#anywhere

At Rochester New York, 109 miles from ROME

"You, are light as a feather, not sure I can say the same about the pound of flower in this backpack"

Bachdion says looking about

"God bless Delores."

She fidgets. her wings forced to mantle between backpack and winter coat.

"I think I forgot to dress warmly myself." Bachdion admits, "Do we want to rent a car and keep our business private, or want me to call and old friend for a lift?"

"Depends on the old friend. They going to cause trouble? It sounds liek we already have three factions chomping at the bit there..."

"Nocker, mechanic, not a bad man... seems to consider himself apolitical but I think his view will be as long as they'rea new hold and anyone can get to it who cares who does the paper work"

"Not aiming for the big chair? Okay then."

It takes but 15 minutes to knock on Harry's house door. Harry is decidedly UN hairy.. balder than a peach in fact. "Just like that, drop everything to help an old goat eh?" Ironic that such a prune of a nocker should call Bachdion old

"Well, can't expect an old goat to plan a week in advance, can you?" She softens it with a smile.

"She's riding with us?" Harry says to Bachdion

"Yes." Bachdion smiles, "You dirty old man."

"At last, someone pretty in the car.. " He eyes her wings, "Yup, Gonna want space and head room"

"Sorry about that. They are... well, an affair."

And they get in an old classic car with lots of room for her wings in the back seat (he insists on putting the back packs in the trunk). It's a land barge, but it's comfy and classy and the only way she could have more wing room is if it were a convertable

"Not a problem" He says, "I just feel bad putting you in the back seat .. now I got to look at HIS horned face," Harry jerks a thumb at Bachdion "What brings you?"

"Oh, this is much nicer than my little hatchback..."

"Call of duty. My squire needs me."

"He get lost or injured? Lots of crazy stuff happening lately" Harry drives and pats the car pleased at the compliment, "THanks. She's out of fashion ,but she's got some true detroit steel in her, from when that meant something. I've kept her purring like a kitten for years. Where are we going?"

"Rome New York" Bachdion says

"Well, I didn think it was Rome ITALY, didn't have to say the New york part" Harry like most nockers is happy to find something to fuss about

"He's... well, stuck?"

"Huh shoot, need me to get some grease on our way?" As they drive

She laughs. "Not that kind of stuck, but thank you!"

"Ah, well, in over his head then? I hear you... crazy stuff in Rome right now anyway. What with the new lodge and all"

"Exactly."

"So they're calling it a lodge? Bachdion says

"Yup. Young copper armed man there is insisting on it... and he's got the backing of army from gardens ready to swarm down hellfire and so on if need be... the Count says this is what happens when you don't have Gwydion rule to keep things organized.. the Duke says the people's voices will still be heard... but neither is making a move on it. Me? I mostly just think folks should be happy there's a balefire where there wasn't one. is the escheat upheld? Yes? Can I warm my toes by it? Yes? Then why do I care who has the keys to the place."

"The intent is to make it one...."

"Copper arm?"

"Yeah, something like that" Harry says

"Aparently he broke the old one to fuel things? I don't know.." A shrug

"It was a glass arm, before."

Sparrow closes her eyes, frowning.

"Glass? that's fragile stuff" Harry says, "Unless it was infused. I have seen it done"

"Infused, yes. Bertram is a very skilled nocker."

"Story of the kith... we make quality, and some troll breaks it" Harry shakes sympathetically for the crafter

"There were extenuating circumstances..."

"Fair enough. Now you sidhe, politics neverminding, you guys are some of the best customers. It's not just that many of you have the resources to pay, though that helps, but you know quality. I don't know hwy your kith doesn't take more pride in THAT. Sidhe have an eye for the best stuff."

"As point of fact," Bancroft says "Sparrow here is an artist."

"I paint a little."

"She understates if you ask me, but she didn't so, I should be silent," Bachdion sighs.

"I know, modesty offends you, Bach, but remember" Harry smirks "Not everyone is a Fiona"

A little laugh.

Bachdion sighs put upon, but he smiles too

"I'm fond of the Lions, myself."

"They are annoying likable... and pardon me saying young lady, but you are prettier than any Fiona I've met so far...I will try not to leer too overly, but if I were 20 years younger? Well, I'd be more obnoxious about said leering. So you are beautiful, AND you make beauty? I can think of worse contributions than to bring beauty in the world, and then racing to help a squire" Harry nods "I Had an apprentice get in over her head once. Oh she had to screw up a lot of courage to ask for help. I DID , of course, but I couldn't act too soft about it or she'd think I'd gone into my dottage"

"He's my squire. Though not for long."

Harry says "Story there. Share if you want. Oh, and do you want something to munch on? I got trail mix and beef jerky up here in the glove box"