#bergen_county

"And you say he is where, now?"

"I don't follow his coming and going like an errant hawk." A sniff. "Probably in one of his kennels, he sets up cots there atime." A LOOK to Nadeen, as she can understand the embarassment of such a thing.

"oh my" Nadeen says

"That sounds as though he's dedicated to his animals." Kerri sounds as if she is surprised and impressed.

"It's a hindrance, is what it is. He plays with his little pets and leaves the work to me. Not that I MIND it, mind you. But if he didn't show off his horses at Midsummer and his hounds at Midwinter, I think we'd never host proper fetes at all. I swear, once the mews are fully established, we must add a celebration that showcases MY hawks." Clearly not seeing a correlation between her hawks, and how she views them, with his dirt-dwelling pets.

"I simply must tell Sir Sergei about you, Dame Calanthe. While his interest in Hounds would not entice you, his goshawk and Merlins would"

She nods. "Do you know if he plans to exhibit at Count Hemlock's affair? There are a few things I would ask a more experienced falconer."

"I know that he is often focused for his own liege at events, but I can send a letter inquiring to him." She offers

Kerri listens then says, "Baroness Nadeen, perhaps you could accompany Dame Calanthe back to Rome as Rivervale's representative. Normally, it would be Sylvi's work, but I think you're the better one for the job in this case."

"An introduction would be welcome, Baroness." A smile, her temper soothed for the moment. "But we should get going, before the storm breaks again. I would not have Veritas dampened, it's too easy for him to catch a chill."

"The weather has been quite muddled of late" Agreement

"We're the only hold in Apples, perhaps Concordia, that has succeeded in breeding Firedrakes. They're from Australia, you know - and were near extinct."

"A noble endeavor. I would love to see one"

She rises. "Before the storm, then." A bow to the Hearth, and she walks out. "Linnea? Let's go."

Nadeen rises and joins the Dame

Gerd watches the Sidhe leave, and once they are gone "I would like, for the the record, for it to be noted, that not once did she end up in the lake"

Kerri nods. "Wise choice, but a big part of me would not have blamed you one bit." A sigh. "Connor, do you understand what just happened here?"

He thinks for a moment. "Whuff." A shake of his head. "I feel.... sad to see her go, because she's nice to look at, even if she's... not always nice when she talks? And You SHOULD like your family. But... I don't understand the knife."

"She's not keeping Nadeen, is she? Dagmar likes her too much. If she squires Nadeen too, then Nadeen can stay?"

"I think Nadeen will be fine." Gerd says "And I can pick her up later"

"Nadeen outranks her. And yes, Gerd knows how to get in and out of there quickly, so that's to our advantage. Dagmar's not going to be happy about this, though...."

"Is this more trouble because I ran north?" Ears drooping a bit.

"About the knife, Connor." Kerri takes a deep breath. "I have never known of a family heirloom to be passed down by somebody other than its owner, unless its owner was dead or as good as dead. Your father is not dead...so there's something else going on here."

"Something political" Gerd frowns

"But Baron Aiden isn't dead. He just had a party!"

"I don't want to put you in the middle, and I'm sorry that I couldn't allow you to take the knife...but I think there's a trick involved with it."

"You can't have a party when you're DEAD." He seems certain on this.

"Did he attend the party?"

"I don't know." A small pout. "Dagmar and I didn't go."

"It could also be symbolic denotiing ambitions Connor doesn't have" A frown

Kerri nods. "I'm especially concerned about what might happen if you cut yourself with it by accident. So...if you do not mind, I am going to put this away for now."

He looks a bit relieved. "It's a pretty thing... but if I carry it' it will get muddy. And Dagmar is going to find me a good stick my height. THat will be easier to clean, and I won't worry about the little noses and wings and bits that need cleaning."

"hes' not a fan of sharp things meant to stab" Gerd translates needlessly

"Good then. Excuse me." Kerri takes a clean napkin from the refreshment tray, wraps the blade in it, and the takes it into the kitchen.

"Can I have some of the cakes? She didn't barely eat any."

"Would you like me to drop it off at the Barony? " Gerd says "I can get there anytime"

Kerri comes back in. "No, I'd like to hold onto it for now." A thoughtful look at Gerd.

"Fair enough. " Gerd says "I'm a bit paranoid. I expect her to use it to scry"

"Well, she'll know the insides of a locked cabinet, then."

"Better, Connor?" she asks.

Connor watches this. "Oh."

"The cakes?"

Kerri grins. "All right, she might know what cakes we're having. She can be jealous about that."

He grins, relaxing a bit now that Kerri has shown a smile.

Gerd says "can I have some of the GOOD tea now? Not that she deserved it"

"I think so, Gerd. And yes, I wasn't going to insist that you bring it out on her demand."

"Connor, I think you should check in with Dagmar, see how things are going at the stable."

"Okay. She didn't get any of the cakes neither. "He grabs a plateful, and heads over!

Kerri waits until he's gone, then turns to Gerd. "You know that popping in and out of that hold would be a serious violation if you did it without permission...or worse, if you did it to work against one of them. It could get you killed...or worse."

Gerd nods "That's why I memorized the area before you enter it too"