#elsewhere

"I am almost done. And it's not fitting for me to call you by your first name in this hold. I am a Squire. Outside of it, perhaps. I don't know Rivervale ways. But i am looking forward towards it. A troll lodge sounds" A breath "pleasant"

True. If.. not terribly detailed

"I don't know the ways here, either. But... alright. Here it's Dame or Knight. Rivervale will be different. Can I at least keep you company as you work? I could answer some questions about home, maybe."

"As you wish, Dame" He resumes his work, seems quiet and for a moment she might think he has no questions, then he says "What duties will I be expected to do at RIvervale?"

She settles down to sit on the ground beside him, clasping her arms loosely around her knees. "That will be the biggest question - and that's, ultimately, going to be up to the Chieftain. Chief's a Baroness, but we don't use that title much at home. And in the Lodge, the Hearth and Mountain's authority carries nearly as much weight as hers. More, sometimes, in their special domains."

"It depends a little on what you're good at. I mean, all of the trolls do patrols - even the Chief, or Hearth-oriented ones like Tove or Gerd."

"Yes. I see you may have a surplus of warriors" He cleans expertly, taking as much care with it as Kerri does cleaning the stove "I am chiefly a warrior myself. Patrol will be no trouble. My legs are good. There is no shame in being 'just another sword arm' if that's required"

"Well, Sylvi and I are about to go off to college - I know that's going to impact our resources. So the timing here might not be so bad. But you are also experienced with more traditional noble courts. That could be an asset. But - I mean, I mostly serve under the Storm, too, but that doesn't make it all I am or all I do. I help the Hearth a lot. I like cooking. If there's something you want to do more of, but haven't been able to do here, maybe there's a chance to diversify?"

A tilt of his head, then "I wish to walk among trees, and smell the forest. There are forests in Virginia, of course, particularly in the West , beautiful ones. My experience in noble courts is mostly polishing armor, fetching weapons, or if there is a shortage of staff, drinks. I briddle horses and can work stables. " A shrug "Though here ships are prefered." A pause and a brow knit there, then he says "I have been told I have a good eye for sensing falsehoods, though I am no Gwydion."

A smile. "We have horses. Though you'll have to convince Stormwake you are worthy of riding him. He's a snob. And the forest is beautiful - both the natural animals and the chimera fall under our protection."

"I would never ride another persons' horse without the riders permission" He assures Then he stops "You guard your chimera? Interesting"

"The code of Dagda's first command is to protect the Dreaming - the escheat talks about Kithain life, but we're trolls. Chimera belong to the Dreaming, too. Sometimes, they are threats that must be stopped, but we don't allow wanton hunting."

A nod "The Baroness here is much the same about sea life and sea dreams. I can adapt to that." Polish clean antoher breast plate done

Valter seems to consider "Why did you change your mind in accepting me? Your satyress friend had everyone laughing their way to my rejection. Then you offered to present me anyway. I am grateful, but , I am curious why you did that?"

"I... my first reaction was uncertainty about the motive for the boon of a person."

"And I really can't speak for the Chief."

"I understand. It's an Ailil run hold, or at least influenced. You fear any gift is a trojan horse"

A slight nod. "Sorry." Another pause. "But..." she chews on her lip. "But being rejected out of hand sucks. And it isn't fair."

He considers this, then "It does suck. Yes." A beat "Would it help to know I am not Ailil?"

Her mouth tugs upwards a bit at the corners. "Maybe. I've met some Ailil who've surprised me. We have an Ailil ally to the north - my squire's father, actually, though Connor himself is unhoused."

"An ally?" he looks surprised, and, a bit worried "They are worthy winter kings, but one must be careful or one will end up in their machinations. I advise you to be careful of what you or your chief agree to too lightly but no, don't shut them out either. They're very good at what they do." A curiosu tilt "Connor is your squire. I too am unhoused. I was going to join Ailil at one time. Things change"

"I sained as a Gwydion. From what I can remember of before, it was a reward for saving a sidhe of that house. But some of our knights are also unaffiliated, not just the squires. And plenty don't have sidhe-noble titles at all. I.... didn't much like or trust Baron Aidan at first, but he takes good care of his people. I respect that."

"A dragon does not let anyone filch from his hoard, even at their worst, that can play to the peoples advantage. I admire Ailil. I also fear them" True and true "But I won't let my fear prevent me from serving Rivervale. Rest assured, and I'm glad you have found... a good one"

"Me too." She rests her chin on her knees. "I'm very lucky to have chrysalized at Rivervale. A lot of holds sound... harder."

"It varies in my experience. " he says "In some holds, fledges, particularly sidhe, can be quite spoiled, but even the non sidhe are treated like little gemstones in a crown. Others can be almost negligant, they assign a mentor and then HOPE it works. It sounds like Rivervale found a good balance"

"I was... late, a wilder. And they took good care of me."

"They're supposed to" He says "I am unseelie, though not as strongly so as some, but the words are 'Passion before Duty' not "Passion and then maybe duty maybe not." the Duty still must be done"

"Olgar always explained it as pride. No pride in just slacking off."

"And Olgar's as unseelie as they come, but he's a Rover, so you KNOW he works his ass off."

A nod "More balor around here than Rovers but all those who would guard trods are needed"

Her mouth tightens a bit at the mention of Balor.

"A Balor knight helped me, when I was trapped in the dragon's maw." Diplomatic.

"our healer... good as the snakes come, thus he will never progress far in his house" Said straight "That said, I think I would prefer rovers on the trods"

"I heard stories of Rovers and Balor working together when the Guidestone happened."

"Including giving up their lives to save others."

"SO the rumors of that are true? We only hear a few vague speculations mostly"

"We had a refugee blow in at home. Seemed legit."

A nod at that.

"And Olgar has been very busy with the fallout since. He has been stabilizing the silver."

Almost done with the last bit of armor then he stops "He .. that's a gift few master"

"Yeah, it's impressive."

"Now, Olgar won't give a shit about your title, but he might well welcome help on the trods. I can't do dream-craft, but I could guard him from attack while he concentrated on the bunk."

The Squire finishes "You are a very MODEST Gwydion"

ALl the armor done, everything at a shine

She shrugs. "I can get stubborn and prickly about stuff. Not proud of my temper, but it's there."

"Chief's a Gwydion, too. Baroness Brekke Shacklebreaker. Hard to get cocky when your liege is a literal living legend and she's modest."

"That can be humbling I imagine"

She nods.

"But she's amazing."

"I will humbled to meet her" He says earnestly