#baronyofthesilverwolf

"I don't always get nockers either" She admits "Thistle is fragile when I try to tell her she's strong, prickly when I warn her of danger. Willy shows herself so little I'm starting to think she should come out, cast an omen on Imbolc, and go back in for show. And then there' Journeyman Wudlig who works on the weirdest stuff and doesnt' warn you the toolshed now has a maze under it"

“The toolshed has…” her eyes roll up to the ceiling, possibly asking Da’an for strength.

"It was an adventure" She says in troll understatement

"Look what my hawks caught?" Blossom calls out

"As long as it's a what and not a who." Danica responds, reminding her of the unsaid (okay, well, often said) rule.

"It's a rabbit" Blossom says

Gladiola's eyes grow stern

"Fine, a hare" Blossom rolls her eyes

"You know the rule about small game. Don't let Bluebell see it before it's dressed, then straight to Marigold or the dogfood freezer."

That said, she steps out of the garage to see what Blossom has.

It's a rather large hare actually, a fine one for the meal table

"Of course I'll dress it properly," Blosssom says "The Baron says I shall be a great huntress and my OWN Dressage is amazing"

Danica looks over it. "A clean kill. Good work. I'll bet Marigold can stew that up right. Not precisely stew weather, but she'll make it work."

She beams at the praise

"She will" Gladiola nods "But the important thing is Bluebell does not see it"

A glance to Gwen, "Mind reminding Julius that it's date night tonight? He mentioned it earlier, but he gets lost in paperwork."

"Right away" Gwen moves quickly to do so

"Those big ones, the ones with the wingspan - how are they coming along?" Danica asks, she doesn't know much about the hawks.

"The Gyrfalcons? " She says enjoying she clearly knows more than a grown up troll, "Fantastically. If I let them, they could clear this place of Nevers. Their talons hit like areiel scimitars. Now the biggest hawk by wingspan is the Ferruginous hawk, but the winter would be way too rough for them"

Danica looks a bit puzzled at the hawk types, but nods, granting the girl her moment of enjoyment.

"Yes, those. They have good eyesight, to pick out a hare in brush from on the wing. If I- that is, you, show them some images, do you think they can run sweeps and report back if they see anything like that?"

She ponders "Ordinary hawks couldn't, but fae hawks are smarter than regular hawks, just as fae hounds are smarter than regular dogs, and so on with fae horses over regular ones. Yes, I'm sure of it. They know to leave the nevers alone when Thistle is around, and they don't go for rabbits within a certain area near the hold. That shows how smart they are and how great a trainer I'm becoming" Proud that her will over ridesinstinct "Why do you ask?"

"I'd like to have them adding to our patrols, and a few sweeps of the roads near town as well. If anyone can get those birds to listen, it would be you." Or Baroness Nadeen, Danica thinks, but let the girl have her pride.

"You'll hear about it sooner or later, but there was a run-in with Thallain, and though they were all taken care of, we're not taking any chances."

Her eyes widen "Thallian?" She is stil lyoung and those things are frightening "Will they come here again? They came for the puppies once"

"Perhaps." She does not lie to her, "Though I do not believe so. Linnea and I, Dames Gladiola and Lavender, your Baron and Baroness, and all of the animals are all on guard to protect you. To protect all of us. It would be beyond foolhardy - it would be suicide to attempt."

A nod "Are you wanting attack power, or the best visuals? Or a mix" Suddenly back to hawk talk "Different breeds of bird of prey have different advantages. Some have more endurance than others for example"

"I.. had not considered." She considers this now. "No, I do not think we should have them on the attack. All it would take is one case of mistaken identity near town to have a major PR mishap with the hawks. But watch, and report back - they would need to know how to indicate on a map, or overhead model, where suspect figures were sighted."

Blossom is not just a show off, she does some homework "That sounds like smarts might be the largest priority period. I will run them through some visual tests, maps and land scapes to see which make the best connection, but I'll need some maps to practice with"

"If the kestrel has the endurance, her small size might work to an advantage."

“Ah. That would be Baroness Nadeen’s prerogative.”

"Yes, but I have other small birds and I need to run some tests. I need maps or copiies of maps of the area" Blossom says 'To develop the skills'

“Surveying sounds like good work for fledges. Thank you, Blossom. I'll have it done.”

"You're welcome" Blossom says , 'And I'll get to work. Silverwolf ayrie birds are the best, you'll see" She races off

**********

"Date night, just because you're married doesn't mean you can slack on the romance department buckaroo" Gwen tells Julius, but is good natured about it. Yes, she's in a good mood

"But, uh, we're married now." He says, shuffling through paperwork.

He brightens. "Did she show you the pictures?"

"I was surprised how much we enjoyed the elephant sanctuary just outside of Chaing Mai."

"She did" a smile "Fantastic." Then eyes narrow "And you better be joking about that 'but we're married'. That's a good way to piss your new wife off and hurt her feelings. What she's not worth a date now that you have a ring? YOu two need to keep it fresh and couple nights and dates works. I'm not even an adult woman and i know that much"

He insists on showing her the phone, it shows the two of them and a few others playfully cavorting with an elephant in a river - the elephant has grabbed Julius's hat, and Bluebell is laughing uproariously.

"Oh, well, no, it's not THAT. It's, you know. We have to save for other things. Building our life together."

"I suppose a movie and dinner isn't that much."

"You MIGHT Even have fun." A pause "But ... have your phone on speed dial for us. I don't think the Thallian are ALL gone"

She sighs "Sorry, I'm trying to stop worrying about others"

He gives her a smile. "Don't worry. I have satyr speed, and nothing can outrun Bunny if she's got her mind on it. There's not a thallain born that can catch her. She's like Bugs Bunny and the Road Runner, all in one."

A grin at that "you got a point. "She gives him a hug "I am SO happy for you guys. You should let us throw you a party , both of you"

"Yeah, maybe! We could make it an inauguration for opening up the guest house suites too."

"I think that would be a good one, the Baroness loves to make a fuss over you guys. "

"Ah, is that so? Well, if you say so. I'd better check what's showing. Say, have you seen anything good lately? With... what's his name, that nice fellow. The one with the shoulders.

"Chuck" She beams "We've seen a few. Mostly action,superhero movies, and some sportsm ovies"

A few polite questions about Chuck, and what movie they might recommend for him and Bluebell... small talk, but friendly.

ANd she answsers honestly, blushing at times when she says 'we.. werent' watching the movie at times" Which is the closet she'll get to admiting make out sessions