#earthrunes

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Sir Sergei runs over the notes, the paperwork of possible fae hound lines other holds have. "Mmm Great Pyrennes Fae hounds in Rivervale? I didn't even know anyone had bred such. I wonder where they got them?"

With sadness, the Varich glances over the remaining hounds in the kennel. Far too many empty spaces since so many died in the thallian siege.

Most of the fae hounds wander free right now about his feet. He strokes one along its side and chest, a sleek hunting hound.

"Ah, Star, it is okay. You will have new packmates soon. Though, I must decide between hunting hounds, guardians, or the like." He opens a page, "Some one has a Fae Pug? " A pause "No. A thousand times no."

Another page flip.

The sound of riding boots taps on the polished floor of the corridor beyond the kennel. It seems Coradel is back from her ride.

"Baroness? I hope you enjoyed your ride? " He calls out, "If you have a moment?"

"Sir Sergei?" She pauses and peeks into the kennel. "Good evening." A smile. "How are they?" She enters the room, holding hands down towards the dogs if they'll have her company.

"Few," he says "But healthy." //One old fae hound, who has a scar from the battle that has healed but marred his fur ambles towards her gently and presses against a hand./Star, the scent hound, seems to prefer tos tay near Sir Sergei

She lets the old hound get the scent of her hand before she kneels down next to him and pets, firmly but not too rough. "Healthy is good. They have been so brave."

"They are animals, they know their purpose is to serve and protect their masters" He says in that crisp almost cold tone, yet the soft strokes he gives against Star's flank betray his deep affection for his charges, and he looks proud as he agrees, "they did well. But it is time to rebuild the kennel's numbers. I wanted to ask you in what direction? While there are not as many Fae hound breeds as their are mortal ones, there are still many choices. Do you prefer hunting hounds? Guard Dogs?"

She watches his expression, and smiles. The Fiona knows love when she sees it. "Both hunting and guard would be valuable to the manor. What seem to be available?"

He flips through , "It will take money, dross, or treasure in trade, along with some breeding rights with a few of the Hounds we have... but your choices include something a kin to Fae Rotweilers. Fae Belgian shepherds, Fae Foxhounds, and or Fae Greyhounds."

"Greyhounds? I know they are fast, but they seem so delicate in build." She gives the dog another pat, then stands again to approach him and look at the pages he's flipping through.

"Delicate hounds such as they have hunted at the command of pharoahs, Baroness. And Fae Greyhounds are smarter, faster, and yes, even more durable than their mortal counterparts."

"Hmm. Now I am intrigued...." She looks at the pages again. "I do like Shepherds. They are so fierce looking."

"They can be a beautiful breed, and not as over bred as Mortals have done to German Shepherds. If I could get my hand on whatever mortals thought German shepherds should have backs so bent as to be almost deformed I would be highly tempted to break them on a rack." She's not sure he's joking. "The Belgains do tend to form strong bonds. Oddly, they might need more activity than the Greyhounds, but that's not hard to provide here. Squire Colton has been invaluable in freeing up much of my time."

"Has he? Good. I believe he's a good squire to Deryn as well. Hmm. " A thoughtful nod. "Let's start with Shepherds. Where will they be coming from, do you know?"

"A Fiona noble in fact, one in Northern Ice."

"if it matters," He says "the Greyhounds are in the holding of a Liam, the Foxhounds a Daireann, and the Rotweilers, believe it or not, a family of boggans."

"Ha! Well...." She thinks. "Are any local?"

"we have access to Firnost trods by use of our own. All things are local, your ladyship. "

A little laugh. "Not what I meant. I was thinking: local good will, contributing to the barony's welfare...you know, empire building." A wink. "Well, okay...my dear Sergei, I am not at all the expert in this matter. Do you have a preference?"

"Any of these will do. I didn't over the ones I found unsuitable. "

"But alas, your ladyship, none of these are bred in your barony."

"That's fine. I just wanted to consider any that might be. Well...then let us begin with the Shepherds...but consider the others for a later time."

"Northern Ice..." she muses. "Have you ever been there?"

The sound of footsteps.

"It is vast lady, and yes, once. Most Varich , if they have time or can afford it, head towards the Duchy of Salmon... terrible name, what you would call Alaska. The Rus ties you know? But there are many great duchies there... and I think this one would be in what we would call Quebeec."

"Sir Sergei?" Sparrow stops. "Ope. Didn't mean to interrupt..."

"Oh! Deryn, come in. What do you know about dogs?"

"Please, come in. "

She blinks. "Well, I grew up with labs..."

A smile to Sergei. "Are Labs good hunting dogs?"

"They are excellent retrievers, as their name suggests, but alas, my sources don't reveal fae versions available."

To Deryn she explains, "Sir Sergei has some notions about replenishing the kennels. I'm thinking Shepherds."

"Shepherds are good dogs, too. Protective, smart."

"Labs can be smart, but sometimes, well, they're dog dogs..."

A bit of a laugh. "Don't let a certain little pooka hear you say that."

"I avoided looking for Fae poodles. I didn't want to confuse Enri"

Sergei considers, "Chancellior, would you like me to see if I could find a Fae hound labrador somewhere? I can make an extra effort, and it is part of my task. "

"That's kind of you."

Another thought. "Foxhounds...they're fast, but loud, correct?"

"I... you really needn't, not for my sake. I'm sure you know what the hold needs..."

"Yes, hounds are vocal."

"I did not mean for the hold, Chancellior. I meant for you, and perhaps for the Squire. You do outrank me in title and purpose, and I am fond of the boy."

A smile and a curious look to Deryn.

"I... I don't... dogs are expensive to keep..." She falters, frowning slightly.

"I don't know if it is right, if I can't provide proper care."