We stand outside the main double doors that lead to the interior. Emeris gives me one last worried glance. As I ponder what to do to lessen the impact, an idea clicks into my head.

“Emeris, go inside and grab some fabric to drape over our friends here. I’d like to try and make this as gradual as possible." I turn to the sisters.

“Would you be so kind as to have your guards wait out here and allow me to hang some cloth over you? This will only be for just a few minutes to give the king time to…adjust.” They both happily nod.

“Oh one last thing, please refrain from using magic while you’re in there. It’s just…one thing at a time if you may?”

Ira slowly turns to her sister with an annoyed stare. Lefora looks back at her and grins.

Emeris returns with a few tablecloths. I drape them over the sisters like robes. Red for Ira and a nice black one for Lefora. Their faces are fully covered, but there's no hiding their horns.

“Emeris, bring them in when I call out their names.” He nods as I enter through the double doors and see the King on his throne, talking to Versa. There was no greater dishonor than kneeling to the pig, but I do it anyways.

“Your majesty, I’ve found another kingdom. They’re peaceful and wish to meet with us. I’ve brought their current rulers here for your consideration.”

King Hurrand claps his hands as if he had just received another slice of cake.

“Splendid! Bring them in at once!” He bites his bottom lip anxiously. Too bad he couldn't just devour his entire face.

My armor clanks in my ears as I rise to my feet.

“Your majesty, if I may, I have an odd request. Can you close your eyes while you talk to them? I know it’s odd, but I shall explain in a bit.” The King looks at me suspiciously, then shrugs and closes his eyes.

“Make sure it’s but a moment Raiden.” As he lean to the side in his throne, his last tuft of red hair bounces a bit, like a jester that lost their footing. I nod and stand up, bracing myself for either hilarity or humiliation.

I turn sideways and hold out my arm towards the double doors.

“Introducing Princess Ira and Princess Lefora, rulers of this land Equestria, hailing from Canterlot.” Mid sentence Emeris brings in the two. I see our guards look at them confused, but no one does anything too excited…yet.

Princess Ira is the first to speak.

“Greetings King Hurrand, we come humbly from our palace in Canterlot. First Captain Raiden has told us of your current situation and we would be more than willing to help.” Princess Lefora follows up.

“King Hurrand, is there any way you can shed some light on how exactly you got here?”

Hurrand laugh dismissively.

“I’m afraid we’re just as confused as you are. One minute we’re fighting for our city, the next we’re here. But please, if you may, I’d rather not discuss where we came from, it’s an unpleasant topic and this is a most pleasant occasion. I wish to know everything of your land if you may!”

Ira gives a small nod.

“Our land is full of peace and beauty. Everypony here works towards the advancement of society and crime is almost unheard of. We do have the occasional setback, but it’s easily dealt with.”

King Hurrand chuckles.

"I...I apologize but...everypony?" Ira turns her head and peaks out from under the tablecloth at me. I tap my index finger on my waist nervously. Was “everypony” an error of this magical translation spell Lefora spoke of?

"I apologize your majesty, I'll explain shortly." I say quickly. Hurrand shrugs, with his gut just begging to escape his robe.

“How is it you came to create such a utopia then?” He smiles but keeps his eyes closed.

Princess Lefora raises her head a bit.

“We work diligently to preserve peace and integrity. It has not always been easy, but a mere walk around our kingdom will show you the magic our land holds.”

King Hurrand seems to restrain a very odd smile.

“Splendid! Come now Raiden, is it still necessary for myself to remain blind to our new friends?!” he says excitedly.

I shift in place and give another glance around the room.

“As you wish sir. I must warn you though, our friends are a familiar, but different species.”

King Hurrand stops smiling.

“Are they…dangerous?”

I begin my next sentence with a scoff.

“I would assume not, unless we make them mad.”

Ira giggles under her red cloth.

“Oh come now Captain Raiden! Stop teasing your poor king!”

I nod at her, since Taraska was notably poor as hell, no thanks to the squealing oaf.

“Very well sir, please open your eyes.” He does and stares at them for a brief moment. He can only see their general forms and isn’t terribly shocked. He clears his throat while eyeing them nervously.

“There’s no need to wear such disguises!” He gets off his throne and starts walking towards them, swaying briefly like a donkey that just finished snacking on fermented apples.

“Please, if you may, discard your robes so we may know each other!” Ira tugs off the tablecloths with her magic. The King stares in disbelief for a moment, then bursts out laughing.

“Raiden, oh you! You got me good! Where did you find such magnificent horses? They look like they – “

Lefora does her best to politely cut him off with a gentle cough.

“Ponies.” she says.

The King stops laughing and gawks at her. He retreats a few steps then falls backwards. He props himself up with his hands, his mouth still trembling.

“Wh…what is this?! Guards! Kill them!” Hurrand turns around and makes a dash for the stairs that lead up to the Minister's quarters. His swift steps are comparable to a dog trying to drag it’s rear on a carpet. I hold up a hand to the guards, who almost have their swords out. They freeze in their place, still unsure of the situation. I turn and face Hurrand.

“This is princess Ira and Princess Lefora.”

He looks over his shoulder before falling down. He rolls over to his back and gradually gets back to his feet, still trembling.

“I…I apologize…I just…”

Princess Ira nods.

“It’s quite understandable, Captain Raiden explained earlier. We know you are not used to our species being…sentient.” The King is able to stand a bit more upright.

“Wh...I can’t believe this…” He blinks fiercely. He slowly inhales and breathes out.

“And I was also not expecting you to be so...absolutely beautiful! I have never seen such glorious color! Please, if I may, I would love to have a portrait drawn of you! Raiden! Fetch my artist! I want a forlorn picture drawn of these auspicious creatures!” he yells boastfully. Another of Hurrand's favorite past times, was knowing that the people around him didn't have a very large vocabulary. So he hears a word occasionally that he likes and uses it, regardless if he even knows the meaning.

I swallow nervously.

“Sir, you had him…removed because you thought he was trying to steal your crown.”

Hurrand thinks for a second.

“Oh that’s right…well find me someone!”

Lefora casually trots behind her sister, before walking over to me. She does her best to whisper.

"Forlorn?"

I inhale a bit.

"I'm aware of what it actually means, but I promise you he's trying to both impress and compliment you. Whether he succeeds or not is up to you, princess." I say as quietly as I can, trying to hide my amusement. Lefora gives me a massive grin and bites her bottom lip while stifling a giggle. My mouth quivers as I stare into those teal eyes of hers that study my face.

Ira chuckles and puts a hoof to her mouth.

“We shall have portraits sent to your castle immediately. Although I must admit sending portraits of myself as a gift seems terribly vain!” she says with a small laugh.

The King waves a dismissive hand.

“Oh I know the feeling!”

To my surprise, Emeris takes a jab.

“Your majesty, did you not give us all self portraits as gifts for our last victory?” Ira and company have a big laugh. The rest of our troops shift nervously. The King does a great job of pretending not to be insulted.

“Oh hush now captain!” he says with a large grin. Behind those fake eyes, lay the wrath of a black soul who enjoys torment as much as he does his wine of lies.

Ira and Lefora discuss the layout of the kingdom with King Hurrand. Hurrand does his best to avoid answering questions about our land, except for vague ones like what our specialties are, and how much money we have, that he conveniently adds an extra zero to at the end. He seems to forget the fact that the difference in currency makes the numbers irrelevant until we establish a trading agreement.

The bragging and lies go on and after the better part of an hour, they inform the King that they must depart. He personally shows them out the door and his eyes graze Ira’s backside. I give a small shudder to myself. Once the sisters have left, he stops smiling, and slaps on his secret malicious grin.

“Can you believe it?! Gold and magic! And peace!” He claps his hands excitedly.

"Oh this is just...so easy!"

We know full well he was never good at sharing.

The King plops his overzealous rear into his throne like a child squeezing a balloon until it pops and begins daydreaming, probably fantasizing about ruling Equestria. I lean against the wall in the throne room, with my arms crossed, waiting for the King’s orders. Emeris walks past me, and gives me a quick glance. I unfold my arms and stop leaning, trying to get a word with Emeris, but he opens his mouth before I can protest.

“Your majesty. Perhaps with this land, we can adopt a new set of rules. I feel that this kingdom can be trusted to live in peace with us.” I stare in horror with a gaping mouth. The King has one leg propped on the arm of his throne. He turns towards Emeris surprised.

“Oh Emeris, I forgot you were still here. Guards, put him in a cage." Emeris sighs and goes along with the guards willingly. They say nothing to him and reluctantly escort him outside. Neither of them place a single hand on Emeris.

He knew full well that his joke would cost him, it was more a question of worth honestly. If I knew Emeris, it was a good investment. I took a mental note to sneak him some food and water later tonight. The cage is a simple, yet brutal form of punishment where you’re locked in a cage that can be altered for height and width to make sure you can’t lay down or stand up completely. The tenant is also denied food and water, and is left outside. It was smart to study the weather before attempting anything that could get you sent there, as the King has an unfortunate time remembering the perpetrator when it snows.

“Raiden, boy, come here. I have a new assignment for you.” I sigh quietly through my nose so no one can hear. The heat from my body clouds into my helmet as I yet again take a knee in front of his throne. Hurrand studies his nails, picking at the occasional oddity.

“I want you to find out everything you can about their castle. Especially where their vault and library is. You will go there as an emissary and take careful notes on its layout." He strokes his chin a few times as he daydreams. He moves his left arm over and knocks his cup to the ground. I let out a sigh.

"Sorry, your majesty."

Hurrand shakes his head with annoyance.

"It's alright Raiden, I expect mistakes like this from you."

I stomach my pride.

“Yes, your highness.”

He growls angrily.

“Yes, your supreme Lordship of all the land.” He grumbles with a subtle hiss.

I hesitate for a few seconds, contemplating if a few days in the cage was worth it. It wasn’t. Also I get a free trip to their castle if I go with the sisters. He'd easily cancel the "trip" if I gave him a reason.

“Yes, your supreme lordship of the land.” I say with as much apathy as possible. It's the only way I can choke out the words. My mouth feels like I’ve been drinking rotten milk.

“Good boy, now take this with you.” He pulls out a marble and hands it to me. It's orange with a strange black swirl in the middle, as if an artist had mixed paints and glass together. The blackness inside it swirls gradually. I take it and set it inside my pouch.

“What’s this for sir?” I ask hesitantly. He narrows his eyes at me.

“Remove your helmet.” I loathefully do so and look at him with a subtle, yet defiant stare. He backhands me. He has a special ring with jagged edges for just such occasions. My cheek starts bleeding in agony. I show no sign of pain just to make him mad. He grunts.

“That’s why. Now begone. I expect a report in a few days.” I put my helmet back on and leave.

“Idiot...” the king grumbles at the last second before I leave.

This wasn't a castle, it was a tomb, where hope goes to die.