A Softer Warmth
“And here you’ll stay,” said the warrior as he left with two taps of his longsword against the iron bars of his cell below the castle. One of many but the only one containing Igneous who laid there with four hooves chained to the ground restricting him from even touching any of the cold stone walls. The night was miserable, it was freezing, it was dark, and it was lonely for the falconer.

The halls echoed with the hoof-steps of a patrolling warrior set to guard but still armored and equipped unlike most guards prior to the takeover. Some other ponies held within their own cells beckoned for conversation from the warrior with the newly endowed title of a keeper, asking as to what had been made of Noriphmy and its capital. One warrior would remark that it had been taken over and the council dismantled. He would then point his sword to the floor and say that below us is where the gelding are made. He would then ask them to silence themselves and behave for the night with no further word.

Behaving wasn’t something Igneous was opposed to and the same could be said for the others as well. Most were ponies arrested during the take over mostly because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time but all assured they would receive due process just and fairly. Igneous doubt that included him.

One by one each and every pony left at the taps of two long swords and one by one they were freed and let go. One by one all night long until Igneous was the only one who remained with the warrior receiving no further word to do otherwise but continue his round walking around in circles always tapping on his bars when he passed by. Most times with a grin of satisfaction.

Igneous never looked, only keeping his muzzle buried between his shackled hoofs as he tolerated the cold and hardness of the floor. It was dark, except for the occasional glowing catalyst of the keeper passing by and it felt very oppressing as a prison rightfully should be.

However what got to Igneous wasn’t the shackles or the constant state of being under surveillance, he had gotten used to that over the months. No, the thing that got to him the most was the loneliness. In all his years he had always had a compatriot at his side. Mace, Kara, Joel, Oxinum, Floritha. They were always there to keep on another company on the long days they baked under the sun as they traveled from one place to the next. Always setting their sights high, always focused on the horizon. He had a place and that place was on the forefront of leadership.

He had lost that, all of it and in the worst way too. Less than a year and already two teams of his had been killed off like no other. Kara burned to death. Mace dragged down into an abyss by Aminus himself. Oxinum killed while on a rescue mission along with Floritha at the mercy of the Istudian armies.

It wasn’t the only thing he lost. It was everything else of what little he owned. His weapons armor and the title of a falconer itself. He no longer slayed monsters, no, he was a prisoner on account of being a Prince. A title he never took advantage of or even acted upon. Instead it was just a commodity he always acknowledge about himself but never truly accepted. Maybe if he did he wouldn’t be here, his kingdom wouldn’t have been stolen from him and he could have been anywhere but here.

No, not anywhere, that was a lie. There was only one place he would rather be. One place, one pony not imprisoned, on the run, killed off or in constant danger. A pony only innocents could properly describe. Navinia, the one and only mare Igneous truly cared for above all else.

The fact that she was here in the capital no doubt safe at home just beyond those bars in a place he knew and could see made the feeling of separation hurt all the more. If he wasn’t chained he could have walked there, down the streets, around a few corners and there she would be in a beautiful dress and full of conversation and smiles.

He would have taken her to the gardens again, taken her to see another play at the Magnoliven Estoc, watched the moon in the night hours as it rose above and fell below the mountains and just be with her as much as he could.

But he wasn’t chain-less, wasn’t free to roam around. He was imprisoned for being a prince. A title he never cared for or acted upon until that day he met the princess of Istudious. All he could do now was play the part of a prisoner. Be obedient, listen to orders and not resist. He’d done well so far and because of it he wasn’t dead yet by the grace of Quariomy.

He violently shivered and his shackles loudly clinked as a result. His cell was still cold, the shackles still hard and the night barely an hour old after the sun fell behind the mountains. He was physically drained, emotionally too. Now all he could do was sleep. Sleep seemed to be the only thing he was good for other than being the princesses little pet.

So as his eyes heavily fell shut he began to drift off, he began to dream. In this dream the chains vanished and the stone floors turned soft at his touch and suddenly he wasn’t falling asleep in a stone cold cell but instead waking up in a bed. The same bed he found himself in during the night he fought an assassin.

Igneous fell out of the bed with a thump and remembered how he got here. Navinia had let him stay the night and looking out the barred window he found that the sun had not yet fully risen but was still hiding somewhere beyond the horizon.

He picked himself up and shook off the rude awakening. He wasn’t quiet used to the feeling of laying on anything softer than grass. Most nights he just fell asleep in the dirt if he or his team were not in a village, and if they are the floor was often times was a better alternative than the cheap old mattresses they provided.

Waking up in this bed, although he technically fell out, seemed like a luxury. A luxury but he was still a guest so he quickly reorganized the sheets, tucking them in nicely the way he found them yesterday night when Navinia showed him in.

With one final pat he was done, he didn’t even need his magic as it was such a basic chore. Looking satisfied with his work he looked to the foot of the bed and found his armor and equipment laying there just where he left them. He had nothing else to wear and in this early hour he didn’t want to disturb Navinia.

His mind began to wonder and slowly walking up to them he took a seat nearby and picked up his chest plate held together by mail and simply stared at it while it clinked and swayed in his magical grip. He examined the fine work of Frawl seeing the well crafted plates and excellently mended curves of the armor. He placed a hoof on the center feeling the divots of the fire emblem that was emblazoned upon it.

Nearly every pony knew the meaning the symbol of fire held: It was the strength and will of Noriphmy that every pony supposedly was apart of, but what did it mean when only a few were willing to defend it? What did it mean to dawn the symbol of this nation and to fight for the ponies within? To kill bandits, assassins and occasionally monsters? To be told to run from village to village never to stop for rest hardly, being recompensed for your efforts only to be blamed for your downfalls and failing?

He looked to his swords that laid against the bed frame and thought of the many kills they had scored. A sword for hire with a team expected to be put to use, putting there lives in danger. The lives of which seemed exceptional but were acted towards as being expendable.

What pony truly knew what it was like to lose a friend? To see them injured and scared many, many miles from home. To see them die and be gone, leaving you with nothing more to do but to mourn and cry only to return once again to see too few or none at all do the same? Instead they find themselves being expected to run and help the next village with their dilemma sorting out land agreements and keeping the peace between two parties who couldn’t even fend for themselves.

Why did he fight? A question he found himself asking more and more over the years but more recently these months. “Why do I fight?” A question he found answers for throughout the past few days as poor as they were.

‘Because it's the right thing to do,’ That was about the worst and a place holder for most, he felt.

‘Because Noriphmy is in danger,’ was another but one he felt no genuine attachment to.

‘I care for the ponies.’ It was a lie.

‘No true pony deserved to die.’ There are no true ponies.

‘It is my duty.’ No pony held him to it. It was expected.

‘I fight for the thrill.’ He fought vapidly.

He knew he fought for something, he just knew it was there. There had to be a reason he would suit up each day and run off into danger knowing full well he or any pony else of his might die. If he had no purpose then he wasn’t living, he wasn’t developing, growing or learning. He was only existing. “Why do I fight?” he asked himself aloud.

He forgot where he was, he forgot the guest he was and as he sat there clutching his armor he heard a voice say his name pulling him back to the present and out of his trembling state. Taking in a breath he looked to see Navinia in the doorway poking her head in. “Are you alright Igneous?”

He hadn't expected her to be up so early, he was caught a little off guard. Carefully he placed his armor down again and said, “I’m sorry, I had nothing to wear.”

She smiled as the rest of her body hid behind the door. “Close your eyes,” she nearly sang. He gave her a look of unsurety but she reassured him saying, “it's in good nature. Please?” With a nod he did so and as he sat there blinded he heard the door open completely followed by the slowly approaching steps of Navinia.

“What is this?” he cautiously asked.

“Shh,” she said as she placed something cold around his neck letting it rest on his shoulders. Stepping back she nodded to herself and said, “okay. You can open them now Igneous.”

When he did the first thing Igneous was Navinia and the dress she wore. It nearly took his breath away and he immediately took in the details of how it was darker in aspect but still seemed colorful. It was lined with golden strips of fabric throughout giving it a nice shine around the edges that could easily catch any ponies eye, especially Igneous’. Her mane was pulled back and neatly laid down to the left side of her neck and her tail was straitened and untouched.

Igneous had to complement her. Finding his voice he said, “Navinia, you look… beautiful.”

“No, no,” she said kindly. “Look at yourself.” Looking down he found that he was now wearing the emblazoned collar he lost the night of the attack. He held it in his hoof and Navinia was quick to explain, “You accidentally left it here when they took you to the medical ward.”

Yes it was appropriate for the audience of the capital but he felt sorely under dressed just standing next to Navinia. Even still he couldn’t help but express his appreciation, “thank you Navinia honestly, but I feel my attire is insufficient compared to you.”

“Yes, to others it may seem,” she admitted taking a step closer then taking him around the neck in a playful hug. “But it's perfect to me Igneous.”

“Oh? Navinia,” he said being taken by surprise as she almost knocked him over. He was only able to stay up write as he wrapped a hoof around steadying the both of them but as he did Navinia saw deep cut scar in his fourleg that laid around her neck.

Taking it in her hoof and feeling the indent it held she asked, “Igneous, what is this?”

“The scar that assassin inflicted upon me.”

She immediately remembered the conversation they had hours before and how he said he purged every scar because he feared intimidation. She continued to carefully caress it a bit and asked, “You hadn't purged it?”

“It's not the only one,” he said tapping his snout. Looking closer she faintly saw three little streaks going down the length of it and seeing the look of recognition Igneous said, “I wanted to remember Navinia. Just like you suggested.”

“You kept it for me?”

“Of course, only for you Navinia,” he said.

She almost knocked him over with another hug but he kept his balance again and managed to ask, “What will we be doing today?" It came out a bit strained but when she let up he suggested in an evenly caring voice, "Another walk around the streets or gardens, or will we be eating together?”

“We can eat here,” she suggested as she let him go. “Afterwards we can visit the Estoc arena to see a few plays...”

Oh yes, the Estoc arena wasn’t just for gruesome events but it also hosted a far amount community friendly plays and performances topped with exotic costumes and talented, dramatic actors for the crowed to entertain themselves with. Often times they did historical plays retelling the events of past Carridian before Aminus the Black dragon. Other times they did fictional tales about love, war, life and all other assorted life lived topics as well as fantasy.

Most considered it a recreational place when not hosting hundred wolf slaughters or the event of the Embers putting tens or even hundreds of prisoners against one another in a dramatic, true to life, mortal, reenactment of Magnoliven himself until one was victorious after a season of combat. However unlike Magnoliven the victors often times were unicorns and not Earthponies like Magnoliven himself.

Navinia fiddled with her mane pulling her hoof through it as she said, “I’m not quite ready to leave just yet however.”

“Why?” Igneous asked. “You already look perfect.”

“I know but,” she nervously began as she continued to stroke her mane. “I haven’t had any pony braid my hair,” she said looking up to him. “Hooves don’t necessarily work well. Can you?” she shyly asked. “Please?”

It was something about her that could easily soften him to his very heart. “Of course I could,” he nodded. Navinia happily smiled and led him out from the guest bedroom, Igneous, already having forgotten about the armor and the dilemma associated with it.

Now he hadn't quite done braids before but remembering how Adridge would do hers every morning before she set out, he actually found it was a quite simple pattern: Separate into three and place one over the other and repeat. It was something he found oddly relaxing as they sat in the fore room with the incomplete armor set Igneous stole from that night. Its sword was laid against the podium and the scabbard laid there in two pieces. The gauntlets had been mounted although the one Igneous defended himself with was immensely cracked and broken. Also the hole in the wall Igneous made when he charged the assassin down. It was covered with blankets and no doubt hole just beyond that was too.

He did his best not to acknowledge it but Navinia could tell what he was getting at and before he could say sorry she said, “There's no need to apologize. You saved my life.” It was probably because he spent so much time apologizing the night before, that could have been a factor.

Continuing to braid, one over the other, he pondered over that last remark. ‘You saved my life,’ she had said. It may have been what she thought but Igneous had heard the assassin explicitly say, ‘You are my target, not Navinia.’ Which honestly was the other way around.

He sighed. The council seemed to want him dead but there was honestly nothing he could do about it. They were noblemen, they owned just about everything in the public's eye and putting them down would only do more harm than good. Most ponies knew of their corruptness and the lies they fed, but every pony knew it was fake that everything they said was contrived.

What could they do? Object? That seemed to be about it but there was no system, only power. What is Maces father doing? How can he convince the council to bend and adhere to their demands of border expansion and rural development? He was just an earth pony. An earth pony against a council of mostly Celestials and Unicorns. He was battleborn not politically ready, but then again he briefly led this nation. Still is actually.

Igneous shook his head, it wasn’t right to doubt against hope especially when proven right multiple times when he followed through. If Mace's father could pull through before then it's only in Igneous’ best interest to think good of him and work along with any of his demands. Right now that meant he needed Igneous to lay low and stay alert while he takes care of the rest.

If staying low meant acting like a civilized pony then Igneous sure would give it a try, especially if Navinia was the one involuntarily showing him the ropes. He would forgo the armor and swords for this day and hopefully, if he’s attacked, the royal guard might be competent enough to step in and save him because he sure wasn't confident in his dark magic to help himself. Especially after failing to summon his shortsword the night of the attack.

With one final tug and a gentle pull Igneous tied off the rest and laid the braid neatly against her neck just the way she had it before when it laid straight. He had very much enjoyed doing this favor, braiding her hair, catching her glancing back at him with smiles and quickly looking away. It was just something about her subtle playful nature that really did a number on him, and it wasn’t a bad number either.

They then had breakfast and this time it was cereal grain, reinforced and with added fruits. A whole meal the box had boasted but Igneous didn’t really consider it whole unless there was some trace of meat which obviously had none, but-he-didn’t-want-to-think-too-much-about-breakfast-cereal, no. He wanted to think about Navinia, he wanted to talk more about her, get to know her better and she was there right in front him playfully smiling and constantly talking.

For Igneous it was the talking. They way she always found something to chatter on about when, to Igneous, it seemed there was nothing else to go off of. She always talked about her days and the simple, trivial things she did.

Her stories of daily life weren’t about hunting bandits or monsters. Weren’t about sword preference or complicated tactical insertions but instead they were simple, relatable and basic to understand for the falconer. (Relatable being used more loosely than the others.) It was more relaxing and less mind numbing when it came to the constant madness of combat and the organised chaos that ensued, insuring one of two parties doesn’t live.

No, listening to her ramble on about shopkeepers, dresses, mutual friends and her little adventures she took within the streets of Noriphmy was fun. He actually hoped that she didn’t stop talking because if she did then that meant Igneous would have to say something for himself which he didn’t know if he could do. He wasn’t very social, he never lingered in a tavern and never stayed too long to be noticed. The only ones he ever spoke to were his team mates and often time the conversation wasn’t about him. It was only about the task at hand, the beast to be hunted and the bandits to be dealt with. Combat and swords, that's all that came to mind when he thought about it. Swords and armor, shields and fortitude, chaos and all.

He shook away the thoughts and continued to listen. That's all he wanted was to spend some time with a genuine pony such as Navinia.

After some time and their little breakfast was over with Navinia glanced outside. “Are you ready Igneous?” she asked. It seemed it was time to go, the Estoc plays wouldn’t wait for them.

He nodded his head, “Of course.” This time Igneous led Navinia to the front door, used his magic to hold it open for her Navinia playfully swiped Igneous’ muzzle with her wing. She playfuly giggled as Igneous chuckled too. Together they took to the streets walking closely by each other as other ponies occupied the walkways as well. Igneous didn’t care how underdressed he actually was as all he needed to feel complete was her.

Embers Bygoned

Just as quickly as it had happened Igneous found himself being rudely shaken awake by a warrior undoing his shackles. Not only one but he was also accompanied by five more warriors. All armored and equipped to handle an unarmed magic bound unicorn such as Igneous himself.

Fully coming to his senses Igneous muttered, “What-Where are you taking me?” Looking outside he could see the sun had already risen with light reflecting off the mountains blanketed in snow, but not only that but even on the elevation he was at he could hear the loud ambiance of an excited audience far below. They could have been putting on a play in the Estoc Arena but if Igneous recalled correctly they didn’t do too many plays during the winter season.

Another click and the last of the cuffs fell free. Igneous slowly stood up and the warriors positioned themselves around him while one said, “don’t speak. Follow and no sly business.”

It wasn’t as if Igneous intended to try anything anyway as he was outnumbered and not even weaponized.

Marching Igneous down the halls they left the portion of halls that held cells for others like Igneous. They led him down deeper into a winding stair well carved from the mountain running down wards. Igneous remembered this passage beneath the castle lead directly to the Estoc Arena itself. Not only that but the exclusive podium made for the king that protruded from the wall and sat high above all others in the stands of the arena and just before it stood Quariomy herself as she consulted a few operators over the events that were soon to transpire.

She turned her head and her gaze fell upon Igneous and his band of escorts. With a smile she waved off the operators and walked over to him, fully armored, and cheered, “Igneous, my Prince. How have you been keeping?”

Igneous shook his head. What kind of act was she trying to put on? Was he simply trying to toy with his emotions or give him a false sense of security? Whatever it was he answered with his head low, “no, not exactly my Princess.” It was almost a whisper.

“Might you enjoy the show then,” she asked leading him towards the bright opening were the king sat. “It's a fascinating set up,” she began a bit enthused. “A bit Istudian history to educate the citizens of Noriphmy. What do you think?”

He shook his head with passive disregard and answered, “it sounds interesting my Princess.”

With a satisfied grin she looked to Igneous and set a hoof on his shoulder. “I’m glad to have your approval.” As he looked her in the eyes his attention was drawn away when movement in his peripheral vision produced two scabbards. He recognized the make of the sheaths and its fine quality. The hilts of the swords made it all the more apparent just whose they were. Quariomy then said, “the crowd expects a grand performance. Do not disappoint me my Prince.” With a clink from his Catylist Quariomy removed the binding ring and Igneous again felt his magic.

Before he could respond he was roughly shoved away by the same warriors set to guard him. They pushed him down another corridor while Quariomy took a stand before the stadium of Estoc and the occupants thereof. She began to speak to the crowed who swiftly silenced themselves. As she did ambient drums began to play starting slow and quietly and only continuing to take their time building up the anticipation.

From where Igneous had been taken he couldn’t hear her words precisely only that she spoke bold, proud and with exceptional vigor no doubt enthralling the crowd in the events to come. From what he had glimpsed Igneous could see that the massive stadium and been nearly filled, maybe half empty it was only a glimpse.

Down more corridors until he reached what he knew as the underlayer of the Arena. Here the floor echoed with the sounds of frantic hoof steps all around as operators, as well as a few other warriors, prepped the arena from below ground. The sound of rushing water could also be heard and too echoed all around. If the operators wanted to they could have flooded the Estoc Arena, could open trap doors and raised obstacles as well as release a few champions such as wolves or bears if they were in stock. Champions could also be pony or even monsters greater, lesser or even avian if it hadn't been crippled.

In Igneous’ case the warriors threw him into a cage with nothing more but light leather chest made armor and his swords Quariomy had presented earlier. However to call it a cage would be a little misleading as it was actually a barred elevator hoisted by pulleys and the water canals that ran below. With a jolt the cage suddenly lifted into the air and into the shaft above and in no time at all Igneous was at the Arena Level of the Estoc itself.

It was able to raise on its own because the river below pushed massive turbine that in turn rotated a myriad of different gears both big and small. It was another advantage of living on top of a massive river bed and that was you could easily harness it for mechanical energy or in this case to raise a simple elevator through the use of chains, pulleys and gears.

With a jolt and a click the cage locked into place as it leveled off. In front was the dirt and dust of the arena along with the bright sunlight that flooded inwards and invaded Igneous’ sight. Behind him was another snaking corridor that stretched a quarter of the way around the perimeter of the Estoc arena floor. Here a few more warriors and operators stood by and around pulley systems strung together by chains. From where he was he could see four separate systems all together. A few other operators also scurred about accomplishing minute task in preparation for the event.

With ease Igneous picked himself up from the floor of his holding containment. He gathered his equipment and examined the armor that was provided to him. It was a simple piece of hardened leather, fitted and meant to protect the chest area of a pony. It was basic in design but it no doubt did its part when it came to protection. He nodded in approval and strapped the laces together fastening it to his body.

He then gathered his scabbard and his examined them. No cuts, just like he left them and with leather still instilled with its fine design. It was when he cracked open the blades to check their conditions did he hear his name being called from a faintly familiar voice. Looking to his left he cautiously ventured, “Rechon?”

“It is you,” he said with relief.

Looking over Igneous could see Rechon too was held within a cage the same size as Igneous’ and already locked into place. He noticed Rechon still donned his earthenearing suit and this sparked one of many question, “What happened? How did you get captured, you should have gone.”

He coughed and answered, “We uh… became imprisoned. Well… Imprisoned may not be the correct term for us.”

“What do you mean?”

“There was nothing left for us to do, nowhere to go and no pony would harbor us so we surrendered on the condition that we could keep our equipment. Quariomy personally approved.”

“Wait,” Igneous stammered. “You and who else?”

“Nimbus,” he answered gesturing his head near the gate leading to the arena.

Igneous had often times forgotten but that could have been because she became well adjusted. Her right wing had been savagely maimed and as a result was completely removed. In its place was an earthenear crossbow along with the chest armor that came with and operated it properly. Her ear had the leather bit and her muzzle was strapped to wires that ran along her body down to the intricate device that steared the crossbow in the direction she was looking.

Her left wing was reinforced with the bladed feathers that a Falconer Celestial typically wore while tucked beneath that wing harbored a fixed weapons tube one normally found on poor earth pony fighters. She also donned a single retractable, bladed gauntlet on her right hoof which Igneous remembered was to compensate for long range of the crossbow.

Igneous knew Nimbus was a stoic character, hardly talking and only giving necessary input while also contributing greatly to her team. Her broken former team of Kohligan, Hilliph and Mace’s father that seemed to be no more.

This coupled with the loss of her sister made Nimbus very withdrawn but Igneous could help but empathise with her and keep his distance for the better of both of them. He could not have felt any worse then her as Igneous was the one responsible for Kara’s well being. He wanted to blame himself and even now he still did but Nimbus had consoled him saying it wasn’t his fault and that some tragedies are inevitable and that was why Kara and Nimbus had always left each other on happy, lovingly, good terms.

Something Igneous and Kohligan seemed impossible to achieve.

Keeping his voice low Igneous asked, “Rechon, how have they been treating you? The warriors.”

“They haven't hurt us,” he answered in an equally low voice as the warriors stood far off to the opposite end of the hallway. “Their true to their word Igneous, wouldn’t you know?”

He nodded and looked out to the arena. Quariomy was continuing to talk saying something about liberation and unity. She referred to the days before Aminus and the few afterwards but after having already missed a large portion neither Rechon or Igneous knew what she was on about.

“Igneous,” Rechon began. “Do you know what they’re going to do with us?”

Strapping the scabbard to across his body, one on each side, he answered, “By my guess, today we are champions of the Estoc Arena.”

Quariomy was just finishing, Igneous could tell by the way she now spoke. The drums continued to beat, something Igneous knew was intended to create ambiance just before the gates were lifted and the event began with thrashing weapons and furious combat.

There was a knock on the bars of their cells and Igneous looked to see a standardly equipped warrior say, “listen now. When the drums end their beat, the gates will be raised.” Both Igneous and Rechon nodded in contempt but only Nimbus continued to look on. “You are expected to fight the opposition whatever that may be, animals, beasts or ponies.” That was standard and each of them already knew it although monsters were typically reserved for the very last event and if Igneous recalled correctly there wasn’t one in stock. The warrior continued, “you will not return or linger in the cage during the fight. Any attempted to do so will result in death by order and command of the Princess.” Giving them all a quick glance he asked, “have I made myself clear.”

“Very,” Igneous half heartedly answered.

Suddenly both Rechon, Nimbus and Igneous ears perked up as silence took hold the arena. The warrior cocked his head with a giddy smile and gestured with his head to the warriors behind while saying, “Raise the gates.”

There were four simultaneous knocks as operators and warriors pushed forward a levar on the pulley lock system dropping the underground dead gear into place. The chains strickened and the gates began to rise on command.

Nimbus back away slowly without a word and Rechon found himself at her side ready to combat whatever came next. With his scabbard strapped at his side he cracked a blade drawing it completely out and was the first to step into the arena.

None of them had been listening to Quariomy as she gave her speech. It could have been about politics or whatever she thought was necessary to win over the public but when all was said and done and the fight was about to start, the only thing each and every one of those falconers heard her say was, “Citizens of Noriphmy… The true nature of Falconers.”

Igneous let out a prolonged sighed. “Propaganda. Perfect.”