#baronyofthesilverwolf

She nods quietly to Oak.

Clem had chuckled at the Puppy Fior comment, then nodded, but she looks at the golden one almost guilty, but with affection, then she looks at the blazed one wistful, then finally says "Much as i would love the little follower fine, we need a dog who isn't just quick to obey, but makes choices fast. I'll take the little golden lass"

Gladiola beams with troll pride

Brekke nods approval at the choice. "Sun on wheat fields," she says, of the pup's color.

"Why yes, yes, now that you mention it" Clem acts as if this fact has just dawned on her.

Aiden nods, making a note in his paperwork.

"Hyarmentir of Silverwolf Kennels, out of Mischka of the Caucauses in the Empire of the Firebird, by Oak of River Vale, of fine DeBuke Farmhold stock.

While I do not feel that there are any poor choices in this litter, nor any clear runt, this one - she is a fine choice."

He looks over to Brekke. "Has any preference called to you, Baroness?"

A slight grin to Clem, and then a more serious look to Aiden. "I believe so, Baron, but Rivervale gets third pick, not second."

He considers this, and steps over to kneel and rest his hand upon the head of a female pup with a white paw. "And if I should say that Celebdil, thus named for the Silvertine mountains and her white paw, was to remain at Silverwolf?"

She regards the pup, then Oak before answering. "I would prefer that she come with us, but it would be your choice, and we would choose another," she answers honestly.

"Hyarmenntir? " Clem looks at the gold one "Mmm.. gonnna hafta find something rolls off the tongue a bit easier for that, won't we girl?"

Briar glances over and says, "You could call her Honey, for her yeller fur." She's always thinking of food, this redcap.

Brekke nods at Briar's suggestion. "That is a good name for her."

CLEM Freezes, and blushes "Ah.. ahem I'll think on it"

"This pup, Oak's choice, you may have," He says, stroking her head and then standing, "In exchange for first pick of the next litter, should there be one, in collaboration between Silverwolf and Rivervale - whether it be by Oak, or out of her future pups that may be, or other cross not yet determined. That will be in addition to any other compensation or agreements made for any such litter."

Clem arches a brow at that, snappd out of her embarrasment

Brekke looks amused. "Ah, I cannot fault you for spotting that opportunity." She looks to Oak. "This one, yes?"

Clem raises a brow "Fore you agree, maybe ask him if tha was the one he was going to take originally for second pick?"

An enigmatic smile over to Clem. "I do not see any reason why I must answer that." Cordially, and good natured.

"uh huh, you got a bit of Hearth in you for wheelings and dealings, Holder Aiden" But there is a nod of respect as well as caution

"Nor do I see any need to ask it. I can agree to this."

Annd Oak has wagged. Bargainns are over his head, but he knows which onen will serve best for the lodge

"..IF...this is the one that Oak thinks we should bring home."

WOOF he afirms

"Which he does." A nod. "Done."

He offers a hand to Brekke to shake. "Done, and agreed."

The deal is sealed with a shake.

"Now, there has been some interest in this litter from a Rover Hastien..." He glances to Gwen, asking, "Was it Sir Hastien?"

"About taking on dogs for Rover work. Would your own Rover Olgar be looking for a companion on the silver? I would give him the right of first refusal over other Rovers requests"

"Just Rover Hastien, lord, the knight of he way is ... honorific?" Gladiola says "though they are heroes"

An interested look. "They may prove to be fine trod workers. Hastien is thinking well there. I will inform Rover Olgar and have him contact you about his preference."

Clem looks over Hyarmentir and is talking to her "Hey, you like Butternut as a name girl? Maybe Hemione... Potter is a hit with the kids"

"Lastly, now that your choices have been made, we can proceed with the other claims. However...." He looks over the litter, frolicking together. "My normal practice is to keep our hounds until at least 6 months of age, and provide their initial training. They are instructed, both by myself, my kennel master, and the other fae hounds in ways of hunting and tracking, obedience and loyalty, when to retreat, and when to stand their ground. I would recommend that we do the same for these two-"

He winces just a touch, almost unnoticeable, at the names Clem is cooing at her pup.

"Though, if you truly do wish them only as companions or... working farm dog, then you may choose to forgo this experience. I still highly recommend it, though. Our training is also offered to other dogs that are brought to us, and commands a high price and highly renowned results. Nadeen's Pyschka, and the rest of Michka's last litter, were so trained."

"I have witnessed Pyschka's obedience." Brekke nods. "I wish Celebdil to be ready to serve on patrols as well as to be a companion within the Lodge. This training may well be the best choice...provided she does not lose the gentle part of her temper in the process."

Clem seems torn "Ohh my. make me fall in love with her and then this." She arches a brow "is there some charge for this service?"

He shakes his head. "With pyrenees in her lineage, she will always have a gentle heart amongst those to whom she is loyal, though the Ovcharka may make her a fierce opponent to any who threaten those. We train firm, but not cruel - a hard hand ruins a horse, or a pup, as it may be."

To answer Clem, he also shakes his head. "We charge to train outside dogs to meet our standards. Those pups of Silverwolf lineage are all trained with few exception, to help ensure that they always show off their full potential. To wit, no, there is no fee, though they will need to remain with us longer. You also may observe training, or speak to, perhaps, my Lady Nadeen or Dame Gladiola, Baroness Sparrow, or Sir Sergei as to their nature of their trained dogs."

Dame Gladiola steps forward "Ivan loves me very much, and while yes, he would tear the arm off a thallian at my request, he does not revel in the blood. "

"And yet, you were present for his training, Dame Gladiola," Brekke points out. "We will not be, for much of it, at least."

Clem looks over, first at sidhe, then Gladiola then she nods "All rright. We'll leave her a bit longer in your hands for teaching. But I intend to have a DeBuke visit n ow and then if you will? Need Butter nut or Hermie which everr to get used to my kin"

"Boof!" Ivan barks, his tail waving.

One of the pups, the feisty powder girl, jumps on his tail and wrestles it, which Ivan tolerates with a look that could be the equivalent of rolling eyes.

Aiden considers this. "In return, what would you say to one of our own visiting to view your kennels, or equivalent lodging for your working dogs?"

Clem ponders "Sadly, Holder, we're a bit skitish about sidhe nobles still. But fair is fair. Your kennel master is welcome. And.. of course, if you wish to visit, we'll work on something but it will need to be scheduled. Carthoginians didn't warm to rome for a while, no offense"

"I have a pair of fledges who are, as of yet, without house or title. Would they be allowed a visit, under Dame Gladiola's guidance for the trod travel? I wish to broaden their areas of education."

Clem says "Yes. It's one thing for modernists to be wary of royalists, or vice verrsa, but we've learned, hard way, that too much isolation makes for narrow minds. One of them a sidhe?"

"Yes, his name is Arthur. He would spend all his days in a library if not stirred, and he must have practical experience as well. His companion Fledge is Thistle, a Nocker. The brain behind a Thallain detector, and assuredly many new inventions to come."

"Mmm... we have some stubborn folk, and he may get some dirty looks, but no harm will come to him"

gwen looks surprised "Why would he get dirty looks?"

Aiden pauses, and allows for Clem to field THAT one.

Clem says "Because, there was a war, and most commoners surrendered. We never did. Never will. No less than 20 nobles have tried to conquer us since. We rebufffed or just flat beat them off. It wears hard on you, Daireann. To have those that you would welcome as guests ttry to conquer you . Makes you less hospitable. But, therre is a danger in letting your enemy warp your perceptions so you see too many as enemies. Even those who are't. We were at risk of defeating ourselves. That's why I am trying to open us up, for our good. Not the nobles good. your boss is a sly one, but also seems a good mann, who understands he can get a lot more out of us as a partner in hounds than trying to take over us. But old dogs and trolls can be slow to learn new tricks. We've made mistakes, but thee's a reason I call your lord Holder rather than Baron. I respect him, but that respect is born of his courtesy and action and care, not because he has a title from old dreams. So I will abide and treat fair with him, as he treats with me."

"Likewise, I choose to not take offense at the refusal to call me by Title, as I have been accorded respect for that which I have earned in this life, and not simply that which was accorded to me. I have also seen the dangers of remaining... stagnant, and unchanging. Rather, I would see us grow, and if that means we have strange bedfellows, then let us choose our allies based on our own experiences." A side glance at the Gwydion Baroness who is his guest, currently playing with a puppy.

Clem nods to the Baron " I see your hold has faced some troubles for being too isolated as well. It's the nature of da'an that the more we close tight, the more likely we'll reget closing our eyes and ears when the world comes knocking"

"This is outside of our negotiations, but I wished to ask - I have heard that the Farmhold teaches Spring to those who ask. One area in which our own Barony lacks is a spring healer. If any of our people show an aptitude, may we consider further discussion for training?"