#elsewhere

"Good work, good work" She says "I'll take it from here"

As much as she might like to drive in on Gertrude, this is a Tradition Thing, so she's hoofing it.

"Uh..." A frown. "I don't think that's how it works, Danica."

Danica says "Baron's orders. Too many scumballs trying stuff this year. So give" A flexing motion with her left hand

A happy bark indicates Muppet has already smelled her and is on the way.

"It's okay. I wanna do the last stretch, please?"

"Look, kid" She says irritated "I got my job, you did yours..."

Muppet comes into view

Kid? Got my job?

"I know that, yeah, but I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to..."

She backs up a step.

This doesn't sound like Danica's usual talk...and since when does she smoke?

"Hey now..." The troll steps forward "Since when do you..."

Muppet has bounded up, and sniffed at some underbrush, revealing the REAL Danica who appears to be unconcious

WIDE eyes.

"...disobey an order.. oh shit" the 'troll' says

Shuffle, stamp, stamp... "Baby I'm a fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiirework!" A hasty bunk to Hopscotch!

And the lantern in her hand seems to aid... really really aid, as NASA we have lift off! She goes twice as far as usual, and that much closer to home

The features of the troll blur... as the figure who tried to take the fire gives chase, but now at real disadvantage

She lands and hits the ground running! Hopefully, Muppet is smart enough to follow.

The Nevers are ringing in ourage!

Muppet shoots like a greyhound, a short short greyhound... after her. Barking and raising a fuss

Barking AND bells, probably enough to set off more than one dog.

CHIME! The nerve! Chime! Indeed, this goes beyond the pale! Chime Chime! There will be a complaint to the manager!

And yes, the kennels are active

Linnae looks over "Thistle? What's wrong?"

"Fake... Danica!" She replies, still running full-pelt!

Linnae says "On it, alert the others" Grabbing her gear she moves off towards where her sister should be!

"And get the fire inside!"

She sees Gwen near the kennels checking what's wrong. She sees Lavender calming the horses

Huff... hufff... uhg, this is worse than gym class

"What's riling the dogs?" Gwen asks

Typical Gwen. Not 'what's got you ready to puke your lungs out from effort?' nooo it's all about the dogs

"*^&^%^$%$!!"

SHe meant to explain more, perhaps, but here we are!

Gwen blinks, "That's a bad one" She notices the paint peeling off the kennel , and she gets her gear "Come on, Ivan."

What unfolds is something of a rush. Silver Wolf is too well guarded for someone to pull this and get away with it for long. Thanes and knights pursue the shapeshifter and track them down. Thistle is pulled into the main hold and with her, the balefire.

Once inside, she takes the moment to catch her breath.

The Baroness says "Are you hurt? Are you okay? And.. is the fire untouched by any but you and the one who handed it to you?"

"No, yeah, yeah."

Marigold is a blur, drinks given and more.

Thistle is still holding her lantern close, until it is time to do the deed.

"You're safe now," Nadeen assues her, "And so is your charge. You've gone above and beyond."

"Right, but I'm supposed to take it all the way to the fire. Right?"

"Yes, yes you are..." She nods "We were going to do that with folks witnessing you doing it. Do you want to wait, or do it now? " She offers

"Now?"

"Then, let's do so" She says "Follow me to the fire."

And Nadeen glides ahead

Somewhere, outside the hold proper, a Thallian is getting an arm chicken winged!

She follows! The Balefire here is often closely guarded, a rarely seen thing even if its warmth permeates the hold.