#brightwindsbarony

"I wonder if they know it's not for Harkson? Surely they KNOW?" He says

A shrug.

And then, there are cheers. "The Brand is here, the Brand is coming"

"Yay!"

Sparrow rises and smoothes her gown.

And the crowd gathers as a female troll enters, dressed in white robes over armor (Which is surprising as most don't wear armor) and she has a blazing lantern in her hand.

"Firebrand. Welcome to Bright WInds. Once known as Dry Tears, we welcome you and the renewal you bear."

"Baroness of Brightwinds, gentle folk all, I bring to you the flame passed to me. May it be as warm in the years as your reception which has been truly so. May it fill you as your generosity fills others and I see that is great. I entrust this now to you, Freeholder, renew your flames and let all know even the coldest winter has the spark of spring" Something Iowan about her accent. And she hands it over ceremoniously

A touch of a squint at the accent, but she smiles. "Thank you, Firebrand." She takes the flame and raises it for all to see. "To the people of Bright Winds - rejoice! A new year is upon us, with hope rekindled!"

And she takes the flame to the waiting fire!

CHEEERS break out and the crowd follows the Winged Baroness.

The others trailing behind her, she comes to the flame!

She and her fire have gotten to know each other. The hold now reflecting her more, but even with that change, the hold needs this renewal, this fueling. And Sparrow realizes what she gives may be a new chance for her and it to bond even further

She crouches by the embers. "Hello there."

As she feeds the brand to the fire, she mixes in her own glamour.

Can a flame find catharsis? Can light find healing? It would appear the answer is yes, for this is a world of dreams made real and make believe as important as gravity and air!

Sparrow feels the warmth of the glamour bale more than any, like a grateful hug from a friend still new to that friendship.

She closes her eyes, and her smile is nearly as radiant as the renewed Bale.

More cheers, happy ones, wild ones, true ones, unbound by protocal yett entranced by a ceremony not held above them, or aside from them, not lorded, no, the commoners are a part of this. Already some of those who have been voted in as Reeves and reps are guiding folks in group songs or toasts

And Sparrow feels a tingling

The hold has a gift it's giving back

But she'll have to search for it

She rises, seeing the celebration but distracted. Instead, she listens to the tingle... trying to intuit, to follow that sense without quite knowing the call...

It's hard to find.. and distracting her further is the flame brand "Baroness? A moment of your time in private please?"

"Ah.. ah, yes. A moment, walk with me..."

She tries to follow it.

She follows "I'm not the original Firebrand" She says as she follows "Not the one from the Count's hold anyway"

"You sound like a DeBuke."

"I was" She says "I suppose I am still in some ways. But it's..complicated. Someone tried to steal your flame."

"Is the original Brand safe? Do we need to send aid?"

"She's fine with Rovers" Assurance "I healed her some. I took her robe with her blessing and finished her job, but I didn't want to yell that in the crowd and alarm your folks. Hence telling you in private. If you want a Gwydion to verify I'll answer to one" She offers

"Balor attack? I already know I owe the Rovers..."

"I suspect lackeys of the Balor"

Sigh. "Can't say I am surprised, if saddened by this news."

"Alas, no evidence, just some mercenaries types paid and tipped off. Frankly the balor took a chance that they werent' going to just run and sell it to the highest bidder" A pause "I"m Kelby...sorry, sometimes I forget basic manners."

"Sparrow. Sorry, Baroness Derynwydd. The Brand - did you get her to the Outpost?"

They appear to be heading further down to the ramps that the centaurs would take, then, they turn inward.. going lower still towards where the dungeons would be

"Yes, she's safe" Kelby says "Baroness Derynwydd. PRetty name either way"

A frown, but still following. "What are you up to, darling?"

"I am glad she is safe, and I am grateful you were there. I do hope you can take some ease now, and join the festivities."

"Ah, who are you talking to?" Curious "And where are we going?"

"The Fire wants me to see something."

The dungeons door ..and.. what's this? Instead of the path to the dungeons, there's an almost invisible door , it blends into the stonework.. a left fork where there was no sign of it before

"I'm afraid I am still very new at being a Freeholder..."

"It doesn't show" she says

She touches the stone and gives a gentle press.

"I arrived just a little bit before Yule."

It slides tothe side as if by magic

and there is a rather naturalistic set of stone steps going down

An eyebrow. "Okay, this is very new."