The flight to Saddle Arabia was quiet and uneventful. To some of the ponies there, that was a miracle unto itself, and more than appreciated. Even better, the quiet lasted all the way until they reached Ammare. Considering what had happened the last time some of them were there, Saddle Arabia was a country at peace. That only made the reasons for Daring Do's return here all the more puzzling.

"So how do these guys feel about heavily armed ponies turning up on their doorstep?" Rainbow asked Twilight as they flew low over the city towards the palace. "Do they at least react to it a little better than the griffons do?"

"It should be fine," said Twilight. "The Saddle Arabians are at least aware enough that the most dangerous amongst us have our weapons built in. Not to say you aren't dangerous," Twilight quickly corrected herself, "just... not alicorn dangerous."

"Alright Twi, chill, I get it. We're never going to be the magic slinging badasses you and Luna are." Rainbow grinned at Twilight, trying to put her at her ease. "I dare say that throwing lightning evens the field a little bit."

Twilight returned the gesture, "A little."

"The city is being heavily patrolled," Luna observed, having been scanning the city as they flew over it. "Unsurprising I suppose, but it's been a couple of months since the attack, and they're acting like they expect something to happen."

"Perhaps the reason Daring Do returned here for is worth worrying about," said Cadence.

"Hope so." Nightmare shrugged, the motion odd in her guise as a purple maned thestral, like she wasn't used to being smaller. "I haven't flown all this way through the glaring sun, which I hate for many reasons, for two days, just for nothing to happen."

"We should be thankful if nothing happens," Cadence said back. "The last thing we need is more fighting."

"Speak for yourself. It's been a while since I've gotten my hooves dirty, besides that thing in Griffonia, which was hardly a challenge."

"Oh, and should I be surprised that you enjoy that sort of thing?"

"Don't know. Ask Luna."

"That excuse is rapidly approaching its use by date," Luna said coldly. "Stop claiming to be your own pony, then blaming me for the parts you don't like."

"Who said anything about me not liking them? Besides, it tends to stop ponies talking about me in such ways because none of you seem as willing to speak ill of Luna as you do me, even though we're ostensibly the same pony."

"Knock it off, the lot of you," Twilight told them. They were nearly at the palace, and Twilight didn't want to make a bad impression by turning up arguing.

They landed outside the gates to the water gardens, and Twilight spent a moment returning Trixie and Sunset to their proper sizes while the two stallions guarding the gates eyed them up. "Good morning sirs. If it's possible, we'd like to see the Sultan."

The stallion on the left said something to the other in his native language. A moment later the right guard took a step towards them.

"I can take you to see the Sultan, but I cannot promise what kind of reception you will receive."

"And why is that?" asked Luna. "Is something wrong? Does this concern a certain mustard coloured pegasus?"

The stallion raised an eyebrow, "You are seeking her as well? We were under the impression that you had sent her here yourselves. That's what she claims, anyway."

Twilight cursed inwardly, but decided to be honest. "We didn't send her here, and if we had reason to, we wouldn't have sent her alone. Not after the means by which she left last time. Please, take us to the Sultan, and we'll get this straightened out."

"You misunderstand. We do not have her. We attempted to apprehend her when she came in here claiming you sent her, but she evaded us and escaped. We do not know where she is now." The guard instructed his counterpart to open the gate, "It is not she I wish to warn you about though."

"What are you trying to warn us about?" Cadence asked after the guard went quiet for a few seconds.

"It is difficult to explain. I'm afraid it may be better to see it for yourselves."

"Uh, sure." Twilight looked to her fellow princesses, but only found the same unsure expression that she had herself. The only two there not seeming particularly worried were Trixie and Nightmare. Twilight didn't bother asking for an explanation as to why.

As they walked through the water gardens towards the palace, Twilight observed that the damage that had been caused during the attack by the Storm King's forces months ago had been repaired, although it were never very extensive to begin with, being mainly focussed around making a mess rather than causing destruction. The only thing that couldn't be fixed or replaced so easily were the ponies taken as slaves.

That might've been the reason Twilight's nerves grew as they entered the palace proper, and since the guard hadn't actually explained, she still couldn't tell what other potential the problem was, and still couldn't as they entered the throne room. Twilight tried to smile as she entered, but she could feel how feeble it was.

The Sultan, Batal, was sat on his throne as they entered, but stood to greet them as they came in. "Ah! It is a pleasure to see you again, Princess Twilight, as it is a pleasure to meet you both as well, Princess Luna and Princess Cadence. I must say I'm surprised to see you though, considering events in Equestria."

"Thank you for the kind welcome," Luna said back, bowing to the Sultan with respect, which the others followed her with. "As for events in Equestria, they haven't stopped us yet, and are part of the reason we are here."

"Is that so? I had heard rumours that most of the princesses had escaped Equestria after its downfall, but only very recently had I received confirmation. While I am pleased to see you free, I do get the impression, since you're here, that you wish something of me. Something I might not be able to give, for many reasons."

"What do you mean?" Twilight asked. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Cadence glancing at another Saddle Arabian in the room, a pink mare with a long blue mane and tail. The pony wasn't looking at them, but what little Twilight could see of her face carried a scowl.

"Other interested parties have arrived here recently, seeking my aid, and now you have arrived. The problem is, I have plenty of problems of my own to deal with, on top of keeping my country safe."

"I have already told you my Sultan, my Lady Faust will do all she can to ensure the safety of our country, and see to the return of those taken by the Storm King, including my sister."

All of the them looked at the pony that had spoken. It was the mare Twilight saw Cadence looking at, and after what she'd said, she now knew who it was. It was Amira, the Saddle Arabian ambassador to Equestria, and technically still was if she was working for Faust in this current capacity.

"Sending my ponies to fight in her war is not what I call safety, Amira. If she were to prove her intent, I would consider it, but until that point there shall be no allegiance."

"It's good to see you're alright," Cadence said to Amira, only to get cut off with a glare.

"The feeling far from mutual, I can assure you. Lady Faust will be quite interested in learning you're here in Saddle Arabia."

"Interested enough to launch an attack to apprehend us?" Luna enquired, her tone hard. "I'm sure that would help your cause to no end." Luna smiled smugly as Amira spluttered speechlessly. "Perhaps you had best keep our presence here to yourself for now, until you're sure the Sultan is firmly on your side."

Amira closed her mouth and regained her composure, "Very well, but using threats like that should be far beneath you, Princess." Amira turned and bowed to the Sultan, "If you'll excuse me, I do not wish to discuss our business in front of the... former rulers of Equestria."

The Sultan nodded his head at her, and she left. Once she was gone he smiled at the princesses, "You have come at quite the auspicious time. Please, come with me so we might discuss whatever business you have with me in private, away from eager ears."

They followed him to a private audience chamber, not far from the throne room. It was richly decorated with silks, and had luxuriously soft furniture spread about the light and airy room. It was a strong contrast to the dark and irritated sigh that came from the Sultan as soon as the door was shut behind them.

"Your timing is impeccable, and not in the good way, although it may yet turn out to be." The Sultan helped himself to a piece of fruit from a bowl on a cabinet, and practically threw himself into a chair. "Last week I received an interesting missive from the zebras saying that you and the griffon emperor have forged an alliance of sorts."

"You share intelligence with the zebras?" Luna asked, a bit surprised by that tidbit of information.

"We have an agreement since are both neighbours to the Griffon Empire. Considering the size of the country, it's hard to keep track of what both ends are doing, which is why I was surprised to learn they'd entered an alliance with the princesses of Equestria from the zebras, when here I am closer to the Eyrie, and the Emperor's seat of power. It must've been big news indeed for the Night Maidens to hear it first. Is it true?"

"It is," Twilight confirmed for him. "Equestria may have fallen to Faust, but our goal to stop her is still the same."

"And yet I hear from Amira that Celestia has sided with Faust. That alone is a powerful argument in favour of siding with Equestria's new ruler."

"Don't believe it so easily," Luna said dismissively. "Faust has stripped Celestia of her memories, and replaced them with ones that make us look like villains. Before that, Celestia was as dedicated to stopping Faust as we still are. She serves Faust based on a lie."

"And yet it is still of her own free will." Batal smiled sympathetically at Luna, "I know enough of your history to know this must be hard for you. You have my sympathies."

"Thank you," said Luna, paying little attention to the huff of irritation from Nightmare. "Since you mention siding with Equestria's new ruler, I do have to ask how much you might mean that."

"Honestly, not much. Don't take that to mean I have any interest in fighting Faust either. I have plenty of my own problems to deal with without contributing to a war that benefits Saddle Arabia very little."

"What problems are these?" Cadence asked. "Is there anything we can help with?"

"I thought you already were, when you sent that deported criminal, Daring Do, back to my doorstep."

Twilight cleared her throat awkwardly, "Yeah, we had no idea she'd done that."

"I suspected not," Batal replied with a smile. "However, the problems she claimed to have been sent to fix are very real." Batal's expression turned sorrowful for a moment, then serious. "The Storm King's attack has had repercussions that we are still feeling even now. My Vizier, Hakim, held many magical artefacts on the grounds of his estate, and during the attack, some of the Storm King's agents broke in and stole something."

"What was it?" Twilight asked, trying her best to hide her awkwardness. There was no forgetting that she and Trixie had been two of those agents, even if unwittingly.

"I do not know, and neither do I care," said Batal. "Whatever prize the Storm King desired from there is long gone, along with everything else he pilfered. It's what happened afterwards that concerns me."

Twilight listened closely to what the Sultan said, ignoring the feeling that her heart was being crushed by it. Apparently, with the Vizier, Hakim, taken by the Storm King, his estate became poorly defended. Shortly after the attack, bandits had attacked the estate and made off with a large number of the artefacts from the now unsecured vault.

"What the purpose of most of these artefacts are I cannot tell you, but one or more has ended up in the hooves of a bandit named Jamal. Through it, he is amassing a small army that is growing day by day, and proclaims himself a Warlord. I fear that if he is not stopped soon, he could seriously threaten my country. As you can imagine, I cannot allow this to happen."

"We'll stop him," Twilight said quickly. Too quickly judging by the way Luna looked at her. "We'll get those artefacts back."

Batal smiled appreciatively at Twilight, although there was a hint of apology in it. "I'm glad to hear it, although you will have some competition. Amira did not return to here alone. With her came two ships worth of soldiers, whom she claims Faust has sent in good faith to help stabilise my country, although personally I cannot see it as much else than a threat. Amira has tasked them with reclaiming the artefacts in the hopes I would side with Faust."

"And would you, if they succeed?"

"Is that one of these trick questions?" Batal shrugged at Twilight's confusion, "I am not a fool, Princess. I have seen enough of Faust's actions to know that if I do not join her willingly, I will join her through conquest. The problem is that I know what route that takes us down. Those taken by the Storm King could end up being the lucky ones as Saddle Arabia is bled dry to fight Faust's war against the world."

"Join us then."

"And do the same, only the other way around?" Batal shook his head, "My interest is in keeping my ponies safe, and neither option given to me by you or Amira promises that."

"Actually," Cadence said before Twilight could speak, "ours might."

"Are you sure you really want to do this?" Twilight asked Sunset as they stood together on the steps leading out of the palace. "It's going to be dangerous."

"Will you stop talking to me like I'm made of glass? I know it's going to be dangerous. On the other hoof," Sunset smirked at Twilight, "stealing magical artefacts is a specialty of mine."

"Oh yeah, that game of piggy in the middle we played with my crown was really well executed by you. Well done."

"That's not what I meant, and you know it!"

"Then there's the thing where you could've just stolen the crown from Principal Celestia, but didn't. Could've saved yourself a lot of effort there."

"Are you actually telling me how I could've won better?"

"That's right." Twilight grinned and nudged Sunset on the side, "You want to know the best part? As soon as you and your army of teenage zombies got through the portal, we would've-"

"Wiped the floor with me, I know. I'm fairly certain we've had this conversation before."

"It does sound familiar." Twilight sat and sighed in the direction of the setting sun, "I hope this works out."

"Will it though? The Sultan doesn't sound keen on picking any side in this."

"I'd rather keep him neutral than have him side with Faust. He did seem interested in our proposition though. Even if we don't get any soldiers off him, supplies will be needed."

Sunset shrugged, "I've never led an army before, so I'll have to take your word for anything you say about that." Sunset looked up at the sound of hooves behind her, expecting one of the princesses. She was surprised to find Amira behind them. "Can we... help you?"

"I have a question for you, if you'll indulge me. Why do you keep fighting? Equestria is lost, so why not accept that?"

"You mean you genuinely don't know?" Twilight said back, her voice little more than a growl. "Has Faust not told you of her plans to conquer the world, then force it to conform to her image of what it should be?"

"Is that image so terrible? It could be the beginning of a glorious new age for this world."

"She wants to turn you all into dumb animals!" Twilight shouted. "She wants us to be no smarter than the average bunny rabbit. To eat, breed, and serve as nourishment for predators."

Twilight was expecting, and hoping, that Amira would be shocked, surprised, and maybe even appalled. She wasn't prepared for amused, but that was what she got as Amira tittered at her.

"Lady Faust was right, you are insane. Maybe even dangerously so. There is no possible way that any of what you had just said could be true."

"You won't be saying that when it is. You won't be saying anything at all!"

"Of course, Princess, as you say."

Twilight sat hard and fumed as Amira turned and walked away, laughing to herself. It wasn't until Sunset poked her that she realised that she'd been staring after the pink mare. "I get the feeling she knew what I'd say, and she did that just to get a rise out of me."

"And? Come on Twilight, you have to admit that it does sound pretty insane saying it to somepony like that. Try not to let it get to you. Especially when you know she's probably been brain washed by Faust anyway."

"I know."

"You know, but do you truly realise?" a voice asked from the shadows.

"And what cryptic bullshit is that supposed to be?" Twilight asked as the thestral form of Nightmare stepped into the light. "Or were you just saying because you thought it sounded good?"

"More the latter, but I do have a point to it," Nightmare said as she sat down next to Twilight. "Ponies are going to be willing to believe in Faust, even without the magical brainwashing."

"And how could you know that?"

"Do you have any idea how many cults there have been over the centuries, devoted to Nightmare Moon?"

"Five, possibly six, but two of them are widely believed to be different iterations of the same cult."

"That's right," Nightmare said with false cheer. She'd been hoping there was more. "Now ask yourself, why are there any cults at all? I was- I mean, Nightmare Moon was around for only a short time before her banishment, and yet even centuries later ponies were willing to look to her for the promise of better times. Why?"

"Because they're dangerously insane?" Sunset answered, making Twilight cringe as she unthinkingly echoed Amira's words from earlier.

"Perhaps, but that's not why. Come on ladies, try a little harder."

"Because they have issues with Celestia?"

Nightmare rolled her eyes, "Trust the sun pony to not get this. Come on Twilight, use that fancy brain of yours."

"Because they want something different, and they believe that Nightmare Moon could give them what they want."

"Hmmph, a partial answer at least. Many ponies are just attracted to power enough to start a cult over it. But you are right enough though. Faust is offering the vision of a better world, and a lot of ponies are going to believe in that, brainwashing or not. What they're being offered is a lie of course, but that hardly matters."

"So basically you're pointing out the reason that the yaks have joined her," Twilight said blithely. "I suppose it's not too much of a stretch to think others would do the same."

"You can put it like that if you want, but you know the yaks joined her because of their beliefs." Nightmare pouted at Twilight, "Spoilsport."

"Mmhmm," Twilight hummed, not entirely interested. If ponies, or others, wanted to believe in Faust, that was their business. To be honest, she just felt exhausted to her very bones over the whole thing. "We'll be heading out in the morning, so we'd better get some rest. Has Trixie already gone to our room?"

"Are you asking me?" Nightmare asked after a moment. "Why would I know?"

"You knew where we were."

"Only because I followed that other mare here. I was merely curious about where she was going. I had no idea you were here too."

"That's a weird thing to do," Sunset said bluntly.

"I may have forgotten a few social cues over the millennium I spent on the moon. For example, I'm only just getting the hang of not destroying ponies that insult me."

"Point taken," Sunset snickered. "So where's Luna?"

"Going to find the Sultan's harem with Trixie to prove it exists. Rainbow might have gone too."

"So you knew exactly where Trixie was," Twilight deadpanned.

"I did, but I was trying to make the point that it's not my job to know where she is."

Twilight hauled herself to her hooves, "Nightmare, just... ugh, I don't even know. Let's go find them before they get into trouble."

"Why would they get into trouble?" Sunset asked, trotting after Twilight.

"Two of them won't, but Rainbow's in estrus. Pretty sure being around that kind of thing is not going to help her."

"Ooh..."

"This is an absolute disgrace- Nay, a travesty is what it is. Walking through this harem used to be a hazardous proposition back in the day, due to the floor being littered with ponies in the throes of ecstasy!" Luna pointed to the lone mare in the corner reading a book, "What is this rubbish?"

"The erotic adventures of Popinjay," the bespectacled mare answered helpfully.

"I wasn't talking about the book! Where are the concubines of exquisite beauty? And the handsome stallions who were very well endowed? It doesn't even smell of sex in here!"

"That's probably a good thing," Trixie said, glancing at Rainbow, who was at least pretending to look around the spacious room with interest, and paying particular attention to its many, many cushions. There was no missing that her rear legs were being held tightly together.

"This is hardly a good thing," Luna growled. "The things that used to happen here are legendary! They used to sing songs about it! They used to sing those songs here, and I'm pretty sure one of them was about me."

"And you're proud of that?"

Luna froze at Trixie's question, "...No? Okay, maybe a little because that was a most memorable of night's. And day's."

"You can't be serious."

"When the bards sing songs of your sexual prowess, Trixie, you might be a little proud of it too."

Trixie decided to stop talking as it seemed the easiest way to contain her... disgust wasn't the right word, but the end result was close enough. It didn't help that Trixie kept getting images of Luna romping with a room full of beautiful mares and well endowed stallions. "Stop that," she said, seeing Luna's horn lit up, delivering those images. "I'm pretty sure there's laws against things like that."

"Not in Saddle Arabia."

There was a commotion at the door as Twilight and Sunset galloped into the room, "Don't do it, Rainbow!"

Rainbow looked around in surprise at her name being blurted out. "Don't do what? There's nopony in here to do! I mean... uh... hi."

"Oh." Twilight slowed to a trot, her eyes lingering for a moment on the mare in the corner still reading her book. "I thought you'd gone to the harem."

"This is the harem!" Luna cried.

"Really? Why would you even come here?" Twilight folded her ears back as Sunset sniggered behind her, "You know what I meant."

"This may come as a surprise to you," Luna said directly to Twilight, "but recent events have left me a little stressed. A chance to unwind would be most welcome. I surely don't have to explain why Rainbow's here, although why Trixie is here I cannot tell."

"Curiosity mostly," Trixie sniffed. "If somepony asks you if you want to see the world's largest harem, the least you can do is have a look."

"Quite," Luna deadpanned. She sighed, and started dragging herself back towards the exit. "It feels as if the colours of the world are absent," she lamented, before leaving.

"This has been... strange," stated Trixie. "Just to warn you, I might be having some funky dreams tonight, thanks to Luna just molesting my brain. Try to ignore any sounds I might make."

"Good to know." Twilight laid a hoof on Rainbow's back as she continued to stare at the empty harem, and jumped in surprise as the blue pegasus sat hard. "Rainbow?"

"I'm fine," Rainbow squeaked.

"Yeah, right. It's no secret that pegasi get it the worst out of the three tribes. I think it's about time I introduced you to some spells which might potentially help."

Rainbow looked around in surprise, "Uh, I'm not sure I'm comfortable doing that kind of thing with you, Twilight, no offence."

"What? Oh stars, Rainbow, ew! I'm talking about supressing spells, not whatever you just thought of."

"Oh. Wait, why haven't you brought this up sooner? I've been... wanting it for days!"

"Because I use the meds like everypony else during my time. There's an issue with the spells that you won't be thanking me for."

"I don't care, just do it!"

Twilight shrugged, "Alright. Sunset, could you do me a favour and make me a ice pack? We're going to need it."

"What do you need an ice pack for?" Rainbow enquired cautiously.

"I don't, but you will."

It was while Rainbow considered the ramifications of having sex with an ice pack that she may have worked out what the issue with the suppressing spell was. She did wonder why Twilight had also secured her to the bed by her one ankle, and put a sound proof bubble around it. That all made sense too, now.

Twilight didn't even look up from her breakfast or the map before her as Rainbow walked in and flapped a wing in her direction, messing up her mane. "Sleep well?"

"No, and you know I didn't."

"Do you at least feel better?"

"Yes, which is why I'm not hitting you with lightning instead. That was the fucking worst, Twilight!"

"Hence why I tend to not do it."

"At least you have medications for that time now," said Luna. "Before such things, well, there's a reason why sex isn't very taboo in the pony nations."

"I'm done talking about it," Rainbow sat at a chair and grabbed a piece of fruit, viciously tearing a chunk out of it and chewing sullenly for several seconds before speaking again. "What's the plan?"

Twilight brushed her mane back into place and turned the map towards Rainbow. "The Sultan was kind enough to point us in the direction of the warlord, who is here." Twilight highlighted a point of the map to the northwest of where they were now. "Currently, Faust's forces are making their way there, and have a three day head start, and might even be there already. Thankfully we can save a lot of time by flying."

"Okay, good, but what if they've already beaten this warlord?"

"Maybe they have, in which case we'll have to think of something else. I'm going to say that's unlikely though. They'd set up camp, and perform some scouting runs first to determine their opposition's strength and numbers, bearing in mind there's probably only a few hundred Mareitanians to begin with."

"Basically she's saying we should go there and see it for ourselves," Trixie explained helpfully.

Twilight eyed Trixie, "In essence, yes, but with more depth and complexity than the heathen suggests."

"Neat. So when are we leaving?"

"As soon as we're all ready," Twilight answered, sweeping her gaze over the rest of the ponies around the table. "Cadence will be staying here though, to try and counter Amira as much as she can."

"Not that there should be much to counter," said Cadence. "She's already made her plans clear enough. I'm not sure what else she possibly has to offer."

"You might be surprised," Luna told Cadence. "I do have one question though. Should we succeed in our endeavour over the next couple of days, what would we be doing with the artefacts? I don't know about you, but giving them to the Sultan feels like a bad idea."

"I'm afraid that's up to the Sultan," said Twilight. "If he wants them, we have very little choice but to give them to him if we want him to join our alliance. Hopefully he'll be happy to let us dispose of them."

Trixie snickered at Twilight, "So you do remember what optimism sounds like."

Twilight stared flatly at Trixie, then stuck her tongue out at her. "Moving along, I just want to point out that I'm fine with leaving Saddle Arabia neutral. Any outcome where they don't join Faust is a positive for us, even if we don't get anything out of it directly."

Luna nodded her head at Twilight, "Agreed, just as I wish to make clear that we cannot afford to lose this race we appear to be in. If the Mareitanians claim the prize first, we will take it off them through force, and if necessary, remove all witnesses of us doing so. I know that sounds brutal, but as Twilight said, a neutral Saddle Arabia is better than one on Faust's side."

"And they're Mareitanians," said Rainbow, "so who fucking cares?"

Sunset held up a hoof, "I care. I'd rather not get involved in a slaughter on my first battle, or whatever you want to call this."

"Great," Lightning sighed, "a newb."

"I could kick your ass," Sunset said confidently.

"Oh yeah? Maybe we'll have to see about that."

"No you won't," Twilight said, cutting in to the conversation. "Like myself, Sunset was an apprentice of Celestia, and is perfectly capable of holding her own."

"Exactly."

"All the same Sunset, I'd appreciate it if you stayed close to me, Trixie, or Luna. A battle is a terrible place to learn that you have a serious aversion to seeing ponies killed."

Sunset lost some of her confidence, "R-right, yeah, I'll-ah, do that."

Twilight smiled at Sunset, glad that she was taking it seriously, instead of being full of bluster about it, only to embarrass herself later, and maybe get herself killed. "If that's everything, we should get a move on. I'd rather do this before the Mareitanians do."

Cadence waved after the others as they departed, feeling quite the fool. Once again they were throwing themselves into danger, and once again she was staying on the side-lines. Not that she didn't have reasons, she knew, but she also knew it wasn't right. She was an alicorn and a princess, it was her place to defend her country and its ponies.

"I still have a duty here," Cadence told herself. Somepony had to try and mitigate the damage that Amira might cause by throwing doubt onto the princesses, or whatever she might do. In all honesty, she might do nothing. What could she do? Cadence certainly couldn't think of anything much.

Cadence made her way back into the palace, Flurry flying close behind as they made their towards the throne room where Cadence expected to find both the Sultan and Amira. The only way to really find anything out was to spend as much time around the both of them as possible.

The throne room was filled with the quiet hum of conversation as the various petitioners for the day gathered to ask something of their Sultan. Cadence hung on around the edge of the room, not wanting to disturb the proceedings if she could help it, although she remained ready to interrupt should she have to.

It was several minutes before Amira entered the room, and was spotted immediately by the tall mare, who went in the opposite direction to where Cadence was, her nose raised, like it wasn't already a full head above Cadence's anyway. It'd been a while since Cadence had felt small, but standing in a room full Saddle Arabians left her feeling like a foal.

Time passed with nothing happening, save for Flurry catching some attention from a group of mares. Cadence kept an eye on them as they cooed at Flurry in their native tongue, but most of her attention was going into feeling worried. Surely something should've happened by now? Unless the Sultan enjoyed keeping his subjects waiting, he should be here.

"Excuse me?" Cadence said, hoping somepony was listening. "Does anypony here speak Equestrian? Somepony other than Amira."

One of the mares fussing over Flurry looked up as Cadence spoke. "I speak Equestrian, Princess, but perhaps not very well."

Cadence offered the mare a smile, "That's fine, so long as we can understand each other well enough. I was hoping you could tell me what's happening. Where's the Sultan?"

"Late, as usual. It is nothing to be worrying about."

"Oh, thank goodness." Cadence looked over the pale blue mare. She was a little shorter than the others in the room, and her violet mane seemed out of place amongst the softer colours most Saddle Arabians were born with. Cadence suspected she might have had an Equestrian somewhere in her heritage. "Sorry, I'm being rude. I'm Cadence."

"I am Sahar, Princess. I am honoured to meet you, and your little one."

"Thank you. Um, if you don't mind my asking, but are you fully Saddle Arabian?" Cadence blushed, realising that she could've asked that a lot better. "Sorry, I'm being rude again."

"It is no problem. My great grandfather was Equestrian explorer, here in Saddle Arabia, where he met my great grandmother on one of his adventures." Sahar smiled awkwardly, "I guess you could tell from how short I am."

Cadence looked up at the mare, "It was a clue, yes. You're still a lot taller than me though."

"Equestrian's do seem to have the market on being small and cute."

"A shame really since we were aiming for big and tough." Cadence smiled, feeling more at ease as Sahar giggled. "I don't suppose you could tell me how this is supposed to work, could you?"

"Is it not done like this in Equestria?"

"Usually the ruler comes in before the petitioners, and then they come in one at a time, rather than keep them all waiting here in the same place."

"I must admit, your way does sound more productive. Here though, we all wait, catch up on talk, and hope that Sultan has enough time for us."

"Oh. So... what brings you here?"

"I'm petitioning to have the Sultan remove his soldiers from my family's land. At this point they are more hindrance than help when we are trying to farm. It was bad enough that our farm was in the path of the Storm King, and he took some of our workers, but now I have soldiers cluttering up the place instead, getting in the way and disrupting us when we work."

"Aren't they supposed to be protecting you?"

"From something that is no longer here?" Sahar shrugged, "That is no excuse for getting in the way, not when there are genuine threats to be taken care of in this Warlord Jamal I have been hearing about."

"Hopefully that'll be taken care of soon."

Sahar raised an eyebrow at Cadence, "Do you know something about this? Is that why you are here, to stop him?"

"Um... not me as such, but we have ponies working to put him to a stop."

"Then you are here to petition the Sultan as well?"

"Not quite. I'm here to keep an eye on her," Cadence said, gesturing with her head towards Amira, although the confused look Sahar gave her probably meant it was a bit too vague. "The ambassador."

"Ah, her, the Sultan's sister-in-law. I am not sure what to make of her since she came here saying Saddle Arabia should join Faust. She has not the right."

"Sister-in-law? I'd almost forgotten about that."

"She is the sister of one of the Sultan's wives. It was also her sister that was taken by the Storm King. I think she wants Faust to stop Storm King to get her sister back, but the price of that is to have Saddle Arabia ally with Faust."

"And what makes you say that?"

"I've worked it out."

"And what do you think Saddle Arabia should do?"

Sahar laughed at Cadence, "Funny question really. We either side with Equestria, or we side with Equestria. One wants us to fight in a war, and the other wants us to fight in a war. I think we should fight our own wars, and forget everypony else's."

Cadence didn't have an answer for that. All it came down to in that situation was which side of Equestria had the better benefits package. The one hoping to save the world for the mutual benefit of all, or the one that wants to turn everyone into primitives. Too bad that side didn't advertise their end goal a bit more.

"Ah," Sahar said as the doors to the left of the throne opened, "here he comes."

Cadence watched quietly as the Sultan entered the room and sat in his throne. The crowd bowed in greeting, which Cadence quickly followed, then retrieved her child as the crowd surged forwards.

The Sultan raised his hooves and said something in his native tongue, causing the crowd to back up a little. Without a language she could understand, Cadence quickly found herself lost, and quickly sought Sahar back out. "What's he saying?"

"He apologises for being late, and asks that we continue to be patient as we start our petitions."

"Oh, okay." Cadence was fine with that, since it wasn't something too important. She looked back as Flurry's weight settled on her back, then went back to keeping an eye on Amira. What she found concerned her, but not for reasons she expected. Amira looked worried. Sick with it even. Cadence couldn't even begin to guess why. Surely her being there couldn't be the cause, could it?

Cadence decided to be patient, rather than risk a confrontation by being nosey. Unfortunately that meant standing around as the Sultan worked his way through the crowd one by one. Eventually he came to Sahar.

"Wish me luck!"

"Good luck," Cadence said, a bit distracted. She watched patiently as Sahar made her request, then felt her heart ache as it was rejected. Or at least that's what she thought until Sahar perked back up a bit. After another minute of talking, Sahar bowed, then walked back to Cadence.

"He did not accept my request, but, he has given me permission to make use of the soldiers to aid in the harvest, so that they are at least kept busy. Not what I wanted, but I think it benefits me more than not."

"Good! That's good."

"Would you like me to stay here as a translator until they are done?"

"Oh would you?" Cadence gushed in relief. "I had no idea what I was going to do after you left."

"It is my pleasure, really. Uh-oh."

"What do you mean 'uh-oh?'" Cadence looked over as Sahar pointed into the crowd, where Amira was making her way to the front. "Uh-oh."

"My Sultan," Sahar translated as Amira bowed and spoke. "I have heard that the other princesses have gone to fight the warlord. Do you not trust that the soldiers my lady sent in good faith can carry out the mission?"

Cadence was surprised as the Sultan glanced over at her and sighed. "That is not my concern," he said in perfect Equestrian, likely for Cadence's benefit. "My concern is that it gets done, and the princesses will significantly increase the odds of Jamal being stopped."

"But I promised it would-" Amira started to say, also in Equestrian, until the Sultan stopped her.

"You were supposed to be my ambassador to Equestria, and you respected my orders. How is it now that you are Equestria's ambassador to me, hmm? There is a gap there where I can't for the life of me work out how you came to be here, trying to tell me I should ally with Faust."

"M-my Sultan," Amira stammered, "I am just doing what I think is best for our country.

"What you are doing is being a borderline traitor. I have listened to your words, and I am giving you a chance for your Lady to prove herself, but at no point have I already pledged us to her. The princesses also have the right to prove themselves, and frankly, if the eight of them succeed where the three hundred soldiers you brought to my country uninvited do not, I see no reason to back your Lady in the slightest."

Amira bit her bottom lip, but stood her ground. "Then perhaps, if it were to please you and encourage you towards the right choice, I would offer myself to you, as your wife. I know I am not my sister, but in her absence, I would do all I can to make you happy."

Cadence was stunned, as apparently was most of the other ponies around her as Sahar swapped her translation skills around for their benefit. But more than stunned, Cadence was sickened to her very soul at the idea that Amira would sell herself like this just to get the Sultan to back an allegiance with Faust.

"Do you have a counter offer?"

"Huh?" Cadence blinked a few times as the Sultan spoke to her. "Excuse me?"

"Amira has made a most interesting offer, and I was wondering if you had anything you wish to offer instead?"

"U-uh... I'm already married, and- and I can't speak for the other ponies with me, although I doubt they'll say yes."

"There is one you can speak for. Your child is not promised to another, surely?"

"What- But- What? She's a foal! You can't marry a foal!"

"No, but she will not always be a foal. One day she will bloom into a beautiful mare like her mother. A marriage between myself and a princess of Equestria would do much to strengthen our countries' bonds."

"Your Majesty," Amira protested, "you cannot be serious! Princess Cadence is at least right that her child is too young to be promised in such a way!"

"Not if all parties agree. How about it, Princess?"

Cadence's head spun from the wrongness of all she was hearing. What Amira had offered to the Sultan was already an affront to all she was as the Princess of Love, but an arranged marriage involving a foal was practically anathema on top of how morally and ethically messed up it was. And to think that the Sultan expected her to condemn Flurry, her own daughter, to such a thing when she came of age was horrific to the point of absurdity.

Cadence took Flurry and held her protectively to her chest, "No, absolutely not. I would never force an arranged marriage onto any foal, let alone my own."

"Really? I thought such things were all the rage amongst your upper classes?"

"I can assure you they are illegal, and every precaution is taken against such things. The answer is no, and will always be no."

If the Sultan was disappointed, or angered, he didn't show it. In fact, there was even a mischievous twinkle in his eye as he looked at Cadence.

"Ah you Equestrians, you never disappoint."

Cadence was dumbfounded by that little statement. Completely so. "Excuse me?"

"If you'd accepted my proposal, I would have told you to leave right then and there. I have no desire to wed your daughter at any age, and I'm sure she wouldn't wish to marry a stallion much older than herself that she barely knows. While I am sure your daughter will be a sight to behold when she comes of age, I am not so cruel. It would also destroy the line of succession here by making an immortal my queen, but that is a minor consideration."

"Oh," Cadence said slowly, the mental gymnastics required to understand what was happening eluding her for the time being. "What of Amira's proposal?"

"I'd happily accept, but again I am not so cruel. This time because her marriage to me would make no difference to my decisions, and as my wife she would have no ability to object without considerable backlash upon herself. She would gain nothing. That said," the Sultan looked down sternly at Amira, "Do not attempt to buy my decisions again, ever. Is that clear?"

Amira bowed, her head low to hide a face written with both shame and relief. "Yes, my Sultan."

"Good. You are dismissed. Altaalaa!"

Cadence waited, unsure what was happening until another petitioner stepped up. She kept watching Amira though, as the mare turned and slunk away. "Sahar?"

"Uh, yes Princess?"

"Thank you so much for your help."

Sahar curtsied to Cadence, "It was both my pleasure and honour."

Cadence smiled at Sahar, then quickly followed after Amira, hoping to ask what that was about. Amira hadn't got far, walking at a snails' pace as she was, so Cadence trotted up behind her and fell into step with her.

"What do you want?" Amira asked coldly, her words tinged with a sullen anger.

"Why would you do that? Why sell yourself in marriage just to get Saddle Arabia to side with Faust?"

"Because after you arrived I have nothing left to offer."

"But your forces could still succeed at stopping Jamal." Cadence blanched as Amira raised an eyebrow at her, "I'm not saying I want that to happen. Far from it. It doesn't mean you need to offer yourself as a bribe though."

Amira shook her head and kept walking, "What chance do my forces have compared to yours. Princess Luna could probably succeed alone, never mind with the aid of Princess Twilight, two unicorns, three Wonderbolts, and a thestral. A bribe is all I had left."

"That doesn't make them worth three hundred soldiers though. It also doesn't answer my question." Cadence lit her horn to scan Amira. As she expected, she found no trace of Faust's mind control. The way Amira acted made it seem like there was none. "What did Faust offer you to make you so determined to get Saddle Arabia, your home country, to join her cause?"

Amira stopped like she was really considering the question, then sighed. "You have a family, Princess. What wouldn't you do if they were in danger? What wouldn't you offer to get them back if they were taken?"

"So this really is about your sister," Cadence said quietly. "You really believe Faust is the best chance you have at getting her back?"

"I do."

"Even though the cost of that is your country?"

"I am no fool, Princess, nor am I being controlled as I'm sure you just found out. I had the implant much like everypony else in Equestria did."

"I don't understand."

"Faust will come for Saddle Arabia, and will conquer it much as she did Equestria, except much quicker and easier since we have less defence against her armies as you did. Not to mention her new allies in the yaks and kirin."

"Kirin?"

Amira blinked, aware that she might've just seriously fucked up. "You weren't aware?"

"No, not in the slightest."

"Oh." Amira made an anxious face, "Well, you didn't hear it from me, okay? Anyway, my point is that Saddle Arabia would've fallen to Faust's forces, and fallen hard. When she came to me to offer a choice to convince Saddle Arabia to join peacefully, I had to consider it. When she told me that she knew of my sister, and that she would return her to me in exchange for the Sultan's loyalty, what choice did I have? My sister back and my country safe for such a small price."

"So you do not truly believe in what Faust is doing then? You made it seem as though you did when you confronted Twilight last night."

Amira shrugged, "I was attempting to undermine her confidence, but what she said was so preposterous that I couldn't even hope to get anywhere. Honestly though, part of me was genuinely curious about why you still fight."

"As insane as it sounds, what Twilight said is true, and we can prove it with a bit of effort."

Amira calmly looked Cadence in the eye, like she was weighing her up. "That won't be necessary, because you won't change my mind. My baby sister is in chains, and I will do anything to get her back."

"Then perhaps I could offer you an alternative, if you're willing to listen."

Author's Notes:

Not even related. I just think it's adorable.