House Earthborn @, @@Windbreaker
Excellent, another long march. Hundreds of miles on the blistering southern sun, swarmed by carrion birds and snared at by ugly mugged sergeants. Chafing armour and sore hooves, that’s the life of a Pony at Arms. You either get used to it or you’re in for one hell of a trip.
At least he had been fortunate enough to be greeted by a face he recognized. Poppyseed was it? It almost amused him at how she acted like her role was of the slightest importance. Any commander here would gladly stick you in front of a cannon to save their own necks, thinking otherwise was just delusional.
With little else to entertain himself, and the expectation of an agonising journey, Long Stride decided to try his luck in starting up another conversation. If he believed in anything right now he’d be praying to it.
“Poppyseed,” Long took a step forward, trotting side by side with the mare. “Nice to see a familiar face, or as familiar as it gets around here.”
House Stormwing @, @
“Thank the gods.” Rainbow exhaled. “We still have a company it seems. Terra Lionmane, your involvement in the Ponyville campaign was most notable, along with your… companion?” She guessed it was better to just drop at the moment. “Anyway, assuming this is our group we can get started with th-“
“Wait!”
All eyes suddenly turned towards what appeared to be a pegasus only just arriving. His robs were worn and grey, although it was apparent they were of noble origin. “Sorry commander, took a wrong turn and ended up on east side. I’m not too late am I?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes at his arrival, almost jokingly. “Well, if it isn’t our good friend from the senate itself. How’s politics treating you?”
“Is that what they’re calling it now?” The stallion chuckled at his attempt at a joke, promptly silencing himself and turning to face the others. “Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. Star Keeper, chronicler by profession. Not sure what use I’ll be here.”
Their conversation, however, was abruptly cut short by the sounding of horns in the breeze and thundering of hooves in the earth bellow.
“Earthborn, nobles by the look of their getup.” Scootaloo landed beside Rainbow Dash after having a closer look. “Too small for a war party, must be some kind of diplomatic move?”
Rainbow Dash reluctantly placed her helmet back on her head. “Uggh, alright I’ll deal with this. Scootaloo, fill them in on the task while I’m gone. Go to the bomb site and start examining the scene. You’re in charge till I return.”
Scootaloo wasn’t too happy with being the camp councillor for the day, but she didn’t exactly have much of a choice as Rainbow was already flying off to meet her own guard by the time she opened her mouth to speak. “Fine.”