#rivervale_lodge

"Hounds and horses are my passion, and Calanthe has done a fine job building out the mews. We soon hope to look into breeding efforts, though we are considering a shift over to Gyrfalcons. Recent articles have shown that they are being affected more than most by warming climes, and in danger of extinction - I had thought that reintroducing a Fae element to the wild may help them learn to adapt. Or if not, then breeding may help stave off their decline." Aiden warms to the topic.

Nadeen nods quietly. She seems almost demure tonight

"I have also heard this, but had not considered the introduction of fae lines. It may work," Brekke nods, intrigued.

Frank follows up at the rear of the group.

"Dame Dagmar, I'd like Squire Connor to assist Bluebell with the horses while you bring Spark over, please."

She nods and half-crouches to murmurs a few encouraging reminders to Connor.

"We were concerned for Star at first. It was not a standard delivery. But the reasons for this soon became clear, and both dam and foal are now thriving."

"Dame Calanthe, has the new Gyrfalcon accomidated well? Sir Sergei was sure the bird would prefer New York Summers to Missouri ones"

That from Nadeen

Leaving Connor to the Silverwolf horses, Dagmar goes to get the foal. A simple rope halter, gentle leading.

Brekke notes that Oak is staying near Nadeen, sitting at regal attention now as the group has stopped at the stables.

"Snowfall has been behaving marvelously. A true queen of the sky. I cannot wait to see her in the winter, white feathers above the snow." Calanthe comments, moving forward to watch as the foal comes out.

"Truly - wings." Aiden sounds quite incredulous and looks to Brekke. "Something on his sire's side? I would know, surely, if such a feat was possible in my bloodlines..."

Stormwake snorts proudly. There is nothing wrong with his sons' wings

"I've a treasure, so that Star can fly. She outraces the wind."

"Spark?" He questions, then a thin smile. "Well, there is not yet much of him to warrant a thoroughbred's stable name. I wonder... what other treasures may lend gifts to progeny if used while breeding... that definitely warrants further study."

Calanthe watches, her eyes riveted on the foal. A small smile curls her lips.

"We know that Star was in a flying race while pregnant. The Dreaming seems to have translated her spirit into her son's form."

"Spark is... well, a placeholder, until we figure out what fits."

Siv strides into view "Alas, no Norweigan names"

"I do not know if the effect could be repeated."

The colt snuffles at Aiden.

A brow at Siv. "Baron Aiden, Dame Calanthe, this is our daughter, Lady Captain Siv Waveborne."

Siv bows with a hat flourish "Your lordship, Dame"

He starts to raise a leg as if to swing over the paddock fence in a practiced gesture - then stops himself, straightening up to face Siv. "Lady Captain? A pleasure." To Brekke, "May I take a closer look? If your stallion allows the intrusion."

Brekke gives Stormwake a pointed look, then nods to the Baron.

Stormwake is resolved as his rider insists

Nadeen whispers someething softly to Brekke

"Pardon." And he's over the fence, and crouched to hold out a hand towards the small colt. Star gives a worried whinny, but the man doesn't press his advance, just softly speaking.

Calanthe drifts over towards the stable stalls. "Bluebell, is Veritas well?" Peering in to where the pooka, servant and squire, went.

"Hm," Brekke responds to Nadeen's whisper, but she doesn't say anything further at the moment.

"All is well, Star," Brekke says.

A glance to Frank.

Dag Pat's Star with her free hand and makes reassuring shushes.

"He has not yet flown," she says to the Baron, "but he is beginning to get some control over his wings. I believe they will be functional."

"Allow me to escort you, My Lady." Frank rumbles, and goes with.

((I miss-read, sorry. I see it now.))

Aiden talks to the horses, and half to himself, "I see you there, missy, oh, you raise your lip. I shan't do anything to warrant a bite. Fine teeth, she's been getting enough calcium, no doubt on that." And once the colt calms enough to come over, Aiden gently runs a hand over him, from neck to flank, lightly feeling the play of the young muscles with a practiced hand. He hesitates a moment before lightly stroking a wing, to see if the Colt startles or seems to favor them as sensitive.

Calanthe gives Frank a sweet smile. "Oh, you needn't bother. I must see to my hawk, and am sure that Bluebell will serve me well should I need a hand.

Siv nods "Star has been treated like an olympic athlete."

Dagmar watches the sidhe with a bit of her own wariness.

But mostly, more than anything, assessing how HE treats the horses.

Brekke observes as well, her expression carefully neutral.

"Oh let me, Da." Siv says "Happy to keep a fellow knight company" Siv moves over to the lady Ailil "Dame Calanthe, I got to visit an Ayrie. Magnificent birds of all sorts. You ever been to Earth Runes?"

"It is no bother."

Delicately spreading out one of the wings, he stops when the Colt seems wary and tries to dance away - he lets go. "Wingspan seems a little short, compared to the size of a hawks span-to-body ratio. But with the weight of a horse, even were he hollowboned..." Lightly raising a leg, then letting the Colt stamp free, "It wouldn't be enough lift to fly. Mmm." He rubs his chin, unaware he has smudged soil from the hoof on it.

"But, magic... ah, that's where we have the edge."

"Indeed."

"But magic, yeah." A touch of brow-furrow and a nod.

"Nicely proportioned, it doesn't seem that they'll drag the ground..." Watching Spark prance. "A special saddle will have to be made, to accomodate them, even if mortals cannot see them - else he will be very discomforted. I know a quite skilled leatherworker who has my patronage, if you care for a referral."

Calanthe nods pleasantly enough to Siv. "Lady... captain, is it? Pray, what means that title? An army consignment?" She seems somewhat amused.

Brekke raises a brow. "I would be interested to know such a crafter, thank you."

She nods. "We've over a year yet before he's ready...." A glance at Brekke, to confirm.