//------------------------------// // Still Further to Go // Story: Applejack at the Edge of the World // by MagicS //------------------------------// Applejack was pretty proud of the work she had done yesterday at Oak City. Especially when Big Jaw had begged her not to go so soon. She hadn’t ever used Hoof of the Earth for something like that exactly (and she wasn’t totally sure it would actually work when she tried) but it sure did help her out. Now her bag had a smaller pouch in it with a bunch of tiny gold coins inside. Applejack remembered that gold was much more common on this side of the chasm while crystals and gemstones were supposed to be rare. The gold wouldn’t get her nearly as far as her old bits had back before the Citadel but according to Big Jaw it should’ve been enough to last her for a day or two at Elysium’s View. First off though, she was making her way to Elmsville. The trip down the road through Equinestan was an easy one so far as the country seemed to be mostly temperate with plenty of trees, flowers, and gently flowing rivers and creeks going through the countryside. Over head the sky was blue with puffy white clouds dotting it, no sign of rain or bad weather in sight. What she did learn though was that there wasn’t really anything that existed between the city-states. Nothing having to do with ponies at least. The countryside was unmarred by anything unnatural, no small farms or estates, no roadside inns, nothing of the sort. It seemed the ponies of Equinestan either lived in their city-states or they didn’t live anywhere. There had to be big farms somewhere though. Maybe one city-state in particular was devoted to that and just exported the food to the others? As always when it came to farming, Applejack was a bit curious, but not enough to go out of her way to figure it out. She was planning on getting to Elmsville in just a little while. “Geez, for such nice ponies they sure do like their walls,” Applejack said as she looked upon Elmsville. Much like Oak City it was completely surrounded by walls though Applejack could tell there was far more open space behind them and not as much of a big city with tall, clustered together, buildings peeking over them. Elmsville was clearly a lot smaller than Oak City in general too. Still bigger than Ponyville but not gigantic. But, thankfully, the gates were still open for anypony to walk right in and that’s what Applejack was going to do. As soon as she made her way inside she saw that the streets were still dirt just like the road leading to Elmsville. No paved or cobblestone streets here. Immediately she could tell how completely different Elmsville was from Oak City too, the amount of open space was like the exact opposite of the crowded city. Parks and fields covered most of the ground inside the walls while a few groups of houses and buildings popped up along the dirt streets every now and then. The biggest group of buildings lied dead ahead, probably right in the center of the city-state. Applejack saw a lot of ponies playing around in the fields or traveling the streets, there was just as much of a carefree and positive attitude as there was in Oak City, that was one thing that was the same. All the ponies of Elmsville she could see though were wearing elaborate clothes. Lots of frills and cuffs, heavy dresses for the mares and large overcoats for stallions. Even the fillies and colts ran about in suspenders and dresses. There were also a number of small lakes that she could see, where ponies were rowing clean white boats across in pairs. Applejack decided she’d head right to the middle of town. That’s probably where she’d best be able to find a place to stay for the night and also get a little more information on Maple Town and the route to Elysium’s View. As she walked down the winding dirt street towards the group of buildings she ended up getting waved at by quite a few ponies and Applejack was more than happy to wave back. They definitely noticed she wasn’t from Elmsville—staying polite enough to wave to and acknowledge her but not impose on her and stop her while she was going about her own business. Applejack might have stopped to say hi and introduce herself to some if she didn’t still have that nagging anxiety in her telling her she couldn’t stop and waste time. When she reached the middle of Elmsville she saw that all the buildings were centered around an old petrified tree, itself blocked off with a guard-railing and a bed of flowers. Must’ve been some kind of old “monument” or symbol of the city-state. Either way as soon as Applejack entered the circle of buildings she began looking around for an inn or at the very least some ponies she could talk to. Thankfully there were a number of ponies also here, some eating at a small cafe, or standing around the petrified tree’s guard-rail. She also saw quite a few in the windows of the homes and buildings that made up the center of town. Unlike Oak City she didn’t need to go anywhere herself as now that she stuck out more and was clearly looking around in a little bit of a confusion, some of the ponies from Elmsville saw her and decided to come over and greet her. The five ponies walked up to Applejack with a smile and the mare leading them brushed some of her mane out of her eyes as she said hello. “Good afternoon, young lady. You seem a bit lost, can I help you?” The mare asked, her blue eyes and white teeth sparkling. “My name is Amber Twirl, is this your first time in Elmsville?” Applejack smiled back at her. “Sure is, my name’s Applejack and yeah you could say I’m a little lost. I’m traveling through Equinestan and I just kind of need a place to spend the night before I leave tomorrow morning.” “Traveling through Equinestan?” A stallion raised an eyebrow while he smugly grinned. “I guarantee you Elmsville is the nicest city you’ll see then.” He and the other ponies all laughed together while Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Um… well yeah, it’s a nice place,” Applejack awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. “Where else in Equinestan have you been to?” Another mare asked. “Just Oak City,” Applejack answered. The mares and stallions chuckled and the first stallion that had spoken glanced at the other mare. “Well it’s really no contest between Elmsville and Oak City.” “Certainly not,” the mare giggled. “Uhhh...” Applejack started. “Excuse us!” Amber Twirl playfully batted her hoof. “Where are our manners? We just can’t help ourselves sometimes when it comes to the other… dwellings… of Equinestan. I certainly hope you didn’t have a hard time in such a dirty place as Oak City?” Applejack frowned slightly. “No, can’t say that I did, ponies were plenty helpful.” “I’m sure they were, you don’t need to say anything else,” Amber Twirl smirked and the others chuckled. “You should spend more time here than just a single day so you can really come to appreciate Elmsville compared to the rest of Equinestan,” a second stallion said. “Thanks for the offer-” Applejack said with a strained smile. “But I’m actually in a big hurry. You see I’m trying to get all the way to Elysium’s View and I know it’s still a few days worth of travel away from here. Tomorrow I want to get to Maple Town and then head right to the White Forest. So I’d also like to ask, just to make sure, if I keep heading directly west I’ll reach Maple Town by tomorrow won’t I?” “Well it’s a shame you’re in such a hurry but you have the right of it. If you follow the road that leaves straight west from Elmsville and follow the right signs you’ll reach Maple Town in just one more day. Though probably quite late in the day, it’s right at the edge of Equinestan,” Amber Twirl said. Applejack breathed a sigh of relief. “Well that’s fine with me, I’m used to long days of travel.” “Oh but-” Amber Twirl suddenly blinked and bit her lip in apprehension sharing an unsure look with the others. “Is it alright to travel there right now? After what we heard the other day?” “You’re right,” one stallion said, his eyes looking up as he thought about something. “But I’m sure it’s okay by now.” “It didn’t sound like it was too big of a deal in the first place,” the other mare said. Applejack frowned and looked between the five of them. “Uh, what’s wrong? Is something going on in Maple Town?” “Oh there’s nothing wrong with Maple Town itself—aside from being a little dirty compared to Elmsville—it’s just that last week we heard there was some sort of bandit or brigand harassing the town. Even using violence against the ponies there, can you believe something so terrible? The mayor sent out some letters warning other nearby towns and asking for help if any could be spared. I’m sure whatever the problem was it’s dealt with by now. You might just want to be a little careful when traveling there,” Amber Twirl said. “I heard they also called down some soldiers from Birch Hall so there shouldn’t be a problem anymore,” the first stallion nodded. “Well thanks for the warning...” Applejack bit her lip, knowing her luck the problem definitely wouldn’t be taken care of. She hoped the ponies of Maple Town were okay and it was just some random thug and not anything worse. “Do they know if it’s a pony from Equinestan doing this or somepony else?” “A pony from Equinestan would never!” The other mare shook her head. “Whether they be from Elmsville, Oak City, Sycamore Grove, Birch Hall or any other city. It must be some bandit from one of the other nearby countries.” “Seems like there’s been more thuggish behavior in the rest of the world lately,” one of the stallions clicked his tongue. “I see...” Applejack felt it was best not to kick the hornet’s nest. “Let’s not talk about such nasty things. Best of luck to you when you get there to Maple Town. And you said you were going all the way to Elysium’s View? My, that’s quite the place to visit too,” Amber Twirl said. “Is it going to be your first time there?” The other mare asked, also more than happy to change the subject to something lighter. “That’s right,” Applejack nodded. “Enjoy the view,” the first stallion chuckled and the other ponies soon joined in. Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean by that?” “You’ll see when you get there. It really… well it really just can’t be put into words,” Amber Twirl said. “I’ve heard that’s it a pretty special place,” Applejack nodded. She didn’t add that she had no idea just yet on why she was going there. “So anyways—can you tell me where I can stay for the night and maybe get some food to take with me tomorrow morning?” She tapped her bag. “I’ve got money.” “Of course, there’s an inn for travelers right over there,” Amber Twirl pointed to the other side of the circle of buildings across from the petrified tree. Applejack followed her hoof and found a slightly taller than average building compared to the rest of Elmsville. It didn’t have any signs on it signifying what it was but it definitely looked big enough to be a place for visiting ponies to stay. She wondered if whoever owned it and worked there would be as… proud about Elmsville as these other ponies. At least they were plenty nice to outsiders, and still helpful. Just a little smug in their attitude. “You’ll be able to pick up any food you want tomorrow morning when you leave. There are plenty of places in Elmsville where you can get the freshest possible fruit and vegetables,” Amber Twirl said. “So long as you do have the money to pay.” “I do. Made sure of that,” Applejack said. “Enough to last me for a bit in Elysium’s View when I get there, since I’m not sure how long I’ll be staying.” “What are you going there for anyways? Sorry if I’m prying, dear, but you seem a bit… befuddled,” Amber Twirl said. Applejack knew she didn’t mean to be rude but she still had to work to stomp down her annoyance. “It’s just a personal matter. Just something I need to take care of.” “Well then best of luck when you get to Elysium’s View as well,” Amber Twirl smiled. “Have a lovely trip. Be sure to tell ponies about how nice Elmsville is when you get there,” the first stallion said. “R-Right,” Applejack awkwardly grinned. “Well thanks for being so helpful but I think I’ll be heading to that inn now so I can rest up for the rest of the day. I’ve got a lot of walking to do tomorrow by the sound of it.” She waved goodbye to the five of them and they waved back, Applejack then quickly making her way around where the petrified tree stood. As she walked away she couldn’t help but hear one of them whisper to the others- “Did you see that hat she was wearing? Dreadful!” Applejack wasn’t going to miss Elmsville tomorrow morning.