#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Oh" she allows dissappointment to show

"There has been interest in guardian hounds to watch the trods in northern climes, where bears may be simple compared to what may come from the deeper dream. The old style of training calls for using captive wolves or bears for baiting. It is ridiculous, and wasteful. But this litter has proven more intelligent that the last, and they see through the fuddle we use for simulating an attack. If they cannot be taught to fight, then they cannot be trusted as guardians." A sigh, warming up slightly in the conversation.

"Ah, yes. I've never cared for the notion of bear baiting myself, and I can see why it would be an absolute no to have Wolves abused here. If I might..." A pause "Perhaps I grow too bold to suggest to you an expert, but... dogs may not be fuddled well because they are fuddled by visuals.. and they go by scents. If one was to spend time as a dog.. or wolf, undignified as that seems, and get a scent of the prey for his or herself."

"And then the fuddling might be more..comprenhensive? Or have you already accounted?"

He gives this some thought. "A valid suggestion. I had tried testing their ancestrel memory with the vision of a folk demon. That proved too successful, but with animals, perhaps because they smell mortal scents so well, I had met only failure. But a fuddled scent... yes, that may work well." He gives a bow to Nadeen. "Where are my manners? Will you come into the office and sit? Poor accommodations that they are, it's inside."

"Oh I cannot speak about poor accomdations, while the Lodge was warm and welcome, before Dame Calanthe offered the knife to Connor she spent sometime under the thunder under our stable and porch" A smile "Lead on, Baron."

He blinks, and takes a few moments of guiding them in to process this. The office is not barebones, but it is not sumptious like the manor. A large wooden desk is the main feature that looks like it has age and presence... but also someone has chewed on two of the legs. Chairs and pulled up, though his arm seems stiff, he insists on seeing the ladies seated.

Then, "Well, Calla?"

She looks bored with this. "The Gwydions decided to knight the lad, so I took him a gift. Certainly you had intended blade for him, anyways. It was collecting dust in that... Mausoleum you insist on keeping."

"A most gracious offer, but Our Hearth feared it might lead to some.. question of impropriety before it's time" She says kindly

"You GAVE away..." Anger flashes in his expression, and he seems on the brink of a thunderstorm about to erupt, when he recalls his composture in front of the visiting baroness.

The storm is not gone, but it simmers behind his eyes. He breathes, and focuses. "I am at a loss, I fear, in recent events, and I need to dress my arm, and that needs must remove my shirt, and I would not subject you to such impropriety. Baroness, will you give me a moment with my sister?"

"Hardly given, Lord. Not yet. Dame Calanthe realized as quickly as the rest that it could have ramfications. She was so concerned with Connor, your son, becoming a Squire that she was perhaps merely over zealous. The knife will be returned and has NOT been formally accepted"

"Baroness. Please. A moment, is all I ask of your time."

WIth a look of pure kindness to the Ailill lady, then she turns back "As you insist, of course, Baron. Though, if you need your arm tended to? I have basic first aid. Nothing unseemily in a woman tending to a noble man's injury"

"There is a kettle if you wish tea." And he opens the door into the inner office, and Calanthe flows through, and the door shuts.

And if the voices within cannot QUITE be made out, the tone is chilling, even to an ice princess.

And Nadeen has tea. But slowly, listening for the sounds, hoping for specifics

......
.... ....
"YOU ARE NOT TO SPEAK TO ME OF HER SON!" A slam. A muffled curse, and then quiet again.

Ah She thinks So that's why

Then a look about, and she remembers what the main manor was like Interesting. Yes, who knows, in 4 more years, when my time to claim my hold is under way, I will find it was closer than I ever imagined

She rises to see if she can see the bear dogs from here

A minute or two later, Aiden returns. His hand is bruised, but he does not bring attention to it. "Lady Nadeen. Can you please relate to me... The gift. Did it please him?"

"Baron Aiden, if I may? He seems unsure about it. His weapons training is minimal, though Dame Dagmar hopes to rectify as is proper for a knight to do. I know he thinks highly of you, and in that, the knife was accepted graciously and with a kind affection. He was not displeased, but I think he does not feel prepared for it yet."

"May I join you?" Gesturing to the empty chair.

Polite, even in his own desmense.

"Of course, Lord, it is I who am the intruder here." She eyes that hand but only briefly

He slides into the chair. "I had hoped to converse with the Dame Hammerstrike - we share an interest in horses, and is well-known to the boy. But in her absence - can you tell me, what gift he may find more suitable? A young squire - a set of armor, a mount, a weapon more pleasing? I would not wish to insult his knight with that which is traditionally her duty to provide."