#rivervale_lodge

"Airborne trouble, at least."

"In Spring, we'll start saddle training him."

Brekke looks pleased at Dagmar's eagerness to answer.

"We have a fine leatherworker, if you desire a custom saddle that will accommodate wing movement."

Oak brings his favorite stick to Mischka. There are many sticks, but this one is the best one in the land.

"Perhaps with a veil built in, ere mortals see and send steed and rider to folly." He considers this thoughtfully.

"That would be a good idea to pursue," Brekke agrees with Aiden.

Mischka sniffs the stick, wagging her tail. SHE brought an entire sled's worth of sticks!

"Who is the leatherworker?"

Well, yes! he offfers his up to her anyway

"Willy Holstlerfrau, a nocker craftswoman of Silverwolf. She crafted the halter Spark wears, and outfits our stables as well."

One's favorite stick is far more valuable than any bundle of random trigs. She accepts it graciously, enjoying the scents it has traveled through.

"I wonder if Connor would need accommodations for his tail?"

"Ah, yes, she has great skill."

"What she may lack in polite pleasantries is more than made up for in quality of results." He agrees. At the mention of Connor, a wistful expression passes over his face. No longer the cold, stark dismissal.

"Is Spark to be trained as a squire's mount?"

Oh it smells of Oak, of course, both types. It also smells off Frank, for Oak has trained his person to throw, and not just him. It has been dragged trhough spring greens, summer grass, autumn leaves, and yes, winter snow. It is not good for carving, but has great mouth texture

Brekke grins slightly. "That is the plan, yes."

"Connor will help with training him, too."

"So, kind of two for one deal, training horse and rider together."

Brekke watches Aiden's reaction.

Mischka lays down to give the stick a good gnaw, and if Oak chooses to join her, he will not be growled away!

"An interesting method. I tend towards an older, patient and practiced mount for new riders, but Squire Connor is not entirely new to the saddle. One might say, he was born to it."

"I will be eager to hear of his progress."

"He's ridden Star and Stormwake both. Mostly Star."

Oak soon is gnawing at the far end of it, allowing his guest the majority.

Tails thump against the snow!

He nods. "Chieftain, I could, and would, gladly spend hours speaking of horses, and their riders. However, I did have a matter on which I wished to speak with you. Dame Dagmar may remain if desired, but I would ask discretion."

Star casts a distrusting eye on the Ailil, and tosses her mane in disdain. HER people have apparently welcomed him, so she is not so outright rude as to snap or kick in his direction, but she does lift her hooves higher as she prances in the paddock, showing off a bit.

Dagmar clicks her tongue softly at the mare, and reaches out a hand for her to sniff.

Hand is nuzzles, Star snorting a bit that it's empty.

Empty, but pets!

"Hm. Dame Dagmar, you can abide by this?"

Dagmar nods. "Sure."

"Please, Baron." She gestures for him to go on.

He steps over to the paddock, leaning on the rails as he watches the horses cavort.

"I plan on requesting a boon of the local Rovers, to extend, or alter, the path and gateways of a local trod. As the end terminus falls upon your land, and as the Rover who patrols said trod is also a member of your lodge. It seemed prudent to approach you first before making such a request."

Brow.

Furrowed brow. "Alter how? And which trod?"

"Currently, the local path connects from outside of a convenience mart in Bergen, with the terminus at Rome, near Dark Gate. I aim to request that another path be added, or the terminus moved, closer to Silverwolf. As for the Bergen end, the gateway widened to accommodate a horse's passage, and moved to a sheltered locale where such would not draw mortal attention."

A pause, and he says in a somewhat dry tone, "You may understand my concern in broaching this with you first, as many might assume such a request to be precedence to invasion. You have my word that such is not the case." (TRUE)

Dag suddenly grins at a thought.

"Hm." She considers, nodding that she has registered the truth of the statement. "I can see advantages to this, for both baronies. But the trod was crafted by Rover Olgar. I have no objection to the alteration, but you will have to negotiate it with him directly."

He nods towards Dagmar. "Perhaps the Dame may assist in pleading my case. It would make the logistics of 'Joust Club' more feasible."

A sheepish look and a nod.

"As to the secrecy... I did not, and still do not, know if such a request can, or will, be granted. I would greatly prefer not to be publicly refuted at such a request." He says, with a touch of Ailil pride evident.

A slightly amused look to Dagmar. "It would."

"Hm. I can arrange a meeting, a private one."

It softens as he adds, "My Baroness has good friends here. I would have her have them remain closer at hand. And...." He looks out over the paddock once more, and speaks softly. "If others wished to visit, they may be able to do so. I will ask if it is possible to complete by Carnival, if at all."

Carnival is a fae holiday! But the end of February is also a date that they both may know - Dagmar certainly. A Squire's birthday!

"Oh!"

Brekke is not entirely oblivious to the likely reason. She nods. "Your reasons are sound, but I will not presume to promise a Rover's efforts until the Rover agrees that the work is wise to undertake. I must know that such a trod would be secure in the Dreaming, as well as convenient."

"Understood." He nods.

"Dame Dagmar, would you see if you can reach Rover Olgar? I do not know if he is nearby."