#anywhere

"We have to STAY like this?" Bral gasps

Vali whispers to his Chief "Have I ever mentioned how PROUD I am to serve you, somedays?"

Brekke's shoulders shift a bit in what might be a subdued chuckle at Vali's whisper.

The Baron ...laughs "Take your lumps, boys. You embarrassed the girls, well, then this would be justice wouldn't it? Until the Chieftain says otherwise, you stay 'in the pink'"

They mutter yeses and agreements

A serious bow. "My thanks, Baron Angus. Young men, I will see you at the game on Saturday. And then at Rivervale Lodge on Sunday. You do not need to remain...pink...on Sunday."

The Baron nods "Looks done, then. Baroness, I think wilder lads will be lads, but it is clear they aren't willing to show the spine to own up proper, and that does not sit well with me. No it does not. Frankly, after the thrashing your wilders gave folks at Pennons I would have thought they'd have more sense than to try, but cowardice on top of things at this stage? I am embarrassed. I assure you, we have many fine wilders of good character here at my anchorage. I hope thse lads might join them one day, but for now, please do not consider them typical of Hackensack"

"As you say, Baron." A bow. "My thanks for hearing my petition. Please be welcome to visit Rivervale that we might offer you hospitality." She turns to go.

"Oh, I may take you up on that. I hear this Kestrel of yours is a quaint little ship. Sometimes it's nice to see the more primitive throwbacks. Certain elegance to them" The shipdesigner nods

She stops and stiffens. "Of course. I should have thought to invite you to see her. She may be...primitive....but that is how I like her. She has served me very, very well." From the Chieftain, this is a rave.

"Fine fine" He nods "We'll met sometime over that then. More pleasant thing to disuss, ships , be they cutting edge or pastoral"

"I welcome the discussion, Baron."

He smiles "Like an escort or...?" /"That honor is mine, Baron" Sir Vali says "Begging your pardon."//"Fine fine" And turns back to his own hold's business// Vali moves out with the Chief and asks onc they're out of ear shot "Can a ship BE pastoral?"

"Hm." A slight grin. "That would make it a sheep ship, I believe."

"Better not tell Siv on that one" wry then a chuckkle "I hate to say it, I suspect someone else took it upon themselves to avenge Rivervale pride"

"Is that your keen investigative sense, Vali? I believe that much is certain. I wonder if it was one of the girls?"

"I almost considered their punishment complete with that, but not quite."

A grin "Okay, okay, Sherlock I ain't on this one" A smile, "was all I could do not to bust out laughing. And if it is one of the girls, is a commendation or a rebuke in the making? "

"This time, I will consider it a debt collected and call it even...between them. The boys still must repay the barony for the intrusion and offense."

"Beautiful touch makin sure the girls will get at least one chance to see them in that rosy hue" A thought "mmm Yeah, I think I'll invite Zane to the game"

"Honestly, Vali...how could I resist?" She may look slightly contrite...no, no actually, she does not.

"Like I said, I'm very proud" A chuckle

They move through the trods... and that very night, well, Kerri has been talking to a distressed Anne Marie. Reason for the distress? Both Symon AND Dirk skipped school! Coincidentally, on the same day someone got pink

------------------