#baronyofthesilverwolf

The sun rises, cresting over the woods that surround the Manor house and now casting a soft light through the breakfast room’s tall windows. The table is laden with a variety of foods: eggs with wild mushrooms, a rich breakfast strata, fresh fruits, and hot coffee and tea. Art, absorbed in his notebook, glances between the pages and the spread in front of him, eating in between his notes.

Flo moves around the room, arranging things efficiently and with quiet grace. She stops by Art’s side and offers him a fresh cup of tea.

"Thank you, Flo, but really—you don’t need to," Art says between bites.

“It’s always my pleasure, Squire Art,” she replies, smiling, and fills his cup anyway - adding the precise amount of cream and two sugars, before stepping away. "And m'lady Marigold would never forgive me if I didn’t ensure breakfast was served to perfection.”

There's the sound of bells and grumbling coming down the hallway.

The smells waft down the hall.

Lord Aiden’s voice, dry and measured, is ALSO heard from down the hallway, asking, "What is amiss, Thistle?" Perhaps surprising the Nocker on her way in.

The Baron's clothes are immaculate, though his hair is slightly mussed, and he gives the Nocker an amused look, awaiting her response.

"Amiss? Nothing? Got a project to work on. Need coffee, though."

He offers the nocker his arm. "Then allow me to escort you." Though the breakfast room is only just down the hall from the main quarters.

She blushes. "You... I mean, thank you?"

Chime! Citrine, as always, is about. As are Teal, Cobalt, Brick, and Goldenrod.

Citrine buzzes up between Thistle and the Lord! She gives a chiming note of challenge!

Aiden raises an eyebrow, "ExCUSE me?"

..and the other little Nevers scoot! Teal dives into a pocket, Cobalt dashes into a vase with a PLUNK, Brick heads back into Thistle's room, and Goldenrod? Starts fighting with Teal over the pocket.

Citrine considers, then plunks onto Thistle's shoulder.

A sigh. "They're idiots, your lordship."

Aiden shakes his head bemusedly. "I do not know when we gathered such an infestation of Nevers, though I must admit, a large chimerical element does speak to the strength of the Barony.

"If I may, your ladyship?" He says to Citrine, clearly humoring her - he must be in an especial good mood this morning.

Citrine considers, then shrugs, and Aiden takes Thistle's arm with a delicate touch, and escorts her into the breakfast hall.

"I think the freehold is real nice, and bright, and warm." She nods.

"That is my Lady's effect." His face brightens as though the sun has just lit it from within. "My Winter sun, warming the Barony with her grace and strength."

A pause, and he says, "She is still abed, though - ah, Flo." As they enter, "Tea service for the Baroness, if you please."

The Baron releases his gentle touch on Thistle's arm, and nods, "Perhaps our Squire will accompany you for breakfast."

She bobs something between a nod, a bow and a curtsy towards the Baron, never entirely certain what's quite right.

Art has a mouth ful and was about to stick another bite of egg in, and he looks up, startled, tries to stand, bangs his knee, and coughs, coughs. "M-lord... (eggy wheeze)

Oh, but there's coffee.

Citrine buzzes over and pats Art on the back - quite ineffectively, though he quickly clears his throat with a gulp of tea - and then wheezes again, it was HOT, he forgot Flo just refilled it.

"Doesn't smell too bad."

"Art, please don't die."

Gwen comes in "Art? You okay ? " Then she sees the Baron and bows

Aiden watches Art's flustered attempt at standing, his brow lifting in mild amusement as he gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head. He then clears his throat gently.

"Squire, breathe air, not food. Do not waste Marigold's fine cooking," he says, his voice dry.

Art recovers his composure and starts mopping at the split tea, carefully using one of the cloth napkins to blot up a few spots that have hit his notebook.

As the squire straightens, Aiden’s gaze shifts to the notepad beside him. His eyes narrow, and he steps closer, tilting his head to take a closer look.

"I trust your research is going well?" The Baron’s tone shifts, just a little more serious now. "I hope you’re not overexerting yourself with these personal cantrips. We do have other matters to tend to as well."

Glaidola schools her features

"It's an important project!"

Aiden steps to the sideboard to prepare his morning tea, and pauses, kettle raised. His gaze flicks over the room. "Is that so?"

Gladiola gets her own coffee. Stoic.

Art straightens himself and sets the napkin asidep. "Yes, Lord. It is a quest of some import and urgency." He glances down at the notepad, the carefully scribbled notes, and sighs at the tea blotches.

"It is. It's not personal, not really."

"I mean, it matters to us that we do it right, for sure, but it ain't for us..."

"Mm." Aiden says noncommittally. He looks towards Gladiola, who is stoically drinking her coffee. A brow raises, unspoken question.

"Wait, ain't it just secret from Marigold?"

Art fidgets a bit, uncomfortably, and looks towards Gladiola.

Aiden catches the term secret, and he sets down his teacup with a distinct CLINK.

"Dame Gladiola, is there aught I should be aware of?"

"I..." A look at her Baron "We are seeking to help my mother, and thus help your hold, my lord"

"Marigold? Speak." He gestures to a table for Gladiola to sit, and then takes a seat himself.

Flo, who was hovering in a curtsy, unfreezes and starts putitng together plates for the newcomers with their favorites.

"There maybe a path to ease her pain, it's mroe than her hip now, a way to restore her. Arthur is trying to translate to that purpose."

It's not in her to lie to her liege normally

She clutches her coffee cup and scoots out of the Baron's line of sight.

So she isn't now

Aiden listens carefully as Gladiola speaks, his expression serious. When she finishes, he places his teacup down with quiet deliberation, his gaze fixed on her. His throat clears.

"How might I aid this quest?" he asks, and Citrine almost falls off Thistle's shoulder, chiming in surprise - she drops the fork she was trying to lift - for what ends, one might only guess.

"Be it knowledge, dross, resources?" He leans slightly forward, his tone sincere.

"Permission, Chiefly, Baron. But ..." a look at Art and Thistle?

Brows lift. "Art's the only one who has the skills to translate it."

His voice softens a touch. "She is near as good as raised me when I was brought into the keeping of the prior Baron. In those days, it was not often common to retain mortal family bonds. Marigold made me welcome in the place of those I had left behind." He takes a small sip from his cup, his expression unreadable as he gazes into the cup.

"Permission granted. However, I would ask the nature of your quest."

"There's a treasure, kind of?"

"Of Nunnehi nature," She adds

Art clears his throat and speaks up, offering a summary of the book and its story, what he has shared so far from the previous day.

"...but as I was going to tell Thistle and Gladiola, it's just a story... the book tells the tale, but not where the belt might be found now."

Aiden takes a measured pause, his brow furrowing slightly. "I see," he murmurs, tapping his fingers against the side of his teacup. "So, this quest may require more than just the book, then."

"I'll make the sacrifice" Gwen says

"It's still worth looking for. Don't think I can wisp it based on what we know..." A small frown.