The last time Ignis had been to Novus Flumen, he was but a newly orphaned colt found by Ordermaster Ironfaith. The city had been smaller then and had little in the way of proper walls and temple. Now the temple's wall towered overhead and shined with the glory of Lux, with a mighty wall of stone where once was a wooden palisade. The midday bells filled the city with their music, and the chatter of ponies filled the air.

The castle of Novus Lapis had grown from a humble timber keep to a mighty stone fortress. There were five towers whose points shone in the sun's rays, each a testament to the glory of Aquinas. The Flumen flowed alongside the north side of the castle and through the heart of the city. A few boats moved down the waters carrying ponies and goods.

Along the street, ponies and griffins went about their days. Some traded goods, while others looked for work. The Ordermaster spotted a few hired swords guarding some of the finer shops. Most were griffins seeking to earn some coin, a few earth ponies and the odd unicorn. He had never been fond of mercenaries but knew there was little he could do about it.

Once he reached the keep he was led down the halls toward the study of Novus Amore Highever, the sister of the king. Novus was a mare of great beauty, from her elegant great horn to her feathered hooves. The lady of Novus Flumen laid on a couch near the hearth, sipping at a glass of wine as she read some letters. Once she spotted Ignis she motioned for him to take a seat on the chair near her.

The Ordermaster did as he was bid, and sat waiting for Novus to finish reading the letter she had in her magic. Once she had she set it on a nearby table.

"I trust the journey from Aquinas was uneventful?" she asked.

"Aye, only the riff-raff of a few inns and taverns. Could have avoided most of them altogether by spending the night within a local Order Hall." Ignis watched as Novus motioned for one of her hoofmaidens to pour him a glass of wine.

“My thanks.” Ignis took a sip of the wine and found it too sweet for his taste. He much preferred the strong red of Tor. “May I inquire as to the reason you summoned me, your majesty?”

Novus dismissed her hoofmaidens before she spoke. “I’m beset by bandits, disorder, and most importantly, rumors of dark forces at work. Also, I have to deal with daily suitors, and a few of those I have rejected have taken to slander, which I’ll not give any attention to.”

Seems I’ll need to summon more of my order here. “I see. Have you tried seeking the aid of your brothers? I’m sure Prince Shadowhoof could spare a few legionaries or his grace King Aquila could lend some of the Eagle Guard." Ignis placed the wine on a nearby table. “Though I am more than happy to help call for more of my order if that is your wish.”

“It is, as I need ponies I can trust.” Novus sighed before taking another sip of her wine. “As for asking aid of my brothers, I will most certainly handle this without them. Otherwise, I will be seen as nothing more than a figurehead with no real power. Tell me, do you know what a challenge it is to rule over griffins?”

“Nay, I never had to deal with them under my command.” Ignis glanced outside the vaulted windows. On the wall was a mix a griffins and unicorn archers, and in the bailey were a mixed number of each race. The Ordermaster had not noticed this when he entered Novus Lapis.

“Some are the cubs of the old guard that had the sense to kneel before my grandfather, while others are lowborns seeking a warm bed and meal,” Novus said, glancing to where Ignis was looking. “So more than a few would break at the first sign of a fight.”

Ignis regarded the griffins for a moment. He could use one of his knights to find the disloyal and craven ones. “I’ll see what I can do about that, but this is nay a simple task and could very well take months.”

“I’m well aware, which is why I asked a pony of skill to aid me in this matter.” Novus smiled. “That and the fact those griffins and bandits need to learn of the faith.”

“Very well, I’ll see to this matter, as well as your outlaws.” The Ordermaster turned back to face Novus.

“Thank you, I’ll have my servants prepare a room for you at once.” Novus called for one of her hoofmaidens to see to the room before she turned back to Ignis. “I’ll also have my master of arms informed you will be acting on my behalf.”

“Thank you, your majesty.”

“Ah, before you go, tell me: do you think my nephew will fall prey to the ideals of Equestria?” Novus asked before Ignis could take his leave.

The question had crossed his mind, but he had known Caecus for most of the young prince’s life so doubted they he would succumb to the false ideals of Queen Celestia. “Nay, he is loyal to Lux, Aquinas, and his family,” Ignis replied before being lead to his room.

The room was more luxurious than he was accustomed to. The bed sheets were silk, and the wood engraved with gold. The drapes were emblazoned with the royal eagle. Near the window was a desk. Ignis moved to the window and found his room overlooked the garden. He sat at the desk and sighed as he pulled out a long pipe and lit it.

The Ordermaster meditated, blowing smoke rings as he was accustomed to after a long day. His mind wandered to many things, the task at hoof heavy on his mind. Which of his knights should he summon to aid him? Sir Fire Heart and Sir Ferrum were the first two that come to mind, as both were highly skilled and loyal. Ferrum was bolder than Fire Heart so he may be a better pick.

Ignis glanced toward the bed, his bones were weary after his long journey here. He knew the bed would be overly soft as all royal beds tended to be. He preferred a firmer bed, but still he needed his sleep so in the morning he would see about getting one more to his liking.

As Ignis sat there he couldn’t help but think that he was no doubt being watched by any number of spies from countless lords, and a few of the queen’s.

Early the next morning Ignis met with Master of Arms Burnwall in the courtyard. He was as one would imagine a griffin of rank to look; large, powerful wings, spare talons, and a few scars that marked his face. Burnwall was the son of the former captain of the old guard, which did little to put the Ordermaster’s mind at ease as it was unclear where his loyalty would lie. “Your Lordship.” Burnwall bowed as he greeting Ignis.

“Sir Burnwall, I trust that Princess Novus has informed you that I’m acting in her name?” Ignis asked.

“Aye.” Burnwall seemed less than happy about it.

Ignis had thought about the matter most of the night, as he had found that sleep didn’t come easily. “I want you to move your guards to patrol the main streets of the city along with the side, as judging by what I've seen so far most of them are green.” The Ordermaster didn’t need to look far to find ponies who were more fitted to work a shop than man the walls.

“I would ask about the outlying village and hamlets, but I trust you will have your order to deal with them. However, would it not be more of a benefit to smoke the rats from their holes?”

That would work in dealing with smaller groups, but doubtless, the larger ones have friends in the nobility. “Nay, that would only lead to more cunning ones. Best strengthen our presence before we strike at them,” Ignis replied. That and I do not trust you yet.

“Very well, I’ll order my stallions to patrol the streets.”

“Good, now I must take my leave as I have many things to tend to,” Ignis said before starting for the temple district.

Ponies clothed in robes tented the gardens of the temple, as other stood before statues of the honoured dead. Some left flowers at the hooves of the statues, other slight preys. Along the streets, a few shops were busy with making bread and other goods, while a few want long the streets sweeping the stones clean for the day.

Ignis bowed his head as he passed the temple, his goal the small order hall nearby. The building had the holy symbol of Lux on the door and stained glass windows. It was nowhere near as grand as the ones in the heartland and held only a small group of his order, but it was a start. Within, the cleric-mother was seeing to the cooking of their morning meals. She was an older mare, with streaks of grey in her golden mane. “Ordermaster.” She bowed upon seeing Ignis.

“Morning.” Ignis smiled as he looked around. The Knights of the order hall were out along with the paladin.

The cleric-mother moved to place a plate at the head of the table. “Forgive me. Had I knew you were coming I would have set a place for you, Ordermaster.”

“It’s fine. Few know where I tend to journey and how long I stay.” Ignis took a seat at the long table. “Tell me, what is your name and who is the head of this hall?”

“Paladin Ice is our orderlord, and I’m Mother Ember Heart.”

Paladin Ice was a name Ignis had heard before, a loyal member of the order but not overly brave. “Very well, I’ll need to speak with him once he returns. I’ll need a quill, parchment, and a messager candle.”

Mother Ember bowed and went to retrieve the requested items. While she was away Ignis took the time to look over this order meal hall. It was clean and simple like many others, and the windows filled the hall with lights of many colours. The hearth was lit and filled the hall with warmth and the aroma of burning oak. Along the side of the room were a few tapestries and a pair of spires above the hearth.

Ignis began to smell the salmon cooking as Mother Ember appeared with parchment, quill, and candle held in her magic. “Ordermaster, here are the items you requested.” She smiled as she placed them on the table in front of Ignis.

“Thank you.” Ignis started to write up an order of Sir Ferrum to bring his soldiers and join him at once. After the order had been written up he placed it over the candle. “Oak Heaven,” he said before the parchment burned and a cloud of smoke left out through the hearth towards the Heartland city.

Mother Ember hummed as she finished setting the table, then rang a bell that told the others that the meal was ready. There were twelve in all. Paladin Ice was a middle-aged stallion, his surcoat worn in places, and the grail emblazoned upon it showed his rank within the order. The others were a mix of stallion-at-arms and colts.

Even before they greeted Ignis, the Ordermaster knew his plans would have to wait until Sir Ferrum arrived. Till then he would work on dealing with matters in Novus Flumen, even if the outlying towns would be left defend themselves for the time being.

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