#baronyofthesilverwolf

"Joust club in danger!" A satyr gasps!

*******

Nadeen seeks out her husband/co-ruler, foot warmer in cold months

He is in his office, and yet even though the air is cleared and it's a pleasant day, the door is closed tight. Marigold, when asked, says that he's been in an awful snit all afternoon.

"Yes, I gathered. Thank you, Marigold." She takes a breath and goes in , sans knocking.

"I am not to be disturbed." He snaps, not looking up from his paperwork as he scribbles notes, as though furious at the page.

"You seem disturbed already, my dragon" she moves to him and leans over the desk "What I wish to know is what is disturbing you?"

His head rises and he sets the pen down. "Ah." Ailil don't really do sheepish, but he makes an attempt at a conciliatory tone. "I did not know it was you, my love."

"I'm glad to hear that, " And she means it "But you seem to be .. no, you are upset. Wound up. And I did not know it till now. I once swore an oath to challenge your dedication to me with my own to you. I will not be foresworn. So tell me, what troubles you?"

He rubs at his forehead. "An annoyance, nothing more. I swear, Gwydions are meant by nature to harry the dragons, as a sparrow might flutter in the face of a hawk that, for whatever reason, deigns not to simply strike it down. The common folk under their banner must inherit some of that same obstinance."

"Emmisary Gerd dropped by to pass on notes from Hearth Kerri as well as one of my favorite old dishes... a feat that Marigold is no doubt ready to better even now" She smiles. Fun think about Chef battles, no matter who loses, the eaters win, then calms again "She said she had offered you an excuse to protect your private affairs but in doing so had accendently stepped into them..and apologized for her mistep. Darling, I know you, you are not easily annoyed by sparrows unless you are already experiencing stormy weather. What happened?"

"Perhaps in one of those commoner holdings that style themselves as Baronial, it can be seen as acceptable to ignore proper chain of command and simply walk in to prattle at the ruling liege, but I would like to think that here at least, we maintain some measure of decorum. This Hornshield girl may suffer delusions of grandeur - perhaps it is my own fault for humoring her impression of kinship to my son. A childish bond, and not worth decrying, but if she feels it gives her airs to speak to me which such impertinance as to assume she knows MY motivations and inner feeling!" He huffs, getting agitated once more.

"That is presumptive" She agrees, " Her love of her brother in spirit might indeed blind her to our protocals here. Yet were you feeling seellie, I wonder if you might also resent her for the debt you may subconciously feel to her. While you were still bespelled, she , more than most, cared for Connor and gave him family in name and action. Farcical and presumptive of her, but she played the part to your son's benefit. Again, Repay all Debts is a seelie concept, not your usual season, but... the Summer has been... impactful" cautiously she takes his hand in hers

He glares, but not at her, and allows his hand to be taken. "It is another issue if common folk see us as soft - weak- during these Seelie months. It cannot be borne if we are to retain loyalty and faith from our subjects."

"While she was presumptive, she did not intend it, nor do I think she sees you as weak. Indeed, she mistepped but I believe she was trying to show respect to your preferences in your family interactions. Does that excuse all she did? No. An apology was needed and now received. It does explain it though. Do not attribute to malice what can be explained by the lack of sidhe gifts at ettiquete. SHe's a good emmisary, but she's a troll and thus will always come up, pardon the pun ,short in some ways of proper protocals. Have some of our subjects here shown disrespect to you and I miss it, my lord? They'll regret it if they have" A promise

He shakes his head. "No. I suppose it behooves me to accept her apology." A sigh. "Though our vassals have done a tremendous working in clearing the skies, these fires in Northern Ice continue to plague me. Supply chain issues. Let it not concern you, my love. I will have it well in hand. And I... am sorry if my mood has affected the visit of one from a holding dear to your heart."

She softens at that, feeling a bit seelie herself in a love way, "My great hunter, my darling dragon, your plagues are my plagues too. Let me share the burden. I do think of Rivervale fondly, but I LOVE you. I am not blind to how you let me rest and recover after the Luck dragon situation was resolved" Indeed, so many weaverwards over and over... it had drained her, "You were to have a partner, instead I dozed far too much. I am well now and restored. Tell me what supplies are lacking?"

"We are lacking nothing... yet. However, the Barony of Golden Sheaves" naming a land not too far over the border around the Quebec area "Is suffering still from the wildfires. They will not be able to fulfill our orders for oats, rye, and winter wheat. We have supplies laid in as of yet, but I mislike finding a new supplier for our Fae horses. They are sensitive to changes in their feed, and I do not trust other vendors."

He sighs, tapping his pen on the desktop. "Why, just two years hence, there was the case of the barley that was tainted with nightmare glamour to pass as a fae crop, and caused an nearly an entire flock of golden fleeced sheep to go bald." This may or may not be news to her, it is not local and was in the past, but apparently Aiden stays knowledgeable in even distant news that may affect the creatures of his holding.

She had not heard about the sheep "Interesting. We should send a separate letter of sympathy to the Barony of Golden Sheaves." a frown "But our true concern is the horses, of course. I..."

Her phone buzzes

She looks annoyed, then sees who is is from "Chief DeBuke sent me a text. odd, she almost never texts"

Aiden touches his temples, as if to ward off a headache. "Is it Briar? I thought she understood that there was to be no repeat of the 'Chicken Incident'."

"Yes I have to say, it was...inventive what she did, and a true historical reinactment" SHe looks at the text "She apologizes for the banal world of texting but thought it might be easier this way to reply at our own good time. She says her farm has had some regular buyers of their feed crops try to reduce the prices the DeBukes charge and they .. the DeBukes... do not wish to be taken advantage of. Do we know anyone in the area who would pay a fair amount for TOP feed grains?"

He considers for a long moment. "Their timing is suspect. I would neither be inclined to be strong-armed in a time of our need, nor subjected to DeBuke charity."

He says the last like it is some foul word.

A suspicious look herself "It does seem coincidental to the point of either being Da'an or suspicious. However, we won't let them take advantage. Would it hurt to at least discuss price with them?"

"Hm. Let them know that we will be open to a sampling of their grains for review, at which time we would be willing to discuss an equitable price, granted the quality is sufficient."

"Good idea. It's a bit high and mighty by DeBuke standards, but would you like me to refer them to either Marigold or Julius to 'set up the best time' for them to show their offerings?"

Aiden presses her hand in his. "As ever, I allow that you speak with Silverwolf's full backing. However you feel it phrased so that it neither belittles the sensitivity of the farmers nor speaks to any need on our part, I trust your words."

"As you wish, but you know samples of feed better than I. I assumed you'd be the one to review it when the time came"

She smiles at the handd gesture

"Yes, indeed. If you would set up the meeting?" A small exhalation, "I would even offer to visit them on site as a courtesy, though as their opinions towards the Shining Host are well known, if they prefer to send here or meet elsewhere, such can be arranged."

"I will text them and arrange it and tell you the details. Your flexibility will be appreciated and I think show confidence" A nod

And she does text, setting up a time and place for the review. The DeBukes will be happy to bring samples to display

(And to SPY on the Silverwolf stables and paddocks, no doubt!)

(Trolls are natural spies. Probably working for the Sluaghist conspiracy)

"Now, love" She says once time is arranged "We can only hope they meet our qualifications. Please take a break"

He sighs, and pushes the papers away. "We did have a raincheck for a picnic."

"Indeed" she says "We are owed a picnic"

Marigold, who was certainly just cleaning outside and NOT eavesdropping, hustles to set up a basket.

Nadeen thought she heard movement "I adore this place " And it's people

And soon the two, and a picnic basket artfully prepared, are heading out for an overdue picnic in the shade where they can gaze out between branches and watch a clear blue sky while they lean against each other and enjoy the food, the breeze, and each other

(End lovely scene!)