#rivervale_lodge

Squire Perchal flushes a bit at this, as though he was scolded. He straightens up and crosses his arms behind his back, ornately tooled gloves no longer in sight.

Gerd mutters to Frank "I don't like either of them"

and then she moves off to see the stable situation to. She clearly had to tell SOMEONE

Sylvi overheard that and says to Gerd, "Me neither. And keep an eye on how they act with Stormwake. I've got a feeling...."

Gerd nods, reassured that Sylvi shares the view.

Brekke nods to Aidenn, but does not add any further comment on the matter.

He leans against the fence, reaching down to take up a small handful of dirt from within the paddock, and lets it fall through his fingers thoughtfully. "If you may, a small amount of clay added to the soil may help keep the ground from eroding due to the wear. The soil of my primary paddocks I've had good results in a 20% peat mixture."

"Mm. I will consider it."

Looking to see the promised horse now....

She does not suggest he enter the paddock or the stable itself.

Stormwake is there, recently groomed and calm after having been exercised earlier in the day.

Stormwake looks at the newcomer, almost...judgmental

Dagmar lurks a bit protectively near the horse.

Brekke catches Dagmar's eye and gives a slight reassuring nod.

"Ah!" He whistles long and low, and even leans across the fence slightly, walking along the edge of it to approach the horse a little closer, though he does not reach out towards him. A true smile breaks across his face as he admires the creature. "Magnificent! Truly a stallion of note. Is it true you won him in a duel? I would have paid his ransom off threefold before losing such a fine horse."

Finally, only now does a hint of resemblance show through - in the smile, the carefree admiration, and the locks falling around his face - there, a bit of Connor. Only a bit.

The horse is indeed quite magnificient... and Stormwake struts a touch

"It was a complex matter, but yes, that is the essence of it. He is a fine horse," she finishes with trollish understatement.

She is perhaps a bit guarded, watching him as he moves around the paddock.

And yet when he circles, the stallion stops close to the chieftain and to a lesser degreee, Dagmar

"I did bring one of my own breeding here today." He remarks as he rejoins Brekke, still admiring the horse. "She was sired by Silverwolf's Glory by way of Bells in the Night, a faithful steed and one of my finest mares. I fear however, that she does not ... hmmm... match the standard we are breeding for at our stables, as her coat pattern is marred by unsightly dapples, where we have been working for a solid coat and contrasting mane. There was also... ah, don't let me bore you with our courtly gossip, but omens indicated that perhaps this one would better serve at another stable. I wanted to ask if you would be interested in a mare. "

Dagmar gives the horse a reassuring pat when he passes her.

Clearly these are the people he knows and recognizees

Dagmar's eyes widen - a second horse?

At the word Mare, ears perk.

"That horse is smart" Vali mutters

An eyebrow. "Tell me of the omens, please."

She notes Dagmar's reaction, but does not respond to it yet.

He frowns slightly, looking uncomfortable. "It was said that the oncoming stars would prove unfavorable to the dragon. Her hide is dappled nearly to resemble a constallation, and she has a mark on her forehead, called a star in Equine coat standards." A pause.

" She has not the biddable nature we wish of our mares, and nearly crippled one of my stallions - we sought to see if she'd breed true, but she snapped the hobbles. She kicked poor Perchal across the paddock, and it was only a quick hand at Heatherbalm that saved his shoulder from permanent damage." A pause, and he remarks with regret, "Were she a mortal horse, she'd have been culled at the spot. It may be that a stronger hand - literally, mind you, I speak of your Trollish strength - may better handle her."

"Called her what?" Connor asks, confused.

Gerd seems to like the mare already.

"What is bad omen for a dragon might be a good omen to us" Sir Vali says "Pardon my saying Chieftain"

Brekke looks grim at this description of the mare's treatment....and thoughtful. "And you just happened to bring this unmanageable creature with you, today, Sir."

A brief look to Vali, then back to the Ailil.

"She awaits on the silver trods with my own mount. It is not intended as any imposition. Clearly I would provide for her lodging, were you to take her. I would not kill a piece of the Dream, even if we do not... agree. Shall you refuse, I have other stables who may have interest in a horse. But, perhaps a strong spirit would be good for training strong young knights." A nod towards Dagmar looming in the back.

((Rather, shall you 'decline'.))

A measuring look. "At the risk of invoking long-standing sayings about gift horses...what would you have of us in return for this? For surely you recognize that a burden to you would likely not be such to us."

Gerd looks tempted to speak.

Sylvi tugs on Gerd's shoulder to get her attention and whispers, "What is it?"

She tries not to look too interested or excited, but some of it leaks past the Stoic.

Gerd whispers "if this horse is a bad omen for him, then there's no debt here ..we're doing him a big favor, but we should insist on providing it's upkeep on our own.. Free and clear on our side"

For a moment the goth wilder sounds as if she's tapping onto something..older.

"You would do me the favor of taking the star-crossed beast out of my hands." He replies. "I would pay for one to take her, if need be. Even if the end result were to keep the dream of her alive, as fine leathers, bone instruments, and horsehair ornamentation.

Jaw-jut, eyes and nostrils flare... but she holds her tongue!

An eyebrow. "Let me see her."

Sylvi whispers back, "Yeah...I can see that..."

He nods to Perchal, sending the boy to fetch the horse. The squire hesitates just a moment, then hides the nervous look and scuttles back to do as he is bid.

The Squire returns shortly with not one, but two horses! Smart boy - he leads the mount that belongs to the Baron, by the look of the tack, and the mare is hitched to that horse, keeping him out of hoof or teeth strike radius.

The gelding is solid, impressive, and beautiful, with gleaming black hide and silver mane and tail. If possible, the mare is even more of a gorgeous creature, power showing along her slender lines as nervous energy causes her tail to twitch. A solid sable throughout like the finest black velvet, and mane and tail of flowing silver. The effect is 'marred' by a splash of silver on her forehead, the mark called a Star in horses, and a spattering of silver dapples along her flanks as well.

"I don't think you should say so in front of him," Sylvi whispers back to Gerd, then bites her lip.

As she is led, she gives violent stamp of her hooves and an attempt to throw her head, curbed - literally! - by the English curb bit in the mouth of the spirited mare. As she pulls back, the combination of steel and strap puts pressure on her jaw, head, and mouth, though she tries to throw her head once more. A bit of froth, red-tinged, flies from her muzzle as she settles - not calm, but for the moment, quelled.