#elsewhere

When the Storm hits out of nowhere, Aiden snaps to attention. "The horses!" Is his immediate concern. And he starts to hurry that way, shoving through the crowd, and even snapping out "MOVE!" with a hint of dictum in his tone when he can't make it past a crowd that is gawking, making his way to the stable pavilion.

Nadeen moves with him "Jaymes has weather magicss but he's never do this. yet it's purely Chimerical" She looks about as she follows him, her eyes searching for Dagmar, or her family.

Gwen apparently had a similar thought, having gone to the animals to protect them. At first she went to the dogs, but as the horses panic she instead moved to them, trying to calm them, but ready to use her body as a shield to protect others from the horses if need be "Easy easy... it's okay"

Aiden nods, he did not reach for her or pull her along, but seems to not have considered that she may not have stayed at his side... his eyes not sweeping the crowd, only seeking the animals.

On entering the tent he sees Gwen, surprised, and goes to her side. "Good, good - don't tie their heads to the post, if they rear they could sprain their necks - "

And a BOOM that has nothing to do with the storm blasts through, rattling the posts! He looks to see if the other horses have handlers, trusting Gwen to have his yearlings in check. "Nadeen - check that colt! If he gets drawn into the storm he could get lost."

Unsure if this is still building, or what duration they can expect - a cloudburst? A Cyclone? The harbinger winds foretelling wingbeats of a dread dragon come swooping down in revenge on Rivervale for past sins?!

Nadeen moves to the Colt , I wish Dagmar were here. She knows horses better than I. Do what she'd do with the colt. She moves "Easy, little one. I'll protect you"

Gwen nods following instructions with the ease of her kith "Baron is anyone hurt that you know of?"

"I don't know." He says shortly. "I didn't think there was any weatherworking exhibition. A prank, maybe?"

A glance to Nadeen, approval in his expression as she calms the colt who seems... excited! Winds are FUN, they give him a bit of lift!

Star stomps and fusses, but Stormwake's presence seems to have her in check - if he doesn't freak out, she knows it's probably OK. Not that the snobbish mare would ADMIT it.

Stormwake is NOT Freaking out. In fact, he looks like he wants to jump into the storm and challenge it, find out the cause. there's a fight out there and he's MISSING IT. In truth, The Baron might envy the Rivervalers his possession at this moment more than most, for Stormwake puts the War in Warhorse

And then with t he second boom, the storm breaks... quite literally, the dark cloud broken into dozens of tiny confused baby clouds of white.

And the rain, the lightning, it all stops

And sadly for little star, the winds lessen.

The mare reaches out and grabs him by the wing, pulling him close and starting to groom at his mane furiously with nibbles of her teeth. There may be FUSS.

Aiden moves to the entrance and peers out at the puffs of white. "Whatever it is, it seems to have broken. I trust that the Count's thanes will apprehend whoever thought this was a good idea." A touch of anger on his face. "Any of these animals could have been seriously injured. They should know better than to stage any sort of sudden noise like that around animals of such delicate temperament."

A glance to Stormwake, and he admits. "Good stock on that one. I think he'd take his rider through hell and back without a flinch."

Gwen nods "At first I went to the dogs but then I realized the horses could do more damage so I Hope I did the right thing?"

Nadeen says "I assure you, the Count may have his whimsies but he would never approve whatever this was. Pardon. I have to find Dagmar. Knowing her she's gotten herself involved and .. sometimes she doesn't always think about herself"

He hesitates, standing. At odds between the desire to accompany Nadeen, and wanting to stay with the animals. Finally he nods. "Be safe. If I can assist, send a runner. I'll stay here in case there is more... excitement yet to come."

To Gwen, "You acted well. If we had sighthounds, greyhounds, then you'd want to ensure they were locked down - if they catch a fright, OR a scent, they'll bolt, and by the time they stop to think, they can be miles away and lost. But these fellows are sturdy..." Moving over to run a hand down a dog's head, he nods, and starts into what seems to be a lesson on hounds.

Nadeen nods "Quite wise, and thank you. I shall share with you what i learn of this incident and ..." A look at the creatures "I'm very glad the animals seem well. It's good that you cared not just for your own horses and dogs, but ours. " She curtseys and goes off to find Dagmar

Gwen beams at the praise, and listens intently "Yes, they're solid boys and girls . Ivan .." She eyes Ivan "Ivan uhm.. he's a sneaky one , he seemed torn between investigating and a ..well, protecting me"

A soft sound of frustration, but a bit amused. "I seem to recall he wasn't even invited along for today's entourage. Glad to see that he's making himself useful." Now looking over Gwen. "You've been enjoying the festival so far? I trust you haven't been given any trouble?" Knowing that the Ailil badge may have been a bit of a "kick me" sign.

"Nothing I didn't ask for" Gwen says "A few folks give me the eye, but most folks are polite enough. I think my skin starts more conversations than the sigils. A beat "Briar and I went shopping. And... ah.." A bush since the baron will find out "Baron. I took liberties on behalf of hte hold and I didn't realize it, but I should have asked you first."

"To go shopping?" He looks a little perplexed. "I wouldn't have asked the Stewards to provide you with a spending allotment if I didn't intend you to use it."

"No, it's.. about one of the contests you didn't know we entered.. I.. well, I wanted to do something for Marigold, and she's SO good you know? So I .took some of the food she had and brought it along and... put it up for the food contests in her name, and on behalf of the barony" A beat " She got second place" She holds up the ribbon

The red ribbon has the glamour of a minor treasure

He pauses, and straightens up. He ponders this for a long moment. "Do you realize that if this entry had lost, it could have reflected poorly on Marigold? Boggans thrive on gossip, so it would not have taken long for it to get back to her." His expression not revealing his thoughts.

"I didn't really consider it because , well, it's so GOOD, I thought they'd be fools not to love it" She says loyally "I mean, frankly I think she was cheated. That pepperjack cheese log cabin wasn't that good."

Stepping over, he holds out a hand for the ribbon to examine. "Second place?"

"Yes. though it was a near thing.. they got a bit mushed. It was actually the Hearth of Rivervale who heatherbalmed them that made them back to their orginal form and.. the judges loved them. I thanked her." A smile "She got second out of like two dozen!"

He examines the treasure, eyebrows going up a bit as it morphs into a hot mitt, a table runner, and back to a ribbon. "Your faith in Marigold's baking is well placed, and to be lauded." A pause, "Though I am not as fond of the perception that we need assistance to present a completed piece..." He relents, and gives her a small smile. "I believe that hearing of your confidence in her skill will reward Marigold more than any prize."

Handing back the ribbon. "If you make a practice of such deception - be sure that you win." An Ailil hint to that smile now, and he rests a hand on her shoulder. "Silverwolf will be proud."

"I took the blame for the mushing, lord. They know it was just a clumsy fledge and nothing to do with the chef" But she beams at the rest as he smiles "I'm glad for my part. the victory goes to Marigold, and Silverwolf itself. Both have been kind to me. Should we send the red ribbon with the messangers? or wait till we get home to surprise her?"

"I'll let you present it to her, unless you prefer to entrust it to a carrier pigeon." Thoughtful. "If Calanthe is finished with her event, Veritas could also take it home, though he may waylay any other messengers sent in that same direction.

"I think I'll give it to her in person" A lwoered voice "Dame Calanthe is kind of hit or miss right now with the tie and might growl at the notion of Veritas being used to carry a message of someone else's success"

"Ahh. " He nods. "I must say I'm not a fan of the judging structure they have in place. This many ties speaks to an uncertain criteria for success, indecisive at best or unwilling to risk offense at rating one over another."

"I had thought to try my hand at archery, but decided not to spread my attention too far. And for the best, it seems - there is some talk about possible sabotage in that event." A small shake of his head. "I assure you, if we were to host any event, we wouldn't be fraught with all of these... incidents."
Quiet. "It would be rude to say such of our host, however. I trust that it will not be repeated."

"It won't, though from what I hear, some folks are saying this iS NOT how it normally goes on." She says "I mean, some of the locals seem almost embarrassed by it. It's not typical? I guess it couldn't be. "

Thoughtful. "Perhaps they didn't consult their sage on the best time to hold the event. It looks like the stars may not have been in their favor. "

She ponders. She knows the baron puts a lot of stock in this "It is possible. I mean.. 2020 right?"

He gives a nod. "It looks like all is well here for now. Will you seek out the officials to confirm that all is still scheduled for the remaining races?" A glance over the other horses being tended to. "If they feel that the beasts are too startled, we will abstain. Upset yearlings may kick or injure other runners. Or the older mounts could even buck and throw their riders.

And see if you can find Briar. Ensure that she wasn't involved in the... fray."

"I will" A sudden thought , could Briar have caused the storm and boom? doesn't seem her style but damn that kid knows how to leave a mark one way or another "Happy to serve my lord" She bows, and then goes off to do just that

He watches her go, and smiles. Marigold will be pleased, and when the Steward is happy, everyone is Happy! Except Calanthe. Well, there's no pleasing everyone.

-------------

A masked minstrel slips about. Oh, it's harder to be sneaky right now, but on the other hand, the guards are on guard for Ranters and Toughs, and one friendly pooka doesn't attract too much attention. Distributing here and there to the singers and players still present at Pennons. A set of lyrics - the music is not needed, because any musician worth their salt knows THIS tune.

Even Tove and Torin receive a copy, though there's are left sneakily - the wise Minstrel knows which trolls are still sore at him for no good reason.

Soon enough, the strains of music are heard from here or there, after all, who better to clarify what was going on and rest worries than a good musician!

Set to the melody of the rollicking Irish tune "Johnny Jump Up"!

Oh, I'll tell you a story that happened today,
As the fae gathered all around at Pennons to Play
The sun it was high and the day it was warm
And these ranters they gathered, their hearts set on harm!

Here I am, waiting for my order of stout,
When from outside, there comes up and hue and a shout!
Look hither, and upwards, for they're on a roll!
The Count he is threatened by a flying Troll!

O never O never O never again,
If we live to a hundred or a hundred and ten
Should we see such a sight, I fair doubled up!
Ducking my head, but I lost me my cup!

And peeking up at them, Oh! What do I see?
The witch she flew on with an arrow to the knee
The thanes shot wild, don't you know they're the law?
But then came a storm thrown down from a paw!
It shattered and and crackled and no arrows did fly,
Because a thundering terror rained down from the sky!

The next thing we know, the pies and the treats,
Flew high and exploded and rained down in the streets!
The crows and rats cheered and the childlings rejoiced,
But for the sound of the Count's own stern Voice,
"Go find them! The ranters! They are who to blame!"
And set off the hunt in Hemlock's own name!

Well the storm it died out and the hunters they ran,
And the ranters were rounded up quick as catch can,
And the Pennons was saved, the the Count warded up,
And high praise is given to a witch and a pup!

O never O never O never again
If they live to a hundred or a hundred and ten,
To jail with those blackguards, and we'll never let up!
The day saved, for thanks of troll witch and squire pup!

Lily watches him, and whispers "Sirrah? I think I know who you are... are you familiar with the word extortion? It is a very big word, but it has an x in it. The X makes it cool"

He jumps and looses a couple feathers in fright! "Why, lil' lady, you done startled my out of my britches. Now y'see, I've doodled my doo, and I'll just be on my way."

"i can't yell, but," she says "Dad gave me this. It's a whistle.. and I can blow it, and the thanes would SURELY check it out and most of the rivervale trolls so even if it hurt my ears, i might do it. you don't skip out on extortion, or it wouldn't work and no one would do it" A pout

He tilts his head, coxcomb falling to one side, "Well, missy, I wouldn't want you to hurt your ears. I don't see as I have the darndest idea what I can do you for?"

"of course you do" she says "you shall compose a love ballad, and deliver it to this adress in Earth Runes, to one Brenda Thomas, a satyress fledge. You shall tell her it is a gift given on behalf of her husband" Firm authority of a young girl who knows what's what

He blinks, "Bu-wha?" And his waddles waggle as he ponders this. "Lil lass, I'll gladly take on the commission for you, but keep in mind, a couple other long words. IN-tegriddy. Well, I s'pose that's just one. IMy songs are born out of the jest in my heart and music in my soul." He pats her on the head. "But for you little lady, I can figure out a love ditty."

She ponders this "You do tend to mix things up... fine. If she can't be with dad, I at last want her happy. Love ballad would be best, but.. a song to cheer her up is fine. Consider your extortion ...flexible"

A wink to the girl, and he struts on his way. His head shakes - he knew to avoid those River Vale trolls, but apparently they're diversifying!

And Lily reads a copy of the lyrics before putting it back pleased "my connor is the best boy in all the land." she ponders "I shall hold his paw when he finally must be put down and sent over the rainbow bridge"