#brightwindsbarony

She waves to those who greet the returning crew, but approaches Sparrow first.

Sir Dubh steps to the side "Looks like our volunteers are back, Baroness"

"...Already? Has it been three days?" She turns, wiping dirt and sweat from her forehead.

Nessa looks similarly worn, they made a quick exit so she's still wearing her healer's garb that has stains, both of earthy greens from herbs, and reddish blood as well, worn into the fabric. Her mane could use re-braiding, but she doesn't look concerned with appearance right now.

Just concerned.

"Nessa?" An up-note of worry.

"More like 2 and a half"

"Can I speak with you for a moment, Baroness?"

"Of course, please. Do you need anything? Food? Water?"

She shakes her head. "Just a private moment of your time." Checking for any boggans nearby that may carry unwanted gossip.

That is, for the returning people to report. She does not exclude Gerd, or Brynden from that 'private' request, if either of them are near.

She nods, walking a few steps away from the other activities.

Nessa follows, shifting a little to one side to avoid stepping on anyone or anything in the bustle.

Brydan IS there, but steps to the side to give them alone time. Gerd appears to be texting outside

"I am afraid I may have acted rashly at the County of Spectral Lights. I worry that it may reflect poorly upon you, or even cause an incident between the freeholds. I wanted to let you know right away, and also that I take full responsibility for my actions as my own, and not under your command, should that happen."

She raises an eyebrow. "What happened?"

She lowers down to a kneeling posture, legs delicately folded under equine torso, and bows her head. "We stole from the Count. A burglary of dross, on my express request." Straightforward admitting the fault, before trying to give any justification or excuse.

A crease between her brows. "I... why would you do this, Nessa?"

"His stores overflowed with plenty, and yet none was given for the benefit of his people. Dross was spent, sparingly, for favored nobles, while good common folk injured in defense of his lands lay bleeding and sorely wounded, neglected - no, worse than neglected, entirely denied succor. Kinain were completely ignored, though they also fought for him, his county and for their kin.

It was said, he needed the surplus... for fireworks. With aid from others, I... I acquisitioned such that was needed for helping his people. Not a single piece was taken for my own benefit, but only so that those of Spectral Lights could be healed, I swear it, Lady."

Nessa's own glamour is very low, poured into healing, but she does not argue for her own sake even now.

A complex shifting of emotions - first, a flare of anger, gathering like a thunderstorm on the desert - looming, ominous, but magnificent.

Her head bows lower, under this anger.

Her wings mantle, then flick, and refuse to quite settle neatly - feathers rumpled. She punches the bridge of her nose. "Fireworks."

"I'm sorry, Sparrow." She whispers.

"If he sends word angry, and you wish to turn me over to his punishment, I will neither flee nor resist, nor deny what I have done."

"No. You risked yourself to help others, and that is a worthy deed. Do not apologize for having a healer's heart."

"He is a Count - this is my barony, yes, but he can still claim dominion over me. There are limits to my ability to protect you."

"I knew this, and I still acted. I couldn't see them hurting like that... I couldn't!"

"No. And that is... admirable, Nessa." A soft, sad smile.

"I knew that if I wrote back and asked of you, you might send dross to aid... but I worried that might set a precedent that would be hard to overcome. With the history of the former Baron and his "tithes"..." She shakes her head.

"We might be able to settle this by repaying the dross. Never mind that he should have spent it freely, himself." A frown and a nod as Nessa mentions Harkson's "tithes"

A sound a deliberate one...a tapping of knuckle on wood

"I don't know this Count, or how he might react to this..." She looks towards the knocking.

And Wencenslais , rep for the sluagh steps into view "Pardon, Baroness, Healer."

"Wenceslas."

"I would not intrude but Ded Romeo has reported to me, and there are things you should know , that even Nessa does not about what occured. There are Sluagh in the County area who worked with us"

A brief bite on her lower lip and she nods. "Please. I need all the intelligence I can get. We must protect our own."

"Another sluagh at the County, who I will not name, borrowed the Count's official seal... the ..paperwork is filled out for the fireworks. Now the Count will still be outraged...he knows he didn't approve it but... it was this sluagh hope it would muddle any invesgitation"

"That... oh, that's good. That helps."

"This was done without Miss Nessa's knowledge and was the idea of a non baronal resident. Not all was under her control. Ded Romeo wanted me to be clear on that"

"How could my people be held at fault for their paperwork mishap?"

"Your kith-cousin - they will be safe?"

Nessa looks confused.

"There is always a risk, but a false face was used so ..backwards glance should be ineffective"

"Nessa, it appears you were mistaken. Your dross supplies had been requisitioned."

"But... if they were requisitioned for fireworks, and yet when the event comes he has none... will he not be wroth at his stewards and suppliers?"

"Navigated unfamiliar commissaries can be confusing."

"He will be. Yes. But the stewards must follow their orders, and the ire must go to the one who gave the order which displeased him..."

"Perhaps we might donate some fireworks of the mortal variety. Sparklers, and such, appropriate for the children? It might not help his, um. A celebration to the Count's glory, but at least his people may still rejoice."

"Oh, and the little tanks!" Flutter and a smile. "The ones you can set up to charge at each other."