Amberlue and the queen
I, am Polithesisa, the great immortal queen of the fertile mile. In my time, thousands of years ago, I spent most of my life building my empire, uniting the various clans and groups into one united nation before I was imprisoned by my treacherous grandson.
Now in these strange modern times I find I must once again start from nothing, however, tasks that once took days or weeks, now only takes a few minutes or hours, I made up 100 years of work in a month. At first my aspirations reached into the heavens, surely I could rebuild my country in a year or less at this rate! But I was disappointed to find my people had grown used to living like nomads and raiders with little to no knowledge of me or my reign. Thus, my biggest opponent are my former subjects.
And thus, here I am, laying back on my throne, disinterestedly watching the TV as an electric fan blows cool air upon me. I have no dancers or fan bearers and my number of servants is greatly diminished. I sigh and roll off my throne to walk over to the balcony, passing a pair of guards standing watch, their assault rifles at ease.
From this point, I can see the distant ruins of my once grand capitol, now only a dry ruin remains. I look down to bring my gaze to the courtyard of my current quarters, a run down and filthy fort, wires snake up and down the walls to lead to lights, alarms, and other various electronics. Where torches once sat, now light bulbs hang, never needing oil or fuel, just flip a switch and it will stay lit, what a marvel.
I turn away with a sigh of frustration, this new world I find myself is nothing like the old. Food and water are secondary to oil and electricity for influence, my former friends in Equestria are now my enemies, the princesses have oil wells in my country and refuse to give them to me. They also charge so much for electricity it’s insulting. They treat me like a peasant, they undermine me. I vow I will unite my nation and bring power back to Saddle Arabia!…somehow.
I sit down on my throne but a moment later my unusual friend enters, she’s a pitch black unicorn mare with sharp blue eyes. She stays by the door with a grin.
“Looks like you are having a rough day your majesty.” She says, I chuckle.
“Perhaps, these modern politics are so much more troublesome than what I’m used to.” She enters in to stand before me.
“Yep, you can’t just ride in and take over the troublemakers anymore, now there are all sorts of hoops and obstacles these days.” I laugh, I like this mare, Nightswift, she acts like a renegade, but deeply understands statecraft and respects my authority.
“Hm hm, aside from that, what brings you to my throne room?” Nightswift bows respectfully, taking one knee.
“I have scoured the land up and down and I have collected a fair number of ponies to fill out the roles you requested.” She reports, I clop my hooves together.
“Excellent! What great news, I shall inspect and assign the arrivals myself.” I stood up, checked I was as radiant as goddess from which I derive my powers, and trotted out.
Nightswift lead me down to the holding cells under the fort, passing several rooms of mummies, not dead mind you, sleeping, these ponies will be my staff once the facilities to house them are complete, until then, they remain here, the golden scarab around their neck to keep them in perfect health while they sleep.
Now at the only occupied cell, I see the four ponies sitting and standing about the room. Nightswift bangs on the cell door.
“Line up along the far wall!” The four quickly do as they are told, lining up. The cell door opens and I enter, they marvel at me, eyes wide in amazement as I tower over them, they eventually bow before me once the shock of my appearance wears off. I like them already. Nightswift enters,
“Okay, I managed to get four, two mares, two stallions, three of them are trained slaves.” I nod, looking over each one and noting their collars…save for one. A mare of several shades of blue did not wear any slave collar of any sort. Curious, I placed a hoof under her chin and raised her eyes to my gaze.
“You came of your own free choice my dear?” I asked, she glanced to one side, nervous, and nodded,
“Y-Yes, I heard you wanted help so…um, yeah.” She looked up to me, as if to ask if what she said was good enough, I could sense her fear, but I could also see honesty and deep care within her…it got me thinking. I let go of her chin.
“I see, I have decided that I will induct all of you into my staff,” I pointed to the blue mare.
“You I will do last. Wait here.” She did as she was asked as one by one I lead the other out, they were not remarkable, nervous, shy, but loyal, they will be useful, but they are not what I need. I wrap them and place the scarab upon them, the moment the scarab touches their neck the sleep, waiting for when they are needed. Finally, to the last mare, the mare I have hope for. I enter the cell,
“Come with me, it is time.” I say softly. The mare looks towards Nightswift, a last minute hesitation, Nightswift gestures for her to go, and she does. She stands before me, looking up with a smile, a warm and kind smile, looking up to me with eyes that yearn to understand and connect. I smile back,
“What is your name?” I ask,
“Amberlue, what’s your name?” The mare says. Amberlue, what an unusual name…what a beautiful name.
“I am Queen Polithesisa, the last Queen of the fertile mile.” I lead Amberlue out of the downstairs and up to my throne room, she gazes around at the mix of fine silks and fixtures and the hand-me-down TV and standing fans, a strange mix of old glory, and modern luxuries. Amberlue watched as I sat at my throne, taking note of the empty space alongside me.
“So, where’s your daughter?” Amberlue asked, staying standing, I raised my eyebrow,
“Excuse me?” I say, Amberlue shuddered, as if suddenly regretting she spoke.
“Sorry your majesty, but doesn’t a queen need a princess?” She said, I nod, patting the vacant spot.
“Yes, I do Amberlue, I think you would make a fine princess.” Amberlue went wide eyed.
“What?! M-Me? A princess?!” She said in disbelief. I laugh, she’ll be perfect after a little training. I get up,
“Yes Amberlue, I want you to be princess of my empire and eventual queen when I pass.” I placed a hoof on her back and she looked up to me, unsure.
“I-I don’t know…I don’t think I’m up to the task I mean, what if I fail you?” I patted her head,
“Fear not Amberlue, you will be a mighty princess, all that’s left is to look into my gaze.” Amberlue looked up and behold my hypnotic gaze, lulling her into a sleepy trance, using a bit of levitation I begin to wrap her. From my hoof, royal bandage of the highest quality materializes and begins the wrap around Amberlue’s body, her legs are wrapped individually before a second wrap then binds them together as the first still winds its way up Amberlue’s body. She closes her eyes, relaxing as I prepare her. Soon the wrapping has covered up her head only her mane, horn, and tail are left out. I carry her to my personal quarters where a special coffin sits against the wall. But before that, I sit her up on my bed and make her more regal.
I style her mane in the royal pattern and crown her with gold. I then retrieve a special scarab necklace, a royal full neck necklace with a powerful scarab to rest over her heart, protecting it. Amberlue sighs, shifting in her sleep. I chuckle softly, kissing her forehead.
“You are so much like my daughter, could it be that you are indeed her reincarnation?” I say stroking her covered cheek as she slowly breathes.
“Well…regardless, I will teach you to lead and be royal, then, we shall see if you truly are my long lost daughter.” I then lift Amberlue in my arms, holding her to my chest, then I carefully lay her into the incomplete sarcophagus. Magic bandage from the coffin quickly attach to her to keep her suspended within. I watch her, stroking her mane and head, I could see so much in common with my first daughter, Amberlue was just like Giaonia, she even has her eye color. I kiss her forehead one more time,
“Sleep well, Princess Amberlue.” I then turned to go, looking back once more at the door, then leaving to finish the day.