Dancer took the weapons from her wings, allowing Snow Tail to remove the coat and armor. "Hold these gauntlets on the open end, and never touch the hoof end," said Tail as she lay the armor on the ground. 

"Why," asked Dancer. 

"Because those gauntlets are a special weapon, and I don't want you to injure yourself on accident." 

Soon the mercenary stood in the bright sun bereft of any clothing. She wasn't embarrassed, but she did feel a bit nude - A solider without armor tended to feel that way. "Kind of nice, though, to finally feel the wind," she said to herself. The Scholar set the weapons and belongings on the coat, which was on the driest spot nearby. Dancer continued her examination, noting a few bruises and scrapes on the legs and wings. But all seemed well. Torrential introduced himself. 

Meanwhile, Tail face began to blush when Torrential mentioned Patty. "No apology necessary - my mind was a bit dazed. For a moment I thought you were a good friend of mine. Your eyes they remind me of him," she said. Dancer smiled at Torrential's manners. [i] A true gentlepony if there ever was one [/i] she thought. 

But when Tail saw his horn, she became fearful. But it was not fear of some enemy, but the fear of obedience that took her. And the anxiety of dealing with a force beyond her power. She bowed down into the mud, an act Tail would have avoided any other moment. "You're of the Lady's kin!", she said. 

Dancer was rather surprised at the remark, trying to figure out what Tail was here for. But then the mercenary began to speak: "Oh great one, I and my company has sworn fealty to Sliver Sweeper, Chambermaid of the Third Verse. She of the azure tail, the grey coat that shines due to her power, and the mark of four gold rings. With our lives will serve the Lady in her endeavors."

[i] The Oath! It's the similar to the one I swore the day I was received her blessing [/i], thought Dancer. 

Tail continued. "In addition, we took an oath to aid the Lady Sweeper's kin when called for. We shall not take up arms, nor allow any harm to come to the alicorns. We are yours to command. This we have sworn." There was some silence, before Tail raised her head up to look into Torrential's eyes. "I guess that sort of answers your question, Lord Torrential. I don't normally work with the Scholars, but I answer to the same big boss Star Dancer does."