#rivervale_lodge

Her brow furrows as she kenns the document for glamour.

"It's a good bargain, and .. the Baron still feels his wife's loss keenly. There's more to it than that" She admits

"It's a good gift. And maybe the foal will be good for Connor..."

((I asked @rae what might show up on kenning...no response yet. Sorry, didn't mean to freeze the scene.))

"I think...it is a good gift, yes. I think you should tell Connor. Does his father wish us to return the knife?"

"Yes, well, the goodnews is that all of Star's foals from now on go mostly through Connor and you, Dagmar" A look at the mare "Not that she may ever want another after this. She's sulkier than Tove was"

"She's not well."

"Yes, I told him I would return it" The Baroness says "And, regarding that," Nadeen straightens, "Never would I steal Sylvi's thunder, but the Baron did hope to build alliances here. I told him that was not likely, as graciously as I could. However, I believe I should have my duties expanded. Liaison to Caer Falken is infrequent as it is. I believe I could also be, and be quite good as an emissary to Silver Wolf. I believe I have proven I can bargain well with the man, to the gain of Rivervale and to Connor"

A brow at Nadeen, another look at the scroll, then a glance at Dagmar before looking to Nadeen again. "Baroness, I am, at this moment, thinking about the unseelie nature of both Ailil and Varich. You have become a trusted presence in this barony. I want to be able to continue to trust you. I want to agree to make you official emissary to Silver Wolf...but I find myself wondering if that environment might...influence you."

Dagmar frowns.

"More than the trust she has earned here?"

Nadeen puts a hand on Dagmar "it's okay, dagmar, it is. I understand her concerns. I don't agree with them, but I understand them" She then looks at the Chieftain "Chieftain, if I may say, I cannot say I am completely uninfluencable. I have picked up a few trollish and Gwydion flares that I find a bit alarming in fact. However, I am not weak willed. And further, what you may allow, you may also revoke should you decide I am not asserting Rivervale's influence properly or at least defending it. I believe.. no, I KNOW I am worthy of this expansion to my position, and I am good at it. You seem afraid I will go Unseelie, which is interesting as I'm unseelie already and have been since a week after Beltaine." True "But I am loyal to Rivervale. " A thought "Inded, with my father a childling and safe... I have no other loyalties save to those here. But I do not give loyalty lightly. I will not 'convert'"

Brekke listens, then nods. "I am not asking you to 'convert,' as you say. What you have said...it is enough. I thank you." A solemn nod. "I will have the Mountain write a formal scroll of appointment for you to carry to SilverWolf when you return the blade."

Nadeen looks as if she wants to say something in response to something said before that, then she curtseys "Thank you, Chieftain. While it is too soon to be sure of how the wind blows with Silver Wolf, I believe currently it is in our interest to undercut Dame Calanthe just so so lightly, while making sure Baron Aiden stays in place. I know Gerd, and Dagmar, and..well everyone here, does not think highly of how he treats, or rather doesn't treat with Connor, but that doesn't change the fact it's to a greater advantage to have him instead of her."

Eyebrow.

She gives Dagmar a sheepish look "I'm still a sidhe, Dagmar. Politics and power are in my blood"

"Oh, I know. But why is he better?"

"I think I agree. He seems to be dealing honestly when he deals with us at all, while Calanthe has been deceptive."

"She is the one who came to negotiate about Star's foal, is she not?"

"I think she may have come without his knowledge in that effort."

Frown.

"She's the one that was there when Connor ran off."

SHe answers Dagmar "Calanthe is more ambitious, Dagmar. She wants social events, connections for Silver Wolf, political pull and power. This is not atypical for an Ailil, or even most sidhe... but Aiden is interested chiefly in his horses and kennels... cutest little bear dogs litter by the way... and thus, if you really want to curb Aili influence? He's the better person to have on that throne" For now

"Mm. She is trying to use him, and counter to his father's interests. It may be that some of what we blamed him for was actually her doing. But I am not so skilled at politics."

"No... why can't nobles just say what they mean?"

A look at Dagmar "Because, that would border on the banal" Nose wrinkle "Where's the nuisance, where's the subltle pull of string to see what, and WHO moves? Where's the coaxing and cajoling that makes mere management the glamourous great game of rulership?"

Brekke sighs. "I understand. But think of it as a battlefield with a treeline. Sometimes you make an open feint with one force to distract from the force that is concealed and ready to strike."

Grunt.

"Glad I'm not a Baroness."

Eyebrow.

"you're the perfect knight, Dagmar" A kiss on the cheek

A touch of purple and a little smile.

A slight grin and a nod. "Well...good. Please tell Connor of this new arrangement. And Dagmar...I understand what it is to watch a mare in foal. I will take time to watch her now if you wish to sleep a time. Or...simply to get away for a bit."

Nadeen nods

"Mm.. sleep might be good."

Nadeen shoots a grateful look to the Chief as Dagmar actually considers sleep

"Go. Either I or one I trust will be here to watch her, and you will be contacted if anything occurs."

"If I go home, you'll get me there?"

"Yes."

Star's tail swishes lightly at some imaginary fly. She dozes, standing, in her sunbeam.

"Go," Brekke repeats to Dagmar. "You may wish to remind her how to find her way home, Nadeen, she has been away from it for so many days."

"I... okay."

"Feels like it."

"I see that now" Nadeen's eyes narrow a bit on Dagmar and she takes her hand "I'm gone for a little while and you abuse yourself." Dragging her

"Did not. Star's sick..." But she follows.

"And she's got great medical care... " a fuss.

"Maybe just a nap."

Brekke watches them go, noting that Nadeen is fussing over Dagmar as much as Dagmar fusses over Star. Then she begins her watch, taking the time to work on the cleaning out the stable as well.

Star is restless. She paces the far length of the paddock, and back again. Gazing off over the fence - one hoof raised as though she would jump it, if she wasn't just so... unwieldy. Instead she paces again, back and forth.

A voice "Okay, so I think now is the best time" Clem says "Having looked at her earlier"