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// 4) Nulpar Tour : Day 1, Innsbuck 
// Story: Climbing the Mountain 2 
// by Talon and Thorn 
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 Max swung his gaze around the village. It certainly looked better than it had when he’d last been here. Half a year ago, on the longest night of the year – which had turned into the longest day due to the return of Corona – Innsbuck had been hit by an avalanche. Max had led a group of rescuers to help, but they had arrived too late to save over a dozen of the inhabitants. Most of the buildings had been buried or crushed under the weight of the snow and the following rockslide. Still, he supposed it could have been worse; most of the community had survived, and they had apparently made good on the rebuilding, although there were still a few half-finished buildings here and there.
 
He had set out from Sadlzburg this morning, and following his mother's request, he had travelled along with a wagon full of timber pulled by Wooden Block and his son Chip, both carpenters by trade. They had first made quick progress to the nearby settlement of Saddleback. The road between Sadlzburg and Saddleback meant that there was almost constant travel between the two, so the populace mostly knew him and his new position; in fact, some of them had been at the wedding celebration where he’d announced his tour of Nulpar. Still, he had spent a few hours in the town square explaining himself and some of his plans as well as taking questions from the ponies there. He’d formally invited the mayor, Minty Fresh, to the autumn festival in a few months, and had shared a rather fine lunch with her before setting off on his way.
 
The journey to Innsbuck had, without a paved road, taken much longer, and it was late afternoon before the party had arrived. Block and Chip had quickly hurried off to start the last phase of the village’s reconstruction, leaving Max to talk with the village’s leader, Tomato Chutney.
 
“Looks like the rebuilding’s going well,” said Max, surveying the village.
 
“It’s not been easy,” said Chutney, a red coated earth pony stallion. “Or cheap. And life’s hard enough out here as it is. Any chance you could get the Court to cough up any help?”
 
Max hesitated. He’d looked into the issue; there were some emergency funds, but most of them were meant to be used immediately after a disaster. By the time he’d gotten to Canterlot, it was too late to apply for them. Others required the province itself to provide equal aid, and he simply didn’t have the funds – another reason he might need to levy taxes, which wouldn’t make him popular. “I’ll look into it, but probably not.”
 
Chutney snorted for a moment, then nodded. “I guess we’ll have to do what we can for ourselves.” He glanced around to see if anypony else was watching. “I think I’ve found out what caused the avalanche.” Max pricked up his ears. He’d assumed it was something to do with Corona’s return. “I don’t know for certain but it sounds like one of the weather pegasi, Dive Bomber, wanted to make the party early. It looks like he dumped his cloud’s load of snow in one place just outside town rather than spreading it out like he should have. Wouldn’t have taken much to set it off.”
 
“Does he know what he did?” asked Max. A trial could be tricky.
 
“Nope. He was in one of the buildings crushed by the snow. We don’t need to worry about what to do with him. I’ve been keeping it quiet – his family still lives here.”
 
Max nodded. That seemed for the best. Still, he supposed he should give some sort of safety briefing to the other weather ponies; most of them were volunteers, hardly professionals. “How are the villagers coping with the losses?”
 
“Everypony lost somepony they knew, but they’re bouncing back well. Everypony is in the same boat.”
 
“How’s Tender Heart?” asked Max, referring to the unicorn who had saved several foals by raising a shield to stop the snow. She had overtaxed herself and ended up in a coma. Her son, Brave Heart, had appealed to the Princess herself for aid, but there were limits to even her power. She had, however, promised medical assistance.
 
“Well, there wasn’t much even those fancy Canterlot doctors could do for her, but she’s been stirring a little. Seems to be getting better, but we’ll have to wait. Do you want to see her?”
 
Max nodded, and they headed off towards one of the new buildings. “I’m sure you’ve heard, but I want to invite you to a meeting of all the heads of Nulpar in Sadlzburg during the Autumn festival.”
 
“I’ll be there,” said Chutney. “It’ll be good to meet the others. I don’t get away much.”
 
“We need to sort out what Nulpar should be doing now I’m at court.” They knocked on the door of the mid-sized house and nodded to the large stallion who answered.
 
“How is she today, Sure?” asked Chutney.
 
“Not bad. She’s been dreaming. The boy’s in there with her,” grunted the stallion. “Go on through if you want.”
 
The room containing Tender was small but brightly lit by the setting sun, and several vases of purple flowers were placed around the room, filling it with a mouth-watering scent. The mare herself was laid out in a bed in the centre of the room; she looked a little thinner and paler than the last time Max had seen her, but all things considered she seemed well. Brave Heart was sitting next to her, reading a little hesitantly from a book. As they entered, he put it down and turned to them. He had a medal on a ribbon around his neck.
 
“Baron Max!” he cried. “Have you come to help Mama?”
 
Max winced. “Sorry lad, but I’m just here to check up on her.” The sleeping mare’s eyes were flickering beneath her lids. Max chose to assume that was a good sign.
 
“Oh,” said Brave looking crestfallen. “She likes me to read to her and Nurse Stitching says it’s good for her.”
 
“I’m sure it is. What are you reading?”
 
“Um, Advanced Magical Techniques for Foals.” Strong held up the book. “It’s got a lot of long words in it, but I can understand most of it. I told Uncle Sure what the Princess said about going to her school and he thinks it’s a good idea, but I want to wait for Momma to wake up so I can tell her.”
 
“I’m sure you won’t have to wait long,” said Max in what he hoped was a confident tone. The foal nodded. “Now, I won’t disturb you anymore, so you can get back to your book.”
 
Max gently shut the door behind him as he and Chutney exited Tender’s room. “I really do hope she gets better,” muttered Max.
 
“Me too,” replied Chutney. “She was a good nurse. Marvellous Stitching’s not bad, but she has a bit too much Canterlot in her – not really at home out here. Of course, she’s only supposed to be here for Tender, but give her her due – she’s helping out where she can. Sure seems quite taken with her.”
 
“Well, I better get out and talk to some of the villagers while there’s still light. Is there anywhere to spend the night? I’ve got a tent if needs be.” He prodded the heavy duty saddlebags on his flanks and back.
 
“You’ll spend the night at my place and I won’t hear anything more about it. The wife’s making her pinecone casserole, it’s to die for. Well, it’ll make you want to die anyway.” The larger stallion gave a wink.