#anywhere

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Adelaide Ironbrow, Heir to Thea, and wilder of House Eiluned, has taken a small parlor for her meeting purposes

Of course, it her mentor and liege spies on her, there is little the wilder can do about it. But, that does not mean she hasn't tried. She's timed this at the same time the Countess SHOULD be in a meeting herself. No gargoyles are in the room. Oh, no doubt the Countess can figure out all that's going on if she wishes to, experience is potent. But Adelaide knows that if she made it too easy for folks to spy on her, the Countess would be disappointed in her.

The trolls before her bow, and she returns a gracious nod. She pulled strings for their arrival, "Thank you for coming. Make yourselves comfortable, please. The chairs here are... proper sized. " She waits till they settle "And please, patake of the drinks as you like." Coffee, tea, and water are provided.

As the few trolls here take their seats, the young Countess explains "If you'll forgive my love of theatrics, I send out the obligatory 'I suppose you're all wondering why I summoned you today'" That gets a facial tick from at least one troll, which for their kith is as good as a smile. She'll take it, "Beyond all sharing the same kith, you all, despite your differences, have one thing in common. You are each of you affiliated with or fully members of House Eiluned. You have born the unjust stigma often put upon our House with dignity, and aplomb. None of you are directly sworn to my liege, nor me. However, you have shown your support. And, I believe, an opening has come up that might allow you a chance to do so again AND, I hope, be of personal interest to you as well"

"Rivervale, within the next half year, will be saying good bye to two of its members. One of them, the famous Chieftain Brekke Shacklebreaker. Now it is true, that the Countess and the Chieftain have not always been on ... shall we say, warm terms. However, Change is good, and in this , we can not only 'mend' fences on our terms, but gain new openings that may in the future be useful. After all, Sir Vali of Beaumayn was once a ward at this very hold. He is now Mountain. And he thinks well enough of New Agengard to visit as a friend and ally. That, knights, squires, and House siblings, is what we call a 'foot in the door' and then some. For the first time in awhile, an Eiluned might have a chance to take up a position in Rivervale proper. But, they must be a troll. I find that restriction a bit odd, but I am sure you grasp it better than I. "

"Further more," She sips her tea "AS of yet, Sir Vali.. has no squire"

Rowan pushes their round-framed glasses up from where they've slipped down their nose, again. "What's he do, again?" Sporting a pink dye job that's shaved close on one side and draped long on the other, the wilder is wearing an ironic selection of army surplus clothing dotted with various pins and buttons.

Rowan's local, and Eiluned, and (of course) a troll, but is hardly typical in any of those facets. Not sworn to the Countess directly, they still keep connections with the goings on of her court.

"In his duties as Mountain, he would be considered a Shaman or Seer for his hold, all things mystical and related to glamour. Oaths, the Arts, and so on" She answers, though she is aware this is not necesarily unknown to the trolls, but rather covers all bases, "As Mr. Gardener, he is a teacher at a local high school. More interestingly, he's an author of fantasy fiction. A well selling one if not best seller. The Silver hand chronicles have been his most famous offering so far. A Beaumayn, which I know for many of is a ..dubious House. He's quite skilled at Winter /Kyros magics, and no stranger to soothsay" a sip "Married to our former Thane, the pooka Tiffany, now a firefighter. He is the father to one son, Theon Brekk Gardener"

The name gets some brows raised

Rowan listens with growing curiosity, but then snickers at the last part. "Talk about branding."

THAT actually gets a smile from the wilder sidhe, "Indeed. Others in the hold, besides the departing Chieftain and her paramour, include Hearth Kerri. Our sources indicate she will be elevated to Chieftain. SHe is a knight of no house. She is reputed to be an amazing chef, a hostess of great skill, and one of the most shrewd readers of people the troll kith has to offer . Do not for one moment underestimate this woman. My friend Gerd, admires her greatly, and my friend does not suffer fools well. Also, I must begrudgingly admit... she makes better crab cakes than any non baltimorian has a right to make. It's borderline mortifying. Dame Kerri's husband is a rover of some repute, and unfortunate visiage: Olgar. He's openly Unseelie and I commend him for that. Neihter is particularly warm to nobles, but not openly hostile either. Beyond that, the most famous member remaining would be Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike ap Gwydion. It is as if she , Athena like, broke free from Chieftain Brekke's skull. "

"Like a Mini Me situation?"

"Even your chlildlings do not look 'mini' to me," She savors the tea, "She is a Wilder, immense and still growing, now attending college. Dame Dagmar is not an exact copy of the Chief, far from it in some ways, but she is of the same House, and of warrior nature. She is stronger even than most trolls, and if the Chieftain had a chosen apprentice, I would say it had been her. Gwydions cannot read we Eiluned, which just makes them fusier I fear, but still, don't assume she is all brawn and no brain. Others have done it and regretted it. Dame Dagmar is the adopted daughter of Jaymes and Tove King. Neither of those is much of a factor as near as I can tell. The current Chieftain and her trueheart do have a daughter, one Siv King, Lady Captain Siv, of House Fiona. SHe's not considered a factor by most either, being mostly a freelance. She's a bit on the scrawny side of trolls. One troll, Hearth Kerri's own daughter, has removed herself from the board for the most part by tending to a minor commoner held hold tinkering with faux democracy. I don't have to tell anyone here how frustrating that will likely be for her, and it will likely also render Sylvi, for that is her name ,a relative non factor"

A shrug from Rowan. "A non-factor for now. When that little experiment fails, she's gonna miss power."

"Entirely possible. I have already mentioned Gerd, and some of you may have met her. SHe is the niece of Sir Vali. She is also the latest life of a former Mountain there. Fascinating really. I'm fond of her, and thus," She admits "I must ask you to form your own unbiased conclusions on her should and when you meet her." The young Countess advises, "I should say she has excellent tastes in tea, and enjoys Witch Core, oh, and is the most naturally talented Wayfare practioners I've ever seen."

One other troll arches a brow, then says "Clearly, we cannot long hide our affilation with House Eiluned. Would you have us also hide our prior relationships with New Agengard and Charm?"

Rowan leans back and seems to be making a mental note.

"It may work against you for others, likely FOR you with Sir Vali. I thus leave it to the approach you feel best suits. A bit of calculated honesty may get any of you quite far with them." The stress is on the word 'calculated' "Now, I don't expect any of you, to not develop friendships or even loyalties to Rivervale should they take you in. We are only human, or at least, part human. We ask only that you try to remember Charm fondly in that regard. That is all we ask" She nods. In short, more can be given on their own accord if Rowan or the others wish

A little smirk. "I guess Charm might want to be remembered in regards to some specific topics?"

"We certainly wouldn't object" A sip "I wouldn't argue with an astute person such as yourself, Miss Rowan"

Adelaide gets a look at the use of "Miss." "Just Rowan." A tone of reminder.

"Ah, of course" The sidhe says, "Rowan it is. You remain astute and I am glad of that"

A narrowed glance, not sure if that was meant sarcastically, but they don't say anything else.

She SEEMS sincere

The other troll says "Are they taking even childlings?"

"It is possible, not practical, but possible" She admits "Remember, Sir Vali first came to New Agengard as a childlilng"

"You gotta kid you're trying to unload?" Rowan asks the other troll with a rather dark playfulness.

"Not exactly" the troll says "Rather I fear one of my god children might get bold"

"Well, the lodge may have secrets, but this is not one of them" Adelaide informs them " I wish I could say we learned of this by clever espionage, but by now it's boggan talk in more than one kingdom"

"Which means more trolls from other places making a play."

"Indeed," Adelaide admits, "But if any here ARE interested, then Noblise oblige would suggest I should offer some help in such things as moving costs or the like.. within reason. I mean no offense by this, consider it pride in one of our good locals making the attempt"

Rowan considers quietly for a bit, but doesn't say anything specific one way or another. Glances around at the other trolls to see what their expressions reveal (or conceal).

Rowan can read interest here and there, but most, one suspects, even with help, will be reluctant to change things up anytime soon. Others might surprise them, but probably not. That said, one thing she does notice is the quiet unspoken respect, even AWE the name 'Rivervale' seems to stir in her kith sibs. Likely the sidhe doesn't quite see it, or understand it. Trolls can be reserved to the point of blankness at times. Though the Countess is no fool it is likely she does not see that one reason some might not pursue is a mix of respect, and.. some thinking they might not be worthy

Still, the trolls are fed, and some minor questions answered. The Countess does not refer to Rowan as Miss again, so seems to respect preferences

Rowan knows a few might be curious. It is possible Rowan is. The meeting will wind down, but interest? Interest remains.

(End Scene)