#baronyofthesilverwolf

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A bottle of Julius finest wine is missing from his personal stash

This does not go unnoticed by the particular, some might say fussy, steward.

He checks first with Marigold, who knows nothing… Then with the Baron, who may have the right to claim it, but generally relies on Julius to provide a suitable vintage. No luck.

Briar doesn’t like it, she’s tasted it but says it’s rotten fruit juice.

So, he seeks Madern to ask.

“It’s not an accusation, mind, but that particular vintage was being saved for a special occasion.”

"Oh.. uh... " A pause "It was me. " He admits "And I'll give it back to you" He says "As soon as I can." A nervous smile

A raised brow. “Did you drink it?”

"Not exactly... " How one does not 'exactly' drink something might be interesting "Can I blame early samhain on this? I know our pennons isn't up yet so it's early in the month but ahhhh... well, I got this crazy idea"

“I’m listening.” He says, leaning on a chair. “Believe it or not, I had some wild wilder years too.”

"It's being used as collateral in a bet" he says "See, all this talk of Pennons? And how we're not going to most because we're holding my own? WELL...." AHem... it occurred to me that that put me up as a neutral party to make a few wagers and take some wagers besides. But to take part, I had to show something of value...and your wine looked pricey... what is it? Worth a hundred?"

He presses his fingers to his temples.

“That was a 2020 Château Le Pin Pomerol. Bottled from the best plots in Saint-Vincent and Merignas, and of a run of only 100 bottles due to the labor shortage in harvesting during the pandemic..”

“Try adding two digits onto your estimation, on a good auction day.”

"RIght so .." He sputters "Wait, that's... 10 THOUSAND? "

A nod. “It is not the most expensive bottle we have had, but… I had this earmarked to decant on the Baroness’s name Day.

“Please tell me that you have at least a good wager in place? On what was this bet?”

"oh I'm a dead man. I didn't have the hundred on me... but I had it, so Ifigured no harm no foul... right? So the bet came up...and no wonder they looked impressed! Uhm.. Julius...you know how the Baroness is always going on about how fierce Rivervale is?"

Julius is calm, perhaps worryingly so.

“Yes?”

"You remember that enterouge that came in with Countess? It was her, the namer, a knight, and a few others?"

“Yes. Countess Elsinore and her crew.”

"Yeah, well, one of the squires with them, a wilder I met, was really cocky. She was also loaded... and I thought, I remember her, she liked to gamble. SO I.. talked her into a bet. That... " A cough "Rivervale would do a three sweep of events. Top spot. She told me there would be Golden SIgil kith there this year and no way would a jersey team win THREE top spots with that competition. SO... I just thought let's make a bet. She said she didn't wager less than a hundred even for petty games but if I had collateral, and I won, she'd give me two to one odds... so I would get uhm... well, I THOUGHT I stood to win 200 bucks and you get your bottle back" A wince "If Rivervaale doesn't win three major competitons, I can't get the bottle back and .. I don't have 10000 dollars"

“…”

"Indentured servitude is no longer practiced, right?" A hopeful look

“Okay. Here is what is going to happen. You will personally attend the Rivervale crew, and offer your services as esquire or gofer for their visit. Ensure that no one intervenes or tampers with the event.

If they prove your faith in them and you win the wager, we will not speak of this again.”

“If they lose, you will personally explain to the Baron about how you bet against our local Eilunid liege in favor of a visiting Gwydion, and in doing so, lost the bottle of wine promised to his Lady for her 21st birthday.”

He goes pale "I.. ooh... " Yes, the boy looks woozy

"I should make arrangements to ah.. make sure Marigold doesn't need me that day"

Julius can see the wheels in the boy's mind. He maybe considering going to that island the others praised

“I’ll see to it.” Julius “assures” him.

"They have ten thousand dollar bottles of wine?" A chuckle, nervous "Learn something new every day. " He rises "I'm sure the Rivervale folk are as nice as my friend told me but what if they don't want my help?"

“Then you had best find a way to make yourself helpful.”

"You think I should ..rig it? Won't the squire's friends find out if I do?"

“That sounds like your problem to solve, Ernie.” Apparently Julius IS a bit irate at the raid on his stores.

"Does seem that way" A nervous choke that was meant to be a chukle "Yeah I better get to work on that. Packing and things. You don't worry, Julius. I got this. YOu'll get that bottle back unopened and everything... every super expensive drop" If I start running now, I could make it to Cali by trod in less than a week

“I’m looking forward to the events. I believe Briar will conquer in the tracking competition. Her hound could find a needle in a haystack.” Julius comments, apropos of nothing.

"Oh yes, Glass is a shoo in for our events here I bet..." Realizing that if he runs, Julius will sic that landshark on him... not the bloodhound, but rather the bloodhound's owner "I Better get ready to help the Baroness' old foster lodge out. Rar rar rar, gooo Rivervale!"

“Mmm. Good luck.”

And he retreats, hoping that fare well works, he needs all the good luck he can get!

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