Chapter 12: Expedition

“Everypony, at attention! The Princess is with us!” Captain Silent Serpent calls out as Celestia descends into the courtyard. Perhaps a dozen ponies are present, though as Celestia scans the crowd she quickly realizes the entourage is not entirely what she had expected.

“What is this? Where are Morning Vigil and Diamond Lance?” There are more missing than just that, but listing them all seems pointless; all told, about half of the guardsponies present are swapped from what she’d expected.

“We were not able to locate several guard members on such short notice, they seem to be on long patrol. As for the others, it seems that a sickness has swept through the barracks, and they were not fit for duty.” Silent Serpent reports, impassively.

Celestia frowns. Canterlot is already going to be deprived of several of its best soldiers to accompany her, and now this? Still, a full escort is necessary, she will want to display as much royal authority as possible where she is going. So, Celestia nods, albeit reluctantly. “Very well. Bring me the up to date guard schedules. Everypony else, load up. We’ll set out as soon as the captain returns.”

Silent Serpent quickly salutes. “Of course, your majesty.” Without wasting further time, he takes off at a fast trot while Celestia performs a mental tally of who is present.

Silent Serpent has seemingly arranged for other guardsponies to fill in for the entourage, bringing the total back up to twelve. Most are pegasi, to pull the chariots, but as there are two chariots to fill, a hooful of unicorns and earth ponies are present as well. Mooncrescent and Starblaze sit opposite from Celestia, and as soon as Silent Serpent has returned with the requested documentation, the entourage sets off.

“Excuse me, Princess?” Starblaze speaks up, raising a hoof to keep the wind out of his face.

Celestia glances up at the unicorn, barely noting his presence. “Mhm?”

“Forgive my intrusion, but may I ask ... Why are we heading to the outskirts? The captain didn’t say, he just got us out of bed early this morning and told us we were needed to fill in for your entourage.” Starblaze asks, hoping he isn’t overstepping his bounds.

The kind of question Father would want us asking... Mooncrescent makes a face at the thought, looking off the side of the carriage. Flying is a rare pleasure, though he too would like to know why they are traveling on such short notice.

Celestia sighs in apparent irritation, though it is not directed at the brothers. “House Ivy in the eastern forest is causing trouble. Apparently, they’ve claimed that they received no word of the new tax codes, and multiple royal messengers have gone missing in the vicinity. Not to mention, all manner of interference and insubordination in regards to my latest royal decrees. They’ve clearly gotten overconfident in my absence, so I felt that a surprise visit in the flesh was necessary to set them straight. Or, if absolutely necessary ... Replace them.”

“Does that mean there’s a chance there’ll be fighting?” Mooncrescent asks, his tone altogether far too chipper for that question. Celestia frowns pointedly at the unicorn colt; she trusts in his good nature and doubly in his talent for combat, but that sense of bloodlust he dislays is more than a little concerning.

“You should not be so eager. All of the ponies in Equestria are precious to me, and the thought of battle between them is a somber one indeed. Your purpose here is simply a show of force. See if you can’t enjoy the trip and put this from your mind.” Celestia’s tone turns more serious. “Just be ready for anything. I hope it will not come to that, but the possibility is always there.”

The carriage ride descends into silence, while Celestia returns to focusing on the documentation before her. Something just doesn’t add up. When did Ruby Hooves get assigned to patrol? I distinctly recall him being on guard duty. Celestia’s brow furrows, as she flips through more and more pages. The differences are subtle; An extended leave there, a different route here. but Celestia had spent long hours planning out Canterlots defenses, and the further she reads the more certain she is; somepony has tampered with the schedules. But how? And more importantly, for what purpose?

Celestia closes her eyes, envisioning a mental map of Canterlot. Considering where the guards schedules will bring them, what parts of the palace are guarded when. Do the altered schedules leave the treasury unguarded? No, none of the guards there have been moved. So what could...

Celestia’s eyes snap open again in sudden alarm as she stands bolt upright, every muscle tense.

“Turn the chariots around, now! And pray that we are not too late!”

Earlier that morning, at Canterlot Palace...

Rainbow Dash groans and sits up in bed. She’d thought that, given the lack of the normal morning tutoring lessons that Celestia usually gave her, she’d get a chance to sleep in a bit. Yet despite that fact, the steady rapping of a hoof knocking at her door does not dissipate. Scowling, Rainbow Dash stalks over to the door and throws it open, to be met with a bright-eyed and energetic looking Twilight, Spike in tow. “Whaddya want?” Rainbow Dash slurs out groggily.

“Last night, you mentioned that you haven’t been around Canterlot. Correct?” Twilight starts, in a cadence and tone that makes it clear she had rehearsed this speech. Rainbow Dash just stares at her, waiting for her to get on with it, and the unicorn filly eventually clears her throat awkwardly. “Well, um, that seemed like a real shame. And since you need to drop your letters off anyways, I thought it would be a good time to explore! So I mad ea list of things you have to see in the city.” Twilight explains, unfurling a scroll which goes down to the ground, and then some.