#anywhere

"I'm stunned you MOVED it" A surprised look from Dubh

"Well, let's see what it is!"

And it is opened.Inside are roughly 5 suits of armor that are regular sized, 2 troll sized. And fancy good stuff. 8 melee weapons regular sized, two troll axes. five regular sized crossbows. Most with Dougal craft marks. There is also a note

"Oh..." Her wings spread nearly as wide as her eyes shine.

She smiles, with tears in her eyes.

"Well, if we wanted to recruit warriors... I think Colton just handed us the means."

"Of course, his hold is not just a prison for the dark.. or barrier rather... it's also a smithy and forge isn't it?" Dubh actually looks impressed

"It is. Hewitt.. ah.. courted me, once upon a time. Good man, excellent smith."

LIttle joe eyes one of the axes "that's..that's a good axe"

"You should heft it, see if it feels right."

He does "mm.." a balance check, Joe whips it around

"Might I use this?" Joe asks after another test

"In exchange for a promise, yes."

Little Joe frowns 'What Oath are you expecting?"

"The promise is simple - that I can call on you to use it to defend the people of this Barony, provided it would not cause you to violate another oath."

"But that's nothing. I would do that anyway. It's the right thing to do" Little Joe says as if anyone would do that

"Then it should be a promise that sits lightly." She nods.

"I promise, when the people need defending, I will protect them. If you call and tell me of it ,I will fight to save them.If you don't call but it needs doing, I'll fight to save them. I do not intend to fail them" He says

She places a hand on her chest, then on his forearm. "Thank you. Please, accept this weapon with my blessing."

he is not unmoved,"You' are welcome. I'll use it well." then he smiles just a bit "I like hitting balor"

"Who doesn't?" Dubh says Deadpan

"They are a satisfying target, aren't they?"

"Deserving targets often are" Little Joe nods "Well you want me to move this into the armory? We have some weaponsand armor there but nothing as good as this."

"For now, yes. Ah... if you prefer multiple trips, that would be fine?"

"Not necessary" DRAG

She shakes her head in astonishment. "As you wish."

Dubh mutters "I think there's a joke about a brute squad Shallimar would make if he were here"

"I'm glad he's on our side. Well - on the populace's side, which I hope to make the same thing."

"He's slowly coming around I suspect" A nod

"And,that armor is.. well" A pleased look "I can outfit a lot of people with such"

"Yes - and there are errants who would exchange service to earn something so fine."

"Perhaps a year and a day? Does that seem fair?"

"Depending on service quality I suppose. " He nods "A letter of thanks should be written to Baron.. pardon, Chief hewit I suspect"

"Yes, it should."

A nod "We have no scribe. I think reliance on your father has spoiled me."

"He does have a lovely hand..."

"Indeed. I feel clumsy in comparison" He nods "How is your own penmanship?"

"Not terrible. I fear I like drawing in the margins more than calligraphy."

"But... fortunately, Hewitt is a practical soul."

"True. He'll forgive either of us. By my hand or yours then, unless Hope knwos a good scribe"

"In time, Sir Gray."

He seems surprised by something, then laughs "I ..hadn't realized how eager this has all made me."

"It's... exciting, isn't it? In some ways, I feel like I had fallen into amber... comfortable, perhaps, but..."

"But frozen?" he says "You did seem to.." A pause "You had trapped yourself I think in a way, Baroness. You seemed almost afraid to stretch your wings"

"How could I? It was Coradel's place."

"Yes, your mother's pull is a strong tide as the Captain might say"

"And she is a wonderful Baroness. As fine a fit for Earth Runes as da'an could desire."

Dubh nods and he looks around amused "I think she might like to visit here, but it's not her type of hold. She would resent the isolation after a time"

"She would. But I have been crowded into places I don't fit enough times..."