snow hugs her colt closer and nuzzles the sleeping foal. “I don’t want to lose my first son.”

“You won’t.” Sky says as soon all of them arrived, even Vinyl.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asks as they all walk up to them.

“I am worried about my youngest son. I want you all to see what you can do. Treatments, magic, I don’t care, but save him.” Sky instructs seriously.

“Does that include…?” Vinyl starts.

“No turning him into a vampire.” Snow informs.

“Got it.” Vinyl says nodding.

“Please save him.” Snow begs.

“Don’t worry. We’ll see what we can do.” Zora says taking the colt into her hooves and carries him to another part of the room as Sky holds Snow to him.

“He will be fine.” Sky says trying to reassure.

“But…” Snow starts as everyone starts to look over their son.

“He will live.” Sky reassured.

“How is he?” Sky asks as his son greedily nursed on Snow weeks later.

Snow smiles and keeps rubbing her colt’s back. “Better. Way better.”

“Good. Have a name ready?” Sky asks.

“Yes. Asura.” Snow says petting his white mane.

Sky smiles and goes over to her and pets her back. “Told you everything would be fine.”

“I couldn’t let him die either.” Vinyl says.

Sky wraps a hoof around her. “You are amazing too Vinyl.”

“Oh, somepony opening up.” Vinyl says smirking.

Sky rolls her eyes. “Quiet and enjoy the sight of a mother and her foal.”

“I will, after all.” Vinyl says smirking at her stomach.

Sky moves Vinyl near Snow. “Now then, you two hug it out and then hug the little colt.”

“Don’t push it.” Snow say poking Vinyl’s large stomach.

Vinyl grins and flashes her fangs. “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt you or the little guy.”

“Speaking of which. Vinyl, you have been drinking more blood than when you lived in the castle according to Octavia. Any correlation between that and your condition?” Sky asks.

“Oh yeah. The little one needs its meal.” Vinyl explains patting her stomach.

“So you are feeding for two on blood like how normal ponies eat for two when pregnant.” Snow says.

Vinyl shrugs. “Something like that.”

“You are doing well.” Sky says before Precious raspberries Vinyl’s stomach.

Vinyl giggles and picks up Precious. “Hey, there sweetie. Want to meet your brother?”

Precious smirks before raspberrying her nose.

Vinyl giggles and nuzzles Precious’s stomach and makes her giggles. “You like that little one? You like it?”

“She likes you.” Sky says before adjusting his outfit. “I have to get back to the party in the ballroom. You two rest up.” Sky instructs.

Vinyl kept giggling as she kept nuzzling Precious and Snow kept petting Asura as he still fed from her.

“I will see you tomorrow you four.” Sky says leaving.

Precious baubles and waves toward him.

“Your majesty.” Many greeted as Sky rejoined the party.

Sky smiles as he looks around. “At ease. Enjoy yourself and go back to mingling. Oh, Dark Tail.” Sky greets walking up to the general with a blue unicorn mare in a dark blue dress.

Dark turns to him and smiles. “Sir. How can I help you?”

“I am seeing to all my guests. And this must be your recently married wife.” Sky greets.

Dark smiles and turns to the mare beside him dressed in purple and white stars. “Dear, it’s the Overlord.”

“A pleasure your majesty. My name is Trixie.” Trixie introduces.

“Ah, Dark. That reminds me. I am having a mansion built for you here in Prance as my wedding gift to you and your lovely bride.” Sky informs.

Dark stops. “Sir, that’s is not needed. You don’t need to do that.”

“I already had construction begin. It also has it’s own training yard for you.” Sky informs.

“Sir. This is too much.” Dark pleads.

“No. For the black knight general.” Sky insists before Trixie elbow’s her husband’s side.

“Dear, it would be rude to turn it down.” Trixie informs.

Dark sighs. “Alright, sir. If you insist.”

“Good man. Tell me, how is your Moonlight and his bride doing? Their anniversary is coming up soon.” Sky inquires.

“I do not know sir. I am looking right now.” Dark says looking around the room.

“Let us try the food table?” Sky asks.

“Sure.” Dark says heading to the food table with him and Trixie.

“General Moonlight.” Sky calls spying his general and chief under him.

Moonlight turns with a piece of bread in his mouth and quickly eats it. “Sir. Sorry about that.” Moonlight says saluting.

“Been looking all over for you general. Where is your wife?” Sky asks.

“Getting her meal. Do you need to talk to her?” Moonlight asks a bit worried.

“No, no. Just being sociable.” Sky assures as Dark walks up with Trixie.

“Moonlight, how are you doing?” Dark asks trying to smile.

“Good brother. Though I am suspicious about our eastern borders.” Moonlight says.

“How so?” Sky asks raising an eyebrow.

“They have made some unusual movements and a spy I sent in tells me they are training their infantry and cavalry harder than ever.” Moonlight says.

“Could they be preparing for another attack on us?” Sky wonders.

“Possible or they could attacking the other neighboring areas.” Moonlight says wondering himself.

“We will discuss this another time. For now, let us relax. " Sky says as a gray pegasus mare dressed in a gray dress with bubbles on it walks up with food. “Ah. My dear Derpy.” Sky greets.

The mare with an eye staring at him and another eye going up slowly gives a wave and a muffled ‘Hello.’ behind the tray.

“General, please help your wife.” Sky says smirking.

Moonlight smiles and takes the tray with his hooves and holds it. “Better dear?”

“Thanks.” Derpy says smiling to him. “Tell me, your majesty, I heard your youngest son is ill.” Derpy inquires.

“He was, but now is doing much better.” Sky assured.

“Oh. Thank goodness.” Derpy says smiling.

“Trust me, you aren’t nearly as relieved as I am.” Sky says.

“We know. You have been neglecting court matters because of it.” Moonlight says.

“My family comes first. I would rather they stay safe then me living without anypony out there.” Sky says looking to his family mingling around. “It’s no fun ruling with no one around you.”

“True.” Dark says seeing his sister come over.

Sky smiles. “And I rather not hold them back too much. I should get my other maids out here and let them enjoy life out here.”

“They are playing with the foals master.” Violet says.

Sky hums. “It has been a while. Guess I should see them.” Sky says smiling.

“After the party master. Lady Rarity insists.” Violet says.

“Eh.” Sky says shrugging and smiling.

“Your majesty, generals.” A mare voice introduces.

Sky raises an eyebrow towards the fancy looking mare. “Can I help you?”

“I am Lady Geniver. I am here to assist you in any way I can.” She informs.

Sky hums. “I see. Where you hail from?”

“From Celtica, your majesty.” She informs.

“I see. Welcome to my court Lady Geniver.” Sky greets. “Now Moonlight, as one of the chiefs of the north, tell me, how many new smaller clans have been formed to live on big Bala?” Sky asks.

“Four, sir.” Moonlight says interesting the mare greatly.

Months later, Sky was sleeping in the bed with his maids and slaves. When there was a knock at the door. No one was roused and they kept knocking till they started hitting the door, trying to wake one of them. Skyline groans as she sits up and yawns before getting out of the tangle of bodies and starts to go to the door before opening it slightly. “Yes?”

“A message for the Overlord.” A guard informs.

Skyline yawns and looks behind her. “Master…message for you.” She says heading back to bed and gets back into the pile of bodies and snuggles up to White.

“I heard. Speak the message.” Sky instructs.

“A band of mercenaries has arrived. Their leader is a female griffon with a letter bearing the royal seal that was used when we started the conquest of Gaul. What should we do my lord?” The guard asks.

“The name of this leader?” Sky asks getting up.

“Someone named Gilda.” The guard informs.

“Gilda!” Sky calls, only dressed in a sleeping robe, rushes out the door past the guard.

The guard blinks confused as he slowly closes the door. “Overlord is being weird again.”

“Gilda?” Sky inquiries entering the audience chamber.

“Whoa. Overlord in sleep clothes. That’s a first…not for me.” The female griffon says smiling a bit.

“Where have you been? I have been having ponies and griffons looking for you.” Sky says.

Gilda smirks and throws a claw behind her to show a group of armored griffons and ponies. “My own mercenary group. What else?”

“Ah. So you were fighting all this time?” Sky asks as many of the mercenaries were shocked their captain did know the overlord of the north personally.

“Kinda. Had to put my place in the world.” Gilda says proudly.

“Where was this?” Sky asks curiously. “Oh, wait. Someone go tell the staff to get some bottles of wine. I feel like celebrating.” Sky calls to the staff.

Gilda chuckles. “I see you didn’t lose your party style and laziness…did you? You look like you have been working nonstop like any noble asshole.”

“Oh, don’t get me started. I have to juggle many different assholes’ egos and manage everything.” Sky says soberly.

“Oh good. You still hate nobles. That’s what you were only good enough for me to consider to be friends with.” Gilda says rolling her eyes.

“Trust me. I only feign interest and favoritism. I can barely get time to spend with my foals.” Sky says before grabbing a normal wooden chair to sit in.

Gilda hums. “So what now? I heard you went on a warpath.”

“Just because I conquered four provinces?” Sky asks.

“That’s considered a warpath. You got a seat on the council and knocked out three others. That makes headlines down south.” Gilda says raising an eyebrow.

“And I am not done. Come join me for a drink.” Sky invites.

Gilda shakes her head as she down across from him. “You are never going to stop, are you?”

“Let’s just say I may put many mercenaries out of business with my aims.” Sky says.

“Is that going to include me once you get down south?” Gilda asks raising an eyebrow.

“That is ways away. Actually, how about I hire you and your company.” Sky says.

Gilda scoffs. “You can’t hire our rich price.”

“I hired the white hawks and made their leader a king over three of my fiefs.” Sky informs getting her attention.

Gilda blinks. “Okay. Maybe you can.”

“So what do you say? You in?” Sky asks.

Gilda chuckles a bit. “Fine. But you better treat us well.”

“Within military acceptability.” Sky says.

Gilda sticks her tongue out at him.

“So what do you say?” Sky asks as they are brought a few bottles of wine.

“Fine. Just make sure you don’t mess up your bargain.” Gilda warns.

“Don’t worry. I won’t.” Sky says offering her one of the bottles. “We will be going to war soon too.” Sky adds.

“How long away is that?” Gilda asks watching him.

“Still preparing. So what do you have?” Sky asks before turning to one of the staff. “See to it they are fed.”

Gilda watches the servant leave before turning back to him. “Got some riders. We are mostly a riding group. Light armored and ready to move fast.”

“Wildebeests?” Sky asks as the mercenaries were led away.

“Nah. Smaller and more lizard-like.” Gilda says dismissively.

“Really. Never heard of such a creature.” Sky says.

“Only in the south. They love the desert.” Gilda says brushing off her feathers a bit.

“I want to inspect them later.” Sky says uncorking his bottle while Gilda did the same.

Gilda sighs as she sniffs the bottle. “Not bad. You got perks, didn’t you?”

“Yeah, but those perks come with headaches.” Sky says before taking a drink with Gilda.

Gilda slams the cup down onto the table. “But you do have ways. I distinctly remember you getting into my bed just to fuck the Tartarus out of me for the heck of it.”

“You owed me for that job. Now tell me seriously, do you see we are at a massive crossroad here like I do?” Sky asks.

“Yeah. I could see it just riding here.” Gilda says sighing.

“If we lose the next war and don’t conquer our neighbors to the east of us, then this war for dominance will not end with our generation, but years down the line.” Sky says seriously.

“But…?” Gilda asks shaking her head.

“If we win, we cement our hold over the north with all its resources and we are making a great deal of money from our trades with the republic of Griffonstone. This gives us legitimacy to my rule over the continent. Heck, Luna has secretly sworn her loyalty to me and my kingdom with her school. After the campaign, win or lose, we will be making that known. I am also about to start showering my generals and officers with many gifts. Can you understand why I will do this?” Sky asks.

Gilda shrugs as she chugs straight from the bottle. “What do I care about that one? I’m not part of that high end. As long as my guys get paid, they aren’t complaining.”

“Tell me, hypothetical question. If you were an officer or even a general in one of the fiefs I do not control and learn that I treat my officers and generals well and give them gifts, what would you do?” Sky asks making her think.

“Pissed off. Why the heck ain’t I getting that?” Gilda says shrugging. “Still, I’m a traveling merc. You hear a lot of gossip from citizens when you travel.”

“That’s exactly what they will think and many will come here and maybe even bring their families and personal guards with them and seek employment.” Sky says.

“But can you support them?” Gilda asks looking outside.

“Oh, greatly so. I own four provinces. No other ruler of these lands has ever come close to that number. It will also increase our numbers of capable officers. Whether they are of quick of mind, very mighty, or all around good.” Sky says.

“And you?” Gilda asks as she kept staring out the window.

“I may not be the best general, but I am learning. I feel I have also improved greatly since the last war when I had a true taste of defeat.” Sky says.

“You? Defeated? I take it you didn’t take it well.” Gilda says looking at him.

“It was bad, but thankfully I pulled my men out and the enemy didn’t follow it up well.” Sky says.

“So what then? Go back charging in?” Gilda asks leaning on a talon.

“No. The ruler himself I lured into a trap and slew him. After that, none of the remaining warlords still a part of that force could reunite the force efficiently.” Sky says.

“Not bad. I also remember you wanting revenge if they embarrassed you.” Gilda says rolling the cup around.

“I have grown up since then.” Sky says.

“At least you aren’t fucking every mare in sight.” Gilda mutters drinking from the bottle now.

“Not anymore.” Sky says as they drink together. “I am thinking of going home to the island federation if we win the next war and see if I can not establish a relationship with them and visit my mum.” Sky says.

“How is she anyway?” Gilda asks looking to him.

“I haven’t received a letter from her since we seen each other last in Celestia’s city and that was years ago.” Sky says.

Gilda sighs. “Maybe you should hold your line and hurry it up. You know she’s missing you.”

“But if I did, she would lecture me to no end for abandoning my kingdom at this junction.” Sky says.

Gilda laughs. “Fuck yeah she would. She would hound me too for encouraging it.”

“Yeah. Now we have a war to prepare for. After examining your troops, I will put you with those who were once a part of the white hawk’s raider to train for the upcoming war. Your commanding officer will be Captain Daisen. I would think you would have heard of him.” Sky says.

“Him?” Gilda asks in shock, not expecting such a warrior.

“Yes, a part of my terms of making him a king, he transferred him and the entire raider’s to the professional army. The captain is a great asset I can not do without.” Sky says.

“OVERLORD!” A messenger runs in screaming.

“What is it?” Sky asks.

“It’s the Belgica. They sent spies and have burnt several of our storehouses along the eastern border of Gual!” The messenger yells urgently.

“WHAT!?” Sky yells some thinking the castle itself shook from the yell.

“Oh boy.” Gilda says taking one last swig as Sky runs off.