#baronyofthesilverwolf

Perhaps to Gladiola's surprise (whether she shows it or not), they are greeted at the doorway to the manor by Julius, who is wearing voile fit for court. He snaps his hooves together smartly, and bows to the Knight.

"Dame Gladiola ap Dairraen, welcome home from your journey. Our Lord has granted that he shall meet with you and the supplicant in the Clematis chamber." Naming one of the more formal rooms seldom opened for common use.

There is a touch of an amused gleam in the steward's eye, that may be lost on young Holger, who doesn't know the man as Gwen does.

Holger immediately straightens. He is very glad he put on a new tabard for this, and that he washed the fronts AND backs of his hands.

Dame Gladiola's own eye sparks with delight to see her friend and co vassal, "Of course, I thank the Baron for his generosity with his time." She looks down at Holger, "Follow me, Supplicant"

Holger gives a head bob to the knight, remembering his days at the oh so strict (and later proven to be mad) Lord Summerstryke. You didn't talk so much as bob your head and obey then. Maybe that's the best strategy here.

As they enter the chamber, Gladiola and Holgar see that it is set up as a receiving room for courtly business, members of the Silverwolf Court are in attendence.

Marigold curtseys at the doorway, beaming at her adopted daughter. It's all she can do not to burst with the effort to hug the tall troll and pinch the cheeks on the younger one, though luckily she manages to forbear, for the sake of their dignity.

Others are present along the walls, quietly discussing amongst themselves - a young Beaumayn squire, a boggan with a rustic look about him, a satyress wearing knightly trappings, a stoic troll thane, a short and stocky redcap who gives him a disturbingly TOOTHY grin...

Bluebell sits on the floor in a lotus position to one side of the chair where Lord Aiden awaits, dressed in an outfit that is at once both jester's motley yet delicate and graceful. There is a second chair beside the Lord, which Lady Baroness Nadeen sits...

The Baroness sits near her lord and lover, looking every inch the icy Varich consort

Lord Aiden's own expression is cool and gives away nothing, though one of his hands has reached over to rest upon his consort's, lightly stroking her arm, in a way that is slightly unnerving to the unfamiliar, without any outward showing of warmth.

Marigold, of course, smiles, this being the equivalent of practically fornicating in public if they were something like an Uncouth Fiona court.

Gladiola steps before her lords, and kneels "My Lieges, may I present to you, Holger of the Hold of Fenix, here to make humble offer for one of your kennels find hounds." Inwardly, she is very curious about the motley chosen, and the behavior. Did she arrive on a holiday? But one would need to be very familar to find any confusion

Holger takes a breath, and steps forward as he is announced, and bows very low.

"Welcome back, Dame Gladiola." He greets her, then Aiden consider the boy.

He says, "Holger, is it? A common childling of no renown, peerage or esquire, or house to speak of." In an observatory tone. "Be welcome here in Silverwolf, as long as you observe proper hospitality and decorum.

Do you come as an emissary of the Countess of Fenix, or on your own merit?"

Gladiola inclines her head at the welcome back, knowing she is not the object of scrutiny here nor the one to be questioned.

Holger tries to be proud, but not arrogant, his chest swelling a bit in what he hopes is confidence without looking like the bullfrog who is likely to get eaten by the snake, "Gracious, Great Baron, for your welcome. I am here on my own merit. I wish to present to you a treasure in exchange for one of your fine pups."

Bluebell giggles, covering it with a hand. The sound tinkles softly like a bell, echoing the ones that (while not on a proper jester cap) and strung through her hair on delicate braids alongside long, velvety rabbit ears.

Linnea exchanges a glance with Gladiola, with the slightest inclination of a brow (over Holger's head).

(Brave little sonnuvagun, ain't he?)

Gladiola's jaw shifts (You have NO idea)

"One of our dogs, is it?" Aiden's own brows go up, but give nothing away, there is no trollish subtext here.

"What has you seeking one of the finest bred Fae hounds in all of Concordia? There is many a Rover grown who might mortgage their first born for a chance at one of our trod-worthy guardian hounds. Surely a mortal pup would do well for a companion to any childling. Or even one of the lesser fae hounds, say, those bred in Labrador lines for sweet temperament and disposition."

Indeed, Nadeen also looks surprised, as if the boy had come asking for a slice of the moon. She supports Aiden's play

Though outwardly it may seem that the Baron is surprised and perhaps even offended at the idea, Nadeen can sense the Baron's amusement, and perhaps even a bit of approval at the boy's nerve in such a request. Though he be but small yet for a troll, he has ba- er, guts.

Holger can feel all the eyes in the room on him, even though they maintain at least the impression of quiet conversation along the sidelines.

Holger speaks earnestly and honestly, "Senior Baron, I am told the dogs of Silverwolf are the greatest in the world. Or certainly the greatest in Concordia. Your Guardian breeds are magnifico, and I have seen the latest litter grow and swell, the fine Great Bernese blend you hope to use in time to make your own Fae Mountain Dog breed...." he slips for a moment, boyishly "Which sound like they will be super cool..." But then recovers, and ahems "But I will be serving a great court when I am older. Countesss Ellie will one day rule. I am honored also to serve the Flamefree, Countesss Jessica now. But i must prepare to be the best guardian I can be. I am training, I am working hard, but a dog who also guards will make my charges safer still. I may never be a legend like the Breaker of Shackles or Omar Ocean heart, but I want a guardian dog because together we can do even more to protect hearth and home. I do not come as a beggar. I have quested"

"Would you be willing to swear an oath as to your plans and purpose?" Aiden asks, almost absently, as easily as he might might suggest pocket change.

It's hard for Gladiola not to swell at the praise of their kennels

Holger ponders this "Perhaps. But, I would need to make sure i had permission from My Countess of NOw and my Countess of future to swear something. It is no bueno if I should win a hound and sell myself. Begging your pardon, great lord. But we trolls must be careful, and we must respect those we already serve."

Aiden appears, rather than offended, pleased at the answer.

"You say you have quested, lad. Show us what you would offer in trade."

At that, the boy's eyes light up! And he brings out a small artfully crafted wooden box. He walks before his lordship, and opens it, allowing the Thanes to get a good look at every step of his approach so they may intercede. Holger is a troll too, and he will not disrespect other guardians in his eagerness to please a Baron. When he does open it, there, laying in the box, is a figurine of a dog. It glitters with glamour that is uniquely canine, and there is a strength of vitality and sacrifice to it.

It clearly could have a string attached

Dame Linnea does step up, and accepts the treasure first to look over, before giving Aiden a nod and stepping back to allow him to see it directly.

"In Aztec legend, the xoloitzcuintli is a healing animal," The boy says "And in the Dreaming, all the more so. But this figurine, it takes the illness from a kennel onto itself and fights off the illness. Your dogs stay healthy, strong, where normally they would succumb, and the figurine is sick for them instead, taking instead of spreading. It recovers over time, and can begin again. It only works for dogs" he admits

Then he adds, "I hope it pleases you, Baron."

Madern sighs as someone gives him a warning look. Why must folks always think the piskies are gonna steal stuff? Oh wait. yeah that's why. Okay he'll be good

Gladiola masks her own covetousness for it quite well

Aiden taps a finger on the arm of his chair, idly, as though disinterested - though his gaze locked on the the figurine .

"Is that so." He murmurs. "If proven to work, it might be, mm, a useful item." Where Holger's yearning for a pup is obvious, the Baron attempts to hide the fact that he does, indeed, very much crave this item.

"I would gladly pay you in coin or dross. Say..." The Baron names a quite astonishing amount of money, probably more than Holger could imagine at his young age. Certainly at least 4 digits. And in dollars, not pesos, at that. Or the amount of dross could easily set him up nicely to support himself, trade, or even help the less fortunate.

A Neverlander with a bright purple light buzzes by, and coos a chiming note at the treasure!

A second never, this one with glints of... is that metal, on her wings? Zooms in and scolds the first, chasing the Purple one away.

The little lavenderish Never flees to the safety of a perch between Dee's horns, perhaps assuming familiarity and comfort in the name of the knight.

Rather than intrigue OR outrage the boy, this offer perplexes him, "You are too kind great lord, but the dinero? It will not help me be a better guardian. I would like one of the dogs please. At first I wanted anyone of them but the runt, for I feared he would not be strong enough, but he has caught up somewhat and has a strong kenning, in case you do not know" He will not mislead or lie about this even if it's poor business to hype up what you're purcahsing. "Sir Franklyn and the Chief are okay with my getting a dog, but I know they only have some say and I must pay my due. But I would have a fae hound , a guardian fae hound. I have been training with your Dame Gladiola to be a better master"

Dee makes a soft tut sound, not loud enough to intrude on the ceremony but loud enough to sooth the STYLISH litlte never

Bluebell laughs at the antics of the nevers, though Aiden simply rolls his eyes a bit, ignoring them as beneath his notice.

"Ah, yes, Dame Gladiola. As my Mistress of the Hounds, I will defer to you on the final call. The treasure, indeed, is worthy of the cost. However, is the boy worthy of a hound?"

The Dairean steps forward, "For a time, we thought the boy lost in the Dreaming. I used Ivan to aid the forces of Renascence and Rivervale in tracking him down. The Rover, Olgar, assisted me. We found him in the Dreaming, already successful. However, he turned us around again and led us to free prisoners, in a right of rescue that brought great glory to myself as well as others. Even before this all began, however, Holger drilled and trained along with the pups as they grew, learning from me what I knew with diligence and determination, on how to handle dogs, how to treat and not treat them. " Linnae might notice the troll indications of (He was underfoot a LOT but he did bust his hump) "I believe Holger is worthy if any childling is, and, perhaps it is kith bias, but being a troll, he has an advantage in size and strength to handle such. Further more, I have explained to him that the dog might be his, but the progeny that issue forth will be subject to the usual contract. I was worried about the warm clime in the area, but there are mountains nearby and the boy will take the dog hiking there now and then, and keep fur suitably short in hottest months"

"Then tell me, young Holger - which do you most value? Bravery, glory, or cleverness? Bravery you have shown, and a mighty dog would mirror such in your own strength. Cleverness is harder to come by, and might complement your strengths. Glory comes from deeds well performed, but one must take care not to seek it for it's own sake."

At this, Holger ponders, "I think I most value Bravery, My lord, but I most lack cleverness. I try to tell myself i do not want glory, but I would lie if I said I did not want to bring some to my friends and home. " He muills this over, "You know dogs better than anyone, great lord. And I was told that I might get THE Last pup for all I knew though that was before my quest. I know you do not know me well, but I would ask your opinion. Should I go with what I lack, what I value, or what I might bring to honor others?"

And he looks quite modest. Sir Franklin would be proud of him

He nods slightly to Gladiola, then stands. "Be it known that the Troll Holger of Fenix has quested for the sake of a Silverwolf pup, and has been found worthy, by treasure, word, and deed."

Polite applause breaks out, along with a whooping howl from Briar! "Aww awww awwwoooooo!"

Aiden coughs, then continues. "A pup you may have. Excepting that which has been chosen as pick of the litter as is the right of the owner of the dam. Modig, perhaps, would suit. Though as Gladiola will attest, it is not enough that the man chooses the dog, the dog must also choose the man. Come, lad." Aiden gestures for him to step up, hand extended to accept the treasure.

Cheers from the others quietes instantly at the cough

And Holger swells a bit, then steps forward and hands the treasure over. "Gracious, great lord. I will do your dog proud"