#baronyofthesilverwolf

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Aiden is pacing as he speaks with his Baroness. "Clearly there MUST be reprisal. Should these thieves have managed to get away with their plot, not only would our prized litter be missing, and who knows what fate to await the pups, but it could have caused irreparable harm to bourgeoning ties to both Rivervale and the DeBuke farmhold!"

Rochallor didn't just go, he took a chimerical dagger. A frown and grim look on his normally sweet face.

Blossom set a hawk better suited to cold weather onto patrol with her, one that knows better than to confuse a glennie for food.

"We must also find out how the dogs were put to sleep, it is a gap in our defenses," The Baroness has grown icy "Someone has nearly exposed us as weak, in our own hold"

"Good going, snowfall" Blossom says "Let's make Dame Calanthe proud and protect our home"

Aiden's expression matches Nadeen's in icy chill. "I have set D'Lorean and Julius to investigation of this, though I do not know if they have the Gremayre skills needed to decode such a spell." Silverwolf has many things, but they don't have a proper witch.

"If someone with Chronos may be called in, discretely, it may shed light on this."

"Discrete is the problem. I have contacts in Earth Runes, not strong ones, who I might reach out, but Sir Magnus is often open, and their Seer is Eiluned." She ponders

He paces. "Perhaps how is not what to dwell upon. But the future. We must ensure that there is a better way to protect that which is ours. More thanes. More guards. Fae hounds are fantastic guardians, but they cannot always compete against a magically gifted threat."

"We are not alone in this, love. We have allies, true, but we also have fine vassals even now," Nadeen says "And if it was a Thallian, a true spriggan, then we have another option. This attempt will get out. We will not look bad thanks to Gladiola's foiling of it, but word will get out. A reward for reliable information, even more for a bounty on the Spriggan, if spriggan it was, is not undue"

"That is not to say that our vassals are not the finest to be had." He says, matter of factly - of course they are - "But they are stretched thin. We have the resources to easily fund another thane, a squad, an army should it be needed. I will not begrudge any cost to keep ours safe."

She strokes his face, "We must be careful not to be seen as motivated by fear. Quality over quantity would be my preference. Perhaps a mix of strategies? A reward for the alleged SPriggan... information upon or his capture AND some discrete build up, a few more guards. "

"At the same time, to not strike hard and fast against this attack would be to seem weak, which we cannot afford, lest we become targeted." He leans into her hand.

"Gladiola wants revenge. I think she will be striking hard and fast with or without us," she says "I have never seen her so affronted. It is as if the full mix of her, dog loving caretaker, Troll Guardian ,and Daireann warrior have been stirred. I think I heard something about severing his hands from his wrists and bringing the rest before you in chains. She also seeks the Spriggan's dog. Most confusing there. If it is just a dog, she wwants to rehablitiate it and get it a better master, mutt or not. If it is a pooka, well.. see Spriggan's fate."

His eyes glitter with satisfaction. "Good. I shall not hold her back. Let this be a lesson to any who would dare."

"Yes, there will be little mercy in this," She frowns, "I will have to tell the Chieftain of this incident. Best I do rahter than you. Gwydion temper and Ailil pride often bristle, forgive me love, and you and she might say things to each other without malice the other takes as insult. She will be furious, but I know her true anger will be for the attempt to take the pups newborn"

A slow blink. "Why? What benefit shall we have of informing Gwydions of potential lapses in our defenses?"

"Because word will spread regardless of our efforts, and they will learn of it eventually anyway. Maybe a month from now, maybe a week. " She says "Best we control the narrative"

"I know that you were fostered there, and retain some fondness for Rivervale. However, Gwydion ambition is not to be discounted. Has the Baroness Chieftain not shown already that she wishes to expand her control over more freeholds? Any sign of weakness..." He sighs, and nods to her reasoning. "You are wise. Perhaps her anger may be channeled into working towards our benefit in this matter."

He adds, "It is, once more, good that Gwen foiled this plot. Else the failure to provide on a promised contract would be upon us." The Baron cannot help but view the political implications.

"I wonder if Dame Dagmar would visit and use her boon in an investigation? " She muses then nods "Yes, our own precious pups stolen on a holiday? With animals being our pride of the hold? It would have been a scandal that lead to a true loss of face on top of breaking Mischka's heart. Fae hounds are keener in intellect and understanding than normal dogs. She would not have forgotten the loss."

"Have you seen them? Ten in total, small yet, but healthy." He cannot help but a little bit of light returns to his eyes at the mention.

"I haven't actually, but Gladiola assures me Dote deserves a medal. I think Marigold has said the Glennie might prefer some spare turkey meat instead.. in moderation"

"I'll ask Willy to look into making a medal.. for Gladiola. As for Dote, she will be well rewarded as well." Somewhat amused. He sighs though. "What was their motivation, do you think? It could have discredited our hold, caused a breech in contract with the holds promised pups... if not an outright insult, especially as they may assume we fabricated any such theft to avoid giving the promised dogs. Or pure mischief... or monetary gains?"

"I would not say as much in Gladiola's hearing, but it could also be a desire to have fae guardian dogs for nefarious purposes. While we don't have any sort of exclusivity on fae hounds, Great Pyrs are uncommon at best, and fae Ovcharkas near impossible to find except at great cost and ties to the Himalayas. It took us years to work out the agreements for Mischka's first pups."

"It does support the Spriggan theory, dear. Spriggans are piskie' thallian shadow... they kidnap, normally children, but the impluse might have lead to puppy theft being quite comfy. The rest as you say are ample reasons for any to try." A frown "It is time to step up our influence in the barony, our presence I think. If this sort of thing happens to us, who are protected, how much more might such crimes be striking our subjects who do not have it?"

A frown. "Our people should know that they are under our protection."

"They should" she nods "I am Varich, and my House has a saying that goes a bit like this 'My people may love who they love, but they should only fear me' . Harsh, but it does mean that we stop external threats to them"

He is gazing at her with an expression that is far from fear in his eyes. "My queen."

"My Lord," She gazes at him . She could say 'my king' but damned troll family ruins that effect

"How can I remain properly angry when you say such stirring things." A complaint that is not truly a complaint.

"Dragons are sturdy, I note" She dimples at him slyly

"Mmm." He reaches for her pulling lightly, wrapping an arm around to enjoy the feel of her against his side.

"What do you say... if we shall put out a bounty on this Spriggan? The prize for the one who may capture him shall be choice of money or dross - as well as an offer of employment, to work for Silverwolf. A hunt, as well as a test at the same time. Not a requirement, but should any catch our eye, we can extend the offer?"

He thoughtfully adds, "If any from Rivervale may wish to try their hand at the bounty, it would be meet for us to allow it." Deftly opening an avenue for Dagmar, without specifically asking for Gwydion help...

"A bounty, and employment? Excellent. Though they still need be vetted to some minimal standards. We don't want someone to slip a spy in. A Hunt sounds deligghtful," At mention of Rivervale, she smiles seeing what he did "Yes, quite."

"And what of the DeBukes? I am not familiar with them, but they do have first claim on this litter." A small crinkle in his forehead, she can tell this annoys him a touch, but a deal is a deal. "Would you say that we must alert them as to this attack? Or is it enough that it failed? It will be several weeks, at least, before the pups are grown enough to even start showing personality or traits."

"I am not sure the Debukes know yet they're getting a puppy, that was born of the Chieftain's honor, but they might. Mmm. We could invite Sylvi, she is an honorary DeBuke. Though Chieftain Clem has helped with animals before here. Either might do, I sense you're not enitrely happy with the deal, so which would be more tolerable for you?"

He smiles at her, making an effort to clear his expression. "When it is my dog as the sire and I have the right to the pick of the litter, it is a good deal. Perhaps it is ungracious of me to begrudge those who allowed Oak to sire this litter the same, but with their well known anti-Noble attitudes, it is but a touch... annoying." He raises her hand to press a kiss against the back of it. "Do not worry that I would express such to our contracted party - if I must be annoyed, I will be annoyed in private, though I am sorry to have bothered you with it.

Though - they do not even know they are to get a pup?" This surprises him a bit. "All the research I've put in, all the hopes I have riding on this new Fae breed - and they do not even know they are getting the pick of the litter?" He laughs a bit. "If it must be, we must ensure that they understand the value of this animal, above and beyond any other crossbreed. No mongrel this, but a scion of the new breed of Fae Mountain Dogs."

"They strike me as very practical, and will see the use of such." She says and then, Nadeen smiles as he kisses her hand, then flicks his hair "You did not bother with me your annoyance. I would know you, my lord. We are joined by oath and rule, and it best we share even if we do not agree. Though I find the DeBukes can be vexing, I do know they care for their beasts well. I shall put in a call for Chieftain Clem I think. Invite her to the Den . She may not bow, and will say titles as if they were tedious, if at all, but I thin kshe will respect our efforts."

"As long as she is aware of the value of the dog she will choose - if I believed it would go to the DeBukes to be a common farm dog, I would rather buy out their contract." He smiles to Nadeen.

She looks intrigued "I wonder if we could? I mean, everything up front, of course"

"Certainly, it's very common. After all, if every stud owner chose a pup from every litter, they would soon be swarming with dogs." Though, it sounds like that would suit HIM well. "Or we might offer a pup of our choosing with a lesser sum, should they insist on a dog. Or a promise for one from a future litter. You see, I have many plans for future breeds, or to seek to instill fae nature in existing dog breeds that are unknown to have the touch of the dreaming..."

Not everyone knows what work has gone into the maintenance of fae breeds. In a winter-leaning world, they are rare and wonderful creatures... and to breed fae nature into specific mortal-formed breeds is no easy task. Some were cross-bred with the original Fairy Hounds, and then bred back into breed standards with care... others required seeking fae-touched dogs in the depths of the dreaming. Collies, easy enough, in dreams of Lassie... another example is the Fae Labrador, which was bolstered by such stories as The Incredible Journey, Old Yeller, and even Krypto, the Wonder-dog.... he's followed the successes of those breeders for some time!

Though now Nadeen will, as Aiden goes into a bit of a speech, expounding on one of his joys of research and work.

And the woman seems enraptured, it's true, she is not the dog expert others are, nor shares their full passion, but the influence of dreams of man's best friend in its legends and literary forms shaping the fae side of fae hounds intrigues greatly. But a large part is how enthused he is, how much delight it brings Aiden to rattle on so about them. She asks questions now and then, interjecting questions of Clifford the big red dog, and yes, Lady and the Tramp. Kippling's influence on First Friend, the dog as it came to be in his stories and so on.

"Did you know that Clifford was originally patterned after a Vizsla? They're a Hungarian hunting hound..."

"I heard of Vizla, but I never would have guessed. Aren't they the dogs that have very little scent?"

"They are a very clean breed, almost like cats in that respect, and lack much of the trademark musk of other breeds... Now, I don't personally mind the scent of a clean dog..." He suddenly gives her a glance. "Do I..." Slightly mortified!

She has to cover her mouth

to prevent a smile that might cut

"Do you smell of dog?"