The Bale homestead was built with old earth pony sensibilities. Built to last an age. Another set of rooms had been added in the intervening decade, with the original one room homestead itself now a small storefront.
Remedy yawned sleepily as she watered the small window box of daisies outside. Her flank now bore the mark of a black bell flower with a yellow band around it. a row of three neat tidy braids along her neck kept her mane in check. Her sweeping bangs and crimson stripe held out of her eyes by a turquoise hair clip.
The door swung open and Provender wandered out squinting in the bright morning sunlight. He stretched his neck to work out some of the stiffness reminiscent of yesterday's work. He walked over to Remedy and gave her a kiss on the cheek before heading for the fields.
“Don’t work too hard.” she called out. Provender just waved over his shoulder without saying anything.
A light yellow pegasus with golden mane floated down out of the sunlight and landed on the road beside him.
“Good Morning Mr B.” she chirped merrily, trotting past.
“Good morning miss Days, another beautiful one I presume?” said Provender, glancing at the sky.
The yellow pegasus snapped a crisp salute. “Bright and sunny is my specialty”
"Good to hear as always" he chuckled. She waved goodbye and zipped over to Remedy.
“Gooood Morning Dee.” she crooned with enough enthusiasm to lift even the most downcast hearts.
Remedy smiled, rolling her eyes. “Sunny, I don’t know how you can be so chirpy this early in the morning.”
Sunny threw a leg over Remedy’s withers, leaning heavily against her with lips pursed into a pout, “I don’t know how you can be so grumpy” she mocked and twirled her hoof through one of Remedy's braids.
Remedy laughed at the clingy mare and pushed her face away with a hoof while Sunny tried to maintain the hug.
“Stop. You’re destroying my dour mood.”
Sunny immediately struck a heroic pose replete with outstretched wings and triumphant grin accompanying her thousand yard stare, “Aha!, I have become Joy, destroyer of gloom.”
Remedy scoffed as she rolled her eyes once more. It was a common response when dealing with Sunny.
"Oh great destroyer," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm, "why don’t you do something useful and go water the garden out back.”
Sunny gave another enthusiastic salute and shouted, “Aye Aye captain.” She leapt into the sky to find a cloud. Remedy watched the yellow streak fly off, chuckling to herself.
“I’m sure there must be some way to harness that energy of hers…” a sudden familiar voice startled Remedy from behind.
Remedy spun around and a cheeky smile crept onto her face as she identified the source. “Ah, Mr Tradewind. You're back in town? I see you’ve brought me a gift.” Remedy addressed the white pegasus stallion standing behind, “that’s sweet, but flowers are so cliche”.
Tradewind rolled his eyes, his own smirk matching the mares. He let his face fall to a sorrowful pout “A pity, it’s such a lovely selection too.”
Up above, a small raincloud quietly descended into place above the pair, every effort being made to remain as subtle as possible. A little tell-tale yellow muzzle peered down between the puffy billows.
Remedy sauntered up to the stallion and took the bouquet sniffing them. “Well they are very fragrant and beautiful, but if you’re expecting me to swoon you’re going to be disappointed.” Remedy turned and began to walk back into the store.
Tradewind grinned. He was used to tough negotiations and was never one to let a verbal sparring match go unchallenged. Especially one from Remedy. “My dear, while it is true my charm has a reputation for being devastatingly effective, I’d only be disappointed if you were to fall to it’s ministrations so quickly.” He retorted, returning Remedy’s teasing with his own mock concern. His gaze lingering perhaps a tad longer than strictly polite on Remedy’s swaying figure as she stepped into the store. Trade quickly followed.
Sunny dropped down from her cloud as delicate as a maple seed. She slunk low to the ground up to the window and peered over the edge ever so meekly.
Remedy set the bouquet down on her workbench. With a quick tug on the ribbon she released it’s contents from their wrapping. She quietly separated the different plants and placed them on a set of scales carefully noting the measurements in a notebook with a pencil. Trade leaned quietly against the counter, fixated on her as she worked.
“Alright, so we have Feverfew, Sage, Lady Ferns, Hyssop and Poppies. With these quantities… I’ll give you 15 bits for the lot. Applying that credit to your order of tonics, teas and balms. That comes to… 26 bits.”
Trade reeled back in mock offence. “Herbal Remedy!? Art thou name now villainy? I had to scale the highest peaks, and scour the deepest woods to obtain these rare and precious plants.”
Remedy smirked at him, “Make that 30 bits for having to deal with you.”
Tradewind raised his hooves in surrender, “Ok, Ok I give up.” The stallion placed a small pouch of coins on the counter, which Remedy tipped out to start counting.
Tradewind tapped his hooves together nervously and his confident smirk faltered. “So… uh, in all seriousness. I was wondering if maybe tonight, you’d like to grab some dinner with me?”
He found sudden fascination with the wood grain of her bench top, scratching at it idly with the corner of his hoof.
Remedy blushed slightly. Unsure she continued in the vein of their previous banter, “Tradewind! I’m shocked, is this an honest proposal I hear?”
Tradewind cleared his suddenly parched throat. “Well… Yes actually,” he responded honestly. All pretense of comedy now abandoned he mustered the courage to look her in the eyes.
“I’ve got two reservations for the grand opening of a new restaurant in Ponyville, and I’d love it if you would share them with me. Can't say if the food is good, but we can at least try it together.”
Remedy brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes, more for the excuse to break eye contact than to affect the errant strand which immediately returned to frame her face.
“Oh Trade, I dunno. I’ve got a lot of work here still to do. Winter’s coming and I need to prepare stocks of cold and flu medicine. Plus I need to cook dinner for my father.”
“Please, just one evening. And if you don’t enjoy it, I won’t ask again” he pleaded.
Remedy looked away, her eyes scanned the flowers she had just received as if they held a secret wisdom for her current plight. As it was they did trigger sudden inspiration.
“I’ll tell you what. You didn’t bring any wild darkbell with you this time, and my stock is running low. So, if you bring me a green striped darkbell, I’ll go to dinner with you.”
Tradewind let out a breath he'd been holding and a huge grin lit it up like a hearths warming fire. “Deal! Now M’Lady, if you’ll excuse me.” Without a further word he bolted out the front door.
Remedy quickly gave chase, “Wait!” she cried out as he lept into the air with a gush of wind, “you forgot your… order,” her voice trailed off as Tradewind became a tiny speck in the distance.
Sunny was crouched motionless under the window sill. Her body pressed hard against the wall trying not to be noticed, which Remedy did. She regarded the snooping mare with a cold deadpan expression. “Sunny, what are you doing?”
Sunny peeled herself off the wall nonchalantly, trying to look like there was nothing more normal in the world.
“So… hot date eh?”
Remedy sighed, “I assume you were eavesdropping?”
Sunny walked over as cool as a cucumber, or at least put in maximum effort.
“Oh, I may have overheard something about a…” was all she managed before her own hyperactive nature won the internal struggle. “Omigosh Omigosh! So are you going then?”
Remedy looked away and pawed timidly at the ground. “I dunno, I mean, he’s a merchant pony. He’s probably got a mare in every port. Why would he really be interested in a simple flower girl like me?”
Sunny frowned at Remedy. “Hey, don’t be like that. Did you see the way he was looking at you?”
Remedy raised a curious eyebrow at the yellow mare.
“OH Paleeeease,” Sunny drawled, rolling her eyes so much her head had to follow them around, “He was totally checking you out and I’ve seen you two talk, you are already having fun. Why not extend it to dinner as well?”
“I dunno”, Remedy protested and tugged absently at the braids of her mane, “It’s all well and good when we’re just playing, but now he wants to take me to dinner? I’m not sure I’m ready”
“Bah,” Sunny spat, dismissing Remedy’s concerns entirely. “Girl, you need to get out more, and what better opportunity. It’s blatantly obvious you two have chemistry, and I don’t need a cutie mark in herbal medicine to figure that out. Plus he said if you didn’t enjoy yourself he’d back off. What do you have to lose?”
“I suppose you’re right…” Remedy conceded.
“Of course I’m right! As your personal gloom destroyer, I prescribe exactly this evening.” Sunny exalted, supremely pleased with her edict.
Remedy smiled at her friend, she knew she was only looking out for her. It did get lonely sometimes out here on the edge of the Everfree Forest.
“Whoops…” a sudden realisation dawned in her mind and she began to giggle, “Oh dear…”
“What?” said Sunny, her own eyebrow now rising.
Remedy tried to stifle her own snickering, “I’ll go if he ever comes back”, Remedy cleared her throat and regained control, “I sent him to get a green striped Darkbell. Darkbell are hard enough to find to begin with, but a green striped one is especially rare.”
A look of pity fell on Sunny’s face. “Oh Remedy, that poor colt will probably scour all of Equestria for a chance to date you. We’ll be lucky if we ever see him again.” The two mares looked each other for a moment, then simultaneously burst into laughter.
A clap of thunder broke the girls short lived revelry, causing them to jump. A great cloud of dust and wind kicked up around them. They both instinctively shielded their eyes. Another blast of wind whipped past, immediately clearing the dust. There in the center, standing with a most regal pose, Tradewind stood with flower stem in mouth.
Remedy stepped back in shock while Sunny started to whoop and cheer. Tradewind ignored the excitable filly and waltzed straight up to Remedy. With a delicate motion he tucked the flower behind her ear, “I’ll pick you up at sunset?” he asked, and without waiting for reply he smiled and leapt into the air.
Sunny continued to whoop and cheer. Remedy watched in stunned silence as he disappeared over the treeline once more.
"Idiot, you forgot your order again" she whispered. A blushing smile crept onto her face and she gently touched the satin bell of the green striped flower tucked behind her ear.
Like the stone itself, the Shadowmoon den hadn’t aged much in ten years though it now hosted fewer members than ever before. Marrok, once the proud and strong leader of the pack was sleeping in the morning sun. This was how he spent most of his days now. The job of hunting and looking for food left to younger, stronger and more successful wolves.
Now leading the pack a large silver and grey wolf stood sentry, surveying the morning’s activities. A pack of wolves entered the clearing. Their coats a little disheveled and matted with sticks and burs. A smaller grey wolf among them saw his leader and ran up to him.
“Faolan, a messenger from the northern squad reports that the timber wolf chaparral has been driven back and preparations are complete to receive the Cat King and his entourage. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in our hunting this morning. There are too few quarry and what there is, is hardened game.”
“Tch.” Faolan clicked his tongue at the scout and scanned the sky thoughtfully.
“Divide the hunting party, send a few east to the rock ridges. We have guests to feed. Tread carefully and watch out for bigger predators, but see if you can scare one of the mountain rams into a misstep. We might get lucky. Send the rest of the patrol south to the bog. I know we can catch some swamp rats there as a last resort, it will at least sustain us.
The scout straightened upright and barked a quick “Yessir,” before she bolted back down the clearing.
Just as the wolf left, a familiar mist rose up from the grass and without even turning Faolan addressed the council chair.
“Abidah, it’s good to see you again.”
Faolan turned to face the giant raptor. Marrok stirred from his slumber and watched the pair with a cold thousand-yard stare.
“Salutations Faolan. How are the preparations for the council summit going?” The great owl replied.
Faolan dipped his head in respect, “all the preparations are already complete. We are ready to receive the other tribes as soon as they arrive.”
“Excellent, work. It was certainly the right choice to make your clan this summit's host. You’ve grown into a fine leader. However I have another task for you to perform, and I’m afraid this one is much more difficult than the rest. It will likely take the strength of the whole pack to complete...” Abidah baited, knowing the young leader would never refuse.
“The strength of the pack is at your behest” Faolan replied without hesitation.
Abidah smiled, and began to pace.
“This council meeting will be historic. It will be addressing the food shortage problems we’ve been facing and it needs a special guest in attendance,” the old owl paused in hesitation, or perhaps for dramatic effect, “I need you to capture a pony, ALIVE.”
Marrok jumped to his feet immediately, a decades steeped bitterness giving him energy
“And just WHERE in the forest is he supposed to find a Pony?” he interjected.
Abidah barely acknowledged the glowering black wolf, “I dare say he won’t. Nonetheless, one is needed. So he may even need to leave the forest.”
Marrok growled angrily, “Leave the forest!? What happened to your precious oath?”
Abidah’s feathers ruffled, exaggerating his bulk, and his words gained a sharp undertone.
“Do NOT school me on the oath Marrok. I was there the day it was taken.”
Marrok stepped back, ears flattened, but his complaints resolved into a quiet grumble.
Abidah turned back to Faolan, “I have already spoken with Nyoka and Ulrica, you may leave the forest with the council’s blessing to complete this task. However, while on this mission, under no circumstances must you draw blood. Do you understand?” The owl emphasised his last caveat with explicit consideration.
Faolan glanced between his simmering father and the guardian. A knot of concern furrowed his brow, “Abidah, I’m honored you would choose me for this most important task, and I have confidence in hunting many prey. Yet in all my winters I’ve never once left the forest, nor as much as seen a pony. I have no experience with this quarry, and neither has my hunting party.”
Abidah extended a wingtip to rest on Faolan’s shoulder, “I have every confidence in your instincts Faolan. You have proven yourself a capable and intelligent leader, and your clan is strong despite our difficult circumstances. This won’t be an easy task, but I believe you are the one to accomplish it.” The owl smiled and turned to leave, “As for intel, ask your father. He has some experience in the matter.” With the final bitter sting Abidah leapt onto the air, disappearing into the treeline in a cloud of mist that slowly curled around the tree trunks in his wake and evaporated.
Faolan turned to his father, but Marrok was already walking back to the den.
“What did he mean by ‘you have experience?’”
A single uncommitted grunt was all he got in reply.
“Have you seen a pony?” Faolan pressed, eager for any information.
Marrok slumped down at the den's entrance. Faolan looked down and mumbled in contemplation, “you have?... when you left the forest! The day Lowe was…” Faolan looked up to see his father glaring with hot angry yellow eyes. Faolan quickly looked away and lowered his voice, “Well then, if you’ve seen a Pony… Do you know where I can find one now?” Marrok just snorted and turned away. Faolan stepped forward. “If you don’t help me, I’m going to have to find them on my own. Can you at least tell me what they look like?” Faolan pleaded. Marrok remained silent and motionless. With a sad sigh Faolan turned to leave his sullen father.
“The north west border, you’ll know them when you see them. Try to find one alone near the edge of the forest. It’s your best chance.” Marrok grumbled heavily. Still facing away.
Faolan smiled thankfully, and ran back down the hill. Hoping the hunting party had not set off yet.
“Change of plans…” he barked, “I need 4 scouts right now. Head for the north western border. I want patrols set up, and the area reconned. I want all stock trails and watering holes marked and mapped. Tarell, speak to the ravens, ask them for assistance in reconnaissance and communications, bribe them if you have to. I need storm and rush squads prepped and ready to go on the double. Provision for a 3 day hunt with a live capture objective. Holly and Lilly, you’re in charge of squad support, fetch some vines from the forest, we’ll need 10 lengths of strong rope. Move it whelps, we leave within the hour.” Faolan grinned as his comrades darted off in all directions with yips and barks of excitement.
A knot of emotion caught in Faolan's throat. The excitement of a new quarry was always welcome, but... Faolan looked back up the hill. Marrok was still curled up in a ball. He looked small. So much smaller than the brave hunter of his memories. His memories...
Faolan took a deep breath and focused on his mission.
The sounds of quiet laughter and muttered words carried over the still night air.
“No… you didn’t!” Remedy gasped in gleeful disbelief.
“I swear it’s true.” Tradewind asserted fiercely. “There I was, as nervous as a pegasus in a pillow factory. I was shaking in my shoes, sweat was dripping down my brow. He looked at me for a whole steely minute. My throat was so parched I thought I'd die of thirst. Then, without warning, he throws his head back with a great laugh, throws down a bag of bits that could choke a mule, shakes my hoof and says - It’s a deal!”
“Wow, ” Remedy remarked, “I never knew you had such adventures!”
“It was the third most terrified I’ve ever been” Trade commented casually.
“Only the third!?”
“Well, the most terrified…” he gave an involuntary shudder, “is perhaps not for polite conversation. The second most however, was only just this day.”
“Oh?” Remedy’s eyes narrowed on the stallion suspiciously.
“Why just this day, I had to stand in front of a mare I admire very much, and ask her on a date.”
“What!?, Who is this other mare you’re seeing now?” Remedy accused playfully.
Tradewind smirked, “And the cost for her company, was but a single flower. I think I got a pretty good deal, don’t you think?”
“Hrm,” Remedy thought out loud, “it was supposed to be relatively difficult task. Nigh impossible in fact. Just how DID you manage to find one so quickly?”
A smug grin crept onto Trade’s face, “the skills of a seasoned merchant can sense valuable treasures from a mile away”
Remedy tried futilely to suppress a laugh, “Oh please, stop. I’m going to suffocate under that pretentious smug look on your face”
Trade laughed at her retort, “Oh it’s not entirely hot air. Those flowers do have a particularly ‘unique’ scent. But mostly I was lucky to spot a large clump of them near the edge of the forest. Honestly it took me longer to find a green one amongst them.”
Remedy grew serious, “be careful near that forest Trade, I don’t want to see anything happen to you.”
Trade smiled at her concern and struck a gallant pose, “fear not M’Lady. For you I’d fight off a thousand bears. Besides, with these baby’s, I can just fly off if anything comes for me.” he reassured, his wings stretched to display their full span.
Remedy smiled, though the worry never left her eyes.
They arrived at the front door of the Bale Homestead. The warm glow of a candle giving a faint light from within. Trade shifted nervously on his hooves.
“Listen, I have to go away next week. A large shipment of exotic silks is arriving and my Father needs me at the port when the ship arrives to get the best deals. If all goes well, I’ll be back in about a week. I hope you had a good time tonight, and if you’d like, perhaps we could do dinner again when I’m back?” he asked.
“I think I would like that a lot” Remedy smiled fondly before a wicked grin took it’s place, ”but… your price will be Hmm, how about a red striped Darkbell this time?”
Trade raised an eyebrow, “They do actually exist right? It’s not some trick?”
Remedy sauntered up to the nervous pegasus and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, whispering, “They’re one of the most common.” She cast a smile over her shoulder as she entered her home closing the door behind her.
Trade stood agape for a good 30 seconds. The crickets chirped noisily in the background. An enormous grin slowly dawned on his face. He pumped the air with his hoof and let out an excited, celebratory “YES!”
With a powerful thrust of his wings he rocketed into the night startling a number of ravens and other birds from the nearby trees, his loud cheer echoed across the moonlit landscape.