#rivervale_lodge

"He... accused Chief of treachery against her sworn liege?"

"I mean, if that's what people are saying about the Chieftain behind her back...she's got a right to be pissed."

"Goddam, is he suicidal?"

Narrow eyes. "They say that about Chief, they say that about all of us."

"Yeah."

"What's the plan?" She cracks her knuckles.

"Agreed. agreed. He didn't ACCUSE so much as he was made to explain why, and his 'truth' was idiotic and insulting. Apparently" Siv motions to them "And again, let's all stay on the downlow, this census thing maybe used an excuse to explore Rivervale specifically, the other baronies are merely a cover to hide it? Hard to say. So genius there figured that meant we must be up to something sneaky. Either way he's lucky I d idn't throw him out of the hold and let mother bash him outsidew into fine paste"

Sylvi looks to Siv with the same question in her eyes.

"Mother said Dirk and I are to go to Caer Falken TONIGHT. I Do not know if she wishes anyone else in this enterogue but that was the plan. I SUSPECT she's going to try to get an audience with her liege, or maybe break a door down to talk to folks period"

"Is Chief the only Commoner Baroness in the County? I think she is..."

"I want to come. She's my liege."

Sylvi nods. "I'd offer to come, but I don't know if I'd be much help. I think Count Hemlock still thinks of me as the little kid who kept sneaking out to Firnost."

Another CRASH from the yard. "But she better cool off before she goes there."

Grunt, nod.

"Dagmar, she's your liege, I think you have at least the right to ask her if you may. No arguement there. " She agrees. then looks to Sylvi "Yeah, cool down required. "

Siv says 'GOod thing I'm fearless or I'd be afraid to out there" Wry

Before she decides too though, she and Sylvi work together to get Dagmar up to speed, what each of them know, and a few guesses besides "And mom doesn't even know Alyssa is a duchess. I wouldn't know if I hadn't talked to Baron Kealan just an hour ago and I got lucky there"

"Going by movies, being unlanded with that much title is... not good."

"But man, a duchy would be all of Jersey..."

"And we don't know what the hell is going on" Siv says "Is Alyssa okay without a hold? ANd even if she is, is House Gwydion making a play to put her in one for the good and gain of the house. Falcons are not the high house for nothing. Their sidhe are as adept as Ailil when it comes to politics... "A beat "Just more honorable, obvs." Not wanting to set off another "What about this Baroness of Daireann? Is there some chance she's going to be given a spot as a compromise?

"

"Putting her here would be a betrayal."

"Every troll in the area would revolt. I can't believe the Count would be that stupid" A frown "I'm missing something"

Brow furrow.

"What? Sorry, Dagmar, long day. I don't read brow as well as you do"

"I'm thinking."

"AH, well, if you think of anything let me know. You're a Gwyd, maybe I am missing something but I think the Count would never treeat a fellow Gwyd, let alone a loyal friend, so casually"

"They were in a motley together. And their oathbond goes back lifetimes."

"Like, this is a huge deal."

A nod "Aye, old arcadian oath.. hell maybe the oath was made IN Arcadia." A pacing "Maybe it's not the Count. Maybe it's something being DONE to the Count?"

"Maybe?"

"I don't know Hemlock that well. Lucia is the one spending the most time there, lately."

At this point, Sylvi says "She's been kept busy , and I'm not sure the last time she saw the count. His council sure"

Siv nods to Sylvi, as Sylvi is a better friend to Lucia, then ponders "Well, if someone is using mum's oldest friend and liege and trying to frame us? Well, there is going to be a stain on the lawn of Caer falken..." Another WHAM in the distance to hint this is the case.

"What if that is on purpose?"

"Then we're talking some intricate long term plotting" Siv says "ANd Baron K just told me about this NOW? I think...no, he didn't tell me... he hinted so strongly it was obvious. Something is going on"

"Yeah? What else did you hear?"

"Not much. " She admits "it was a comment on how the Alyssa had returned from Her Fior Right wildly successful. And then in the next sentence, he said 'Lots of chocolate cakes. I guess the Duchess loves the things' and I assumed well, Alyssa must be a Duchess. I mean... I could be wrong but then Sylvi came in and she knew too "

"Lucia pretty much confirmed it" Sylvi nods

"Alyssa was nice, though."

"She was, and she LIKED mom"

"LIKES" SIv corrects

"Mmph."

Siv ponders "Yoel clearly thought this census thing was a ruse to investigate us. Maybe he's right about that part? Except for insulting Gwydions, the guys pretty slick and smart"

"The census is weird."

"And there's no guarentee that one chimera in one barony's boundary won't cross the lines. Chimerical animals do NOT respect our maps" Sylvi points out

"Plus, you have all the incidentals..."

"Aye? Go on, Dagmar" Siv looks interested

"What? Chimera that just pop up, but don't last."

"Oh aye" SIv nods "Like those little firework bugs that are already half gone"