Author's Notes:

BOOK 1: PART 4: COMMITMENT

Shadow watched Cardinal Spitfire sleeping. It was still early, so no need to get her up. It was the last day of their useful leave. Tomorrow morning they would be up early and out the door to begin the day long flight back. For now, he could contently watch her sleep in the other bed.

“Mmmmmm,” Cardinal Spitfire moaned. “What time is it?”

“0746,” Shadow said.

Cardinal Spitfire groaned more as she tried to stretch under the covers. It failed. Shadow was the first thing she saw in the morning. She smiled warmly at him.

“Seeing you first in the morning is nice. Yesterday you had the covers over your head. Play?”

Shadow sighed. “Last full day here. We got massages yesterday, I was thinking of one, but it is risky. And dangerous.”

“You have my interest,” Cardinal Spitfire grinned.

She opened up her sheets and Shadow rolled out of bed and into hers. He was embraced by the warm sheets and her arms. She gave him a good morning kiss. It was pushing his community's rules being in bed like this.

“Play?” She asked again.

Shadow leaned in close and whispered it into her ear like it was a huge secret.

“That is risky. Nopony could find out,” She said. “Not until… later. We get caught, ACS is over.”

“The risk outweighs the benefits. I think.”

“I think so too,” She said kissing him on the lips. “They say that the most rewarding things require risk.”

“Never heard that,” Shadow smiled. “Ours was that most rewarding things require hard work.”

“Damn, that is better.”

“On topic, I think it solves a few things.”

“One more kiss and lets get going,” Cardinal Spitfire ordered. “Skip breakfast. This could take a while and we need every minute.”

“Dress uniforms to be safe.”

“I am Judge Gavel. I try to get to Enclave soldiers first. What can I do for you two?”

“I understand that this is a place of full confidentiality?” Shadow asked approaching the desk slowly.

“So long as its not something to do with breaking the law.”

“Some explanations may dive into confidential military movements,” Shadow explained.

Shadow would be doing most of the talking.

“I am Sergeant Shadow Flare and she is Specialist Cardinal Spitfire. The point is that we want to get married. Its our last day of leave and the only chance we will get coming up.”

“Oh?” The Judge said as they sat down. “Typically this matter takes a few days.”

“I was afraid of that,” Cardinal Spitfire said getting up.

“But lets talk,” Judge Gavel continued. He waved her back into the seat. “I only said typically. How long have you know each other?”

“Since Basic Training. Back about 26 weeks,” Shadow answered.

“Short time for marriage.”

“Not where I am from,” Shadow began. “I was told that when you meet the right one, it will move fast. And commitment brings approval. Approval is earned by commitment. Commit and hold, never letting it leave your mind. And that it will be a mare that I do not have to work to understand and feels exactly like I do.”

“Most of those weeks were spent being battle buddies who had no choice but to learn to trust each other and work together. We put all we could into that. Flying is the most difficult when it come to being pared. We had no choice. I can read her body language perfectly and adjust to what she wants or needs to do without commands. Neither of us have to work hard to understand the other. It comes as easily as it can.”

“I am going for recon and she is going to be assigned to an Aerial Combat Unit. We both are in Aerial Combat School right now. One week left. Then life splits us for an unknown time. We will weather the storm even at the ends of the Enclave, no matter what.”

“But it would make it easier if we weathered it married. And the Enclave would pair us up at a base as soon as they could. They do try to do that for their married soldiers. Plenty active duty soldiers are married to another active duty soldier.”

“I see your concern,” Judge Gavel said. “Your devotion is evident. I am concerned you are jumping the gun on this. Training is a lot of stress.”

“We know Sir. And we have evaluated that. But so is life and no matter what, seeing somepegasus romantically and talking about marriage is scary and stressful. I learned well from home, Sir.”

Shadow reached into his saddle bags and laid it on the table.

“Is this… A Homestead book?” The Judge asked. He wanted to touch it, but found it too sacred for him to.

“Yes Sir,” Shadow said. “Turnip Homestead. Northern Farming District on the Western half.”

Judge Gavel leaned back. “I need to call my brother. He has done a lot of research into Homesteads. I need his expert advice. I do not know fully what I am dealing with. Is that okay?”

“Of course,” Shadow said give a quick nod.

The Judge made the call. “Money Bags, its Gavel. I have two pegasi in my chambers and a Homestead book has just been produced. I need to know what I am looking at before I can proceed. Good, see you in a few minutes.”

The Judge hung up and addressed them. “Thank goodness he only works a few blocks away. He has spent much of his life tracking the Homesteads. Our family is connected to one, way, way back. We do not know which one, which is why it has picked up his fancy”

“I am surprised he brought it on leave,” Cardinal Spitfire stated. “We didn't plan this.”

“It comes with me everywhere,” Shadow reminded her.

“I thought everywhere had some limits,” Cardinal Spitfire said rolling her eyes.

The door opened soon after and a lean, but fit pegasus in a fancy suit came trotting over to to them and then behind the desk. He was careful with the book. It was obviously reverent to him as he slowly opened it.

“I see. Turnip Homestead. There are only 48 Homesteads in the Enclave with another 17 that have sent out family to found a new farm further away. A Homestead has to have been founded before the sealing up. Around the 48, great farming communities quickly sprouted. They needed the Homesteads to teach and lead them. This is my first time touching a real Homestead book. Even a travel version.”

“That number would now be 18,” Shadow commented. “Last year, the Cherry Homestead in Norther Farming District set one up near us, close to the western boarder.”

“I had not heard of that move,” He replied. “But this is a very detailed book for so small, and with a lot of prestige. You inheriting a Homestead-”

“My older sister and her husband will be inheriting it,” Shadow corrected. “Much better farmers and she is first born. I am fourth of five. That travel copy is for me while I serve.”

“Out that far, they really do not care,” He said pulling out a book.

It was an old and big book. He opened it and compared first pages. Money Bags handed the book to Shadow.

“What is going on?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“Comparing very, very old family records,” Shadow said as he read. “The 48 Homesteads usually have information on the others. Often arranging marriages to strengthen themselves.”

Shadow looked at the Judge and Money Bags. “Where did you get it?”

“Passed down through those generations,” Money Bags said nodding at the book. “One of the few Homestead heritage record books that are not of a farming background. Only one I know of that wasn't a Homestead to start. Our spot is in the middle because of the population restrictions.”

“What?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“This story is the other side of mine,” Shadow said. It was really directed toward Money Bags, who had already read the Turnip Heritage opening.

“I still put in the profit percentages agreed upon in each year. I have no idea who or where they go, well until now. It is an honor to meet you Shadow Flare,” Money Bags said shaking his hoof.

“It is mutual,” Shadow smiled. “A very great honor. We never knew the other side. The whole thing is a secret rarely divulged outside of the direct linage. I only know of it because of taking pictures and things before I left. The bits added up fast.”

“We live a simple life, on what we make and grow,” Shadow continued. “We live within our means and our farm has a strong savings outside the bank account. But the bank, it really came in handy helping my filly fooler sister's farm to get a foal. Expensive procedure and the only way it could be afforded.”

“A filly fooler farm that far out?” Money Bags marveled. “And they got a donor. Things our there are tight knit and that goes against-”

“Everything,” Shadow finished. “It is Cherry Tart carrying the foal, not my sister. I was the donor.”

“That is a big… responsibility, honor and gift,” Money Bags stammered. “Did you even blink?”

“Nope,” Shadow smiled proudly. “I had been living with them before I started my training. I am a big part of their Homestead and always will be. My room is forever reserved for me.”

“Brother, you didn't just call me here to swap Homestead stories.”

“No,” Judge Gavel admitted. “I called you here because they want to get married, but met in Basic Training and have only been together 26 weeks.”

“That is about right,” Money Bags concluded. “Solid time for Shadow Flare to decide what he wants. He won't recant on that, ever. It is shameful beyond what we could understand. If the marriage fails, he would never remarry. They rarely remarry even after a death. Solid time for her to decide as well. Your name?”

“Specialist Cardinal Spitfire. And I am of the Spitfire legacy. I do not have a Homestead book, but my mother keeps a solid family tree. She is really proud of it. Sometimes too proud. He has a slot as a recon soldier, I am going to an Aerial Combat Unit and will test for Wonderbolts as soon as possible.”

“Wow, two prestigious assignments and goals,” Money Bags sputtered.

“We have one final week of training, and after that, we will be split up,” Cardinal Spitfire continued. “We decided to finally go for it at the beginning of leave. And now we are here a few days later. We have been battle buddies and teammate for all but a few weeks of training. We grew a very close friendship.”

“Just… life splitting us up has stalled either of us from speaking out or wanting to go for it. No matter how this relationship ends, our friendship will always hold, no matter the distance or time. We made that pact together and with three others in our training unit. Best friends for life. To always trust each other.”

“I am no judge brother, but they both are very committed,” Money Bags stated. “To their their duty first, and now to their hearts as their duty allows them the ability too. And Shadow Flare will not soil his heritage. He will never get close to giving her grounds for divorce, even with distance and their duty separating them.”

“What got you leave in the middle of training?” Money Bags asked.

“An unfortunate situation put to halt our training in aerial combat for a week,” Shadow replied. We were given leave because of it. Tomorrow morning we head back and must be in formation at 0700 in full gear the morning after that.”

“He knows what he is getting into for marriage,” Money Bags approved. “He was raised in a harsh district with a strong community beyond our understanding. He knows what a real marriage looks like.”

Shadow chuckled. “You have done your research. It was not a direct class, but learning and watching my parent and other married couples. Hearing advice for when things got rough and life in general showed me more than any class could. I was told to watch and observe from the beginning. And never fear seeking advice.”

“Because of your heritage as a direct descendant of an old and powerful Homestead, I will grant you this marriage,” Judge Gavel declared with a bang.

Judge Gavel asked for the papers from his secretary over the intercom. Money Bags and Shadow talked heritages. Cardinal Spitfire was bored, but did what she could to listen in on the heritage conversation. It was something she obviously needed to learn joining his family.

Both sides of their family would be shocked. She was shocked. They gambled, lost, and then Shadow pulled out a magical book that changed their loss to a win. And Shadow connected to family.

“How are you two connected exactly?” Cardinal Spitfire asked.

“Well...” Money Bags said trying to calculate it. “Our ancestors were brothers pre war. One found his duty to cloud farming, as soon as it was invented, to feed the ponies and then just the pegasi, the other brother stayed with the family business. The farmer gave up the share of the company for a portion of the profits each year to keep the farm always secure and running.”

“He could not do both, especially since he chose to farm. And stay very, very far from the civilized Equestria to do it safely. Since the brothers were not in Cloudsdale when it was hit, they were the only survivors in their family.”

“Our relationship has moved out so many generations, it would take me months to calculate it exactly, if I could. It is like twenty cousins once removed. Our foals could marry without there even being a concern of incest. We are really far apart. But the connections between business and the farm are still as strong today as they were at the beginning. Side by side, despite either side being blind about the other.”

“Oh, I have a spare heritage book from our side if you want it,” Money Bags offered.
It is in my office. A new copy I made a year or so back. Nothing too special. It is yours if you want it.”

“That would be wonderful,” Shadow grinned.

“Going to lug that one around on any deployments too?” Cardinal Spitfire asked with sass.

“No, that will stay back with my personal items. But carrying mine paid off this time,” Shadow replied. “I knew it held weight, but not this much.”

“I never expected to see one other than ours,” Judge Gavel marveled. “I wanted to double check with my brother since he is an expert, but many judges will immediately bend to a heritage farmer's request. Unless you are in the court room.”

“That really explains why my dad sent a condensed copy with me. He knew its value.”

“He knows more than its value,” Cardinal Spitfire said. She went in to quickly explain her family's farming situation and then into Shadow's family coming out to help solve the problem.

“Digging sounds wrong,” Judge Gavel confessed. “But I know they know what they are doing. Let them know I am here, in case things go wrong somehow.”

“Thank you Sir!” Shadow stammered. “And if it does happen, could you keep the marriage confidential. We will break it to everypony when the right time comes.”

“Of course. You came to me to seek advice and protection if they ran into trouble on their mission to help another farm is dire need. But really, it should be me thanking you for your entire life's work and more,” The Judge finished.

“Okay, I have to ask,” Cardinal Spitfire announced. “Is your name actually Gavel? His name is Money Bags.”

Both brothers laughed.

“No,” The Judge said. “My real name is not a good one for the courtroom, so Gavel is used.”

“Here are those papers,” The secretary said coming in.

“Thank you,” He replied. “You two sign here and then here. I sign the other parts, my brother can stand witness since he knows so much about Homesteads.”

They signed where they needed too.

“My, my Shadow,” Money Bags commented. “You really didn't go to a traditional school.”

“Practicality and needed on the farm,” Shadow chuckled. “At least I can read really well and can write sufficiently.”

“Touche,” Money Bags said.

“Touche?” Shadow asked.

“It is an old word from a long lost sport, fencing. The art of sword play. It means good hit, or good point. An admission of the other's response being a really solid or superior response.”

“I have learned several things today,” Shadow stated. “I love learning. An unexpected twist with such little schooling.”

“Not unexpected to me,” Money Bags replied. “I know how you guys love to learn, even though it does not fit in what most see as 'learning.' I may see about slipping away to see your father soon.”

“I can tell you that he is apathetic about the bank account. So long as the farm is secure and the community is well off, that is all he cares. That is what I got from him the one time it was talked about. But it was one talk, and he said the other side was stricken from the records. Knowing him, he doesn't care because there is no answer.”

“They would certainly welcome you in as a traveler and give you great hospitality. You could also swing a few hours north to the new cherry Homestead. I do not know if they have officially named it.”

“Makes sense and good to know,” Money Bags replied. “But let us chart this marriage in your book and chart our meeting. This was not by accident. Fate wanted this.”

Shadow was nervous about adding Cardinal Spitfire into the spot where his married partner was supposed to go. He knew the ending to their heritage, and Buck and Rift were happily added publicly. Cherry Tart was a late entry, after the Cherry Harvest. He still was nervous. He wasn't the inheritor and only the inheritors added to the books.

Their copy of the marriage certificate was rushed through processing and they were out of the courthouse before lunch. They went back with Money Bags and got the copy of his heritage book he offered. They declined his lunch invite which he totally understood.

“That was odd,” Cardinal Spitfire announced. “All of it. I am married… And your community things are weird. I guess it's our community.”

Shadow chuckled. “Every time a wedding is announced, the discussion about lineage happens. I am familiar with the process. Enough anyway. Once I learned about the books, it all more made sense. They never were brought out or directly spoken about. A secret nopony spoke about but all knew. ”

Cardinal Spitfire just rolled her eyes.

“And yes, our community.” Shadow said stealing a kiss on her cheek. “But what about yours. Miles apart between them, but that doesn't make one more important than the other.”

“Okay” Cardinal Spitfire said thinking as she blushed. “The Enclave will not know until after our training finishes. But that shouldn't stop us from recognizing the other.”

“What do you mean?” Shadow asked.

“In my community, typically, necklaces are traded. Usually simple gold bands on a chain, but with our gear and combat, we probably do not want to do that.”

“Closest jewelry store?”

Cardinal Spitfire looked around.

“That is an enclave peace keeper office,” Cardinal Spitfire observed. “Only one of us can head in. I will go. They won't expect me to buy jewelry for a stallion and they will most likely assume its for me.”

Shadow just nodded and waited. It took a good twenty five minutes before she came back out.

“I was getting nervous time wise,” Shadow said.

“Nah. It was all fine. We chatted a bit as well. But the recommendation I got isn't far by flight.”

Cardinal Spitfire took off and Shadow was right behind her. They merged into the flight street and went with the flow. They could have gone above since they were in uniform, but neither wanted to risk anything on their last free day in the city.

“Welcome to Green Jewelry. How can I help you?” A nice mare asked.

“We are looking for necklaces,” Cardinal Spitfire replied. “For marriage. But we have to consider wearing combat gear.”

“I think I know what you want. They are not grand and more like trinkets, but they will do what you want on assignments. We can put a better chain on too.”

It was a simple design. A heart that was torn in two. You paired the broken edges up to make it whole. Completing the heart symbolized completing their lives. Two halves finding the right pony like they did.

“That is cheap?” Shadow asked.

“Look at the other stuff stupid,” Cardinal Spitfire said. “You and your farming.”

“A farmer?” She questioned.

“Not anywhere close to here,” Cardinal Spitfire smiled at her. “A good year, they made 200 bits. Real bits. Not the ones in our bank accounts and cards. Thankfully, he made that transition easily.”

“Yeah,” Shadow said distracted. “Amazing pieces you have. But I can not comprehend how somepegasus could save up this much.”

Cardinal Spitfire laughed and made the purchase. They made some changes, but they only cost 200 bits.

The first change was the bigger and heavier duty chains, yet still sleek, lightweight and beautiful. The second was engraving their initials on back. Since theirs were CS and SF, they put them together so it was CSF with the S over the 'tare'. Only when both came together would the letters be complete. It was something that could never be replicated.

Cardinal Spitfire put Shadow’s around his neck with ease. Shadow had trouble with the clasp on her's but he finally got it. They sealed it with a quick kiss and left.

“To the hotel?” Cardinal Spitfire asked with a grin on her face Shadow had not see before. “Oh come on! I have to explain that to you too?”

Shadow laughed. “I have never flirted, and we didn't exactly do that either. Yes. Lets head back and quickly!”

Cardinal Spitfire's uniform was off before the door closed all the way. “Don't worry about anything,” She said as seductively as she could. “I have no idea what I am doing.”

“Hell,” She said flipping back to her normal tone. “I never kissed anypony before you. Even on the cheek.”

Shadow tackled her onto the floor. “You know, I was told by a wise old mare that my special somepony would never have done anything either.”

He never gave her a chance to respond as he pulled her into a tight kiss.

“Bed,” Cardinal Spitfire said with some panic. “Neither of us want rug burn or want to explain it to them.”

“Right,” Shadow chuckled.