#brightwindsbarony

------ (TBC)------

It seems it all comes in a rush. As two more souls come to Bright Winds. Both of them, trolls

Sparrow welcomes them in the main hall. It opens out to a stone balcony, with sunshine streaming in through the open arches.

One fellow appears to be of Latino descent, definitely a warrior, with light chain but thicker pads at the shoulders and knee caps. The other fellow is a blonde, annd she might have seen him before, Bix, and apprentice to Frank? He's got the look of a DeBuke

The first one bows "Hastien of the Rovers, Baroness. This is Bix DeBuke. "

"I remember Bix - you studied with my mentor! I am happy to welcome you both to Bright Winds."

"Right, mountain training" Bix says surprised she remembered him

Hastien nods "Baroness, we each came for similar reasons, but I'm authorized to speak on behalf of the knights of the way, if you have a moment?"

"I am indebted to the Rovers, of course I have time."

"The Rovers are sworn to guarding travelers, roads or trods... or the wilds... but most know us best as trod walkers. We'd like to have rights to defending yours..and that would mean managing them to a degree"

"Hm." She considers. "That would best be done with a base of operations in the Dreaming, would it not?"

"Yes, Baroness. The outpost. Arguably it's asking for a lot of trust as we would be the gate keepers of your rath"

She nods. "The Outpost."

"It falls under my Demesne, but it could serve as primarily a Rover hold. I would require fealty from the one who holds the fire there."

A frown "That could be a problem. We Rovers try to stay, as an organizaiton, independent."

She nods. "I understand. But this would give you a freehold to serve the Rovers as a whole. I respect the Knights of the Way, but I must also protect my people here, and serve their needs."

"I understand" he says thinking it over "Forgive me, there is another factor in play. one i'm sure you're familiar with"

"Yes?"

"Your House, Great Lady. Liam is second to none at serving mortals, but... your house is Oathbroken and that makes a stigma to any who swear to you. Some would say it more harshly than that, that an Oath to a Liam need not be honored"

She lifts her chin. "And yet say such to Sir Franklyn, to Sir Colton. Do their arms waver?"

"No, they do not, but neither do either have a Rover sworn to them."

"I have a freehold - a small one, yes. It is vulnerable, it is our vanguard, these lands need protection. The Rovers are bound first to their duty. I believe they would benefit from control of a fire on the silver, in more ways than one. I believe, Rover Hastien, that it is possible for both of us, here, to win."

He ponders this "Would an oath with a limited term on both sides, oen that must be renewed, be allowed?"

Peering around a corner at the gathering in the main hall. Watching Sparrow once more. It seems that the girl has her eyes on the Freeholder more often then not, observing.

She nods. "That could be fair. And it might not be full fealty but... ah... of alliance and responsibilities?"

"That might be more workable, Baroness." He says "In fact I'm sure it would be. We woudl be sworn to come to your aid of course."

"For example - I would not ask to call on the Rovers as I would bannermen, to settle disputes. Their first duty is their mission. But I would ask that in exchange for control and use of the hold, that they defend our rath from threats - whether monstrous chimera, or duplicitous Balor."

"That is our calling regardless" Hastien says

"So, it is a promise that should sit lightly." She smiles.

"I'm sure I can find at least one who would take on the task" he says "There is one more thing related to that. An outpost in the Dreaming is an invitation to Bedlam... we would need to rotate people out"

"May a Rover bind themself to a single fire? If, as said, it is for a term? Perhaps a year and a day should not tie them for too long."

"Yes, for a time a Rover may" He nods

Bix scratches his chin, looking thoughtful

She nods. "Perhaps a place here, too, to take refuge and relief."

Creeping a little closer. Pretending to be examining a crack on the wall.

Bix says "If I .. Pardon, I don't know the procedures for court, but I think we have a perfect solution.. if the stories I heard are right and if i remember correctly what Siv said when we saw her at the outpost"

"What did Siv say?"

If Sparrow spots Grete, she doesn't show it.

"Well, you were able to challenge the last baron without a COunt's Pennon because of an item the Baron used so he could wander further afield when he darned well pleased and control the hold remotely... the downside was that once you got the object...you could cease the hold like you did, no pennons needed... right?"

She frowns and nods. "Yes. A crownheart."

"Pesky thing. Useful at the time, but..."

"Well, I am here."

"Exactly.. disconnect it from this hold..." Bix paces, "Then, have whatever Rover swears to you as an ally and holder...use it for the outpost. Then, while tied to it, it is entrusted to you and kept safe here. A sign of your overall rule, but no fealty needed, while allowing the Rover HOlder to travel far and extend his or her power"

"That... could work." Slow nod.

"Yes, it.. could" Hastien nods "We would understand that entirely I'm sure. And it would be a respectable sign of your overall authority"

She nods. "And ease the... stigma, hm?" A wry brow.

"My apologies, Baroness, but if I hadn't spoken straight with you, Olgar would hear about it and have my ass" Hastien shrug/slight smiles

"No, I appreciate it. I am a sidhe, and a baroness, but Liam cannot afford to throw away pragmatism. My people are vulnerable, I cannot protect them without aid. The Rovers hold to their code, and I am grateful and pleased to have them at my six."

"As you so ably point out, we'll be gaining much in return" He nods "IS there a particular sort you're hoping to be assigned the task of freeholder for hte outpost?"

Closer now, behind a small end table. Interesting grain on that wood.