Alpine Climb banged heavily on the front door of the building she had led Applejack to. “Hey! Open up in there! You’ve got guests!”
The door suddenly swung open before Alpine’s hoof could hit it again.
“Enough already! Geez!” A frazzled mare wearing glasses standing in the doorway shouted. She fixed her eyes on the mares in front of her and frowned at Alpine Climb. “Oh, if it isn’t Alpine Climb, the last pony I ever want to see. Oh wait—the last pony anypony in Roc’s Nest wants to see.”
Applejack’s eyes slowly glanced over at her companion. She was beginning to think Alpine Climb wasn’t the most popular of ponies.
“Yeah, yeah, but look—it’s not just me. We’ve got a visitor,” Alpine said and nodded to Applejack.
“Visitor?” The mare adjusted her glasses and looked at Applejack again. “Oh! Y-You’re from out of town, aren’t you? What brings you here and how can I help you? Things are a little hectic in Roc’s Nest right now, I apologize for shouting earlier.”
Applejack was also now beginning to think that Alpine Climb’s attitude was not indicative of how the rest of the ponies here were.
“How about you let us come inside first? And then we can talk,” Alpine Climb said.
“Yeah alright...” The mare sent another curious gaze to Applejack before stepping aside and holding the door open. “Come on in.”
“Thank you,” Applejack said and walked inside with Alpine Climb.
This home—or perhaps home and business now that Applejack got a better look—was bigger than Alpine’s. For one it had two stories, with a nice wooden staircase built in the center of the building going up to the second floor. The rest of the downstairs was constructed in a circle around the stairs, one room going into the next and so on. The mare led them through the sitting room, past a kitchen, and into a library overflowing with shelves of books. A pair of tall windows were built into the northern wall, giving Applejack a nice view of the rest of Roc’s Nest and the mountains beyond. It was also a pretty mess home, she couldn’t avoid that. Books, papers, quills, pillows, utensils, and other trinkets littered the floor. There were a number of cabinets that had all their drawers pulled out and empty, while empty wooden boxes were stacked up on several tables as well. This was the home for the kind of mare that just didn’t have time for cleaning up. Applejack couldn’t fault anypony for that. There were more important things to worry about.
The apothecary stopped in front of the windows and almost gestured to her guests to sit down before realizing there wasn’t any place to. She had a leafy green mane and tail that fell about in locks, orange eyes, and a spicy mustard coat. She brushed some of her mane out of her eyes and smiled at Applejack. “Right—my name is Herbal Remedy, apothecary of Roc’s Nest, it’s a pleasure to meet you Miss-?”
“Applejack,” Applejack smiled and held out her hoof.
“Miss Applejack,” Herbal Remedy said and shook it. She glanced at Alpine Climb. “You wouldn’t happen to be the first mare she met here, are you?”
“Sure am,” Alpine said with a knowing smirk.
Herbal Remedy groaned. “I have to apologize again then, Applejack. Alpine Climb is… not who we’d like to be our welcoming committee.”
“What she means is everypony here thinks I’m a jerk,” Alpine Climb laughed.
“You are a jerk,” Herbal Remedy frowned.
“Well uh, I did kind of figure that...” Applejack rubbed the back of her head awkwardly. “You still called out to me and helped me back there though.”
“I thought you were from the village,” Alpine Climb shrugged.
“Right. But thanks anyways,” Applejack rolled her eyes.
“You got here at a bad time then...” Herbal Remedy said. “Right as we were all in hiding from the Rocs. That could’ve been dangerous for you too, but I guess you were lucky. Hmm… were you coming from the east or the west?”
“East,” Applejack replied.
Herbal Remedy raised an eyebrow at her. “Then I assume you’re going to the Citadel of Al-Karamaretel? And not coming from it?”
“That really the only place a pony would be traveling to if they were going west through these mountains? Aint there other places?” Applejack asked. Somewhat surprised that Herbal Remedy had guessed it right off the bat.
“Certainly are, but when things in the world are the way they are, you get a feeling that the only ponies out traveling like you are going to the place everypony is talking about.”
“Well… you’re right. That’s where I’m headed,” Applejack frowned. “Not the place I’m stopping at—but I need to get past it.”
“Whatever business you have there I won’t force you to share. I was hoping that maybe you had come from it though and had some news for us. But I guess nothing’s changed,” Herbal Remedy sighed.
“Haven’t heard anything myself that you don’t already know,” Applejack said.
“Mm...” Herbal Remedy noncommittally grunted. She gave both Applejack and Alpine Climb another look. “Well hold on—why’d you bother coming to my place then? What are you here for? I don’t have anything that I can help you with, in fact I don’t really have anything at all. Roc’s Nest is in dire straits right now...”
“Heh, that’s the thing, Herbal,” Alpine Climb grinned.
“I’d like to help you,” Applejack said.
“Help us? How? Why?” Herbal Remedy was perplexed.
“Hey—let’s not look a gift pony in the mouth,” Alpine Climb said, walking up to Herbal Remedy and putting her hooves on her shoulders. “The mare wants to help us out here so let’s let her. She says she’ll go journeying for the medicinal herbs you need to deal with the flu going around Roc’s Nest.”
Herbal Remedy frowned and shrugged Alpine off her. “Stop that, and don’t be rude. We can’t let her do that—the only place those herbs can be found is practically where the Rocs… nest. Ugh, why does our village have to be named something so confusing right now!” The apothecary shook her head and stared at Applejack. “Either way, the right herbs can only be found on the high mountains. It’s far too dangerous—no, suicidal—for any mare to go there and attempt to get them. There’s no way I can let a stranger put herself in danger like that just for our sake.”
“Yes you can, you just don’t want to,” Alpine Climb rolled her eyes.
“And you are really not setting a good example for the village,” Herbal glared at the other mare.
“Look-” Applejack interrupted them. “You don’t need to worry about me so much. I’m used to doing dangerous, and honestly just downright dumb, things if it means helping others while doing it. And you ponies clearly need a lot of help. If I can help, I will. And you also don’t need to worry about me not getting nothing out of it either—cause I could use some food and a place to stay until I’m ready to head back out on the road to Al-Karamaretel.”
“That wouldn’t be too much of an issue...” Herbal Remedy said before grimacing. “Well, the food situation isn’t good either but it’s better than the medicine one. If you actually get those herbs for us I’ll gladly trade you some food and a bed for the night in exchange for them.”
“Just what I wanted to hear!” Applejack smiled.
“Uh, I still have to recommend you not go and search for those herbs. It’s pure insanity. And you’re only one mare, what if something happens to you? I don’t know where you’re from but it must be somewhere crazy if you’re just up and willing to risk your life over some strangers,” Herbal Remedy said.
Applejack’s eyes searched up at the ceiling for a moment. “Somewhere crazy, huh? Yeah it is, but I like to think it’s also just about being a good pony. A little kindness and generosity can go a long ways.”
“If you say so—we really do need those herbs anyways...” Herbal Remedy shrugged.
“See?” Alpine Climb grinned and poked her in the side.
“I’ll head out there and gather them up as quickly as I can now. Not a moment to waste by the sound of it,” Applejack said.
“Hold on, there’s a mountain pass that leads there that Alpine can show you. And also you need to know what you’re looking for in the first place,” Herbal said and looked around the floor before spotting a specific book and picking it up. “Here we go.” She walked up to Applejack with it and held it open for the mare so Applejack could see as she flipped through the pages. It looked like an encyclopedia of some sort—pictures of flowers and plants with all sorts of writing Applejack couldn’t begin to decipher flashed by.
“Aha!” Herbal Remedy finally stopped on a page showing a long and spindly looking shrub of a plant with needle like leaves and a pink and yellow flower sprouting on top. “This is what you’ll need to find. Common name is Icebane because it somehow grows in cold climates where it shouldn’t be able to. Grind up a few of these and we’ll have enough flu medicine for the whole village. Try and memorize—actually.” Herbal Remedy frowned and tore the page straight out of the encyclopedia before hoofing it over to Applejack. “Just keep that with you.”
Applejack quizzically looked down at the page before raising an eyebrow at the damaged book. “That alright?”
“Nothing I can’t fix up later,” Herbal Remedy dismissively waved a hoof around. “Now, from what I know about the Icebane that grows up there, you won’t find it until you get pretty close to the mountain peaks. It’s going to be high up, unfortunately. That’s what my predecessors have wrote about it. And even more unfortunately, it will be very close to where the Rocs roost.”
“Should also give her a bag so she can carry as much of that stuff as possible when she finds it,” Alpine Climb said.
“Right, right, the saddlebag you’re already wearing looks full enough,” Herbal said.
“Yep,” Applejack nodded.
“I’ll get a bag for you then and I guess you can be on your way as soon as possible. Ugh… this is still so dangerous. Are you sure you want to do this?” Herbal asked.
“What are you trying to get her to change her mind for?” Alpine Climb scoffed.
Applejack ignored her and placed the page on Icebane into her own saddlebag. “I’m sure. Don’t worry about me, you all just stay safe while I’m gone too.”
“You’re certainly an unusual pony… let me get you that extra bag,” Herbal Remedy said.
While she went into another room looking for one, Applejack glanced over at Alpine Climb. “So you’re going to show me where to go from here?”
“Yes. I’m not going that far though, unlike you I don’t have a death wish. I’ll show you how to get on the path and that’s it,” Alpine said.
“You’ll still gladly take my help though?” Applejack raised an eyebrow at her.
“You’re the pony offering it,” Alpine shrugged.
“And you’re acting mighty silly for somepony who has nothing to do but benefit from what I’m doing.”
Alpine Climb’s brow knit together as she thought about that. “Well… I suppose.”
“Found one!” Herbal Remedy shouted and came back into the library with a duffel bag. “Plenty of carrying capacity, take it.”
Applejack did so and put it on, letting it hang off the opposite side from her saddlebag. Thankfully she was strong enough where wearing it and carrying it when it was full wouldn’t be an issue to her. Might as well be light as a feather. She smiled as she adjusted it to make it a little more comfortable. “There we go. I don’t think there’s nothing else, can get moving to those mountains about now.”
“Best of luck—for your sake and ours I hope you make it back soon,” Herbal Remedy said.
Applejack was about to reassure her once more when her stomach rumbled, a loud groan easily heard by the two other mares in the room.
A blush spread across Applejack’s face as she tried to cover it with her hat in embarrassment. “I uh… I don’t suppose that maybe I could get a small bite to eat first before I head out there?”
With a cup of tea and a biscuit later, Applejack and Alpine Climb left the apothecary and made their way north on an old trail that led to the tall mountains that the Rocs nested in. Or roosted at. Or anything that made it less confusing with what this village’s name was. Along the way, Applejack had actually seen a few more ponies outside in Roc’s Nest. But only a few. And they were mostly opening up windows or cleaning around to make sure nothing was discarded when they all went running for cover earlier. If they saw Applejack they smiled and waved—before wincing when they saw her traveling companion. So Applejack was now sure at least that the village was a nice place. Just not every pony in it was nice.
“You’re gonna become a real hero here if you actually bring those herbs back,” Alpine Climb said as she led Applejack down the narrow path. Her eyes constantly searched about every which way—but especially above.
“I don’t care about that, or getting any praise or glory, I just want to help you out,” Applejack said.
Alpine Climb looked over her shoulder at her. “So you’re not going to run off and ditch us after getting a little food then? That wasn’t the idea?”
“No,” Applejack frowned. “You’re a rather negative mare, aint ya?”
“So I’ve been told,” Alpine shrugged. “I like mountain climbing, I like my village, and I like myself. Recent events have put a strain on a few of my favorite things. Excuse me for being angry.”
Applejack didn’t respond or allow herself to get dragged into another argument with the mare. In truth, she felt the mare kind of had a point and certainly had a right to be angry. Applejack didn’t think those were excuses to be a bad pony or rude to others, but it was at least a situation she could sympathize with. After all, plenty of pessimistic thoughts and worries about her farm and family had gone through Applejack’s head over the years. She probably wouldn’t be able to keep up a sunny disposition if something had happened to Sweet Apple Acres either.
So as they walked, Applejack glanced around the narrow path, seeing what else was here up in these mountains. Behind them the village of Roc’s Nest and the carved up mountain it sat in got smaller while to her left and right the rocky hill sloped downward at a steep angle until it ended in a pair of small valleys. A few scant trees were the only sort of vegetation down there, it wouldn’t be pleasant to accidentally take a tumble and fall down.
Least it wasn’t cold here. Yet. Applejack knew that the higher she went up to find this “Icebane” the chillier things would get. Cold air, snow on the ground, an actual mountain peak’s climate would have nothing but cool things about it. These smaller mountains that Roc’s Nest sat snuggled in were little more than hills in comparison and the sunlight was all they needed to stay warm. Something like a winter coat might’ve helped her out quite a bit, she should’ve asked for one of them too. Going by her name and her obvious profession—Alpine Climb must’ve had extra but of course never offered any.
The mare ahead of her was staying quiet again, merely checking things out and also probably aware that any further words at this point would turn into a loud argument. That was fine. Applejack got enough of arguing purely from Rainbow Dash existing. At least Applejack could count on her professionalism and wariness. That mare didn’t want to slip and fall anywhere or get picked off by a Roc either.
Up ahead the narrow ridgeline path they were on ended at a big rock formation that sat pretty much right in the middle between Roc’s Nest and the taller mountains. From what Applejack could see the path went into a tunnel, or maybe just a covered archway, that Applejack couldn’t see the other end of just yet. But unless you had tools or wings there was nowhere else a pony could get to by heading this direction.
An unamused chuckle threatened to come up from Applejack’s throat. Now how much easier would things be for these little Friendship Missions if I could fly?
Nothing could make her want to be either a unicorn or pegasus over an earth pony though. It was all just wistful thinking.
Soon they reached the big rock formation and Applejack saw that the tunnel the path directly led to went up higher and through it, with light pouring down from the exit on top. There were stairs carved into the stone as well as a wooden railing hammered into the side of the wall for ponies to easily travel up it. Something the ponies of Roc’s Nest must’ve made long ago. Without a word, Alpine Climb led her up it and Applejack followed. Upon reaching the end of the stairs the two of them came out onto a flat summit on the northern side of the rock formation. Alpine Climb and Applejack standing there and looking towards the looming mountains. Before them was a series of plateaus, small mountain peaks, and several canyons and valleys that all led to the guts of the larger snowy mountains.
Alpine Climb turned to face her. “This is as far as I go. But just keep walking from here and you’ll find your own way up. Climbers and others have made plenty of paths up and around those mountains in the past. You’re sure to find Icebane if you just keep going up once you reach them. If you make it that far.”
“Well thanks for bringing me this far I guess,” Applejack frowned and looked at how much further she still had to go.
“It was your decision, not mine,” Alpine Climb shrugged and started walking back to the stairs. She paused, gritting her teeth and looking up at the sky before glancing back at Applejack. “Just some advice though—I’d watch the skies if I were you.”