#bergen_county

"She knows if she did anything to you, I'd come down hard on her." A frown. "I'm not sure what, though. She's been looking into Dahlia - uh, Connor's mom?"

"The dead one."

"I thought of grilling your horse friend... but.. I figured if she's on Nadeen's team, and doesn't know Nadeen asked me for help already, she might assume I'm El Baddo." Shrug.

"Dee's alright, though."

"Yeah, but she'll have her loyalty. Knight, I get it. Not to Troll-levels, sure, but still."

"Sure. But that's to Aiden, not Nadeen."

"I.. have mixed feelings about the guy. It was way easier when I could just hate him."

"Then hate him." He shrugs. "Easy as that."

"He's not done anything I've heard of to sweeten any of the shit he did before."

She shakes her head. "Wouldn't be honest."

"Ain't he the one who dumped Connor... and your horse... like hot garbage?"

"He's... fucked up. With Connor, yeah. Especially with Connor. But people in pain do messed up things. And Ailil can't admit they're wrong. So. I don't forgive him for how he's pushed off Connor... but, like..."

"Like.. like Jenny, I can't hate her, either. She's broken."

Symon knows about Junky Jenny, and nods. He understands.

"Can't hate 'em. Just... kinda feel sorry for em. Doesn't mean you need them around, but. Yeah."

"Exactly. And he is not a bad Baron - like, does right by his people, and the commoners there all seem nice."

"Don't trust his Chancellor as far as you could throw her..."

"Yeah. I'm going to meet with Nadeen up in Dark Gate, and I'll keep you posted. I know I can rely on you if things go sideways."

"You want me to come with?"

He hesitates, tempted, then shakes his head. "Maybe clue Gerd in in case we need you quick? But I think she wants to keep this quiet."

Frown, nod.

A thumbs up. "Ain't found any trouble yet I can't worm my way out of. Not planning on starting now."

"You better not."

"That's why I got you." A smirk. "To haul me out of any trouble bigger'n'that."

"Alright then. I got my phone."

"And we got those whisper boxes, too. If I can't get a signal, I'll use that."

"What if I drive you up, and just.. hang out around town?"

He considers this. "Could, or you could stay and keep an eye on the crew visiting. I mean, not like that. It's your friend. You should go riding and stuff."

And a small smirk. "Maybe she'll give you some intel I can use."

"Yeah, me, with my troll subtlety."

"Hey, sometimes just asking works better than sneaking around." He remarks.

"Try the fledge too. She looks gullible."

"Anyway... I'mma head out. Thanks for having my back."

"Cool." Fist offered for bumping.

He bumps back! "Now go ride that recycled horse of yours." A smirk, and he heads out the way he came.

"Hmph. Recycled!"

If he snickers on his way, she can't hear it. But she might expect it anways.

She does!

And she's off to check on the horses.

"Oh you are a pretty boy aren't you?" Stormwake gets some pats

"Wish I brought Snowthorn with me" Dame Dee smiles

"Well, if you want, you could ride Star?"

"Stormwake can be fussy."

"Star only wants quality riders, of course, but she knows you."

"Oh I'd be honored to ride either of them" she says "But I'd want the Chief's permission before riding Stormwake here. What a machine" Then a look to Star "And yes, Star, I still remember how fast you are

"

She nods. "I have a boon from CHief that lets me ride Stormwake without asking every time... and Star is mine, so..."

"Well then I'd be honored to ride Star.. honestly we both know I'm happiest on a horse"

"I get it." She grabs the tack, handing over Star's to Dee.

"So, how are things at Silver Wolf?"

A long pause then, "A few snags" True "And some stuff I'm not allowed to tell you about ,which sucks" She sighs, remembering the baron's words "But you know how it is. Baroness Nadeen asked me to say hello to you and send her affections. She's got these auction things soon. Gwen already told you she's getting sained soon. Marigold still makes the best french pastries in the world... yes I know them's fighting words around here" a smile "Oh and we have Glen of Imaal terriers"