This is one of a few events I’ve wanted to highlight that take place before the main story. I’m thinking of posting a few of these in no particular order while I continue to get things together to start on the main story properly.
 
This came surprisingly easy. It might be the medication actually helping, but I’m not getting my hopes up.
 

 
Widjet pulled his sword out of the training dummy and gave it a quick circular flick as he drew it close, the tip making a faint swoosh as it whipped through the air. He sighed and looked around as he lifted the scabbard he’d left on a bench behind him.
 
Princess Celestia had suggested sword practice as a way to de-stress, and after recent events, and with the equestrian council breathing down his neck to deliver the first prototypes for the military modernization project, there was plenty of stress to deal with.
 
It was only two months since Widjet had taken the job, a week less than that since he started, things were moving quickly to say the least.
 
Widjet slid his rapier into it’s scabbard and began to move towards the door, but before he could get very far it opened and somepony stepped into the room.
 
It was Captain Shining Armor, and he froze as his eyes met Widjet’s. “You…”
 
Widjet glared and huffed, and a dangerous thought crossed his mind. He slid his sword part way out of the scabbard and altered course to move around beside the much bulkier unicorn.
 
Shining Armor’s eyes flicked to the sword and then back to Widjet, and he rotated as the stallion approached, keeping his stance squared and ready.
 
“Look, I know you blame me for what happened, but don’t be stupid now.” Shining said calmly, though he was clearly tense and ready to evade whatever attack Widjet looked like he had planned.
 
The anger and pain Widjet felt was almost enough to drive him to act, but he was still smart enough, and in control enough, not to. Attacking him wouldn’t be justice, and further still Shining could easily subdue him in a contest of physical or magical power, it was utterly pointless. So instead he spoke. “I don’t blame you.”
 
Shining’s eyes continued to flick between his face and the sword hovering threateningly above Widjet’s right shoulder, and Widjet couldn’t help but take pleasure in just how nervous the captain was beginning to look. “I hold you responsible, there’s a clear difference. You gave the order and my brother died, his whole squad died.”
 
Widjet slammed his rapier back into the scabbard with a loud snap. Shining Armor didn’t flinch, much to Widjet’s displeasure. “I guess I’ll avoid this area of the castle.” He huffed as he finished his circle around the bulky stallion and stepped through the open doorway into the hall.