#baronyofthesilverwolf

He nods curtly, and gestures for them to sit. Taking a moment to marshal his thoughts, then he begins.

"Thistle. What we know is still little, but there is a chance that if the one who stole the child is Kin to Janice, and Kithain, then they may have a valid claim."

She scowls.

"I am Kithain, and kin."

"It is, after all, a long standing tradition that when there is a child who has Fae heritage born to mortals, that he or she will be spirited away to be raised by kithain."

He nods to her. "You are. But your father is not. And Janice is no longer. Who is to judge the stronger claim?"

Nadeen arches a brow at the girl "We are on your side, ward Thistle. But we must sort through the full challenges to our claim"

"And a sister - what's this rando Redfin roustabout? If I've never met him." She balls up her hands into fists.

"They didn't take Frankie."

Aiden shakes his head. "We do not know why they came now, and chose this child. It may have been driven by omens, portents, or simply whim. But as a fledge, you cannot challenge them to stake a claim."

"Can't you? Please?"

"You're a Baron."

"I - we - hold dominion over the local Fae that are our vassals and those who have chosen to reside in Silverwolf territory. The child is mortal, or perhaps kin. I have no claim to her, by blood, house, kith or oath. You do. The Baroness and I have spoken, and you shall be Sained forthwith, so that you may venture forth, and lay claim to that which belongs to you."

...Blink.

"WOW" Dlorean lets slip

"I thought the magic made it have to be... I... we left Art at the house, we'll have to get him?"

"Arthur is not ready," A shake of Nadeen's head

"But we chrysalized together."

Aiden lifts his chin in agreement with his lady. "IF he can prove himself in the remaining weeks, he may yet be sained a Year and a Day from his Chrysalis. If he passes his fior-righ, the rites of the Sidhe."

"We have more authority, more privilege, than other kith ,so it is right we face more challenges to earn"

"But..." She frowns, spirals muddying into anxious colors

"But I only chrysalized because of him..."

"That is not true. You would have Chrysalized. All eggs must hatch. All cocoons must shed. He was a spark, but the fire is your own."

"He is special to you, we know" Nadeen says "But you are not joined at the hip by necesity, merely friendship"

"Are you sure about that? I mean, there's Fornax, too..."

"You will know when you recover your True Name, if there is some tie that binds you, some oath that must be considered. But as well, you must choose. If you wait for Arthur, you may lose your best chance at recovering this child."

She grimaces.

"You won't go alone," Lavender says "Unless the baroness and baron disagree , someone will go with you"

"Once you are sained, you may choose your party. I give you leave to select from any of my vassals, should they be willing to accompany you." He glances to Nadeen, not speaking for her. After all, Thane Linnea is sworn to her alone.

"I know time is of the essence. And Dad and Janice are supposed to go home soon..."

Nadeen ponders "Yes, and we'll try to keep an eye on Janice discretely"

"My understanding is that these mortals, to their knowledge, have experienced a Loss." He cautions. "If you were to tell them otherwise, they will panic. If you could even convince them of the fact that their child lives, and was stolen, mortal authorities would be involved. That would endanger us all.

However, if you wish to speak to Janice alone, she may be able to shed light on what has happened."

"If you recover the child? We will ease her return to the family. Sooner is better, as there may be more complications with every day that passes. If you do not... it would be a kindness, for them to grieve their loss, and move on."

"Baron, Chicanery often wears off, even on mortals. They may be panicking already" Lavender says

"I need to explain why I'm not watching Frankie."

"If... if I enchanted Janice? She might know more when she remembers."

"Not always." He says, with a frown. "The simplest explanation is often the one that mortal minds will accept. There is no proof of a child, but for one picture, which proves nothing to the courts of man. The selkie did not see her child. The man, only for a fleeting moment. It is easy to assume it a dream."

He has a haunted look for a moment, then shakes his head to clear it.

"That you may do. Once you are no longer a Fledge, you may act on your own whims, but take heed that the consequences would be yours to resolve as well."

A nod from the knight

Her eyebrows are screwed down low, troubled.

"Thistle, if you choose to wait a year and a day, if you feel you are not prepared to meet the Namer, we will abstain. But I have reached out, and can hold the ceremony within the next few days. Will you be ready?"

"....Nobody else can save her?"

"You have proven eager to get to the task in other areas" Nadeen says surprised

"It's not that I don't want to... it's..."

"If you wish, I will send a delegation in search of her. We will seek by wisp and demand her return. However, if she is in another court, another kingdom, the power we wield here will be greatly reduced, and our claim, not nearly as strong as your own."

"For such a thing to happen on the very cusp of your emergence into Fae society? May not be a coincidence. It may be ordained for you to seek her."

She anxiously twists the hem of her shirt in her hands.

He exchanges a glance with Nadeen. "You may retire, unless you have any questions for us. Consider your options, but do not tarry overlong on a decision."

"I'll do it. I have to do it."

Nadeen nods back then says "The path is dangerous I do not doubt, Thistle. But you have in you the fire of your kith, and the inventive mind to tackle a problem in ways few can predict. Once named these traits will be even more yours. Remember that and use it to fuel your courage. For your sister's sake"

"Countess Elsinore has a court Namer. I will ask for her to attend as soon as possible. I recommend that you consider who you may wish to attend, for all that it may be Prompt, it is still a weighty ceremony. Within the next few days, I will imagine, we will conduct your Saining."

Naming the Eilunid Countess who rules the local baronies.

"Go prepare yourself, see who you want to invite" Nadeen advises the Nocker girl

A quiet nod, though she still looks troubled.

No excitement for Naming here.