#anywhere

At ANOTHER Pennons, Baron Aiden has a text from Dee, TXT: If it is safe to text or call, let me know as pleases you, ML ML meaning 'my liege'

Shortly thereafter, she receives a call.

“Your timing was impeccable. I needed an excuse to step away ere I claim foul on the judging of the cooking competition.” Aiden sounds annoyed.

"Eager to please, but that sounds grim. Marigold was cheated? Gwen may go full Daireann vengeance" She observes "Yes by all means, my lord. It regards a possible opportunity with new horses for the stables? Some very promising, I hope you will agree, prospects."

“It is hard to say. She came in 3rd, behind Marseilles which is a stick in her craw, but they both lost to a Sluagh grump who pulled an ace in the hole with use of fermented and aged products. There is an argument to be made that including aged vinegars of such rarity is unfair, but she insisted that I drop the point.” He sighs. “If she hadn’t practically raised me… but I fear I am soft on the woman, and did not wish her to suffer further indignity by belaboring the point.”

"Oh my... perhaps it is best the Baroness is not there" Thinking of the Varich proclivity towards Sluaghphobia

“As it is, the focus was completely on a redcap chef whose entry was submitted to the wrong category, putting his tartar in front of a vegan judge. He was thrown out, though he argued that someone must have switched the signs.” Aiden sounds mildly amused at this.

“But do tell me about the horses.”

"Well, Baron. It is difficult to sum up but I shall try. I should say I placed Second... Dame Dagmar won 3-2 in a points match. I consider her my greatest challenge as well as a respected athlete . I apologize for that, but it did allow me to see the grand prize that she won, a choice between three fine steads. Dame Dagmar has selected of the three an American Cream Draft horse named Lady Ohmsford. HOWEVER, the other two will now be sold at a charity auction in the next few days. I have taken pictures of them, and their papers ... Shae's Truth, a Holstiner breed. Oh he's magnificent... a great jumper and a show horse. You know I like the agile ones. Then there's Great Jax, a Friesian and the most 'warlike ' of the horses. A rather fancy coat but no fop . He seems protective of other horses as well as his rider "

And yes, there are pictures sent

Dee hopes she is striking the right balance of honesty and salesmanship as she talks of the two stallions

Of the two, Shae's Truth has the longer and more champion bedecked lineage, but Great Jax has been a most accomplished jouster

Both stallions are intact. Which to a lot of stallions is important!

There is a period of silence before Aiden responds in a terse, clipped tone.

"I understand you failed to win the joust, though I now question if that club of yours is not but a den of spies, cataloging your weaknesses for events such as this. And now, you would have me stoop to haggling for castoffs—a Gwydion’s leavings? Shall I trade my pride as a commoner might, for scraps?"

She winces, then says "It is true that I did fail you in that I did not win. I...confess I had hoped to use Joust Club to learn my peers patterns and styles so I might triumph over THEM. I think my odds were increased by it, certainly the practice. I am greater than I was for all my failings. And never would I have you trade your pride, for they would have to offer more horses than exist for that worth. Rather, I thought this a time to not only gather up horses a foolish Gwydion had undervalued, even as you graced a charity with your largeese and thus humble the stingy falcons all in one swoop. " He has gone full Ailil, so she grovels. HER pride can be sacrificed. She owes almost all she is to her liege. "Please do not let my imperfections rob fine horses of the greatest home they could hope for, my liege"

A few moments, she can practically hear him considering.

"You will be more pleased I think that Madern , under Marigold's tutelegue, won a prize for best baked goods. Baroness Kerri herself recognized this as judge. As for Thistle, the Chief Innovator was triumphhant as well, winning MOST Wondrous in Arts and crafts. "

Aiden’s reply is tempered with reluctant approval.

"Madern and Thistle do well to bring honor to Silverwolf Barony. Their triumphs are a testament to their skill and to the care with which I guide those under my protection. That Baroness Kerri herself recognized Madern’s victory only underscores the distinction we command."

There’s a pause, a faint exhale with careful deliberation:

"Very well, Dame Lavender. If these horses are as fine as you suggest, and if this effort may further humble the stingy falcons, then let it be so. But remember—this is no indulgence on my part. It is strategy, as all things must be.”

The line goes silent for a moment before he speaks again, his voice cool:

"As for you, my Knight, though you did not win the joust, I appreciate that you saw this opportunity and brought it forward. That is not a failure on your part. You show initiative, and that deserves respect. You have freedom of the purse to pursue these mounts, within reason. I trust your judgement to this end. See to it that this reflects well on Silverwolf, and on me."

She is actually touched. Ailil don't alway offer the healthiest working relationship, but translated, this IS a sign of.. not apology or the like, they don't DO that, but a grace bordering on it distantly. The baron did not have to entrust her with more but he did "I will endeavor to bring your stragegy to fruition , Baron, and thank you"