#baronyofthesilverwolf

He nods, then says, "And if they suggest converting to a Trollish lodge?" A gentle jest.

"I will ask them to hand over the Rivervale propaganda pamphlets" a chuckle, then more somberly "I do assume we want the heir to be a sidhe? Individuals of other kiths DO sometimes prove to have the wisdom and ambition to earn a peerage of such rank, but for the most part they lack our kith's natural grace and talent at rule"

"Yes. We are granted the power and grace by the dreaming to rule. Some common folk have done well with what they were given, especially in the times of need when they were forced to fare for themselves due to our absence... but no one can logically argue that such might not be better managed with proper Shining Host guidance."

"Though, here are times when I would prefer an unseelie elevated commoner over, say, a Gwydion sidhe." He allows.

"Obviously, a sluagh noble is out. I... I try, but I have limits.. I can't" She wrinkles her nose at the very notion

"But their very common nature would make them easier to control, which is part of it. If you seek to rule, gather common vassals to support you. If you seek allies, seek those who are strong and can be trusted to hold their own."

"mmm yes. Alas, our kith is not so frequent that we are likely to get our ideal"

"More return every day. Someday, perhaps." A smile plays on his lips. "A pleasant thought."

"Yes, a trickle steady throughout the decades" A nod then "If Arthur turns out to be of Baronal title? Your thoughts? "

A thoughtful frown. "He may have obligations of his own to fulfill. Previous oaths, ties.. conflicting interests."

"He may. And he is a bit impulsive, that trait worries me, though he is young yet and we aren't going anywhere. I do like him though, there is drive there, when he taps into it," A pondering "His friendship with Thistle tempers him, usually"

"Strange, when she is of such a spitfire kith. Or perhaps fitting, that he may serve as a calming element in the face of such." The Baron considers.

"This is new for me. To have wards that might leave. I mean, Gwen now Dame Gladiola is well rooted to our benefit. I suppose it's not a failing if they choose otherwise once sained but I will miss them," She wanders with him, "Dame Lavender D'Lorean wants to have another Joust club meeting here. I told her to please hold it into check until we can purge the sturges. Do you agree?"

"Has there been word from Dame Gladiola?" His tone level, not betraying concern.

"She called her mother. They are alive"

"The Stirge activity has died down. The weather is changing - I wonder if they may hibernate. From the reports, they are neither furred nor scaled - weather may be a key to their activity. If they are more of an animal, they may hibernate, or migrate. If they are more insect, they may die off, or produce new brood in the spring." A pause. "Which is a chilling notion itself."

Briskly, "I am not concerned. Dame Gladiola is well capable of handling them on her return." No question in his tone about that being an if, only a when.

"Yes, a swarm alarms me. The people have asked for us to purge them. In this, we should answer. A lord or lady who is not shield as well as crown rarely has support." At his mention of Dame Gladiola, he nods, "A competent knight, far too eager to be the martyr but she is being weaned from that. She doesn't want me to make her recite a boast poem in front of others.. again" That was an amusing eve , not because the deeds weren't boast worthy but because the troll cringed as she was pushed to bragging, "Little detail beyond them being alive and still questing for the child were given but if there were a need to pull them out to safety or rescue them, they'd let us know I am sure. Thane Linae tells me Gladiola was given a codeword in her fledging for when there was trouble and that the Daireann would be likely to remember it. As the word avalanche hasn't been used in her call to her mother, I think we're right to be confident"

He squeezes her hand. "Let Dee plan her joust for the fall. When the leaves turn, Silverwolf is at one of it's most beautiful heights of color."

"Good thing we communicated before any action was irreversible" She arches a brow but there's no ice in it, even if her intention of a lesson is clear, "I still want those Stirges rooted out and I WILL Have that, but we'll take percautions. Besides, their event can be durihng the day and the Stirges are nocturnal"

He lifts her hand to his lips for a kiss. "I do not mean to overrule not dismiss your concern. I merely express confidence that Gladiola will have things well in hand."

She allows this and smiles, "You have a great deal of faith in her don't you? And she you, with good reason. She speaks fondly of how you and Sir Ivory saved her when she first stumbled into these lands, how your leadership inspired and gave her courage. She thought you a hunter lord of legend- and she was right. This even before she knew her old past life. "

A soft laugh. "If I may live up to her vision of me, I will call this an incarnation well spent."

"You have a habit of collecting knights of quality and loyalty, mlord. They serve silverwolf well. " A thought "Oh, Sir Wudlig, who I often forget IS a knight, has been put on a new task, but is in design stage only. As it involves the horses I felt it should be run by you. He is working on a new vehicle, one meant to carry our fae steeds for long drives if need be. He beleives he can make one based on an old magician's trick that unless the door is opened properly, it will look empty. I was tempted to tell him I had no idea what would be the point of hiding horses in transport but then he was SO depressed about losing that contest for a new arm for the Storm of Darkgate that i didn't have the heart to fuss. I merely told him to show you the design before begining"

He considers. "If attending a contest such as Pennons, a safe over-land transport for Fae steeds that saves them the danger of Trod travel as well as protects them from the banality that may be encountered along the road, that is worth looking into. And on arrival, if opponents cannot see which steeds have been brought, we may have a hand in betting on our people. We will know more of who and what steeds they face."

"We're smuggling our own horses," She looks amused "May I say 'boys and their toys' without offending you, love? Though I do see your point about avoiding banal persons with it"

A soft laugh. "Wudlig does create marvels. He was a fine acquisition. If Darkgate someday manages to charm Linnea away from us, though I certainly hope it will not be so - my theft of him from their service will at least soften the loss."

"I treasure Linnae as a thane, and I would like to think as a friend. So I would miss her too, but then, one who thought of us fondly in Darkgate by the Chief's side would not be a bad thing. I dare not word it that way. She'd be offended at the notion of being a mole or some such and that's not how i mean it. As for Wudlig, yes. Oh he does have some commisions of the private sort, as was agreed. Sidney, you remember them? They asked him to create a wardrobe so he maybe out now and then as he installs it for them"

"Good. A bored Nocker is a dangerous thing, and the more work he does for others, even under his own name, is still a win for Silverwolf as he is within our employ."

Curious, "Would you like a wardrobe as well? Perhaps not one that leads to Narnia, but that can expand for all the gowns and outfits you deserve?"

"I have a wardrobe" She says, "Inherited from Dahlia, who as you know, had exquisite taste. Particularly in men" She squeezes his hand, though a thought seems to make her hesitate

"If such suits you..." He smiles, remembering, poignant, yet not pained. "I had that crafted for her out of solid heartwood, with drawer pulls each carved into her favorite blossoms. It is no expanding miracle of engineering, but... I am glad to see it in use once more."

"It has given me much joy, and insights into you." She hestitates to say 'ammunition to snare you' but it's possible it helped there too. Remembering she did promise to challenge him with loving him in their relationship, she dares to quote a line he may or may not remember ''The touch of your hand sends my blood racing faster than any flight on four hooves. The feel of your hand in mine makes me feel I could conquer the world, even if I feel oddly conquered in return''

There is no mockery as she brings up old words he wrote. Indeed, she found it rather stiring

He looks at her in some puzzlement - it takes a few moments for the memory that these were his words to float to the surface. Then - he blushes, boyishly, pink almost to his ear tips!

"No wonder she kept it there" A confession, "Sealed away like the treasure it was and is. No, it is my favorite wardrobe, for it opened for me not a path to narnia, but to a land of your passionate heart. I took a walk through it often, and still do"

"Oh." He clears his throat. "Is that so? And... it pleases you?"

"I am tempted to ask how long it took you to find such words. You never claimed to be a poet and yet..." a smile "yet much of it is poetry"

"And you never claimed to be a composer, yet your presence makes my heart sing."

She is surprised and Nadeen's eyes grow large and luminous "oh" And she blushes prettily "That is sweetly said." and in a voice that is both promise and warning "A lady might lose her resistance hearing such"

He draws her closer, but then, with regret, presses a kiss of only a hint of promise on her cheek. "I owe Lord Casimir a tour." His eyes seek in hers, a promise for later?

Another blush "Ah yes, the words quite made me lose my sense of the now. Yes , please do ah, show him about." Dear Dreaming. If he realizes what that sort of talk does to me I may never win another argument again

He pulls her in for a kiss that has more than a hint of promise, then reluctantly separates. "I will take him on a ride. I trust he does ride? Better for you to tell me now, before I trust the pride of a boy and seat him on a horse he cannot handle."

"Actually he's quite a good rider" She says "But that's by Caer Falken standards"

"Then I will set him to a middling horse, and let him show his worth." Pleased by the answer.

"have fun, and don't let him intimidate you just because you have designs on his daughter" Straight faced. Slavic humor perhaps

He chuckles, and heads off.
(Scene, perhaps to pick up on horseback.)

Fall has just started to come to Upstate New York - a spattering like a splatter from a paintbrush speckling over green leaves.

Aiden is mounted on his black and silver stallion, with Casimir alongside on a spirited, yet good natured mare.

"If your visit extends into October, you'll see the full glory of autumn leaves visited upon these woods." The Baron says.

"It is a fine land," The boy says. Nadeen did not exagerate, he's a fine rider. Not up to Aiden's level, nor D'Lorean - He is good, "And I see you picked me a lively but amiable mare. "

"You ride well." He compliments. "How are you treated at Caer Falken? Do you find it difficult to be fostered amongst a Seelie hold?"

"Indeed." he says "The Count is well respected, and in fairness, he is a legend rightly who has done much good for his people and his land. However as I am of an Unseelie House, he does not feel overly invested in my opportunities. Of course, I'm also a ki.. a childling, and that is also a factor. I shall certainly not inherit. Many of his barons have taken some measure to 'hint' to me of this. Even the Baroness Brekke herself never considered my daughter for heir, I hear. I fear any unseelie house faces barriers there." a pause "The Count's company does make marvelous toys though."