#elsewhere

Aiden seeks his beloved, checking her usual haunts. Their shared chambers, her study, the mews. It either does not occur to him to send a text message, or perhaps the search and discovery is part of the joy of finding her.

He finds her with ..chalky hands in a hall way? "OH, Aiden, hello"

He looks at her hands, and back at her. "Do you need some lotion?"

"No" She blows at her hands, and the chalk powder flies off to the side "I merely helped put an additional ward up should a certain Ogre wake. Not sure how long it will last however"

He reaches for her hands, not caring if the powder dusts onto his own skin or sleeves. "I have heard the tale thrice over now. You were magnificent."

"I was," She beams "But I perhaps should have found another way to enforce my rules. We'll have to portray this right among the common folk. I think we can. That bastard went after a commoner's kinsman. That's something anyone can sympathize with."

A frown and a nod. "While we should not seem to coddle the general mortal populace as Liams might, it must be understood that our kin, dreamers, and chosen companions are sacrosanct."

"Yes" She admits "I don't regret the Thallian's death, he unleashed magic he was not ready to deal with: I was. I do feel i've cheated you and Dame Gladiola a bit. I know you had plans for the wretched creature. Do forgive. It escalated. " her hands in his , she kisses him

"I admit some relief that you have saved us the work. Though I would have wanted to interrogate the creature, in the end, I think he was not fated to walk away from here, one way or another. Gladiola may be more upset to be denied vengeance, though. I plan to allow her free reign on the Ogre, should it prove that he was involved with either kidnapping attempt."

He frowns a bit. "So far, we only have evidence of association with the Spriggan, and his very nature is enough to damn him... the Pooka we have on outright charges, he was caught redhanded at the scene of the dognapping. This ogre though, if I understand, was trying to collect - no, better to say, extort funds from a resident in our barony."

"Yes, what IS your pre existing policy on Thallian, love? In Bergen they're ..pretty much treated like a cancer in need of removal, they're beyond nightmares there, they're toxins to the Dream. However, if that wasn't the policy here before it may seem abrupt. Of course, aiding a known child napper is certainly enough."

"I..." He looks to Nadeen, and then away, frowning. "Policy and enforcement always fell under Calanthe's aegis. She saw that they were of no concern to the Barony. What form that control took - I could not say."

"I had wondered" She touches his cheek "Love, you were not in your fullness then. She called it aiding you, I call it a soft coup. Then it seems policy must be restablished from the ground up. Clearly, she was wrong, they are a concern to the Barony when they come to our hold to steal what is ours then move onto our kinian. As you said, one need not be a Liam to consider Kin, Dreamers, and chosen companions sacrosanct. "

He nods at that, his expression clearing. "We may not be able to rely on precedence, but perhaps this is better still - a clearly stated policy, as you said, from the ground up. Let there be no question."

"Then you and I must present a united front. The spriggan was undoubtably guilty, twice over, and then died by his own spell. The Ogre threatened a Piskie, and thus threatned the right to life. " A pacing "As to the pooka... you are more versed in Soothsay than I..." She relates the omen cantrip and it's results

He shifts his weight. "I am disinclined to lend too much credence to an omen, nor to touch the strings of fate. However, this seems to be a clear portent, as they go. A harsh upbringing lends a normally kindly and simple kith to a life of crime - either groomed into it, or forced? Left to continue on this path, he shall find his own destruction. But forked, another fate may await. Therein lies the mystery. For good or for ill? Do we wish to take a chance on such a creature?"

"Indeed, I suspected as much" She frowns "He is no beastie, he IS a changeling, THe escheat should apply to him. I think more over that granting him a chance at rehabilitation might reflect well upon us, but Pooka are hard to understand even when sincere. He did help with the puppy napping, Gwen is witness to that, but he might be rather a victim himself. "

"It is almost enough to make one envy the Gwydion boon." A minute pause. "Almost."

"Don't hurt yourself, love" A bit of a smile, "Should I ask Dame Dagmar to help us?"

"Perhaps. As your friend, I will leave that decision to you. She is welcome here." Pondering, "This pooka has not as of yet shown any sign of contrition or act of retribution, as guided us to Rochallor, in a not dissimilar situation. However, I agree that we may allow a stay of judgement, a chance, no more. No leeway, no 'strikes'. If he rejects or abuses the chance provided, then we must be swift in response. We can afford to show mercy. Not weakness."

"Agreed. If we do show mercy, it will be held by the thinnest thread. And he is NOT to go near Mishka or the pups. I think Mishka might rip him apart no matter our call on this"

"Now, who to handle him? Shall we grant Gladiola the duty of judging his potential for rehabilitation? Or is she too close to the matter at hand?

"I am hesitant to increase her duties. A failure to produce positive results out of this mongrel may discourage her. However, it was her duties and charges that were threatened directly by his action."

"I am cautious about putting a Daireann troll between duty and revenge..." She says "Gladiola is a fine knight, but she seems to have taken to extremes a bit of Martyrdom. While even after all this, she feels she did not perform well. I had to assign her a project. She's to write an oratory or poem of her triumphs and ability and read it over dinner in the next week"

He nods. "Then, perhaps Bluebell and Rochallor? The former, kind hearted but stern when it comes to possible mistreatment of animals or children. The latter, still a childling himself, but one who has known the situation of choosing between orders and what is right?" He looks to Nadeen. "Unless you have other suggestion?"

"We could turn him over to Dark Gate for community service. They are allies and THEY stand against the Dark Thallain serve. It would be a kinder punishment than many would expect, yet no coddling."

A slight raise of brows. "Why would they desire to take on this burden? I suppose we might repay or barter with them, coarse as that may seem."

"Because, no one the scent of Spriggan better... and we have something that will put them in our debt " A smile "Thanks to Thistle, we have a proven Sprigan alarm"

He considers this further. "His presence may be a burden to Gwen. Let us speak to Dark Gate. It is a good idea. If they should decline the 'opportunity', we can revisit options. Until then, he may remain in Briar's custody." A thin smile. "She is enjoying the activity."

"Mmm a bit too much I fear, " Amused "But yes, if she doesn't hurt him. Now, I think we actually will have a debt in our favor if we share the alarm with them. What else should we ask for besides the pooka keeping? "

"I am loathe to say it, lest it seem courting further trouble... but we may have need for a holding cell, or reinforced chamber."

"Should an enemy attack in the future and require entrapment rather than outright extermination, we should not have to seek outside our Barony for the ability to hold such."

"Yes. " She nods "A basement, something underground, so it doesn't mar the land scape?"

"Just so. I am certain that Wudlig could construct a labyrinth... but that may take more space than we'd wish to dedicate to a potential need." A small smile.

"He does tend to get carried away," She admits "The Journeyman made me a new clutch purse... I have to open it three times and answer a riddle to get to my make up"

"Speaking of Wudlig, I did wish to speak with you about our fledges, as well."

"Oh?"

"I am concerned that they are not getting the best structured education they could hope for. While the unstructured 'village' approach worked well for Gladiola, both Thanes took it upon themselves to mentor her in turn. It did not need formalization.

Now, Gwen seems to have accepted the two new fledges as her duty, which concerns me. She is a Knight, true, but still only newly fledged herself. You have seen firsthand her tendency towards - you phrased it well, as Martyrdom."

"Honestly, I think her former mentors want to take turns shaking her... Thane Linnae was caught muttering "I've turned to disney for hope" whatever THAT means." A shrug then she says "Yes. It's more than duty, I think. I believe she actually sees Thistle as a friend, and perhaps Arthur to a lesser degree. It can be hard when your friends suffer and you can do nothing that works to help them" Well I knew when I grew to care for Dagmar and she would enter a melancholy "but yes. I think Dame Gladiola maybe in the roll of the 'easy sibling' and spoiled us a tad. She took to your wing from the start, my dragon."

He raises one of her hands, still held in his, for a kiss.

"I believe it would be wisest to formalize a mentorship for each fledge with members of their own kith. For Thistle, I have already spoken to both Willy and Wudlig, and they have agreed to take on her training with them directly. Which is not to say that others may not, and indeed, should not advise and assist, but hopefully this will help clarify where some of the onus of responsibility lies, and that it is not, despite how it may feel, entirely upon Gwen's shoulders. Strong though they may be."

"Oh I'm sure Willy was eager to take on Thistle" Dryly, "Social butterfly that she is." A curious tilt, "Your kith for kith approach indicates that one of us should take Arthur as an apprentice."

He nods slowly. "I wanted to ask how you felt about this. I cannot deny that he seems to have been gifted, or cursed, with a tendency towards prophetic events. His skills must be nurtured and monitored, to see if it is a fluke, or an ongoing trait." A small frown. "It may be an indicator towards his House. Or, it may be an ability that is independent of any affiliation. Much is, and shall be, shrouded until he can be sained."

"Yes, he's like some odd Eiluned Beaumayn hybrid... but, at least he's shown no sign of being a Gwydion?" a light tease there, then she says "I confess, the boy's brashness confounds me, but Gladiola has advocated for him , particularly since his vision helped stop the Sprigan's first attempt to steal. He is.. surprisingly brave and even giving in a clutch, but prone to a bit of self focus when there is no clutch. Are you hoping I will take chief duty in his education?"

"I would like for you to be involved, yes. I will also take on some of his training. We may wish to seek a natural seer to help guide his talents as well."

"More recruitments?" A pondering "Perhaps.. no that's probably unfair to the boy"

"Mm?"

"Perhaps see how well he takes to soothsaying, added to his visions, he might be an excellent Seer himself one day. He's already showing basics of Soothsay I think. "

A slightly pained look, but he nods. "Then we must encourage him to learn where his talents lie."

She leans against him "I know, Soothsay is no light thing to teach, and your own history shows the dangers. Prudence would be among the lessons. It is also possible he'd be interested in Dreamcraft for all we know. We'll find out, but it is getting time to step up their lessons there, both of them." A curious tilt "Onto happier news? I believe I have found a babysitting gig, did I mention that?" She seems tickled

"A... Nadeen? You are... seeking employment?" He looks rather puzzled.

A laugh "not quite, it sought me.." And she relates the story, of Pepa/Patty, and her brother on the ice, how they came to her defense, though Pyshka had THAT in hand, and meeting their mother and the ice skating lessons she now gives on Thursdays "I had no idea how to tell her my wealth exceeded hers politely, and besides, both the boy and his mother are dreamers, with proper musing. Pepa might one day become one, but even if not, a fine young daughter of eve."