#baronyofthesilverwolf

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Gwen looks at her axe and blinks "I wonder if it sprung a leak? Or ..caused something else to? I should wash this off" She gets water from a bottle ready to wash this sticky black stuff off

The air is cool and crisp - it was still summer when they left, but already now it feels like fall. Gone is the hot sticky-sweet humidity of the islands, and the lights and fumes and press of NYC. Here, they can breathe.

Art inhales deeply of the fresh air as he steps away from the trodway. "Everyone alright?"

The ichor comes off the axe readily. Actually, there is a button that says "spin cycle", if she wanted to try that...

A deep breath, eyes closed.

"Yeah. I'm good."

"Confused mostly" No she drips the sticky stuff off manually. Spin Cycle sounds like a good way to spread it EVERYWHERE

"Wow" A look around "Feels like we've been gone for a season almost" It wasn't, of course, but it feels like it

A whinny greets them, as Linnea rides up. "You've returned!" She has several other mounts behind her. "Come, I'm sure everyone is excited to see you."

The Thane looks at Art with interest, but he has changed back to his earlier voile.

The trod being partway between Silverwolf and Dark Gate. A long walk, but a short ride promised.

"Linnea, how's mother I... sorry, we should get going" She picks a horse

"Marigold is well. Everyone has, or is, recovering." She quickly assures them.

"Hey Linnea! Hey.... horsie..." A little cautious with the beast.

"Blossom was a bit bored." The Thane explains.

"A BIT" A nod "Well, okay then" She coaxes Thistle "Come on thistle, this one is gentle" SHe points toa kind mare

"She must be, to allow Blossom to do all that."

She does trust Gwen's judgement, following her to the more placid mare. The VERY TALL mare.

"Hey, how did you know to meet us here with the horses?"

"They all needed a walk, so we've been patrolling the area ever since we got your last text that you were on your way."

The two mares that are NOT Friesians are smaller. OF course, still VERY TALL to Thistle. Leaning in, the mare flares her nostrils, sniffing. She smells... sugar?

"Art, Thistle, do you guys need help mounting up?"

"More like an elevator." She cranes her neck up.

"I might need stairs." Art swalows.

"Good horse. Nice horse." He pats the mare's side.

Gwen dismounts and helps each up onto theirs "How have you been here this long and not got riding lessons?"

Lord knows Dee hinted

"I've been busy!"

She perches precariously in the saddle, and has white-knuckled the reins.

"Safer than that Cab ride"

"I've had a few, but other things took precedence!"

Art strokes the mare's neck carefully, and is awarded with an encouraging Nicker.

"Nice horsie."

"Horses are fine animals, I prefer dogs" A pat on the horse "Sorry there" But she remounts "the ones here are well trained . We'll take it slow" Even if she's itching to gallop home

Linnea clicks her tongue, and all of the horses wheel to follow her at a brisk pace.

Squirrels chatter in the trees, darting out of the way of the hooves. They have important nut gathering to do.

Gwen shows the others how to gently use their knees and maintain balance

Thistle devotes her attention to not falling off.

Thistle is distracted by a squirrel! In her defense, it threw an acorn at her that bounced off her head.

"Hey! Jagoff!"

Before darting off!

Citrine chimes a tirade of bells after it!

"Don't tell Blossom about that one." Art advises.

Of course, the woods always have chimera - but they do seem more numerous and livelier than usual to the trolls who are more likely to patrol out this way.

A willow tree along the bank of a small creek reaches out with a whip-thin branch to tug at Thistle's hair curiously, but releases as she rides on.

Gwen observes this but is not surprised. Thistle just draws attention ...

For Thistle, this is the norm!