#elsewhere

Lord Aiden approaches Lady Nadeen as she sits looking over some paperwork, perhaps college coursework?

“Steward Marigold tells me there was word from our wayward vassals.”

"Yes" She nods "They've apparently triumphed, reunited the family, but there is sorting out of details. They're keeping someone's trust so they didn't name names..." SHe pauses at that saying, "And have earned boons"

“Ah.” He says, considering. “I am of a mind to send Sir Raziel to see them home. He owes us at least that much.”

"I believe they have their own means working" She says "Also, we will not have the pleasure of being at Arthur's saining"

She does look a litlte sad at that, but not upset truly

“What means would those be? Have they a trod that will connect somewhere… civilized?”

"From what I understand, Thistlewaithe's step mother is there, I assume by plane. So they may take the plane back."

He raises a brow. “Has the Countess been consulted, as she is the one who deeded his fior?” He wonders, and then shakes his head. “Better still, let her not be. She did not seek our permission nor even input on sending him thus, and likewise, she may feel the snub of her Namer being shunned. It is meet.”

Then, looking to Nadeen, “If you also will it so.”

A smile at that, "That was one reason I told him he could get named elsewhere, though I did have provisos for his safety. The other is our normally impulsive Arthur actually THOUGHT to call and inform instead of acting blindly to accept this boon. I was firm with him about somethings," SHe ponders "Perhaps too firm, but it was pointed out to me by Marigold that he could have done it first without so much as a word. He did not, that speaks of greater maturity." She ponders "But yes, the fact that we were rather ramroded by the Countess did add to it. I didn't tell Art that part."

“Ah, a plane. Mortals and their conveniences. I hadn’t thought of such a simple solution. We shall send Wudlig to hasten them back from the airport, then.”

"Yes, they'll return triumphant heroes I suppose. " A nod "From I gather , Thistle is triumphant over all, but both Art and Gwen helped it be so. Our Gladiola is the one who did the most calls to her mother, assuring her she was all right and so on. Though there was a pooka miscomunication in there once"

He rolls his eyes heavenward. “I swear that Fate gave them soft eyes and round ears simply to make it so that we felt too guilty to punish them.”

“Perhaps this is more suiting. We will have time to decide our forward plans before Arthur returns. Assuming that Gladiola reports the House and Court results of his saining.”

"Well, whatever the House we'll make sure he gets proper training . Perhaps invite someone here to teach him if we don't have a representive of the house. If he's a Gwydion or a Liam, well, I've worked with those before" She shrugs absently "And know more than one to visit"

He frowns. “If he is of an unsuitable House, he would be better served being sent to one of those holds. There are nearby options that would allow him to retain connections with friend and family alike.”

"We'll he won't be heir, of course" She says "Not if he's of an unsuitable house. But why on earht would we need to arrange for a transfer? "

“See the benefits. As he will likely be seen as a potential spy, coming from an Ailil mentor, there is no reason not to have him report back in earnest, if he remains true to us. It is not as if he will be banished. But I will not have a Gwydion as my vassal.”

A brow lift as she thinks of Dagmar "Then I will, if he wishes it . Do you not recall my efforts to recruit Dame Dagmar? A horse rider and warrior even you respect? "

He frowns deeply. “I must consider our appearance. Accepting seelie vassals into confidence, especially of houses with which we are at odds, will be a sign of weakness to other Dragons.”

"We already have Seelie vassals in our confidence. Your own House wisely provides for Seelie members, though they are a minority among the dragons. IF we have a Gwydion we'll leave him out of some confidences, and frankly I'd be surprised if Arthur was that. He shows none of the signs ... he's no warrior skills, no truth reading, and minimal entitlement ... given his visions, Beaumayn is a risk, but again, tolerable. Eiluned, very likely, and quite acceptable despite my recent irritations.. my love, do you really wish to lose not one but two potential subjects ?"

“Two?”

"Yes. Thistlewaithe, she is at the least Arthur's best friend. And he hers. They have been united since their dual Chystalis. Remember how she came bristling and broken, unwiling to fight for her own worth for the longest time? Even then, when Arthur is challenged, she roars to his defense. One can barely chastise the lad while trying to educate him without her going full nocker in her opinion on how Art is innocent, and has been amazing. If we sent Arthur away, you can bet she would follow. Maybe not from this area entire, but you could bet she'd not put foot in Silverwolf proper at what she would see as a betrayal"

A consternated look. “After all we have done for her?”

"It woudl not be hard for her to rationalize it that we had snubbed Arthur after all he had done for us, and this was but the same practice we had demonstrated. But whether we agree with her logic there or not, yes, in heartbeat. It's not ingratitude towards you or I, lord, it's that if you ask her to pick between her friendship with Arthur and our benevelolence, she'sll choose him. "

He frowns deeply. “We shall see. Perhaps I worry for nothing.” He reaches for her hand. “How is young Lord Casimir finding our accommodations?”

"I was worrying he might be up to plotting or scheming" She admits

"But so far" Knock on wood" So good"

“Then we should recommend him to the Countess, where he will fit in swimmingly.” He jests.

A laugh at that, "HOw did he like riding?"

“He sits a horse well. I was impressed, and glad that horsemanship was not overlooked in his training.”

"I'm glad as well. Mind you, he was an excellent rider in hsi past life. Not as well as you, my lord"

He smirks, just a little, accepting the credit where it is due.

“Perhaps he should visit the Countess. he might be able to pick up on some of their plots. Even an Eilunid is hard pressed to pull one over on a Varich.”

"Mmm we're also immune to flattery" a touch of tease there, "But yes, our house, given time to observe, can discover much" She looks at her lord "He hasn't done anything to offend you I hope? "

“Quite the contrary. He has conducted himself admirably and with aplomb as would be expected of one of his station.”

"i'm pleased. I confessed I was worried he'd make a nuisance of himself. "A relief "Even as a grown man, father often was given to grandiose ideas that he would begin without consulting others."

“So you've told me. Still, even misplaced genius should be encouraged, if perhaps monitored.”

"Well, we can introduce him to the countess and see how they get along. But after the return of our own I would suggest?"

“Certainly. Don't interpret as I'm eager to see him leave.”

"No I shan't" A smile then she takes his hands "Now, I think we should have a welcome home feast for our trio when they do get here. What should we ask Marigold to throw in ?"

“Mayhaps they will wish to return to their families and a calm respite from adventure? As much as I know Marigold is up to the task.”

"A fair point, this was, after all for Thistle at least, about family. But I do grow eager to see them well and safe"

“Let us greet them privately. A fete and we may feel obligated for the Countess to attend, and I am not feeling charitable towards her at the moment. A celebration can be organized as warranted.”

"I see your point, this should be family and friends only so to speak. " She looks out the window "Oh, dear. Should I be worried that Briar and my father are conspiring near the laundry line ?"

A surprised look. “Is he bleeding?”

"Oh goodness" She moves down the steps

A sigh, and he follows. “Troublesome.” Though, he looks amused.

(And off she goes to there instead of elsewhere)