Big Macintosh was never a pony to brag or toot his own horn, but he liked to consider himself a fairly smart pony. Despite his physical capability, he also balanced the finances of the farm, giving payments where due, and he was resourceful enough that if there were tasks he or a family member could not achieve, he could find somepony who could get it done. But a flaw that only the few who knew him well knew of was that sometimes he was stubborn to the point of foolishness.

As he lay in his bed, body aching as if he had been dropped again, Macintosh was reminded of this little little character quirk as he took a small sip of the medicine he had been given to keep his pain at a minimum. 'In hindsight, I mighta done well just stayin' with Fluttershy for the day after all...'

To make matters worse, his absence hadn't gone unnoticed.

"So what yer tellin' me," said Granny, staring at Big Mac suspiciously, "Is that you an' Zecora found somepony ta read that book, an' she went off to who knows where..."

"Eeyup."

"... And on the way home, you was asked to help somepony do some repairs on their ceilin'..."

"Eeyup."

"... An' you accidentally slipped on a shingle n' plummeted about three stories an' got banged up perdy good?"

"Mhm."

Granny stared at Big Mac, looking somewhat suspicious. A bead of sweat formed on his forehead. 'Please buy it.'

She sighed and shrugged. "Well, I guess no good deed goes unpunished... must be gettin' soft though. You don't look like ya feel from a roof; you look like you fell from one of them balloons."

'Not far from it.' "Eeyup."

Granny turned and made her way towards the door. "Well, I reckon we'll get in touch with th' Doctor an' get 'em over here t' make sure yer alright. Nice as a nurse's help might be, you want a real doctor ta look at ya fer a bit more certainty." The elder mare turned and began to make her way out of his room. "I'll send Apple Bloom up here with somethin' fer ya ta eat. Lay down, take it easy, an' let ol' Granny take care o' th' rest."

As she left, Braeburn stepped inside, looking back to where she wandered out, before turning to face Big Mac, wide-eyed. "What in the wide world happened!?"

"Fell off a roof..." said Big Mac, waving a hoof.

"'Fell off a roof' my left berry," Braeburn snorted, shaking his head, "I'd believe ya if it wasn't fer that." He pointed at a healing wound; a blade wound. "Unless I'm mistakin', fallin' off a roof doesn't do that."

"Never know," said Big Mac, grinning, "I coulda fallen on a saw."

"What happened, Mac?" Braeburn spoke in a hushed tone, staring at his cousin with concern. "You disappear all day yesterday, then stumble in here barely alive, and Zecora nowhere in sight. Please, tell me what happened."

Macintosh stared at Braeburn a moment, pursing his lips, looking like he was sizing him up. "Promise not t' tell on me?"

"Promise" said Braeburn with a firm nod. Macintosh remained silent a moment, before sighing and taking a drink from a nearby glass of water.

"Attacked by pegasi..." Macintosh grimaced... "I think they were pegasi. Picked me up, flew me over th' woods, dropped me."

Braeburn stared at his cousin a moment, jaw hanging wide. "Holy... that... had to be horrifying..." Big Mac grimaced at the faint memory of having wet eyes before losing consciousness, but decided to shove it away. "An' Zecora?"

"Gone." Braeburn seemed to wilt a bit, and Big Mac held up a hoof. "She ran away. Don't know where."

That seemed to relieve him of a little worry. "Well... any idea why they attacked you?"

"They wanted the book." The words seemed to silence Braeburn, who seemed confused. He furrowed his brow, looking down at his hooves as if the answers might be written on them. "Did you tell anypony about it?"

"No..." said Braeburn, shaking his head slowly. "Even when I asked Cheerilee, I asked her if she knew anypony that could translate Old Equestrian. I didn't tell her we even had a book, or where we got it, or anythin'." The two stared silently at each other. Braeburn's eyes seemed to fill with a horrific realization. "Mac... y... you don't think Zecora... might have been right, do ya?"

"Don't know." Macintosh looked away from his cousin, towards the ceiling. "All I know is this. Somepony knew we had that book, an' I might have met 'er."

"What?" Braeburn seemed surprised. "You met 'er?"

"Sorta," Macintosh waved a hoof again, "She was wearin' a cloak. But she was ridin' a chariot that looked like it was from a gothic circus."

"So..." said Braeburn, grimacing, "... Where is the book?"

Big Mac seemed silent a moment. He took another drink of his water, then looked towards his cousin. "Remember th' mare from Rich's house? Twilight?"

"You mean the ice queen?"

"I think she has it."

"Oh." Braeburn hummed, quirking a brow. "Why would she want it?"

"No idea. Want you t' find out."

"Me?" Braeburn smirked. "Why me?" Big Mac raised a brow, then looked towards his broken, battered body, then back to Breaburn, who became sheepish. "Oh. Yeah..." The stallion shook his head. "But wait, what if I get attacked too?"

"Doubt it." Macintosh looked towards the window. "They never attack th' farm. Waited until I was well out of the city an' under heavy rain..." Macintosh looked towards his cousin, hoping Braeburn could piece the rest together.

"Think... think maybe they don't wanna make a scene?"

"Eeyup."

Braeburn hummed, putting a hoof to his chin. I imagine you dyin' in the woods'd be hard to track. Bein' robbed just as much."

"In a city filled with eye-witnesses an' guards," added Big Mac, "That might be harder."

Once more, the room fell silent as Braeburn seemed to mull the options over in his head. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. Alright, I'll do it. Jus' tell me what t' say."

"Ask about 'er. Get any answers ya can. Don't mention the Book or Zecora."

"Alright," Braeburn nodded, pushing his hat back and scratching his head. "Sounds reasonable. I'll get on it." Braeburn was ready to leave, walking towards the door.

"Wait!"

He stopped, looking to Big mac.

"Avoid Twilight herself if possible. We don't want her suspectin' us."

Breaburn chuckled. "Well... ya sure? I mean, I bet I can melt the ice queen..."

"Brae." Big Mac was glaring at him now. "This is serious. We don't wanna make things worse if we don't have to."

"Fine, fine..." Braeburn waggled a hoof at Big Mac. "I'll leave her alone. But don't say I never did ya any favors." Macintosh sighed a bit, leaning back in bed and relaxing. "Anything I can do for ya?"

"'Nother glass of water'd be nice. Maybe some honey."

"On it."

As he stared up at the gates, Braeburn found himself feeling tense. He'd never approached the house without Big Mac before, and he'd never really gotten into a lot of conversation with its owner. He found himself cursing his lack of preparation or rehearsal, and considering the guard staring at him, decided it would be best to simply push forward and act. As he approached the somewhat confused pony at the gate, he saluted awkwardly, to which the guard responded, albeit slowly, with a salute of his own. "Can I... help you?"

"Y-yeah," replied Braeburn, trying to calm his nerves. 'Talking to everyday ponies is easy, but nobility? I wish I had Big Mac or Applejack with me right now...' "Is Filthy Rich home?"

"He is..."

"C-can I talk to him? I'm Braeburn Apple... one of his business partners..."

The guard eyed him warily a moment. "Wait right here..." He turned about, making his way down the path and towards the house, stepping inside. Braeburn simply stood where he was, staring at the large house with a bit more anxiety than he thought he'd feel. He seemed to sit there forever before the guard returned, pulling the gate open. "Go on in, and mind your manners." Braeburn nodded, and made his way down the path towards the house, giving it a firm knock. It opened, and he was greeted by the butler from before.

"Right this way, Sir."

Once more, Braeburn was lead into this massive, imposing home, though he was taken down a different hall this time, leading up some stairs to the second floor. He took a moment to admire the decorations; paintings, armor, various knick-knacks, before they approached the end, where a pair of double doors waited. "Sir is in his study. Please enter." He pushed one of the large doors open, and Braeburn stepped inside. The study was an impressive room; bookshelves with various books, a desk that seemed covered in tomes and scrolls, a telescope near the window. A pair of chairs and a couch (with a table) made the room seem more relaxed, and two familiar, tattered banners hang on a nearby wall.

One depicting the sun, and the other the moon.

"Come in, come in."

The door closed behind him as Braeburn's eyes fell on the stallion himself, stepping away from a table with an opened book. "Hello, Braeburn, welcome. I do say, I'm quite surprised to see you here!"

"I figured..." said Braeburn, his nervousness picking up in his voice.

"Nervous?" Rich laughed, shaking his head, and reaching to a nearby bottle, pouring its contents into a small glass and hoofing it to the younger stallion. Braeburn held it between his own hooves, sniffed it, and went wide-eyed.

"Whoa! This is scrumpy!"

"It will calm you down." The stallion smiled kindly. "Normally I don't offer drinks like this to guests, but I consider the Apples as good as family."

Braeburn stared at the drink, then shrugged. "Guess it'd be rude to say no, eh?" He nodded, taking a drink, feeling the warmth slide down his throat. He smiled and licked his lips. "Tastes like some of our stuff."

"Because it is." Rich poured himself a glass, taking a drink. "Best scrumpy I've ever drank. I do believe this particular blend has Zap Apples in it."

"Tastes like it!" Braeburn took another sip, smiling at the pleasant warmth it gave him.

"Feel free to sit, make yourself at home." Rich walked to a nearby chair, taking a seat and patting the one next to him. Braeburn sat down, clearing his throat a bit. "Tell me Braeburn, what brings you to my neck of the woods?"

"Well," said the stallion, feeling a lot less nervous with some liquid courage in his belly, "I was wondering about... uhh... Miss Twilight."

"Oh?" Rich raised a brow. "Twilight Sparkle? I was not aware you knew her."

"I don't, really," Braeburn smiled a bit, feeling just a hint more nervous; to which he responded by drinking more scrumpy. "I just saw her last time we came here for dinner an' got curious. Is she a relative or somethin'...?"

Rich chuckled a bit, waving a hoof. "No, no. She's something of a colleague of mine..." He looked around the room, his smile never fading. "I've been studying Ancient Equestria a lot for the past two years. It's become sort of a hobby of mine since..." He stopped, his smile faltering a moment, returning with not a single trace of mirth as he shook his head. "Well, you know."

"I'm sorry 'bout the Mrs..." said Braeburn, taking his hat off and setting it on the chair.

"Yes, well... she's in a better place." Filthy nodded, sighing. "And she gave me many great memories, and a lovely daughter, before leaving us." The noble-pony cleared his throat. "Anyway... I met her a little over a year ago. She was researching ancient fables, particularly relating to the Elements of Harmony and the Royal Sisters." He took a soft sip from his drink. "Far as I understand, she had done a lot of such research before we even met. Anyway..." He took the bottle, topping off his and Braeburn's drinks. "Since then, we've been going on some interesting adventures. Digging up ancient artifacts, learning of lost secrets, things nopony has known in a thousand years."

"Fascinatin'..." Braeburn put a hoof on the back of his neck, rubbing slightly, trying to consider what he should ask next. 'Really wish I'da rehearsed...' "Uh... what exactly does she do?"

"A few things..." Rich took another sip of his drink. "She's quite well educated. Knows a great deal about Ancient Equestrian lore, can read the texts, and seems to understand how to operate many artifacts. I dare say, I'd have made little to no progress in my studies without her help."

'I really have no idea what it is Big Mac wants me to learn here... unless...' "Well," said Braeburn, chewing his lip a moment, "Anything you can tell me about her?"

"Somepony seems to have taken interest." Rich grinned a bit, taking a sip of his scrumpy. "I imagine she'd be flattered. Perhaps I should tell her?"

"No!" He said it much louder than he wanted, so Braeburn smiled sheepishly. "No, no that's fine. I just... sorta wanna know about her is all. For now. Move at my own pace... please don't tell her though." 'Please buy it...'

"Understood..." Rich chuckled, taking a sip of his scrumpy, seeming to be in thought for a moment. "She's about what one might expect of a devoted scholar. She sticks to her books and takes her studies very seriously... often, I'll go to bed and find her still doing research in my study by the time I wake."

'Sounds like an egghead.' "Interestin'..." Braeburn tried to consider what else to ask. "Any idea where I can find her?"

Rich shrugged. "Who knows. Sometimes, she'll be off to do her own thing. What time she isn't in my study, she's occupying the guest room where she sleeps. She also goes to the library, though I suspect these equate to 'recreational moments' for her." He took a sip of his scrumpy. "She lives in an old castle outside of the city... to the north of Ponyville, up on the mountain... " The noble chuckled, shaking his head some. "Be ready though, it is quite a walk to reach, and a climb to boot. It quickly became no wonder to me why Twilight liked to stay in one place or the other for extended periods, rather than moving back and fourth."

"Thanks," said Braeburn, smiling a bit. 'At least now I know something about her that might be useful.'

"So tell me" said Rich, "has your cousin made up his mind about our offer?" The stallion smiled a bit, not looking up at Braeburn as he took another sip of his drink. Braeburn bit his lip, feeling a bit of nervousness return to him at the mere prospect of having to talk business with Rich without Macintosh present.

"'Fraid not..." He gulped a bit, tapping his hooves together. "I think he's waitin' for Applejack to get home, wantin' to talk to her about it first. Farm's jus' as much her foal-hood home as it is his, y'know?"

Rich seemed to purse his lips in though, giving a nod. "I see. That sounds fair enough." He shrugged. "No rush. I meant what I said about being patient. Now, if there's anything else you might want to talk about?"

"Nah. Much as I'd love to chat more, I've basically got what I needed to know, and I should be runnin' back to the farm before Granny realizes somepony ain't doin' my chores..." Braeburn and Rich shared a chuckle as the yellow stallion stood from his chair.

"Alright then. Teacup will show you the way out then..." Rich smiled warmly. "And remember Braeburn, feel free to visit anytime. The Apples and Riches have spent too long in silence. I'd love for our families to be able to be closer. I'm certain it'd do my little Diamond Tiara a world of good." Braeburn was about to inform Rich of his mistake and cite his daughter's snotty attitude, but he stopped, thinking better of it for a moment, before shrugging.

"Sounds reasonable." He took his hat, setting it one his head. "You have a good day, Mister Rich."

"You too, son." Filthy held up his drink and took a sip. Braeburn laughed a bit, reminded that he was feeling a bit buzzed, though not quite drunk. With that, he made his way out of the study, where he was quickly met by the butler, who lead him from the house, and back outside.

As the gate closed behind him, Braeburn stepped away from the manor, eyes forward, considering everything he just learned. 'Alright... Twilight lives... outside the city, in a castle. And...' The stallion stopped to scratch his head, trying to recall the conversation. '... And... she's basically Rich's study buddy, an' seems to know Old Equestria stuff an' can read old books...' He paused with that last thought. 'She can read old books...' His eyes shot up. "She can read old books!"

Braeburn made a mad dash for the Apple Homestead.

Braeburn entered the house, feeling a great deal better (and somewhat less tingly) than he had a short while ago. He made his way up the stairs, quickly making his way to Big Mac's room. He shoved the door open.

He stopped when he noticed Macintosh wasn't alone.

Mac lay on his bed, covered up as before, but there was also an unfamiliar, butter yellow pegasus mare there. Pegasi rarely came around this area; they weren't very tolerated among the generally Earth Pony population. "And you made it here? All by yourself? Without trouble?"

"Eeyup" Big Mac responded simply.

"You could have hurt yourself! What would have happened if somepony attacked you in your condition?"

"They didn't." Mac nodded. "I'm fine."

"The poor district has a lot more crime than the rest of Ponyville! Who knows what could have happened!" Rather than argue with her, Big Mac simply shrugged. The mare frowned at him, seeming a little upset.

"Ahem."

Both ponies turned around to see Braeburn, who simply smiled and waved. "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but admire how adorable this scene is." Big Mac snorted, staring half-lidded at his cousin, while the mare blushed.

"Brae, this is Fluttershy," Macintosh nodded, gesturing towards the mare, "Fluttershy, this is Braeburn."

"Charmed," said Braeburn, winking, causing the mare to blush again.

"Likewise..." she said quietly, hiding behind her mane a little. Braeburn stepped in closer, nodding to Big Mac.

"Miss 'Shy? Mind if me an' my cousin have a little privacy?" Big Mac smiled a bit at Fluttershy, who looked at him, then Braeburn, then back to him, and stepped out of the room, gently pulling the door closed behind her. Once they heard the latch, they waited a few seconds before Big Mac looked to Braeburn. "Find anything interestin' about our friend?"

"Eeyup," replied Braeburn with a grin, "an' you'll never guess what I found out." Braeburn stared at Big Mac, silently waiting. Macintosh raised a brow, staring directly back at Braeburn, who simply frowned. "Well? Ain't ya gonna guess? At least ask me?"

"I figured you'd jus' tell me." Big Mac's expression did not shift.

"Fine." Braeburn rolled his eyes, sitting on his haunches. "Twilight's some sort of partner of Rich's. They've been researchin' Old Equestrian stuff for a year, an' apparently, she might be able to read that book'a yours." Macintosh's eyes seemed to widen just a bit. "What's more, she lives in a castle in the mountain just north of here." He grinned a bit. "We know where our book is, an' with any luck, might have a translator!"

Big Mac, however, did not seem so enthusiastic. He looked down at his hooves, the wheels in his head turning. "She can read that book...?"

Braeburn simply shrugged. "Rich says she can." Big Mac seemed to consider this, Braeburn clucking his tongue a bit. "So... what's our plan? Do we steal it back?"

"Dunno..." Big Mac frowned, patting a hoof to his chin. He was in no condition to steal anything, even from a mare as small as Twilight seemed, and while he loved his cousin as if he were a brother, Big Mac had doubts Braeburn would be able to go through with it; even if he could, he wasn't sure he could ask him to do so. "I don't think so." Macintosh sighed, rubbing his temple with his better hoof. 'Why do I feel like we took one step forward and two steps back?' Macintosh took a drink from his glass of water, taking a moment to consider everything he knew.

"We gotta find 'er, and we gotta get that book."

"We?" Braeburn quirked a brow at his cousin. "You're a mess. Even with your particular build an' resilience, I can't imagine you'd be able to pull it off. Didn't you say that nurse said you had broken bones?"

"Eeyup" he said, nodding, "Lotta the soreness is down. Still hurts a bit, but I can stand on my own power."

Braeburn sighed, shaking his head. "Mac, I don't think it's a good idea for you to do anythin' strenuous without a doctor's okay..."

"Brae," Big Mac said, a stern, serious look on his face, "You know how many chores I've done with injuries?"

"Alright, I get it, you're tough stuff..." Braeburn sighed, shaking his head. "I can't stop ya Big Mac, but I'll tell ya now, I don't like it, or agree with it, and I'm going to come with you."

"Fine." Macintosh nodded. "Long as ya do what I say." 'We're gonna need to be pretty clever about this. If that mare's actually in league with those mercenaries, then we'll have to consider her potentially dangerous... but she did save my life, so would she be...?'

"So," said Macintosh with a nod, "Any idea where we can find 'er?"

Braeburn nodded. "Castle in th' mountains, north of here. Rich said it was kinda out-of-the-way, an' a bit of a walk, so if yer serious about this, I hope you're ready for a trip, or hire somepony to take us out there."

Big Mac nodded, smiling a bit as he considered his options. "We leave tomorrow at noon."

"Granny's already mad at you missin' so much work." Braeburn chuckled, shaking his head. "I only hope she don't tan my hide for disappearin' with ya this time."

Braeburn wasn't sure he was comfortable with Big Mac coming anymore as he occasionally turned his head to look to his cousin. Macintosh didn't show any signs of discomfort in his expression, but there was a slight limp in his gait, and the fact he had to take a drink of that stuff he had said he had gotten from the nurse wasn't helping ease his concerns. Still, Big Mac was the brains, and he was going to follow him.

'I just hope he don't go makin' me regret it.'

It was rare that either went directly north of Ponyville - while it was about the direction one headed to reach the Rich residence and the city's institution of education (which also housed it's greatest library), there was little to be found there for stallions whose lives were mostly encompassed by farming. As they walked, both stallions observed all the posh ponies milling about in fancy coats and some with those silly wigs, the occasional passerby giving them a look and a huff. Both knew why; they were out of their element here, and everypony knew it.

'For ponies with 'superior breeding', I can't imagine any of them could work a farm.'

Mac grimaced a bit at himself. He rarely ever thought thoughts like that. 'Bad week.' With a sigh, he made sure his eyes remained forward as he and his cousin continued their pace towards the northern gate - and right next to it, the mayoral mansion. 'Mayor Mare's been so quiet lately. Wonder what's goin' on?' Still, that was unimportant at the moment, so Mac kept his attention forward as he and his cousin approached the north gate bridge, crossing it and heading out into the fields.

The two stallions stared forward at the path set before them; a path that lead directly into the mountain, although neither had ever traveled it before. While Ponyville had begun closer to the Everfree Forest, it's expansion had placed it relatively close to the foot of the mountain. Sure, there was still a great economy of space -- an entire field, some trees, and a small lake -- but how long before that was cleared away to expand as well? It was sort of sad, really. 'To think, all this expanded from one lil' farm in such a short time...'

As they walked the path, they passed a guard, who nodded to them and tipped his hat. "Top of the evening to ya" said the white earth pony stallion. "Heading out into the fields?"

"Eeyup" said Big Mac simply.

"We're climbin' the mountain!" Breaburn grinned.

"Ah!" The guard grinned. "Goin' on an adventure? Explorin'? Best of luck to ya then! Just watch out for marauders, they've been stealin' stuff from passersby lately." Macintosh gulped at that, feeling a little nervous. Braeburn gave him a concerned look and put a hoof on his shoulder, the guard raising a brow. "Somethin' wrong?"

"N-nope..." Macintosh shook his head, trying to put his game face on again. "I-I'm fine..."

"Well, just watch for signs," the guard said with a nod, "Cruel as they are, they often leave little hints to their presence, like tipped over carts, abandoned camp fires, that kind of thing. You should be alright long as you avoid that stuff."

'Or ominous fog...' thought Big Mac in his head.

He and Braeburn continued their journey north, their sights set on the mountain before them. The walk was silent a bit before Braeburn gave a sideways glance to Big Mac. "You sure you don't want to go back? It ain't too late, ya know?"

"Nope..." Macintosh said, shaking his head, "We gotta do this."

"Why?"

"Because," said Big Mac with a grimace, "If there's this much fuss over that book, it must be important."

"And what if it ain't?"

"What if it is?"

Breaburn stepped in front of Big Mac, staring him in the eyes. "Cuz, let's consider this for a moment. We found that book because a crazy zebra got a vegetable thrown at her."

"Fruit."

"What?" Braeburn blinked, confused.

"Tomatoes are fruits." Macintosh nodded.

"I don't care," said Braeburn, waving his hooves around, "What I mean is that we have no reason to do this. Can't we go home and write it off as a loss?"

"If we do that, we'll never know." Macintosh stepped past Braeburn, continuing down the path. "She stole somethin' from me, an' even if it's just a load of bologna, I intend to get it back."

"But she also saved you!" Braeburn said, catching up and walking by his cousin's side. "Can't we consider it even?"

"Brae..." Macintosh stopped, turning to face his cousin. "... I was poisoned by a manticore, went on a drug induced trip, fainted on a bridge twice, an' was hurled from the sky like a doll because of that book. For all that work, I'm gettin' it back." He turned his attention back down the path and walked, Braeburn shaking his head and rushing to catch up.

"But you're just adding more trouble to the list! Even if we don't get attacked, do you think that mare'll just hand it over?"

"Maybe," Macintosh said with a shrug, "After all, she did take the time to drag me back to Ponyville for help. If she did that, I can't imagine she's too bad a pony."

"And if we are attacked by marauders?"

"Give 'em anything we have of value," Macintosh nodded, "We don't have much on us we can't replace."

Braeburn stepped in front of his cousin once more, glaring him in the eyes. "And what if they wanna kill us for kicks n' giggles?"

"Run to the best of our ability." Macintosh nodded, though this only seemed to irritate Braeburn further.

"In your condition, you'd be lucky to see my ass before you turned around!"

"Then at least one of us makes it back home." Big Mac smiled and nodded.

"Mac!" Braeburn frowned, clearly unhappy with that response. Macintosh simply rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Brae, we'll be fine."

"I wish I believed ya..." Braeburn looked up the path, seeing it wind into the trees, and faintly seeing what might be it on the actual mountain. "... I really do..."