#baronyofthesilverwolf

It is hard to rein in wolfhound - not due to his size or stubbornness, but out of sheer enthusiasm. A HUNT! He stays a few paces ahead of Aiden as neatly as if on a leash, nose alternately brushing the ground and scenting the air, but he quivers with eagerness. It took a moment to explain to him that they are seeking the scent on the napkin and not a deer or other game, but Fort is quick to understand.

Aiden follows on a level with the hound, tracking on foot while the horses follow after - Ivory and Gwen free to ride or walk as they see fit. One of the troll thanes - Danica, with her police badge, has joined and offers to take their reins if they choose to walk.

Mischka, the mighty mama bear dog, stalks at the rear of the party, snuffling the path they have left - and the two overground fluff monsters bound underfoot with the joy of a day at the dog park. An occasional word from Aiden or soft boof from their dam bring them to heel - but it's only a minute or two before they bounce again.

"Are your apples of particular value other than as dross, Storm Colton?" Danica rumbles over to him. "With a redcap in their party, I fear you may be less likely then we to recover your losses."

"Delicious in pies." Colton says "I admit, the odds aren't good

They cross into the Dark Gate area, Storm Colton leading the way

"That's good at least. Fae fruit can have interested side effects, from some rumors. Unsubstantiated, but... stories travel. But dross can be replaced."

Aiden remarks tersely, "Those horseshoes are worth their weight in silver to have crafted. Function and beauty - and not to be... melted for a fix or a redcap's toothpick."

"I understand, a quality farrier's skill is not to be underestimated" Storm Colton says "I prefer weaponsmithing but horses need shoes"

And the Dee Lite Hotel comes into view.

"We have a farrier visit quarterly, but would be interested in a local source..." He pauses as they note the hotel. Fort whines eagerly, if his sniffer led him true, the quarry is near!

Looking to Colton. "Storm Colton - if I understand, that title is akin to a war leader? We are on your lands now. How would you proceed?"

"It is" He nods and looks over the motel "Two major exits, assuming no one dives out a window. We want those two points covered. Then a third group to flush them out.. or , lure them out , perhaps in a feigned retreat. Can your dogs lead one to the room without making a clamour about ?"

The male puppy whines eagerly, but a hand on his head shushes him. "Not yet, Ivanushka. I need you and your sister to watch the windows. Set up a howl if our gamebirds try to fly away."

To Colton, he nods. "Fort can take point - and based on their reaction to seeing him, either draw them back or scare them onwards. He will go with others if I tell him so. Danica is also at your command." Deeding power over the sting to Colton as simply as that. Some may see this as a weakness, but perhaps, it is wisdom in letting the one who knows this game play it best? Or allowing deniability of guilt if it goes wrong? These Ailil do like their games.

"I would put the pups to watch at the windows." A position of relative safety, but where they can yap a warning. "Gwen, if you would guard them?" A request, asked both to her and towards Ivory - to see if he may prefer a different tactic for the Fledge.

Gwen says "You think they'd hurt puppies ? Geez they are as..eer cretins" She course corrects.

IVory nods "They would. And yes, Baron"

A nod. He speaks to the wolfhound. "Fort, hunt with stealth. These are curs, not deer, and if cornered, they may fight all the fiercer. Leave them an alley of escape - rout them that way, if you must."

Fort nods.

Colton nods "If you'll leave me to him,, I will treat your hound as a comrade in arms"

A nod, and waits to see which doorway he and his troll thane are directed to. Sword loosened for ease of draw, and off hand checking a pocket - dross, or elements for a bunk, perhaps.

When the motorccyles are spotted, the Baron has the pleasure of waiting there closest to their parking spot. It makes sense the enemy might go for those first

Gwen bites her lip, and readies her spear near the puppies.

Ivory has the other side

and...

Waiting. Dragons can be patient. Hunters? Hunters have to be.

Aiden settles on his haunches - coiled and ready - watching silently. He waits.

Storm Colton bursts through the door, Fort at his side... heading towards the Baron

And behind him comes a lady redcap with what looks to be a chain saw, not yet revved

"Fort! Away!" He snaps, and his sword is drawn, and held before his eyes, then flicked to one side - it looks like posturing - showboating, or posing! But it DOES give him a regal look and he commands to the Redcap, "Drop your weapon!" Lacing command into his words.

The magic lashes forward ripples outward, and goes wild... hitting alles and enemy alike. Even as another Raider comes out and is caught, so two are others...

And even Aiden himself feels the urge to drop his weapon! To remove it and throw it to the ground!

Aiden resists the urge as his cantrip goes wild...

The chainsaw IS dropped , thrown in fact

A stifled curse as he flexes his grip on the sword.

Danicia drops her gun with a curse

To her surprise, the new troll maages to resist

And Storm Colton manages to hang onto his weapon as well even as one his own hold drops one.

And too late the Raiders realize Colton and Fort were NOT the only ones here!

"Get to the bikes!" the Eshu says

Aiden straightens back up, and with a shove of his booted foot, goes to knock the bikes over like dominoes.

Puppies bark and howl and growl FEEEAAAROCIOUSLY!

"NO, mY COOLNESS!" The Raider Pooka says as his bike is knocked into another bike. .and charges Aiden, slamming into him

Aiden is not used to peasants putting hands on him

"You DARE- " He starts, but is bowled over easily!

A furious neigh, and his stallion looks like it's ready to wade in and start stomping - potentially friend and foe alike!

And then the dogs come! The Coyote Pooka looks up "Man's best Fri..."

And screams as Mischka tears into his leg

Folks think of Canine guardians very little. They don't grasp why Dogs have been used and are STILL used as protection by many! And as Fort Joins in, the Coyote Pooka gets a lesson in canine heirchy

Aiden focuses on escaping from underneath the poor pooka, regaining both breath and an attempt at Dignity as he looks up to see how the others fare - where is that eshu??

Aiden pulls free, his jaw is bruised but that's it. He sees the Redcap bleeding, Chimerically, as Colton's blade went deep. The Eshu ? where is the...

The Eshu has thrown a chimerical knife towards Ivory! It circles tip over hilt...

and then Gwen , who has moved from her position, puts out a hand. is she trying to catch it? It doesnt' work! But the skin, that stone like skin, keeps her from losing fingers, and she does deflect it! the knife makes a sound like steel hitting stone and then falls to the ground

"Danica - cuff the cap - behind her back where she can't bite loose." He orders - if she is in sight.

The knife arcs through the air, but he doesn't waste time watching the destination a dagger thrown is like milk already spilt. Instead, leaping forward towards the origin, his sword out again and tip aimed towards the tale-spinner.

The Eshu curses, turns, only to get a sword blow wounding him! Aiden presses his foe trying to pin him!