#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Are you familar with ghosts ? Wraiths?" she asks

Sitting next to her, the Baron looks rather puzzled. "Only that they are said to exist, as much as any other prodigal we know of... and likely many that we do not."

"What business would we have with the spirits of mortals?"

She takes his hands "Because Dahlia's soul was trapped here. And rightly or wrongly, I've set her free"

He blinks. "You must be mistaken."

"I am not" she says "I am showing no signs of bedlam. I have spent as much time contacting rich mortals for an auction, and out in my home as I have here more or less a while. I've looked over college applications, which is not terribly glamourous. And yet I was haunted, by a ghost beseeching me for rescue. "

"Dahlia... Dahlia is..." He frowns. "Dahlia is... She died." Looking rather like he has 'tip of the tongue' syndrome, searching for something but not finding.

"you need to remember the hows, the real hows. Because she did not die a peace and for some reason, intentionally or not, her sister had her soul bound and trapped"

"That is a strong accusation. What proof can you show.. and how does this relate to the intrusion?"

Still sounding baffled, but his gaze is trusting as he looks to his lady. A small wince and he raises a hand to his forehead.

"Do you trust me?" She asks not blind to the pain he appears to be experiencing, "Enough to put yourself in my power for a moment?"

"I..." He looks uncertain for a moment, but then nods. "I do trust you. What would you have done?"

"Drop your defenses just for a moment"

He blinks, and closes his eyes. Deep inhalation, and exhalation. Slowly, he tries to relax.

She moves to the door, locks it, that itself a bunk, raises her hand as if calling down Zeus' thunderbolt "Remember what you have forgottenn about Dahllia's Death"

A dictum flares, equal rank they are, so he can be affected, but he lowered his guard and ..she hopes it works

His brow furrows, and he concentrates. The magic takes root easily on a nonresisting party.

Aiden focuses, then frowns, and says, "Dahlia... was my wife. She is dead. She... died. There's..." Grasping. "There's nothing. Nothing! I... it's all blank!" He opens his eyes, and for a moment, his expression is frightened.

She moves to hold him

He takes her into his arms, and though he is the larger of the two, it is clear that she is holding him. "There are holes... gaps... empty spaces. I remember what I ate for dinner. I can tell you of my Chrysalis. But of Dahlia..." He shakes his head. "There is an empty silhouette in my mind's eye, that takes her shape."

She strokes his face "You ask me for 'evidence' of a ghost... by definition, that's almost impossible to achieve. Whatever she may claim as her reasons for doing it, Calanthe has either blocked your memory or ripped them from you. All regarding a death of your loved one. Dahlia's spirit was bound and ANGRY at her. Now, you are no Gwydion, but Dictum me to tell you what happenned. I will lower my defenses as you lowered mine."

"I shall not." He frowns. "I do not need Dictum to believe your words. I simply... it is unheard of. Dahlia would... she would not..." He makes a frustrated sound. "I do not KNOW. But it is difficult to... comprehend."

"Then let me tell you all I have done, because when Calanthe returns she's going to be furious, and you have to decide if you want to tell her and Dancia the truth, or buy time behind the lie I have put up, time for us both. As it maybe, the first willowhisper might betray, and lord help us if she knows Chronos"

His expression grows grave, but he nods. "I shall listen to all you have to tell me."

And Nadeen relates everything to him, the haunting whispers, the beseeaching tone, the cold chills. The anger in Dahlia's voice... and yes, her breaking in to free the woman's soul, lie about a one eyed thief, and finding and destroying the anchor of the web

"And everything else she used to bind you broke too."

The relating of this story took quite some time, though Aiden listened closely and did not often interrupt... occasionally asking for clarification.

And she does, she is ttring to be honest without sounding biased. But yes, she saw what she saw heard what she heard, she even describes Dahlia's appearance "I think your son is the key or at least a key. "

"And... I want to know if you'll back my lie about a one eyed thief when Calanthe comes storming in"

As the appearance of Dahlia is described. "Is that what she looks like...?" Sounding vaguely lost. Though he focuses back, and gives her a puzzled look. "My son. Ah. Of course. I have a son." Some things... some core facts, seem to remain... but so much else, plucked, leaving holes behind?

The frosted over, cold disinterest is gone... but in it's place... nothing remains?

It will have to do.. for now

"I think Calannthe took somethinng from you, lord. Memories. Maybe quotte un quote for your own good... but... there's a hole in you.."

"I... this lie. I will see what Calanthe has to say. Where is she?" He does not promise to cover for Nadeen, quite... but he also does not judge her on the falsehood. At least, yet.

"Lovely" for a moment her eyes flash "If you prefer I'll just come clean. The lie was meant FOR Calanthe more than anythin, if you come clean to her I'm outted anyway " He loves me annd yet he won't take my side. If I were seelie I'd consider this wise and fair. But I'm not and I'm so offended I could.. no.. no..he's damaged. Hurt. Quell it for now "As far as I know she's still in the west coast but will be on her way. The ward alarm IS hers"

"My love." He reaches for her hand. "I cannot answer honestly when I do not know the entire story. I will always be on your side, as what you have done, as far as I have seen... as far as I understand... you have done for me." Lifting the hand, he presses it to his mouth for a kiss.

"For that, you need never hide."

"Mmph" A sigh "I liked to Dancia. I feel terrible about that." Truth and then some there "It's all that lodge training. I hate when a troll looks at me as if I'm 'not a bad person but this was very bad behavior'"

"We will get to the bottom of this all." He says, pressing her hand firmly, offering comfort even as his own hand trembles.

Is that... shouting, in the hallway?

She kisses his hand, thenn blinks "I .. I thought I heard shouting"

She rises "from the hallway?"

He rises as well, keeping her hand in his, and step forward first to open the door. "Who calls?"

He's handed a baby "Flo's dead and her zombie is after Rien!" The pooka looks terrified..and..drained

Aiden is surprised, but holds the sniffling toddler gently, patting his back like he might.. a puppy, perhaps. "Rochallor, I am not certain I understand your words. Can you try again, please."

"You killed Flo and she wants her son but I thought Rien's mom had hazel eyes, not emerald shinies.. she...made me less me"

He releases Nadeen's hand to lightly touch Rochallor's head. "You are faded." Concern. He looks to Nadeen. "Take us to Flo, please."

Then he stops. "No, you need the Balefire. Tell us where she is."

The boy shuddered at taking back "The baby..she'll try to put it back in the patch. I should take him to Goldmerry?" But he points with a free hand where he came from

Nadeen llooks alarmed "This doesn't sound like flo, and if something took glamour from a full pooka, then..."

"Rochallor must be our first concern." He says to Nadeen. Taking a few steps to the stairs, and calls down. "Bluebell? Julius? Report!" Rarely has he taken such authority outside of a hunt or a training simulation, but soon Bluebell is peeping up the stairs.

"My love has gone to war, trotting outside with horns for spears..."

"Come. Take Rian to Marigold, and tell her to watch him well. Do not allow Flo to take him." His tone brooks no argument.

To Rochallor, he asks, "You are injured, and drained. There is no shame in retreat."

Roch looks at his liege "I've retreaed lots. It always goes well" But he does hang BEHIND the nobles