#baronyofthesilverwolf

She ponders "A name like that?"

He nods, and chuckles softly at an inner thought. "Perhaps 'Moria', though I draw the line at 'Doom'... Oh. Wait..." He seems to have gotten an idea.

"oh?" Curious

'Ered Nimrais - the white mountains. Erin Lithui, mountains of ash. Ephel Dúath, the mountains of shadow, Ered Mithrin, the Grey Mountains - you see, 'Mithrin', the root is the same Sindarin word for grey, as in Mithrandir, the elvish name for Gandalf, the Grey Wanderer..."

His cheeks turn just a touch pink. "I was... very fond of the books when I was a childling, and wilder..." A bit embarrassed.

A soft chuckle "I noticed. Well, he is a legend, Prof Tolken that is, for a reason. I suppose if we wanted to be trendy we could try to capitilize on the Wheel of time books , back in the lime light, but I think you do well mxing your passion for middle earth in your duty as a breeder"

He gives her a little bit of a shy glance. "You do not think me... a tad bookish?" He cannot bring himself to say the word 'nerd'...

"Ah yes, bookish, with your boots covered in the mud from hunting with the dogs during light rains, Bookish, as you ride a horse as skillfully as Death himself upon his pale steed," She snorts "Bookish, as you lift me to our bed and release your own animal passions upon me stiring me greatly. You are man of surprising athleticism, and energy, if bookish be the reason, I say read on." Oh, a wicked pleased smile. A good thing they are alone, positively brazenn

"Well. Ahem." His cheeks color even more, even as he reaches for her to pull her close for an embrace. "One does learn to keep a waxed and oiled saddlebag to protect one's books from the rains on hunts."

"Does one?" She kisses him, then admits "Sometimes I fear I am not as well read in Fantasy as you wish I was. I've read some, of course, but I am not Bookish as you. I hope that doesn' dim your ardor for me?"

He reaches down and sweeps her into his arms. "Then when winter blows it's most dangerous winds, I shall hoard you inside my chambers, as my personal Sun, and return your warmth with passages from my favorite novels, in the hope that they will stir your heart as they do mine."

And Lo, she is swept, "Do you know how to ice skate?" She asks him eyes sparkling

"Ice Skate? Ah.... I believe I went once, maybe twice, as a lad?"

"Should you wish it, say but the word and we will have a Winter's Ball, and I will have a paddock frozen over for your personal enjoyment."

"Temptingg, but.. I will read anything you like while laying against you sometime, and you? One day when winter comes harder, will skate with me. A bargain?"

His eyes shine. "Just so." Another squeeze, and he sets her back on her feet.

Breathy and excited she grins "Perhaps I will learn a little Elvish , just a few romantic phrases, and whisper it in your ear?"

Now that shine is a smoulder. "Is that a promise, or a threat?"

"We are not limited to one, are we? " a pleased with herself smile, and she decides then and there she WILL learn at least a few phrases for his sake, and because she likes the idea of enticing him with it, Then a chuckle "Oh dear, Mischka may wish we'd find some other area to flirt."

For they are still near the Den

"Let us give her privacy then... a ride out to check the land for sale?"

The weather is brisk, but not terrible...

The cold never bothered her anyway, "Delightful. yes, let's"

And soon they are saddled up and on the go!

Her riding has improved , though she is not a match for him nor Dagmar.

He watches, and nods. "You no longer tighten the reigns on turns. Good. It shows you are more familiar with the mount... and she with you." Approval in his voice.

They approach and there it is, familiar-unfamiliar, a sprawling manor house, the type that once would have been a million-dollar property, but it's clearly seen better days. Neglect, half-assed fixes - cheap siding, sagging roof. But the land... except for where the poorly tended lawn runs wild, and a few chopped trees that were left to start mouldering as logs, the forest coming up to the edge of the yardline is pristine.

"Oh we must find a way to preserve the forest. Dru would appreciate it I am sure."

"Of course. There is no question on whether we will purchase the property... but to what end?" He muses. "Perhaps housing for guests.. or..." He muses. "I do not think the Balefire's awareness can stretch this far. But we could put wards, and patrols, certainly."

He dismounts, and is leisurely walking his horse as he observes the property. "Rivervale... they have set up, mm, a satellite hold. Would that we could do the same." A smile, amused. "Of course, locations that can support a balefire are not so easily come by, and certainly the Flenderson's never gave any propery, shall we say, energy in that direction."

"Yes, and balefire iself does not seed easily even if you have a location," She moves about, "Perhaps a place to encourrage dreamers?"

"Mmm...." He considers... "A riding school, perhaps? Or...." He taps a foot as, it seems to help him think.

"This may not as easily seed dreamers, but as a valuable venture in it's own rights, what about a dog training academy? For mortals to bring their pets to be taught, trained, and formed into better companions? A fitting legacy perhaps for the Flenderson's who did so poorly by their own creatures."

"That.. is a good point." She ponders this "We'll have to hire some dog trainers, you and Dame Gladiola have many duties, and will possibly not be enough. Annd yett, Gwen has mentioned dog training as a possible career"

Another thought "Oh dear"

"She has many duties, but that should not come in the way of her passion. If it does, we must hire more retainers so that we resolve any possible issues. ...What is it?" Concern.

"The manor is...isolated. Not for sale right?" She looks at her notes

He checks as well.... the Flenderson house is listed as for sale, as a land contract... the house itself not seeming to have any value.

Strange, it DID have value per the real estate records... but it seems that the house has degraded in value and resale between the last appraisal, and current date. Handy, that.

But yes, the house and immediate lands are for sale!

And for dirt cheap... no pun intended.

"Oh my.. I wonder...Julius and Bluebell, are they still seeking a place of their own?"

His brows go up! "Oh, poor Julius." He muses. "A 6 bedroom estate, and room to expand... how her eyes would light up at the potential."

A small smile. "Guest lodgings for the Manor, and the two of them in place as caretakers? A place of their own... and without the negative stigma of accepting on charity? Room for a family, but explanation for the extra space, without it feeling like a sentence passed down on the lad that he needs MUST fill out the family tree immediately?"

"Just so" She beams, "if she has herr way, those guest rooms will be filled with family, but that is long off, annd as you said, a breathing space for Julius"

And so they plot!

(Fade ish to fun plotting so Rae can spoil her Birthday guy)