“We confirmed that twelve of our storehouses were burned. A small concession is we caught and slew most of the saboteurs.” An officer informs a week later.

“We have a leak.” Sky says angrily.

“Sir, what’s the plan?” One of the officers asks carefully.

“If they knew about them, what others do they know about? I want all storehouse to triple the guards and go to wartime security. I refuse to lose anymore.” Sky says slamming his hoof on the table.

“Yes, sir.” Most of the officer says as Sky glares at the map.

“Call Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and Shadow Streak with an army each from Libya and tell them to bring their own provisions.” Sky informs the last few.

“Yes, sir.” They say before running out to relay the orders.

“Now are you just trying to weaken us or…are you delaying us?” Sky ask thinking about it.

“How about getting nine advisors and playing a game of nine to one?” Gilda asks, her voice slurred; stumbling in as she holds a bottle of wine and drinks from it.

“That’s why I am summoning all my best men.” Sky says as a messenger hawk flew in; sinking Sky’s heart as it had the red container; the container for utmost urgency.

“Fuck off griffon.” Gilda slurred before collapsing to the ground and groans. “My head. Sky…take the biggest thing…leave one to look over the least obvious answer.”

Sky pays no mind as he gets the message from the container and reads. “They destroyed one of the first of the five great storehouse of the northern tribes!?” Sky yells.

“Shh…not so loud…” Gilda slurs on the floor as she curls up.

“Someone get me Snow and Flitter immediately.” Sky yells.

Gilda groans as she sits her head up. “Sky…please calm down…ow.” She says before dropping back onto the ground.

“I can’t. That isn’t for military build up. That is to store the harvest to feed the people up there.” Sky says.

“You have four…protect…move it…people.” Gilda groans covering her ears. “So loud.”

“Each one is strategically positioned to supply that area of people and the food is equally distributed. That’s a fifth of their supplies.” Sky says.

Gilda just groans and kept covering her ears as she lays on the floor.

“This is one of the burdens I bear as a leader now.” Sky says and before long Snow and Flitter entered and Sky wordlessly gave them the report.

“Who?” Snow asks lowly.

“Belgica spies recently did the same here in Gaul. They are the ones.” Sky says more expressive of his anger.

Snow growls under her breath as Flitter stares at the report. “What’s the action we are taking right now?”

“We have to see to our own people. We have to divert the stores we have been building to them or they will starve soon and start fighting amongst themselves like the old days.” Sky says immediately, surprising both his wives he wasn’t going to use this as an excuse to launch the war now.

“Really? This is your action?” Flitter asks watching him.

“I won’t have our people starve.” Sky says making them both smile.

“Well, this is a surprise.” Alexander says looking at the message they had received from the spy of their group. “He sees to his people and didn’t come at us in a rage like we thought he would.”

“Then we hurt his people. If he acts like this, we go to the people.” Artoria the second says.

“But this gives us more time to prepare for the war. It’s almost as good. Now let’s see what the power struggle we sowed on the island where the heavy salamanders come from plays out.” Alexander says as Artoria the first didn’t seem to like this action they were taking.

“Yes, their cavalry is still a disappointment. They would be devastated going up against one of his cavalry units.” Artoria the first speaks up.

“If you hit it right though.” Alexander points out.

“Depends on their response. Almost every battle the Overlord’s forces have always used a formation that is very adaptable and those crossbows of theirs, while sacrificing a bow’s max range, they make up for it in being able to pierce full plate armor.” Okita says showing how seasoned a warrior she was to the rulers.

“We also need Jaune to convince the knight orders of this providence to side with us before the start of the war.” Artoria the first points out.

“This act may make this difficult as similar acts lead to some of the knight orders in our lands to look disfavorably on me during my reign.” Artoria the second informs.

“Then give them something to help side with us. Something that plays to their missions.” Artoria the first adds.

Peace, a word the minor tribes on Big Bala island could have gotten used too. Their lives mostly consisted of farming, harvesting the fruit, and raising Salamanders. It was a good life, but for some of the younger stallions was unsatisfying as they had grown up on tales of heroism and legends. Now they felt they were living in an age of a new legend. Every time more tales of Sky’s adventures or campaigns made it to them, their blood boiled with excitement. Many wanted to leave the island to join the army of their Overlord for glory and adventure, but there was a problem.

Since the time Big Bala has first settled a few years ago, the island had been heavily fortified and travel was heavily restricted as everyone knew how valuable the fruit from the island was to the Overlord for turning salamanders into their big and stronger forms.

This sat sour with many of the younger stallions who were constantly reminded that this important island the Overlord had given them was so valuable to him that it showed a level of trust they should be honored by. They were told to found new tribes to show how much an honor and trust was put in them.

But now…now is time to show how much that honor and trust has gone through.

“Hey Vandard, come on. Let’s go the the mead house. Maybe old man Kenbor has some new stories.” A stallion calls to the young earth stallion chopping wood with an ax.

“Need fire. Have to finish this up otherwise we won’t be able to cook anything.” Vandard says still chopping.

“Alright, I will see you there.” The stallion says before carrying a load of wood away.

Vandard heaved his ax again as he got back to chopping the wood. As he worked, he smelled fire and saw a dark cloud coming from his village. Vandard grunts ripping out his ax and rush to the village, leaving the wood behind and sees his village being raided. Vandard growls as he ran to his house as ponies and griffons he didn’t know started to crowd the front entrance. “Father, mother!” He calls entering through the back and sees his father keeping some of the armed intruders at bay with a large battle ax.

“Son! Run! Get your mother out of here!” His father yells pushing the attackers back.

“No father. I stand with you.” Vandard says running up; slamming his ax into one of the ponies shields, smashing him into the ground with his strength before ripping away the sword before the father brought down his ax onto the now defenseless pony.

“Then defend with your life.” His father says glaring at the last one.

Vandard roars as he swings his ax, using the shield his ax was embedded in as a blunt instrument trying to smash the last remaining one. The last remaining pony tries to hold up his large ax to block it and receives a shield to the side that destroys on impact and brings him down before Vandrad smashes his ax down and kills him.

“Good. Take his great ax. That one won’t help much in this attack.” The father says moving towards the front door as Vandrad’s siblings barricade the back door.

Vandard nods and lets ‘s go of his woodcutting ax and grabs the dead pony’s one.

“Come on. We will join the defense.” The father instructs.

Vandard huffs as he follows him outside where chaos was happening everywhere and ponies scrambling.

“Son, I will work in this area. Go to the mead hall and see what is going on there.” The father instructs.

“Yes, father.” Vandard says running off.

“Good luck my son.” The father says readying his ax for battle.

“Vandrad!” A stallion calls using a shield to block for dire life.

“What happened?!” Vandard yells running up.

“Help! These guys are from the Gray Lion tribe!” The pony calls.

Vandard growls. “They are our allies. Why now of all times?!”

“Help!” The pony yells as his shield is knocked away.

Vandard growls and runs up before colliding with the pony trying to get through the shield and pushes him away before knocking him over and slams his ax into him afterward. “Get a group together! Make sure the people are protected!” Vandrad calls bringing his ax back up.

“Right.” The stallion says taking the sword from the dead pony as Vandrad swings his great ax at more approaching ponies.

“Come on!” Vandard roars, defending the entrance of the mead hall from a few ponies who were coming in piece by piece, allowing him to fight them one or two at a time as more run to the mead hall for shelter and some of his friends joined him and formed a shield wall.

“Don’t let any of these traitors through. We will make our stand here and break them.” Vandard proclaimed causing those of the shield wall to cheer as more came, but halted when a horn was blown. Many looked reluctant but started to withdraw and leave the village.

“They are running…someone! Quick! Go check our salamander ranch!” Vandard suddenly calls.

Half of the warriors start to run off as Vandard looks down the hills and stares to see the warriors run away from their village. “Why now? And why us?”

Vandard soon learned it wasn’t just his tribe that was attacked. The Grey Lion tribe had also raided the Strong Owl tribe and what they thought was a minor dispute between them and the Silent Moon tribe turned out to be a war between them. A war the Grey Lion tribe was winning. Also, it was discovered that what they had been stealing from all three wasn’t the salamanders from the ranches, but all the food and valuables they could find. It became clear they sought to control all of them through fear and hunger.

Knowing this, he wasted little time rallying the young stallions of his tribe. This was the moment so many of them were waiting for. Now they went to war. The older warriors decided to stay in case the Grey Lion tribe launched another raid. With this, Vandard went to the Strong Owl tribe to rally their young stallions, proclaiming they must follow the Overlord’s example and not wait to be saved, but to take the fight to those who had done them harm and betrayed them all. Fueled by anger and the chance for honor and glory of battle most of the young stallion and mares joined him and headed to aid the Silent moon tribe. What they found was many injured of the tribe and most of the buildings had been looted. Vandard and the warriors quickly saw to them. Treating their injured. Although, at first, they were feared thinking they were from the Grey Lion tribe to finish them off.

“We are not cowards and we not hurting our own kind. We are protectors under the Overlord’s rule.” Vandard declares as he looks to where they might be heading next. Many call out in support of this. “I say we go to the traitor’s homes and teach them a lesson. Show them they can’t just do as they please!” Vandard calls.

Everyone roars and cheers loudly as they raise their weapons in preparation for the fight ahead.

“All who are willing, join us! For battle and glory in the overlord’s name!” Vandard calls.

Many of them at this point started to follow him as he heads down the path towards the direction of the village of the Gray Lion.

As they traveled, it was obvious how inflated the egos of the Grey Lion tribe was. They were the ones who see to the only large port on the island and, as such, controlled the influx of supplies and wealth sent to it. They thought themselves rulers from the looks of it. Vandard and all the forty-seven warriors following him had vowed in their hearts to remind them they were no rulers. The closer they came to the port, the more Vandard’s anger grew at the disrespect they had shown. They even had used the statue of the Overlord for their village to hold up a tied up sack full of blood, dripping onto the statue itself. Almost painting him as a killer and nothing more.

“Seems like they are celebrating.” One of the warriors says as they hide, looking over the port village.

“Then they are idiots. Thinking we won’t attack.” Vandard says frowning.

“The gate is even open. We can charge in before they close it.” Another points out.

“Good spotting.” Another says.

“Right. We will sneak down the hill, then charge.” Vandard says spotting a few warriors out front guarding.

“We can blow them down when we charge them.” One says watching carefully.

“Alright, let’s go.” Vandard whispers before leading them all down the hill quietly.

The warriors at the front were completely caught off guard when the warriors lead by Vandard charged them and fell quickly as they charged in. The fighting was brutal as many of the young warriors were out for revenge, killing the warriors they had found and starting fires, but sparing the forge and storehouses as they went. They fought their way all the way to the mead hall where they knew most of the tribe would be. One of the warriors from the Strong Owl tribe halted the advance and started throwing axes at the door as an official challenge. When he threw the fifth one, before it hit, one of the warriors opened the door to see what was happening and was rewarded with an axe to the face.

“Wasn’t expecting that.” Vandard mutters as another warrior comes out.

“What’s going on out here?” He calls.

“Vandard, that is him. That is the chief of the Gray Lion tribe.” One of the Crimson Thunder warriors says.

Vandard growls before grabbing the arm of the warrior who was about to throw another ax. “Chief of the Gray Lions. We are here to challenge you and your tribe.” Vandard informs.

The chief laughs hearing that. “Well then, come in.” He invites before heading back in.

Vandard huffs as he brings out his great ax as he heads in and his warriors follow.

The chief quickly grabbed a great ax, as well as the mead hall, erupted into a fight as the young warriors poured into a fight while Vandard moved to face the chief, ax ready. The two squared off as axes met each other for several blows and blocks. For several minutes they fought. Vandard was young and strong, but the chief was also strong as they fought before the chief was pushed back into one of the oriented pillars of the mead hall from a slash across his chest from Vandard’s ax. In desperation, the chief barely dodged a chop to the ribs and pushed one of his warriors at Vandard who was trying to dislodge his ax from the pillar.

Vandrad huffs as he slices his ax at the warrior and kicks him away. “Get your sorry flank back here!” He yells heading out of the hall.

The chief ignored him and kept running towards the docks where a boat was moored. Vandrad tried his best to keep up with him, but the chief’s running speed was starting to get the distance between them. Then Vandrad saw it. A set up target with throwing axes lodge in it. When he passed it, he ripped one out before throwing it at the chief; nailing him in the back causing him to fall and slide on the path.

An armored hoof suddenly stops the chief as it steps on him and Vandard raises his axe again for a fight but stops as he sees the demonic looking armor. “Overlord.” He quickly bows as Sky looks down at the chief.

“I come all the way here hearing of a pretender to my throne and they are already at my hooves.” Sky says looking down, his dark malice clear to all who were watching.

“I am sorry, sir. I did the best I could in the time I have.” Vandard says still bowing.

“What is going on around here?” Sky asks looking at him.

Vandrad gulped as he started to explain to Sky what all had transpired and learned from him he was on his way to the northern tribe’s providence when he had heard his own ships were turned away at Big Bala’s port.

“I am sorry sir. But as you can see, I have dealt with the problem. The island is once again under your rule.” Vandard says looking down bowing.

“You are not done. Finish what you started.” Sky instructs pointing to the still living chief.

Vandard stands and grabs his ax. “Yes, sir.” He says bringing his axe up and chops it down onto the chief.

“Good. You’re in charge now?” Sky asks one of the Gray Lion warriors.

The warrior holds up his hooves and backs away.

“Of the tribe.” Sky clarifies.

The warrior gulps as Vandard turns to the warrior as he looks terrified.

“If one doesn’t step forward, the entire tribe will be punished!” Sky yells with authority and soon one was forced forward. “Are you the next in line to be chief of the Grey Lion tribe?” Sky asks.

“Ye…yes Overlord.” He says terrified.

“You and your warriors now serve him.” Sky says pointing to Vandard.

“Yes…yes sir.” The warrior says bowing everyone else.

“You get everyone who followed you and board my ship.” Sky instructs Vandard.

“Yes, Overlord.” Vandard says going to get his most trusted warriors.

“And if there is any more trouble. I will exterminate all of the Grey Lion tribe instead of making just subordinates to a different tribe. Are we understood?” Sky asks the new chief.

“Sir!” The chief yells bowing heavily.

“Good.” Sky says walking back to his ship.

“Well, it seems we have our answer what all of this was about.” Sky says looking to Snow as a changeling told them what had happened on the island.

Snow frowns. “Traitors. The lot of them.”

“We will be sending personal soldiers to ‘reinforce’ the island. I am more curious about this mare. A dirty blond earth mare with an aqua blue coat.” Sky says.

“I think we got our spy.” Snow says smiling, knowing a certain mare that came with them fits that description.

“First we have to find this mare.” Sky says bitterly.

“She is here in the castle.” Snow says surprising her husband.

“Find her. Watch her.” Sky orders.

“Capture her.” Snow adds.

“Later on. If we find more working for her, we need to find out who.” Sky warns.

“Alright, but the moment and I mean moment she makes an escape attempt, we come down harder than your female griffon friend after a few drinks of wine.” Snow says.

Sky slaps himself on the forehead. “Damn it. Forgot about her.”

“Yeah, I didn’t. I am having Skyline take care of her.” Snow informs.

“Thanks. I should go see her.” Sky says frowning slightly.

“Nuh-uh.” Snow says grabbing him.

“What is it?” Sky asks rolling his eyes.

“Flitter wants us to review a few plans. Also, I called for Gleaming and Cadance.” Snow informs.

“Well, we do need their help. Fine. Let’s get going.” Sky says walking off.

“Tell me, is your queen eager to see him?” Snow asks.

“Very. She requests giving her more children.” The changeling informs.

“Oh boy. More eggs…sorry, Gilda. Still, want to have fun.” Sky says to himself.

“Anything yet?” Sky asks one of the changelings for an update nearly two weeks later.

“Nothing yet. If we didn’t confirm she was a spy, we wouldn’t even suspect her right now.” The changeling says.

‘Oh, she is good.’ Sky thinks.

“Maybe waiting for another strike.” Snow says nearby.

“Or laying low. Waiting to see what happens.” Sky says.

“Either one of the two.” Snow mutters.

“So Snow, can we try the method we did for our first time the night of our marriage?” Sky asks.

“Method?” Snow asks confused.

“Yeah. You know? The first time we slept together.” Sky says wiggling his eyebrows at her.

“I…” Snow starts very confusedly.

“Come on Snowy.” Sky says sweetly.

Snow still looks confused. “Sky, I am confused on the matter.”

“Of course you would. You are not my Snow.” Sky says darkly as the door sealed with shadows.

Snow starts to back away from him now as she looks around. “But I…”

“Snow would have smacked me hard for daring to call her Snowy. You are an impersonator.” Sky says poking her chest.

“I am!” Snow says desperately.

“Who are you really? If you don’t, we have ways of making you talk. Horrible dark ways.” Sky says advancing.

“I rather die than meet your demands.” ‘Snow’ hisses.

“Where is my wife?” Sky says.

“Somewhere you won’t…” ‘Snow’ chokes as Sky grabs her by the neck with a shadowy tendril.

“I won’t repeat myself.” Sky informs.

‘Snow’ chokes and tries to get the tendril off of her neck.

“Now answer me.” Sky says before dropping her.

‘Snow’ coughs as she lands onto the ground and rubs her neck. “I’ll…I’ll never tell.”

“You sure?” Sky asks as he stops upon hearing a knock on the door. “I am tame compared to who has arrived.” Sky says going over and letting the changeling out as a blue-maned white unicorn enters.

“Hey. This the one?” Vinyl says flashing her fangs as she walks in.

“Yes, spy, meet Vinyl. One of my secret wives and the queen of this realm’s vampires.” Sky introduces sealing the door once more when she enters.

Vinyl grins as the disheveled ‘Snow’. “Better wash her down. I don’t like the fact I’m going to be experimenting with a look-alike Snow. She would kill me.”

“Let’s make her tell us where she is first.” Sky instructs.

Vinyl shrugs. “Have it your way.” She says rubbing her hooves together. “Let’s get started.”

“Did you find her?” Sky asks the guard he was speaking to while he only has the door cracked open slightly.

“Not yet. We need more information.” The guard says.

“Alright.” Sky says closing the door before sealing it again. “Does she admit she was beaten?” Sky asks knowing now she was linked to Fumel from the divining the vampire witch did when they brought her in. “Also, tell me, why you aren’t physically torturing her again?” Sky requests.

“Those who are linked to Fumel are not allowed to torture each other like that or allow others like that to be tortured in such a way.” Vinyl answers.

“I see…that’s getting slow. And hard to deal with because MY WIFE IS MISSING!” Sky yells at her.

“I’m your wife too.” Vinyl reminds patting his head.

Sky grabs her head harshly and before huffing and pushing her towards the imposter. “Get it done. I want her found!” Sky yells leaving and shutting the door loudly.

“My husband is getting impatient. So why did Fumel send you?” Vinyl asks speaking frankly and is met with silence once more. “Come on. Tell me. We both serve her and you lost. The rules say you have to give me the info.” Vinyl reminds making her squirm a bit.

“I…we were summoned to aid the Celtica kingdoms against the Overlord.” She admits.

“By who?” Vinyl asks walking around.

“The six princes of Celtica. In exchange, they traded their bodies. I am possessing one of them.” She informs.

Vinyl raises an eyebrow. “And where is Snow?”

“I left her in the attic in the villa I was given to use here. She is still asleep because of some powerful incenses burning near her.” She informs.

“Oh, so the prince, he still conscious in your body here?” Vinyl asks.

“Yes.” She answers.

“And he used to having a mare’s body yet?” Vinyl asks.

“No.” She answers frowning slightly.

“Then I have the perfect punishment.” Vinyl says.

“I can take can pain you dish out.” She says frowning towards Vinyl.

“What were Fumel’s orders should you lose?” Vinyl asks.

She glares at her. “Keep him away.”

“By Fumel’s orders.” Vinyl says making her squirm again, showing she really didn’t want to say. “Tell me.” Vinyl says coaxing her

“Fine, you win. She told us to help if we were defeated.” The mare says unhappily she was defeated.

Vinyl chuckles. “And you will, bigly. Sky!”

Sky frowns as he steps back in. “She better tell you where Snow is or I’m going to punch somepony.”

“The villa she was told to use and in the attic and asleep by way of incense.” Vinyl informs.

Sky whistles loudly towards the door and the guards run off. “Won’t Precious be happy to hear we found her.”

“Also Sky.” Vinyl says before whispering all she was told by the mare into his ear.

Sky hums and looks to the mare. “Really now?”

“Yes.” Vinyl informs.

Sky hums as he rubs his chin. “Temping. Could make it work.”

“She has to help us in some way so how about she helps by…” Vinyl says before whispering the rest.

“Oh, I like the idea, but first going to make sure Snow is there.” Sky says walking away.

Vinyl chuckles deviously. “I love my life.”

“What did you tell him?” The mare nearly demands.