“You’re sure you can handle this?” Aldus asked while walking with purpose up to the gates.

“Please, I may not like the rich and stuffy scene... or ponies, but yeah, I’ll be fine.” Frost said.

“Just don’t do anything too stupid,” Aldus remarked, then stopped. “Actually, no. If you do something stupid, make sure it’s early in the night.”

“Why?” Frost asked.

“Because at the end I’ll likely be too drunk to be of any help,” Aldus chuckled.

Frost joined him, “You’re terrible.”

“No, these ponies are.”

“But these are your ponies,” Frost said. “You’ve been a diplomat, court mage, and goddess knows what else. You know these ponies inside and out.”

Aldus raised an eyebrow, “Knowing doesn’t mean liking, my young apprentice. Don’t forget you aren’t the only one who came from humble beginnings.”

Frost considered that. He was right, he also came from nothing. Still, Aldus had more patience for it than he did.

“I’ll just disappear for most of the party,” Frost said. “At least until Iris or Ciaran get here.”

“Iris will arrive later with Rigel, Ciaran was supposed to be here by now. I’m not sure where she is.”

“Welcome!” a server said while coming up to them in the outside gardens. “Either of you care for a drink?”

“Excuse me?!” Aldus said while puffing out his chest. “Offering to him? He’s much too young! I’ll take his...”

Frost face hoofed as he watched his master take two drinks from the tray and immediately down the first. “You’re ridiculous.”

“You’ll understand one day, Frost. For now, what do you say when we go in there?”

Frost groaned, “That I’m your sterling young apprentice, training to be in service to Luna...”

“And?”

“I have no opinions on the politics of the Isles... or on how Desalia rules...”

“Good, now go mingle. If anything happens just find me.”

“Right,” Frost said as he adjusted his blue robes and trotted inside. This was going to be a long night.

------------------------------

As the night went on Frost roamed the party looking around for some place to sit. He had talked to some dignitaries from the other islands, a few mares and stallions visiting from Concordia, and some members of the princess guard. Overall, it wasn’t so bad. He walked over to the table and poured himself some juice, all the talking was making him thirsty. Then, he felt a hoof tap him on the flank.

Surprised, and a little embarrassed, he turned around to find a beautiful mare in a stunning silver dress.

“Hey handsome,” she said with a small smile. “Glad you’re here.”

“Orianna...” Frost said, “I- wow, you look incredible.”

“Thank you, yes I do.” she said with a smile. “Care to dance?”

Frost nodded, “I’m not very good, but sure.”

Orianna led him onto the floor and grinned, “I have enough talent for both of us, don’t worry.”

Frost calmed himself as she draped her hooves around him. His little encounter with Melody the previous night left him feeling rather odd when he finally awoke. He couldn’t remember much, but he did remember her saying goodbye, and allowing him much more lucidity in his entranced state. He was glad Ciaran wasn’t around then, because as far as Frost could tell, he was almost drunk with the influence Melody had submerged him in.

“So, how have you been holding up since being rescued?” Frost asked. “I hope your mother didn’t get too angry.”

“Oh, she’s been fine,” Orianna said. “Nothing I can’t handle. Talking with our friend has helped things, too.”

Frost narrowed his brow, “Our friend?”

“Yeah, you know...” Orianna said.

Frost’s eyes widened, “Silth?!”

“Shh!” Orianna said, “Don’t be stupid, keep quiet.”

Frost spun her around so they were facing away from the majority of guests, “So you’re friends with the changeling that hypnotized you into a drooling mess? Hows that working out for you?”

Orianna glared at him, “She understands me, Frost. We’ve talked a bit since then, she explained why she had to do it, and she hasn’t done it since. She’s actually really nice.”

Frost chuckled, “Wow... some mares. Ow!” he yelped as Orianna slammed her hoof on top of his.

“I mean it, Frost.” Orianna said with a stern glare. “And she had nothing but good things to say about you.”

“I’m sure,” Frost said with a roll of his eyes.

Orianna dragged Frost off the dance floor and over to a table, she shoved him into a seat and sat down next to him. “Here,” she said while giving him a letter. “She wanted me to give you this.”

Frost took the letter and saw a yellow seal on it with a strange emblem. He looked back at Orianna and shook his head, “You’re playing with fire, you realize that right? If your mother catches you conspiring with Silth, that’s treason.”

“She won’t, I know her well, she doesn’t suspect a thing.” Orianna said.

Frost chuckled, “I’ve known ponies like her for a long time. It’s when they seem like they don’t suspect a thing they actually know everything. Be careful.”

“Whatever,” Orianna said. “I’m going to go find my friends.” she got up to leave, but bent down and pecked Frost on the cheek before doing so. “You do look good. See you later, Frosty.”

Frost laughed, then opened the letter.

         “Frosty Frosty, very impressive dealing with Salinia. You can never truly know who is loyal and who is not. Such a pity. Though I can assure you she’ll never be bothering you again. You’re even more resourceful than I thought. I suspect Ciaran’s magic training helped you resist Salinia’s power? Very good. We’re overdue for a face to face chat, I think. Send me a letter with the time and place, I’ll meet you there. Until then, keep impressing me.

xoxo

~S”

Frost laughed to himself, she was something else. He wondered what happened to Salinia, but figured he already knew by the tone in the letter. He’d need to reply to her when he got back to the island. Until then, the night was still young.

He looked around the room and saw Aldus talking with a group of mares and stallions, all from one of the councils it seemed. He looked around to find something more interesting, it was then that a figure caught his eye. A gryphon, and a big one, too. He wore a casual outfit with formal red robes. They were embroidered with some type of symbol, but he couldn’t tell what it was supposed to be. Frost didn’t expect to see a gryphon in a place like this. He figured with the way the citizens treat non ponies in some of the islands, they would be discouraged from coming here. Though this gryphon seemed fairly comfortable with his surroundings.

Frost waited a while until the gryphon was done talking. He watched him turn around and head towards an empty common room. After a minute or two waiting, Frost decided to investigate. Perhaps this gryphon would know something useful to tell Iris.

When Frost entered the room, he saw the priest sitting in a chair with his head down. There was a small brown book in his claw and he was muttering something to himself. To Frost it seemed like a prayer.

Frost walked over and cleared his throat, “Not much of a party gryphon?”

The gryphon looked up locked eyes with Frost, “Not really, no. Though this is a nice place. What about you? Come to get away from the noise?”

“Yeah,” Frost said as he sat down beside him. “I don’t really care for these rich, stuffy ponies. They aren’t my ponies.”

“Oh?” the gryphon asked, he sat up and looked down at Frost. “Who are?”

Frost let out a sigh and looked at the ground, “The less fortunate, I guess you could say.”

“Interesting,” the gryphon said. “You’ve experience in that regard?”

“I do,” Frost said. “Only by a stroke of fate that I’m here at all.”

The gryphon traced a talon down his book and flipped a page, “Fate is a fixture not often fastened in place. It tips and teeters when the ambitious buck against it. Sometimes it even moves.”

Frost chuckled, “Sounds like religious mumbo jumbo.”

The gryphon chuckled in return and closed the book, “It is, actually. You ponies aren’t very religious are you? Suppose that’s only natural, having your rulers be among you and akin to goddesses.”

“Yeah,” Frost said. “That book, are you religious?”

The gryphon smiled and placed it back inside his robes, “I am, I’m a priest of an order back in our Grey Wing Kingdom. Name’s Zendreyta.” he said while extending a claw.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Frost.”

“Frost?” Zendreyta said with a playful grin. “Am I to assume a young unicorn like yourself is attuned to that sort of elemental magic?”

Frost conjured a small ice spike and plucked it from his horn, “You assume correct.”

Zendreyta nodded in approval, “I’ve always been fascinated by unicorn magic, it’s very elegant. I often try to mimic that in some of my techniques.”

Frost chuckled, “What techniques? You can do magic?”

Zendreyta raised an eyebrow and clicked his beak, “And what’s so surprising about that?”

Frost shrugged, “I thought only the blue priests could conjure spells and magic.”

Zendreyta leaned back in his chair, “Where did you hear that?”

Frost got up and stretched, “Well, I’d better head back to the party. It was nice chatting with you, Mr. Priest.”

As he moved to the door, Zendreyta got up and stopped him with his tail. “Forgive me, young one. But it would help me a great deal if you told me how you knew that.”

“How?” Frost asked.

The gryphon priest was now very interested in what Frost might know. Frost looked him up and down and decided how to guide the conversation from here. He wasn’t aware of the red order or priests. Though Iris might have mentioned other orders and sects at one point. The last encounter he had with gryphon priests didn’t end so well. The question, though, is whether he has good intentions, or bad ones like them.

“The Blue Order had a conflict within Equestria’s borders not too long ago. They were looking for our princess. Do you know of this?”

“A lost princesses?” Frost asked. “Are you searching for the same reasons as them?”

Zendreyta’s eyes narrowed, “Matriarch take me... you know her.”

Frost nodded, “She’s a friend, a very good friend. I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Zendreyta’s stern expression melted into one of admiration, “A friend? So she’s been alright these past few months?”

“With a few exceptions, yes.” Frost said. “Now I’ve a question for you, and I advise you be careful how you answer. Are you a follower of Lord Thest?”

Zendreyta shook his head, “No, Frost. I am not. And I assure you I am not here on his behalf.”

Frost slowly nodded, “He killed Iris’ father, did you try to stop him?”

Zendreyta shook his head, “None of us knew it was coming, but had I been there...”

Frost turned around and saw Rigel appear near the gates, which meant Iris was here as well.

“Wait here, I think she has arrived. I’ll bring her to see you.”

Zendreyta nodded and went back to his seat. “Be swift, Frost.”

Frost trotted away and surveyed the crowd, eventually coming to Ciaran, Rigel, and Iris.

Iris was wearing a grey robe embroidered with a modest amount of silver, she ran over to Frost and hugged him. “You look nice, Frosty.”

“As do you,” Frost said with a chuckle. “I’ve met somepony who would like to meet you, he’s waiting over there.”

“Oh yeah?” Iris said. “Who?”

Frost lead Iris to the common room and stopped when he saw Aldus standing in front of the priest. He gulped and backed away slightly.

Aldus turned around and smirked at Frost, “My young apprentice... why didn’t you tell me about your new friend?”

At that moment, Iris walked around Frost and laid eyes upon the priest. Zendreyta turned away from Aldus and smiled. He stepped forward and immediately spread his wings and touched his head to the floor.

“Princess Iris, it is an honor.”

Iris backed into Frost, who gently pushed her forward with a reassuring nod.

“Who are you?” Iris asked.

“I am the High Priest Zendreyta,” the large gryphon said while standing at his full height. “Leader of the red order, and ambassador of goodwill to Princess Desalia.” Seeing she wasn’t yet at ease, he brought his wings forward and displayed the tips, “And loyal subject of the mighty King Ziraal.”

Iris slowly stepped forward and bowed as well, “So... I take it you’re not here at the behest of Lord Thest?”

Ziraal shook his head, “No, I am not. Though they are looking for you, and visited our cathedral. They attempted to enlist my help in bringing you back.”

“And...?” Frost asked.

“I killed them,” Zendreyta said with click of his beak.

“High priest,” Aldus began. “There is much we need to discuss, unfortunately I must remain to entertain guests and meet with other ponies. For now, might I suggest you leave with my associate Rigel, Iris, and my apprentice. We can retire to more private arrangements and discuss the matter of Iris and her kingdom there.”

Zendreyta nodded, “That sounds like a fine idea, Aldus. Before we depart, I’d request that you send some ponies to look for my young aid. I sent her out to gather information regarding the whereabouts of Iris, looks like I won’t be needing that anymore.” he said with a wink to Iris.

Rigel opened a wing and beckoned for them to leave, “Right this way, High Priest. I must say, I’ve heard stories about your red order.”

“All good things, I hope. Tell me, do they have any wine where we’re going?”

--------------------------

“So, it’s that bad...” Aldus mused.

He sat along with Rigel, Frost, Iris, and Zendreyta inside a room in the nearby hotel. They rented rooms for the two nights they would be on this particular island.

“Yes,” Zendreyta confirmed. “I don’t know how it happened, exactly. Thest was likely planning these things for months in advance, maybe even years. He took the opportunity to strike when Ziraal sent our army north to investigate some visions other priests were having.”

“Visions...” Aldus said.

“Yes,” Zendreyta said. “Those with that particular gift can indeed see things that may or may not come to pass. But it’s never quite clear if it’s true or not.”

“I don’t deal in mysticism,” Aldus said with sigh.

“Yet you deal in magic...” Zendreyta said with a placid smile.

“Not exactly the same thing,” Aldus said. “But that’s an entirely different discussion. For now, I imagine you and Iris need to get caught up. We’ll leave you to it.”

“I appreciate it,” Zendreyta said with a small nod.

As Aldus and Rigel got up, Frost did the same and moved toward the door. He was stopped by a tail curling around his rear hoof.

“Can you stay?” Iris asked.

“You sure?” Frost asked. “I’m no gryphon, this isn’t for me to hear.”

“You’re my friend,” Iris said. “It would make me feel better.”

Frost smiled and sat down beside her, “Then here I stay.”

Zendreyta chuckled, “I’m happy you didn’t have to go through this ordeal alone, princess.”

“Just call me Iris, please.” she said. “It’s an honor to meet you, High Priest.”

“The honor is mine,” Zendreyta said. “You can call me Zendreyta, or Zen, if you prefer.”

“Fair enough,” Iris replied. “So, you knew my father?”

“I did indeed.” he said. “You probably don’t remember, but I was with him when-”

A loud thud sounded from the balcony overlooking the streets below. The sliding doors opened revealing a drenched gryphon female in lighter red clothes. She walked inside and gasped when she saw Iris.

“Well... guess you didn’t need me after all.”

“Valda!” Zendretya said while motioning her over. “Iris, Frost, this is my young aid Valda. She was nice enough to accompany me here for the wedding.”

“Oh, she’s your date?” Frost joked.

Valda’s eyes narrowed as she glared at Frost, then she turned her piercing gaze upon Iris. “So... the princess who fled her kingdom when she was needed most.”

“Valda,” Zendreyta said with a growl. “You’ve just met the princess, show respect.”

Valda’s features didn’t soften, but when she saw the high priest’s talon’s tightening on his chair, she bowed. If only out of respect for him.

“We’ve all had a tiring day, I suspect.” Zendreyta said. “I am fatigued from my journey, I’m not the spry bird I used to be.” he said with a light chuckle. “Let’s get some sleep so we can clear our heads...” he said with a stern glare at Valda. “Then, we can continue the discussion tomorrow.”

Iris got up and pulled on the priest's large wings, “Are you here to take me home?”

Zendreyta bent down and smiled, “We’ll talk about that later, for now. Let’s rest.”

Frost watched as he left, followed by his aid. He saw her shoot a venomous glance at Iris. Things were about to get complicated.

------------------------

Later that night, Frost heard rustling outside and rubbed his eyes. He saw a figure standing on the balcony, then leap off of it.

He got up and opened the doors of his own balcony and looked down to the atrium below. There were gardens both on the ground and hanging from wooden arches. It was so thick in some places it practically seemed like a small forest.

Frost teleported outside and stealthily followed the shadow, realizing who it was by the long writhing tail.

Iris stepped out into the open and clicked her beak, “You have a problem with me, priestess?”

Frost saw a shadow move near a gazebo and step into the moonlight.

Valda smiled and performed a mocking bow, “Yes princess, I do. You’re no princess of mine...”

“I am your princess,” Iris said, her voice deepening, the likes of which Frost had never heard before. “My father is King Ziraal, lord of the Grey Wing Kingdom.”

“Was king,” Valda said while casually examining her talons. “He was ousted from power, haven’t you heard? Oh, right. Were you even there when it happened?”

“What’s your problem?” Iris asked. “What would have had me do?”

“Anything,” Valda hissed. “You belong with your gryphons, they look to you for hope. For inspiration. Your brothers are gone, you are all we had left. And now? The golden gryphons are choking the life from the citizens. Their taxes will eventually crush the kingdom into a poverty stricken wasteland.”

“What was I supposed to do?” Iris screeched. “Fight them all myself?! My father-”

“Was a moron,” Valda said with a smirk.

“Take that back, he’s your king!” Iris shouted.

“Was,” Valda said. “Credit where it’s do, your father was fair, just, and strong. But he wasn’t wise, otherwise he would have seen Thest’s scheme’s coming. And now, we’re in this predicament.”

“I am the princess,” Iris hissed. “And you will bow to me, right now.”

Valda crouched low in a fighting stance and spread her wings, “Make me.”

Iris screeched and barreled toward Valda at lightning speed. Valda dodged the first punch and grabbed Iris under her stomach. She performed a move similar to what Iris did to Pyrite, spinning and throwing her into a large pot. It shattered from the impact and covered Iris in dirt.

Valda chuckled and flapped into the air, “Maybe it’s best you did run away, you’re no good in a fight. I’d never follow you.”

Frost saw tears in Iris’ eyes as she got up and spread her wings, he was about to help her when he felt a claw close around his mouth. His eyes widened and he summoned his magic. Before he could do anything or even think of a spell to cast he felt his magic start to dissipate. It wasn’t being drained, but it didn’t focus. Instead of coalescing at the tip of his horn it flew off in several directions like papers dropped into the wind, impossible to catch.

“Frost, let them fight it out...”

Frost wiggled free and turned around to see Zendreyta crouched behind a large pot.

“What?! What are you doing here? And why? They shouldn’t be fighting!”

“Shouldn’t they?” Zendreyta whispered. “Here, take my claw.”

Frost looked at the gryphon priest and slowly placed his hoof inside the large talons. Zendreyta smiled and disappeared with Frost in a puff of ash. They reappeared on top of the roof overlooking the atrium. Zendreyta crouched down low to avoid being seen and smirked.

“Why is Valda fighting her? She’s the princess!”

“Is she?” Zendreyta asked.

“It’s why you’re here, isn’t it?!” Frost whispered forcefully. “You bent the knee.”

“I did, and I would do so again,” Zendreyta said. “But I’m an old bird, I knew her father. I fought with him. Thing is I’m not the only subject Iris will have to face.”

“Are all young gryphon’s as disrespectful as that one?” Frost asked.

“Respect, that’s a funny thing,” Zendreyta said. He looked down at Frost and smirked. “Do they simply give respect in the pony kingdoms? Is it not earned?”

“Well...” Frost began.

“Aldus and Rigel seemed like the type of ponies who earned respect,” Zendreyta said. “You have to understand, Frost. This is what she’ll face when she returns. She needs to be ready for it.”

“I suppose that’s a fair point,” Frost said while looking down sadly. It hurt to see Iris beat up like this. “But do they have to fight?”

Zendreyta chuckled, “Kid, you don’t know gryphon females...”

“They’re all like this?” Frost asked in shock.

“Mostly,” Zendreyta said. “Best not to get involved...”

Frost watched Iris get thrown into another pot, then kicked between the wings. He winced each time she was hit, realizing she only landed a precious few strikes on Valda. The priestess knew what she was doing. She moved in a fluid motion not unlike the blue priest he encountered back in Equestria. It was clear she had training that far outstripped Iris.

“You’re just going to let this go on? She’s getting clobbered out there!”

Zendreyta looked down and nodded, “Yes, but I need to see it.”

“Why?!” Frost whispered.

“Because in order to teach her, I need to see what she knows,” Zendreyta said.

Frost was taken aback, the high priest actually was serious. He was going to help Iris and take her back to the Kingdom. He looked at the gryphon, and the brutal scar across his eye. He knew danger when he saw it. This gryphon held the same poise and power as Aldus, Rigel, Thule, and Polaris. He was a killer.

Iris let out a grunt, then collapsed as she tried to get up.

“Stay down,” Valda said. “You’ve had enough.”

Iris got up and laughed, “Stay down? If my father stayed down when he almost got burned to death by dragonfire, we wouldn’t even be here.”

Valda snarled in rage and went to kick Iris, but did not anticipate the distance between them. Iris took the blow to the side, but caught Valda’s hind leg. Gryphon’s standing on their hind legs were very imposing due to their size, but they were also very top heavy.

Iris seized the moment of surprise and punched Valda in the throat. After that she capitalized by performing a move Kathe had taught her to use on larger opponents. She vaulted over Valda’s back with a flap of her damaged wings, then locked her claws together like a vice under Valda’s beak. Iris pulled back on Valda’s head and took her to the ground. She yanked as hard as she could, bending Valda’s neck back so much Frost thought it might snap off.

Zendreyta clicked his beak in irritation, “Sloppy...”

Valda held back a screech, partly in pain and partly in rage. She couldn’t believe this little cream puff got her in a submission move. Where did she learn this? She grasped in vain at Iris’ claws, there was no way they were coming apart. In a panic, she reached for her medallion and prepared to use a wave of force to separate them.

Before she could do anything, the vice grip on her throat and neck vanished. She was flung into the air dropped into one of the gardens. She recovered to see the High Priest staring down at her, his face of disappointment and anger.

“You would use the blessings of the Matriarch on an opponent who knows none? An opponent weaker than you? An opponent who despite that, soundly, and fairly defeated you?”

Valda’s face turned to shame as she pressed her head to the dirt, “It was out of line, I beg your forgiveness my lord.”

Zendreyta clicked his beak and cracked his neck, “Not me you will apologize to.”

He stepped out of the way to see a bewildered Iris being helped up by Frost. Valda sighed and climbed out of the garden. She walked up to Iris and bent the knee, “My princess... I’m-”

“Don’t,” Iris said. “Just don’t... you’re right. I’m weak, I ran when I should have stayed. I need to fight. I- I need time to think... Frost, help me to my room.”

Frost nodded and helped Iris limp out of the atrium, leaving Zendreyta and Valda alone.

Zendreyta let out a sigh and sat down, “I really need a drink...”

Valda’s eyes began to water, she started to sniffle as she saw the plain disappointment on the high priest’s face. “I- I don’t know what happened...”

Zendreyta looked up and frowned, “I trained you better than that, Valda. Why?”

“It’s her!!” Valda shouted. “She’s the reason they’re all suffering! Ralin and his family, and countless others! We’re supposed to help the the gryphons! But we can’t do that because of some stupid mistake her father made!”

“You’re still young... ruled by your passions... I suppose it’s understandable.”

Valda saw the sadness in Zendreyta’s eyes and couldn’t take it anymore. She broke down and flew into him, colliding with his massive form in a loving embrace. She buried her face in his auburn plumage and wept.

“You’ve given me everything, everything! And what do I do? I dishonor you. I spit it in your face! I’m sorry!”

Zendreyta felt tears of his own beginning to well up, “Valda, we’re far from home and in a tense political situation. I forgive you.” He closed his wings around her and nuzzled her feathers. “I forgive you.”

Valda sniffled and muttered a word Zendreyta thought he would never hear from her again: “Father.”

“I thought you would never call me that again... I’m not your father...” he whispered.

“No, but you saved me... gave me this life... you’re the closest thing, even if I don’t feel comfortable saying it.”

Zendreyta smiled, he held Valda close and flapped into the air. When she was ready he let her go and she joined him. “By will of the Matriarch, Iris training starts tomorrow... with you.”

“It will be as you say,” Valda said. “I will not disappoint you.”

“Good,” Zendreyta said, conjuring a ball of flame in his talons. “The flames of Iris’ vengeance shall flicker, and rise.”