#darkgatefortress

Sylvi exhales a deep breath before approaching the gate. She had been planning to bring all her stuff up today, the day after Carnivale, but with the uncertainty about precisely where everything would end up, she decided to wait on moving the boxes until she'd had a chance to iron out living arrangements. Most of her stuff is still in storage at Rivervale, but ready to go. What she's carrying with her right now is a large suitcase, her backpack, and a pet carrier of a sort. Flopsy perches atop her backpack, and she says to him, "Well...here we go."

"Right behind you, literally and otherwise" Flopsy says

"Okay." Another pause, then, "...okay." And she approaches the door to enter her new hold.

It's a formidible thing as always, a mortal fortress set the tone.. now it is a fortress and prison alike. It is stark, and even Hewit's influence cannot soften some aspecs of it. The Thanes greet her, "Welcome , Sylvi" One says

The other fusses "Didn't you hear? We're to adress her as Bridge now"

She grins and shakes her head. "Sylvi is fine, unless it's court or there's visiting nobles or something. How did Carnivale go?"

"We didn't have one exactly, not here. Too big a danger of a flux with the holder losing power. Some of us got the night off for it though. Hit the Duke's place. he's a troll too in this state you know?"

"Oh, I can see what you mean about not doing it here. Did the Duke actually do the fool-thing?"

"He did... he's an all right fellow. Got voted in so he knows people need him.. mind you it's al ife time appointment. Also. a Fiona"

"She knows that" the other thane says

"I know it, but I hadn't really considered it. So...judging by the other Fiona troll I know, I'm guessing that party got pretty wild. Cool! Okay, so...I'm just gonna head in, now. Need anything out here?"

"Actually, one of us was going to announce you to the others. They're in council I think but they wanted to know when you got here"

"Announce me? Oh! Okay, um, sure." Well, of course, I guess. New status, different level of attention.

Normally she adores the attention, and being announced is nice...but she's still nervous about doing this whole new job right.

The Thane on the left says "We can drop by your lodge room first. It's small but I understand there's special consideration" And... the thane offers to take her things but doens't press, and soon she's dropped them off. A moment later she's heading to the main council chamber and hears voices

"Yes, I am biased, but in this case it's because I KNOW her," Colton can be heard "She says she'll do something, she'll do it. Sylvi is raw dedication to anything she puts a mind too"

Wildheart , the Mountain, her voice says "There are powers in Oaths, Storm. It's not an insult."

She gulps a bit. I'm not supposed to be hearing this...

"Darn streaight" Marsiellies says "Oaths to protect the farm are common in the Farmhold. "

She checks to make sure that Flopsy came along with her to the council chamber. The zombie hand is content to chill in its pet carrier in the small room.

A knock on the door, the thane looks apologetic

She realizes she's biting her lip, and stops, nodding to the thane.

"Bridge Sylvi to join you!" A voice says

The thane that is

"enter, Bridge Sylvi!" hewitts' voice booms "We were just talking about ye to be honest with you"

"Thank you, Chieftain Hewitt," she says with a smile as she strides with a practiced confidence into the room, pausing to offer him a hand-to-heart salute. "Were you?" A smile to the others as well...perhaps only Colton can recognize the nervousness.

"We were" he says "it's about an oath. A temporary one , with provisos agreedupon"

"Oh. Well..." she stands quietly a moment, looking at the others. "I'd like to hear from everybody what you're thinking about that." I got a taste of it already, but what will they say to my face?

Marselles , the Hearth says "We've all taken an Oath to hold the gate, to sand against the dark here. I think it hurts morale if someone is raised to an equal of hearth, Mountain or storm but does not make that Oath"

"I'm inclined to agree, though morale isn't my consideration so much as you may need the power that oath brings. It helps fiend off corruption as well" The Mountain says "And we CAN tailor it"

Colton frowns "And I think having you with some more lee way than the rest of us might help you in diplomacy and other matters"

Sylvi listens and nods. "I can see the different ideas. Obligation, resources, and flexibility. So...okay...if I take an Oath to defend and support those who hold the Gate, would that work? I think that might give me the leeway that Colton's talking about, diplomacy-wise?"

The Chief looks at them.

Marsellies frowns "Seems like special treatment still, no offense."

Colton bristles a bit but only Sylvi notices it

"I'm good with that. " The Mountain says "We can tailor it together if you like, Bridge"

"Well, I think that's fine," the Chief says "And the matter is settled. With only Hearth disagreing, I feel comfortable weighing it as done."

"Hearth, I agree, but I don't intend to abuse it. It's a variation with intent towards the service of the Lodge."

"Mmm matter is settled" Marsellies says "And we 've other things on proverbial plate"

She nods to the Chieftain, still standing.

Chief Hewitt says "Indeed we do! Holiday season maybe over, but our work continues . We are not likely to get much support without production ... and yes, I know this is the Douggal in me, I'd like to up the smithing and production of quality weapons for purpose of trade. How do folks feel about outfiting Silverwolf with fine armor and weapons in exchange for temporary manpower? Trusting an Aillil is tricky but I know that some of the thanes there are right honorable. Probably all of them. The baron seems a decent enouggh sort for a dragon but i would not lose our trust with Rivervale and other Gwydions"

Sylvi defers to let the others speak first, unless they seem to be looking at her expectantly. A glance to Colton.

The Storm says "The Baron is not the greatest warrior, but neither does he seem interesed in advancement political.. keey word seem, and he has the loyalty of his people. That means something. I concur with those who think he's the best dragon we're likely to get and frankly? His thanes are top notch with connections in the mortal world on top of it. I would NOT allow them access to the balefire unattended per se, not because they arenn't honorable, but because we don't know who they're sworn too. But with provisos? I think outfitting them is fine. We have numbers if i comes to that"

The Chief frowns slightly at something but nods

Sylvi may also be frowning slightly as she thinks about the angles on the situation.

Marsellies says "Say what you like but their hearth ..or whatever Marigold is, can cook. Not as well as me, but close. I don't care for nobles, no offense, Chieftain, outfitting those who might one day turn against is iffy, but there's no denying they have supplies to trad ein return beyond manpower. And we might have another hold to send folks too if we get too many in need of the bale at the same time"

Wildheart scratches her chin "I'll hold my view back until it's more informed. I'd like more intell on thier inner workings if possible"

"Bridge?" Hewitt asks

Sylvi pauses a moment, taking a deep breath. "Well...I agree that Baron Aiden is about as good as an Ailil is likely to get and still be able to hold a barony. I really didn't like him the first time I met him, but I've grown to appreciate his situation a little bit more. And a friend of mine sees a lot of good qualities about him, and I think I trust her judgment. But the one to watch out for, I think, is his Chancellor. I do not like that woman. She's sketchy. But I can't really put my finger on exactly what's going on there. I agree with the Hearth that giving weapons and armor to your neighbor seems kind of risky if you don't have a formal alliance. Maybe some other kind of trade? Something else that DarkGate's skills and resources could provide?"

If Colton looks askew a the areas she DOES disagree with him on, he shows no sign of offense