#earthrunes

then on the phone "Lord Hume ap Dougal, heir of Earth Runes"

Only a slight hesitation as he processes, and then, "Lord Hume, this is Baron Aiden of Silverwolf in Carthage." He repeats his earlier plea, but this time, asking for the aid of Laika, a mighty bear dog entrusted into the care of Earth Runes kennels.

"Laika? I .. oh yes, Sir Sergei mentioned...of course. Our Hunt Master maybe just the one to send..." Shouldn't he sound more sure of himself "WITH the dog, of course. Would you need a thane or two as well?"

"Please let Sir Sergei know that our Mistress of the Hounds will be coordinating efforts, along with myself. He.. " Slight pause, and "While his assistance would be welcome, if he so chooses, Laika can find the way herself, or accompanied by another. All of Mischka's line - that is Laika, and her siblings, have been trained in the local paths."

"Understood , Baron" A pause then a more resolute voice "I will direct him to assist. Right of rescue is paramount, and the Baroness would demand the right to leap into the fray herself if she were here." She's crazy like that "I'll gather some volunteers to go with them, and they'll follow your Misstress of the hounds and your directive while in your domain. My apologies for Shalimar's phonne ettiquete, he is both a pooka and our jester. We'll make all due haste"

"Ah." His tone has softened a bit. "We have pooka of our own. I understand. Thank you, Lordling Hume. And my thanks to your Baroness... and to Ser Sergei."

"Most welcome, Baron. I'll be off to send word. Best forrtune"

"And to you." Click!

Lord Hume breathes hard, then says in the halls "I need volunteers to go with Sir Sergei and a bear dog in a winter nightmare scape that may involve trod storms and who knows what else..."

Vince is suddenly scarce...

of course, this being a Fiona hold, he gets some volunteers right away. Are they right persons for the job? Well... better hope so. this is what happens when you call your IT department for selecting a paramilitary unit

(end scene)