Still Mountains, Silent Valleys

by Torrenta

Chapter 3 - Scavengers

Year 1000, Day 3
Twilight grinned sheepishly. "Uhhhhh… Thirty seven times?"

"See?!" exclaimed Shining Armor, "You even counted!"

"But Shining Armor," pleaded Einar, attempting to appease Twilight's big brother, "Where else were we going to get books? It's not like Canterlot has a bookstore anywhere. The Lost World is the only place where we can get assets like this! And the only ponies brave enough to traverse the land are Scavengers!"

"You mean insane enough," snapped Shining Armor, brows furrowed, "Why can't you two ponies just find some other hobby that isn't stupid, expensive, and suicidal?!"

"This isn't just a hobby!" cried Einar.

"Even if it is more than a hobby, it isn't worth it," replied Shining Armor, his eyes still stern, "Why can't you two do something else for a change? Get more friends, perhaps? Go on a date?"

Einar pulled a face. "Oh, don't start that again... You know where that leads every time. Circles."

Shining Armor facehoofed. "What would mother say…? Look, ever since you two started asking an endless stream of questions about the Castle of Embers, you two have been in no end of trouble that is all I am saying at this point."

Twilight suddenly decided to tug her big brother over to a nearby window and pointed out of it with a hoof. The sky was a bright blue and the sun was rising over the east ranges in a brilliant display of rich colors. The myriad of massive shards of the moon were just visible over the West Mountains. However, despite these breath-taking visuals, the most outstanding element of the outside world was a massive faintly glowing bubble of gold that stood vigil straight north from Twilight's house. Within the massive bubble of gold was the crumbling ruins of an ancient castle. It had most probably once been a grand sight: a castle of epic proportions, plated and painted in creamy white, gentle purples, and shining golds… But now it was naught but a ruin, blackened and tarnished from age and completely overrun by nature. The centerpiece of Canterlot.

"Look at that, Shiny," said Twilight, her eyes wide, "How can a pony look at that massive bubble of awe-inspiring power and not wonder about its origins. What was the world like before the Skyfall? In fact, what was the world like eons ago before the First End of the World? Imagine… No Sleeping, no Draugr… Prosperity and peace for all. How can one not feel utterly intrigued by the mysteries the Castle of Embers represents?"

"Watch me," said Shining Armor. He looked at the Castle of Embers for a second, and then looked back Twilight. His features had not changed in the slightest.

Twilight could not help but roll her eyes. "That's not fair. You know what I mean."

Shining Armor sighed in resignation. "I can see in your eyes that neither of you intend to change your minds, no matter what I say. Just please be careful, the Scavengers are cunning tricksters, and I am sure you have been extorted out of your life savings more than once by now. I really need to track your bank account, Twily."

Twilight pulled a face. It was her turn to make a somewhat good-natured jab. "You don't have any of the details, though. The money that disappears could simply be a result of me going on a date with a pony you don't know."

Shining Armor could not help but grin a little at this point. "In your dreams Twily. There are two major problems with that statement. First: Einar would kill the pony attempting to woo you. Second: you would get distracted from whatever you were doing with that colt the second a pony came in with a book, and would end up never having time for your bow."

Twilight's eyes brightened. "The book! I totally forgot! Einar, we need to go to Trixie to talk to her about the Grand Library in Coulin! Let's go!"

In a flash the overly-excitable Twilight had seized Einar's right front hoof and dragged him out the door, leaving Shining Armor in the dust. The door slammed shut before Shining Armor managed to finish saying anything else.

"Andskotinn…"

"Slow down Twilight!" cried Einar, who was surprised to find himself nearly tripping over the pavement as he rushed to keep up with Twilight, who was galloping at a break-neck speed from her house. "Do you even know where Trixie could be at this moment?"

Twilight's hooves shot forward as she went into a slide to slow herself down, the air filling with the sound of something akin to tires screeching to a halt. Einar crashed into Twilight promptly, sending the two heads-over-hooves. Twilight was in no way distracted by this, however. Lying on the cold hard pavement, Twilight stroked her chin slowly as she replied, "Hmmmmm… Would Trixie be at the Ember Market?"

Einar rubbed his head as he thought about the suggestion. Ember Market was (as the name implied) a market that resided adjacent to the massive Castle of Embers. It was by far the largest market in Canterlot, and probably would be a prime location to set up shop for a Scavenger. "Yes," he murmured, "I think that would be perfect!"

Einar got up and proceeded to help Twilight up as well. The two quickly dusted themselves off and then continued in the direction of the massive glowing bubble that was the Castle of Embers. As the trotted, Einar looked about at his hometown: Canterlot. The houses around him were generally small, only one or two stories, and made of brick and wood. There were lights in the windows, and smoke rose from the tin or brick chimneys. The town of Canterlot was actually a lot smaller than it seemed from a distance, with the denizens of the town mostly living in concentrated areas around the Castle of Embers. All buildings on the outskirts were generally ruins, aged at least a thousand years. Beyond that was the perimeter, where Canterlot soldiers guarded zealously against anypony that was not a certified scavenger whom was trying to get out… or get in. Einar was pulled from his observations (once again) by Twilight, who nudged him lightly.

"Do you think there might actually be a 'Grand Library' in Coulin?" breathed Twilight, her eyes bright and wide.

Einar shrugged. "Think about it. We have a book that looks dated, but most certainly official. It is scripted in a foreman format, and it states things technically. Note that the writing was describing things within the pages as a fact, not as a possibility or a legend. I am nearly one hundred percent sure there is a Grand Library."

Twilight nodded her head. "I thought so. Come on! We are almost there!"

Twilight broke into a gallop once more as they rounded a corner store and the Ember Market came into view. The Market was actually somewhat of a grand affair, with large stalls of steel and cloth set up in clusters by the road. Everything from wares from local shops to oddities from the Lost World were on sale in this place. The murmuring of sales and bartering filled the air as the two ponies drew closer.

"Let's stick together," said Einar, looking about warily, "We wouldn't want to get separated. Knowing Trixie, she will probably be near the outskirts of this market."

Nodding silently, Twilight wordlessly complied with the suggestion and began to look about carefully. Ponies of many types and colors bustled about them, all going about their business of selling their wares by the light of the sun and the bubble that surrounded the Castle of Embers (both of which the merchants promptly ignored as if both were as timeless and normal as the other).

"Twilight!" exclaimed Einar suddenly, grabbing one of Twilight's shoulders with one hoof and pointing with the other. Trixie was languidly loitering near the edge of the massive Castle of Embers with her pile of saddlebags full to the brim with items from the Lost World.

Twilight and Einar quickly galloped over to where Trixie sat. Trixie lazily glanced up at them, considering them curiously from beneath the brim of a massive blue wizard's hat.

"Ahhhh… Gòðan daginn. What can Trixie do for you?"

"We were wondering if you would take a scavenging commission from us," said Einar, looking at Trixie hopefully.

Trixie cocked her head to one side. "It would cost you quite the amount of coin for such a thing. But Trixie digresses and admits that she is indeed interested in what you have to say. Go on."

Einar glanced at Twilight, prompting her to explain further. "In the last book we bought from you there were some logs describing the existence of a library."

Trixie's eyes lit up with the idea. Though most ponies had little to no interest in Lost World books these days, a library from ancient times was a thing of legend nonetheless, so the idea of one being accessible was favorable in any account. "Indeed? Trixie is interested. Do go on."

Twilight nodded her head vigorously. "Well, luckily for you… we have an exact location! It's not far from the Foal Mountains, your regular scavenging route! It's in the City of Coulin!"

Trixie's eyes shrunk to pinpricks for a moment, but then they returned to normal and narrowed… then she burst out laughing. Twilight blinked. "Did I… Did I say something funny?"

"Ertu að djóka? Oh, Twilight Sparkle, you're Jólasveinn. Going to Coulin? That idea is absurd beyond Trixie's imagination!"

Einar was not in the mood to listen to Trixie laugh at his friend, so he snapped, "What in the world are you talking about? What is so ridiculous about venturing to Coulin?"

Trixie wiped away an imaginary tear before responding. "Oh, forgive Trixie. She will word this in the simplest way possible: no amount of Kolins in the whole of the Lost World could ever begin to convince Trixie to go to Coulin."

Twilight, not deterred by being laughed at in any way, cocked her head to one side. "Why?"

Trixie sighed loud and long as she thought of a response. After a lengthy pause she finally started talking. "Trixie will tell you… But consider yourselves lucky, for Scavenger Lore generally stays with us solely. Rarely does a Scavenger ever consider sharing their knowledge the average fífl. Trixie shall tell you… The City of Coulin was made many years ago, yes? However, it was younger than towns like Canterlot, Trixie thinks, for it was made after the First End of the World but just before the Skyfall as many books say. When the Konugar Ponies first started to construct Coulin – also after the Konugar migration from Manehattan, the City of Stars, Trixie believes – they dug deep into the core of the earth to lay the foundations. But they dug too deep, and upturned the nest of primordial Draugr… A great Risi, Suthnur the Corrupted. Though it gathered its strength for many a year, Suthnur eventually rose up and destroyed everything and everypony. As Scavenger Lore states, Suthnur still resides within the cursed ruins, attempting to return to the state of sleep it had been in before the Konugar disrupted it with their foolish building of Coulin. Anypony venturing even a score of kilometers near Coulin now risks awakening the great Risi Suthnur and evoking its ornery wrath."

Einar blinked in shock. He had had no idea that Trixie possessed such an extensive knowledge of any lore. He thought that he and Twilight were fairly much the only ones who knew of the mythical Konugar, let alone the Draugr Risar. The shock made him bumble a little as he attempted to blow off the tale of fear. "That's dumb. You're dumb! Everypony knows that those Konugar Ponies never existed, same with Manehattan. They are all just myths!"

Trixie rolled her eyes scathingly. "Look who is saying that. Trixie recalls a certain pony named Einar spouting about how many things that were thought to be myths of the Lost World were indeed real."

Einar bit his bottom lip a bit as he thought of a response for a bit, then replied with something a bit more scientific. "Well… According to some of the things Twilight and I have read, it seems that Draugr are agitated by Pony-made structures. If a Risi did indeed come up to destroy Coulin, it would not have stayed long after. It would have left!"

Trixie's eyes did not even blink as she immediately replied, "Trixie is not willing to take such a risk. Her word is final."

Einar opened his mouth to argue, but Twilight tapped his shoulder, drawing him away.

"What is it?" asked Einar, a little irritably, "There is a Grand Library out there! A freaking Grand Library! How can Trixie pass up a chance of a lifetime like this?! Andskotinn!"

"It's no use, Einar," sighed Twilight, eyes downcast, "She has made it clear: she is not going to venture anywhere near Coulin. We have to give it up…"

"What are we to do then?" sighed Einar.

"I don't know," replied Twilight in a downhearted manner.

Einar's ears drooped with Twilight's. What was he to do? There were no other certified Scavengers willing to go anywhere near Foal Mountain, let alone into the ruins of Coulin. The only way he could ever get those books now was if he became a Scavenger and walked there himself. But that was insane and impossible… Or was it…? Einar's ears perked up, and so did Twilight as she suddenly thought of something as well. Einar quickly whirled to Twilight, who did the same to him, and they both exclaimed simultaneously, "We could become Scavengers!"

Twilight hopped in place a bit and squealed quietly. "Oooooh! This is such a good idea! We could look for hidden Lost World treasures till our hearts' content, have adventures, get to keep the stuff we find, and even get paid for it!"

Einar nodded his head readily and quickly made a roundabout turn to talk to Trixie again. "Trixie," Einar said, his tone of voice jovial once more, "How did you become a certified Scavenger?"

Trixie blinked in surprise, and then her eyes widened when she guessed his motives for asking such a question. "How Trixie became a certified Scavenger…? What? Oh… No. No. No! Trixie knows what you are planning, and she will tell you right now that is naught but a fool's errand!"

Einar's eyes hardened. "That is for Twilight and I to decide, thank you. How did you become a Scavenger?"

Trixie facehoofed. She then proceeded to slowly drag the hoof down her face as she groaned. "Methinks Trixie should be charging for the amount of information she has given out today… Very well. Trixie expressed her interest in venturing into the Lost World to the king's court. King Baldur has little interest in how we ponies expend our lives, so the work to become a suicidal scavenger is small. Some forms, a will, and a paper declaring that twenty percent of all items retrieved from the Lost World found to possess intrinsic value belong to King Baldur. You then receive a small amount of money for incentive – though Trixie thinks it is more of a pity payment: an apology in advance for our certain demise."

Though Trixie placed stress on the fact that Scavengers were almost always projected to die, all of those things went straight over Einar's and Twilight's heads. "Great!" exclaimed Twilight, her eyes bright with hope, "That will allow us to start on our journey sooner! Come on, Einar! Let's go back home! We can talk more about us becoming Scavengers there! Let's go!"

Twilight practically pranced off, her mind filled with possible adventures and exploits as she bravely fought through oceans of Draugr to reach the "glorious" Grand Library. Even the more level-minded Einar was visible excited by the possibility of exploration in the mysterious Lost World.

Trixie shook her head and muttered one word: "Heimskingjar."

Shining Armor was sitting in Twilight's armchair, looking over the recipe book that Twilight and Einar had procured from Trixie approximately a year ago, when Twilight burst in with Einar right behind. Shining Armor glanced up and said, "Twily, did you buy this? It's absurd! It's nothing but a compilation of useless information about foods we haven't seen in ages!"

"Big brother!" exclaimed Twilight, "Einar and I have come up with a brilliant idea. You will no longer have to worry about me spending money on books, because now we are going to become Scavengers and look for the books ourselves!"

Shining Armor dropped the book, and only a quick burst of magic from Einar's horn prevented the thousand-year tome from striking the hardwood floor.

"Scavengers?!" exclaimed Shining Armor, his eyes wide with shock. "Scavengers?! Hvaða fáviti ertu?! Who gave you this absurd idea?!"

Twilight was somewhat cowed by Shining Armor's outburst, but she could not help but say, "We thought of it! Trixie refused to go to Coulin to look for the library, so Einar and I decided we should go look for it ourselves."

"I… I will admit that it will be dangerous," added Einar, noticing how much in shock Twilight's big brother was.

"You're completely right! It will be dangerous! Einar, you have a level head on your shoulders, tell Twily how stupid this is!"

Einar grinned sheepishly and scratched the back of his mane nervously. "Well… Shining Armor… We kind of thought up the idea together. However, if you will calm down for a moment, perhaps we can discuss this. I understand that you are worried for Twilight, but yelling will get you nowhere, you understand?"

Something about the way Einar said those words calmed Shining Armor down considerably. He sighed and settled down in Twilight's armchair. "I'm not just worried for Twilight, Einar. I'm also worried about you. Imagine what would happen to either of you mentally if the other died?"

"Shining Armor, if I was wandering the Lost World with your sister, I would never let her out of my sight. And I am sure she would say the same for me. However, I do believe Twilight and I could actually say the very same thing to you as well. You are the Captain of the Guard for King Baldur. You lead the perimeter soldiers for Canterlot, and you have to fend off against Draugr every day! You are risking death every single second you are out there and never give a single thought about what would happen to us if you die. But when you hear we want to do something similar, you blow your top!"

Shining Armor actually winced. Einar was spot-on with his reasoning. After a moment of thought, he responded. "You are right, Einar… But I am the eldest of us three. I have a responsibility to keep us all safe, and I will perform that responsibility to my last breath."

"You can't keep us safe forever, Shiny," replied Twilight gently, "You know me. I'm a bookworm. But I can't just sit here when I know there is an ocean of knowledge hidden out there in the Lost World! I can't live my life here, cooped up in this house with nothing to do! You understand… don't you?"

"Your sister is right," added Einar, "Many ponies are content with living their lives here in this small town in peaceful monotony… But we can't. We've learned too much. We need to discover what is out there."

Shining Armor almost looked as if he was about to shake his head mournfully, but then he simply said, "You are right, Einar. You are right, Twilight. If this is what you want to do, then I will be the last to stop you. But please… please be careful."

Twilight seized Shining Armor in a tight hug. "Thanks, big brother!"

Einar nodded. "Yes, I am glad we have your blessing."

Twilight released Shining Armor and turned to Einar, her eyes bright with excitement. "Come on! Let's go to the king's court!"

---

Translations.
Komið þið sæl og blessuð. (Hello. [This is used to address a group of people of mixed gender.])

Andskotinn. (Damn. [However, this literally translates into "the devil."])

Hvaða fáviti ertu? (What kind of idiot are you?)

Gòðan daginn. (Good morning.)

Ertu að djóka? (Are you joking?)

Jólasveinn. (Buffoon. [This last word literally translates into "Santa Claus." However, Icelandic lore has 13 Santa Claus creatures, all of them being nasty, impish pranksters, so calling someone this is like calling someone a silly fool or an imp.])

Fífl. (Idiot.)

Heimskingjar. (Fools.)