#baronyofthesilverwolf

"I know of but a scant handful saved, some at injurious cost, but see many others lost - caught up in catspaws ere their eyes may blink, and spirited far away by clever devices."

"I should pass word to the baron about this in case it does come to our area, but you could have sent a note by proxy if that was what you wanted. SO.. how can I help?"

She nods. "I believe the Baron would appreciate this information. He would not wish the loss of a fledge under his protection."

"None of us would. We're not monsters" A pause "Well, maybe Briar"

"Well, there is a charm in that kind of monstrosity. We are nightmares both, nu?"

A sigh. "And yet. Nightmare or no, tis Summer. And what is happening is a threat to not one hold, not one barony."

"Forgive my directness, though I know it's not the first time, but how far flung is this? Exactly?"

"To Grass, to Burning Sands, to Pacifica."

Despite his covered ugly upper face, Zara can easily imagine the espresson on the nocker going wide with realization and horror of a less glamourous kind

"But here, in Apples, they seem to converge and cross into Northern Ice."

"A fleet, of clever carriages, without drivers, who are unseen ere the first notes of a Dance."

"They'll kill whoever is doing this. Worse than kill, they various nobles will invent new Geas that make years of sufffering seem like decades... and even the commoners will cheer them on." But as he mutters he listens and.. "Carriages?"

"With that first crack of glamour, they appear. Whips entangle the fledge and draw them inside, stealing them away."

Wudlig frowns "No drivers. Dream Dance tracking. Veiled from most until they enter the dream dance effect. Yes that would throw the camo field off"

"A pretty piece of engineering, nu? And most clever at hiding and escaping. Made by a master, surely. And not of the Bes Din, nor of the Dougal."

"Oh, Dougal can do it. I should know, as a Combecatte, I'm a Dougal, and I've got something very much like that. Your little friend rode here in it"

"And that, Journeyman Wudlig, is why I sought you. For it was not just a Dougal which made these. Nay. Twas a specialist."

"Twas a Combecatte."

"Gods of gears furking preserve us" For THIS news, he curses "What sweltering sack of clumpy grease dropping brained idjit would..." A breath "Yes, I see. Miss Zara, even among my Bannerhouse, there are only FOUR people I know who could make such a device. One of them, is me."

Gently. "I did not come to accuse you. But... aye, I do seek consultation. For who crafted these, that they may be stopped. Perhaps a way to disable them which does not leave my kin in a healer's bed."

"Or a way to track them, that we may find and free those who have been stolen."

"Working against a brotrher or sister of my Bannerhouse is... well, being kicked out would be the least of my risks. Are you sure? Our little niche is quite protective of its crafting secrets. Any Nocker is as well"

"And to endanger a fledge is a violation of the Escheat."

"They were hired, whoever they are. And, I presume, paid handsomely to aid in a love-maddened quest which has long abandoned rationality."

"If I were to hire you, of course, you would merely be doing your job as my contractor - not acting out against your housemate." She pulls a dollar from her pocket and places it on the table.

He winces "or maybe whoever is behind this wasn't hired but rather is the idiot in love"

He looks at the dollar, "I'm a bit insulted. I mean, yes, right of rescue, but ... a dollar?"

"Feh. No understanding of symbolism."

How does a sluagh so perfectly mimick nockerish exasperation?

"I get the meaning, I just can't pay for nice things for my girlfriend with it. " he points out "My rep is twice on the line here. One for spilling too much, which I am willing to risk because of right of rescue. The other for underselling my worth like a schlub"

Her eyes narrow.

He sees the look and holds up a hand in peace or meant to be

"One changeling may yet die. A dozen fledges have been stolen for one's twisted quest for love and callous disregard, and are being kept imprisoned as tribute for the one they seek, as prisoners, as fuel."

"Simmer your tea, madame. I am going to help you help them, but you were the one who thought of the payment loophole, and that leaves me with a matter of..well nocker honor"

He says "The payment will not be wealth, but a service. And not a service done to me, but rather to my lady love."

Her eyes are still narrow, but....

"I am listening."

"Thank you" he says "I am going to lose her one day , I am sure. I am ugly ,she is fair is just the start of it, but I do love her and I will have her prosper. Here then are my possible prices, you may pick from anyone you wish. Perhaps you'd do them anyway, but as you said, 'symbolism'. Option One- You owe three favors, temporary jobs to assist her , in the future. Option Two- You offer to teach her an art you know, that she does not. She says you are ...talented, though she felt it gauche to share your arts with those you did not know, even me. I think she knows a little soothsay, and of course, she's a mistress of Wayfare. Option 3, I have heard you know an author named Talia Amur, personally. Gerd loves her books. Talk Miss Amur into writing a novel for Gerd, she may publish it publicy of course, but one where the heroine is much like my Gerd. She's too modest to expect such a thing for herself, but I would have her , even a homage to her, praised in ink and parchment with wooing passion. Your choice of these three, but I would hear which you will agree to now"

"You truly think I have the power for the third?" A brow raised.

"I do" he says

She sips her tea, considering and silent.

He sips his own

"You say that this puts you in peril with your Banner House?"

"It will and it puts the Bannerhouse IN peril. Other Dougal don't always trust us, feel we are too tied to the Ailil. Ailil like us, but often drag us into their intrigues which we'd rather avoid. When this gets out, not just my outting a bannerhouse sib but the fact a Combecatte WORKED this evil, our Bannerhouse might well be disolved ,and certainly will be under much scrutiny. A 'shanda' I believe you would say, at the least."

"This is one individual, not the House. I do not wish to pursue a scandal for your mischpocha." She drums her fingers against the cup, contemplating.

"The third, then. It will take time, it cannot be completed ere we must act, but as I live, I shall ensure it."

"Then just a handshake then" he nods "You are right, this must be done, and I will not cheapen right of rescue with contracts or oaths. " He offers his hand, quite trusting.

"You have my word." She takes his hand.

His grip is firm but light, perhaps because she is a lady, perhaps because sluagh don't like macho displays as a rule. It is done, and then parts.

"Now, let me get you the names I know of" he says "Do you wish to be told, or have me write them down?"