#baronyofthesilverwolf

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A smart rap rap rap on Thistle's workshop door.

Music is jangling away on her bluetooth speaker. 80s. "Yeah?" Her voice calls over the din.

"Just a moment of your time!" Julius calls over the noise.

"S'open!"

Thistle is at a bench, where a propane torch is strapped down and roaring. She's spinning a glowing lump on a metal rod in the flame.

He steps in, and then hovers in the doorway. "IS THAT SAFE?"

He calls over the noise.

"ONE SEC"

She turns the torch down, stopping the roar. Clever hands swing the rod in a controlled arc, cooling it from orange. "Hey."

"Whoaaaa, don't point that my way." He says, with a nervous grin.

"It's just a bead. Won't explode."

"No, but it will burn, won't it? And I'm covered in FUR. Combustible."

"You're close with Art, right? Buddy buddy? I needed to check something." He has a notepad in hand.

"Um. Yeah, sure. What's up?"

"Any idea if he's close to a knighthood? Either from m'lord here, though it's rude to ask, or perhaps a member of his house?"

"Not that I know of. I don't think he gives half a crap about rising in the ranks, so long as he can stargaze."

"Shame, that, he'd be a good addition to the list. Well, maybe he'll still qualify. I hear he's coming back in the next couple weeks."

"What list?" She perks, curious.

"And you hear when?" A flutter of pink across her spirals.

"Oh, Bluebell suggested I might add Art to the list of potential marriage candidates for Dame Gladiola. He's a little younger than her, but still a strapping lad." Julius says, absently flipping through his pages.

"There's this meteor shower and I bet he'd like to watch it if he's back..." She stops short. "Gladiola?"

"You outta your mountain-climbing brain?"

"Mountain-climbing is the name of the game." He says, with a touch of wicked grin. "But Art may be up to the task. And that way, we don't end up beholden to another hold, nor risk her leaving for one."

Scribbling a note on his page. "That was all - unless you know any other eligible bachelors for the list?"

"I don't think Art is a good match."

"Hey, I'm just the list maker."

"Why don't you try some of the Dark Gate or Rivervale folks? They're just a trod away, and the drive ain't bad. Lots of trolls at Rivervale, and the Baroness has ties there."

"Boss doesn't want too many ties to Dark Gate, they already are at risk of poaching Linnea. Though if we took a knight back, that would be fair. River Vale is Gwydion, bad blood there... but maybe. Not sure if they have any eligible knight bachelors. Perhaps there are some trolls from that Farmhold who would be interested in seeing how the noble half lives."

She scrunches her nose. "What about Ailil? Any commoner knights there, could be lured here?"

"Pity Aesin wouldn't mix it up with a commoner knight. Gwen's more mad about dogs than people, most days, and they like animals."

"Countess Naevys of Bold Heart may have a knight or two she'd lend, but true to form, she's refusing to provide details, just said tat she will send them if we throw a mixer. Damn elusive Eilunids. I'll have to check in with Lord Aiden about other Ailil, before I accidentally call up a house sibling he has a spat with or something. That would.. not do."

She sucks air in through her teeth. "Ouch, yeah, nooooo."

"Now..." Thoughtful, he leans against a bench. "Over near the Barony of Thousand Island there's a bit of unclaimed area where a wichtel mining community butts heads with some local natives - sorry, nunnehi. THey don't generally follow our ranks, but there may be a brave or two - is that PC? Oh well, you know what I mean, who may be willing to mix it up with us."

"Gwen's native, too."

"Exactly!"

"We COULD see if she'd be willing to make a marriage of convenience to the the Baron of Safe Haven. He's getting on in his grump years but hasn't named a successor. You know of them? Next county directly south - we don't deal much since thewy are Liam, but Gwen has a soft spot for those sort. But it's close enough that Aiden might be able to absorb their territory if HIS Knight got a toe-hold in."

She chews on her lip, considering.

"Why are we trying to Princess Jasmine Gladiola, anyways?"

Jullius shrugs, "Beats me, I just make the lists!" A chortle. "But it's fun to speculate."

"Politics." She snorts.

"Between you and me? Good to not have a furkin' title."

"MY guess is that the Baron or Baroness worry she might set her eye on another mortal and lose the chance of a political alliance, though Lady Nadeen is a bit of a romantic for that."

Julius taps his nose. "You ever wonder why I've served here for so long without any rank? I LIKE being free to do my own thing. Sure, I'll stay, and I do as I'm bid, but because it's my choice, and not locked into some Knightly oath."

"Nah, you've got a winery and a ballerina. Not a bad deal."

"Not too shabby." A big smile at the mention f Bluebell.

"Nope." She grins back, all shark teeth.

"Well, thanks for the insight. After Gwen gets her pick, there's going to be a pool of eligible bachelors left around, so, just keep your eyes open."

"You kiddin'? I have a workshop."

"Ain't lettin' some sharp-elbowed flat-footed goomba in here to breathe loudly while I'm Making Stuff."