#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Oh, you see how this pie overflowed? There was steam buildup under the crust, but a Pie bird is a little.. clay whistle-vent..."

Thistle gets a BIG slice of pie, and fade to Marigold discussing different kinds of ceramic cookery!

**********

Nadeen , flush with the certainty that she is right about Marigold liking the pot, makes her way to Aiden hurriedly

She finds him... worried! In the kennels, and checking every nook and cranny.

"Everything well, my love?"

He looks up, his brow crinkled with concern. "I cannot find Mischka. Perhaps denning instinct has lead her to seek privacy elsewhere? She did not do so on her first litter, but she was newer to the kennels then, and I kept them under tighter lock..."

Indeed, the kennels are actually rarely locked these days, and one of the Glennies has cleverly learned how to open the latched kennel doors, anyways.

She sighs "Those Glennies maybe our own version of quiet insurectinists. I'm sure she's about somewhere. Perhaps Gwen.. pardon, Dame Gladiola has seen her?"

"Perhaps... yes, good idea. Fort, Ticker, Glass." He barks out the names of three dogs - the Wolfhound already alert by his side, the Glennie trotting over curiously, and Briar's beloved hound looking up sleepily from a nap, and requiring a second request to rouse.

"Fort, guard. Ticker, find Gladiola. Glass?" He hesitates, then shakes his head, even as the hound pup tilts her head quizically. "Wait here."

To Nadeen, "I am hesitant to send her in search, when I can't be certain of her prompt return. She is guided by her nose alone, this one."

"Yes, but what a nose" She agrees, as the other dogs search. "Briar is right to be proud of it. She can even track Bluebell and howl right behind her. Now I would not say Briar did that deliberately, but having been pranked by Bluebell a few times, I can say I am not greatly distressed by it. Gentle, by Redcap standards"

"I've seen it." He smiles, despite his worry. "Judging by her own good ears, I'm half convinced she lets the pup sneak up on her, and Bluebell certainly isn't shy about seeking 'comfort' following her 'Frights'. She certainly can jump, can't she?"

"Oh yes. I've also seen her rub Glass's belly."

It is Fort, loyal and dligent, who lets loose a 'found her' woof

"Just don't listen too closely to what Briar says in that baby talk voice when chatting to her pup." At the bark, "Good lad." Aiden calls, heading that direction.

It is actually an impressive work, perhaps Gwen had help building it, but she has dug out a den and constructed a kind of mini wolf lair t, big enough, obviously, for a Caucausion shepherd mother to give birth in. It's half concealed in potted greenery and natural cover but it mostly it looks, on the outside, like a mix of various tribal designs in one. A native American shelter (If one stole ideas from Cherokee , Iraquois, and for some reason Pueblo tribes) leading down into a now dry mini cave

"Ah..." the Baron is speechless as he looks over this... "Gladiola? What is all this?"

"Oh there it is! Geez the shadows shifted and I lost... " Gladiola comes up and then seeing BOTH nobles, bows.

He crouches to look into the entryway.

Yes, Mischka is in there, blankets, warm straw, things to smell of stable and home while providing her own space

"It's a den, a lair, for ..birthing" The Troll explains "I.. had help but it's what she wanted"

Thump thump thump goes her tail.

"Perhaps, " Nadeen observes, "You might have told us this before beginning the project?"

"Well, I .. the kennel mistress stuff was made official and you were bot hvery busy.." Gwen tries not to stammer. "I.. see now i should have. But wudlig had ideas"

Aiden is running his hand over the lintel of the entryway, his expression admiring... and then he gives a quick glance over. "Wudlig? Of Combcatte?" A pause. "Are there hidden passages here that we should be aware of?"

"Oh" A pause "I'm 80% sure no?" She suddenly feels nervous

Aiden holds up a hand. "I am not upset. I am surprised... but Mischka is comfortable, and... Combecatte is an ally of the house." Still, he seems a bit wary as he looks into the den,

Nadeen looks it over "Goodneess, it's almost camaflaued unless you approach it just so. Which angle works depends on the ligght angle"

"Once she has finished welping, we will examine this further."

"Yes, Baron. She was out of sorts. Instincts were telling her to find a den...she got surly and I wondered if she was going to nip a Glennie. I whispered her and she was very embarrassed but told me her problem. I told her I'd help."

He gives Mischka a pat... the dam growls, but in a.. familiar manner? "Yes, soon, dear. We'll leave you be. This isn't your first rodeo."

A fond smile on his face as he straightens up. "It was a good idea. ...do you think Wudlig could be convinced to take full employment with Silverwolf, rather than just commissions?"

"he currently bases himself in Darkgate," Gwen observes, "Chief Hewitt wants a monopoly on such fine craftsman. So I don' know"

Nadeen mmphs "Chieftain hewit is a gent, to be fair, but I don't like how he eyed Willy's latest works as if pondering them with a Dark gate logo on it" She MIGHT be exaggeating

"Find out if he has an oath, or exclusive contract with Dark Gate - and if a contract, what cost to break it. This is good work. I want him working for us." A smile to Gladiola.

Gladiola grins jus a bit "Yes, Baron. I have his contact information."

Nadeen looks at her Ailil lover with a mix of delight and amusement "Dragons, so greedy. So useful" She takes his hand

"Let us give her some privacy... after all, I am certain that our coffers paid well for it." An amused look.

"And if they did not?" A glance to Gwen, "See that we do. I want Wudlig thinking of us in terms of 'generosity'." He smiles.

Gwen nods "Julius gave me paperwork but he covered it. I can add a bonus if you like? With your signature, of course, Baron."

"Consider it done." He squeezes Nadeen's hand, he hasn't forgotten about his Lady there.

"I expect puppies by morning. Two days, at the latest if she really wants to make us squirm, but I think our Mischka is as eager to move on to the next stage of motherhood as we are for her to be."

"I hope I get to see the birth" Gwen says "I'll go call Wudlig" She bows

"Mischka is very private, in the manner of many primitive breeds." He warns gently. "Do not be surprised if she does not wish to be attended upon."

Gwen nods "Right. I don't want her seeinn me as a colonizer" She bows o both, and departs

"A colonizer?" nadeen looks amused, "Well, I suppose that fits why I sought you out."

"A.... colonizer?" Aiden looks baffled!

"Intruding on Mischka's lands... I suspect. But what I meant was...well, look at this. I think I know what we did on samhain" She shows him the notes from a cerrtain realtor

"Oh. Ah. I suppose... " A soft chuckle. "I am out of touch with reality, in some ways."

Taking Nadeen's hands, now that they are alone. "But I am in touch in the ways it matters." A squeeze.

"Now, have you thought of a naming scheme for our new line? Even though the pups that we must relinquish will undoubtedly be given some flippant use-names by their new owners, we retain the right to the show and recorded kennel lines."

"I had also thought of asking Gladiola. She did have a hand in making this crossed line possible." Musing.

"I..." She stops "Not really. I was more excited about the idea of.. well, the land options nnow open?"

"Land?" He blinks, and then a trace of recognition flashes across his face, in a look of glee that is slow to fade.

"My queen, when you ordered them to treat each other as they had treated their poor pets... it was particularly inspired."