#baronyofthesilverwolf

TROMPF, TROMPF, TROMPF. Some say that trolls are the heavy-footed folk, but no one can stomp like a redcap who really feels like it. And this one has on steel boots!

"Lady Nadeen?" Calls Linnea, her tone guarded. "This... Gentleman says he has business with Silverwolf?"

The trolls leans into the Baroness's study, and says in a hushed tone, "It's Julius's day off for mundane therapy, and while Marigold would be glad to greet him, I don't trust him around the good china."

"Indeed? I shall see him. The parlor near the east door I think" It will make it easier for the thane to throw someone out if required

Linnea nods, and she is heard speaking quietly, and then TROMPF TROMPF TROMPF towards the east Parlor. The one that Nadeen has thoughtfully stocked with a set of modestly sturdy furnishings that are not a big loss if damaged.

And making sure she is presentable, but not too imperial, she makes her way there after allowing her thane what should be sufficient lead time. SHe supposes a power play would be to make the redcap wait, but she has tried to be accessiable in her way to the commoners, and frankly, Dame Kerri and Marigold both have made such rude power plays more difficult. Really, Hearths and stewards of quality are like root beer on the soul.

It's insidious!

She enters into the parlor to see just who her guest is.

She sees...

Linnea clears her throat. "Sir Crawford Grimtooth, of County Catawampus."

"Welcome, Sir Grimtooth. Would you like a drink?"

"Sir Crawford, my lady Nadeen Dancingsnow, Baroness of Silverwolf."

The redcap clears his throat and spits, though it doesn't seem to be in response to the introduction. "I'm Craw. So, where's the girl?"

"The girl?" A brow "Beg pardon, Sir Craw. There seems to be some serious detail. Which girl?"

He grumbles, working his jaw as though each word is a particularly tough piece of gristle. "Th' one yer looking to murry off. I'll have a look'at'r."

Only sidhe polish keeps her from revealing surprise, but she does say "Curious. There was no official missive regarding that. How ever did you learn it was being considered? It never really was decided on"

He considers, giving his chest a casual scratch. Linnea eyes him and discretely shifts her weight away.

"Heard it. Yer lookin' to hitch her off. Erryone knows yer stooge is inquirin'. Knights, Wilder age, willin' to hitch with a troll Knight. Yer only got one troll knight. Ain't hard to put puzzle together. Ain't stupid, Y'know."

"You are certainly not, however, it is a pity you did not wait until it was official. Circumstances have changed and that's why the official word was never given. I'm afraid whatever gossip mongers you heeded jumped the proverbial gun" She shakes her head at this over sight, "She is, for the forseeable future, remaining at Silverwolf after all."

"Ain't I get a chance to meet her? Heard she good wit' dogs. We breed 'em. Not fancy like yourn. Hog dogs, best ones y'kin get. Outta Catawampus."

She tilts her head "She is excellent with dogs... and I am pleased that other holds take similar interests. I mean no insult to you or Catawumpus, Sir Grimtooth. Rather I am embarrassed that my investigations have been twisted by gossip mongers in a manner that cause you to get the wrong idea and come all this way . I'll see if she meets with you, that's her choice. Would you like to spend the night here in a guest chamber? " Redcaps are not the best guests, but she trusts the thanes to alert her to any danger "We have other guests here as well so are spread a bit thin, but we try not to neglect anyone. "

"Ung." He grunts. "Hear you got a chef that makes shit better'n that french fuck that the Gate Trolls brag on. Sit true?"

THAT gets a smile "I would be very much in trouble with Steward Marigold if I didn't praise her. What's more, I think it is true. She's amazing."

"I ain't stayin, you probably have frilly lace n shit all up your beds. Ain't right for likes of me. But I'll eat before I go. Lunch. Supper, and dinner. Tea, too. Elevenses." He grates his jaw a bit and adds, "No need for cereminny. Kin serve it all up in one go."

A few moments, and something ticks, "Mulady." He adds.

"Thank yoiu for that, Knight. " She says "the Mulady. It shows you respect me, and I believe I should try to respect you. I shall urge Dame Gladiola to make time for you today. You both tend to dogs, and have a common interest. And you did come all this way. I just didn't want you to feel you were misled. " Their stores may take a hit, but she will not have her hold disparaged. And this man is NOT at fault. "Shall I show you to the kitchen?"

He gives her a toothful grin. "C'n smell it." He adds, "Heard 'bout yer Briar. Sounds like a lil' scrapper. She ever get kicked out, you tell her, Muh'lord Marrow, he welcome caps. My lady'ld too, but I'm not supposed to bring her up round yuns."

"Now I AM curious" She admits and starts to show him to the kitchen anyway "Lord Marrow has a lady, or you do?"

It takes a moment, but Nadeen recalls a bit of unpleasantness - the consort of the Redcap Baron of Catawampus County is a sluagh matron.

"I ain't got no old lady. Else I'd not be sniffin' around yuns Knight. Ain't right, and any PROPER lady'ld have muh balls for garters if I tried it." He says, properly respectful.

Nadeen recalls this, and grows tempted to pinch Crawford to her service, for his own safety. Redcaps foolishly assume sluagh are a fellow nightmare kith, not realizing that the wrigglers are so much worse than that. "Of course, and quite so. I had wondered. You're right by the way, Briar is a right scrapper. Why last week, she found a person doing scam robo calls lived near by. I was so proud of her."

The tale of WHAT Briar did to that robocaller is another gossip subject from other mouths.

"Hope she made proper spam outta them spammers." He guffaws, following her to the kitchen.

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