The mountains of the Western Barrier Land are a grand and beautiful sight for certain, but before you lose yourself in the great vistas of the Crystalline Mountain Range, the All-Mountain, and Mount Dragonthroat, remember that a great many dangers lurk these lands.
The Western Barrier Land is often forgotten in conversations about hazardous terrain. Everypony is quick to speak of the bizarre and dangerous flora and fauna that inhabit the jungles to the south or the wide stretches of frigid wasteland that make up a good portion of the north. The West appears idyllic in comparison with its forested mountains and more temperate climate.
Don't be fooled by such picturesque visualizations. These mountains can be fraught with danger. The passes can be steep and treacherous. On a yearly basis, dozens of ponies are reported missing or dead after traveling along the roads and falling off, or being carried away in an avalanche or a rock slide. Don't think it's any safer for pegasi just because they can fly. We have no shortage of reports of pegasi trying to cross the mountains with flight only to be battered by powerful crosswinds, then hurled against the mountainside like one might hurl an egg against a stone wall.
The Western Barrier Lands is the homeland of the dragons; powerful, unpredictable creatures easily capable of destroying whole cities if left unchecked. The Southern Legion can talk all it wants of assassin vines and blood thorns, but they do not have to know the terror of watching a fully armed and armored lancer burst into flames just by flying too close and too long near an angered wrath dragon. And dragons are far from the only things lurking the cavern complexes within our mighty mountains; carrion crawlers, ropers, grells, and spider-leg horrors to name a few. You're also just as likely to run into a bandit hideout given that the Western Barrier Land has the highest incidences of banditry in Equestria. Being robbed and killed might even be the more merciful fate. Because it's so easy to disappear into the mountainous wilderness, you might run into even stranger and more dangerous ponies than what is mentioned here.
The cities aren't that much safer. There are crazed True Earth Ponies that will drag you into their burrows to torture if you happen to be a unicorn or a pegasus. There are also vicious cultists of Princess Luna as all of her cults call the West their home. You might be assassinated by a Blackmoon Blade for accidentally looking at the moon the wrong way, or be sucked into a whirlwind of debauchery with the Moonlight Rondo only to be left drunk, addled, and penniless in a back alley somewhere with a throbbing headache and a festering rash on your nethers.
So stay cautious, traveler. Keep close to the roads, travel during good weather, ensure you have supplies, do not flaunt your wealth, and listen to the local garrisons and the Legion. This land can still be a beautiful sight, but one must be alive to enjoy it.
-An excerpt from Star Net's Guide to the Western Barrier Land
Mount Moaning Top was not exactly in the front lines of conversation when discussing the many mountains of the West. At least, not the ones Coal Grey has had. It was unremarkable for the most part, just one of the many peaks to the west of the Great Delve. The name came from the unusual shape of its peak, or more accurately, its many peaks. The winds would blow through the rock formations, creating an eerie moan that would echo all across the mountain. Coal had never heard it before, and hasn't so far even though he now stood on the mountain itself. His fellow legionnaires claimed that it sounded as if the mountain itself was having a good rut, which was probably why the Moonlight Rondo was founded here.
"Not a bad spread, eh Skirmisher Captain?" Plowshare asked. He was munching on a slice of pumpkin pie, the crumbs tumbling down the links of his chain barding. Even though they were a scary and unwelcome wet blanket on the celebrations, even Coal's unit was offered meals by both the village folk and some of the Moonlight Rondo's members. Even Chill Gaze, who was examining the food tables, was offered hospitality.
These Moonlight Rondo ponies weren't so bad, it seemed. They had a nice spread laid out; fresh fruit, salads, stews, and pastries. A large group of ponies were playing instruments, livening the air up with a lilting tune that several ponies were already dancing to. In the background, a few games were going on, and at the center was a huge bonfire to warm the party goers for this cold night. Villagers and Rondo members alike were enjoying themselves; laughter and full bellies all around, chins dripping with sauces and wine, hooves giddy with movement.
Cinder Spark was nearby, tending to ponies that had overeaten or were inebriated already. It was mostly villagers unaccustomed to so much laid out before them. Cinder had a little station set up with mats laid out for her patients. This was hardly a proper setup for a medical station, but Coal admired her determination. He doubted that she was being compensated for this labor, but she was clearly a good enough neighbor to the other villagers to lend her skills. He was tempted to approach her for conversation, but he was wary of her marefriend. That pegasus clearly didn't like him, or any pony from the Legion for that matter.
All in all, it was simple, wholesome fun. It didn't seem to make sense that an inquisitor had to be sent here with an armed unit. Chill Gaze's call for a larger force from the fortress was a ridiculous overreaction.
However, even Coal, who wanted to give these ponies a chance, knew better than to relax so easily. All of this looked too good and simple. The Rondo presence was also too small. They were out there somewhere, on the higher slopes of Mount Moaning Top. This was most likely a cover. Chill Gaze likely thought so too. He finished what Coal could only guess as inspecting the food for illicit substances, and made his way over.
"This is a front, Skirmisher Captain," Chill Gaze said. "Look at the pony they left in charge. This is ridiculously fake."
One of the Rondo ponies, a pegasus mare obviously picked to be a representative given her clean look, bright eyes, and lack of participation in the festivities, approached them.
"We hope you are enjoying yourselves, Sir Legionnaire," the mare said. She was smiling as she spoke. "My name is Moon Sail, and Spared Rod has asked me to take care of whatever it is you might require of us."
Moon Sail looked a bit out of place in the Rondo to Coal. The lines around her face and the few streaks of gray in her short, corn-yellow mane suggested age. She was probably the only middle-aged pony here, save for Spared Rod himself, who hadn't showed up to his own party. She looked more like a school teacher chaperoning for a party for the students than a member of the Moonlight Rondo. Coal didn't miss the long scar that ran down from her right ear to her jaw, nor the old burns along her neck. Those didn't look like cooking accidents. Most of her body was covered by a long, woolen coat for the cold, but he had a gut feeling that he would see more scars there.
"Thank you, Moon Sail," Coal replied. "May I ask where Spared Rod is? He wasn't around for most of yesterday's opening ceremonies either."
"As head of the Moonlight Rondo, Spared Rod dedicates himself to the success of the festival in the background," Moon Sail said. "Right now, he is currently dealing with caterers and other deliveries to ensure that the festival is well supplied."
"Yes," Chill Gaze said. "But where is he? I would like to speak with him."
"Spared Rod has asked that his dealings be private," Moon Sail said. "I hope you understand. The Legion has been known to put pressure on our suppliers when discovered."
Moon Sail should have known better than to say that. Sure enough, Chill Gaze's frown deepened. "Is that so?" he asked. "That only makes us want to see these deals even more. Take us to him, or it's you we'll take in for questioning."
The reaction was instantaneous, almost rehearsed. Moon Sail's eyes widened at the sudden threat. "I'll...I'll show you to him then," she said.
Coal was about to pull Chill Gaze aside, when he noticed the slightest twitch by the corners of Moon Sail's lips. It happened so quickly that he was already doubting if it was real. What was that? A suppressed smile? At the thought of being taken in for questioning? That didn't make sense...unless Moon Sail deliberately piqued their interest.
This could be a trap. An ambush by the Rondo? Perhaps Coal really had underestimated the situation and Chill Gaze was right to call in more troops from Sharpstone. That seemed highly implausible though. His mission was on record in Sharpstone. Even if he and the rest of his troops were slain, they would be reported missing very quickly, and the might of the Legion would descend on the Moonlight Rondo.
That may be where the ophidites would come in. Perhaps, the Moonlight Rondo had decided to abandon Equestria in favor of the Empire of Ophidus. Moon Sail had already mentioned that the Legion had been pressuring the Rondo. Indeed, the Legion had been ensuring that Equestria would be a more hostile place for the cults of Luna. They may have thrown their lot in with the Empire, and Coal's unit would be their offering.
"Plowshare!" Coal called out. His friend and subordinate was quick to get to him. One look at his face and upon hearing his tone, Plowshare already stood up straight, eyes alert and mouth grim. The crumbs from the pumpkin pie seemed to fall off him in response.
"Yes, Skirmisher Captain," Plowshare replied.
"Any sign of the troops Chill Gaze called for yesterday?"
Plowshare nodded, then kept his voice low. "We've got some lancers already incoming. Ground troops should be arriving in an hour or so."
So reinforcements had arrived. This was a chance to get to the heart of this mess. They could hold out for a time if they were attacked, and this would prove without a doubt that something was wrong with the Rondo. "Make sure our magi have their signal spells ready to go. Set up that little group like we did earlier and stay on the periphery while we follow this mare," Coal whispered.
Plowshare saluted and went off. With him gone, Coal looked back to Chill Gaze and Moon Sail. "Alright, let's go."