#rivervale_lodge

"So..." A whisper "whole story?"

"Well, I only know it second-hand." She looks to Dagmar to continue.

"Like - the note?"

"This satyr came to deliver it. Chief sent him off to a motel instead of staying here."

"Yeah? Satyr huh?" A sniff

"Well, anyways..."

"The note was inviting me to come, and Connor was an afterthought." Frown.

"I adore you, but.. Connor's the one I worry about. " She says "Wait, why you?"

"Well, yeah. That's the question."

"Nadeen and I pretty much figure it's because of Star."

"I think that's a fair bet. Or...hm...I suppose he could be trying to poach you, Dagmar."

Eyebrow.

"That doesn't make sense."

"Why not? You're a hero, a jouster, you know good horseflesh...you'd be a fine Thane for his court, perhaps."

"Gwydions do not do well in Ailil courts I hear" Gerd says

"Well, true. I'm just trying to figure out other possible angles."

"Do you want to go?" Gerd asks a bit confused to Dagmar

"I'm pretty sure it's the horse."

"Not exactly. I want to know what he's up to."

"Why?" Gerd says "I mean, one of my good friends is an Eiluned..so I get being curious, but other than that? He's there, we're here."

"You talked to Nadeen about it, Dagmar?"

She nods.

"Nadeen's willing to go, or to write a response saying no that won't insult anyone."

"And Nadeen thinks Star should stay home, and stay guarded. If I have her there, he could pull right of Desmense."

"What did she think about not-going? She can manage a no-insult response to an Ailil court?"

"Nadeen thinks I should say no."

"Ah, good point about keeping Star here. I..." She pauses. "Hm."

"I wonder...if he's thinking about presenting you with an impossible choice."

"Such as?" Gerd inquires

Frown.

"Dagmar...you're a hero. Your first impulse is always to rescue those in need. If he shows you a person or animal in crisis -- tortured, endangered, something -- then says he'll release them to you if you promise him Star's foal....? What would you do?"

"I..."

Another frown.

Gerd's frown joins hers

"Star's foal isn't mine to give. Stormwake is the sire, and so Chief's got a claim."

"I'm...not actually sure how that works, legally. I know farmers hire studs to breed their mares, but the foals belong to the mare's owner."

'...Oh..."

"I guess I should just ask Nadeen to write the letter?"

Gerrd says "I'm.. more worried about lil brother" She says "I don't want him near 'there'"

"Neither do I."

A deep breath, thinking. "If you need us to arrange an event to cover for it, let me know."

"Well - there's the Count's midsummer?"

"I wondered that myself" A nod

"I still don't want Star alone..."

"Perhaps...ah....Caer Falken is not far. We can have you bring Star on a pretext of some sort."

"I guess."

"How about 'this is the horse who will be used to stomp many of you during the jousts. Give her a carrot now , and perhaps she will show mercy'?" Gerd steeples fingers

"Ha! Very strategic."

"Mmm."

"Thanks" Gerd grins