#fenixtj

Holger looks unsure about this. He has met Salma, but now.. he must face a Countess.

Word was brought to Jessica, of course, right away when Holger arrived with Gladiola. Jess made it clear that Dame Gladiola is to be treated as an honored guest, and Holger, once he has a chance to clean up and settle, can find Jess in her favorite working room.

Holger approaches, and at his request, Dame Gladiola is behind him. Holger wears his finest tabard. Dame GLaidola wears the colors of Silverwolf

There's refreshments set up, although Jess doesn't seem to need any right now. She just...waits, patiently, for them to come in and when they do... she pauses. And then stands. "Dame Gladiola?" to identify.

"Yes, your excellency." Dame Gladiola bows. She is a Native American, but no nunehi. Her spear however seems to be more indigenous in design, "Dame Gladiola , Kennelmistress of Silverwolf. Holger asked I join him for this , though I escorted him back partly to show good faith from my lieges, who send their regards and more."

Holger gives a troll salute, then looks at Jessica "FLamefree. I... is okay for a warrior to hug in such situations?"

A significant pause. "I'm glad to see you back, Holger."

"Greetings, and welcome, Dame. Please, be seated. And you, Holger."

Holger nods and is seated. Hugless

"Thank you, your excellency. "

"Would either of you like anything?" she nods to the food and drink.

"Thank you, your excellency" Dame Gladiola does take some coffee. A large dog is by her side, huge in fact.

"Does your companion need anything? Water, food?"

At that, the stoic Dairean brightens just a bit "Ivan was given water Holger when he came in, but thank you for the offer. Your excellency, I don't know how your court works, so please if I do anything that oversteps or disrespects please let me know? Holger speaks that you prefer... FLamefree? Is that a deed name or title?"

"I prefer being called Jess. Jessica. Either one." she says "We can get a bowl or two, whatever Ivan needs."

"Ah, yes, Jessica." A surprised look at the informality but she yields, "Then I'm Gladiola, or Gwen I suppose, as pleases you. " Ivan wags a bit at the kind lady mentioning food but Gwen looks at him "YOu'll be fine, Ivan." Fondly

"You're welcome here, of course, Dame. How long will you be with us at Renaissance?"

"Not long, your excellency," A beat "Pardon, Jessica. I wanted to be sure you knew of Holger's success, and how a dog of our kennels has been won."

She nods. "I look forward to talking with him about it."

Holger beams "Oh si, it was very grand. I do not remember it all, There was a minotaur chief , a bad man, not like Tonto who is fun, and prisoners, but they were freed later, and I got the Xolo healing charm for the dogs"

Jess nods, acknowledging Holger's report.

"The charm proves to be a treasure of great worth, it protects the dogs in an area from illness," Gwen adds, "Thus, that and his quest has impressed my liege. He'll get his pick of the litter it seems, or near it."

"I am eager to hear about it. From Holger."

Gwen inclines her heaed, "Apologies. I did not mean to intrude so much as support. If you would like me to leave , I can go, or I can just remain silent. Either way I meant no offense"

"No offense taken." As to a need for support, Jess seems to leave that up to Holger.

That seems to relieve Gwen who is glad to hear she did not mistep.

Holger looks to DAme Gladiola, "Dame GLadiola, could you please take some food with you and wait in another area for a bit? Miss Jessica may have a scolding for me, and I will not hide behind anyone for that even if I want to"

"Of course, Holger, if either of you wish me, I'll be where i can be found here" She rises, bows, and withdraws. Her dog goes with her

Holger waits till she is gone, then says to Jessica "Miss Jessica?"

"Si?" reverting to Spanish for the conversation.

He nods and says in Spanish "Salma was very angry with me. Are you angry with me also?"

"I am sad, and disappointed, and frustrated with you, Holger. And I am glad you are back, and safe. And I want to be proud of what you have done."

"I want you to be proud too" he says "I quested, this is a noble and great thing. And I have impressed the Lord of the Lobo Arengto. I .. I do not have the words like Dame Gladiola would, but I did not just get the right to a dog for myself, but our hold is now seen as worthy if we ever wish to trade again. No more quests required for you, or Ellie"

A long, thinking, pause. "Mm. Are you ready to continue to do this sort of work? To quest, to serve Renaissance, and to make us worthy?"

"I hope to. Salma calls me a cabellerito, I am not worthy of that I do not think, but si, I wish to help Fenix. I am too young to keep you safe, not well. I know this, but I will try. And I will grow, and i will shield Elliel and Salma and Ariel and even my fellow boys with my life, Senorita. I am a troll. A guardian. I would guard"

Jess nods and stands. She lifts her maul. "Kneel."

"Pardon?" but even as he asks, he does so

She touches his shoulders "I so dub you Knight Errand Sir Holger. Do you swear by the Dreaming to honor your heritage, to speak honestly, to be faithful to your word, to be generous, and give what you can to those in need? Will you be everywhere and always however you can a champion of right and good?"

His jaw drops, then he says "I do so swear it."

"So mote it be. Rise, Sir Holger."

There is a shimmering, and his armor seems at higher shine than ever, he feels stronger, he rises "I ... gracias, but I did not think I was worthy. Worthy or not, I shall be a good knight, the best I can be. Like your papa and the other knights of Rivervale. " He looks stunned and deeply touched

"I assign you to the childing court here. Report to Countess Eleanor and serve her exclusively."

"Si" He salutes, then says "Miss Jessica. As a knight, I should tell you, I still must get my dog ..and, there is an oath , another one, I want to take. I think it is a good oath"

"That is for you and your Lady."

A nod then his brow knits "You said ex..exclusively? I know you have your own knights, but I hope I am still welcome in your court? When they allow childlings?"

"You are a knight. Is there an age limit on that?"

"No. I suppose there is not" he salutes again, then ponders "I am sorry I worried you. I did not mean to do that. Salma said I was estupido , and I suppose I was, not to call. Your parents were not there, and had left so I thought since I could not go to them as you said, I would instead quest for the dog. But I should have called." A frown "That was not very knight like to do. To rush off without thinking of how others might feel. I will do better there too."