Purity Ebonshield

Estelar Siete Pureza Ébanoscudo had ascended to heaven -- the sixth, at least.

Or perhaps even the seventh.

She took another bite of the delightful pleasure which the menu had the audacity to describe as merely a 'sandwich.'

Such an understatement!

True, there were two slices of bread -- each a rich, fluffy thing with a fine crust and a taste sharp and tantalizing. 'Sourdough,' they called her, and the word did not seem to do the wonderful thing justice. Ebonshield could have sat there and devoured a whole loaf alone, but no -- better still was to come. For, smeared all across this fresh bread was a green spread of a richness unfathomable. Each bite, a texture different, a taste novel! There were other ingredients, to be sure: a few leaves of the spinach, an egg poached, even some shavings of what was perhaps cheese. And these were valuable additions, yes, though to her, they were but decorations upon the ingredients primary.

‘Ahhh!’

Some said that the Princess of the Sun favored the cake as the pinnacle of the arts gastronomical. For certain, they must be grand affairs indeed which please Her Majesty; but Ebonshield, humble servant of the Moon, would satisfy herself with the delights offered to her by the 'Avocado Sourdough Sandwich.'

Savoring another bite, she looked around at the baths of the 'Spa Dalecarlia.' She lay, luxuriously enveloped by a bathrobe of cotton, upon a stretched-out chaise made of wood and wicker, facing the great warm pool in which even now Specialist Sparkshower frolicked like a veritable fish. Specialist Glamerspear was beside her, reclining with her forehooves hooked over behind her, sitting inside the edge of what Ebonshield had been told was called a 'yacuzzi' -- a pool very hot, where the water is also pumped forcefully in through pipes by some machinery unseen.

The affair sounded delightful; she almost could not wait to finish her sandwich to enter. Yet she was treasuring each mouthful far too much to wish to see the end.

‘What a place fantastic this is!’

And what a generous Great Lord she served to have paid their entrance fee!

The day had not gone as she had planned. The brutally cold welcome by the hachadores, the embarrassing and disconcerting use of her employer's shadow by Ignacio, the showdown between him and her own comrades, the embarrassing revelations which resulted, and, worst of all, the interruption from the Reverend Mother Carmen. On top of all this, add also the exhaustion of training her master indefatigable.

And yet, there she was, in the early afternoon, enjoying the food most delicious in a place of the relaxation supreme, with a Great Lord who was not only pleased with how the day in the Rookery had gone, but eager also to return tonight! By the grace of the Mother-of-Stars, their exit had been uneventful; Carmen, it seemed, had at least been truthful in her promise of free passage. And the Engineer Royal had been so excited that he hustled back up the mountain passage and over to the palace at a speedy jog, before throwing off his armor and taking a quick shower while simultaneously devouring a croissant left over from breakfast. Then, a quick ride in his 'automobile' and they arrived at this place enchanting with the symbol of the little wooden pony painted in the bright red, accented with delicate white and blue.

That was over an hour ago; Ebonshield had taken some refreshment in the baths and then ordered lunch, while the Specialists were both too famished to wait before eating. Sparkshower had commanded an omelette nearly as big as her head, and finished the plate almost in a single gulp, while Glamerspear took only a small salad, and looked a little upset as she forced herself to eat, looking wishfully over at the plate of her comrade.

‘Tut-tut-tut!’

The unicorn had perhaps taken the playful barbs of the farrier Ironhoof too seriously, and now made to slim herself down. That was a silly thing, since she was hardly much larger than the batpony was. Ebonshield resolved to have a talk with her later; to remind her that plentiful are the colts who appreciate ‘cushioning.’

‘Ah... but there is the Gala which approaches rapidly.’

Perhaps she was simply being very cautious not to outgrow the dress which she had already ordered? Regardless, how unfortunate that after a morning of difficult work in what must have been a taxing and alien environment, she suffered from an empty belly also.

Well, that was an hour ago and at least now, she seemed to be enjoying herself in the 'yacuzzi.'

Instead of joining them for lunch, the Great Lord had gone off to receive a massage to soothe his muscles; the Corporal Bound had insisted upon remaining with him. In her own words, she would stand by him if not inside the room, then at least outside. Ebonshield sensed that perhaps there was something more than duty only which drove her stubborn insistence upon following rules 'to the letter.'

Although, she had gotten a look at his masseuse, and that was a brown-feathered griffon of considerable size. Conceivably, he could need the security of an escort after all! Ebonshield could not imagine how such talons could give a massage, but her Great Lord had not seemed concerned.

‘Eh!’

As his massage was only scheduled for half an hour, and this was an hour ago, perhaps he had been massacred by the claws of that feathered beast, and rushed to the hospital… ‘Aha!’ Now this would be a story to tell -- impervious to the intense training of four ponies, but having fallen victim to a griffon masseuse!

Ebonshield took another bite of her slice of what she had decided was indeed the seventh heaven, and considered more reasonable alternatives as to why he had not yet joined the rest of them at the pools.

‘Hmm…’

Perhaps he so enjoyed the experience, that he asked for more?

Or perhaps he had needed more, so deep were his aches?

Or, perhaps even, he had needed more of something a little extra 'especial'?

With a griffon!

Well, there was something to be said for their feathery tuft.

Still, to have refused the offer of Mother Carmen for the services of a comely batpony Lunar, and yet to also partake of another creature on the same day -- that would be something indeed! But, no, she determined there must be something else.

Perhaps he had simply wanted another shower afterwards.

Ebonshield looked longingly down at the final mouthful of her sandwich. Oh, she would have the monkey for this delight again soon. She must find out if the palace pantry had these 'avocados' and this 'sourdough.' They might make for even more valuable contraband with which to bribe favors from her fellow Children.

With a mixture of delight that there was one more bite and regret that the next bite was the last, she licked her lips and tenderly savored the end of her lunch. The last chew and final swallow moved her almost to things that would not be polite to do in the public, even if the 'Spa Dalecarlia' was not very busy at this time of the early afternoon.

The batpony looked around -- in addition to the two other members of her quaternion, there were a few scattered ponies swimming slowly back and forth in the hot and cold pools, or relaxing in the chaises, reading or dozing quietly. Every now and again, the wooden door of the sauna at the back opened with a squeak to allow one or two ponies to enter or leave those steamy premises, before springing back closed with a muffled 'bom.'

Making up her mind to once again enjoy the warm embrace of the hot pool before trying this 'yacuzzi,' she dusted the final crumbs from her forehooves and undid her bathrobe, before standing up and shaking the garment off onto her seat. Quietly, she trod forward on the wet tiles -- they were not unlike those of the Cave of Pillars, but square, and of course evenly set. When she reached the edge, she tucked her wings tight in and plunged in, aiming to make as little of a splash as possible. Returning to the surface, she spotted the Specialist Sparkshower reclining on her back, floating on the surface with her wings outstretched and eyes half-closed.

‘Sleeping on water!’

‘As if sleeping on the clouds themselves was not incredible enough!’

And taking to water as easily as she did...

On the moon, only in the greatest halls of the most wealthy Rocks could be found such pools of water. Or else in certain of the Schools of the Stars, where they were used for training, or in the Temples of the Lunars, where they were a thing to be respected and kept sacred -- not swam in for pleasure and relaxation!

With a sigh, she turned on her back and tried to stretch out her wings as well, seeing if she could manage to find a way to float as the Specialist did. This was a struggle; every time she thought that she had some one part of her body now held up, another seemed to sink dangerously back down.

Ebonshield could swim, so there was no terror, but there was certainly frustration.

Her comrade with the mane and the heart of gold turned her head towards the batpony-- and she was shocked to realize just how closely she had floated without her notice.

Clearly, she was still tired.

"You've got to just let yourself sag down a bit, Sarge."

"¿Qué? Eh..- I mean, what do you say, Specialist?"

She raised a leg and a forehoof, and Ebonshield saw her torso sink down deep into the water. "You're trying to stay on top of the water, Sergeant. That won't work. Use the buoyancy of your body to hold the rest of you up. See?"

Attempting to emulate her, she took a deep breath and watched her belly disappear into a blur. But her hooves -- and her head -- remained up, as she said.

Interesting; to accept a little failure in exchange for a greater victory. It was the kind of lesson that Master Draxon might have taught, if he had been an instructor of swimming.

"Aha!"

With a smile, Ebonshield looked over at the pegasus, and she smiled likewise back at her. Now able to relax a little, she found her senses returning to her -- and heard the unmistakable slip-slap of two feet walking along a tile pathway towards the pool.

Accompanied, of course, by four hooves with sabots upon them.

Shortly thereafter, the Engineer Royal entered the room, wearing a cotton bathrobe which was so large in the shoulders and so slim in the hips that it clearly was meant for a minotaur.

And right behind him is Corporal Bound. She had left her armor, helmet, and spears in the change-room locker, but still wore her sabots. 'Just in case,' she had said.

The Specialist Sparkshower flapped her wings to push herself close to the edge. "Hello, sir! Did you enjoy your massage?"

With a yawn, he nodded his head as he selected a chaise for himself. "Yes, so much so that I'm afraid I dozed off afterwards. That 'Nina' played my muscles like a grand piano."

"Ooh, yeah? She gives great wing-massages, too!"

‘Wing-massage?’

Seeking to join the conversation, Ebonshield tried to flap herself casually closer as well, but instead of propelling herself forwards, she found her head pushed suddenly underneath the water. This ended her attempt at the floating upside-down, and, sputtering a bit, she re-emerged on the surface, with her hooves properly underneath herself.

"Pfft, cough-cough. To sleep after such a morning is nothing of which to be apologetic, Great Lord. Indeed, resting well would be wise before undertaking activities tonight."

"Sure, sure... But I can do that back at the palace. While we're at the spa I might as well make use of the pools and the hot tub."

Removing the enormous white robe, he placed it on his chaise and turned to face the pool.

‘¡Oye, chico!’

What clothes remained left quite little to the imagination! And on a mare -- even a batpony mare -- that small triangular piece of fabric would be considered most provocative. But, for a creature with bare skin, he should, alas, probably conceal his genitals in this manner. The stretchy red material covering his front was joined by a similar patch at the back which covered his rear.

With a small chuckle, he caught Ebonshield -- and Sparkshower and Glamerspear, too, though the Corporal Bound was forcing herself to look away -- admiring his outfit. "...Heh, it's a good thing I had a couple pairs of Speedos made last year for my initial wardrobe. Otherwise I'd have to be skinny-dipping in here."

Stepping forward, he slipped his long, powerful legs into the warm pool and sat himself down at the edge.

"... Everyone enjoy their lunch?"

In reply, he received one enthusiastic nod from Sparkshower, one casual nod from Glamerspear, and merely a smile of deepest satisfaction from Ebonshield.

"Good to hear. Corporal, now that you're not on the clock, why don't you get something off the menu for yourself?"

"Yes, sir." She turned to walk over to one of the tables, then stopped and looked over her shoulder. "Didn't you want something to eat as well, sir?"

He shook his head. "I had that snack on the way here. if I eat anything now, I'll fall asleep immediately. I plan on having an early dinner and then going to bed until around midnight."

This seemed to frustrate the corporal. "Well... Then I'll do the same, if that's all right with you, sir."

He shrugged. "Whatever you please, Corporal."

Reaching down, he cupped some of the water in his hands, and splashed against his firm chest.

‘Mmm…’

Ebonshield was most definitely correct in her earlier appraisal of his physique: 'all the way up the wall,' indeed! If he had the mental skill to match it -- and this certainly seemed plausible -- then considering the energy which he displayed in the Grand Hall of Stars, he would make a fantastic lover. A shame that he appeared to treasure his celibacy!

From over at the 'yacuzzi,' the Specialist Glamerspear twisted her head to face the rest of them. "So, I know this isn't exactly super-private, but when are we going to talk about the elephant in the room?"

When she received confusion in response, she turned her body around to hug the edge, then raised up a forehoof and pointed it at Ebonshield. "I think we've all got some questions for Sergeant Speechless over there, yeah? Lotta stuff to talk about after this morning, ya know? Kinda like to get some of it in the open before we head back down under the mountain."

Sparkshower and Honour nodded in agreement, and the drowsy Engineer Royal showed no signs of objecting.

Ebonshield glanced around. There were less than five other ponies in the room, and most of those seemed to be clustered underneath the windows of the Southern wall, enjoying the rays of the afternoon sun. Although it was quiet in this room of waters, they might still hear their conversation -- at least, if they remained all separated like this and had to speak up.

With several questioning eyes upon her, she glanced over at the 'yacuzzi'. "Perhaps if we were to gather in the 'hot tub'?"

Without waiting for any acknowledgement, Anonymous pulled his feet out of the water and slowly got up. "Don't have to tell me twice."

He stepped over, followed closely behind by Corporal Bound, while Sergeant Ebonshield and the Specialist Sparkshower both swam towards the edge.

Squatting down to place his hand against the inside wall, he looked around. "I wonder how they power the pumps for this thing? A windmill and a camshaft driving bellows, I'd imagine. Elaborate construction." As Ebonshield pulled herself up out of the warm pool, the Great Lord slipped slowly into the 'yacuzzi,' adjacent the Specialist Glamerspear, who seemed pleased to receive him. "... Ahhh, but worth it."

Once the Corporal Bound, the Specialist Sparkshower, and herself all entered the steaming pool -- which was heated almost to burning, but still she forced herself to enter -- then things were quite crowded, and she was satisfied that at least nopony else would try to join them for lack of room.

So scaldingly hot was Ebonshield that she was tempted to extend her wings to cool down -- but this would defeat the point of the experience, and also reveal her more obviously as an outsider who should not belong here. She resorted instead to closing her eyes and taking several deep breaths, and when she felt able to continue, she found herself facing four curious faces.

"Very well... What may I explain first?"

She was not surprised to hear the Specialist Glamerspear speak before anyone else. "How about you start with yourself? I mean, what kinda combat training involves all that crazy jumping around? Not to mention learning seduction?"

Ah yes, of course.

Before she could answer, the Specialist Sparkshower added also her own question. "And did you really mean it when you said you could have single-hoofedly beaten all those batponies in the entrance?" Eyes wide, she looked down at the bubbling water before her. "... I mean, it looked like they believed you. And you fought really well against the sand-shadow things -- but still, one-on-twelve?"

The Corporal Bound looked Ebonshield in the eyes with steady conviction and added the final point. "Just what is the 'School of the Shining Stellar Dance,' Sergeant?"

It was a little difficult to focus while she was still adjusting to the tremendous temperature in the 'yacuzzi,' but she managed to think of a good place to start. "This is not the easiest thing to explain. Please allow me to teach you some culture and history first, yes?"

There were no objections, so she began.

Suggested background music: Cobla Mediterrània - El Testament de N'Amèlia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwa4a8NjXJw

"... I have told you of the Phases, which are the layers of batpony society, and of the Houses, which are like the city-states and the extended families. But there are also the Guilds and the Schools -- the associations of professions particular which reach across the Houses."

Ebonshield took a big gulp of air, as much to cool herself down as to continue speaking.

“A Rock-phase blacksmith of the House Catena-of-Vapors will have some communication and some camaraderie with a blacksmith of the House of Sea-of-Foam, because both are members of the Guild of Blacksmiths, even though these two Houses are bitter enemies who have quarrelled and fought wars for centuries on end. For the Guilds of the Rocks, there is a professional respect which extends mostly to the political pressure mutual against the Lunars and Stars above, as well as against the Dust and Shadows below. But for some among the Stars, Lunars, and the Eclipse, close bonds are forged across Houses in the semi-independent schools which teach special skills."

She shrugged, lifting her forehooves and her shoulders out of the heat. “These temples of learning sit apart from the never-ending feuds of the Houses, by necessity and by design. By necessity, because some information must be shared for us to survive on the Moon. By design, because to join the Mother-of-Stars in retaking Equestria, we knew that we would have to co-operate on some level."

Taking a chance, she raised her wings up and relieved her temperature problem with a quick flap. "The Most Holy Church of the Sacred Victorious Canon is where Reverend Lunars receive instruction, for example. And the Honorable Order of the Hatchet is a famed Star-school for the investigation of crimes and the guarding of borders. The School of the Shining Stellar Dance is one such Star-school, or more properly a Star-temple."

She leaned in a bit, encouraging everypony else to do the same, so that she did not need to speak so loudly over the rushing of water. "The Temple of the Shining Stellar Dance is an institution ancient, founded in an age where matters of faith and society were still undecided. There were few guilds, and no Phases. There were still ponies who clung to their Equestrian high-born roots and demanded the fealty of those beneath them. There was no single, central church -- and, more importantly, there were many unanswered questions."

Raising her hooves up to her head, Ebonshield looked up wistfully towards the steamy tiled ceiling. "'What have we become?' 'Why has the Mother-of-Stars made us so?' 'What does She wish of us?' 'Shall we return to Equestria, or is this now our home?'"

Lowering her hooves back down, she allowed them to slip into the water -- and she realized that the pool felt burning to the touch.

"Many ponies believed they had the answers, and were willing to fight anyone who thought differently. There is, after all, a reason for the 'Victorious' in the name of the Church -- and this victory was not earned without blood."

She swished a forehoof in the water, drawing a spiral in the foam. "In this age, a spiritual colt, known now as Maestro Romà de Balj, believed that through ascetic studies and the practice of an artful 'dance' one could achieve enlightenment and a glimpse of the will of the Mother-of-Stars. I say 'dance' because this is the word which he used to describe the thing, his 'Shining Stellar Dance' -- but the dance was actually a style of fighting; a practice of graceful combat against one or more foes, but always performed alone, so that one could 'lose' oneself in the divinity of the moment."

Leaning back, Ebonshield started to relax. "He gathered and trained a small number of followers, and, deciding that his group was now above and separate from the raging holy wars, he declared that they shall build their temple-fortress at the top of 'El Monte Esbelto' -- The Slender Mountain."

She shrugged again, and emitted a chuckle. “In that age so chaotic, there was no shortage of enemies eager to eradicate even the most insular nonbeliever or heretic. So the Maestro Romà and his Shining Stellar Dancers found their Slender Mountain threatened or besieged on several occasions, by forces far greater than their own. Of course, they were very capable fighters, and more than willing to die for their sincere faith, but they were not numerous enough, nor trained and equipped to fight side-by-side! To give battle to an orderly army in the field would be suicide."

She raised her eyebrows as well as a forehoof. "Maestro Romà knew this, and knew also that in this age such enemy forces, much like his own temple, survived mostly on the charisma and personality of their leaders. In the darkness of night, one or two skilled 'dancers' might easily slip away from the mountain and into the enemy camp, passing themselves off as soldiers or servants, and, with a quiet dagger, eliminate such leaders. Even if they were caught and killed afterwards, which happened frequently, the death of a noble commander led to the inevitable dispersal of the army."

She took a moment to look each of her comrades -- and her VIP -- in the eyes before continuing. "By the time the Most Holy Church of the Sacred Victorious Canon emerged as the dominant orthodoxy, everypony on the Moon had heard of the terrifying 'Old Colt of the Mountain' and his band of fanatics who would manage even in the face of certain death to vengefully carve out the heart of anypony that dared to oppose them."

The Specialist Sparkshower gasped, while the Specialist Glamerspear raised her eyebrows. Ebonshield was not surprised to see that the Engineer Royal and the Corporal Bound both remain interested, but detached.

“This was over nine hundred years ago. Somewhere along the way, the Shining Stellar Dancers established a truce with the Church, agreeing on several points of doctrine and bowing to the supremacy of the orthodoxy, while retaining their mysticism and independence. Possessed of the skills of infiltration and murder, they soon found the newborn Houses eager to engage their services in the new never-ending feud -- not over doctrine and religion, but power and wealth. Not even Maestro Romà could refuse the share that they offered him if he but directed his students at targets particular, according to their wishes. With the blessings of the Church, Maestro Romà saw a bright future for his order in the wallets of the Houses, and insisted only on certain ritual rules for the execution of such contracts."

Lowering her hooves and her voice, Ebonshield summarized this little history. "Thus was founded the Temple of the Shining Stellar Dance, the batpony school of assassins."

The Specialist Sparkshower stared at Ebonshield, open-mouthed. Corporal Bound closed her eyes and lowered her head into one forehoof. Anonymous looked at the batpony with the corporal’s same aloof interest.

Beside her, the Specialist Glamerspear furrowed her brow and curled up her lips. "You're- Are you bucking kidding us, Sarge? Princess Luna gave us... she gave us... gave us..."

Before she could stutter further, the Corporal Bound lifted up her head and completed her sentence. "Princess Luna assigned an assassin to the Royal Engineer's VIP bodyguard quaternion."

The voice was not welcoming or encouraging. And this was no surprise to Ebonshield, for there was a reason that she had kept this fact concealed.

‘Well, ‘s'ha acabat el bròquil’ -- there is no more broccoli, as the Rocks would say.’

Now it remained to see if anything would happen.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Specialist Sparkshower was the first to rise to her defense. "Well... Why not, Corporal? I mean, the Sergeant is a great fighter, and if the Royal Engineer's life is really threatened, then who is going to know better how to stop an assassin than... an assassin... right?"

The Corporal Bound sighed and gave her a dismissive look, and even the Specialist Glamerspear turned and shook her head, rolling her eyes.

There was a long and uncomfortable delay, and then her VIP -- who had been giving Ebonshield the look so casual until now -- shrugged his shoulders. "Makes sense to me."

Instantly, the three Equestrians turned towards him, and Glamerspear burst out. "You're okay with this, sir?"

He shrugged again. "Sure, why not? Sparkshower's argument makes sense. I trust Her Majesty's wisdom. And I know I'm not in much of a position to judge, but the sergeant certainly seems to have some pretty serious moves."

She allowed herself to smile. Oh, and what moves she could show him also, if he but wished it!

The Specialist Glamerspear appeared deflated. "I mean... Yeah, okay, she does. But... why do you learn 'seduction'?"

Now it was Ebonshield’s turn to shrug. "Sometimes this is an easy way to a target."

Grumbling, the unicorn splashed a forehoof into the bubbling water. "Figures."

Sparkshower spoke up, somewhat meekly. "Uhm... But why did the Reverend Mother say you don't learn the 'follow-through'?"

‘Ah, this little chica inocente.’

Ebonshield smiled and leaned towards her. "Because, Artemisa, once we are in bed together, then there is only the time for the stabbing, yes?"

The look of concern in her eyes was just precious, as was the monosyllabic response. "Oh."

Across the pool, Honour nodded in the batpony’s direction, her eyes narrow underneath her thick braided mane. "Speaking of the Reverend Mother... It seemed like she really wanted to put you in your place back there."

Ebonshield nodded, her smile disappearing. As uncomfortable a topic as revealing the nature of her profession had been, this one was even worse. "Yes, she made her disapproval quite clear."

Keeping her voice level and her mood composed, she continued. "Was that all just because you disobeyed her order not to volunteer for this job? It almost sounded... personal."

‘Ah, she is very astute, the Corporal Bound.’

Well, she’d drunk the oil of failure this morning. She might as well now finish the bottle. Suddenly feeling exhausted once more, Ebonshield sighed deeply. "No, there was not merely this most recent defiance which angered her. I have disappointed her on several occasions prior also, so that I think her antipathy for me is personal by now."

Sighing again, she looked down at the bubbling water. She felt uncomfortable, but not any more from the heat, at least.

“And this is particularly likely since the Reverend Mother Superior Carmen Ébanoscudo is my mother."

And so we reach the end of our heroes' first foray into the depths of bat pony society! It's been an exciting journey, and I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!

Alas, between difficulties with pastebin and the sheer length of several chapters, its been difficult to keep up with things, and my work buffer has been severely worn down over the course of this arc. With apologies to everyone who appreciates the daily updates, we'll be returning to an every-other-day update schedule for a little while to rebuild that buffer.