#anywhere

Bird flutters about ,how hard can it be to find a scotish giant?

Apparently, quite.

She was told by a reliable seer he would be here, and she can see why. Ha Ha Tonka State park is... lovely

And lonely in the winter. Lonely enough to risk a flight!

And that makes all the difference..

And the views...

And there, wandering among the steps, is Hewit

He has surveying equipment, as only a Dougal can

She swoops down, back-winging to create a cushion for landing.

The troll jerk jumps as he's swoooped on, then cluthes at his chest, "Lady, would ye rob a troll of his dignity swooping and making him jump like a childling?" But he grins

"Hewitt." She grins. "Just the bairn I've been looking for."

"Oh? What do I owe the pleasure. I could take a break from the mystery here"

"Mystery? Oh, be glad I'm not an Eiluned, sir!"

"I had checked this location afore, early days... last year... it wasn't suitable, yet now.. now it seems ready to take flame I THINK. It's like energy flowed through that I never expected."

"Well, that's the dragon."

"So the rumors are true? Skallstryke is dead? " A deep breath "THank a merciful dreaming that abomination is undone."

"Brekke and others, yes. And from that, old fires relit."

"So this might be salvagable?" He looks about, "Be a pain to install a smithy, but its a great place o natural wonders and human dreamers fueling it." A nose wrinkle "Naught perfect, but where can I find more suited?"

She laughs.

"How about a fire seeking a Chieftain?"

"You're joshing me, lass" But intrigued

"It's a difficult political situation. And I think you might be the solution. Would you be willing to come with me and see the place?"

"Well, of course, Chieftain not baron? Damn. Take a mind switch. Sure I won't come across as some rampaging highlander preying on York?"

"Well - there is a Dougal Count and a Gwydion Duke to contend with who would rather see a proper noble... but the Shacklebreaker insists on a lodge, and there is a rather mysterious monster that must be guarded... and then there's the Nunnehi..."

"I see this is no cake walk ye have me circling to." He pops his knuckles, "Well, no Dougal is afraid of work. Let's see how it goes"

"My former squire, Colton, is guarding the fire as a Regent until a suitable holder can be found."

"Oh lordy, how long has it been? When I first met him, yer squire was a wee bairn of a wilder heself"

"Still a wilder, but a Knight now."

"He made a great sacrifice to keep the fire from being lost..."

"Then honor to him. Aye, take me there and I shall look it over."

Of course, Bachdion maybe nearby. high demand his work of late

"Thank you. I know you to be a man of honor, and of fair judgement."

"Alas, twas that man part that didn't quite work out" A kind understanding nod, "Are ye still regent to Earth Runes?"

"Yes. Though August is now Baron, and a full consort."

"I'm a bit of an accessory, these days."

"I thought that his focus was to be that Bannerhouse? Good political victory there. Sorry House Dougal just abstained." A sigh but he goes on "How are you an accessory if he's too busy running the banner house to be regent?" But he follows her

"He's still Consort." A shrug. "They don't need a Regent."

"mmph, well, that's got annoy the tick out of ye if you believe it. You're not a Dougal, but you strike me as one who wants purpose. Idle hands are fidgety things. Are ye at least enjoying your art studies?"

"Oh yes. Just finished finals..."

"Aye?" a smile "Does that mean you'll have time to decorate a lodge if it'll have me? I'm thinking Scottish highland paintings, to no oone's surprise"

"Well - see it first! Now, Bachdion was trying to charm a ranger when I left him..."

They approach to see a ranger handing a slip of paper to Bachdion.

"Fiona" The Dougal mutters in amazement "No place they can't find company"

Bachdion is happy to greet the baron, and whisk all three away.

They arrive at the Lodge /Fort

Sparrow looks around

It has less crowds, things now streamlined.

"Well, looks like progress."