In which trolls prove helpful and innocence may be lost.

Tišina felt the huge blast of magic. Briefly distracted she watched as the cursed horse freed one of her prey. She merely smiled grimly.

That’s right. Waste your time on trivia, stupid beast. It won’t be much longer before you reap the wages of your sin. All of you. So please. Waste all the time you like. It’s not as though you’ve got all that much anyway. You might as well waste it.

She glanced at the growing portal array, and mentally caressed the work in progress.

My wonderful children. So beautiful! Soon you will bask in glory. Soon, I promise. And Mother never breaks a promise…

“This is the last one, Your Highness.” Tourmaline said. “Her name is Garnet Stonespeaker. She’s the daughter of Flint and Blueberry Stonespeaker. Blueberry is Pinkamena’s aunt, making Garnet her first cousin.” She nodded to where the pink pony stood with the rest of the Bearers. Pinkie saw the gesture and waved with a huge smile on her face.

“Dear Pinkamena.” The Princess said with a tender smile. “We’re all very proud of her, Tourmaline. She has served me well these last few years. She’s a hero, you know.”

“Really, Your Highness?” Tourmaline’s eyebrows shot up. “We constantly hear stories of her—heroics.” Tourmaline struggled to keep her face polite before her sovereign.

Pinkamena is a hero to the crown? Really? Tourmaline though to herself.

“Oh yes. She’s one of the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. She helped defeat Discord.” The Princess said, innocently watching Tourmaline.

“Discord! The monster that attacked the capital?” Tourmaline stammered, taking a nervous step back.

“Why yes. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Pinkamena then Discord would certainly have won.” The Princess said sweetly.

“I had no idea, Your Highness!” Tourmaline said, stunned.

The princess leaned down and spoke in a confidential whisper in Tourmaline’s ear.

“In fact, we know that the creature that attacked Rockton also attacked Canterlot last night. Pinkamena was the one who forced it to retreat. After it had broken into my chambers and attacked me!”

Tourmaline’s jaw dropped. She was absolutely speechless.

“If Pinkamena hadn’t been there I might not be here to restore the good ponies of Rockton.” Princess Celestia nodded her head emphatically. “We all owe her our lives, Tourmaline.”

She raised her head and became every inch the solemn ruler most ponies expected her to be.

“Now, let’s get this poor unfortunate filly reunited with her family, shall we? Why don’t you go over and stand with the Bearers so you’ll be safe from the magical backlash? It’s really quite fierce.”

“At—at once, Your Highness!” The old pony stammered, and made her way over to Pinkie as quickly as her aged joints would allow.

“Did you just do something political, Princess?” Spring Water asked suspiciously, watching Pinkie and Tourmaline start to talk.

“I am the ruler of Equestria, my dear Spring Water.” Celestia said lightly. “Everything I do is political in one way or another.” She winked.

“But to answer your question—yes. Yes, I did.”

“Well done, Your Highness.” Spring Water said, a brilliant smile blooming on her muzzle. Twilight looked on in puzzlement.

“Did I miss something?” She asked, looking first at Spring Water then Celestia.

“Ask Pinkamena to tell you why she came to Ponyville when this is all over.” Celestia suggested. “Spring Water, if you could examine Garnet for us?”

“Of course, Princess.” Spring Water turned to the statue, and then frowned, leaning forward to look more closely. Her face lost all expression.

“Your Highness, we have a problem.” She said quietly.

Princess Luna had just finished raising the moon and was settling down to enjoy her meal. The humans had joined her at her invitation, opting for their evening meal as she broke her fast. Since she and her sister had done the same for as long as she could remember the mix of food on the sideboard was comfortingly familiar.

“So, Matthew Sanders, how art thou enjoying thy stay in Equestria thus far?” She asked, trying to make small talk. It was still something she found difficult.

“A great deal, Your Highness.” He said, cutting into what looked like a steak.

Teagan had been shocked to find meat on the sideboard—until the serving pony had tactfully explained that it wasn’t. Given that Canterlot was a cosmopolitan city with all manner of sentient creatures visiting it, some provision had to be made for the carnivores, especially the obligate ones.

So the ponies had done exactly what humans did when a meat-substitute was required. They created it from plants—or rather, had other species create it for them. Given that meat eating was considered a taboo subject among more conservative ponies, expecting a pony to create and taste-test meat-substitute products was clearly out of the question.

Like humans ponies used soy-based meat substitutes, mushrooms, nuts, and other similar food. Restaurants that served non-herbivores tended to be avoided by the more herbivorous species, especially away from Canterlot, but the capital itself was more relaxed about the subject, certainly among the ponies dealing with foreign visitors.

The end result being Matt got to enjoy a reasonable facsimile of a steak and Luna didn’t bat at eye at his meal choice.

Teagan and Evelyn had opted for more politically correct vegan meals.

“In fact, Tišina aside, this is a real treat for me.” He continued. “On my world humans are the only sentient species. Here there are dozens of sentient species, all coexisting in more or less peaceful harmony. We went exploring the city today. It was something I will never forget. I want to thank you and your sister for making it all possible.”

“Thou art welcome, Matthew Sanders.” Luna said, smiling. “And what of thee, Evelyn Lewis? Art thou enjoying Canterlot as well?”

“I’m a pegasister, Your Highness.” The PI replied. “This is a dream come true. Oh, that reminds me. I’ve been working with Subtle Dancer to see if we can’t track down Tišina. The fact we haven’t seen another attack yet worries me.”

“She was gravely wounded.” Princess Luna replied. “Even one such as she must have time to heal, surely?”

“Discord didn’t.” Evelyn said, shaking her head. “There’s no reason to believe Tišina would either. That makes me think Tišina might be cooking up a whole new batch of trouble. But the really important news is we may have found a way to pinpoint her location.”

That got everyone’s undivided attention.

Bevis Mot Lyn did not stomp as he calmly and politely waited to be ushered into the small office used by Pinstripe Tock, the Royal Organizer. The fussy unicorn behind the desk guarding Pinstripe’s door had the most eye-watering combination of yellow and purple bands running diagonally across her body, with chartreuse mane and tail. Her horn, unlike the horns of any other unicorn the Snøskred had seen, was purple with a yellow band spiraling from base to tip.

He resolutely kept his eyes averted from the living migraine inducer, choosing to study a large still-life picture on the wall instead. It showed a fruit basket identical to the one regularly delivered to their chambers.

The Royal Organizer kept him cooling his heels for a good half-hour, by which time the Snøskred had memorized every single fruit in the still life and could name them from smallest to largest, or in reverse order.

“The Royal Organizer will see you now.” The unicorn said, glancing at the clock standing across from her desk.

He stood carefully, mindful to step with absolute silence as the unicorn’s horn glowed and the door opened.

Pinstripe Tock was waiting inside an office that was bare of personality and organized to within an inch of its life. It only took one glance to take in the entire contents of the office. On the wall was a single portrait of Princess Celestia, there was a visitor’s cushion of brown velvet, a desk behind which Pinstripe Tock himself sat—and that was all.

The Snøskred had seen prison cells with more interesting décor.

“Welcome, Snøskred Mot Lyn. What may I do for the esteemed Trollish Ambassador this evening?” The pony asked in a polite tone completely devoid of emotion.

“I need to speak with either Princess Celestia or Princess Luna without delay. The matter is extremely urgent, Organizer Tock and of such a delicate nature I can not divulge it to anyone except one of the princesses. There is no time for diplomatic niceties. I—”, he ground his teeth but plowed on, “—beg for the Royal Indulgence to speak with one of them before it is too late. Please.”

The Royal Organizer stared at the troll, mouth open and face slack with shock. He had held the position of Royal Organizer for over ten years, and dealt with all manner of nobles and diplomats. He had, in fact, dealt with trolls on many occasions and was used to their snarling rude demands, their hyper-sensitivity, and the way they bristled at the merest hint of insult.

A troll humbly begging for a favor, especially this particular troll begging for a favor, was—unprecedented. It was impossible. It was a flagrant violation of the laws of nature.

And it shook the foundations of Pinstripe Tock’s world.

“I swear to you as the Tongue Of the King, upon my life and my honor, I am speaking the truth, Organizer Tock. I most humbly beg you to arrange an audience within the hour.” And then Bevis Mot Lyn, cringing deep in his soul, did the one thing he had never believed he would ever do.

He sank to both knees and bowed his head. To a pony. To a mere bureaucrat, a glorified secretary. He felt something in him curl up and die.

“Sn—Sn—Snos—” The pony stuttered, eyes rimmed with white.

“Do you think I would do this if it were not important?” Bevis asked the flabberghasted pony. “For all our sakes, Pinstripe Tock. Please grant this boon.”

The pony shuddered, eyes rolling. Some small part of the troll that wasn’t busy burning in shame found the pony’s reaction incredibly funny. Dalen had been right, damn his soul. If the pony in front of him didn’t faint dead away from shock he would surely grant the request.

Of course from the way his sides were heaving Bevis was expecting the bureaucrat to hit the floor any second.

But any pony who could handle the post of Royal Organizer was made of sterner stuff. With a visible effort Pinstripe Tock calmed himself and spent a moment making sure the shock he’d just felt was properly locked down.

“My apologies, Snøskred.” He finally said urbanely. “Your—change of demenor—took me by surprise. May I ask what this is in regard to? If it’s about returning Crush I’m—”

“It is not, Organizer.” The ambassador cut him off. “Who weilds Mountain Heart is no longer of any import.”

“I’m sorry? But I thought Crush was the whole focus of your mission?” Pinstripe protested.

“It was. New circumstances have forced me to change my priorities.”

“But, but why?” Pinstripe asked, completely flummoxed.

“That is a matter for one of your princesses, Organizer. Meaning no disrespect, but you cannot be privy to this information without the Princesses’ approval.”

“I see.” The pony stared at him, debating. “You undestand you have put me in a most difficult position, Snøskred?”

“That is beyond my power to correct, Organizer. My apologies.”

An apologetic troll? Unnatural! Pinstripe thought as he savagely suppressed a shudder.

“With all due respect, Snøskred, if this is some kind of ploy Their Highnesses will not be amused.” The bureaucrat warned the troll. “The laws of diplomatic usage would demand they repudiate your credentials and banish you, leaving your king no choice but to appoint another ambassador in your place.”

“I am aware of that, Organizer Tock.” Bevis said quietly. “You have the word of Bevis Mot Lyn. Upon my honor, I am sincere. The information I bear is vital and for Their Highnesses ears only.”

Coming to a decision the pony nodded. “Very well. Princess Luna is currently partaking of her evening meal. If you will follow me I will see if she will speak with you. Rest assured I will convey the depth of your urgency, Snøskred.”

“Mine dypeste takk, Arrangør.” The Snøskred rose to his feet and quietly followed the pony toward the promised meeting. He just hoped it wasn’t too late.

“My prognosis is if you undo the stoning Garnet will die from blood loss in under a minute.” Spring Water said grimly. “One stinger cut the superior vena cava completely in half. The other stinger sliced through her carotid artery. I’m sorry, Your Highness. I don’t think Tišina could have inflicted deadlier wounds if she’d tried.”

“I see.” Princess Celestia said quietly. “Then nothing can be done?”

“Not here.” Spring Water said heavily. “If we had a full medical team, with unicorn specialists to hold the blood vessels together while you used your healing magic to seal them and another unicorn cast a sleep spell to keep her quiet and her heart rate down, then maybe. But short of that, no.”

“Thank you, Spring Water. I will inform the Stonespeakers about their daughter’s condition.” The Princess said, her expression neutral. “Please have the guards load Garnet into my chariot for transport back to Canterlot. We’re leaving immediately.”

“As you wish, Princess.” Spring Water bowed and started packing her equipment.

“Come, my faithful student. We need to tell her parents.”

“Yes, Princess.” Twilight said, subdued. Even with the shade spell the last six hours had left the unicorn exhausted and drained. This latest news tore at her heart. Trying to keep control of herself she followed the princess to where the anxious parents were watching their stoned daughter being carefully loaded into the Royal chariot with wide eyes.

“Flint, Blueberry, I have grave news.” The Princess said.

“Why didn’t you change Garnet back, Princess?” Blueberry asked in a calm voice although tears ran down her cheeks.

“She is very badly injured, Blueberry.” The Princess said solemnly.

“Is she going to die?” Flint asked. His expression was as hard as his name, with flared nostrils and flattened ears.

“I don’t know.” The princess said, staring him straight in the eye. “We are taking her back to Canterlot. Garnet will have the finest healers in Equestria and I will personally participate in healing her. Every effort will be made to save her, Flint Stonespeaker. You have my word. Don’t give up hope. What is that expression rock farmers always say?”

“Persistence beyond all hope, and hope beyond all reason, Princess.” He said, ears coming up.

“Never give up, Flint. Your daughter isn’t dead yet. If Death claims her he’ll have to come through me first.” She said, horn flashing momentarily, her eyes narrowing and lip curling back from her teeth.

Both parents bowed to her.

“Twilight, please find space in one of the chariots for Flint and Blueberry to accompany us. They will be my guests in the castle while their daughter undergoes treatment.”

“Yes, Princess.” Twilight said. Both ponies looked up from their bow, eyes wide, not believing their ears. The Princess boarded her chariot, checking the restraints that held Garnet’s statue in place.

“Flint, Blueberry, if you’ll follow me?” Twilight said gently. Numbly the two ponies did as they were bid. After a short shuffling of gear and passengers space was found for them.

Five minutes later the flight headed north toward the distant capital.