#bergen_county

Brekke waits until they are gone before speaking again. "Excellency...." a pause. "What can you tell me of Sir Drifala's goals?"

"Oh, she wants to help me get a freehold" Count Obeithiol states "I think she must want to help her fellow trolls, as she has pushed rather hard for this farmhold."

"I must say, Excellency, that that fact disturbs me, as does the idea that her efforts are supported by the Beltane Blade. Excellency, do you understand where that group got its name?"

"Yes, there are some who say they had involvement in the Night of iron Knives, but Sir Drifala says it is not so, and well, Gwydion boon."

A dubious look. "Forgive me, Excellency, but the boon does not grant us the ability to know all truths of a matter, only the truths of the words that are spoken, and words can be craftily chosen. Also...of what house is Sir Drifala?"

"Houseless," he ssays " I know, I know, this trend towards Houseless nobles is alarming to some, and I certainly think she's warrior enough to be in Gwdyion, but it's her preference and as a fellow Falcon you must admit our House has high standards in more than combat"

A sigh. "Excellency...have you ever entertained the notion that she may be Eiluned?"

"Well, she told me she was Houseless. " He says after a moment "And trolls aren't nromally liars."

As if the idea of a lying troll is.. very odd.

She blinks. "Who told you that?"

"A troll" He says stunned

All true.

A deep breath. "Excellency...trolls are bound by their oaths. If I had taken an oath to protect a person or a place, and I found that the best way to do that were to lie about a location, I would lie and lie and lie again without concern. As a Gwydion it would make me deeply uncomfortable, but I would do it in a heartbeat. Which makes me wonder what oaths Sir Drifala has taken. Another very odd thing...the Beltane Blade is not at all known for welcoming commoners, Excellency."

A startled look, as her words ring to him as true but do not match what he thought he knew "Truly? Oh , of course truly, forgive.. I just, I assume she IS sworn the the Beltaine Blade. They are the soul of seelie ness, or so they say so naturally oaths would be honorable... unifying. How odd that anyone would order a troll to lie. " A shake of his head "I can only judge by their actions, and their actions have been supportive. Should I not repay all debts for their kindness?"

A brow. "At the cost of harming those who never did you harm? Excellency...if that is the choice you make, I must stand against you. I do not wish that." Her voice is low, clear, and serious. "I believe you are trying to do what is right by virtue of the seelie code. However, I do not think that what the Beltaine Blade had done is due to kindness. Hear me, Excellency...I believe they are lying to you in an effort to manipulate you into being their cat's paw. For with your title, you have power that they can use."

He frowns, then says "Forgive me, Baroness. I have nothing but respect for your legend, and I have no doubt it is earned, but has it not occured to you that maybe this farm of trolls is not using you? They are anarchists who do not recognize the rule of High King David. They would prefer Concordia be Discordia, at least so their politics would arrange. Are you sure you aren't being manipulated by them?"

A brow. "That is a fair question, although I do not agree that the only options are Concordia or Discordia. I will promise to keep it in mind. Will you promise to consider my words as well, Excellency?"

A pondering "I shall. So far the only request if it can be called that, that the blade has made of me is to represent my hold at parliment once I get it."

"I suppose, from a political stand point, that might be useful... but it will be just one hold"

"Will it? Excellency...I cannot understand why you would willingly grant your voice in others to Parliament. That is a dangerous amount of power...and if they find ways to encourage you to expand your holdings, it will be even more power."

He frowns "I need but one hold, and honorable people watching over the baronies. I would never insist they vote the way I tell them to vote that is... counter ethical to the right of Demense. I mean, if I were under say, an Eiluned Duke, I would not wish to have that Duke tell me how I must decree on every thing. Is Count Hemlock that way?"

"He is not, although I defer to his decisions often. But even so...to give away your voice? I do not understand this."

"Well, I'm going to focus on serving my people locally. The parliment is more national..." But he does look a bit troubled now

"And who suggested this was a good idea?"

"Well, his Lordship Lythos... and , of course the Knight herself " He says "His lordship at least is a skilled politician"

"But... well," he looks troubled "You're allied with this farm? You will fight by their side?"

"I will, if I must. As I said, I hope it does not come to that. The Farm is strong, Excellency, and well-ordered. They are not in a state of chaos...but they would be a great coup for the Beltane Blade to claim."

"I wonder, Excellency, why you think you will not be a skilled politician?"

"Or rather, why you must let others do that work for you."

"Oh. I would rather focus on making sure folks get what they need." He says "I've always loved the tales of Celtic Leaders who made sure everyone was fed before sitting down. Who fought side by side with the warband. Who made his hall hopen for his people to come forth and ask for aide or succor" He sighs "I will never be the greatest warrior among House Gwydion, we are too full of great warriors. And I'll never be the greatest ruler, but I would like to think I will be a GOOD One, and I know i would be a kinder lord a better lord than many have. " The young lord shimmers for a moment, Gwydion certainty, high ideas, and he looks more like the power he no doubt was in the Dreaming...

"I do not have to be great to do good and great things for others" Certianty

"It is a truly great ideal," Brekke nods with approval. "I think, Excellency, that Parliament needs more leaders who feel this way, not fewer. It is a sacrifice, as it would draw you away from your own hearth and your own people...but you would have the potential to aid far more people, even those you may never have a chance to face across a feast table."

"But.. " A baffled look "Do you have someone at the parliment of dreams regularly? You seem more a woman of action, not that i know you save by your stories"

"I am not a Count, Excellency," she points out.

"Ah" he sighs "You point out my title's burden then. Yes. I suppose I was so enamoured of helping others where they could thank me maybe I just wasn't interested in the rulership where my people might not know what I do for them" A sigh "I must seem a terribly vain young boy to you"

a surprisingly self depecirating thing for a Gwd

"I have known those more vain, Excellency. You wish to serve your people; this is no small thing, and I honor and respect this. The difficulty is in finding which people are, in fact, yours. I believe demanding allegiance from those who do not wish your leadership will, in the end, be tragic for all involved, including yourself."

"Oh I'm not concerned for myself" he waves that off "At least, not danger to me. " A frown "Well, there is a shortage of holds to rule, and at least if I took over a troll lodge I'd have good folk under me that I could win over, at least that's the idea. I know of a satyr hold but... ah " A blush "No. I'm just not.. no."

"Excellency, do you need a hold to claim your seat at Parliament?"

"Yes yes. One hold, one vote" he says "It's how the sidhe have more votes in the first place"

"Pity. It seems to me that it would be far better to draw people to you through demonstration of your leadership in Parliament, rather than hoping to win them over after conquering them."

"Well.. I have this pennons flag that lets me" An almost embarrassed look "Or my champion and it seemed a good way to streamline things. I hoped to make up any hard feelings but i suppose tht might be a bit unreasonable of me to expect NO hard feelings. This seemed so much simpler a few hours ago"

A sigh. "Excellency, forgive me, but...if anybody led you to think this would be easy, they misled you a great deal."

A troubled look at that

"It is my opinion that you cannot trust these people who have been advising you. Of course, that is only my opinion."

"Oh, Baroness" Alarm "Such accusations... opinion or not, Sir Drifala might take offense."

"Might she?" Brekke doesn't look at all perturbed by that notion.

"She's a fine warrioress, one of the best... but to have you against her would trouble me greatly. "

"I do not wish to trouble you, Excellency. I could lie to you and say that I felt otherwise...but I will not. I think it is important that you know my thoughts in this. I believe you are being badly used."

"It is possible she is being badly used, as well."