#rivervale_lodge

"They hurt Lane, a fledge. I know that doesn't sit well with you, Symon."

“Who’s this “Leech”? Sounds like a slug name.” He frowns.

"That's our suspicion." She fills him in what was learned from the redcap

A redcap who left a pit, and was told he could be paid a fortune of one sort or another for any centaur

"Look, I know sluagh don't like messing with other sluagh, but.. i could use your help here"

“It’s tough. I’m already skirting the boundaries of being part of polite society after my run in with that last fucker over the Dairraen business. But tell me what you want from me. I’ll help if I can.”

"I was wanting back up as I went around wearing other forms. But .. i don't want you cast out from your own kind." Siv frowns "Would it help if Disguised you too? or.. you know, if this is going to damage your reputation period it's not fair to you. I can probably handle it alone. Just an extra set of eyes keen like yours can make the difference"

“What’s the plan? Are you going in as a potential bounty hunter? That may get you basic Intel, but maybe not more than you already know. Or planning to sneak in with a fake prize to make your way to the top of their shitheap? Or you can go as a petitioner to offer help in their quest. I bet a halter than controls centaurs would be as tempting to this guy as a chain that holds slugs to... others. You have to have some sort of bait in this trap to lure out information.”

"Was considering disguising myself as a centaur" She admits "But that would take a partner. See these ideas are why you're the one I wanted help from. Dagmar's right about you. You're a good loki to her thor. Not that she words it that way"

A huff of a laugh. “She words It that way all the damn time.” Not displeased with that.

“What happens once you’re handed over? You might not be able to get away. Someone who can flicker flash might be better. I guess you could morph small, but that's assuming you're both in some sort of warded stall that prevents escape. What if it's like old myths about other creatures? Eating a dragons heart used to be said to give you immortality. What if they think a centaur’s... in this case, yours, would give them some sort of boon? Being put in a menagerie is the LEAST evil outcome I can imagine here.”

His eyes gleam, oh, he has an idea.

"I can shrink.. but... " She notes the look "Go on"

“You have to get in... but also make sure you remain valuable. Here’s a question. Do they want just one centaur? Would they be pleased And stop their search? Or do they have some sort of vendetta or compulsion to collect them?”

"From what that cap said, the more centaurs the better. He wants them all. I'm getting a haggard vibe here"

A thin smile. “Then what if they did manage to catch a foal... AND get the hint that centaur herds are incredibly clannish and protective, and would flock to rescue their young? Play it up, maybe they will try to set a trap. It’s a trap within a trap. Aren’t there centaur herds in the Brightwinds territory?

If the mastermind behind this is as obsessed as we think, he... or she.. wouldn’t be able to pass up the chance to round up them all. But h- they, I’d hazard a guess, wouldn’t risk losing the one they already HAD. Perhaps they would oversee this trap personally.”

“Give them a taste, then lure them out to be caught.”

"I see what you're saying. Obviously we can't use Lane. I'll have to go as a young foal. Hope they don't ken me too hard. Bit mroe banality in we wilders"

She looks intrigued by his notion

“Borrow some of her mane and tail hair and braid into your own. Other centaurs might contribute as well. Build a strong cantrip.”

"Only other centaurs I know are in Brightwinds.. and I don't KNOW Them so much as know of them"

"If it takes down a centaur Hunter? Can’t hurry to ask. Sparrow owes me a solid.” He frowns a bit and adds, “Nadeen too. But otherwise you could try using fae horse hair.”

“If I knew someone was hunting my kin, I’d shave my head to take them down if it would help.”

“S’just an idea though. Getting in to get more Intel is smart. I just would be wary about going in as a centaur without that Intel first.”

Siv grins "If I hug you now for being such a great guy you'll be uncofmortable won't you?"

“You’d have to catch me. I can see three bolt holes, two cracks and a crawl space within reach.” Faint smirk.

she covers her mouth to muffle the laugh

“Should tell Dagmar too. She’s got oaths to protect this place now, and that includes Lane. And she's half a horse already. I bet she’d want a piece of them.”

Siv frowns "I'm not sure this is Dagmar's kind of thing. Not on the snooping or ruse side."

“If she’s captured and muzzled in centaur form, she doesn't really have to fake any anger or indignation.”

“Then we have TWO warriors to escape with. Rather than one and a squishy spy- if you were still trying to infiltrate them, rather than a trap.”

"And if Gwydion temper kicks in?" A brow

"Don't get me wrong, Dagmar is strong willed enough, but she's got some huge honking buttons tied to a Beserker House."

He shrugs. “You came to me for ideas, you get them. She’s my partner in crime.”

Siv nods "Fair. I did come to you, and you two do work well together. Mmmph.. " She looks thoughtful, and troubled by something

“What?”

"More a flaw in me than anything" she says holding up a hand, "I have to face the fact I may have some selfish thoughts biasing me. "

“I'd like to hear what you're thinking. It might be insightful.”

"Well, I honestly do think that Dagmar is rather straight forward for this sort of thing that might require more sneakiness than she'd like all around. But I was also .. I volunteered for this to actually DO something for the lodge. I kind of pictured Dagmar playing the role of the guardian of our home turf while we did the feelers and sneaking. It's kind of like my mom being on a stealth and sneak mission.. I just don't see it? And.. maybe I don't want to see it. Ego maybe getting in the way."

He nods. “I get it. Can you bring Jonas? Another fighter who can stealth disguise... I just don’t want to be caught in the outcome where you're in trouble and I can’t do shit to help. Maybe is be a better bait then you. At least I can squirm away.” Moodily.

“Not volunteering.” He quickly adds.

"Mmm " A dubious part "not sure you do get it, and if you do, I think I might feel a bit ashamed that it's obvious." A sigh "Not on either of you either way. No Jonas can't come. I already asked. He's got.. another mission I can't go into. Piper's gonna be pissed when she finds out wer'e both on dangerous missions. Hope she yells at him first"

“What about Zane? He’s a magician and can fight decent. Satyr are similar in a lot of ways to a centaur. It might help a cantrip stick.”

"Zane's not bad." A look "Will you help me on the sneaking and feelers part, then later you can decide if you want to take part in the main bait and lure?"

“I can do that.” He nods.

"I appreciate it" Siv smiles "We'll play it cautious at first, then later, if we need to, break out the lure and the big guns. You've given me some great ideas regardless. I take it you want the standard 'don't mention my heroics' package? However far it gets?"

He nods. “Especially if it's going counter to another sluagh. Even if they are obviously deserving of a comeuppance... kith politics can get... sticky.”

"I can make you look like someone else, another sluagh easier, but another kith. Heck, I could turn you into looking like a real slug pooka"

"Might guard your involvement?"

He looks taken aback, but considers it. “Maybe. Are you offering me my very own secret agent persona?”