#anywhere

****************

Ser Rothymyr is not hard to track down near the grounds of Caer Falken

Before Brekke drives over there, she calls Frank on the awful, but necessary, cell phone.

He sips some wine on the green

"Yes?" Frank rumbles when he answers.

"Frank, I am going to Caer Falken. I think all will be well, but there may be a conflict. I wish you to know ahead of time."

"Do you wish me to come?"

She thinks a moment. "Not yet. But I may call."

"If you are near the Lodge, Siv is there with others. They can tell you what has happened. I must go, My Path."

"I will see you soon, My Alaska."

And she ends the call, then drives to Rivervale....

...where she does, easily, find Rothymyr. "Ser," she addresses him.

He rises and bows "Baroness, what a charming surprise" (lie)

As a dougal, Ser Rothmyr has his 'mechanical parts'... all his teeth are golden

She does not seem charmed. "You are well?" she says, obligatory courtesy only.

"I have been better" True, "And yourself?"

"I have, also, been better. I hear that my name has come up in court recently."

"Your name?" He pauses as if considering it "Oh, yes, how droll , a mention by your own little winged helper, what is her name again? Lucky? Anyway...the subject wasn't you so much as this Goldfinch studio turned into a freehold, a mews"

"Her name is Lucia." Firm. "You have opinions about what I do in my barony, Ser?"

"It is my understanding that the point of a council is to...well, counsel" He explains seeming undaunted to be in the shadow of the greatest warrior of the County, perhaps the Duchy, "And no this is not about what YOU do in your barony, it is about what these...commoners, many of them unseelie I hear and not exactly loyal to the Count, will do in a precious freehold small and fragile. One might have thought you'd see the merit in a noble helping guide their enfant footsteps"

"I see. You think I do not have the capacity to make sound decisions." She glowers at him.

"My doubt is more in this... Sylvi" A shrug so casual the wine doesn't ripple

She folds her arms. "As I say. You doubt my ability to choose a suitable Freeholder."

"Oh I'm sure your choice will work fine, provided she has some..direction"

"My choice was made precisely because I know her abilities and experience. And again, you doubt it. And I do not appreciate this challenge to my authority, Ser."

"Is that how you're seeing it? A bit touchy don't you think?"

A brow.

"I mean, if every differing opinion is seen as an affront... well... that seems excessive"

Ah, and there it is...the first hint of grinding teeth.

"Was your opinion asked, Ser? Or did you venture it without invitation?"

"Of course it was asked for, they always ask at the counsel for opinions, this invites discussion.... well within my rights to express them when it's the very task we're put to, in fact I'd be negligent not to share my concerns. Now, Baroness, again, YOU are a force, no doubt, but this Sylvi girl.. and this idea of a mews without proper supervision on premisis... it distresses me. Obviously you disagree, but what rule have I broken? " He looks bored to the distance, then back at her "The question's rhetorical. I broke none"

"Rule? Perhaps none. But you have ventured upon insult, Ser. Mind matters in your own lands. I have made the decision that is right for mine."

"Ah, an adventure! I have no lands, merely my counsel..." A smile of gold teeth "But, of course, our opinions on choices ..varies. Perhaps were you to consider what I can do to aid this Sylvi as an act of generosity, rather than 'venturing on insult' it might pay off handsomely for all?"

She stares at him. "A bribe, Ser? Are you, in all seriousness, suggesting I might be paid off to accept your interference in my Barony?" And she can't help it...the last part comes out as a laugh.

For the first time he falters "A bribe no ..." (Iffy?) "Merely that... perhaps the hold could use a dougal touch to..assist"

The laughter continues. "I see it, now," she eventually manages through chuckles. "You mean no insult. You are simply very, very unwise." She turns her back on him. "I am done with you. See that I need not pay further attention to you in the future. I will not be so easily amused."

And she walks away.

The Dougal fusses...but mostly to himself. His attempt to gain a hold, indirectly, utterly failed.. and out manuvered by a troll of all things.

A raven flies near the Chieftain, and when there is distance, it shifts to a baron and spy master "For a moment I thought gold teeth were going to be decorating the green, but while that might have been entertaining, your solution in this was MUCH better." A smile "Want me to keep an eye on that one?"

"Mm, yes," she says with a nod. "That type of salt water always seeks out whatever cracks it can find in a hull. Thank you."

"Oh youv'e heard of the new Pennons event" he says surprised "Well, it was only a matter of time"

She blinks at him. "What are you talking of?"

"Ah well, Pennons this year, you know there' always changing it up. Dancing and such?" he moves along "This year they're doing a ship river race. Ships will be provided so no magical edges , all made to the same general specs but there are some variations"

He has her attention. "Variations?"

"You were kind to me, recently in fact, the House sister? While we are not even, I owe you too much for that, " The Baron hands the chieftain a pamphlet... "I decided one type of ship should be among the variations. This is not cheating. After all, I have an Aesin and fine trolls in my own service"

Longships! They're allowing longships in the race!

A blink. "You arranged this?" She looks for details -- how many crew?

"I believe the type is called a Karvi? one of the smaller sorts but you're still looking at 13 rowing benches? Can you muster 13 people?"

"ANd yes, after that attempt to make it harder for Rivervale to win last year, they seemed to think trolls couldn't dance for example? I figured this was only fair."

"Also.. let's face it, fun"