#anywhere

"Well, kid's due for knighthood. Overdue."

"Oh, congrats to him then" Harry says

"Right?"

"You've done a wonderful job with the boy, Sparrow" Bachdion says

"He did most of it."

"You downplay yourself too much .Yes, he was heroic.. and brave. But he was not always knightly. Speaking as a knight. I know. He has dedicated himself to higher causes thanks to your example. He has seen what it is to have title and to serve. You have taught him chivalry"

"Then I did my job, right?"

"You did it beautifully" Bachdion says

"Any apprentice that lives to Journeyman is cause to celebrate" Harry agrees

"Agreed. He'll probably ask for a boon..."

"I thought knighting was the boon?" Harry says "Then again I don't know all the noble stuff" They're making good time

"Well, he's been sained, and all that. I would encourage him to join a house. Bachdion, he might ask you more about Fiona. I think that's where he's inclined, though Dougal wouldn't be all bad, either."

"You should see the work he's been doing in school - he's half time at the vo-tech."

"Really? taht good a crafter? Interesting" He says

Harry says "hey, crafting is where it is at"

"Fiona's tolerable, Harry" Bachdion says

Harry shrugs

"He might surprise you, Regent," Bachdion tells Sparrow "He sees much good in LIam. I know it"

"He won't join Liam, I don't think."

"Dougal, well - he's already got a mechanical arm."

"Well ,don't take it personal," Harry says "I don't know Liam, but I know it's a hard house to serve. Some Liam have told me how rewarding it is, but not one of them ever said it wasn't hard"

"It's not for everyone. And I think that the calling would hit trolls harder than most."

"They can be fussypants yeah" The sign says Rome 30 Miles where did the time go?

or it could be the nocker seems to have no problem breaking the speedlimit and an odd looking fuzzbuster

"My money is on Fiona."

Bachdion grins "Oh i'm tempted to beat it's Liam just because I like a challenge, but I can't bet against my own lions"

She has not only directions, but a GPS lock

and soon can give directions

"Annnnd... the next right!"

The next right it is... and... the feel of this place is not quite like anything they've seen before

Everyone talks about the Winter.

Everyone knows it's getting stronger.

Yet here, there are signs of a freak spring...

once banal land scape slowly stirring to life

like green breaking through the broken asaphalt of a deserted city

She breathes it in, deeply. "Oh. my."

It has become a true fortress, this lodge, as it was before

She can see her squire's influence. It's built for strength, but with clean lines and symmetry and small ornate touches in the wood as if it were carved there and not just formed there.

As they pull out of the car and approach, she might notice that some of the carvings are of sparrows

She smiles, despite herself.

As they approach, she notices the lines...oh by human standards it's not a lot, but by changeling? 10 in a line? That's.. well, that's a lot, and she's sure a lot of them are locals

"Lines? To get in?"

At least crowding the front

Sparrow gets out of the car, wings sweeping back. Sidhe have a way of making a first impression.

She is not the only sidhe, but she is a stunning redhead with wings! Head's turn and the line... without realizing it, kind of makes way

"Is the door locked?"

"No, just... Guarded"

Indeed, a dog pooka sitting next to a make shift sign that says "Beware of Thane" appears to have a pike "One million at a time, please."

Eyebrow.

The Dog pooka looks up at her, and goes 'wuff. I mean, who are you?"