#baronyofthesilverwolf

Aiden, for once, doesn't have to be prompted to show up for breakfast. He is at the cozy dining nook apart from the main bustle of the hold, awaiting Nadeen to join him and their Eshu guest.

A light spread is provided after yesterdays feastful excess - a rather unusual one. A variety of flatbreads with whipped butter and soft goat cheese, whipped cream sweetened with honey, and a variety of fruit jams and spreads - quince, sour cherry, and fig, based on the series of small jars. Fragrant black tea steams, rich and sweet, with an intriguingly floral scent.

Tiberius is seated already, and waves to Nadeen as she approaches. "You're just in time."

Nadeen is wearing a lovely sundress, tis the season, and the word play involved amuses her

Which a ticking whirr and soft clank, Tiberius rises to greet her at the same time as Aiden - albeit, the sidhe is much more smooth and fluid in motion, and they both bow before Aiden pulls out a chair for Nadeen.

"thank you, gentlemen" She slides into chair offered, "And thank you, m'lord" A smile

"I was just telling Aiden - I may call you Aiden?" He asks, and receives an inclination of the head from the Baron, "That I'd become rather partial to a Persian-style breakfast and had brought some treats home. Most went to Marigold, a box of but these jams, and a box of confections to Gwen, but I think that the lighter fare may tempt even your appetite, ye with the habit to skip meals, and this rose tea may suit you, Baroness."

"If you can get the Aiden eating regularly, Marigold may pin a medal on you, Tiberius" Ignoring that she sometimes skips a meal herself while out reeving

"Now, news on the quest's results?" Nadeenn presses "I'm all eager for news"

He pours tea for the three of them, Aiden, then Nadeen, and finally himself.

"I know that you are eager for news on the magical horses you sought. Clearly I have not brought them with me, unless they are hidden under my hat." Tibbs runs a hand over his short-cropped hair, and sighs, "And I have not even brought my hat. But what I can tell you is that I found clear evidence that they DO exist. For now."

"Wonderful, though.. the term 'for now' is alarming" Nadeen sips her tea "Are they in danger?"

"That remains to be seen. There I was, presented at the Caliphate of Cedars. The Caliph there, Mahbub ibn Iqbal, holds court and entertains with stories that rival any Eshu... though as he is a pooka, the word around court is you'd have to be daft to believe them.

Now, myself? I've been around long enough to know when a tale may still have the ring of truth, and it's my belief that only half of what he says is make-believe, and there is truth hidden in even the most foolish of his tales. And I said as much at audience, though perhaps it was reckless of me to question him before his court."

"Hopefully his kith means he has a sense of humor about it" Nadeen finds the idea of a pooka with rulership alarming but schools her features

"He called me before him, and told me that it is my right to speak at his court, should I pay proper obeisance." His tone a bit dry, as he gestures to himself, and adds, "I had to let him know that I had arrived fresh out of any, as I was clearly unable to stand, let alone bow. A neat trap he set, for I could not deny that he was not properly greeted, ability or not. The breach of Hospitality was judged to be on my end, and had I not bargained, I would have been tossed in a cell for my 3 days of Escheat granted visit!"

"Really?" Nadeen says, her tone not indicating doubt, but rather ire "And did he abuse a Silver wolf emmisary so? 'legally' or otherwise?"

"I believe that the cells of his threat may have turned out to be rather sumptuous accommodations. Such would be befitting a pookas peculiarities." He smiles, appreciating her rancor on his behalf.

"Rather, I offered that in place of my obeisance I might provide a tale or a service, and the latter he jumped upon. I wonder if he sought to make an example out of me, as he tasked me to retrieve an item of some mystical significance which involved travel over sands without roads - little did he know that I had Bandersnatch at my side, which changed the journey from an impossibility to a practicality, and allowed me to return with not only the item he requested, but a bonus beside."

He spins the tale artfully...

"...which left me presenting before him and his Harem, both the item he wanted, a golden snifter of very fine brandy, as well as a box of veils woven of butterfly silk and scattered with gemstones to rival the very sky. You would not believe the clamour that his harem sent up, until he was forced to bargain with me for both... as I had intended." A grin.

"You sly devil," A look to Aiden "Can you imagine a ruler bulied by the women in his life so? " All innocence in her gaze

"Women, and men both. The Caliph does not limit himself to the pleasures of only one gender." Tiberius says with a grin, and Aiden's cheeks pink just a bit - either from that, or from Nadeen's attention. To Tiberius, "I don't suppose..."

"As a matter of fact..." He gives Aiden a smile, but shakes his head. "But first, the rest of the tale. The whole of one of the Caliph's treasure rooms was offered to me, within which was a map. A map enclosed with the same seal as the original documents that sent you on this path to begin with, a map of deserts unmappable by mortal means, of shifting sands and moving landmarks.... and sealed with an emblem of a golden horseshoe wreathed in flame."

Aiden startles to his feet. "The map! You found it... it does exist!"

"Such was offered, or, the services of one of his expert Artificers, a Nocker craftsman trained by the Toymakers guild of the Bes Din. Skilled in clockwork and automata." Here, his smile wanes a bit. Aiden tilts his head, uncomprehending for a moment.

"Oh my" Nadeen says realizing some temptations "go on with the story, please"

"What I have brought you is scant hope, but hope it is. The map exists, which before was only a supposition. There was the chance to acquire it and have it into your hands even now... However. I saw an opportunity before me that I could not pass up. I apologize, my lord. You have done well by me with the loan of Bandersnatch, and I fear I have returned your grace with ingratitude. I chose my freedom, over your request. Though I do not blame my decision on my kith, I can only hope that you cannot fault an Eshu faced with such a choice."

He rises, there is the clockwork clicking and ticking once more, and bows once more, head lowered, before the Baron.

She puts a gentle hand over Aiden's hand

She herself is disappointed, so she can imagine her love is doubly so for his joy of horses is immense

Aiden's expression is conflicted. The earlier hope, dashed. He looks over the Eshu before him.

She gives Aiden a reassuring smile "We know it exists. That this is not an empty pursuit. That is more than we knew afore, my love"

Finally he responds, "I cannot say that I am pleased, Tiberius. However..." He listens to Nadeen, and nods. "My lady is correct. What may have been a snipe hunt is now a serious endeavor. We know of the map, and know where it can be found, and some insight into the nature of the one who holds it. It may not have been a success... but neither have you failed."

His expression is grave, but does soften with Nadeen's assistance.

"Please rise. If you were to rust there like the Tin Man, Gwen would surely be upset, and I fear I spoil the fledge somewhat and would not disappoint her so."

"However, Tiberius, if I may give opinion? "

"I am glad to see you back on your feet, and that sending you hence has led to your restoral." Aiden adds, taking, perhaps, some personal credit in that success.

He looks to Nadeen, and Tiberius, also rising, looks as well.

"My lady?" The Eshu asks.

"You wished to take this task, this quest on, to repay a debt you felt to Silverwolf , if I recall? " She reminds "Though admittedly as much to Gwen as the Baron. I know none bind an eshu but the eshu themselves, and I do not blame you for choosing freedom of such a nature, who would not in your case? You look grand and I rejoice for you. However, do you feel the debt is fully paid, and if not, how will you repay the rest?" She asks "I do not mean to be unkind, but I'm Reeve , and interactions with the people, such as clearing such debts are under my sway I would think. Perhaps there are other things you could do for Silverwolf to make up the remainder?"

He straightens up, and considers this. "I do have insider information as to the contents of the first treasure chamber of the Caliphate, and insight into his nature and that of his Harem. Perhaps such would be helpful in a future attempt to gain access to the map. And if... IF the map cannot be bought or bartered, not that I would suggest anything UNTOWARD, but why, perhaps even a look at it would be enough to seek the treasure it holds key to..."

Nadeen admits "it sounds... most interesting... AND... " She adds as if it should be obvious what else he can do

but her eyes sparkle with kindness. Whatever it is, it is not something she thinks he'll mind

He peers curiously at the Baroness. "Would you have a boon of me as well, Lady?"

"Of course not, but i DO believe Gwen would be rather sad if you weren't there for the day of her saining. She thinks highly of you, Tiberius. she believes you are a great adventurer, a kind heart, and a fountain of wisdom; Which I suppose you are. She also considers you a friend. And while I would not tell her this, she is a sensitive hearted girl."

"I wouldn't mi-" He pauses, and his eyes glint. A hand over his heart. "My lady, I so swear that the moon should fall from the sky, and the sun from the heavens, before I would miss the day of her saining. Wild horses - begging your pardon, M'Lord - couldn't drag me away."

"That's not needful" she says and looks apologetic, "And I did not mean it as a reprimand , if that's how you took it?" Somedays she fears her Reeve skills need polishing, but in her defense, Rivervale only had one Eshu and that a kid

He laughs, and winks to the Baroness. "Not at all. I know that whatever else should come up, my feet would bring me back here in time. Gwen restored me to my soul - for what time this grump has left in this turn of the wheel, I feel that our fates may intertwine at least a few more times yet."

Aiden gives Nadeen's hand a small, approving squeeze.

"Would that be all that you ask of me, lady, my lord?" Aiden exchanges a look with Nadeen before nodding. "The quest was as much to restore you to yourself as to seek the Flickerfoals, and you have done both, if perhaps to degrees greater and lesser than expected. Now, sit, and enjoy your meal as an old friend, and not a supplicant. Please."

"Yes, please," Nadeen blushes lightly "Aiden is right, I play the wheedler when I should delight that you can quite litterally stand before us restored in soul as well as stance"

"And besides" A sniff of pleasure "the food does smell ever so delightful"

He does join them once more, and pulls from somewhere under his robe, a slender box that he slides onto the table. "Then, now that we are squared up on debts, I can give you this without it seeming a bribe. A small gift."

Nadeen stares at the box, thenn look at Aiden

Aiden also gazes curiously, and then takes the box, cracking it open, and gazing inside. Surprise is evident on his face first, and then, a genuine smile.

And he closes the box before Nadeen can sneak a peek!

Her mouth opens in a little O of surprise as she is denied a peek, then closes "It's a good thing I'm not Eiluned or I should burst"

Aiden slides the box into his pocket. "Pray, I hope that you do not expire." A small smile of his own. "Now, Nadeen - you are more in touch with the local baronies than I have been of late. Can you seek a Namer who may be available in August for Gwen? We should also find out from young Blossom if she knows how long she has been Chrysalized. I do not expect it has been a year and a day, but it also would not do to lapse on her behalf."

"As a point of fact, the Duchy of the golden sigil has a namer at it's court that can be sent if we request, but I do now know if you wish us to go to the Duke's court about this or no. Dark gate the services of a TROLL namer, and a common born at that, which would sympathy for the kith but might not be what you want."

"A troll namer? Indeed." His brows go up a bit at that and he looks a little surprised. "I had thought that the art of naming was protected due to the potential dangers a Namer can pose if gone rogue... then again, it has been a long time since I have followed any sort of magical discourse."

Thank god no sluagh has it Nadeen thinks as she sips what a nightmare that would be when she puts her drink down "I believe such are exceedingly rare for that very reason"

He nods thoughtfully. "Then again, with a Troll in power at the Ducal level, it is no surprise that they have sought a Namer of their own kith." Aiden muses.