#baronyofthesilverwolf

When the call ends, Nadeen laughs "Victorious, my dragon. And delighting in the contest"

He grins over to him, almost boyish. "How do you feel the negotiations went, my Baroness?"

"Quite well. She came out firmly. Sally Mae is good with money and could squeeze blood from a quarter, but you turned that against her in making her see the longer view available. "

"I admit, I did not expect such a bargaining nature from a... well, with respect, a farm-bred yokel."

"One must never underestimate the DeBukes when it comes to a good haggle, but if I may? Sally Mae is their best at such. Were it not for their own biases and headstrong traditions, SHE would be Hearth of The Farmhold now. She instead came to Rivervale for Hearth training, made herself Dame Kerri's right hand, and didn't stop there. She aced her major in finances at college, and co founded Knight's Heart Taxi in a time of Uber and Lyft, she focused instead of changeling transport needs. It now has several franchises that take in not just money, but dross. She is, despite her hustle at realty and the kitchen, quite affluent. "

He taps a finger thoughtfully. "Indeed, her very nature as both simply kinain AND bred of farmstock may make others underestimate her." Of course, he does not admit that he may have done so. "She bears watching as a useful tool in future deals."

"I fear darling she is not so wise in love. Her paramour is a Knight of the Liam Bannerhouse Truthbranch. A fine fellow, but bland as sidhe go"

His expression twists in distaste at the mention of Liam. He reaches to squeeze her hand. "Well, we are not all as blessed as I am in finding a truly perfect match."

She squeezes it back, and nose to nose she smiles "Indeed, truly the sun shines on you."

"Every day and night." He agrees.

"Definitely by night" She admits then a sequay "Did you hear how well Thistle reviewed the house? I remember when she was a mess... and now she's got confidence and fire in full bloom."

"She continues to impress. You were right to court her with the studio setup. A wise investment indeed."

"I admit, Nockers are a rarity in Rivervale barony. I think they have two or three tops. I rarely interacted with them. But... yes. I managed to see the promise in her she did not se herself. Mind you, she , Willie, and Wudlig have been something of a crash course in Nockers"

"On finances, were it not for wishing to deed the house to Connor without a mortgage attached, I would not have acquiesced to the cash price. We can afford it, certainly, though I will look to sell some mounts to bolster our reserves. What do you think, my love? A scion of House Danaan has expressed looking for a fully trained stallion that can be trusted on the trods, though I am less fond of letting our studs go. Or the Leanhaun who wished a pleasure mount, one of the mares, or perhaps that spritely yearling that took the gold at the Pennons race a year back would do nicely. There was that Fiona pooka who took a shine to Joker as well - though I know you are fond of him."

She does adore Joker, "Oh my. Mmm" A thought "What is the pooka's reputation?"

"From waht I could tell of her, she seemed amicable enough. Some sort of smallish rodent, the ones with the poochy cheeks. Seelie, as they tend, and though she is not a Knight, she wanted a mount to ride alongside her liege to accompany on pleasure trips, and perhaps to train in some stunt work for amusement. A jester, I believe."

"Though, they all are, to an extent."

"I wouldn't want Joker mistreated" A thought "But see how they get along, observe how she treats him and I might agree to it. I am overly sentimental at times for a Varich, but to be practical, Joker would probably love being a peforming horse. He does love attention"

"I may let the yearling go to Sir Thornheart as well." He muses. "A fop to be certain, more concerned with the pattern on the foal than his QUITE impressive lineage, but he has an entire crew of stablehands as retainers who would ensure proper treatment. If nothing else, it will clear up some space in the main stable for next springs foaling season."

"I believe I can jack up the price as he is quite enamored, and give a more favorable offer in turn on Joker."

"Mmm and of course Silverwolf would have stud services in the contract?"

A flash of a grin. "Always."

That lightens her mood, "Excellent" Then a thought "Now comes the wailing though"

"The... wailing?"

"Dame Lavender D'Lorean will be audible" Wryly

"Bless." He rolls his eyes upwards. "I shall tell her she can choose the next mare to put to stud and let her fuss over them, and perhaps she will settle. Worse than a brooding hen, that one." He says, though very fondly.

"Satyr passions, brilliant but oh so quick to burst" She nods "You are very kind to her. and she does have excellent skills. Did you hear about her impromptu race with Sir Segemor at the Countess' place? It was on her trip to visit Arthur in his training."

"Oh? Do tell!" He rings a bell for drinks - wincing slightly and shaking a finger as a spark of static jolts him from the button. "Remind me to have Thistle look at this again. It still acts up."

And, fade to pleasant gossip.

----

Blossom races with joy, hawk on her arm, and she releases! "Go go go..."

The hawk breaks to the sky with a joy , wind dancer, Talon Spurred, Eyes that see the horizon..

And Blossom whoops! As she races along under her hawk as if she too were flying.

The sun is bright, skies clear, it is a lovely day for flying!

She jams her best tune, from this old dead guy, but she loves it.

Turning on her music play list, number 1

🎼 I am the eagle, I live in high country
In rocky cathedrals that reach to the sky
I am the hawk and there's blood on my feathers
But time is still turning, they soon will be dry
And all of those who see me, all who believe in me
Share in the freedom I feel when I fly

Come dance with the west wind and touch on the mountain tops
Sail o'er the canyons and up to the stars
And reach for the heavens and hope for the future
And all that we can be and not what we are 🎼

It is at moments like this, she's the most happy, and she thinks beyond herself or being the center of attention. No, these are the times, her and her hawk alone with the sky, that she actually shows what some would consider her seelie side. Beauty EVERYWHERE.

But prey must be had...and it is found, and the girl's eyes narrow as she sees a singular Canadian goose

HONK

Geese are social creatures, and mate for life. If this one is alone, either it lost it's mate, or hasn't found one yet. Either way, a lone animal is easy pickings for a powerful raptor.

Or so might occur to Blossom. 🙂

She switches her play list, and gives the hawk the signal to catch it by surprise even as she keeps pace with where the goose might fall

Her hawk arcs high, watching it's placement. This is, after all, no ordinary hawk but a fae hawk, smarter than your average bird of prey by far. Just as fae hounds and horses are smarther than their regular peers

The goose looks up, and catches sight of the hawk. Wings spread and cobra-chicken neck lowers, giving a warning hiss!

From below, the centaur sees the cloud shift has betrayed her friend and casts her cantrip on her hawk "Faster fly, many actions, talons strike... gaining traction... quicker than silver in mid stream, letting loose a hawk scream"

The goose, smart in it's way, has no way of comprehending a quicksilver! It is left watching where the hawk WOULD have been, and strikes a wingbeat at the ground, leaving the neck open!

The hawk plunges it's beak into that neck, then grabs with its' talons spiring down to the surface to finish it off

There is a battle to be sure - the goose outweighs the hawk by at least double! But in the end, all it's thrashing is in vain, only managing to knock a few feathers loose, and the hawk's talons and beak are wet with blood in victory!

"And that is how we do it in Silverwolf terrain" She tells the dead goose. And summons her hawk back for rewards and praise.

The Baron will be eating well tonight!