Author's Notes:

Another chapter that doesn't feature the King himself sadly. His antics will be missed.

But anyway, hope you all like another chapter fallowing the exploits of the background cast. Some say they are more interesting the the king himself.

Also edited the character feature of this story, don't worry, Equestria and the princesses will still be involved in the future, but obviously aren't the focus of this fic.

Akadar entered his tiny study next to the main hall that holds the statue and Altar of Zakarh. He carefully closed the door behind him before making his way over to a closet in order to get himself out of the heavy robes and jewelry that was bestowed to him as a speaker to the divines.

With his fur free of clothing, he made his way over to his desk and sat down in front of it. The surface of the desk was a mess; letters, scrolls and ancients tomes from all across the ages where blanketing the surface of the fine woodwork, reminiscent of his lust for old knowledge and the study of the past that he loved to conduct in his spare time.

It is quite unknown to most outsiders, but the dedicated representative of each god within the Zebra pantheon also served as the keeper of a lot of functional infrastructures within the city.

Some outsiders may begin to question as to why certain establishments such as schools or libraries were devoid of any normally hired or trained teachers or custodians from the local population - that’s because all of these responsibilities were mostly kept and preserved by the local priests and priestesses of the Temples.

What deity they serve depends on what their secondary profession is, like how a priest of Tzerath would be tasked to tend to the knowledge within libraries and archives, or how a custodian of Damalath was also tasked in keeping the stock in local granaries in check and how they keep local shamans supplied with the rare herbs they needed, a task reminiscent to the Goddess of nature and fertility.

There were, of course, certain exceptions to these roles, like with Susara being the added head maiden of the city’s orphanage, and Akadar being a scribe and a historian at the same time.

It really all depended of the individual talents that the Zebra had, but overall it’s them that maintain a large portion of the city’s infrastructure. Mostly thanks to the higher level of education and a sense of responsibility required to live in the Temples.

Akadar began to scout out his desk for a very specific note that he had received a while back. Failing to do so on his first try, he just groaned to himself in annoyance before becoming rather physical about his approach, swooping away all of the other letters, books and scrolls that were not of interest to him at the moment.

This continued for a while before his desk eventually became clean of all of the mess and clutter that decorated its surface previously.

This left the middle aged stallion in a bit of a fizz as all of his priceless scrolls were now unprofessionally scattered about across his marble floor.

“Need to remember to clean this up later.” He noted to himself as he began to rub his head in thought, trying to properly remember where he had stashed that letter away when it was first brought to him while he was busy resetting the altar.

He just frowned again, as the lack of remembrance was reeking its ugly head from around the corner.

He scolded himself. “Damn it, Akadar, you are the local scribe and head priest of this temple, and you are still unable to remember where exactly you placed a piece of paper? This is ridiculous. This would be made even worse if I was actually a high priest of Tzerat rather than Zakarh.” He ranted to himself as he got up.

Almost on queue, the spark of his needed memory quickly ignited within his mind as he said that.

He gave Zakarh a quiet thanks for his assistance before moving himself to his personal wall shelf where he kept most of his written letters and scrolls.

He personally remembered having stashed the letter up on a wall shelf to keep it hidden from any curious eyes or servants that tended to come by to tidy up his study whenever he was doing his duties within the temple or strolling around somewhere.

It would be a disaster, and most likely the end of his time within the temple, if his long-forgotten secret was found out via a simple letter given to him buy an equally enigmatic source.

He made his way over to the far left of his study and began to browse through the upper stacks of his shelves in search for this letter. It took a while to scout through his stacked-up papers, but he eventually found the very letter that he has been seeking for in between a bunch of others.

He smiled, making his way back towards his desk before sitting back down on his haunches in front of it. He carefully placed the letter down onto the desk and began to unbind the threads that kept the folded paper sealed.

He began to stare at its contents when he finally opened it. It was made not of actual paper, but rather of some organic substance that was reminiscent to some hardened goo, quite noticeable when you viewed its detailed structure up close. The soft layers of spiral waves could be seen within its semi-green texture.

Akadar ignored the obviousness, as he focused rather at the written print above it. Long-forgotten memories flashed back into his mind as its content was giving him a healthy dose of nostalgia… an unnecessary one, to be honest.

It was written in an alphabetic system he hadn’t seen for a very long time, but still very familiar given his own origins - the traditional letters and alphabetic symbols reminiscent to most changelings.

Akadar looked down at his right hoof, a sudden flash of purple flames enveloping it, revealing a jet black and shiny surface instead of the black and white fur it used to have.

He sighed again; he had always considered himself more Zebra than changeling, mostly thanks to the fact that he was born here after his parents migrated from whatever land they originally hailed from, and now, thanks to transpiring events that were happening all around him, it was time to finally accept his true origins and to get involved with something that he previously tried to ignore after he first received this letter.

Granted, it wasn’t really from the hive that he was from. But still, he and his parents did come from a similar hive just as this one from a land that was a lot greener and also a lot more mountainous than this one.

Or so he has been told when he was just a colt.

It all didn’t matter to him though, as there was still a decision to make, and giving the content of this letter and the now-obvious problems that this particular hive seems to be facing, it seemed to be pretty clear that the city and, to a much greater extent, his home, might be on a path that could easily prove itself a lot more problematic than even the invasion attempt of the Minotaurs.

He is a changeling, which means that he should possess the natural means to help with being able to sense other changelings, the same way this Farries stud did when he first laid his eyes upon him.

But now it seemed that the situation was escalating even further, and that the choice doesn’t seem to be much up to him as much as he previously thought.

He needed to somehow get into contact with this Cyrus guy the letter named and get more answers from him. Akadar will have to make the right choice in seeking out the place that this letter described. He may not be fully knowledgeable about changelings, but judging by his parents, himself and now Farries as well, despite their somewhat sinister look, changelings couldn’t really be all that bad despite their somewhat alien feeding needs and natural profession for stealth, replacement and espionage.

He may be one of them, but at heart his is more Zebra than changeling. This is his home, and he will help defend it, even if it means going against his own kin.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Farries groaned. After having gone through these Zebras’ scribes and gotten through the Palace barracks to fit him with the appropriately sized armor to protect him other than the very chitin that he was born with. He was basically done with all of this complicated bull and was finally on his way to do the one very thing that he was instructed to do if he wanted to keep his new position, life, lover and more or less new home in exchange for his services and expertise.

It’s actually kind of crazy to think that just a couple of days ago he was still loyal to his queen and in a more malicious mission to hunt down changelings by her orders. That is, until he got captured, sent in front of the king and then receiving some of the most delicious, plentiful (and also physical) love that he had ever seen, tasted, felt and experienced in his entire life.

Call him a traitor and a backstabber, but when it comes to love, a changeling, especially a desperate one, will be capable of doing ANYTHING to receive that love, and given the fact that up here, he was given a chance to not only receive all of this love and found a mare that is not completely scared or repulsed by his race’s look and diet, the choice was pretty obvious for him.

Plus knowing that he isn’t really alone with this train of thought is also somewhat good to know. Certainly made his choice overall a lot easier to swallow… literally.

Actually, now that he is here he just can’t stop thinking about Dahla at this point. The Zebra mare that somehow managed to fill up his hungry heart in a single day. She seemed so curious, but also so very honest and caring when he finally allowed himself to open up on her. One thing lead to another and it wasn’t long when the two started to… feel something for one another.

The love she eventually spilled out for him tasted amazing, which he was forced to return as his… member at the time started to show. But instead of being repulsed, she actually took it as a compliment, especially when she first kissed him and showed her more beautiful side to him.

He already knew the amazing taste of love she irradiated, but having felt it as well… now he just can’t stop thinking about her. Not as a food source, but rather as a mate. Someone he could trust and be with, someone to share the love and to protect.

And who knows, maybe both a Changeling and a Zebra can reproduce after all? Only time will tell. That one night surely was a long one.

This was his reason why he’s doing this and why it felt so morally right to him.

“Hello? Earth to Farries! Not sure how changeling eyes work, but I doubt staring at the sun is good for any eye.” Bakuss called out.

This brought Farries back to reality as he shook his head. He blinked his eyes a couple of times to get the sun's glare out of them, but other than that there really weren’t many issues.

Changeling eyes are a lot more resilient than most know.

He gazed at Bakuss. “Excuse me, just had a momentary monologue or something.” He replied while rubbing the back of his shiny neck.

Bakuss gave him a look before just ignoring it. “Well, anyway, since I don’t trust you yet, I will you accompany you today in scouting out some potential changelings down in the city. You lead and I shall just follow.” He instructed while Farries was busy in pulling his chain mail skirt around his flank.

Wearing armor for the first time was awkward and difficult, but that might just be him, and the fact that this armor was made for furred equines and not carapace-layered changeling.

His chitin might be soft right now, but how would it be once it hardens?

Farries just nodded. “Sure thing, I guess. Not that it would make much of a difference, given how simply you disarmed me. Which, by the way, I am still irked about.” He responded which in turn made Bakuss just roll his eyes.

Before he could lead, Bakuss said one more thing. “Also, remember to disguise yourself. No need to cause a scene or panic by just trotting through the city as you are” He added.

Farries stopped and sighed before letting his flames consume him and changing him into a normal Zebra with a white and purple striped mane and tail.

He looked over his shoulder. “Happy?” He responded, sounding quite annoyed.

After having gone through that long bullshit bureaucracy thing… which, by the way, according to the young scribe, was introduced by their king, Farries was more than happy, or rather impatient, to finally get this thing going just so that he ceases to be so bored out of his mind right now. And also to finally return to Dahla.

Either way, with his disguise set, the two finally made it out of the barracks and went down a long set of wide stairs that would lead them down the cliff and into the city below.

The trip down was met with silence. Given how highly elevated the Palace really is,it took them a bit of a while to reach the lower gate that basically marked the line between the upper levels and what is considered the city proper.

From that point on it was basically Farries’ choice to pick a direction and go with his instincts. He obviously had no idea where to begin, and neither did Bakuss, so simply aimlessly wandering around was there best option for now.

The city was as busy as always during the day. Zebras of all ages, genders, sizes and mane colors were trotting and cantering about the sandstone streets and alleyways that made most of the city’s walking paths. Both Bakuss and Farries eventually reached one of the more prominent boulevards that acted as the expressway that allowed chariots, carriages and simple wagons to quickly cross the city from point A to B, more or less connecting all of the different districts of the Persian and Mesopotamian styled city.

The streets were used not just by Zebras, there were also other races, like Gryphons, Horses, some Ponies and Gazelles, and even some Diamond Dogs here and there acting either as visitors, travelers, or even merchants.

Funnily enough there were no Minotaurs though, most likely thanks to the previous political events that have transpired.

But alas, the city was bustling, with no obvious worries or issues in sight. Well, until Farries suddenly stopped and froze in the middle of the road, much to Bakuss’ surprise.

Bakuss’ senses were automatically on high alert as he trotted next to the frozen changeling. “Farries, what is it?” he questioned.

Farries just blinked before his head and eyes started to inconspicuously move from left to right in an attempt to find something that Bakuss couldn’t see. He didn’t need to, however, as it was pretty obvious what it might be.

Either he somehow managed to sense another changeling nearby, or perhaps something else entirely. But then again, he needed to ask Farries to be sure.

“What is it, Farries?” He question while looking at the ‘ling.

Farries just narrowed his eyes as he continued to look around. “Nothing serious, just thought that I… felt a sudden sensation of the hive link.” He responded, much to Bakuss’ confusion.

“Hive link?” He asked with a raised eyebrow.

Farries just ignored him as he continued to scout around every individual that was around him, eying them all carefully in hopes of re-discovering this one fundamental biological trait that every changeling alive possessed.

The ever-present, but now rarely used, hive mind link.

Every changeling has it, and depending on what hive they are from dictates how much of this evolutionary aspect was still used.

In comparison, the hive Farries hailed from has long abandoned this notion of a single, linked mind when individuality and conscious independence slowly became a mainstay within their hive many millennia ago.

It was never recorded when it actually started, so that’s all they have to base their theories on beyond vague guess and suspicions.

Farries eventually relaxed after his search ended up fruitless, which of course didn’t mean that there wasn’t anything there to begin with. That only meant that he needed to be more direct with his search. In other words, using his magic.

Bakuss was about to ask again when Farries suddenly grabbed his hoof and began to drag him to the closest side alley that he could find.

Bakuss, of course was surprised as all hell.” What the… what are you doing?” He demanded as the ‘ling continued to pull on his arm.

Farries quickly shushed him. “Nothing’s wrong, so don’t worry. Just need a secluded place to momentarily drop my disguise and use some basic sensory magic to try and locate this possible changeling or changelings nearby that I just sensed.” He carefully whispered as he, with Bakuss held by his hoof, were dodging a couple of curious looking bystanders in order to reach the alley that Farries spotted.

“Ugh… never was a fan of the same-sex relationship concept.” A random stallion in a pottery shop commented, which in turn made Bakuss blush in embarrassment underneath his face guard.

Come to think of it, the way Farries was holding and leading him towards an alley did imply something suggestive to anyone who saw it, that is, if they were mature enough to even notice, much to Bakuss’ dismay, of course.

That didn’t bother Farries the slightest though, as he eventually let go of Bakuss’ hoof after they reached the alley in question.

Bakuss rubbed his hoof against his armor’s cloak as Farries turned around.

“Now…” Farries began as his body under the mail began to change back into his true form before continuing. “… that no one can see us, I can try and use some magic and hopefully get a clue to support my senses. This might take some time and concentration though, so could you perhaps make sure that no one enters this alley while I work my magic? Again, this might take a bit.” Farries explained, not even bothering to inform or directly ask Bakuss what his option on this matter was, much to his annoyance.

He inhaled sharply before just nodding and agreeing to keep an eye on the entrances after his terrible pun was said.

Farries powered up his obsidian horn and started to concentrate. An invisibility pulse extended from his horn and began to pass through and scan pretty much every living thing within a limited radius. The mental information that Farries was getting was staggering, though he needed only the main source in order to find the one signature which he was searching for.

He shut his eyes tight as he started to feel out every single Zebra and whatnot close by in hopes of finding something unusual.

It took him several minutes of non-stop concentration when he finally hit his first mark. An aura from a certain group of two was feeling somewhat different and off in comparison to everything else that was around them.

He wasn’t particularly sure that these two signatures were that of a changeling, but it was certainly better than nothing and something that a more personal and focused scan could fix.

He just needed to follow his senses to these two signatures and use his magic on them again in person.

With that decision made and set, Farries powered his horn down, re-engaged his cloak and opened his eyes with a strenuous sigh.

This got Bakuss’ attention though as he turned around to look at the re-clocked changeling behind him, this time determined to get some much-needed information out of him.

“Well, what did you find?” Bakuss questioned while giving the ‘ling a hard look.

Farries first readjusted his flank skirt before replying. “Well, I managed to locate two odd signatures off to the east from where we are now. I am not a hundred percent sure that they are changelings, but the spell that I used was more of a broad aura detector, only good in differentiating certain individuals from one another.” He answered.

Bakuss just rubbed his chin at that as he let Farries’s explanation sink in a bit. If he was right, then he might have actually located the first two changelings nearby… or maybe even something else if the inaccuracy of his spell was more drastic then he gave it credit for.

Either way, it was a hint, and certainly better than nothing.

Bakuss nodded. “Well then, no need to waste time and follow this “pulse” that you managed to pick up, I guess. Better that than nothing.” He commented.

Farries nodded before the two began to exit the alley.

“So, is your emergency lovemaking in the alley already over?” The same random-ass pottery stallion suddenly commented.

This, of course, caused the captain to groan while Farries looked over at the middle-aged stallion with confusion.

“Uh… what does he mean by…” Farries tried to question before Bakuss quickly quieted him.

“Nothing, nothing of significance and value.” He harshly announced before trotting both past him and the potter looking at them in suspicion.

“Come, we have a pair of fugitives to catch while they are still oblivious to our presence. Move your flank.” Bakuss added, which in turn quickly prompted the changeling to follow him, even though he was going in the completely wrong direction.

The middle-aged potter just shook his head before focusing back on his work, pressing down at the pedal with his right hind leg and causing the small round surface above it to spin with a half-made pot sitting on top of it.

“Youngsters these days.” He casually commented before continuing with his work in molding his clay into beautiful and workable pottery.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

(Somewhere else at the same moment)

Akadar looked around himself, just to make sure that nobody followed or even recognized him as he exited the city from the east gate. He made sure a couple of times that his dusty brown cloak was doing its job in concealing his form before passing past the gate guard.

The trick seemed to work, as Akadar casually managed to exit the city proper and was trotting along the bridge that would lead him out into the fertile banks of the east river, and also directly out into the desert if he so wished.

But he didn’t, or rather didn’t have to, given the meeting place and description of the letter. If the piece of biomass was anything to believe in then the changeling that could lead him to this “Cyrus” fellow would actually be tending one of the rice farms that dominate most of the east river sides.

After crossing the bridge and following the instruction that he memorized from the message, Akadar eventually came to a stop in front of one of the farm houses in between the fields.

He re-adjusted his cloak once more before carefully knocking on the door. There was a momentary pause before a voice could finally be heard from the other side.

“Who is it?” A mare’s voice asked, her voice muffled.

This was Akadar’s queue to make himself known. “I am Akadar, the one named Cyrus mentioned. A changeling’s hearth is without plight, since love is its only light.” Akadar answered, rehearsing the phrase that was mentioned in the letter in changeling alphabet, to make sure that it truly was him and not some random outsider that managed to get its hoof or claw at something that they shouldn’t.

At first there was nothing, that is until a set of clanging and falling clutter could be heard from the other side as a set of hooves quickly hurried towards the door. The door quickly opened, revealing a pink mane and a brown-striped Zebra mare on the other side.

She immediately looked around, making sure that nothing was nearby or close to them before quickly ushering Akadar in.

“Please, come in, no need to risk for anyone spotting us, especially loyalists of the queen actively moving about the rice and wheat fields.” The mare whispered.

Akadar nodded before stepping into the farmer’s home and closing the door behind them.