#darkgatefortress

Dark Gate Fortress is not as grim on the outside as it used to be. The terrain has opened up somewhat to new cleaner dreams thanks to hard work and musing. Within however it IS still a fortress. Though even there, it also lights up with creation

After the third time Art rubber-necked to wander into a chamber where something caught his eye, Linnea has a hand firmly on his shoulder as they stride towards the room where they will meet with Dark Gate to discuss a matter of dross. Possibly with a Steward?

"Aww, Linn. There was a statue there I wanted a closer look at..." Art complains, but quietly.

Mountain Wildheart looks up. The she troll does not seem a 'fit' for the military like batch of trolls that are here . But she has much lore, and it woulds seem the older wilder is in charge of this talk today regarding dross

"Thane Linnea, good to see you again. And who is this?" SHe says regarding the squire "Not sure if we've met formally"

She gently guides Art forward with the hand on his shoulder. "Art, this is Mountain Wildheart. Please greet her with the same deference you would grant to Steward Marigold." She murmurs to the boy.

He steps forward and gives a courteous bow. "Squire Arcturus, at your service, ma'am - er, Mountain." Only stumbling slightly over the unfamiliar title.

"Ah, I believe I've heard of you, the Beaumayn of Silver Wolf. What can I do for you, Squire?"

"Greetings from Baron Aiden and Baroness Nadeen, to our neighbors and allies of Dark Gate. As well, I have recently come from the court of Count Harner" Who is, of course, the Count who rules over Dark Gate's region, "And he has expressed as well his pleasure in the workings of Dark Gate under his aegis." Art works through the customary greetings with a smoothness that causes Linnea to raise a brow, slightly impressed. Though, she taps a foot in a "get on with it" hint. He does.

"As you may be aware, there is a noxious Chimera that has been seen roaming the skies, a serpentine beast that seems to feed on the smog and smoke as much as the concern of the townsfolk, threatening Counties of the Diamond and Bold Heart alike. Our Barony is undertaking a hunt to deal with this threat, and wish to ask of Dark Gate, if willing, a tithe of dross to assist in the working of protective spells upon gear to safeguard our hunters in this endeavor."

"mmm" A consideration "The sons of adam reap what they sow, some say. They don't give a shit about the planet, and now the planet is shifting to get rid of them in retturn. Scorn breds scorn" The Mountain sighs "That however doesn't mean we shouldn't care for the threats it makes to our hold and the holds of others. " She raises a brow "Not sure how I feel about the word 'tithe' though. Sounds a bit like 'tribute'"

Linnea shifts her weight slightly. "Please excuse the lad. He is Arcadian, and though he has learned much, sometimes his vocabulary tends towards the antiquated."

A tiny serpentine head pops out of a fold in Art's cloak.
"Aid, Allowance, Assistance... charity, contribution. Endowment, Grant?"

The tiny Bookwyrm chirps up, in a helpful tone.

"Fornax, shh." Art tries to shush the chimera.

A nod to Linnea, then the Wildheart then grins under her shades at the tiny bookwyrm. There is something about this troll Art can feel. A power, grown, compared to his seedling, but they are similar... "No, no, such a fine young companion as Fornax has tried to aid diplomacy. I respect that. You're our allies. We're not LUSh in dross but we can spare some. Do you prefer a power singular one for an indiviusal great working or a satchel of lesser dross for less effect but more widely spread about?"

"Lesser, if you please? This way, if there are any extra, we can return it or apply forward to a future joint endeavor." Art requests.

Fornax preens smugly at the praise.

Art doesn't seem to pick up on anything particular about the Mountain. Fornax is watching Wildheart with intent curiosity for a moment, though.

Wildheart sees the little bookwyrm's scrutiny, and makes a finger over her lips gesture, just briefly, then says "There's a matter of some payment. Obviously it's IN our interest to have this problem solved, but would it be safe to say a favor will be returned?"

Art glances to Linnea, seeking an answer, but the thane just raises her brow. The Mountain can read it clearly, (This is your rodeo, kid.)

He pauses, considering, then answers, "As we are asking a favor to assist with a common threat, I feel confident in expressing that should a similar situation arise, Silverwolf would answer in kind."

"mmm well, that is what allies do" THe Mountain says "But I would ask one other more immediate sign of recompense as well. It should cost you nothing really in the long run. A loan of temporary nature of certain items and works"

Art, having been trained in part by an Ailil baron, sees potential concern in the request. Politically he responds, "May I ask for clarification on what specifically you are looking for the loan of?"

"The notes, spellbooks, and grimoires of Dame Calanthe ap Ailil" The Mountain replies

A BLINK.

He bows, partially to hide his started expression from the Mountain. When he rises, he murmurs, "I apologize, but that is not within my ability to grant. Such request would need to be directed to Baroness Nadeen, or the Baron Aiden, directly."

Linnea is cool faced, troll stoic with no response showing.

"Then here" She gathers a bag of dross, not as much as Silverwolf hoped for, "Take this to your baroness or Baron. Tell them we hope it serves them well, and we offer it in interest of mutual protection and wish a swift success to them. However, if they are interested in double this to increase their chances further? Then all they need do is loan us the items forementioned for my own purusual. We fight against the Fell here, and I suspect Calanthe's magics had insights into some of that"

"I will relay the message and request. Our thanks for your assistance in this matter." He murmurs, perfectly polite.

Fornax chirps eagerly, "Atlas, codex, compendium... folio, manual, omnibus, portfolio, publication, TOME!"

"You're most welcome, Squire. " A nod with another nod to Linnae, "As are you, Thane. You're both welcome to join us for our next meal if you like. The Hearth is full of himself, but for good reason, and his food is excellent"

Linnea asks casually, "Has the Chieftain taken his midday yet?"

"He has not," The Mountain says and kindly doesn't make an issue of it beyond answering

An almost imperceptible brightening. "Art, it is only polite that we join them for a meal. Perhaps you can ask about that statue you noticed."

(Fade to food and chatter?)

Indeed, investigation of the statue is allowed, and a rather FINE meal is had. The Chief delighted to tend to Linnae and share her company... oh and Art too, of course.

(Fade to food and chatter)