//------------------------------//
// 17) Nulpar Tour : Days 46-62, Pinegraves 
// Story: Climbing the Mountain 2 
// by Talon and Thorn 
//------------------------------//

Dear Fragrant
 
    Wow! A real live dragon! Despite the rumours I never thought I’d actually get to meet a dragon. She was so big, and scary and, well, vain. I guess Nulpar really does contain all sorts! We talked for quite a bit before she let me go, well I did a lot of the talking, she was mostly checking on all her books, but she seemed quite interested in the changes while she’s been asleep, trains, records, telegraph, photographs. She seemed quite taken with the idea of film, with ponies everywhere getting to see a recorded image although she seemed a bit let down that they’re only black and white.
 
The pile of gems she slept on was huge, I could do a lot of good for Nulpar with just a fraction of that. Although I’m not sure if I’ll be asking her to pay any taxes any time soon. Still I’d guess that a bunch of universities would like to send teams to look at those books though, a sort of academic tourist trade? Maybe I could charge for access? Do any of Cloudsdale’s universities want to study a dragon and her library? She seemed keen as long as they pay her ‘tribute’ which given she seemed quite happy with a single novel might not cost very much, still I’m not sure how many she would consider a ‘few’ visitors, best to keep it to a minimum.
 
Anyway, I’m more of less out of the barren area around Old Smokey, we might have to rename it now, Vorel’s peak? Vorel’s Library? The Golden Library? I suppose now that her ‘sleep breath’ has stopped things will start to grow again, it might even be possible to get farming here, but that’s something to think on much later.
 
Looking towards the future.
 
Max.
 



 
Dear Fragrant
 
It’s been over a week since I last wrote to you and the landscape is changing as I travel. I’ve been making my way south and the peaks of the mountains are starting to fall away, all that’s left are foothills now, I miss them a bit, all those challenges to overcome, still it does mean that there are more settlements around now, which means I’ve got a better chance of getting to sleep in a real bed rather than my increasingly threadbare tent. I think I’ll probably need to get another soon.
 
The climate’s starting to change as well, summer is coming to an end and autumn’s starting to draw in. I’ve seen a few weather pegasi about rounding up spare clouds to start on the damper weather due soon. The princess is starting to lower the sun earlier and it’s getting colder as the nights get longer, I’m glad to get home before we get the first snows.
 
Still I’ve got a few other towns to stop at first, Herdstone is up next, I should be there in about a day or two if things go to plan.
 
Here’s hoping
 
Max
 



 
Dear Fragrant
 
        I made it to Herdstone yesterday. It’s Nulpar’s third largest town, its set in one of the few flattish areas among the undulating hills around these parts. The farmers who live here graze herds of sheep in the surrounding areas which results in a rich harvest of wool. In just a few week’s time they’ll transport it all down to Sadlzburg and then on to the markets of Praris and beyond.
 
In a way getting this far is like coming home, I’ve been here lots of times before, I know it’s  mayoress Mooriel quite well, she’s a middle aged cow, in a way she reminds me of Mrs G a bit. I made sure to tell her about the dragon up at Old Smokey, she took it quite well I think, she was a bit panicked but seemed happy with my library plan, anyone coming from the rest of Equestria will probably have to stop here on the way to the dragon's hoard so it’s a plus for her.  After that we spent most of a day in the town discussing future plans. When I was just the mayor of Sadlzburg I had planned to try and build the next stretch of road up to here, it would have made it much easier transport of the wool it produces, but now I’m baron I’m not so sure anymore. Do other areas need the resources more?
 
While I was having dinner with her last night Mooriel asked if she could come with me on the next leg of my trip. She’s planning to visit Sadlzburg for the autumn fair and hoped that leaving a little early would give her a chance to visit one of her nephews who lived in Pinegraves. That's my next stop so I agreed, it’ll be nice to have a little company on the journey.
 
If things go to plan I should be back in Sadlzburg in as little as three days, just in time for the start of the festival.
 
Max
 



 
Dear Fragrant
 
    I’m writing this on the path to Pinegraves to give me a chance to clear my head. I like Mooriel, I really do, but it turns out I like her better in small doses. The thing is she talks and talks and talks. She just doesn’t stop, ever!
 
I think I’ve heard the entire life history of every one of her, very, extended family, from her son Bullie, to her second cousin twice removed, Moory. I think the only time she was quiet was when we started to enter the woodlands. They cover a good patch of south eastern Nulpar all the way down to Sadlzburg. I have to admit they do look a bit unnerving from the outside, dark and sort of spooky but I know from past experience that there aren't many truly dangerous animals in the area.
 
The going through the forest would have been hard if it wasn’t for the wide paths that had been carved by year’s worth of caravans traveling between Herdstone and Sadlzburg. It’s why I thought it would be easy to extend the road network up here, the caravans have already done some of the hard work.
 
We’ve been travelling for much of the day now and we should be coming up on Pinegraves soon. It’s the last of Nulpar’s towns on my tour and it’s both the newest and smallest. It’s got quite an interesting history, it was founded by a dissident group of lumberjacks from Nulpar when I was young. There was some argument about which areas of the forest could be cleared. The lumberjacks split into two groups, one, led by Caoimhe’s family, had remained in Sadlzburg while the other, led by a stallion called Chipboard had headed off into the forest to start their own settlement. It’s grown quite a bit over the years and Chipboard’s wife Silver Fir is in charge now, still calling it a town is rather generous, it’s more of a large village, but its inhabitants are proud of their home and I don’t want to anger them by claiming otherwise.
 
Ah, it sounds like Moorial wants to set off again, now she wants to tell me about her latest grandcalf.
 
Wish me luck.
 
Max
 



 
The town itself almost seemed to sneak up on the two travellers. One moment they were walking a well-used path cut through thick forest; the next, the trees had been cleared to make way for farmland, and there, not far away, was a mid-sized collection of wooden buildings. Max was recognised as soon as he entered the town itself, and one or two of the inhabitants nodded their greetings as he passed.
 
“I think our paths separate here,” said Mooriel as they made their way down the town's main street. “Moory lives down here.” She gestured to a side street.
 
“Nice spending time with you,” said Max politely. It had been nice to have some company, although a little silence would have helped. “I should be setting off to Sadlzburg tomorrow, maybe the day after. Will you be joining me then?”
 
Mooriel thought for a moment. “Maybe,” she said. “But I’ll probably stay a bit longer. I haven’t seem Moory for a while, we’ve got lots to catch up on. I’ll probably follow on in a few days. I should still be there in time for the festival itself.”
 
Max nodded. “All right then. I might see you later, if not then at the festival. I’ll mention to Silver Fir that you’re in town in case she wants to talk about something.”
 
Mooriel nodded. “I’ll see you about, baron.”
 



 
“‘Noon, Max,” said Chipboard, giving a casual nod. He was a tall earth pony in his early sixties; his coat was a rather dull brown, and his mane, originally dark red, now looked pinker due to the number of grey hairs present. He had been well-muscled as a youth, honed by years of chopping down trees, but since his retirement he had quickly gone to seed. He had been responsible for the founding of the town, but over the years had passed most of the responsibility of running it over to his wife. ”I mean baron,” he corrected and tried to change the motion into a bow, almost overbalancing. The large earth pony was standing in the door to the town hall, which Max thought was a rather overly grand building, given the size of the town.
 
Max tried to hold in a sigh. He wished less ponies would take his new title so seriously. It wasn’t like he was any different to how he’d been last year. “Max is fine, Chip,” he said. “How are things? I hoped I could have a chat with your wife about the town, maybe have a look around and chat with some of your people.”
 
“Of course, she heard about your tour thing, been expecting you. All she’d talk about for the last few weeks.” He lowered his voice. “She’s got this idea that you’ll...”
 
As if on cue, there was a cry from further inside the town hall. “Who is it, Chip?”
 
“It’s the baron, dear,” called back Chipboard with an awkward smile.
 
“Baron!” cried Mayoress Silver Fir as she rushed up to the door. She quickly came to a stop and tried to compose herself. Silver was a rather attractive earth pony mare a decade or so older than Max. Her coat matched her name, whereas her mane was made up of alternating light and dark green stripes. Her family had built themselves up over the years from subsistence farmers to become the most powerful money lenders in the area, running a credit union which stretched over much of the south west of Nulpar; it had actually funded some of Max’s development plans. It had come as something of a surprise when she threw her support behind Chipboard’s idea of founding a new settlement.  “So good of you to grace us with your presence.” She gave a little curtsy.
 
“You really don’t need to...” began Max again.
 
“No, no, we should. You’re a baron, Max, a member of the Princess’s Court, a noble. You deserve our respect.”
 
“I suppose...” began Max, giving a grimace. “But really I’m just, well, me. I work for you and all of Nulpar.”
 
“The princess chose you personally, Max. She must have seen something special about you. After all, she’s the princess,” insisted Silver.
 
Max shuffled uncomfortably for a moment. “Anyway,” he said, changing the topic, “I should talk to you about how Pinegraves is doing. What I can do to help you more?”
 
“Of course, I heard of your tour. I had hoped that you’d visit us earlier,” she said a little disapprovingly.
 
“Well, you know, better late than never,” said Max with a shrug. “I know Pinegraves quite well as it is, but there are other settlements I’ve never seen before...”
 
“That does not make us any less important,” said Silver icily.
 
“Of course not,” said Max quickly.
 
“Good,” replied Silver more cheerfully. “Now, why don’t we go to talk to some of my people, then you must eat with us tonight. I’ll have our chef make something special.”
 
“Chef?” asked Max in surprise.
 
“Well sort of,” said Chipboard. “Old Mrs Sawblade cooks for us a few days a week. Does some cleaning about the place as well.”
 
Silver glared at her husband, who turned away, looking awkward. “Of course we have a chef, baron. I’m sure you have gotten used to such things while you were in Canterlot. I like to think things aren't that different here, for the right ponies.”
 
Max frowned a little. He didn’t actually have any servants back in Canterlot, per say; Mrs G occasionally did a bit of cleaning or cooking around his place when he was too busy. He should probably thank her for that. Maybe cook her something?
 
“Anyway, shall we be off?” said Silver, gesturing towards the door.
 



 
The tour didn’t take very long. There wasn’t that much to Pinegraves, really. Max chatted with a few groups of lumberjacks who seemed content enough with their lot, followed by a visit to one of the areas where new trees were being grown, then a quick trip to the wagon park where most of the cut trees had been packed, ready for transport. Finally, he was shown around the dozen or so businesses that made up the town proper. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen on previous trips. Still, Silver seemed very keen to point out the growth of her town and the opportunities for future investment. Max nodded along and added her ideas to the pile of notes he had from the other settlements. He was going to have great difficulty deciding what to do next. Still, at least Pinegraves had a road connecting it to other nearby settlements. It allowed its lumber to be easily transported to Sadlzburg.
 
After the tour was completed, Silver quickly arranged for him to get a room with one of the local families, and left him alone to settle in after making sure he knew that he was invited to dinner tonight.
 



 
“Drink, baron?” asked Chipboard, holding up a bottle of dark ale.
 
Max considered for a moment. He normally found the home-made drink rather too bitter for his taste, but it would be rude to refuse his host. “Just the one,” he said. He had arrived at the town hall on time, and felt a little underdressed as both of his hosts were wearing their finest, whereas he was naked. Silver Fir had told him that it didn’t matter, and after making sure he was comfortable had slunk away to supervise the cooking.
 
“When Silver says supervise, she means she’s going to do most of the cooking herself,” advised Chip. “Old Mrs Sawblade makes a good leek and potato pie, but she doesn’t have a clue when it comes to fancy stuff.”
 
“I’m more of a leek and potato stallion anyway,” said Max, shrugging.
 
“Me too, really,” admitted Chip. “But Silver says we should be ‘posher’, like this place is for the posh.” He gestured around at the town. “She’s always been a bit ambitious, wanting to better herself. I try to support her best I can, but I’m a down to earth earth pony.” Max nodded. “Just as well. You becoming baron was a surprise, or she’d have fought you for it,” continued Chip with a grin. Max frowned. He’d found out that Iron had been on the short list. Had Silver’s name been on it to?
 
“Dinner’s almost ready,” said Silver, sticking her head around the door. “If you could just make your way to the dining room.” She nodded towards the long table, which filled up half of the room Max was already standing it. He frowned again. Weren't they already in the dining room?
 
Chipboard picked up on Max’s confusion. “This half of the room is the sitting room, that’s the dining room. Doesn’t make much sense to me either,” he whispered. “Thanks, dear,” he said more loudly.
 
Max took his place at the table with Chip next to him. “I did ask Mooriel to come as well, but she already had plans,” said Silver. “So it’ll only be the four of us. An intimate gathering.”
 
“Four?” asked Max, looking around. To his surprise, a younger earth pony mare entered the room. Her mane was a blazing red and done in a braid which wrapped around her shoulder. Her coat was a familiar silver, like her mother’s. She was wearing an intricate dress similar to something he thought he’d seen Fragrant wear once; the bodice was tied tightly with silk ribbons while the dress itself was cut around her legs and flanks, flaring out far behind her. She picked at the outfit somewhat uncomfortably, before her eyes locked with Max’s. Then she scowled, quickly dropping her gaze.
 
“Noble?” asked Max. He hadn’t seen Chip and Silver’s daughter for years; she spent most of her time at some boarding school in Ambelon, if he remembered correctly. She certainly looked old enough to have finished school now, though.
 
“That’s my girl,” said Chip proudly.
 
“Hello, baron,” said Noble somewhat woodenly as she moved towards the table and started to sit down in front of her father.
 
“Not there, dear,” cried Silver, as she entered with an ancient pegasus mare who had four bowls of soup precariously balanced on her back. “Opposite the baron, like we discussed. Don’t you look pretty in your new dress?”
 
“I suppose so,” mumbled Noble, taking her place and drawing her legs tightly under herself.
 
“Don’t you think she looks pretty, baron?” asked Silver, taking her own place opposite Chip as the soup was served.
 
“Um, yes, very pretty,” said Max, looking around the table. Silver was staring at him intently, Chip had started on his soup, and Noble was pointedly looking away from him. Something was going on here. To take up some time, he bent down and lapped at his soup. It was, to his surprise, cold. Glancing around again, he noted that nopony else seemed to be complaining, so it was probably supposed to be served that way. It tasted of tomatoes and garlic – not all that bad, really. “This is good,” he commented.
 
“Thank you, baron. I expect you’re used to Gazpacho from your time in Canterlot?” said Silver. “We do our best, but it’s hard to get the best out here, as you know.”
 
“Well, the food in Canterlot’s nice, but really I prefer Nulpar cuisine. There’s just something about a good, simple, filling meal.”
 
“Oh, I’m sorry, we can...” began Silver looking almost panicked.
 
“I... I didn’t mean I don’t like this, I’m sure whatever’s been prepared will be wonderful,” said Max. Why couldn’t he just keep his mouth shut. He quickly lapped up the last of his soup. “So, are you back from school for long, Noble?” asked Max, hoping to change the topic to something less troublesome.
 
“I’ve finished college now,” said the young mare, perking up a little.
 
“She graduated fifth in her class,” said Chip. “Very talented.” The young mare glowed at the praise, giving a genuine smile for the first time.
 
“Wow, that’s impressive. What was it you were studying again?” asked Max.
 
“Law and Business management,” said Noble. “It was very interesting. The class as a whole had to set up and run a business for our last project. I had the idea of selling wooden dolls for foals. It took a lot of effort,” she scowled a bit, “but eventually the rest of the class agreed with me. We had a few problems, but they sold well. We donated the proceeds to charity.”
 
“What are you planning to do next?”
 
Noble shrugged as her mother started to clear the table. “I did wonder about becoming a lawyer, or going into politics, or maybe business. I’ve got a few ideas.” She glared at her mother for a moment. “But life doesn’t always end up where you want it to,” she muttered with a scowl.
 
“I’m sure you can do whatever you want to, dear,” said Silver sweetly. “But it’s good to see all the opportunities available before you decide on one.” She started to dish out the main course. Max recognised it as a vegetable curry. He smiled. It was one of Fragrant’s favourites, he didn’t used to be keen on it, but he’d begun to get the taste over the last few months. Chip didn’t seem so keen himself; he was looking down at his plate morosely. The meal made Max wonder what Fragrant was doing now. It would be a few weeks until he next saw her; she was probably at Cloudsdale carrying out her duties there, or maybe she had already returned to Canterlot.
 
“Don’t you think so, baron?” said Silver, dragging Max’s attention back to the meal.
 
“Sorry?” he asked, looking up.
 
“I said that Noble might even want to think about settling down, maybe see about some foals?” Her eyes flickered back and forth between her daughter and her guest.
 
“Mother!” gasped Noble, turning a bright red. “I’m only twenty-one! I have years before I have to think about a family. Besides, there’s nopony I’m interested in.”
 
“It’s never too young to start thinking about starting a family deal. I wasn’t too much older than you when I met your father. You never know when you’ll find the right pony for you. Isn’t that right, baron?”
 
“Oh, um, yes, I suppose so,” mumbled Max. Could Silver know about him and Fragrant? Was Zephyr, Piste or his mother gossiping?
 
“It’s very important to have heirs when you’re nobility, isn’t it, baron? To have a child to pass the role on to.”
 
“Well, yes, I suppose so,” said Max. It wasn’t really a matter he’d given much thought to. He wasn’t even sure who would take over if something happened to him. Mrs G? His mother? Piste? The thought of having a foal, well, he hadn’t really considered it in the past, but now he had Fragrant. Was it something they should talk about? Would that be too hasty? They had only been together for a few months, and hadn’t done anything which could... well, result in foals, hadn’t talked of marriage or even engagement. Still, it did seem right in some way. The thought of a child, part him, part Fragrant; somepony he could raise to love Nulpar like he did, to look after the province after he was gone. He hoped Fragrant felt the same way. She hadn’t mentioned anything about it, but she did seem close to her nieces, from what he’d seen.
 
“Baron?” said Silver.
 
“Sorry, what?” asked Max, shaken from his thoughts again. He should be paying more attention to his hosts.
 
“I asked if you were seeing anypony at the moment,” said Silver a little bluntly.
 
“Oh,” Max blinked. What was he going to say? Fragrant would want him to lie, but he didn’t want to; he wasn’t ashamed of their relationship. “There is a mare I’m interested in, in Canterlot, but things haven't gotten very far.”
 
“Oh,” said Silver, looking rather disappointed. “Might it not be better to seek a mate in Nulpar? Someone who understands our issues? Somepony young, vibrant, and smart to help you run the province? To be your baroness?”
 
Max scowled. Fragrant understood Nulpar’s needs, and she might not be that young but she was certainly vibrant and smart. He didn’t need anypony else. “I think we should talk about something else,” he said coldly. “I am here to investigate the province.”
 
“Of course, baron,” said Silver, turning pale even through her coat.
 
“Sorry,” said Max placatingly. “But maybe we should talk business? I’m only here for one night.”
 
“May... maybe we could discuss the possibility of setting up a saw mill here in Pinegraves. It is rather inconvenient to have to use the one in Sadlzburg.”
 
Max tried to hide a grimace. This was a long-running dispute between the two settlements. Since the smaller town had been set up, it had been forced to use the larger’s facilities, for which they were charged an appropriate fee – or so the sawmill’s owners said. The lumberjacks of Pinegraves considered it little more than daylight robbery. “I’m not sure that’s something I can do much about. It’s private property. I can’t use public funds to make a sawmill for you.”
 
“Actually,” interrupted Noble, finishing her meal, “as baron, you can secure grants for private individuals within your province if you believe the benefit is for the province as a whole. You could even nationalise the Sadlzburg saw mill if necessary, although that would likely result in a challenge against you by the current owners, and it would probably go to the whole court eventually. There’s even precedent for a semi-nationalisation agreement like that between the weather ministry and Posey Weather.”
 
Max blinked. That sounded very... complicated.
 
“Told you she did well at school,” said Chip, elbowing Max. As they talked, the final course was served up; some sort of chocolate sponge covered in custard.
 
“That’s... very interesting,” said Max. “I’ll have to talk to some of my friends... um, advisors about that.”
 
“Actually,” said Silver, her eyes widening as if she’s just had an idea. “That might be a part of the problem.”
 
“Problem?” asked Max.
 
“Well, your tour is supposed to help you get the views of all of the ponies in your province, right?”
 
“Yes...”
 
“But your advisors are all from Sadlzburg, are they not?”
 
“Well, I suppose so, but I am hoping to...”
 
“And quite a few are, well goats," Max frowned what did that have to do with anything? "So maybe you should take on some more help,” interrupted Silver, her smile widening. “Why, Noble would be perfect to help you with the province government, far better educated than anypony else you might find locally.”
 
“Um, I hadn’t really... I suppose that makes sense.”
 
“Mother!” hissed Noble. “Were you going to ask me about this before... selling me to the baron?” Her eyes flashed.
 
“Now, dear, you did say you thought about going into politics, and what better opportunity would there be than this?”
 
“Well I suppose, but you could have...”
 
“Why, in a few years you could almost be running the province,” suggested Silver, causing Max to look around a little nervously. “On your behalf, of course,” she hastily corrected. Still, Max couldn’t entirely argue. Noble was young, but she seemed to know her stuff, and it did make sense to have staff from all over the province rather than just focusing on Sadlzburg. “Why don’t you go with the baron to Sadlzburg when he sets off tomorrow?” suggested Silver. “I’ll be along in a few days for the festival anyway. You can see what you think. If you don’t like it, well, you can come home with me.”
 
“Well,” said Max. He thought he should maybe get a bit of a say in this issue. “That sounds like a good idea,” he said cautiously. “If you’re interested, Noble?”
 
The younger mare looked back and forth between Max and her mother. “I suppose so,” she eventually ventured.
 
“Good. That’s settled, then,” said Silver with a wide smile.
 



 
By the next day, Max was starting to have second thoughts about the whole thing. He did think he would need more help to run Nulpar – he had some ideas that would require a lot more pony power – and recruiting from some of the other settlements made sense as well, but shouldn’t he have a bit more control over the process? Noble Fir seemed to have the knowledge he needed, she probably knew more about organisation than he did, but she wasn’t much more than a filly, and she didn’t seem all that keen on the idea.
 
He sighed as he packed the last of his gear and prepared to set off. He supposed he could at least take her with him. If things didn’t go well, then she could return home with her mother in a few days after the festival. He could get to know her better on the trip to Sadlzberg. If they made good time, they might even get there by tonight, although more likely it would be tomorrow.
 
He headed down the stairs into the sitting room, where Chipboard and Silver were fussing over Noble. The mare had a large pair of saddlebags strapped on to her and seemed ready to leave.
 
“You’re still ok with coming with me?” asked Max. “You haven't changed your mind?”
 
“No,” said Noble positively. “I’ve thought about it, and this is good for me. Getting in at the start of a new government is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
 
Chipboard sidled up to Max as his wife made sure Noble had packed everything she’d need. “Look after her, will you?” he asked nervously. “She’s a big girl, but I don’t want anything happening to her. Anything,” he emphasised.
 
“Don’t worry, I’ll look after her like she was my own,” said Max. The older stallion seemed somewhat relieved.
 
“Good,” he said with a nod.
 
“Now, I hope the two of you have a good time alone on the way,” said Silver, giving her daughter a hug. “I’ll see you in a few days, dear.”
 
“See you, mum,” said Noble returning the hug before repeating it with her father. “And nothing is going to happen, mum.”
 
“We’ll see,” said Silver as she waved the two of them off.
 
The two of them walked in silence for a while, following the road that Max himself had helped lay a few years ago.
 
“I’m sorry about how I acted last night,” said Noble eventually. “This really is a great opportunity for me. Not many ponies get to be involved in the formation of a new province government. It’s just mum spending all night trying to fix us up.” She lowered her head. “It was just so very embarrassing.”
 
“Oh!” exclaimed Max. “That was what that was all about!” Noble looked at him incredulously. “I really didn’t notice. She was acting a bit strange but I just thought...”
 
“Really! You didn’t notice! She couldn’t have been more obvious if she’d served me up with dinner wearing socks and slathered in butter!”
 
“Well, I did say there was somepony I was seeing,” mumbled Max.
 
“Mum can be so embarrassing sometimes,” continued Noble, not paying much attention. “She’s such a social climber, always trying to ape ‘nobility’.” She made signs with her hooves. “But she’s never even left Nulpar! Let alone actually met a noble! Well, apart from, well, you know, you. And I’m not sure if you count.”
 
Max felt a little hurt by that remark, but tried to put it aside. “You might have a point, but I suppose it’s good to have a goal in life.”
 
“Well mine certainly isn’t to become the trophy wife of some stallion old enough to be my father.” She stamped a hoof. Max frowned a bit; he wasn’t quite that old. Noble noticed. “It’s not just that you’re old,” she explained. “Even if you were younger, you’re not really my type.”
 
“You prefer mares?” he guessed.
 
“Not so much. I don’t know, ponies just don’t seem to do it for me, you know,” she mumbled. “Maybe something a bit more exotic.”
 
Max frowned then shrugged. “Um, ok.”
 
“Sorry, it’s just things haven’t worked out how I thought they would in my life. Mum and Dad sacrificed quite a bit to get me into the Ambelon academy, you know. They thought it was such a big thing, but, well, it’s second tier at best and none of the other students really wanted anything to do with the filly from the village nopony’s heard of and with the social climbing name. It’s the curse of my life, like calling your daughter Princess. Who does that?” she asked the air around her. “I’ve not exactly come out of school with the best network of contacts, and you know it’s not what you know, it’s who. Not that I don’t know a lot,” she looked up at Max, “I just didn’t think it would be this way. It was supposed to be a lot easier.”
 
She suddenly seemed so young to Max, so unsure and nervous. He really wanted to give her a hug, but given what she’d said about him, that might not give the best impression. “I felt, I still feel, the same way about court, you know. It all seems so new and strange to me, not how I thought it would be, but you just need to have some good friends to show you the way. You’ll get by.” He gave her a wink.
 
Noble seemed a little buoyed by her outburst, and the two of them walked together in a companionable silence for a while. “Maybe we should start talking about work, baron?” she suggested eventually.
 
“Call me Max, almost everypony does.”
 
“Thank you, Max. You can call me Bell. Only my parents call me Noble.”
 
“Ok, Bell. What do you want to know?” asked Max.
 
“What plans do you have in mind for Nulpar? How can I help you, bar... Max?”
 
“I’ve got big plans for the province. I can start to put them into practice when I get back to Sadlzburg. You see, first I plan to...”