#debukefarmhold

"Okay, so...you know Connor's dad is Baron Aiden, at SilverWolf. And you know Nadeen is at SilverWolf, and they're courting. And Baron Aiden has a sister, Dame Calanthe, who's also sidhe. So...okay...Connor's mother was Baron Aiden's first wife...at least I think they were married? Anyway, she was kinain...and she died when Connor was still little. Those are the players. Good so far?"

"So far" A nod "Go on"

"So... the story is that his wife, Dahlia, died from being dreamstruck. But neither Nadeen nor I...nor Dagmar, for that matter...believe that that's exactly what happened. Dame Calanthe is a schemer, and she's mean. We think she may have had more of a hand in Dahlia's demise. But beyond that...Nadeen knows for a fact that Calanthe is keeping Aiden under some kind of enchantment -- to 'keep him strong' she says -- and we're pretty sure that it's part of her way to eventually try to take control of SilverWolf."

Clem's face has grown serious "Well, I've no love of most nnoble houses as organizations, some individuals are all right. "

Sylvi nods. "I agree...and I might be being completely unfair to her...but I don't trust Dame Calanthe. We think she's keeping Aiden kind of fuddled about what happened to Dahlia, but she says it's to protect him and SilverWolf. And we also think she's trying to keep Nadeen from helping him deal with what happened to Dahlia, which would release him from...whatever this is. Nadeen really loves him, and she wants to help him. And...that's where you come in," she says hopefully.

"Why do I have the feeling you're about to ask me to go pearl diving in a tar pit?" Clem inquires

"Welllllll...." Sylvi cringes a little as Clem sort of nails the situation. "We're hoping you might be able to help us find out what really happened to Dahlia. I know you're really good at primal, so we're hoping you could do something like whisper some old love letters between Dahlia and Aiden that Nadeen found. We're hoping you could do it without actually reading the letters -- they're private."

BROW

"We're hoping," she continues gamely, "that if Aiden can really deal with what happened to Dahlia, he might be able to accept Connor...and actually show him some love." A sad, hopeful expression. "So...you see why it's really important?"

"I can, but my duty is to the farmhold. Cold blooded as it may sound, this sounds like all risk and no gain for me and my people. Why would I risk a war with evenn a small Ailil hold just to prop up one Ailil or Varich aggainst a worse one?"

"To...keep the worse one from gaining more power? To potentially put that power in the hands of a Varich who regards the Farmhold as a place to be protected?"

"And...you know...for Connor."

"Connor is a sweet boy, and frankly, I don't think his 'father' deserves him. I am not obliged to help a man who spurns a child whose chief crime is being helpless before the forces of fate. How is Connor in danger if his deadbeat father should be uprooted?"

"This is the thing, though...we're not sure that Aiden's entirely in charge of the fact that he rejects Connor. We think that might be, like, a side-effect of what's going on. I mean it makes sense...if the only heir is rejected, then inheritance goes to Calanthe. She even sent him away to a place in hopes that he would be mostly forgotten...and then when he showed up again, she tried to control his interaction with SilverWolf." She pauses for a moment. "Clem, if you think you could do it, I could see if Nadeen would be willing to promise a favor in return."

"Fine. We'll set something up. I'll willow whisper what I can, but that cantrip is not the key to all secrets. The letters will tell me what they knnow, what impressions miht be left perhaps, but they are limited. I can't touch a blade of grass here and find out who is plotting in a nearby cabin."

"Yeah, I know. But it's the only thing we've been able to think of so far. If we can figure out what sort of things Calanthe was saying to Dahlia, or doing to her...or even what actually happened to her...any of that would help. Nobody will even tell Nadeen exactly how Dahlia died."

"Pain holds on like a tick that keeps on drinking " Clem sighs

Sylvi bites her lip. "There's...also the possibility that Dahlia's ghost might still be around."

"Oh for the love of... you do know I am not a medium?" A blink "That's slaugh stuff she just nneeds to.." Reallization "Varich. Right. And folks fuss at us for OUR biases"

"I'm not saying I expect you to do anything with the ghost...just letting you know that's another factor in play. And yeah...sluagh vs Varich is a big obstacle." She sighs. "Look, Clem, I really appreciate that you're willing to help. I'll see what I can get Nadeen to agree to as far as return favors go."

"I want a favor frrom you too, honey. I'm doing this mostly on your say so. Donn't worry, won't be a heavy one. When you visit? Ask Kelby along as a friend. If they're trying to shun her, I want them to work for it. OFTEN. Kourtney may take care of the rest"

Sylvi brightens. "Done. Yeah, I wasn't sure how it would work if everybody was shunning her, but if Kourtney's got her back? Oh, they're not going to be able to keep it up for long."

"Shoot no, honey, you're a Davidson AND an honorary DeBuke. That's too much stubborn for anyone to resist. Now come on, let's get you some food to take to your mother from Heath Agnes. Otherwise I'll hear no end of it"

And it turns out, whether she likes it or not, Sylvi will be carrying food bad to her mom, and some to her home near Darkgate

(End Scene)