#baronyofthesilverwolf

For a moment her eyes are impossibly large, caught off by the mix of hold link, and the offer that cannot be.. and yet, he... he said it. And he asked ...

Then she says "AIden a one sided oath it's dangerous to you I..." A breath

"I do not care. I would have nothing, had you not saved me. All I am, is yours. Whether you accept my oath or not, know that it is true." His voice soft and even kind, understanding - he tampers with da'an, perhaps, to try to wind his way around her House and Soul's ban...

Then she sets her jaw, "Let no challenge go unanswered, for the courage of House Varich must be tested. The strength a Varich must be measured. The honor of Varich must never be in doubt. We shall prevail over any that might challenge our love. My will is strong, My courage mighty, honor unequaled. So shall I bring all these in your heart's service, so shall it be shown in tests against us."

His eyes widen, as the words of her own oath flow and are carried by glamour to surround them both.

The Balefire FLARES in response, a bonfire that bursts free of the sedate grating, a roaring flame of silver and gold that dances and fills the room, consuming, searing, combining, and accepting the two into itself, and a piece of the bale into each of the Fae, burning in their hearts and minds.

For a moment, it is not the fire of a Celtic Manor, but the bonfire that warms the gods of winter...

And she shudders!

Radiant!

Aiden reaches for her, wrapping his arms around her, and he whispers into her ear - heard only by the Lady and the Flame, a truename.

Something she knows that even Dahlia, as loved as she was, could never have shared...

And she wants to slap him... for being stupid.. and also throw him to the ground and savor him... instead she runs her nails along his cheek, almost threatening to scratch..."You are too reckless, dragon..." And she nips his ear, then whispers her name into his ear in return and then, yes, she lowers him before the fire.

As if answering her unspoken decree, the door to the room locks shut, and the hallways blur. NONE shall find their way to this room, until the Baroness, Lady of Silverwolf, wills it.

The flame of the bale warms them, and is felt through and within them, it's power shared.

(Fade to political discussion... Winter style)

***************

"But WHAT happened to Calanthe that caused her to be gone? How did it happen? WHere did she go? Who's chancelior?" Gwen asks the redcap who seems to be lording over all knowledge in the universe over her

Briar is GLEEFUL. "Don't know! Don't care!"

"But.. I mean.. yeah it's great but.. ... but.. I was only gone for a weekend!" How could this happen?

"What, you miss her?" Sarcastic glee. "Don't punch a gift horse in the mouth!"

"Hey, Mischka!" Briar tackles the bear dog and wrestles her in welcome for a moment.

"I don't miss her, she was horrible.. I.. i Just..wow I . . Ineed to sit down" A smile For a year and a day, Chuck's mom is.. safe? Well at least from Dr. Greene "Hey. I think I need to make some transfers to nicer shirnks for folks"

Mischka wrestles back, like a lion putting her jaws around a 'tamer's head.

"A year is like, FOREVER." Briar calls, as the dog bowls her over and SITS atop her. A wheeze. "Maybe... she'll... never... come back!"

"Maybe" She looks "IVAN!"

And she gets tackled by her dog who whle not as big as his mom yet, is no light weeight "Ooof.. I missed you too, dork. Yeah I was fine. The Chieftain's a bit pushy about riding lessons but..." A pause "Oh.. Now I see what they mean by Gwydion duplicity!"

"What?" Briar regained her seat by scratching Mischka's ears. "You got duped by a Falcon?"

"YUP... you gotta watch out for them, tehy're not as dumb as they lo.. I mean.. they're honorable right? BUT... there's a lot that's not dishonorable so they got loads of wiggle room"

"Green's a DUMB color anyways." Briar adds, her way of defending Gwen's honor.. maybe.

"Did the dogs get r' done?"

"Thanks, but really I liked her. I just realize she was ... well she had her reasons" Then a smile "And yeah, Mischka put Oak through his paces. I think she liked him though.. he was a bit of a gent as dogs go. Classy fellow. The pups will be gorgeous, and I suspect amiable enough"

"Good. I want a whole pack to go monster hunting with me."

"monster hunting? " she can't help it "But Calanthe's already left"

A laugh! "No, I decided. I'm going to be a monster hunter now. As soon as we find some. When you're sained, we can go on the trods and get 'em!"

"I have duties here" She smiles though "ANd you might want to train first.. I think Mischka's got you pinned"

"I let her!" Briar protests!

"She's cheating because she knows I won't bite her." A chortle.

"Well, that's probably true"

"C'mon, I'll get you your dinner. And a brush. Damn, did you let him CHEW on you? Gross, you're all slobbered on." Briar laughs at the huge dog.

"Marigold made pies!" Briar calls back to Gwen.

"marigold.." She motions to Ivan to simmer down... which he does... "Pies? Oh wow. Yeah I also have food from THEIR hearth to give.. a buttload"

Briar has left with Mishka, who does need a good bath and rest.

Gwen will tedn to the dogs, then clean off, then bring in the hearth's food to Marigold and give her a hug.

She finds Marigold, not in the kitchen - there she has set out a feast that can be easily snacked on, without needing to be served.

The Steward is... in Calanthe's room.

Gwen.. ignores the pie and joins her. "I.. I know you cared.. care for her. Are you.. are you okay?"

"Oh, Gwen." Marigold wipes her eyes briskly and smiles to the fledge. "I swear, you've grown even taller since I saw you last week."

"I don't know if that's possible, only a week" She fights the urge to check, "But if you say so." She gives Marigold a gentle hug "I missed you, a lot. And I'm sorry. I know you love everyone here"

Marigold returns the hug, tightly. "Someday, my dear, you'll have children you care for. Whether of your blood or soul or heart, yours all the same. But they have to grow up, and spread their wings, and make their own choices. You can love them, and teach them, but you cannot save them from their own path." A teary smile.

"Well," She wipes at an eye of the older woman with love "You've loved and taught me, and .. I hope my path brings you pride" Feeling a bit teary eyed herself "Now, do you need help gathering anything up from here? Storing it? or.. stuff?"

A grateful smile to Gwen. "I daren't touch her workshop, that will be for the Baroness or some mage to handle, I suspect. But, well. I don't know if we should box her bedroom up... or if it should be left for her to come back to. I don't know if anyone can answer that."

"Only Time I guess." A sigh "Why don't we wait for word from our liege on that? YOu go and have a sit down in the kitchen. I'll serve some food"