#darkgatefortress

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Early the next morning. After sunrise, but not very long after, Linnea comes to Dark Gate. Her horse she leaves tied outside, and she approaches the entrance.

It has been much less grim of late. And she is greeted almost cheerily, by troll standards

By Troll standards, she looks very grim in comparison. Her shoulders are slumped, and there is a sickly tinge to her blue skin.

That uneasy feel is about her. Similar to a Liam...

One soldier nods "Hail Silverwolf... "But the soldier stops "Are you all right?"

She nods tersely to the soldier. "I would see Chieftain Hewitt, if I may. I am not here as representative of Silverwolf. My business is my own."

"Yes. " The mood of the soldier has chilled, like someone for got to shower and SHOULD know better "He's likely having coffee and going over papers in his office"

She nods, and walks past. Her head is not held high, she has no pride in herself, but a grim purpose to her steps.

She walks by, and almost instinctively it seems soldiers and staff alike avoid her... one or two find themselves looking away

She schools her expression into stony silence.

And she hears talking in the office

Hewitt's brogue, and .. a younger man

A frown. But perhaps this is easier, than facing him alone together. A knock on the door (or door frame, if it is open).

"The theatre's just the start... and.. Oh. Company"

"Come in, " Hewitt speaks

Linnea steps through the door. She holds a bundle wrapped in a cloak before her. "Chieftain Hewitt. I would take only a minute of your time."

"Linnae.. Lass, it's always a joy to..."

Zane''s smile dies.. "Wait, something's wrong"

"What are ye talking about?" The Chieftain says, then looks over at Linnae, moving towards her "Thane Linnae is always welcome here .." he closes on her

She shakes her head, shoulders slumped. "Chieftain. I would return this to you." She offers out the bundle, pulling loose the cover.

A Viking round shield, with norse runes of protection. Mithril and Ironwood - and with a deep gouge in the middle. "I am no longer worthy of this gift."

As he approaches, he feels it, the sting of the weight of da'an frowning upon her.

Hewit starts to realize, and yes, for a moment, revulsion then.. "Get out" THen to clarify "Not you, LIn, you, Zane.. get out. Now. Find out who has seen her in this state and mitigate the damage."

Zane blinks "CHiEF?"

She flinches as if struck.

"Ye heard me... you're my temp Bridge, the socializer.. go socialize... spread my will and reduce the damage done to her..."

Zane nods and moves out

"Chieftain. My action were my own. I have broken my sworn trust."

The door closes behind the satyr, and the Chief locks it, not to trap her in, but keep others out "How?" He does not take the shield

For a moment, her mouth is closed. Her Lady does not allow her to gossip of her affairs... and then a pained look as she realized that her lady is no longer her lady.

"I betrayed Dame Calanthe in her moment of need. No one coerced me. Nothing forced my hand. I chose, of my own free will, to defy her, against my sworn oath."

His eyes darken, and for a moment she might feel he's about to strike her, but then she learns, his rage has another target, as does who he blames "That AILIL WHORE! I knew she wasn't good enough for you! How'd she set you up? What impossible task did she dangle in front of you so you were damned either way? I've endured her, for your sake, but I should have taken you from her by hook or crook long before this. What did that bitch DO to make this so?!"

A flinch. She says in a low tone, "A dictum, to attack Baroness Nadeen. With the aim to mortally wound." She emphasizes the words to clarify both 'wound as a mortal' and 'wound such to bring about her mortality'.

"Wait.. she ordered ye to break the Escheat? WHere was this?"

"At Silverwolf. Last evening. There was... an altercation. My sister..." She grows grave. "She became wroth with me." The expression on her face is grim, but shows that she does not blame Danica. "I deserved her rage. But I do not regret."

Hewitt, if looking at the shield, will see that there is in fact a bullet lodged deep in the center.

"That silver scaled CUNT dictumed ye.. to break right of life, safe haven, and , I'm gathering unless the baron Aiden has had a fallen out with that wee blonde girl, , demense as well!!? I hope the bitch broke her own oath to you, for truly it should be for such callous treatment of a Giant's service"

Rarely has she seen him like this, livid and yes, foul mouthed with ire!

Linnea bows her head before his anger.

"Right or wrong, I swore Fealty. She has been damned through her actions. As I have through mine."

"I will go to Baron Aiden, i wil inform him you are to be taken back in service, oathed renewed, this time to him and not that horrid harpy whose heart is dark nae even light can escape it."

"Hewitt, please. I apologize - Chieftain." Clearly not feeling worthy to address him so casually, or even intimately. "I would not have my service forced upon him."

"AIden has been too long asleep in his own lands. I did not pry, and I respect the man in most things, but it is time for him to wake up .. " A pause "Wait, where is Calanthe now? What was the fall out?"

"Besides the injustice to yourself?"

"She has been cursed by da'an. She lost her place, her name, her title - even her very form. For a year and a day, she has been transformed. Perhaps longer, should she not repent of her actions." Linnea does not look confident in Calanthe's odds.

"So, you preserved by the Escheat, resisted mental coercion, saved Aiden's lady, and ye feel unwoarthy now? May I ask ye a question, my love?"

No sarcasm in that phrase

"It has not yet been announced, and it is not my place to share, but... Baroness Nadeen will now rule Silverwolf, alongside Lord Aiden."

She adds, then stops to listen to him. Her expression grave, and wary, she nods.

He nods and pulls a scarlet kerchief out of his pocket "What color is this?"

"Chieftain, I don't understand."

"What color is it? " He asks "I don't mean the exact hue, though you women are better than that than we fellows as a rule. There's a reason I'm asking. I do not mock"

"Red." She replies simply.