#bergen_county

"Your excellency, I am HONORED to serve as your champion" The kngiht says before he can continue "Please, I too have honor. Do not take it from me."

The Gwhydion lord sighs. on one hand, the very soul of noble rule.. on the other, a teenager who seems a bit sure whatever he says is wrong

A furrowed brow. "Excellency, how did you come to be associated with the Beltane Blade?"

"Oh, they came to me! Isn't that generous?" he says excitedly "I had just lost a chance at a County to a Beaumayn childling before I could make my overture. Well, Da'an can be rude, I thought, but let it be. Besides, the childling needs haven more than I. I, after all, am practically a grown man" Or so the 13/14 year old asserts with confidence

"Very understanding of you, Excellency." Brekke sips her coffee.

The pastries, incidentally, are delicious.

"And so...the Beltane Blade came to you, and offered to assist you," she says.

Mmmmh He bites into it, "Oh by the Dreaming this is amazing. Your food is the stuff of legends, Hearth Kerri, or should be." Then he nods to the Chieftain "Yes, Baroness. They helped me assemble my Pennon flag so I might be able to claim a hold. I was ready to go off, but then they offered the services of this WONDERFUL knight. She's a beast at battle. I've never seen her better."

"Thank you, your excellency" Sir Drifala assures

Kerri smiles. "I'm glad it pleases, Excellency." If she's gritting her teeth, only Brekke might be able to tell.

"Very interesting. That is quite generous of the Beltane Blade. Of course..." Brekke adds, "...that puts you in their debt. Have they indicated how they intend you to repay?"

"Oh, they said something about representing me at the Parliment of dreams while I rule, which sounds fine. I need to focus on my people anyway" A pause "Whoever they will be. I rather thought trolls would be great subjects to be honest. An honorable kith and all that" A frown "Hope I don't have to rule too many redcaps. They're a bit crass for my liking"

"Mm," Brekke sips her coffee. "I have been Baroness for many kiths in my time. I have found both honor and dishonor among all of them."

"You see, Count, if one of my kith can manage such, you will surely excell" The knight offers

"What is important," Brekke says, seeming to ignore the knight, "is to observe deeds, rather than kith or house. We are what we choose to be."

Goldenwing ponders this, "I shall try to remember that. yes, I suppose everyone deserves a CHANCE to be honorable. My thanks, Baroness. I'll remember this." And.. he means it. While t he knight might steam. It appears Brekke has made the Falcon think

"Sir Drifala, will you excuse us for a moment? Dame Kerri, kindly give the good Sir a tour of the gardens? They are beautiful this time of year."

Sir Drifala's jaw sets "I do not want to leave my lord unattended."

"It's okay, Sir Drifala" The COunt says "Go on. If anyone has a chance of matching you in battle, it's the Baroness." And he motions her to go

"I'll be quite safe under her roof" An assurance

Brekke raises a brow, but says nothing.

At that, the knight rises, bows to both, and goes to join Dame Kerri

"Of course," Kerri nods. "This way, Sir," she says, going to the front door and out into the gardens with the knight.

Leaving Obeithiol alone with the Chieftain. At last, THAT Influence is out of the way, for now.