#baronyofthesilverwolf

The treasure is accepted, and offered to his Lady for safekeeping. Then, Aiden gestures - and a squire trots up! The sidhe lad is wearing Beaumayn colors but a silverwolf emblem, and bows to the lord, then smiles to Holger.

"I'm Squire Arcturus. Lord Aiden had this prepared." He offers over a small parcel wrapped in paper and tied with twine, looking simple, but it gleams of glamour.

"An honor, Squire Acturus" He takes the paper, and with a questioning glance to the baron, he sees if he is to open it

The baron gestures for him to open it!

Unwrapped, it has two small biscuits within - one a cookie, and one a dog bone.

The paper has words on it, and a line at the bottom - Holger may or may not recognize the Art of Contract, but he surely recognizes the cadence of an oath.

"Hand to paw, heart to heart, I pledge to you my loyalty. I will teach you and care for you, provide you wisdom and love.

Should I turn you counter your purpose, or raise a hand to you in cruelty, may my sight dim to only black and white, and my voice fall to the yips of a cur.

Should I abandon you, may the dreaming abandon me, until just amends are made.

This I swear, to you, my companion, from this day forth until the day you await me at the Bridge of Rainbows."

The glamour is nascent, present but unfulfilled, ready to be recited to activate the oath.

"This is the oath I would ask of you. Not sworn to me, nor to my house or hold- but to the dog you would take upon yourself. Speak to your liege if you wish, but this is my ruling, if a Silverwolf Guardian you are to take as your own."

The boy looks over at it. There is much on his mind here, "it is a good oath. But, Baron? Do you ask it of all who earn one of your dogs? Or just me? Have I failed in some way they have not to earn your trust? I was not told of this. It is a good oath, but it is an oath and i wonder if I would have to take it if I were older, or not a troll?"

Aiden contemplates the questions before he answers. "It is true that you are young. I have not before entrusted any of my hounds to a childling. Not even my own son, though I admit that he did not seek such a boon. Were you older, perhaps not. Though, as a troll, does not an oath grant you might? Call it my invested interest in both of you, boy and dog both. I will take interest in watching how you grow together. Perhaps there is wisdom in a partnership where the man is not older and set in his ways, and may yet learn from the dog as much as the dog is expected to learn from him."

Perhaps not the answer he sought, but as the Baron settles back into his chair, it appears to be the only one he will get.

The boy ponders these words, perhaps he was a bit offended at first but no longer if he was, but also appreciates what appears to be honest. "I will sign it, or say it, Baron. But, if I may? If I should impress you, I ask that that allow that one day, when the breed is done... Fae Mountain Dogs may go to mi Contessas ? I did not come here on their behalf, but ... they are mi amigas. And a man should seek to look after his friends and familia in the long term beyond his understanding if he can? I do not wish you to swear, just, I hope good performance by me will reflect well on them and add to their prestige, for they are who I fight for."

Gladiola gives her fellow trolls another look (Honestly, he was pushy at first but I kind of want to adopt the little guy now. He's adorably dedicated)

His fingers drum thoughtfully on the arm of his chair. "I do not make any promises, but if the County of Fenix continues to produce youth of your calibre, I can see no reason to deny them the opportunity to seek hounds of Silverwolf lineage much as you have.

A smile cracks the cold veneer of his face. "Though I shall not require a quest of each of them - you have won them that esteem, Troll Holger, and I shall not forget your effort. Good show." The sidhe lord's own head inclines to Holger, just a touch, but in respect.

Linnea bares a hint of wolfish smile back at Gwen. (Can we keep him?)

Holger lets a smile slip for a moment. He can't help it, "Gracious, great lord." And he takes up the paper "Would you like me to sign it, or speak it? And now, or when the dog and I choose each other?"

Gwen gives the slightest of headshakes, ("We'd be at war with two troll lieges. Though I do wonder if we could arm wrestle for him")

"When you have chosen your dog. And, do consult your Countess. I would not have her assume that I seek to bind you unduly. The Kings are a formidable clan and not one I wish to have at my throat."

At that, Nadeen gives her co-ruler's hand a gentle squeeze of gratitude

He lifts her hand, brushing lips against her porcelain skin.

"I shall." He says firmly."They are good people, very honorable. " Then he admits "I like Chieftain Brekke much more than Lord Summerstrike. He was a loco falcon . " then he realizes that's an over share, "And your honor shows too that you are guiding me not to disrespect them. Should .. Dame Gladiola take me out to see which puppy claims me, or will you wish to do that yourself, great lord? I know you are busy. "

"You show wisdom in not trusting overly those who bear the Falcon banner. Their loyalty to summer causes- some - " He allows, "To be blinded by feckless loyalty and unseemly clinging to outdated concepts. Alas, I digress." He returns to the matter at hand.

"Dame Gladiola, I know you have only just returned home, but if you would guide young Holger in his choice?"

A faint harrumph! From near the door, and Aiden smoothly adds, as though it was his idea the entire time, "After a meal and visit, that is. Perhaps Briar will show Holger the kennels."

Marigold smiles.

"It'll be my pleasure, Baron... and as you say, after meal " Geez mawwm

Holger perks up at the mention of a meal ,and bows again " Gracious to you and your hold, Great Lord. Great lady"

Nadeen inclines her head

Aiden settles back, and unspoken sign and those gathered there relax into casual conversation. A smile over to Nadeen.

"Perhaps we shall have some troll childlings of our own someday." He remarks to his lady.

Speaking, of course, of the Holding.

Nadeen smirks and whispers "Shall I tell our thanes to get to work?" Whether Linnae is close enough to overhear that ? who is to say

Gladiola moves with Holger to her mom, and .. as court is now more relaxed, dares to hug her mother "Missed you SO much"

He chuckles, and thane linnea is FIRMLY facing the opposite direction - though with a hint of purple creeping up the back on her neck.

Nadeen smirk shifts to a kinder smile, less teasing, "The boy does seem to be quite the gem. I see why they worried over his absence, but he held well. Very sincere, very courteous, and not dull. Cross hold training has served him well."

"Oh, yes. It seems that the timely removal before too much Falcon influence could reinforce stoicism to stonewall stubbornness has helped much in molding a proper young warrior. If Fenix ever pales for the lad, I would snatch him for our own in a heartbeat."

"Well, from what I understand, Summerstryke was quite mad. It would anger if I told you what i had heard of it" Nadeen confesses "It ired me, and my House has less rivalry. Fortunately he is long dethroned by the Countess. His hold given to nockers" She fights a sigh. It seemed for awhile everytime she had a chance to get a hold some troll would make sure it was given to commoners first.

But she puts that thought aside. She would not trade what she has now for any other holding, "And yes. If Fenix ever disregards him, I have no problem in snatching him up . " She grew up around trolls and welcomes them

A slightly superior look, and an elegant shrug. "Some may say that all Falcons taste a bit of madness..." He lets it go through, humoring his love.

"Nockers? Perhaps our Thistle might like to explore there some day."

"Mayhaps. She's old enough to venture forth if she wishes, though I would not want to lose her to some workshop"

"No, she is ours." QUite FIRMLY.

A soft kiss on his cheek at that, "So if she goes forth, we shall ask her to bring new techniques back and treat it as a mission. And it will be true. Worth a bit of pocket money to fund her travels to help assure she returns thus.

"

And Nadeen admires how the court spills out into life and gentle humor. It feels good to see it alive like this.

(Fade to discussion?)

(Fade to discussion)

Gwen is happy to talk during lunch to anyone who has questions, relating tales of this or that event in the rivervale area, and how the dogs have progressed well

D'Lavender slips the never that used her for shelter earlier a bit of sugar

"Hey, just because you're lavender hued doesn't mean I gotta feed you all the time"

Lavender-the-Never bobs about the satyress's head, jingling rather insistently.

"Shoo... go pester Thistle" She blows in an upward direction, but smiles

Chime! Seems THAT is an idea that appeals.

Off she zips!

A snerk from D'Lorean.

Holger is enjoying his meal, "Why are there so many nevers here? I like them very much but I have never seen so many"

GLadiola says "That's what some of us call 'The Thistle Effect'. She just draws them to her like a magnet"

"Bueno" The boy says, impressed

Thistle has secured a spot where she can eyeball the new treasure, and is furiously sketching.