#brightwindsbarony

And so it was...

that Clio wennt to Sparrow "Baroness? "

"Yes, Clio?"

"I have a list of subscriptionnsn for magazines and the like I've been assembling. At first I was only going to get Rock & Gems for Grete, because she liked this old back issue I found... but suggestions were made for others and.. I was wondering if you'd like some too?" She hands over the list. Things that hte kids might gget into mostly but some of the grumps have picks

"ooo... well, there's a few..."

"Well, as scribe I haven't had much work so I thought this would help pass the time" She says

"I'm sorry - do you feel under-utilized?" A concerned frown. "That's not my intent..."

"I should, perhaps... would you be willing to do some research for me?"

"Oh, I figured you were just letting me get a feel for the job. I AM new at it" she recognizes "You need something researched? I'd be happy to try"

"Well, I know there are neighbors."

"We did get a firebrand, after all. But I think finding out who all is around us, opening diplomatic bridges... right?"

"Well the Count is fairly far off, but I can certainly learn more about him if you wish?"

"Yes, that would be desirable. But neighboring barons, too, if possible."

"I'll look into it promptly" She assures with a smile "Anything else?"

"Those are the most pressing. I'll want to draft formal letters of greeting once I know more of them."

"I'll tend to it, " She inclines her head.

"Mind you, the balor chose this fort for i t's remoteness so the neighors seem far apart. "

"True enough."

"Am I allowed to press one of the pages into service for help?" A smile

"Sure! Who were you thinking?"

"Stu is useful for getting the right books, and honestly? Irene is a blur of activiity if she's interested. I see why she likes video games, her hands get bored."

"She might take to calligraphy... though, honestly, Ashlee has the surest hand of all of them."

"Does she?" Surprised "I'll give her a try. Poor Ashlee's so shy at times it's hard to be sure she wants to do anything outside of the typical troll guarding and such, but oh she does love the pretty clothes of Carnivale. I have to tell you, I thought your friend Dio was a bit of..well, forgive me, a flake? But she actually seems to have a knack at the oddest things"

Dio, of course, being the one who helped Ashlee get the pretty costume

"Dio is... a butterfly, yes. But she is very kind and very sweet."

"I'm learning that"

"I'll get to work right away, by your leave?" She asks

"Yes, thank you!"

Clio bows and trots off

And so it is, Ashlee and Irene (And Stu) find themselves with odd jobs at different points. Irene has more kith given dexterity, but Ashlee does have a steady hand. Part of the fun is to ready mails they get to run through the halls at fast speed, normally something discouraged!

And within a day or two, Clio excitedly has a report!

The Chancellor looks it over "Interesting"

Sparrow leans in to read.

A Fiona Count in Valentine, but run by a commoner baron! Baron Buck Heart-bottle. He almost closed off entirely from Harkson's lands, for OBVIOUS reasons, but rumor is geting out and the overtures seemed to be welcome! The Barony of Cupid's Wing it's called.

"Kith?"

"Boggan!" She says amused

"Boggans do make good matchmakers..."

Further on nthe notes is the mention of... Chispa? Hold? More research required

"Nunnehi?"

"Chispa" She says "is a ghost town, just a train connected to an abandoned coal mine. it's no where important by mortal standards, but there are so many rumors there's a hold there if you know where to look that i had to put it down" She blushes "I'm sorry, findding ou more about that is like pulling teeth"

"We have that tunnel in town... I wonder if they connect?"

"Possible" She says "But who knows?" She says "now the Count himself is in Marfa, rumors are he's not very..ah..." She sighs "The phrase I hear is about as useful as an ice maker in the arctic" the notes indicate he's a Fiona. That's not bad. Seems the lions are strong here. Oh no. Another noble hold in Marfa is run by.. a Leanhaun

Nose-wrinkle.

The Count , named Pom Trispeux, holds the major hold.

And the Leanhaunn seems a humble sort, is named Greer Alderharp. A grump, much respected.

Eyeroll.

"Trouble?" Clio says

"Leanhuan are trouble."

"Ravagers, despite the charms they show the world."

"Are you sure?" She asks "There are enough Gwydions about there that I'm sure they'd be questioned. .So, we're not sending a letter to Lord Alderharp?"