#baronyofthesilverwolf

A chuckle at Linnea "And ruin our meals and upset our Stewaard Marigold? Heaven forbid. " Then to Aiden she sobers "I do not know. I think she is the only redcap here so she does feel restrained at times, or perhaps she seeks to find out who and what she is. She admires the brutal, the nightmarish. That's her kith's way.. I do not think it is about what we allow. I think she feels an urge to be more redcapish? If that is a word. Of course, no kith is defined by any one path and I do not want her thinking her own are so limited"

He considers. "She will find her own path, to be certain. Perhaps when she is a wilder she can join a corby that will help her ambition. For now, however, Silverwolf is still her home."

"Yes. I suppose I had thought it always would be. I like the little monster. I am not so disimilar from her. Or rather, I am on the high side of monster if she is on the low? We Varich can be terrible. We were great and glorious rulers, but not always gentle. And when what we saw as ours was threatened" The memory of a spriggan finger's being removed, his attempt to raise the storm, and how she shredded him with it "Well, let us say I will miss her if she goes. I know Dame Gladiola will. " A thought "I think Dame Lavender is a bit spooked by her since that leg bite"

Linnea offers, "Do you wish for me to keep an eye on her? She values her privacy on the hunt, but if you wish it, I will do my best to tail her. Though... she may start to see me with a less friendly eye, should I style myself as her overseer."

Aiden nods. "It was quite a vicious attack, though not unprompted. They threatened her dog, did they not?"

"And more" A nod to Aiden, then a look to Linnea "No. Best not yet. In fact. Perhaps a simple talk with her would do. Who do you think she would open up to? Bluebell has a pooka's gift but she is understandabily nervous about any redcap. Would Dame Gladiola still have the girl's respect?"

Linnea considers. "Respect, yes. Gladiola did a full five minutes against Rivervale's rabid dog - Briar certainly respects her strength."

"Then I will turn Gladiola's focus to Briar. And maybe make her feel less oppresive to Thistle"

"I thank you for your counsel, THane. As always it is from the heart and head alike"

Linnea bows. "However I may serve, my lady."

"Well, you serve well" She nods then looks to Aiden "If they'd been triplets I'd consider expanding our territory" She might be joking

He chuckles. "Do you wish to try your hand at the target?"

"Delighted" She says, and takes the bow from him "I had little training in archery at Rivervale though. Indeed, a group full of trolls, I think they were stunned when I insisted on learning sword" She tests the strength of it

It's a powerful pull, not the strength of a crossbow or a recurve, but easily enough to punch a hole in a target - or an elk.

"mmm" She braces, and eyes the target. She realizes she must shoot or else start to lose it regardless. "Envying some of that troll might now"

Still she lines up, and fires. She is no expert at bow, but she has the minimum training, and her natural grace means she is better than some

/roll 5

And she gasps as the string lashes out snapping.. and cuts along her hand

She mutters "Practically cut the string with the arrowhead myself"

Aiden is immediately there, taking his hand in his own. "What happened?" Checking the wound.

"My lining was hasty... the arrowhead and string were not meantt to be in ccontact and I weakened it. " A redline along pale skin. A drop of blood, then another

"I feel quite the fool" She says with lifted chin.

"Linnea." His voice snaps out, not with anger, but with urgency. The Thane is there in but a moment, pressing a clean cloth to her hand. A clinical look at the cut. "It is superficial, it will sting badly but if cared for, will heal without scarring. Or I can heal it for you now, if you'll have me do so." The Thane offers, a hand going to her pocket for dross.

"No, I shall let it heal by the fire. Let it be a reminder of my foolishness and my need to practice. However, gather up any blood dropped on the green and burn that string with the leaves. I will not have a sluagh find varich blood for the use in their tawdry spyings" She's BEEN nice about them in front of the fledges, but there are limits

"I will see it done personally." Aiden promises.

His gaze on the bow is frigid, as though it has mortally offended him itself.

"Don't blame the bow, darling. I am out of practice with bow despite my falconry"

Her own ire is saved for her sloppy work , "I best go in and tend to this. Marigold will fuss when she sees it"

"Go, tend to your hand. I'll have a bow custom made to your height and draw, that you may practice as you wish."

"Imagine if I'd been hurt driving a car. You'd buy me a new hybrid no doubt. Do not fuss over me too much, my love" She kisses him "I shall grow spoiled. " That said she is touched, "Remember what I said about burning the blood" And she slips off to the house to tend to her wound

Indeed, he gathers every touch, down to the least blade of grass, and despite her words, the bow itself is also added to te fire - once it crackles merrily, he nods, offense fading as the offending bow vanishes into ash. Afterwards, he makes a note to reach out to Dark Gate. A new bow - no, perhaps two, matching in style, one chased with silver and the other with gold...

Three drops of blood in the summer green, three drops of blood, by sluagh eyes unseen. Three drops of blood, the lady did shed. But what might arise, when the land has been fed? Would fire cleanse this offering of thrice? Or is it too late, to undo sacrifice? Three drops of blood from the Daughter of the Winter Sun... what might take root, has something begun?

NYAH...

----Nyah!---