#anywhere

Hawk Holding is the very archetype of a Gwydion Freehold. Green and Gold adorning the grand and epic mansion that has a mix of Welsh 'country side manor' and epic castle.

Trolls are plentiful, but mostly as guardians. Keen eyed and alert. A challenge, even for most sluagh.

But it appears to be sidhe who handle the clampdown of teaching childlings 'forbidden arts'... and this year, that includes Winter arts

So it is, one childing is escorted by a knight of Gwydion in a firm grip

The little girl kicks her heels in sometimes, going limp others, making a dignfied escort difficult

The sidhe gets annoyed, and this knight has a resource "Do not resist, obey and move as 'I' tell you too" And the dictum takes root

on a child!

A nearby troll guard frowns at this "Good knight, is that needful?"

The knight replies coolly "Manners must be...enforced." And points. The child, as if drawn by strings, goes that way

The thane says no more... but clearly does not like

"Is that common, here?" A whisper.

The thane turns looking around for the source of the voice

Judging by the livery, a maidservant. Scrawny thing, with big dark eyes and pale hair in a neat bun.

"Ah, you are new here?" The troll says. He is a big fellow (Aren't they all), dressed in a chain shirt for protection, wool for warmth, "It.. is not common, but of late, I fear things have grown more tense. Perhaps it will pass"

She shyly bobs her head.

"Are we in danger? An outside threat?"

A concerned look "You have not heard?" Assuming she did not, he continues "The winter in the area is believewd to be not fully mortal" Indeed, it is thick and piling on "And the Countess fears too many childlings are trying to provoke 'snow days' with Winter and Kyros. She has determined the arts unsafe for commoners, or at least young ones"

She tilts her head.

"But... tis Iowa, nay?"

"Oh yes, the Duchy is no stranger to cold, but it does seem harder this year"

"You should get further inside. It is warmer there" The troll says stoicly, but kindly "You would not wish to be late on your first day"

"Oh! Aye! Thank you, kind thane!" She bobs a curtsy and hurries along in the same direction the knight went.

"Argus" He says simply and off she goes . Following the knight is not hard. They are going to a side hall and corner room. The knight pulls forth a key, and unlocks it "Inside. Wait. You will find it warded against childlings so no art will free you. You and the others will face the Countess.. soon"

The 'others' she can see, are other childlings. There will be four in total counting the new one. One of them is a sluagh!

Four.

The timid little maid is dusting.

The knight steps out, pauses, and looks at her. "I have not seen you before" She can almost feel the boon hovering.

Head respectfully dips, another curtsy. "Aye. I am new here."

For a moment she wonders if the knight will question more, but only one more question is asked "Will you watch over the childlings while I get a guard for their door? The Countess maybe delayed in seeing them"

"I promise to keep them safe."

It rings true, and the knight nods "Well, don't over reach. You're no warrior. " This is probably meant semi kindly, but comes across as a bit condescending. Regardless, the sidhe then heads off to get that guard

She allows him to go, and looks at the four 'criminals.' One sluagh and...?

The little Lynx pooka is the newest addition, she looks a bit scared. The sluagh boy has his arms about his knees, but as he sees another sluagh, his eyes light up with curiosity. The last two are idential twin girls but their kiths make them look very different, for one is an Eshu, the other a Nocker!

Zara presses a finger to her lips. "Hush and be brave. Do you wish to go home?"

The only boy nods first, looking very curious indeed. The nocker blathers "Sure furkin do" And her Eshu sister nearly tackles her "Be quiet she said" /"You be quiet," The Nocker shoves her sister "Just cause we know Wintermancy we get arrested?" /The pooka girl HUGS Zara, and says "We, the winter witches, humbly accept your offer of lunch far far from here"

"Where is home?"

"Beyond the valley of the shadow of the moon" The pooka girl smooths her jacket, her tail swishing

A look at the twins.

"Ugh, Naar talk" the nocker says "Sis and me live in Keosauqua, still in that elf's furking county though so she might get us again"

"We should travel," Her Eshu sister says

"Can you be brave and patient?"

A look at the boy. "And thou, I trust, can be discreet."

The boy puts his hand to his chest , fingers splayed in answer, that and "yes."

"Patient? Furk" the nocker girl mutters. The Eshu squirms. Neither kith known for patience, but the Eshu adds, "We will follow your lead, oh maid of rescue"

"Oh, thou art as my own kin. Siblings, all. Winter witch, when we look away, place on thy fur coat."

The pooka bounces...and when all look away, a lovely Lynx kitten with BLUE eyes and pale fur is there

"Sister Eshu - an Outgoing Courier." She hands the girl a piece of paper, and with it, a glimmer of magic and a Nickname.

The Eshu takes it, and says "Oh, she's a good witch"

"Sister Nocker - the Apprentice Who Has Finished Making A Delivery of Goods. Surely, tis time you stop lollygagging here." She places one of her earrings on the girl's lapel, pinning it like a guild badge.

The Nocker puffs up "Finally, some respect!"