#baronyofthesilverwolf

The Baron straightens. His expression is neutral but irritation visible in the slap of the glove against his thigh. Noticing the trolls, his eyes do narrow - can he make out any sigil, crest or house identity on them?

Indeed, the symbol of a dark gate on their tabards, the black behind bars. And one sees him and holds out a Metal hand in a gesture of greeting, and he thinks it's some troll sign of respect?

He nods back towards Ivory and Gwen. "Dark Gate patrols." Pacing forward to meet them, his horse following a few paces behind at his heels.

A hand raised as well as he approaches, straightening his jacket so that the Silverwolf symbol is clearly visible.

"DARK gate? Are they the bad guys?" Gwen mutters

And as Aiden approaches, he meets the metal armed warrior "Storm Colton, Knight of House Liam, of the Dark Gate fortress. Baron we got your missive. We've had the same troubles we think with raiders. And there were reports of a burst of glamour last night strong enough to be a dream dance, but it appears this area isn't really as ..juiced' as we thought. Pardon," he corrects "I assume you are the Baron. I've been told a bit about you but maybe mistaken"

"Storm Colton. You are correct, there was a dream dance last night. Aiden Lowell ap Ailil." A hand touches his symbol and he nods to Colton in recognition of the Knight's rank. "With me are Sir Ivory, also of your house and bannerhouse Truthbranch, and Gwen..." as the shorter name hung in the air for a moment, feeling empty, he adds, "Spearmaiden and Fledgeling Troll." And he gestures to the two following.

"I'm sorry we missed your arrival, Spearmaiden" He says to Gwen, and nods to Sir Ivory "You are far afield."

"We think there's a trod somewhere here we did not suspect," Sir Ivory says, perhaps too freely, but then it is to a fellow Liam.

Gwen for her part looks at this exchange then says "Ah, Hello"

Aiden smoothly follows on Ivory's admission. "Yes. The new fledge arrived here from Jefferson City in possession of a trod key- dropped by an unknown source, and was beset upon by unsavory sorts who sought to rob her. I seek to find if there is, indeed, a new trod, and if so, it must be examined and assured safe, and then protected so that none may pass through without notice." A glance back at Ivory and a small nod acknowledging, "In either direction."

"The footprints.. whoever is in the gas station"

That from Gwen. "Do you think.. the trod is in there?"

"Does the building look familiar? These did not look like your tracks." He asks Gwen, looking again, scanning for anything he may have missed. Multiple foot prints, coming and going? He looks with the eye of a hunter used to tracking deer. A critical eye also counts the forces present on Colton's side, assessing. "Something is seeping the glamour from along this way. A dead trail where nature should have filled the land."

"No, I... guess not.. " She seems unsure "But It.. no it does feel familiar" She admits "Or near to it..." She looks around "Wait, not IN there, but next to.. there it is" She gestures and points. To a mailbox. It is not part of the building, but to the side of it "I know that mailbox"

He loosens his sword and strides forward - a gesture stops his riderless horse from following, but doesn't seem to be directed at the others. Not so much an indication of bravado, it seems, more the action of one disused to the accompaniment of others. Riding boots trod softly on the ground as he moves to check the mailbox, approaching from the side of the building so as not to pass the front and in view of any windows, despite the abandoned look.

His kenning now closer feels something slumbering in the mail box. It has not seen mortal use in years.

But.. yes, it appears to be a trod, or.. more accurately, an entry point of sorts. That trod is currently closed. Perhaps it is not the right time of day, or season. Or only the key can do this

"The key, please, Gwen?" He asks, in that polite way that may or may not be precisely a request.

She hands it over almost instinctively

He nods to her, and, key in hand, examines the mailbox. He touches it - opens, looks inside, and turns the 'mail present' flag up - or will do each of these things, if not interrupted by something or another occuring.

Flicking the flag up, and opening it does nothing. BUT.. flicking the flag up, opening iwth the key? Well if there was a schedule require ment for it to open, that has just changed it.

Or at least temporarily bypassed.. The Mailbox enlarges to the side of a large door! And within it, Silver! They have their trod

At the same time, one of the trolls says "Someone is in the gas station, and he or she is either enchanted or kithain"

Aiden takes a step back as the trod flickers to life, and his sword is drawn. "Come out, by order of the Lord of this land." He commands, his voice snapping authoritatively. Looking behind him to ensure that Gwen is at a safe distance - the others, it seems, he feels can fend for themselves.

"Holy SHIT" A voice says, and a hippie guy of wilder years comes out of the gas station with hind legs of a rabbit, wings of a hawk, and antlers of an elk,, "Chill man, chlld. I got like, troll cops and Sidhe Federalis on me just for nibbling at the glamour a dream dance left behind? Not like I was with the raiders, maaan"

Gwen seems to forget she's a damsel "Okay, what is.. this? ANother pooka? He's.. muddled"

"Wolpintinger." He remarks, his tone a touch chilly, giving a germanic emphasis to the name.

"Yeah, so I get the munches man, it's not like I'm let in holds for long, right?" The Wolplitngler says

"That's because they can end up weakening a balefire" Ivory says

"Marigold says the balefire wasn't to be touched or hurt ever" Gwen remembers and feels protective.

"Not my kith's fault, chica" The Slacker Snacker says "Just how we're wired. but yeah, I gotta graze when I can and you left a meal. I was worried those raider dudes were coming back for it, but nah..guess someone scared them"

A small frown plays on his expression as he ponders the wilder, kenning him to see his current condition, glamour wise.

Quite full. He must have nibbled a lot of hte excess she gave.

"You rest on the doorstep of a nascent trod, unaware how your presence may affect it. Your travels through my land draw glamour from the grass my steeds crop, and trails ran by my hounds. Unannounced as a guest on our lands, you ran the risk of being hunted as one of the raiders." He remarks in a tone that has a hint of chill to it.

"Whoa, bummer" He says "But like you would do that to Davey right? Davey's me. I should say that. LIke.. your baronship sir... I.. uhm.. thought announcing yourself was like a children of lilith thing? "

"Not when dross goes missing," Storm Colton says

"Oh.. " the Wolpletingler swallows

And he nods as Davey's expression sobers. "What do you know of the raiders?" Changing his tact.

"They're jerks man...I tried to ask for a hand out and they near beat the shit out of me...The redcap bitch threatened to eat me. I get it right, it's what Caps threaten you with? But like wow... and they were loaded right? Had a satchel full of goodies. Black Apples from some orchid..."

"that would be some of our dross" Colton frowns

"yeah, and some horseshoes... of all things" Davey shrugs "I mean, didn't look like IRON Shoes to me either."

Horses shoes that could be used as dross, made of 'not iron' metal... yes, it would appear Silver Wolf has been raided

The anger that radiates from the sidhe is a cold force, his dark eyes furious. "I thought it was the dance itself that had my horses on edge - a pregnant mare near kicked through her stall door." A glance flicks to Gwen and he tamps down the anger, not lessened, but more of a smouldering flame than a bonfire. "I do not blame you for that which you could not control." He remarks to Gwen, lest she feel his anger is directed towards her. No, mere irritation at trespass, annoyance at robbery, is now true anger.

"What can you offer that will lead us to them, in exchange for what you have taken?" He asks Davey, meanwhile sending out a message on his phone, shorthand, likely coded based on how quickly he sends and pockets the device once more.

Gwen gapes in awe and starts to drop to her knees but then breathes easier as she is told she is not blamed.

Davey sswallows.. Pissed off NOBLE holy shit holyshit holy.. oh wait, yeha "You want the raider guys? That I can help you with. They came shooting past me... like an hour after I met em.. something about 'fucking elves' and.. oh guess that's you...but they didn't notice me so I hear em roaring by and saying something about heading The DEE-Lite Inn.. .it's like this crappy pay by the hour if you want motel?"

He turns to regard Colton and his trolls. "It seems like we have a common thief. At least three in this motley - Redcap, Eshu, and a Pooka - mounted on motorcycles." A look to Davey, brow raised. "Were there others?"

"They mentionedo thers yeah"

"It seems. The Dee Lite Inn? That's on our side, Baron, but I do hearby invite you to join us as your message so kindly suggested, at least in this endeavor. We both have reason to see to their end" Colton says

He looks to Ivory. "Would you join our hunt? She who you claim as dreamer and potential fledge was also almost their victim." A request, invitation - not a command.

In the distance, the bell of hounds rings out - and Aiden's lip curls just a touch on the corners.