[i]Now[/i]

In the sky, over the open water of the Bay, a Griffon was lounging on a thin cloud in the morning sun. One dark eye was scanning the softly rolling waves below, searching for the tiny glint of scales in the sunlight, a splash or ripple, the slightest hint of a fin... There.

Lazily, Rosie slipped off of the cloud, angled her wings carefully, and slowly began to gain speed, eyes never leaving the shape of the unlucky [url=http://www.tnfish.org/PhotoGalleryFish_TWRA/FishPhotoGallery_TWRA/images/StripedBassRockfishMeltonHillNegus_jpg.jpg]fish[/url], so far below. Before it had any chance to flee, or dart away, or move at all, huge talons were piercing its side, the world was turned upside down, and the fish could no longer breathe. It could only squirm and bleed as the Griffon pulled out of her dive, grinning. This was no small fish (she had to hold it with both talons), and she was going to eat well, even if that gluttonous saurian convinced her to share. Using the remaining momentum from the steep maneuver, she glided a few feet above the water, flapping her wings every so often, and landed softly on the dock next to The Swamp Witch's Pride.

If her tongue could reach that far, Rosie would have licked her beak. This fish was going to be [i]delicious[/i]. She barely noticed the zebra in front of Armand's ship, or even the lizard himself, intent as she was to dig in. Extending one shiny, polished claw, the Griffon cut a perfect line down the fish's underside, chin to tail, and stuck her beak straight in, ripping and tearing and noisily enjoying herself. It wasn't long before the feathers around her beak were slick with gore, as Griffons are notoriously quick and messy eaters, but after a moment or two, she stopped. In her haste, she had temporarily forgotten where she was. She could eat like that around [i]Dusk Wing[/i], they didn't really care, but now she was around a bunch of civilians, most of them herbivores!

Grinning sheepishly at the zebra, who just happened to be nearest, Rosie quickly wiped off the area around her beak with a wing, very aware of the fish guts still strewn across the dock at her feet. "I'm sorry, my friend, I just got a little carried away there... Um, you said you were looking for the Explorer's League ship?" She grinned again, bits of meat still stuck in her beak. "Well, you found it. [i]The Swamp Witch's Pride[/i]. A beauty, don't you think? Let's see, Armand up there's the captain of this fine vessel, and me, well, my full title is Lt. Commander Red, but please, just call me Rosie. I'm in the Royal Guard; Twilight sent me to keep everyone safe from nasty beasties and the like... Anyway, you're the first of the civilians to arrive at the ship, and there'll be plenty of time for introductions once the whole group has assembled." With an exuberant wing flap that spattered fish blood on Kali's striped coat, the Griffon exclaimed, "Welcome aboard!"

--

[i]A Week Ago, Ponyville[/i]

"Alright, Commander Red, are you ready to depart? You'll need to meet Armand, the captain, and make sure there's an understanding between you before the others arrive."

"An understanding, ma'am?"

"Yes. It [i]is[/i] his ship, after all, and he won't be too happy to have someone else giving out orders. You'll need to reassure him that no matter your position among the Guard, you won't usurp command of his vessel."

"Of course. I have little experience with sailing. Unless something extreme occurs, I plan to follow his orders... Hmph. While we're at sea, at least."

"-snort- Good. See that you do. I trust your discretion, and leave it all in your capable talons."

"Thank you, your majesty."

The Griffon saluted, turned away, and spread her wings, ready to begin the rather lengthy aerial journey to Baltimare, but a purple hoof stopped her. The Princess spoke again. "Rosie... -sigh- Just be careful out there. I'm sending [i]you[/i] on this mission for a reason. No one knows what dangers you're going to face, mundane or otherwise. You need to be prepared, and [i]they[/i] need to be prepared. Alright?" Rosie nodded gravely. "Yes, ma'am. You can rest assured, I will be constantly alert. No harm will come to them while under my protection."

"I'm glad to hear it. Very well, I wish you the best of luck, and I'll see you upon your return." Twilight grinned. "No doubt we'll have much to discuss." Her Guard saluted once more, spread her powerful, red-tipped wings, and took off into the clear sky. Her mission had officially begun.