#baronyofthesilverwolf

"While I wouldn't be opposed to meet another young lady or three.... why, the fun is in the chase. Ask your own faithful hound, next time she comes back without a squirrel - the chase is a delight even when nothing might have been caught." A grin.

"There's a lot of truth to what you say, but no girl wants to be bit ,shaken, and left a mess while some hound prances off to the next. Fair warning. " a smile though

He laughs! “Fair enough, my Lady.” Escorted out, he heads off.

Leaving Nadeen to find, sooner or later, that there may be a coaster missing from the parlor. Alas! At least they have plenty to spare. Especially as Briar has a habit of using them as hors doerves.

She sighs, and goes to tell Dancia they have one more on the list...

"Dancia, kith aside, he's a sly one. "

The Troll nods. "I keep an eye on him. But. I try to keep an eye on all strangers."

A glance towards Nadeen again. "Have there been a Namer found for Gwen's saining? The time is fast approaching."

"Yes, I have one."

She nods. "Good." Quiet for a time, as Danica gazes out into the trees. "She will do well."

"You're proud of her" not quite a question from the Baroness "Could it be more than Marigold have adopted her in their hearts?"

Silence, alert eyes on guard. "Another troll. Good for security." Saying more perhaps in what she doesn't say, then what she does.

"Yes, devoted to the Baron. What choice she makes will be interesting... but I know she considers this her home and I don't think anything will change that. You and Linae have taught her well. She's..."A thought "remarkably tender in the best ways, and strong as the stone her resembles in others" And she is not trapped swearing to Calanthe as Lady of the manor. But then...

"Dancia, am I lady of the manor now? " A question

Calanthe is away

A long silence. "You are a lady of the manor. But if you ask regarding my own oath, how I have sworn, and how I abide by my given word? No. You are not.. The lady of the manor."

"The intent is more powerful than the precise wording. So too do I treat my other oaths. To serve and protect, where so many hide behind the law they are sworn to uphold." She touches the badge of her office, that hangs beside her emblem of Silverwolf.

She nods "I respect that. But you'll understand, knowing you report all I do or say to her when she asks, I must keep a little distance." A beat "I' m sorry. I rather like you"

A slight lessening of tension, one not reared in the bosom of River Vale's trolls might not have picked up on it. "Thank you. In turn, I respect your own decision." A fraction of a smile. "You are not entirely disagreeable company, yourself."

A soft swift laugh "Truthfully, that makes my day. I am about to lose my housemate and I feared I had driven her off."

A blink. "Bridge Sylvi? Is she unwell?"

"No, that does not make sense." She shakes her head, correcting herself,

"She's fine, but she needs spend more time at Rivervale" She could say Sylvi just misses her school but that seems unfair, and simplistic "They have some need of her. She will be splitting her time between Dark gate and rivervale and thus staying at the latter I think. I'll miss her, but she has already put herself ready to help Marigold again if need be"

A small frown.

A brow "You dissapprove?"

"Her duty is her own to judge." An answer without an answer. "My Lord had asked if he thought I might be able to learn the Spring arts. I do not think so. It seems to be a magic that comes more easily to youth - or perhaps those who are not too stiff to learn to flow like a stream, and not stiffen as an oak. I had thought to recommend, perhaps, Blossom or Rochallor to be students of the art. Sylvi is the closest resource we know who may have been asked. Though if her time is at such a premium.." She gives her head a small shake. "Other teachers may yet be sought."

"This is not a bad thought" She ponders "If I may? She is not the only one who knows Spring at Rivervale. Perhaps I could arrange lessons either here or there... it would be useful here for many things wouldn't it?" Thoughtful

"My lord may not welcome Gwydion guests. Otherwise - I would leave it to you to discuss with him directly, as I would not wish to seem to speak for him." A nod, though. "For Marigold, and for many things. Even Winter houses can recognize the power of Spring."

"I think the next most potent one is a boy satyr with a love of gardening" Amused

"Hm. Youth can learn more easily than their elders, often. But teaching is a skill that often must be learned, along with patience. It may be worthwhile to look into." Danica allows. Then a slow chuckle. "I say, as though it is my decision. I believe this would fall to your best judgement, Reeve, and that of our Lord."

"I asked for your insight, and you shared it, for which I thank you," She nods "I would be a poor Reeve indeed to tune out non nobles or non sidhe. "

A thought "I wonder if anyone at the zoo knows spring?"

"Were it my ward, I would not be unopposed to sending them to Rivervale to learn from either Sylvi or this lad, or both. However, House politics may dictate otherwise, as there shall forever be the worry that one is to spy on the other, or otherwise attempt some influence. A shame. Gwydion aside, Lodge training is, in my opinion, valuable experience for youth. It teaches strength, discipline, community."

Danica ponders such. "I do not know."

"Dancia, you said you did not think you were suited to Spring magics. How far did you get?"

A shake of her head. "The magic does not speak to me. Primal, that I have a fair understanding of."

A soft nod "And it's potent. Primal. I.. know a master of spring, Mistress really, but a modernist as well as a chieftain"

A raised brow, curious.

"Chieftain Clem DeBuke. I would not call her a friend or an ally but she did allow me to get school acreditition. And they are the most potent spring practiioners I've ever met. "

A slow nod. "Briar has benefited much from her trips to the DeBuke Farm. Farmhold." She corrects, the unfamiliar term.

A beeping alert, and Danica checks her watch. "Excuse me. I must report on duty. Linnea will be returning from patrol shortly to take over my post."

"There is a world of difference between teaching one reading and writing, to teaching them magic but... of course" She nods "Be well"

A bow to Nadeen. "And yourself Baroness." She heads out.

Nadeen smiles, and goes to tell Marigold to prepare 2 dozen donuts for Dancia's police station as a surprise. If need be she'll simply buy it

But it should be a fun surprise

(End Scene)