#brightwindsbarony

Gerd does not get much practice in courtly greetings and manners, nor does she get to wear her fancy dress much. Rather, she finds herself rolling up sleeves as the Baroness suggested. And yes, fighting. Professor Hamm was grateful for the help from Winged Sidhe and Troll emissary. It was a hell of a fight. But after a bit of healilng, the baroness kept patrolling, organizing, and going acting as a leader in the trenches so to speak. Turns out that bell she had was useful , of course.

So Gerd ended up patrolling in strange (to her) territory, lifting debris, helping the locals. They were a cautious lot. Nothing like a while under Balor rule and slavery to make you a bit skittish about newcomers. The real irony was talk of Chieftain Brekke and Rivervale didn't really warm them too much. Gerd was surprised, she thought Brekke the Legend that would open a lot of doors, but here, she was just another tall tale (No pun intended) and pretty interchangible with any other tall tale.

Mentioning Sparrow's friendship with the lodge however, and her time there, that opened things up. Kids in particular loved the Rikki Tikki Tavi artwork story. But even grumps responded "Oh, you're a friend of the Lady are you? Why didn't you say so!"

Gerd noted that it wasn't so much as the lady, or even the Lady, as 'The Lady' as if there was no other that mattered. I doubt they give two shits about whatever Count is nearest.

Luckily, the Rovers are skilled, and West Texas is far from Willows - Sparrow and her people are able to stay on top of the monstrous incursion with minimal injuries. Gerd is folded in with the rest as if she simply "belongs" rather than being treated with kid gloves as a guest. Though her room at the Hold, at least, IS quite nice.

She likes the room, but doesn't stay there too long, writing a journal and reports sure, but then back out and to work

Which, at least for some, impresses.

"Miss Gerd?" An ugly girl, a truly ugly one, a troll childling says "Did you want some coffee? Mary Ellen can put a pot on"

Gerd turns and notices the blighted visage. She's like Olgar but in some ways it's worse on the child. The girl clearly is self conscious about it, and as she gets older and becomes a woman, she'll be judged by it for ways Olgar never , as a man, experienced. But at least knowing him keeps Gerd from staring "Oh, I can go in and make my own tea later when they're not so busy" She assures "Unless I'll be in the way. Thank you. I don't think we've met? Gerd Hornshield, of Rivervale. " She gives a troll salute.

The troll girl looks at the salute like it was alien but then remembers she's seen Hastien give it "Ashblythe..." She returns it clumsily "I'm not anyone important."

"You cared enough to let me know about hospitality options. I work with a Hearth. Hospitality, care for guests, that's very important" Gerd tells her

"Well," Ashlee considers "The real heroes out of we childlings is Irene and Squire Felicity. They rescued a pooka, some say one who was at Willows whenever thing went sour"

Gerd is tempted to race off to talk to this pooka, try to make sense of what she says but first things first, "Ah, you and I are something alike, Ashblythe"

The girl blinks "We.. we are? I mean, besides being trolls I..." A look at Gerd "You're an Emmisary. And you're a mistress of Wayfare. You're powerful AND kind of pretty."

Gerd is amused Around Sparrow, 'Kind of Pretty' is high praise in comparison. "Well, thank you. I meant to say my friends are heroes too. Dame Dagmar is already a local legend where I'm from. Lady Captain Siv travels the seas. Chief Brekke Shacklebreaker is an even bigger legend... and Sir Franklyn? He's like a bad ass knight of the road. My Uncle Vali is MOuntain but THallian tell nightmare stories about him. And then there's ROver Olgar. He's a real bad ass. Best rover there is. He trained Hastien"

THIS catches Ash off guard "Wait, he TRAINED Hastien?"

"Yup. Ask him if you doubt." A bit of a smile on the witch's face "So you see, I know what it's like to be the one that passes messages, or fetches and feels like she's 'not doing much' but don't you believe for a second you're not special. The great redwood is so much taller than the apple tree, but the apple tree gives sweet fruit. Which is better? You know what? The trees don't care. And we shouldn't stress about whether we're better than anyone else save maybe who we were last year. That's hard enough. So thank you "

"Well, you're welcome" Ashblythe says, thoughtful, then she adds "But you're not just doing messages. You're a really hard worker."

"Well, I was raised to be, and it comes easy to our kith" Gerd says "But thanks for that too. Sides, I notice your baroness doesn't ask anyone to do what she wouldn't do herself. She's right trhere with others"

Ash at that straightens "She's a good leader! She's always there for us. Makes us feel special. You should see her murals in the halls! We had to coax her, but once she got started wow. "

"Yeah?" Gerd inquires "SUre she's not gotten rusty in her skills? What with all the other things?"

"NO" Ash says, almost offended on Sparrow's behalf. "Come on, I'll show you. You'll see."

Gerd realizes that she's supposed to be schmoozing with Sparrow, or making good impressions with the lesser nobles here. But, to hell with it. She laid a guantlet down , albeit playfully, the girl has a right to pick it up and smack her with it. Avenge your liege's artistic honor, little Ashblythe, as a loyal troll would.

"I can't think of anything more important right now" Gerd says "Lead on!"

Ash nods firmly, and does just that. Gerd decides she's not going to get much time wearing that dress. Assuring a young girl she IS not just blue wall paper is far more important.

****

"I resent being kept here" Theresa fusses

"That's a lie" MOrthwyl tells her as he gets a clean set of voile on "You love it here. You think it's magical, and it makes you feel like a fairy tale princess, or close to it"

"It does not" Theresa lies again, even as she blushes at the gown she's been given a chance to put on. Made, of all things, of cloud linings and reflected sunlight. "Or.. well, I resent being imprisoned"

"Yet you're touched I want you protected even if you do find the staying here annoying" Morthwyl says "You probably even think it's kind of meatheaded but sexy"

"I do not" SHe snorts, then she remembers "Right. that.. Gwydion boondoggle you have."

"BOON" He corrects "I know when you're lying. " A smug look "You are annoyed, you're also flattered ,and you love this place and are happy to see the inside of the hold again even if you rresent the reason it's happening"

Her eyes narrow, two can play at this "I'm tempted to stamp your instep hard. There, get the truth of that?"

He does look a bit less smug "I do. But it's for your own safety. Just for a day or so"

"We have a new house" She says

"It has few defenses" He rejoins "It's just a day or so. And... I am pulling rank"

Oh SOMEBEACH! she thinks "You can't do that!"

"Watch me" he says , then looks at her "I love you. I have already faced horrors about the place. Felicity is here. Irene is here. With you here, everything and everyone I love is safe where I can find them and they have each other. Paint me the villain all you want, this is happening. Chancellior Dubh has already agreed to it and only ONE person outranks him. SO.... " A soft breath, "Be mad, but enjoy the wonders of the hold, take a break ,and sample the foods. Spoil yourself. I'll be back." He starts to kiss her.

And she allows it, but only on the cheek "If you get yourself killed I'm going to be reallly really pissed at you" TRue

"Won't happen likely. I'm a Gwydion. We're the greatest warriors of the fae" he is sure of it

"And SO modest" She scoffs

Morthwyll looks smug again, bows to her as his lady, and moves off. Leaving her to feel like a princess, albeit it one locked up in a tower of wonders.

Once he's gone though, she thinks Only ONE person outranks Dubh. Well, Falky Poo. I know who that is! and she might just go and seek out Sparrow if she can find a time the baroness isn't out and about

*************

Rose Windfury loves being a centauress, god forgive her, but she does. A life of serving, scrapping, and now she runs strong and fights! And she wins! She's become an amazing shot but few want to risk a hoof to the face. Her husband is a gentle man, wise. He knows the land. She's proud to have him cover her...but a part of her likes the violence she's engaging in now.

I was never allowed to get angry She realizes The ones that would put up with it from me didn't deserve it. The others who deserved it would have gotten me fired

That, she realizes, explains the surplus

A surplus of anger, a surpolus of righteous ire unspent.

So when the arrow lances through the nightmare chimera, she grins like a savage

And when it charges her wounded, she laughs, backing away. IT can't outrace her, so she edoes, then turns, and fires again. The thing is doomed to die now. It's messing with a centauress warrior