Technically, the beginning is part of the previous chapter.

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Summer Glade couldn't believe any of this. She'd just heard every word spoken at that table. The mare didn't know what to think.

“Then perhaps you shouldn't think at all. Have you considered taking his words for what they are?” Rose was still reading Glade's mind, it seemed. “Despite how you may feel, you have to admit, Hircine couldn't have picked a better person for this.”

“Reman guessed correctly?” Glade was still having trouble thinking of that... thing as an intelligent being. She'd put the pieces together, she knew he was that monster from the Festival. But with that, she had to accept that she was a monster now, too.

“Of course he did. The boy has always been the smartest of the two. Why, I remember one time, when he was younger, he'd figured out how to pick the lock on his neighbor's window. Oh, Gaston had been furious when he found them together.” Rose spoke of him like a mother reminiscing on a rambunctious child, she wasn't kidding when she'd said the two had a history. Why was it that every time Rose said something, she only provoked more questions?

“Wait, two? There's another one of him out there?” Another monster like that was running around somewhere, the very prospect had Glade worried.

“Calm yourself, child, Uriel isn't one of Hircine's hounds. He happens to be in Imperial Legion, he defends his empire and emperor, just as you protect your nation and Princess.” Glade was surprised to learn that an animal like Reman had family in such a noble profession. “When you meet Reman, I’d keep those words to yourself.”

“Why would I need to do that, I have every reason to think those things.” Glade knew Reman was a savage, what kind of civilized being would put a curse like this on another?

“Insolent child!” Rose's voice was thunderous, shaking the Pegasus to her core. “Reman is the only being that can relieve you of your affliction! Is that how you Equestrians treat strangers who wish to right their wrongs?” The strange mare was oddly protective of the Imperial. “If you are so certain Reman is a 'savage', refuse his help, have one of your Princesses try to cure you, I’m certain you'll find them ineffective.”

“I didn't think-”

“Of course you didn't think! You haven't thought rationally since you came here!” Rose was beyond angry. She commanded as much authority as Princess Celestia, and every ounce was being exerted on Glade. “If you think for one moment that Reman has any ill intention, you’re dead wrong.”

“If you'll give me time to explain.” Glade felt microscopic next to the strange mare.

“Now you seek to lie to me?!” Rose's expression calmed. “Leave, now.” Her words were like steel.

“But, you-”

“LEAVE!” In an instant, the Pegasus was gone, leaving Rose to stew in her rage. The flower filled realm trembled with its master. Summer Glade had made a grave mistake, and Rose would make sure that she paid dearly for it.

“I take it you want me to help?” Rose didn't turn, she knew who it was. “After all, she is my newest addition.”

“Hircine, always a pleasure.” The Daedric Prince wasn't wearing his headdress, nor was his Spear with him, he would have been easily mistaken for a normal man. “But you are correct, I would appreciate your assistance, assuming, of course, you are willing to provide it”

“I'm always happy to help. What do you need done?” The Huntsman wore a smile, he had been watching Reman's conversation as well. He also knew of the Imperial's plan, even the parts he hadn't told the Princesses. The Prince of The Hunt couldn't have been prouder of the man.

“You can override Reman's control with your Ring, correct?” Hircine had no idea where she was going with this.

“Only if he's in his bestial form, but yes, I can. Just what are you getting at with this, plotting isn't like you.”

“How much time do we have until the Equestrian sunset?” Rose's behavior was well out of her normal range.

“About three hours, why?” Rose smiled, much to the Huntsman's confusion.

“Reman is going to want to start their journey immediately, they should be well away from Canterlot by then.” Hircine only knew half of this plan, of that, he was certain.

“Wouldn't they already be at their destination by then?” What was she planning?

“If they were taking one of the royal sky-chariots, yes. Thankfully, Reman is scared of heights, so they will be traveling on foot.” Rose was still smiling, Hircine still had only half of an idea about the mare's plan.

“What are you planning?”

“Just wait and see, Hircine.”

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They'd been walking for two hours. After pulling Glade from her bed, it hadn't taken any convincing at all to get her to accompany the Imperial. Her bandaged wings kept her grounded, and she was wary of the man. She kept at distance that was both safe for her, and inoffensive to the Imperial. Neither of them had spoken, they would save that for when they arrived in, what had Celestia called it, Ponyville.

Reman couldn't believe the name, it just sounded too much like a joke. Nevertheless, a warm bed was a warm bed, and Celestia had made arrangements for them to stay with her protege. Twilight Sparkle, Reman recalled that being her name, apparently, she was well educated, and would be able to help with his plan.

Celestia had told them she lived in the town's library, that by itself made her a person of interest. The scholar in Reman wanted nothing more than to pick apart the information that store of knowledge must have held. He nearly slapped himself for not asking to see the royal archives, he probably could have sweet talked Luna into it.

Reman cast his eyes to the mare walking with him. He was the cause of Glade's disease, a fact that irked him to no end. With a single bite, he'd gone from a man who controlled his inner beast, to the monster that had infected him. To the Imperial, he was no different from the lycan he'd fought that fateful night, four years ago. Did Glade have a family? Had he infected someone's wife? Was she a mother? Were her parents still living? How many lives had his actions ruined?

Some people wouldn't understand. Reman had killed before, for stupid reasons, and he didn't feel remorse, not after the first, anyway. But this was different, he'd taken someone's humanity from them, techinically, if ponies called the quality 'humanity', he should probably ask Twilight about that. Reman knew he'd lose sleep over this.

The Imperial looked ahead, the sun was setting. Reman's nose started itching, he sensed a trap.

His chest started to hurt.

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Reman and Lynette took off down the road. That was Mrs. Jemane's scream, and it had frozen Reman's blood. Whatever Gaston was fighting, the woman would be defenseless against. No maid could kill what a veteran battlemage failed to.

“By the Nine.” Reman's family had never bent a knee to the Dominion. “What is that thing?” A monster, fur black as midnight, teeth sharper than any any sword. The creature was obviously injured, severely so, Gaston had done his best.

The beast charged the new challengers, ignoring Mrs. Jemane for the moment. With a command to Lynette to flee, Reman drew his blade, as no noble was without one, and prepared to finish what the Breton man had started.

The beast swung, the Imperial dodged, the attack was oddly sluggish for a beast as powerful as this one. Reman followed with his own slash, sinking, barely, into the meat of its arm. The monster flexed it muscle, and much to the Imperial's surprise, wrenched the blade from his hand. Reman had never been disarmed before.

The beast picked up the Imperial, and began running on its hind legs. Reman found himself flying through a window, into Gaston's study. The Imperial barely had time to pick the glass out before the beast followed. A backhand sent Reman flying into the desk, which was thankfully flimsy. Reman didn't feel the monster pin him down.

The beast's face was inches from his own, its foul breath alone would have made Reman's stomach turn. It reared back its head, jaws open. Reman's hands fumbled around for a weapon, something, anything, he could use. Just as the best sunk its teeth into the Imperial, Reman sunk his improvised weapon into the monster's chest.

With a push, Reman rolled the beast off of himself. He grasped his injury, at the junction of his neck and shoulder. Reman almost laughed when he saw what had killed the hell spawn. If it had been one of Gaston's many enchanted swords, or even a dagger of some sort, Reman would have held a straight face.

But he saw the handle of a silver letter opener sticking from its chest.

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“Why would you have me do that?” Hircine could not believe how vengeful the mare could be.

“Summer Glade needed to be taught a lesson about respect.” Rose was still simmering, but was satisfied with how things went. “A lesson that will continue teaching long after she has learned.”

“That lesson would be?” Hircine hadn't taken his eyes off the pool, watching the two lycans.

“That one does not offend a god.” Hircine shook his head, but smiled.

“Azura, you never change.”

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It seems subtlety isn't my forte.