The zebra’s small hooves trotted along the dusty ground of the small village with excitement and joy. Her face held eager blue eyes and her mouth would have had a smile if she did not carry in her muzzle a basket full of Flame Lily. She was a small foal and had an adorable little face that gleamed with enjoyment and curiosity. The village she walked through was quite small. Many zebras went through their daily life of simple tasks as she passed along the huts and tents filled with a calm and friendly chatter through the savanna's quiet wind. The streets of the village were small dirt roads that had no specific pattern, for one could easily find their way around the small settlement. Some greeted her as she passed, others just smiled or nodded, but very few ignored her, for many knew the ambitious child (and it was quite a small town and everyone knew mostly everyone.) Other little fillies and colts ran down the dusty streets playing and basking in the sunny, hot day with not a worry in the world. Some she knew, others she didn't and most were her friends. “Hey Zecora! Wanna play tag with us?” One of the younger ones asked. She wished she could play but she was busy and had more important things to attend to. “I need to finish some stuff,” She answered sadly “I’m gonna finish up and be back later.”
Zecora traveled down the main street that passed through the center of the village. Ahead she could see the trading posts, where many accessories could be found from beaded necklaces to herbs and potions. Even zebras who traveled to distant lands would come and barter their goods they raided and scavenged from ruins of forgotten people, zebras who searched for ancient dwellings to dive into or ruthless mountains to discover in hope of earning enough money to continue their adventures and glorious life. It took a particular attitude to own such a job. It required no guidelines or specific talents but rather a fierce tolerance and a knack for danger. Zecora had thought of such a life and sometimes envied the escape from peace but, only sometimes and had more often than not feared it and preferred the one she owned.
She passed through happily, admiring the zebras who presented glorious jewels and treasures to trade for scrolls and tapestries or food and livestock, things they may take home to feed their family and educate their young, things she loved. The trading post was one of her favorite places to travel through, for every day it contained new treasures scavenged from ruins or new clothing expertly sewn by talented zebras. Alchemists would present their bottles of bubbling brews and scented oils, scrolls of their discoveries and recipes for the finest treatments and cures, maps that guided adventurers to glorious sights through unbearable terrain with markings of dragon dwellings or ancient treasures. Others booths held masks and totems with various expressions and meanings that one might hang on a wall or center in a room.
Something caught the young filly’s eye as she wandered through the busy street. It was a booth full of jewelry with many styles and meanings. Many gems and artistic beads caught her eye and tempted her desires. she remembered what she was doing and continued on. Another booth she noticed sold packs that slung over her back and made it easier to carry food and supplies over long distances. They were embroiled with complicated patterns and colors that symbolized many things like enjoyment or knowledge. Zecora might have found one of these useful in her current situation but it wasn't a requirement at the time. Next to that one was another full of carvings, many of animals but some of charms and sigils. All of these interested her but none of them were what she sought.
Near the end of the dusty road was a distant post with a tall and scrawny stag managing it. He had many piercings that shimmered brightly in the reflection of the suns rays and his face held one of curiosity and wonder like he saw interest in the average every day procedures. The stag was the kind of person you would expect to have sad background or maybe mysterious relationships but his expression and enjoyment seemed to tell otherwise. As the little filly aproched his confusion was gone and his skepticism started to show.
Various types of flowers and leaves were dried and hung from the frame of the cloth that roofed the stand. There on the table sat bottles of saps and oils with fragrant smells soothing her thoughts and tickling her nose. Various types of bark were displayed and held many shades of grey and brown, some also holding a smell of potent spice. The foal recognized many of the different types of ingredients but was lost at some, for many were from far away terrain with different climates, able to grow more lush and bright colored plants. The savannas were teaming with wildlife but held much less herbs and lively ingredients. Many tents were full of treasures and supplies but one could not begin to explain the amount of goods the tent stored! Every shelf and table was filled with all sorts of dried herbs and incense. Jars were packed like a puzzle or a pile and scrolls were overflowing out of chests and boxes. The shopkeeper had to step over top of all sorts of books and candles but from the looks of it had seemed to memorize a course he could trail without flaw, casually striding over so many treasures of which others would trip and fall. The booth was quite large for the stag lived with in a large tent behind the display counter but, it would almost not seem that way for the small view one may see from the open flap of the tent had shown a small sleeping roll but piles and shelves full of all sorts of jars and cloths. From the top of the tent hung many bones and beads strung up that would click and jingle as he passed through them. The young filly knew they were wards and charms that protected his tent and influenced his work.
"You come to my tent kin... but what is it a girl like you seeks?" the shopper questioned. The filly a few seconds later snapped out of her wonder of the glorious shop and set down her basket full of Flame Lily.
"Do you sell mint leaf?" she asked in a happy little voice.
"Why yes I do." He answered as he swung around to stick his head under one of blankets that covered the table and draped to the floor. He rummaged around tell he brought out a jar full of greyish green leaves. “Mint leaves... Not commonly used, seems to be more of a... weak herb wouldn't you say?” The odd zebra questioned in a mysterious manner. “Well thats what I need.” Zecora defended. He spoke again. “Ha ha ha! Is it? Why?”
“Cause thats what I was told.”
“eeh... what you were... told?” He spoke, squinting in disgust.
“Yeah”
“Young girl, do you know what alchemy is?”
“Yeah I do! Its when stuff is mixed together to make medicine!” Zecora replied superiorly. The shopkeeper busted up laughing. Zecora felt insulted, humiliated. She was sure she was right but the more he laughed the less and less she felt so sure. Was she wrong?! He gained to his sense quite quickly and resumed the conversation.
“Girl, alchemy is not simply... throwing things together and getting what you want. It is an art of energy and magic, used to take one path and merge it with another, making it available for use in a variety of possibilities depending on its energetical traits.”
“Can’t I just get my stuff?”
“Do you think I open my shop to any zebra? Only those who have an understanding of my particular merchandise. You know girl, an open mind is an important trait for an alchemist.” Zecora was confused by his tone. He was not angry nor was he rude, he had a tone filled with interest and enjoyment but still impolite, she felt.
"You've come to my booth in search of more I'm sure.”
“I thought you said mint leaves were weak? Aren't you going to suggest something else?”
“Mint leaves are not weak. Every herb has its purpose and all are equally strong and important. I was simply testing you.” He examined her basket and talked more quickly and less direct. “By the looks of that Flame lily, and you needing mint leaves I’m assuming you are using one to counteract the other. Not frost bite for you would need a much more potent ingredient than Flame lily to counteract the damage. Mint leaf is great for us on burns and the flame lily would be best to represent the minor damage....” He looked at her with curious eyes. “There would be one herb you would be missing for such a mix. Aloe Vera oil”
"Yeah! How did you know?"
"Ahh you see, my young filly
You mix a brew, one that I knew
First the mint leaf, to bring cold relief
Then the flame flower, to target burns power
And final you obtain, one not of terrain
The Aloe Vera oil, and bring it to a boil."
Many alchemists spoke in rhymes she remembered. They were not spoken in Savannin, the language she commonly talked in but, she knew exactly what he was saying to her. It helped young alchemists remember recipes and processes they would need. Usually they were taught them at a young age and were taught to only speak in rhymes some were talented enough to speak fluently but rarely without rhyme for it eventually became natural and it was like trying to forget how to walk. "Thanks for the herbs... kinda" she said reaching into a small pouch in the basket pulling out two gems and tossing them to the counter. The shopkeeper chuckled “No need for pay young child. You have reminded me of myself when I was young, and that, is plenty a payment for me.” His mouth smiled widely and the gems, Zecora found were being slid back into her pouch. Her eyes grew wide and surprised “Are you sure?” He nodded. “Thanks alot!” She gathered her herbs and turned to trot off but the man spoke again. "A zebra of your age commonly does not interest herself in such arts. You are a rare type my young child, may I see you again." At that the young child left eager for her completion of her task.