#fenixtj

Phobos and Demos have a new charge, sort of. The redcap boy.. they're firm with him, Borderline ROUGH, but that seems to be the redcap way. The boy already tried to bully Ahpuch, and Holger intervened. Rather than intrude, Phobos and Demos let the boys 'work it out' which frankly had Rosa and Maria fussing! Holger ended up with some scrapes, but won and the fledge learned what trolls do...and got little sympathy from his mentors.

That said, the brothers see to the kid's shelter, food, and education of Escheat and such.

Jessica approves.

Unallowed to intrude on the redcap boy's behavior OR Treatment, Rosa and Maria try to counter by attempting to spoil Holger rotten. However, Holger is a troll, and the more they try to make a fuss over him, when all he did (as he sees it) is a troll's duty, the more and more akward it gets for the boy. The ladies mean well, but this is definitely a case of not getting the troll kith. He politely declilnes the offers of cakes and new hats and so on, and extra play time. He might cast the Countess a look as if to say 'please help? I have boggans'

Jessica catches one of these looks at breakfast.

"Holgar, if you feel your duties permit, would you partner with me on patrol today?"

A grateful look like that of a dog let out of a kennel "Si, I mean..." Ahem "of course, Countess. It would be my honor" And he bows , his relief tangible

"Maria, Rosa. Could we have a couple box lunches please? Just in case."

They bow too and soon assemble two lunch boxes, troll worthy

While they do so, the boy mutters "Gracious, countessa"

"De nada, Holgar." and she continues in Spanish "A walk will do us both good."

And soon they are both on patrol. The childling troll almost visibly loses tension now that they're on a patrol, on a duty, and not being made a fuss over. He continues the conversation in Spanish "I do not like it when they.. make such a fuss. I know I should let them, and they mean well, but it makes me nervous. Am I ingrateful?" Worried

"No, Holgar. You're not ungrateful, as far as I can see."

"Gracious" He says "It's just...why should people make a fuss when all I am doing is what is right?"

Jess chuckles just a little. "That is a question you may struggle with the rest of your life, when you are not among trolls, Holgar."

Then she frowns, thinking.

"You know..... there's an interesting question. Hm."

A tilt to his head, he listens

She regards the troll walking beside her. "Holgar, I know you take your duties protecting Eleanor and the others seriously. Would you be willing to take a leave of absence to improve your performance?"

"But who will protect the girls?"

She nods. "Good question. Who would you suggest?"

"Holgar, understand this isn't set in stone. Just an idea I had. We can talk about it but not -do- anything, not yet."

"I.. don't know, with Tex... the redcap boy trying to bully, the girls may need me mroe than usual... but if I could get better .." He's torn but nods as Jessica assures him it's just an idea "I like the idea of being a BETTER Guardian. And I know the guards of the hold look out for them, but still.. maybe if I could find someone to protect them"

"Of course, they would not take your place. It would be a secondary post. And the girls might benefit learning to defend themselves." she points out.

"But, Salma is a smart girl and poooka, she is not a warrior.. she is cunning and wise, and knows the best stories." he seems rather worried "I do not know if she would like to learn the whacking and smacking" A consideration "But if this.. secondary post could do it, look after them .. maybe" A nod "I would come back a better guardian?"

"It's possible, if you apply yourself." Jessica agrees. "Maybe for Salma it would be best to show her close self-defense. How to break out of a grip, and use a dagger or something small."

He ponders "Oh like a judo master from the movies?" He ponders "She might like wearing a sunny yellow robe"

"Just so." Jessica stays aware of her surroundings even as she speaks.

It is at that time, when the Wyvern is spotted!

Now Wyverns are dangerous chimera, not as bright as dragons, nor as large, but venom tails or breath are nothing to sneer at . Further more, unlike dragons, they can't be bought off or reasoned with as easily. They've got appetites even redcaps respect.

"Holgar." She indicates the chimera and steps into a concealed spot, bringing him with her.

"Keep an eye on it, see what it's doing." she murmurs.

And he does, drawing his weapon and shield and readying wwith a nod

For now it seems to be flying about, scanning the ground

Jessica watches.

Then a pooka, a rotund cat pooka who visits Fenix only only now and then, comes out into the street. He sells tee shirts to the Tourists.

And the Wyvern swoops arcing to spear itself a feline meal!

"Freeflame, it's attacking!" Holger says

Jessica calls to the pooka. "Look out!" and she charges forward to intercept.

The rotund pooka looks up, throws his shirts into the air! This actually... helps! Buying the fellow cover and throwing the Wyvern off it's target! this buys Jessica time to intercept and as it came close to the ground, she can now meet it!

Holger is on her tail, not moving quite as fast

Jess has her maul at the ready without thinking about it, and she swings!

The maul SLAMS the Wyvern into the ground, it's tail swings for Jessica, but she manages to jump the attempt!

And Holger stabs at it from the other side, drawing blood!

Jess aims for wings or head, to disable/kill it.

Jessica's practice, numerous battles, and duels have honed her melee. Where her parents here, they'd be proud of the SMASHING blow to the back of the neck, just below the skull! The Wyvern's spine/neck cracks and it does what repitle like creatures do.. it spasms! It's tail thrashing wildly

THere's a CLANG! as the tail that would have hit Jessica in the side is blocked by a childling's shield! Holger's shield now has a dent, but it was enough to handle it!

and the Wyvern's twitches get weaker and weaker until it does realize... oh, it's dead. And collapses

Jessica glances around, breathing heavily from the combat but aware the Escheat must be protected before anyone can relax.

Down the street she can see an extremely fat cat running for the hills. Same pattern as the pooka and..yeah, that's the pooka now in cat form.