#baronyofthesilverwolf

Julius is hard to work at his small study, carefully inscribing with ink and quill. Searching out Nadeen before she has left from her visit, he offers this initial draft to the Baroness to review, after carefully checking that the ink is dry

"Not my best work," He admits to himself, "But it's good practice on the calligraphy.

On stationary blazoned with silver on sable, wolf paw and horseshoe. An invitation to a small gathering, in celebration of Wolfenoot and Autumn, and the times of thanksgiving. An informal fete with a ride to view the changing colors of the trees (weather allowing), and feasting to follow.

"What do you think? I took what the Dame told me she wanted, and toned it down to what I thought was more reasonable to actually pull off. I wasn't sure if I should put you as a co-host? Or if you may just be willing to deliver a few of the invitations to those you know well, so they know you'll be in attendance."

"I think it's a lovely as it is. " Needeen says "For 'not your best work' it's quite good"

He grins at her, "It keeps the fingers nimble! I wonder if we should put out a request for a minstrel. I can play a bit, and D'Lorean proved a mean hand with that old harp of hers, but I wouldn't impose on her first shindig here to work as a performer. I suppose prerecorded music would be terribly gauche."

"I might ask around. I know a few from Imbolcs and the like past." She offers, "Oh, I've been meaning to ask. Do you know what would be purchaser of the pups was rejected?"

"Let's see - D'Lorean - sorry, Lady D'Lorean - mentioned inviting Dame Dagmar of Rivervale - politics need must include "and squire". He looks a little unsure, but continues. "The official Emmissary of Rivervale, Miss Davidson, as well."

Scribbling notes on a scrap of paper.

"From Dark Gate, their Freeholder, as well as that Storm fellow, both allowing a plus one... And perhaps one to Miss Teegan of the DeBukes. I'd swallow my stylus before I'd expect her to accept, but it at least cracks a doorway. And Ser Sergei of Earth Runes. Has he taken a squire?" He shuffles for more notes.

It takes him a minute to register the question, lost in his own musings. "Oh? Well, there's always a process for any of those deals. Lord Aiden conducts the proceedings more like a matchmaker than a salesmen. Looking out for the reputation of the hold, as well as the welfare of his animals."

He shoves the address book aside and pulls a different notebook closer. "Let's see..." His small study looks an absolute mess, but apparently Julius knows where everything is.

She tilts her head

"We have a few. A local looking for guard dogs - mortal, you see. While Aiden does other litters, he only have the Fae on the ground right now, a lonely life even for a normal dog, and the fae hounds we have are so smart that they would have been wasted and languished in such. He referred him to an installer of security systems instead. it was a few weeks ago." Flipping through pages. "Oh, then there was that Scathach. He did put up a bit of a stink." He shakes his head a bit.

"Not Baron Kealan I hope? He's normally much more discrete"

"Oh, no - he did not claim a barony, and was shopping for himself. Let's see.. it was... Cameron... no, it was Calder. No title, and seeming errant, or at least not associated with a particular liege that he claimed. Here we are." Tapping an entry. "He'd previously purchased dogs from another kennel that Aiden crossbreeds with, over in Willows."

"I see" She considers "mmm"

"That was less than two years ago. Good, strong beast - bully stock, with dogo argentino blood. They use them for fighting invasive hogs down there. But still, to lose not one, but all three dogs in such quick succession?" A shake of his head. "Something felt off, and the Baron declined his request."

"I did a little more research into it, and it looks like he may have been involved in - well, the fae equivalent of bear baiting. Rustle up a nasty creature, capture or lure it back, and set your dogs on it. There's good money to be made in the sport, if you can call it that. Blood money, dirty stuff, and brutality, is how I see it."

Nadeen scoffs "Crude. Barbaric, and my House is not above melting dross and drowning traitors in the molten stuff of it." She's not joking then she says "I wonder if It would be presumptive of me to mention the pups remaining to Sir Sergei?"

Julius is still looking at that last record, tapping the pen against his temple thoughtfully. A bit of blue ink has left a mark there, and he makes a note beside it - further investigation needed

"Oh, Sir Sergei!" He shuffles back to the original list. "That is certainly an option. His reputation is sterling, as far as his animals go. We may even see if he'd be willing to work out a trade. Lord Aiden was considering a scenthound line for his next venture, and Earthrunes is known to have some of the best kennels."

"Actually, they have a pleathora of Scenthounds last I heard"

"Though Fae hound beagles can be a handful"

A grin. "Beagles are adorable, though. Ideally, a plotthound or foxhound - but one takes what they can when it comes to fae beasts. So many have faded away, and so many new breeds never had the chance to catch da'an's eye, as it were. I've heard of quests to the dreaming to seek out the souls of the loyal hounds of yore, but it's a dangerous venture."

"It's a shame those DeBukes are farmers and not ranchers, even if they didn't suffer from their noble biases. Ovcharkas excel at livestock guardianship."

"Oh they have Great Pyrenneas" She says "That's where Rivervale got its dogs."

"Ahhhh. Then they're well set. I had a note about seeing if Rivervale's Oak could be studded out. Well, it was worth a thought."

And he smiles to the Baroness. "Really, you shouldn't worry though. Even if Aiden rejected every last suitor for these pups, they'd not end up abandoned. There would always be a home for them back is the Caucuses - that's where their mother came from, even if it meant taking a loss. "

"Then again, there is Dark Gate." He ponders.

"True" She ponders "I hadn't considered Dark Gate."

A small chuckle. "Not to give away all of our secret Ailil plots, schemers we. But what may seem a generous gift could also be a guarantee on border fortifications and protection in the future."

"Oh I am well aware, having Darkgate grateful could be useful in manyways. And Wudlig thinks highly of Ailill.. at least his Bannerhouse does. Mm"

"Does he?" More notes taken. "An invitation to himself as well, plus one. Now... Hm. I'll check to see if Gwen has anyone she wants to invite... Briar has been going on about this redcap she met at Pennons, but that might be a bit much... what about yourself? Anyone that it would please you to have attend?"

"I don't.. think Dame Dagmar would say yes" She sighs "Oh, I might be inviting Sir Sergei did I mention that? "

He nods. "Well, Dame Dagmar is doubly invited, as Dame Delorean was hoping to hobnob with her some more. So, perhaps you'll be surprised."

"And yes - it's a good chance for him to visit the dogs as well. Does he have a squire that we should include?"

"He has some apprentices, but not a squire of his own"

"Very well. I'll note on his that he is welcome to tour the kennels as well, and that we have some fine hounds he may find of interest. He can bring a plus one of whatever shape he decides. Though if he brings a lady..." a muffled snort of laughter.

"Oh, Calanthe would be..." He can't even finish, shaking his head and trying hard not to snicker.

"Oh my. I had not realized her designs were so set" Surprise

"Not so much, but having shown an interest, and then had another lady brought into her own desmense? It doesn't make sense to ME, but I'm a sensible goat, but I bet my hat she would take insult and stalk around like a ruffled pigeon all night."

"I imagine she would have a right to it" She concedes

"Might even be worth it if it wasn't a roulette's guess on who she'd snap at next." A sigh.

"I see" A pause "Forgive, perhaps the Dame makes things harder for herself than she realizes with these mannerisms"

An amused look. "I hadn't noticed." Dryly. "In some ways, she's as flighty as her birds. Elegant, deadly, but fragile and quick to offense. If only a falcon-hood worked on her, eh?"

And a pause, realizing that he IS talking to a noble and a sidhe. "Please don't repeat that, my Lady."

"I wouldn't think of it," She says "In truth I've noticed she is her own worst enemy. If she could take your words with grace, she'd be a stronger woman, but no n eed to die on that hill"

"She's Ailil, what can we do? She may settle as the season goes on. Summer fits her like an ill-tailored jacket and she gets especially snappish. I much prefer her in the Winter. She's still herself, but more predictable." A smile.

"No offense, my Lady. But the mark of a good servant is knowing how to best manage one's lieges, and without them realizing they've been managed. It's not unlike a toddler with a tantrum, at times."

"Julius, if I ever get to be a liege, I hope to have someone like you to help in the managing" She admits "Though I can't say I never get snappish"

He smiles at her. "You will. You're a good sort, I'd have figured that out even without having to decode Bluebell's praises."

"Oh, Bluebell. How I underestimated your lady, Julius. We Varich love a challenge but I confess, when i saw her dance I knew my odds had slimmed down. I'll remember that performance as long as I live." A tilt of her head "You are spoiling her , I trust? Making her blush with excessive praise and flattery?"

"With every chance I get." He grins. "She DOES blush so prettily." A sigh. "Well, the sooner I finish this paperwork, the sooner I get back to that task, right?"

"I'll get these invitations written up. Would you be able to deliver to River Vale - Dame Dagmar and... Miss Sylvi. No, Emissary Sylvi. I can send on to Earth Runes via messenger bird, that will be most efficient. And Linnea can visit Dark Gate, she most often runs the patrols along their borders.

For Teesha DeBuke, mail will have to do - hers can include an invitation to tour the mews. Any courier would be likely hog-tied, tarred and feathered as a precaution before even checking the message. And that would be me!"

"It's in my duties to deliver such to Rivervale" She says

A nod. "I'll get these to you in two shakes of a goat's tail."

"I'll go outside and make sure MY dog hasn't eatten a sibling" And she nods and goes out to check on her beloved pooch

(End Scene)