#baronyofthesilverwolf

"We're wannted on the hunting lodge side of things, and I think that might be our strong point," She answers, "So I would suggest one of the thanes, if Calanthe will allow" Her tone indicates she is now quite aware who the thanes answer to unless the baron over rides, "Dame Lavender is a knight and their services are martial... and then... mmm Briar's still so young. No, marigold would not likely forgive me if the girl got hurt, nor Gwen."

"Oh, and Myself" A nod

He nods, considering. "If it were a stealth or recon mission... Bluebell might actually have been a good pick. Her predilection to silliness aside, she is trustworthy and adept at being unseen. But this does sound more a martial mission.

Dame Lavender is a good choice. On Snowthorn, she's half a centaur herself, so well do they work together.

Gwen? No." He shakes his head. "What we've been told clearly shows that these hunters will not balk at harming a fledge. Even as capable as Gwen is, she is still under our protection. ...for a few months yet." Blinking in surprise. "It is amazing how time has flown... this August, I believe, we will need to see to her saining."

"So soon?" regarding the time passing, "Good grief. It should be amazing to see her true essence unleashed in full." A smile at that, then she considers, "Aiden, should Calanthe come along? She and I appear to be in a tug of war over your soul, but she has a hard time meeting me even half way. That said, maybe fighting side by side would allow her andn I a chance to know each other?"

"Calanthe is more concerned with protection of the hold itself, rather than seeking trouble without. That said, the incursion into our demesne is reason enough to retaliate." He considers. "I will bring it up to her. Ordering her to go along may have an adverse reaction."

"Briar... a childling, yes, but she is tough. Let her run the perimeter with the pack of hunting dogs. They will be ample protection, and she can provide guidance to them should any of our quarry try to flee."

Mmmph "Calanthe frustrates me, obviously. She claims I take jibes at her expense, in truth I think she has tried to do like wise to me in what I took to be some attempt at dominance. The fact I have scored a hit in a test she started is hard for me to apologize for , but at the same time," A frown "I suppose I could apologize for undermining her as Chancellor in front of others. I did not think I had, clearly she disagrees" A hmm again, "You worry you're not a typical Ailil. I think she has taken too much of the negative House aspect. I had thought we were coming to accords. I miscalculated there it seems. How do YOU think I can earn her trust ? Barring capitulation" Clearly that last ain't happening

"I must ask you to please, do not judge her overly harshly. Calanthe is... a complicated soul. Workings that she has long since Mastered are now seeming to escape her grasp, and in her position of strength and safety, suddenly a newcomer who outranks her has appeared, and threatens all that she felt was secure. Marigold's illness also shook her quite a bit."

A hand reaches to take Nadeen's. "I do not believe such is your intent, but it is true, you threaten her, by your very nature. Were she of equal rank, I think it would be easier to see you as peers. With you outranking her, how can she but see you as a threat to her power?"

"I am a threat to her power, I am also the means for her to achieve many of her goals, " A sigh "If only I could show her... mmm" Thoughtful, she lets her hand slide into his "I love you, and, if we become lovers, I am going to expect, nay, demand, avenues to you no other woman is allowed. Just as I would allow you confidences no other would have. But, " A frustrated look, "for your sake, I will TRY not to judge her too harshly. Despite her manipulations of Connor at Rivervale and her anger at me. But I can only bend so far. I have my pride too."

He squeezes her hand, listening. At the mention of his son, she can feel him stiffen, and his gaze slides away. "Such is all I ask. That you may bend, but not backwards, and not to the point of breaking. An allowance for her position, but not free rein for her to trample your own pride."

"I understand you've shown an interest in hawking? Is that in earnest, or to curry her favor?" Not judging. "While she does open up where her birds are concerned... if it is just a passing fancy, I would counsel not to grow too close to any of the falcons. They bond strong, and it would do them no favors."

"I am actually very fond of Vesper" She admits, "I trainn with her quite often. She's a smug litle thing" Approving, "And, yes, teaches me more than I teach her." A bit of a blush "I confess, part of it was to curry Calanthe's favor, but I really do want to learnn the craft. Now I suppose I'll have to visit Ser Sergei"

"Your riding has come along splendidly, and there can be no faults in your training of Pyschka. Master the air as well, and you're a true example of the best Silverwolf can offer." Fondly.

"Flattery will get you far , my lord" A kiss on his cheek, then she says, "Forgive me for ruining a moment, but...every time I mention your son's name, you stiffen, you look away. Do you still blame him for his mother's doom?"

His hand in hers feels cool - no, actually cold, frigid- before he pulls it away, and his voice is similarly frosty. "I have provided for him, and seen that he is well cared for. I am told that he thrives. He need want for nothing. Have I not? And how could I not? When they are inextricably linked? Innocence notwithstanding, he was the cause. A landslide may come without rancor, and a beast prey upon one without cruel intent, and yet they are still the cause of catastrophe. Shall the climber return with love to the mountain that swallowed their mate? The hunter to fawn upon the pup that slew their partner? Do not ask it of me."

"Connor is not the mountain ... he is the little boy who was on the mountain that his mother fell from. You have provided much. But you and he both grieve for the same loss. THIS is your true link. That same proverbial mountain that took your wife took his mother. He is not a killer, he is a fellow victim, his crime is survival of what took her. You hate wrongly in this, and that has let it become a wound that damages you constantly. I love you, but this barb of hate for him must eventually be plucked if you are to ever heal. It is not a matter of just forgiving him, and yourself. It is a matter of realizing there is no easy target TO hate here. Not truly."

He listens. He does, and... trembles. A look of pain, of loss, flashes over his face - but it does pass. It drains away, sucked back inward, as quickly as it came, leaving him to straighten up, with only a small frown in it's wake, as though handling some small unpleasantry.

"Do not let it concern you, Nadeen. We have plans to make for hunting the hunters." Refocusing on their original conversation.

She strokes his face once more, "It does concern me, and I will bring it up. I once did it for his sake. More and more I do it for yours. Little by litle, you must let yourself grieve, must endure the pain, and I will be here for it for all our sakes. But fine, for now, " A breath "Briar and the pack actually sounds very effective in reserve, and she will love it no doubt."

"What force may we expect from Dark Gate? Have you coordinated with their Bridge?"

"Coordinating now. I know that they'll be sending the Bridge herself, their storm, and at least one knight and a small squad of soldiers."

"Then, we should offer that which they have not. Sheer power, Dark Gate has in spades. Perhaps we can offer guile. We broach the hunters on their own base, which gives them an advantage. If tackling a nest of hornets, they would best be smoked out. Perhaps we can drive them from their den and deal with them on equal footing."

"Smoke them out en masse? Yes. That might be prudent" A smile crosses her features

"Do you wish to test your bond with Vespa? A kestrel is swift and small, and could easily drop a smoke grenade within. Else, We may ask for stealth to draw close and attempt either incursion, or perhaps simply straightforward through a window."

"I ..mm I'd be willing to try just that"

Intrigued

"Now... we haven't a Nocker who specializes in incendiaries... which is probably safer in the long run. There may be something we can create within our own kitchens, or Dark Gate's forge. But... it occurs to me that we may not have to. Simply the threat may be enough. Colored mundane smoke bombs are easily enough obtained for theatrical purposes. Add a touch of glamour... If they expect to be poisoned or ensorceled, that fear may be enough to drive them out. Your thoughts?"

"I know at least two folks who make REAL bombs at Rivervale. I'm sure they could do better than theatricial..." A pause "if they have time"

"See what they can do. If it is too short notice, we will rely on their own fears to drive them."

A nod "And a bit of soveriegn never hurt.. the user"

"An autumn user might link smoke and shadows to fear to drive prey." He ponders this. "There are those that use similar cantrips to flush game. I do not, myself. It is less that sporting. But this is a rout, not a proper hunt, and these 'hunters' shall not be accorded the respect I would a stag or beast."

A look at him, "Gods, my blood does heat when you speak so"

She is NOT mocking

He looks to her, a smile on his lips. "Shall you come hunt with me? Are you huntress, or hind? Fleet and fleeing, or swift in pursuit? Someway, we shall see."

"I would gladly hunt by your side, lord, or play chase. Though, you know, if I ever become hunted you must be very sure to be ready to deal with the consequences of catching me" She looks at him with a hint of mischief

He cups her cheek in one hand. "There was a time when you caught my eye, and I compared you to a flower. And yet... My Dahlia? She was a blossom, a hot-house bloom to be treasured, carefully tended. You are no less a treasure, and yet... there is so much more to you, lady of dancing snows. I look forward to learning some of your mysteries."

There is a pang there, but it is more bittersweet.

"You flatter me" And she means it , "Treasures come in more than one form, and I am honored to be in such fine company though I know I mustt share your heart there" She puts a hand on his chest, "And I would not take that from you even if I could. " A confession "Sometimes I felt too protected at the lodge. A whole group of trolls? If I mentioned a possible danger I was going to deal with I'd end up with an escort to walk by the REMAINS of the threat before I had a time to blink. At times it got a bit smothering" amused more than offended "But I can take care of myself with some sword and spell. I fear I am master of neither"

"I confess, swordplay is not my expertise either. I prefer the bow, and that in the hunt and not in battle. Danica despaired long ago of teaching me the art of the sword - but if you wished to learn more, the thanes are at your disposal. Though, we could find a swordmaster, if it suited you better, than those who focus on axe and hammer."

"I have enough on my plate" she assures then looks curious "And Calannthe? How skilled is she in bow or melee? "

"She does passing well with a bow, though she relies on her hawks to take prey in the air or on the ground. In the past, a study of close weapons took her fancy - small blades and fans, and at a time, a bladed whip. Though, those I believe were more of a hobby than true martial study."

But she does not voice those thoughts

"We are not a martial hold, like Dark Gate, or perhaps Rivervale. We are hunters and trainers, breeders of fine creatures. And of such we are justly proud."

"Quite justly" She says, and means it "I feel quite the amateur here in many areas. Mmm the more I think about it, the more the 'show' of this, the theatricality, might take on a hunter vibe even if they are ignoble prey. Horns, hounds... it could work to intimidate. Oh dearr, Briar will love it" a chuckle

"Had I the skill, I would turn them into rabbits and deer, and set the dogs upon them. Let them feel the hunt." Quietly fierce.

"Hares... Bluebell would be quite insistannt I think on terms"

A sudden laugh. "Indeed'

Nadeen delights in his laugh

"Alas, the best master of metamoprhisis I know is one Jonas, a troll of Rivervale."

A slightly disappointed sigh. "Seelie trolls, less likely to see the merit in punishment duly earned. Such were the fair folk known for in days of old."

"it's so frustrating" She sighs "Once we roamed the hills like gods, and the sons of Adam and daughters of eve placated our moods with offerings of at least respect. Our justices were the stuff of nighmares, our kindnesses the things of legends... and neither ever taken lightly"

It is pleasant to dwell in nostalgia of the good old days.

Indeed, both sidhe might, for a time, hold hands and , well, Gwen would call it 'spacing out' but non sidhe can't understand. It was a thousand years ago, i was yesterday, for sidhe see and FEEL time differently