#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Am I?" Nadeen whirls delighted "Oak and Edelwiess of Rivervale are fine guardians. "

“Having known them for a time, what would you say about their temperament? Are they biddable, yet independent?”

"Very independent minded, They're a calm well mannnered serious breed, devoted to children, and to their charges. I'd say they're less aggressive than your average Ovcharka until their charges are tangled with. But because they are used to being left alone to guard herds and the like they are used to going about unsupervised, hence that 'I'll do this my way' attitude, but with patience, you can sway them. And, of course, Fae hound versions are smarter still. I swear they're a lot like the trolls themselves. "

“Marvelous.” He murmurs, offering her a strawberry on the tip of his fork.

“And their provenance? I don’t suppose they have sire records- though that- Oak? He certainly looked the purebred.” One glance, years ago, but he remembers.

“The female was a fine specimen as well, but I don’t have a suitable stud. Perhaps once Ivan is proven, if the line breeds true. Many ifs. I would be interested in knowing where they sourced such a fine set of beasts.”

"The beasts are from the Farmhold of the DeBukes , from the litter there. In point of fact, they do have papers." She looks pleased "I inquired to the Chieftain there, she was proud. Would you like a copy?"

“Ah.” He sits back, a touch disappointed. “I have some doubt as to whether they would consider a noble of my House fitting to do business with.” He taps his fingers on the table thoughtfully.

"The DeBukes are sadly narrow minded against us." She says "Though improving. However, I have a copy of thteir papers. Remember, you told me sometime ago you might be interested in Breedingg Psychka with Oak when he was older? Well, she's still too young, but I ggot a copy on behalf of Rivervale. I was their diplomat. One second" She kisses him and... sorts through her phone "Here... I took a picture of it"

And shows him "You seek, Oak is born of Aspen and Alpine... and they were born of Tundra and Commadore.. and so on"

And that's when Aiden may notice something in the transfer papers. One of the dams is from a very fine line indeed, but was not originally troll owned.

“You never cease to amaze me.” He says, meeting her gaze for a moment before checking the details. And then double-checking.

“Could this be… Taiga, certified Dam from Frostwind Kennels? Westminster champion best of breed? The mortal name for the breeder was somewhat different but close. If so, that’s a fine line indeed.”

"Possibly," she says surprised "The DeBukes have been challenged more than once for their hold. Often to the challenger's bloody regret, but sometimes they claimed a prize from the defeated as well as an Oath to never try again"

"They're more proud of the dogs apparently going back to actually guarding the gates of Lordes? Mind you that maybe Iowan folksy exaggeration"

“Even so.” He is clearly intrigued.

Yes, he's sure of it. the DeBukes not only kept their own pure line, they refreshed it with a victory from a sidhe lord who had Taiga and had to surrender her

“I wonder if it might be a disservice to dilute such proud lines. And yet, I cannot help but wonder how a cross might enrich both breeds.”

"The DeBukes MAY have done it already. They're practical in their husbandry."

“Mm. Do you think that Rivervale might be open to a breeding contract?

She ponders "I think so.. or at the least, they'd consider it. Frankly, I think I'm due a few favors"

“In traditional contracts the owners of the sire reserve the right to the first pick of the litter. Perhaps they are not aware of this, however.”

“But that’s often in return for waiving the stud fee. If they do not wish a pup, it may be negotiable.”

He looks back over the paperwork again.

"Shall I call them?"

In a sense, there's a symmetry to it, a nnoble line returning to a noble

“Please. I would be much obliged. To be honest, every day that passes I’m not sure how I managed without you.”

Something in his tone indicates more than the paperwork.

A lowering of her eyes "I am...it brings me much joy to hear that, vain as it maybe"

“Vanity is only ill placed when it is not earned.”

"If it balances the scales, my lord, I never thought I'd ... you have much sway over this frozen heart"

“Like speaks to like. Perhaps together we may thaw.”

"you are the spring in my winter" She kisses his hand "I'll go make that call"

“Go, and if you wish we can review the auction items on your return. or perhaps a ride.”

She goes, and returns and fills him in on what the Chieftain said.

"So she may give the DeBukes first pick, but then ... I would like, if the litter be sizable, tto allow a third pick to Rivervale."

“I see.” He ponder this. “Seeing the first pick go is regrettable. However, if the line proves well, we have a young sire of our own. Let us say, if there are no less than four surviving pups, the third pick may go to Rivervale. Though I reserve the right to list them as a new line bred by Silverwolf, should it come to success. If not, I shall recommend not continuing the line, and should they persist, it shall not be of my kennels.”

"Of course. The Silverwolf reputation is important to me as well. I'll let her know of the offer when she calls back"

“Perhaps it would not hurt to let them know how you bargained on the DeBuke’s and RiverVale’s behalf for such concessions. Two pups? Unheard of… and yet, for you, my winter sunshine.”

"My lord... may I be forward?"

He raises a brow slightly but nods.”

She moves into his lap and puts arms around him, and if she stirs him, all the better, "The fact you do things on my behalf you would not for anyone else pleases me. Greatly. But if I can pull this off, you and your hold will benefit in ways you wouldn't expect. And the people of your hold. Beyond the auctions."

He is a little surprised, he has not anticipated this flavor of forward- but he welcomes her, wrapping an arm around to steady her. “I trust you. To have Silverwolf’s best interests at heart… And I have your heart in my best interests.” A small smile.

A soft delighted bust of laughter slips at that "Indeed. It's about Julius and his vinyard. Not only are the DeBukes willing to send a few of their fellows over to help him. I have made contact with them for a .. possible pipeline. The Countess of Fenix has a steward, a former rebel mind you, but a great vinophile, and so I made sure to .. create a pipe line of sorts. It may help be sure that Julius will have some preset customers from the very start. "

His eyes widen a touch. “Indeed? Perhaps it might help make inroads to the DeBuke’s. I shall not toady to their outdated fears, but I cannot deny their usefulness. So long as it does not tear Julius completely from our grasp- I shan’t look kindly on them poaching my staff, be he Steward or Vintner.” A small smile. “Nor would Bluebell, and she may well be the fiercer.”

"Bluebell has him truly and properly ensnared and he loves that she does" a fuss

“And we love our Bluebell.” Fondly, showing the softer side he does not display to the others, though they may well know it.

"Yes, really, her dancing skills are.. oh I do enjoy competing against the best and she is there"

“Perhaps you might do a dance together some day. That would be a sight to see.”

“Though, perhaps I am greedy, it irks me to think of others watching you, even as I encourage you to share your talent.”

"There are dances, and there are ...dances" She admits

He rests his head against her back as he wraps arms around her. “Indeed.”

“Shall we review the auction items during the day’s heat, that we might go for a ride in the cool of the evening?”

“Not often, but on these warmer days, I actually somewhat entertain Briar’s comments about needing a pool.” He chuckles.

She nods "Well, for the list of treasures for the changeling only auction... " And she tells him

"Though I nneed to talk to a friend of Mariggold's"