#baronyofthesilverwolf

*****

Gwen finished a fantastic breakfast.

And went out to take a look about the freehold. Everything felt so real here. So true.

She knew that there were other holds.

Darkgate sounded ominous, but was full of trolls...so a bit of balance. Earth Runes , well, Ivory had really pitched for that. But the truth is, this place had welcomed her More than that, they saved me.

And so, she went about her chores. Guesthood had ended, and it was time to earn her keep. She didn't really mind much. Sure as hell beat her old life, and even mundane things felt magical here.

While the first few days may go by in a confusing blur, it soon settles into a easy routine. The manor house is expansive but with only sections of it in use, it's easy to learn where to go and what to do.

Marigold delights in having a new appetite, and is quick to find out Gwen's favorite dishes - or if she doesn't have set preferences, to tempt her with different options until some are discovered. And, through bubbly conversation, supplies her with a decent background in general fae dynamics, through a sheen of gossip, stories, and just chatter.

Thanes Linnea and Danica in turn take her on patrols - learning the boundaries of Silver Wolf, which trails lead to the kennels, the stables and the mews. And, they instruct her on the code of Dagda, both agreeing that while she may settle into either seelie or unseelie, the Code is unchanging and applies first and foremost.

Other work is done by part time staff - a gardener tips his hat to her as he trims the hedges - whorls of color touch his cheeks and she gets an ear-blistering education in profanity when the trimmer suddenly starts shooting a precise flame that darkens a section of lavender - though what practical purpose that may serve is unclear.

Other kennel and stable workers stop in on occasion and are welcomed by the Steward and none leave empty handed from her kitchen, and Bluebell and Briar seem to have the run of the place.

Aiden has warned her that is seldom at the manor himself due to his work with the animals, but has started a habit of taking breakfast with the household, and asks her of what she has learnt over the past day as they share a meal, and personally instructs her first in proper riding and care for her mount, only passing this duty on to the thanes once he is satisfied of her understanding.

Dame Calanthe is a bit of a mystery. Once learning that Gwen doesn't have any useful knowledge of Earth Runes, her interest lags and she is mostly seen in passing.

And so, the new fledge works her way into Silver Wolf routine...

Marigold just makes Gwen smile. Gwen was a scrawny girl before , now she jokes she'll gain even more weight than her stone skin would indicate . Indeed as a troll she is more athletic. But she is happy to be the subject of meal experiments despite her jokes. She has a weakness for steak. A meat eater this one.

Thanes Linnea and Danica intimidate her a bit. But she also feels secure about them and safe. An odd contrast. She moves along on patrols, trying very hard not to embarrass herself. The idea of Courts is intriguing, each having their own merits. Gwen isn't sure which way she leans yet, but hte Code of Dagda just seems .. well, necessary. true. For the first time in her life, SHE is a strong one. She's not going to be a jackass like some with it. She also wants training in how to use her spear better.

Gwen's not above helping the gardener, though she nearly jumps out of her hard skin at the lavender burst. She welcomes other servants with stoic head bobs and sometimes smiles. Bluebell is infectious, and Briar is kind of cute, in a 'do not touch the honeybadger cub' kind of way. She does ask why everyone has flower names. Pondering one for herself

The Baron has her in awe, not.. like hunky hunky hormones stuff, though with his looks it's hard not to stare, but he just seems so in command, so sure of the world. And yet, at times, more lonely than he lets on. Knowing that Marigold wants him to share meals, she's happy to encourage him to such, and considers his teaching her over a shared breakfast a win. And boy does she learn a lot. The man is a veritable sage at animals, riding, and husbandry. Rather than be offended by these quizes, she finds herself wanting to impress him and studies hard. Besides, she likes animals fine. SHe worries she's a bit heavy for the horses but once they find some than handle her 'load' fine (They carry armored knights at times after all) She realaxs. She adores the dogs... and is CURIOUS about the birds but may learn that's Calanthe's domain

Calanthe , a knight, seems to have decided Gwen's invisible or at least might as well be. That irks the wilder a touch, but she tries to blow it off. Besides, the rules say titles mean something so, she respects the knight in action if nothing else.

————-

“Do you feel You’ve got a grasp now on Seelie vs. Unseelie?” Linnea asks as they sit out by a shed that serves to hold weapons and supplies. The troll is carefully cleaning the business end of her battle hammer, and instructing Gwen on how to do the same with her spear.

"I do, though Unseelie feels .. meaner?" She says

Gwen works at her spear , cleaning it meticulously . She has had a mixed success rate with it, but she feels attached to it.

“You’ve met both Briar and Bluebell. One was hurt by members one side of the courts. And one was helped by the other. Which would you think experienced which?” Carefully polishing away any hint of rust. “Humor me with a guess.”

"This feels like a trap" Gwen says

A hint of a grin. “There’s no wrong answers when you’re a fledge. Just ignorant ones. Unlearned, which is our fault if left uncorrected.”

"Well, you said Redcaps were kind of the.. uhm bad boys of the kith, so I'm guessing the Seelie have a problem with them? So.. I guess she got helped by some Unseelie? And that would leave Blue bell to be helped by the Seelie folks??" She feels a bit bad relying on a stereotype but she's working what she got

“You’d think that. Most would.” Carefully checking the haft of her weapon for any splinters.

“Briar was taken in by a children’s home that sought to raise homeless fae with troubled pasts. She had lashed out violently against her prior mortal fosters, and they sought- by discipline, correction, and stern treatment, to ‘correct’ her patterns of behavior into polite and proper ones. Her dental correction is necessary due to the muzzle she wore to keep her from biting her ‘tutors’. I can only imagine it seemed honorable to retrain her for polite society, a good tamed monster. They claimed the summer court.”

Gwen winces and rubs at her jaw imaginining.

“When their operation was... halted, we took her in. To set her loose amongst any normal corby would have been a death sentence. What use is a red cap that cannot bite?”

Offering a bit of sandpaper to Gwen as she notices a rough spot on the spear handle.

"USE? She's a kid, younger than me... she doesn't have to be of use she.." For a moment, that trollish stoicism evades her, but she calms again after a long breath "So.. who here is Seelie and whose unseelie? Or is that considered.. rude?"

“Unseelie can tend towards practical, rather than romantic notions. In a perfect world, there is room for all to fulfill their needs. In truth? Glamour is precious and some feel that if you cannot pull your weight, you fall by the weigh side. Redcaps do not tend towards being sentimental. In most cases.”

Listening to the question. “Our lord is of an unseelie aligned house. But he does not disdain the usefulness of those who follow the Summer path, so long as order is kept. Marigold tends towards the seelie, as does Bluebell. Briar... she is unseelie as they come, should any ask. My sister and I find that the winter code suits us. But as you see, it’s... flawed. Each Court’s actions can be twisted. That is why the Code is vital. Would that other kith could understand that.”

She ponders "Sort of like you'll find assholes in every religion or creed? Folks who try to milk it as an excuse to BE assholes" Yeah, a nod. She thinks she's getting it "The Code of Dagda gives clearer lines "

A nod. “You’ll find the guidelines at Silverwolf fairly clear. Respect the lord, and don’t pry into any affairs he wishes private. Treat his beasts with respect and care, and honor the rank of any visitors.” A hesitation. “Steer clear of Knight Calanthe. She has her own agenda, and the less involved you are, the better. When you hear folk speak of the twisting intrigues and manipulations of Dragons, she would welcome that like a cloak on a winter day.”

A frown "I wonder if I pissed off Dame Calanthe already? When I first showed up she was .. well, watching me fine seemed ready to say hello. Now she treats me like I'm wall paper. Did I do something wrong?"

“If she takes note of you, it will be because you are of use to her. Which may not be negative.” Linnea allows. “Help with her falcons, or more like, some menial task. She- well. Any Knight outranks us both and is owed deference. But not the right to abuse that ranking. If any mistreats you- here, or elsewhere. You come to me, or Danica foremost. If it is urgent, do not fear to go to the Baron himself. He is fair minded, even if he should-” she cuts herself off. “We will see that you have fair treatment.” Stated with Certainty.

"I want to get good enough to take care of my self, Linnea. I mean, I need lessons now, but I dont' want to hide behind you and Danica you know?" Then a pause "Even if the baron should what?"

She takes a cloth and cream to polish her hammer to a shine. “Nothing. It is not my place to criticize his ruling methods. Or lack thereof.” Her expression does not welcome further questioning.

“Finish care of your spear and we can spar with the wooden dowels.”

The look indicates she'd LIKE to press, but she buries it under trollish stoicism then nods "Yes, Linnea"

Looking over the spear. “Good.” The thane grunts. Either in response to the dropped subject, or approval of her spear care- or both.

Well, the spear care at least is meticulous. The girl seems to treasure the thing as if it were an extension of her arm. She looks it over, gives a like blow on the feathers dangling from it which case it to flutter, and then rises

A target is set in a hay bale, and a barrel of staves on one side of this manicured bit of lawn. Linnea pulls one out, showing that they are tipped with a narrow point. She whirls, and chucks it towards the target.

And it embeds itself deep within the bale- not centered in the target, but nearly through to the other side.

“These are weighted, practice enough and your spear will feel feather-light. Keep the integrity of your blade- or spear point- dedicated for battle, and not dulled by practice. Danger may come at any moment, and you are only as strong as your weapon.”

"Things already feel feather light sometimes, compared to what they were" She admits but whistles at the throw

“Oh?” A wolffish grin, and she swaps the spear Gwen reaches for, for another. Discolored spots on the haft show that the core was drilled out and replaced by heavier metal. “This one, then.”

She takes the offered weapon, then blinks "Okay yeah. I see what you mean. That's got uhm... oomph" She takes it... and ... then LOBS trying for one smooth motion

It is NOT a smooth motion, and not all the way through, but it did hit. If the bale had legs , she would have hit that instead of the torso. "Okay.. it ah... yeah I might need practice"

She allows a grin. “Join Danica in the mornings for her workouts. She doesn’t believe in requiring of the police recruits anything she couldn’t do double. It will help. I hope you are fond of pushups.”

"Rock and roll" Gwen says

Trying to look as macho as possible without sprouting unseemly chest hair

Chuckling. “A few more throws, then we can call it for dinner. Marigold is making venison chops.”

"God I love venison" She grabs another and tries again

“Deet hunting season starts next month. Work hard and maybe you can put your spear where your mouth is. Or stomach is.” A moment. “Okay, that didn’t work as well as it sounded in my head.

Then the next shot sinks in a shot just as accurate ad the thane's earlier one, though not quite as deep

Gwen grins wolfishly "I don't know.. . works for me"

Soft clapping from the sidelines, where Aiden stands. Linnea gives a prompt bow. “Well done, Miss Gwen.”