#rivervale_lodge

Then a sigh. "This courier is from Baron Aiden ap Ailil. He brings a message. For you." She sounds grim.
catnik 9:28pm CDT
An eyebrow.
catnik 9:28pm CDT
"Why would an Ailil be sending me a message?"
robinrahne 9:29pm CDT
Brekke looks like she might have suspicions, but she merely redirects that question to the satyr with a look.
rae 9:29pm CDT
"I wouldn't mind a glass of water." He admits. "It is a long trek from Carthage." And then he raises a brow at the admission. "Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike, may I presume?" Bowing now to the knight, even the dusty knight with hay in her hair.
catnik 9:30pm CDT
"I'm Dagmar, yes..." Wary.
rae 9:31pm CDT
"I came bearing a missive for you, from my lord Baron Aidenn Lowell ap Ailil." And he rests a hand on his bosom, between the crests of both Ailil and Silverwolf. Brekke still holds the scroll...
catnik 9:32pm CDT
"...with the horses."
shadylady 9:32pm CDT
Frank grunts and goes into the kitchen.
robinrahne 9:33pm CDT
Brekke looks down at her hand where, almost forgotten, the scroll still rests. A sigh...and she passes it to Dagmar.
catnik 9:33pm CDT
A frown, and she takes the scroll.
rae 9:33pm CDT
The scroll is fine parchment tinted silver, and tied with a black silk ribbon.
rae 9:33pm CDT
A wax seal, even, Fancy.
catnik 9:34pm CDT
She scowls at it, and breaks it open to read.
catnik 9:35pm CDT
Blink.
catnik 9:35pm CDT
She reads it again.
shadylady 9:36pm CDT
Frank returns with a glass of water, and it's not even a troll-glass; the satyr won't drown in it.
robinrahne 9:36pm CDT
"Can you share it, Dame?"

It reads:
catnik 9:39pm CDT
Dame Dagmar Hammerstrike ap Gwydion, Crash of the Storm of Rivervale, daughter of Skald Tove King and Jaymes King the Ironhawk, is hereby cordially invited to attend the Midsummer Fete of the Barony of Silverwolf, and be welcome upon our festival grounds. We understand you have an interest in the husbandry of hound, steed and hawk, both fae and mortal in nature, and would welcome you to tour stables, kennels and mews. We also ask that you may serve as escort for one Connor Lowell, should he choose to accompany you.

Cordially, from the desk of Baron Aidenn Lowell ap Ailil
(and a smaller scribbled inscription showing that it was dictated and written by another's hand)

Brekke listens as Dagmar reads aloud. She keeps her expression reasonably neutral, but her jaw is tight.

She frowns again. "I don't... I don't trust this."

A grumble. ("Feels like there's a trick.")

"Mm." Agreement? At least acknowledgement. And Brekke turns to regard the Ailil courier again.

He does not look offended. After all, his lord IS Ailil.

Sir Carowyn is not of the lodge exactly but he shoots a look to the two trolls ready to assist in anyway they might wish.

"Midsummer," Brekke points out. "Not long from now."

"Do you know why he's inviting me?"

She shoots a wary look at the stranger-satyr.

Julius gives the knight a courteous bow.

Brekke clears her throat. "He suggests she bring Connor. Would she be able to bring another companion as well?"

It takes a moment before the courier realizes that he is being addressed. He ponders, and suggests, "The lady is a knight, after all. If she were to bring a squire, or an escort, that may be accepted, or expected? I fear that I am no noble myself to read the minds of the high lords. But, I can say that it is not a truly formal occasion." Thinking. "A full entourage may be exceeding the bounds of courtesy, and require additional lodging."

(The courier does not ding)

"....I would like to bring a companion, yes."

Carowyn looks concerned.

Brekke nods and looks back to Dagmar. She looks like she's about to say something, but then nods as Dagmar speaks.

"I.. the Baroness Nadeen, as a representative of Rivenvale, to show respect?"

A slow nod. "Agreed."

"It's good to build relationships between freeholds."

He ventures carefully, "I would venture that this would be acceptable." And conversationally, "I do know that my lord had expressed interest in seeing how Tinuoroch was faring under your care."

"...Tinuoroch?"

A frown. "Tinuoroch...is not the name of any here."

A moment, and he thinks, "Tinuoroch out of Midnight's Blood, by Thúl-o-mithril, three-times winner of the Apple Cup. The Dame's mare? I believe she may have been renamed."

"Ah. Star."

A bow to the dame. "Just so."

"Yes. The Dame's mare. Star."

"I apologize. We are expected to know the pedigree names of the Lord's finest. I did not know she had a new epitaph." he does sound contrite.

"She fares very well, now that she is in hands that value her."

Julius clears his throat a little, perhaps looking tempted to comment, but says nothing.

Brekke's expression might betray a grin at that. A slight grin.

"So, your lord can rest assured in her well-being."

"It is impressive how one can thrive when not being regarded as less-than."

Julius comments, in a carefully neutral tone, "It is not for a courier to pass judgement on the contents that he carries. I am glad to hear though, that she thrives under your care."

"He can certainly witness her at Pennons." A very, very Gwydion grin. "She'll be hard to miss."

Sir Carowyn sips his drink at something

Brekke catches that and gives Carowyn a brow.

"There will, of course, be contests, sporting and livestock judging at the Festival. If the Dame has not yet had the pleasure of attending, consider it not unlike a county fair. You may well participate if attending, though of course it is all optional."

"Of course..."

A light look of concern at something in the truthbranch's eyes

"If I may? I am not expected back immediately, as it is a long trip. If you wish to consider, I would be glad to take your answer back on the morrow, or following day." Indeed, Julius does look worn out, and is wavering a bit on his hooves.

"Right..."

Brekke nods. "Unless you have immediate need of glamour, courier, I will arrange for a space for you in a local hosting place."

"I appreciate the offer, Baroness. I am well enough on glamour, though even the swiftest hooves may weary on such a trek. Eshu, I am not."

"You...he sent you here on foot? The entire way?"

A hesitation, though he answers, "I am studying towards stewardship, Lady, and as an exercise, wrote out the plans for travel for some farther away resources to join in at the festival. I did not consider the needs of horse and rider in comparison to vehicular travel, which is how I plotted the course. My lord is gracious to send me on a trip to learn how such a trek may have weighed on those who followed my prescribed route." A pause, and he adds, a bit dryly. "I think I can fairly say I shan't make the same mistake twice."

A brow as she weighs that response for truth.

It is truthful. Mayhaps a harsh lesson, but honest.

And definitely in his postscript. He has learned well.