#odyssey

The others work, the little Countess now giving orders even as she pets Bilbo as if he were a life line, and she looks to Dagmar and Symon again, "I cannot thank you enough"

"No, probably not." Symon whispers under his breath.

Grunt.

"You have a problem, Countess."

"More than one, I suspect" the little girl admits "But do go on. Can I get you tea, sir sluagh? A drink of coffee, Dame Dagmar?"

"Oh, coffee would be nice."

"Where is my steward?" She looiks about "Oh poor Miss Parch. She's tried to tell me I shouldn't make rulings when I felt out of sorts but..."

the Sluagh comes up, looking ready to drop dead...but then, she always looks like that, she curtseys "The Cold Iron is dealt with. And I see Bilbo is with you , your excellency."\

Dagmar places a hand on her chest, mimicking the 'sluagh salute' with an earnest, if crude, attempt. "Thank you, Miss Parch."

"There also seems to be a human cabbie passed out from blood loss," Miss Parch says "Likely in need of medical attention"

"Yeah, he deserves better than that. Do you have a healer?"

Dagmar grimaces.

"He was shot by a goblin."

"Thallian, on MY Grounds?" The little Countess huffs, "Even Bilbo doesn't care for them and he likes everyone" SHe turns to a thane "Get a healer down to that human, make sure he gets healed ,and... we neeed to mess his memories a wee bit and hide the evidence so have someone heatherbalm his cab if need be. I also want patrols in a wide arc. Use Rin and Tin... see if they can get the scent though if the creature is wise said goblin will be long gone. Still seek out evidence we can use. As for my guests, I will see to them as will Miss Parch" She looks at Miss Parch "You must be a bit drained, Miss Parch. You'll take of the baLefire tonight."

"As you command," Miss Parch curtseys as the Thanes rush off to see to it. Two fae German Shepherds (not so slope backed as the AKC version) get to work.

"I DO command" the Countess said "And should have been commanding in ways that helped my people before this. Thank you, Bilbo." She looks at her critter "you remind me part of being a ruler is caring for the ruled. Dame Dagmar, Mister Symon? Please follow me"

She glances at Symon - but the knight does have a fairly substantial shadow to hide in. "Okay."

He nods to Dagmar, and slinks along beside her.

Countess Edrit and Miss Parch guide them on into the hold. In some ways, the interior is very like the lodge, but far grander and with more complex patterns. Symon might notice the railings up here , meant for artestry as much as support, are almost like a spider web of wood up there. And while the main hall is well lit, those rafters are where the shadows begin.

Dag looks around, both curious and on guard.

"Oh, I should say it officially, you have haven here" The Countess nods "And are my guests . Heck, you're my heroes." THey are lead to a small parlor to the side that looks for all the world less like a parlor and more like a a room inside a Skyim video game house, but it has chairs of all sorts.

and sizes

"Well, Bilbo was pretty brave. He escaped from those that tried to capture him. For ransom? I got that much before I lost the Whisper."

She nods, and listens to Bilbo who scruffs and wuffs, and her eyes narrow "I see. Thank you, Bilbo. "

"You can understand him? That's cool."

Miss Parch pours tea for Symon and coffee for Dagmar.

Red Koolaid in a mug for the childling countess.

Dagmar is not quite the Chief - she takes both cream and sugar in her coffee.

It is prepared thus

Symon accepts the tea, and offers a somewhat mangled to-go carrier of Lutefisk to share with Miss Parch.

"Oh yes" Countess Edrit grins proudly "It's part of the magic. Everything he says is clear as day to me." A look at Symon "He says you're very nice by the way but I mustn't tell that he told me or you'd be very annoyed" A giggle

"Scruf rhurr!" Bilbo protests at her.

"I couldn't help it" The little girl says impishly to her companion

An eye roll mostly hid by greasy hanging hair strands.

"No way the stink-fish survived..."

Impressed!

"I think it might actually be better. It's nicely mashed up now... Sorry, I think your potatoes are a goner."

"oh food! Shall we get you some?" The countess realizes "here I was about to offer a boon to you both and instead I've neglected your meals"

Over gross snacks, Symon, aside from the rest of the court, fills in Miss Parch with the details of the Twin Towers leg of their trip. He mentions Tess's assistance favorably, and describes the Thief and the Shooter as best as he can.

Miss Parch listens as gross snacks ARE served and enhanced, "It does seem to lean towards House Balor, but I suspect other agents even among Aesin preferred a 'harder' Countess" she admits

"Food would be really appreciated, thank you." Her stomach growls - they left too fast for her to eat, and she DID just do a lot of running...

"Oh! I know what you might like" She motions "it's not fancy and we can GET Fancy if you like but one of our cooks makes the best... oh well, wait and see" She issues orders

and before Dagmar is brought a plate with, along with a side... THIS on it

"I call it a troll buirger" The countess says "Cause I can't put my mouth around it"

"I'm not fancy, and THAT is glorious."

"It's all yours" The Countess says "But watch out for Bilbo, he might try to beg a fry out of you"

Indeed, Bilbo has those BIG googoo eyes

"Ah... is he allowed?"

"From what Bilbo tells me, he was kidnapped by commoners, but they were on a job, meaning a noble could have done the hiring, an probably did" The little excellency observes "Of course, I shall want their entrails exposed in the blood eagle for display so no one does this again to Bilbo EVER."