#bergen_county

Dagmar doesn't run... but man, does she have a ground-devouring stride!

Okay, out of sight from the Ailil... she runs!

Tea is sipped, cakes are politely praised, and small barbs traded, which is a game not unlike chess, and may even be enjoyable to the two sidhe.

"Ah, but forgive me," Nadeen says "Of course you wish to show such an amazing bird to others. Tell me, Dame, have you ever met Sir Sergei of Earth Runes? "

"I have not had the pleasure..." On such a topic, she shows true interest and a bit of warming.

"Baroness Nadeen, excuse me, but I think Connor should know why his father is not bringing him this blade, or waiting until they can meet for it to be gifted to him."

Connor looks torn... should he follow his knight? Or stay with this visitor...

"He is of my House, but not as.. sociail as I am. That said, his skill with both hawk and hound has earned him positions over both. I had the pleasure of being in the Ayrie. There's a blue tailed hawk... well, blue in the dreaming view... "

Kerri puts a gentle hand on Connor's shoulder.

"His father is a Baron and handling not only the affairs of the Barony, but also insists on running directly the hound AND horse breeding programs. He does not have time to deal with pleasantries such as social visits, though I expect he WOULD have had a word to say, should I have told him of your previous voyage." A little sharp. "You may thank me for that, Connor."

"And that, BEYOND the trappings of his mortal life. He runs both fae and mortal sides and has a household, stables, and kennels to maintain."

A blink. "He does not know that his son came to see him? And this is your choice? Interesting."

Nadeen raises a brow

"He would not appoint a chancellor that he did not trust to maintain order in his household."

Fingers, tapping on the teacup, bored.

Kerri gives a bit of a shrug. "It's puzzling to me. In my experience, such items are only passed on by the person they belong to...unless that person is dead. And the Baron is not dead, of course."

"Certainly not." She bristles.

Gerd moves near Connor "Hey, kiddo. Careful with that knife"

Connor looks confused, and holds the knife carefully, sliding it back into the scabbard.

"Then...I think perhaps it best if the gifting be postponed until it can be done properly. You can be patient for this, correct, Squire Connor?" Kerri's tone is light, but Connor knows her well enough to know she's a bit tense.

Nadeen says "It is most gracious, Dame Calanthe, but we don't want to risk confusion or offense with the Baron."

"You risk offense right now." She drums her fingertips, and looks into the tea cup. "The Chancellor speaks with the Baron's permission. Do I ride into your hold and ask if your Baroness permits you speak for her, Dame Kerri?"

"It's okay, honest." Connor says softly. "I have a stick, I don't need any ol' knife." And sets it on the table, stepping back.

Gerd raises a brow

"Oh, you very well could do so. However, you have not, yet." Kerri smiles at Calanthe.

Kerri's hand is still on Connor's shoulder. "You absolutely have every right to this knife, Connor, and you should have it. I want to make sure it is given to you properly."

Nadeen says gently "The Hearth is not merely a Steward. Traditionally, the care of the childlings, not in a mere 'baby sitter way' but in guiding their growth and life path, is also their purview. It took me a while to grasp the surprising nuances of Troll lodges as well," Assuring the Dame Calanthe.

A nod to Nadeen. "Thank you, Baroness."

Fingers tap on the side of the teacup, but she listens to Nadeen, and then, sets the teacup down. "It may upset the Baron, that the gift of the Barony was rejected. But that is your decision. Is it?" She looks to Connor.

"Or it may not? As he doesn't even know you offered it?" Gerd points out

Not liking her little brother pressured

"Oh, it is not rejected. Merely...held in trust until such time as it can be properly presented. If you like, a representative will travel north with you to speak to the Baron directly and offer our explanation and any apologies due."

"You're welcome, Dame Kerri, and very well summed. 'Held in Trust'" A nod "Protocols would certainly allow for such , indeed , they might favor it"

Kerri smoothly slides the dagger closer to her.

...putting it out of immediate reach of Calanthe.

And sips her tea.

A prickle again. "I do not like the assumption that the Baron's spokesperson does not have his full faith and permission in all deeds." She stands setting down the tea. And her eyes flash as the knife is moved.

And she snaps her fingers. "Linnea, find where Dolph ran off too. I fear that my tea, and welcome, tastes cold."

"Dame, you are too clever to assume all traditions are exactly the same. A shift in what is considered propriety does not diminish your good will in the slightest." Nadeen says "Even if one needs must adjust. However, I offer myself as escort to the stable if you feel the time has come to return to your duties at the Silver Wolf."

"If that is the impression you have received, Dame Calanthe, then you have not accepted my explanation about my reasons. Whether I grant you full faith and permission is not the issue. The propriety of the transfer is my concern." Kerri's tone is calm and measured.

She frowns, and.... her expression clears. A small bow to Kerri. "Very well. Do you wish to have a missive sent to the Baron? Or shall I be entrusted to carry on the message?"

Connor sits back, looking perplexed. There are levels going on here beyond even Troll-brow speech, and he knows just enough to know he is lost.

Nadeen looks to the Hearth "Hearth? If I may?"

"As I said, Dame Calanthe, I am sure one of us may accompany you as an envoy. Yes, Baroness Nadeen?"

A sigh, she had planned to have the horses fetched. Another walk through the mud. "Very well." And a brow raised as the Baroness asks permission of the knight. Interesting.

"I was about to say, as Liaison I feel a duty to write the missive in question and perhaps have it delivered when it is proper, but that or any other task I can achieve. I do not want to overstep upon your judgement in the matter as Hearth as that would set a poor example to Dame Calanthe who is learning how things work here. What would you prefer?"

"Well...yes, a formal letter would be wise, and thank you, Baroness Nadeen. And perhaps delivered by an envoy. Perhaps I will even serve in that roll." She sips her tea.

"I am sure that the Barony will welcome a visit - perhaps, with notice, else the Baron is like as not to be in residence this time of year. Fall means hunting season, and fetes, and... pennons is soon."

"I would love to join you," The Varich says "SIlver Wolf has an invoking name for imagery"

"Fall? It is July. Tell me, will you be making a report to him when you return, Dame Calanthe?"

"Yes. And half-grown pups need to be trained if they're to be taken on hunts. Oh, don't speak to me of his work. It's all he goes on about and it's a bore. I had hoped to speak to Dame Dagmar about hawking..." A petulant look, and a nod. "On his soonest return, yes."