#rivervale_lodge

A slightly narrowed look. "You are toying with him to gain an advantage."

"No, toys are for play" She says. "I was not playing. I weaponized what I found laying about ,and used it in a battle for influence. The stakes are not sufficiently soft for me to 'play around" Nadeen lifts her chin "He is not attracted to me, not in that way I think, but he is lonely. He and I understand each other. We are each imperfect members of our Houses"

A brow again. "I have the briefest inclination to protect the Baron from you," she says with a note of irony.

Slender brows rise, then lower, and a slight twitch of a lip, then she bows low "I may have never been complimented more in my life, Chieftain. Thank you."

"Hm." A deep breath. "Baroness Nadeen...I understand something of how court alliances work. And...marriage alliances. Is this something you are considering, to coax him into such an arrangement, and secure yourself a barony?"

"Yes" She says "But I sense two problems" Yes, only two.

And true.

A brow. "Yes?"

"The most important is Dagmar. I ...care for her. I do not wish to give her up as my girlfriend and I don't want to hurt her feelings. I am not sure how she'd feel about being the girlfriend to a woman who is married even if the marriage was political and possibly fully plutonic. The other problem is ..." A cautious look to the kitchen door , "The Hearth. The last time I considered marrying for politics, The Hearth, well, if it had been in her authority to strap me down until I saw 'sense' I think she might have" A sigh "Dame Kerri is unrepentant in her sentimental nature. Siv maybe of House Fiona now, but Dame Kerri stands next to Cupid and whenver he might miss or his ammo doesn't sink in, she hands him a sawed off shotgun of romance and says 'Try this, bigger spread more impact'"

Perhaps the humor of the last part is being used to cover the earnest ..vulnerablity of the first admission

A bit of an amused snort at that description of Kerri, and Brekke does seem to relax a bit. "I am glad that both of those are concerns. In truth, you might survive Hearth Kerri's protective wrath...but I would be deeply upset if Dagmar were forced into the situation you describe. Have you and she spoken about this? If you have not, I believe you should...for I do not think the Baron is as unmoved as you believe." She nods to the puppy for emphasis.

"Oh, well, Pyshka is..." A smile and she can't help but bend down to pet the dog "I admit. I'm not unmoved. "

Then a sigh "Dagmar is... I worry I will hurt her, Chieftain. So I am hesitant to bring it up. And also," A breath "I'm starting to wonder if Calanthe didn't ahve something to do with the death of Connor's mother"

"Mm. I have wondered the same, having met her. And if that is so, then to seek the Baroness's spot would endanger you."

"Yes. I want a hold. I have never lied about this, but I do realize I will be a better ruler thanks to .. nevermind, I would not have you thinking I merely flatter. Suffice to say Rivervale training has improved me. But in truth? I want to find out how far Calanthe has gone, and would go. And if need be, i want her sent far far away, but that's another matter."

Brekke blinks. "You want to bait her. To draw her into action for which she may be punished. Or...into a confession of what she has already done." She considers this. "It is a dangerous game, Nadeen."

"Actually, not so much no. I want to investigate her, I want to learn the truth before I bait her preferably from clues around Silver Wolf. Bluebell knows more than she can say. I am almost sure of it"

A deep breath and a nod. "This makes sense. But Nadeen...if there is any chance that you might seek a marriage of convenience with him, or even play at the possibility, it is better that you speak with Dagmar about this sooner than later. She is Gwydion, and will know the truth of what you say...but if she discovers a lie of omission, she will not easily forgive or heal, I think."

Nadeen lowers her eyes and swallows "You're right. I just... I am scared of..." She lifts her chin "what if it all goes wrong?"

A slow breath. "I do not know. But if you care for her, then you must make your choices with her in mind, for the consequences will impact her as well. I think you must speak with her, involve her with your plans. Trust her." A pause. "That is what I think. It is possible I am wrong, but it is what I think."

"I think my house is right, and I have made a big mistake in growing to feel the way I do for her, but I have and I do, and you are not wrong. I thank you for pointing out what I have tried to avoid. It was beneath me to be cowardly about it. As a Gwydion and a troll like yourself, her honor is a precious thing whatever I may think of honor myself"

Brekke nods. "It is good that you know and respect this."

"Anythign else, my Chie.." Pyshka tugs at a shoe "Stop that"

Brekke raises a brow at something, but lets it pass. She shakes her head. "No, Baroness. I thank you for coming to speak with me on this. Please...be very careful."

"You as well, Chieftain, she will find eyes if she feels we work against her specifically, and she will set the mhere. " She picks up the puppy "But if I may say? I've gained a new appreciation for long ships. " She says "Until next"

"Eyes..." Brekke repeats, then frowns. "Nadeen...wait."

A stop and a turn "Yes, Chieftain?"

She looks directly at Pyshka. "Eyes." Grimly. "Have you kenned the pup?"

A pause "yes, but not for the reasons you suggest. I will.. have her willowhispered at your convience"

"Come, bring her here." Brekke reaches for the pup.

Pyshka looks confused. Did she do something bad?

Nadeen mutters "Do not fear, Pyshka. The Chieftain would not harm you" A kiss on the snout "But I may have to keep you at my very boring mortal home" And she hands the dog over gently

"She kens to me as a fae hound, and has the little traces of life at a hold, travels on a trod, and vestiges of earlier enchantments like any Kinian might. They were fuddled in training for hte target, but there's nothing active I sense upon her"

Brekke takes the pup gently in her strong hands and settles her in her lap. "No fear, Pyshka. All is well," she mutters, nodding at Nadeen's comments. She pets the puppy, scritching those spots right under the ears until the pup seems calm, weaving glamour around her.

The pup doesn’t seem to know fear, too young and brave for that. But she likes the scratches, and settles, keeping her gaze over towards Nadeen.

Gently, still scritching, Brekke turns the pup's head so she can look it in the eyes. "Is there any other working cast on you that lets another know what you experience here?"

The pup’s ears twitch as the cantrip settles, and she turns to try to swipe at the Chieftain with her tongue. The childish voice has a hint of Slavic notes to it! “Wise is Pyschka in magic! She knows the tall ones glimmer tongue-talk. The man does the talk like you. And makes the Bad Things shine. She know it is Skin and Wood, but pack attacks it. Silly ones. Pyshka saw him work! She knows wait and see.”

Nadeen looks, .. proud at that

Brekke blinks. "Pyshka is clever," she nods agreement. "And the woman? Has she used the....the glimmer tongue-talk on you?"

A sneeze. “Bird woman doesn’t come to us. She makes faces like she smells bad meat. We have Pack man, good-meat-blood-smell girl. Short man with stinging bees. A trick! But then, there was meat.” Hind paw raises to scratch at her neck with a thump thump thump.

Nadeen nods thoughtful, ideas coming to mind

Brekke looks confused, and she takes a moment to form her next question. "If anybody ever tries to put magic on you, will you tell Nadeen by offering your paw to shake three times?" She is not sure if the willow whisper will work this way, but it is worth trying.

Pyschka lifts her paw, head tilting to one side, not quite seeming to understand.

Nadeen also looks unsure, the poor dog is just a puppy but maybe?

“She is Pack. Pyschka see her. I will protect.” Proudly. “Pack sees me. If hurt, or confused, she will know.”

Nadeen moves closer to the puppy, a weakness but the dog's whispers are so loyal. She has always liked loyalty. And she can't help but thaw a bit

And her next respond is a rumbly squeak bark.

“Rawrp!”

Brekke nods. "Good Pyshka." She lifts the pup and hands her to Nadeen. "I think all is well. For now."

"Please, Chieftain," Nadeen says an almost plea, "She's not being used, at least not more than any of us coudl be with a tattle tale or the like"