A Knight's Journey: New Blood

“Ah there’s our new blood!” declared a large black bat pony stallion as Brave Storm entered the room she was summoned in. A white unicorn mare rolled her eyes at him. Between them stood Sword Dancer.

“Come in, Brave Storm. I was about to debrief you all on the mission- your first mission as a knight-proper.”

As Brave Storm approached the three of them, the bat pony stretched his wing out to her. Celestia, his wings were huge! They enveloped her and then shoved her between him and the unicorns. Brave Storm missed the opening statement of Sword Dancer’s mission explanation because she was so baffled. Glancing at the other two knights, they both stared ahead at Sword Dancer as if nothing had just occurred.

“... It could be something, it could be nothing. But I want you three to find out before it becomes a problem.” Sword Dancer continued. “Brave Storm, this is your first foray into the wilds without a small platoon alongside you. I believe your first without me. Trust Black Rose and Gold Light-” she looked at the bat pony and unicorn respectively- “to guide you. They’ve been with the Knights of Equestria for decades and looked after several young knights.”

Brave Storm nodded in understanding. She must have looked nervous because she saw Black Rose give a smirk that was hidden under his beard. Gold Light bumped her shoulder gently against Brave Storm’s and the earth pony flicked her ears in embarrassment.

 

“Don’t have your armor yet?” Gold Light asked. The page assigned to Brave Storm would have a relatively easy time helping Brave Storm into her gear. All she had to wear for the expedition was a gambeson. Currently, the page was pulling on straps to tighten the fit around Brave Storm’s belly. 

“That’s good.” Brave Storm told them as she felt the straps get nice and snug. “It’s still being made.”

The page moved to strap a harness over Brave Storm that would serve to hold her bags filled with her kicking stones and other supplies. She felt like she had gotten rather good at using them lately, although they were always lined up and ready for use during practice. If something were to happen out there, she’d have to unload and ready them herself for the first time.

Gold Light, on the other hoof, had the full-plated barding. The padded armor at the bottom was overlaid with chainmail which the plate mail hooked onto. She had a harness only to carry her traveling supplies, no weapons. Brave Storm figured Gold Light had honed her combative magic and needed none.

“You still not done yet?” teased Black Rose. He had opted for layered scales of cured hardened leather and minimal bits of metal. Instead of solid plates, he had large metal rings interlinked around some of his most vital areas. Hanging around his neck was a chain with dangling beads of dark red.

“Hush you.” Gold Light rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue. “If you’re in such a hurry, head down to the kitchens and get our rations.”

 

“You good, New Blood?” Black Rose called from above, descending next to Brave Storm. 

The knights had been traveling in Equestria’s wilds for at least a few hours. Nothing bad has happened yet, but it was the first time that Brave Storm had traveled this far in gear. She found herself thankful her barding was still being made. Brave Storm could only muster a nod, finding the bat pony a little too intimidating.

“You’ll be fine. I know she isn’t your captain, but True Heart really seems to like you.” Black Rose comforted, stretching his wing over her back. “If you don’t like it here, I know she’d be happy to take you.”

“Thanks?” Brave Storm honestly wasn’t sure how to take that.

“No problem, Newbie.” Black Rose halted, crouching down and spreading his wings. Once Brave Storm and Gold Light moved forward enough to give him room, he ascended back into the sky.

“Don’t mind him.” Gold Light fell back to walk alongside the earth pony. “I know he looks scary and tries to act tough, but he’s a teddy bear when you get to know him.”

“He’s so big for a flying pony.” Brave Storm looked over her shoulder to see the bat pony gliding overhead. His gaze was fixated on the horizon, but his gaze would occasionally drop to check on the mares below. Black Rose spotted Brave Storm gawking at him and he offered her a wave. Brave Storm flicked her stare to the ground with her ears burning.

“Do you remember what we’re looking for?” Gold Light asked, shifting the conversation much to Brave Storm’s relief.

 

“Hey, guys?” Brave Storm called to the veteran knights. It was getting late and it was time to set up camp. The three had found a small clearing that could easily fit the three of them. Brave Storm had left to find tinder for a small fire. “I found something.”

Before her was what was left of an old tree. Its trunk had been broken in half and what was the leafy top was caught up in the branches of nearby trees. Littering the ground were quills the length of her leg. 

“Hey, it’s like what you did to that poor log.” Black Rose joked, ruffling the mare’s mane. His face dropped into one of comfort and concern when Brave Storm looked at him with worry. “It was probably a fight between a couple of creatures influenced by wild magic. Looks like it happened at least a few days ago, too. We should be all right.”

Trying to ignore what she saw, Brave Storm helped set up camp. Black Rose and Gold Light had removed their helmets and some of the chunkier pieces of armor so that they could have a comfortable rest. Being only in padded armor, Brave Storm was content to leave her gear on. Black Rose and Gold Light began to banter in a way that sounded reminiscent of how she and Paz.

“So Brave Storm, I heard you originally applied for the guard. What made you decide to join us instead?” Gold Light asked after she realized she was leaving the earth pony out of the conversation.

“Sword Dancer offered.”

“Well, if that’s all it was, it wouldn’t have taken you months to join.” Black Rose stated matter-of-factly. Gold Light shoved him and glared at him. He shrugged.

“I just always wanted to be with the guard. I had a lot of thinking on rather or not I wanted to shift all of my goals like that.” Brave Storm responded, pawing at the dirt. She made a face as she remembered Summer Solo and felt conflicted about feeling relieved she didn’t have to put up with him. “I felt like I could do more good with the knights. After Moon Widow, it felt right to come out here and deal with threats than waiting for threats to come to me.”

Gold Light nodded and slowly the conversation shifted to a more conversational tone. As the night fell and the fire’s light became the only source of light, Brave Storm was able to notice the wear on the ponies. They were scarred and their faces showed lines from years of combat and stress. But something about the wrinkling around the corners of their eyes and mouth soothed her. They’d been through a lot together and they’ve come out stronger for it. She was hoping the same could be said of her when she reached their experience.

“All right, we should some sleep. We’re going to head out at first light. Newbie, you should take the first watch.” Black Rose suggested. “Wake me up in a few hours and I’ll handle the darkest hours of the night.”