What Hath Joined Together

Chapter 3

                                                                               Blessings And Curses

The door to his room wasn't locked. When Flash Sentry opened it, Greyhoof was sitting on the edge of his bed, his hindhooves dangling above the floor like those of a young colt. Flash couldn't help but grin.

Greyhoof looked up, a wistful smile on his grizzled muzzle. "Well, sire?"

Trotting over to the closet, Flash removed his helmet and placed it back over its stand within the wardrobe. "A well is a hole in the ground, Greyhoof."

Greyhoof chuckled. "Well, Sir Flash Sentry, for you to have responded so cheekily, I should expect that things went... alright, yes?"

Flash turned around and began removing his armor, starting with the shoulder-guards. "You could say that, Greyhoof."

Carefully getting down from the bed, groaning as his old joints protested against his weight, Greyhoof replied, "I could, Flash. But I'll be honest. You're far more cheerful than I'd expected, so please forgive my curiosity."

Hanging up his shoulder-guards, Flash moved onto his chestplate. "Well, the Captain was far from happy with me. He didn't exactly hold anything back."

Greyhoof joined Flash, despite his old bones' protests. "I see. Here," he said, putting a forehoof on his chestplate, "let me get that for you, sire."

"No, it's alright, Greyhoof. I've got it," Flash assured. I might have let you help me earlier when I thought this was going to be the last time I'd see you, but now that that isn't the case, I won't be having you strain yourself.

Greyhoof sat down on his haunches, sighing. "And independent as ever. So I assume he did not strip you of your rank?"

Grunting as he pulled off his chestplate, Flash shook his head. "No. He did not demote me, suspend me, or fire me. Nor did he send me to the gallows, though he probably wanted to."

Greyhoof tapped his chin. "Hmm... Flash, do you believe in curses?"

Flash did a double-take. "Curses?"

"Yes, sire. Curses. Jinxes, omens, broken mirrors, that sort of thing."

"From what I know about magic, curses aren't real," Flash said as he removed his noble-blue saddle blanket and began to fold it. "At least, that's what I was taught."

While both stallions would never know the gift of unicorn magic, part of the compulsory Equestrian education in civics was an examination of the strengths of each race. Although unicorns were powerful—even those who were not of the noble class were gifted in some form of magic, usually artistically—there were some limitations to their magic. Flash Sentry may not have been the brightest pupil, but he had absorbed the lessons on tribal differences and history quite well.

"Ah. Forgive me. It has been far too long since this old stallion has set hoof inside a classroom," Greyhoof said with a slight laugh. "But the reason I ask is that, while I don't want to jinx anything, dear boy, I am perplexed as to why you've been on the receiving end of mercy from..." He shuddered. "Ironhoof."

Turning around, Flash sighed and glanced at his hooves a moment before looking up. "I don't really understand why, but... Princess Celestia told Captain Ironhoof to." He paused, glancing away in shame.

"The Princess did that?" Greyhoof asked, sounding incredulous.

Flash nodded, glancing past his window. The sun blazed brilliantly in the skyline, casting radiant, life-giving light to all those below. It was a beautiful day. It would have been a great one to have been his last.