#baronyofthesilverwolf

“…No one is dazed? Frozen? Prepared to die?” Marigold sounds baffled, and then… “Gwennie, dear, I am sorry, it seems I need to have a word with Rochallor.”

"We're good!"

"I'm getting a cake!"

Gwen's jaw drops then says "Frozen? No, there was some ice dumped on an asshat but we're good. Thistle is having a kind of family reunion"

“Thistle was amazing!” Art adds. “And yes, cake.”

“Miss Marigold, has the Baron mentioned me, by any chance?” He asks, unaware of the Speaker Phone.

Nadeen motions to Marigold to speak freely, but does not yet speak herself

"Make sure the Baron knows Art was (&&$U)(_)Y&&^ brilliant."

"He won the wits contest, and helped with the others."

"When we were dropped in the drink, he was able to use the stars to get us to shore."

"And yes, I got turned into a whale, but I got better"

“The thing is…” Art starts, and then, “Marigold, you’re better at communicating than I am. But… there is a Namer here. She - it’s complicated, but she says she owes me my name, it’s… tied to a Riddle contest. But I need to speak with the Baron or Baroness first. He said I was not ready, and if I come home sained? I don’t want it to look like I went over his head, or around his ruling…”

Marigold covers her mouth, and looks to Nadeen.

Nadeen arches a brow, at THIS she speaks "Arthur, this is Baroness Nadeen. Who is this namer you speak of?"

“Nadeen?” His voice squeaks. “…Baroness Nadeen. I’m - I - Uh-.”

“I didn’t know you were- uh.”

"Quite all right. I've heard these tales with great interest. But please, answer the question" Nadeen says

“I’m not at liberty to say.” Art says, his tone apologetic. “Even if it costs me this opportunity.”

"You do not make advocating for you easy, Arthur. "

Harrumph. "Art earned it."

“She is an Elder who has served for naming on this island for many generations.” He says, which is not untrue.

"He's right, we were all ..we gave our word to honor their secrets" Gladiola explains

"Though I don't know if that's still something holding us" Gwen mutters

Marigold murmurs to Nadeen, covering the receiver for a moment, “He could have simply come back Named and Sained.” She points out. “I think once, he would have.”

Nadeen arches a brow at Marigold, but does give a soft nod "This is true."

Marigold asks, “The baby, she’s alright?” Taking a moment to catch up while the Baroness considers.

"Yes, please tell us your sister is all right, Thistle?" Nadeen inquires

"Miri's great."

"We're working out some details about moving forward."

"Miri? Short for Mireen? Lovely name"

"Art got Dad and Janice and Frankie here."

"So yeah, things are going okay."

"What house is the namer?" Nadeen inquires

Art has a blank look, like a deer in headlights.

“She hasn’t divulged that information.” He answers after a tiny delay.

“But she is much respected by the Chieftess of the island, and all of her people.”

“They do not welcome many sidhe here, so I think that’s an important distinction.”

"They don't welcome many..." A sigh "SHe's a selkie isn't she?"

Grimace.

“Uh. UH. I. Uh. I can neither confirm nor deny…” He tries, clearly wrestling with his earlier promise.

"He earned this, he has proven himself AND earned a boon..."

"Arthur, for the love of the Dreaming, at least tell me the namer isn't a sluagh??" The tone is growing cool to cold at the constant denials of any details

Gwen looks at Arthur, and mouths 'you gotta give her SOMETHING'

Art winces. He mouths back to Gwen, “Marigold!”

He is very fond of Gwen’s adopted mother, but she IS a Boggan.

Gwen rolls her eyes

“Baroness, may we speak to you directly for just a few minutes?”

"My apologies, Marigold" The Varich takes the phone gently, and says "I'll make it up to you"

“I’m sorry, Baroness. I do not wish to lie or mislead you, but I must respect those I have promised to hold the secrets of. I will tell you though,I have never heard of a Sluagh namer. If any such exists, it’s not here.”

"Arthur, sometimes you vex me greatly. I have three times tried to advocate for your timely naming, THREE, and each time the biggest obstacle to my doing so has been you. After that, I get thistle being truculent on your behalf, and our own knight cowed into silence stuck between vasalage and friendship. I cannot believe I am saying this, but one day should you be a lord with a ward, I hope you have one just like you" There, she said it, a terrible curse indeed. A breath "that said, you DID call, when you could have just had it done, and that is commendible. Let me put it this way. You may get sained by anyone you like provided you believe they'll not share your truename with any other but you, and that they are not a sluagh. I've been tolerant as i can be but there are lines i cannot cross. IF your namer fits that criteria, yes, you may. The Fior may still await, though it sounds like you've done some heroic things already and I intend to have that count in your favor"