#rivervale_lodge

Frank might catch Holger stepping in from the door

"Pardon" he says having come thorugh the Fenix trod "My associates tell me that there are puppies here?" He asks of Frank

Frank nods. "Want to see?"

"Yes , please" He says

Frank nods and takes him out to the barn.

WHen he sees the puppies , Holger looks at Edelweiss, "pardon, Mamacita Perra. I am Holger of Fenix. I would like to admire your puppies. We have met before but you may not remember me"

Edelwiess sniffs, cautious wag

The boy sits down amid the puppies, who are trying to talk, and waits to see if any come towards him

or try t

to*

Frank remains, lingering, as a reassurance to Edelweiss.

Eddie is glad of the confirmation. This boy is okay then

One by one, Holger appraises each puppy, petting them, but also checking them for strength of limb and how keen their eyes are

This appears to be a SERIOUS endeavour

Frank keeps an eye on it.

He looks at the runt with some sympathy "I am sorry, little fellow. But I shall need one of your bigger siblings to be a proper protector"

He sees the very assertive girl who seems to want to boss him around. "Oh, you remind me of Ellie, and Salma" A fond smile

he also admires a good natured boy pup who seems ready for trouble

"Sir King? I cannot decide which one to buy"

"Well hold on there, Holger. I'm not sure they are for sale, or which ones would be if they were."

"Oh?" He stops

"Some or all of these guys are promised."

"But, we can ask, and find out."

"But .." He reaches into his jacket "I have been saving my money. I even had it turned into American dollars. Look, twenty one dollars and... " Counting coins "Twenty six cents!"

Clearly in his eyes, this is a fortune!

"We have dogs at Fenix, but they are not mine. The girls, they want me to be their knight one day. I am not worthy of such. But I will be a guardian. With a big dog at my side, I will be a better guardian still. And.. I like dogs. " He adds "But I am the hearing Lobo De Argento dogs are the best... but I am not sure I trust the Ailil. Then I hear some are being bred at Rivervale... and all know Rivervale is honorable. SO I am decided. I will buy one of these puppies with my life savings, and the puppy and I will grow together big and strong. And anyone who wishes to hurt the little countess, the childling troubadour, or Salma will have to get through us. I do not wish to start a fight , but if they come for my amigas? I know how to finish one. And a dog will help"

Frank's beard shifts "If it can be one of these, it will be, Holger. And if not, I will help you find such a dog."

"Oh senior, you are the kindest man, but should not a man learn to pay his own way towards his goals?" Searching Frank's eyes "I would not be a ...what is the word? A mooch?"

"Mm. One of the hardest lessons a man can learn is to accept help when he needs it."

Holger's little brow knits, and he mulls this over "This is a hard lesson. I do not like it. But... that does not mean it is not true" A sigh "Still, I should try to do as much on my own as I can before I ask for help, no? I will talk it over with your wife, the Chief, and the lady caring for these find dogs, and see if they will let me make monthly payments of perhaps.. five dollars a month? until it is paid off"

Frank nods. "What sort of work do you do?"

"Oh, I already do work" he says proudly "I have been paid to wash the Freeflame's vehicle... soap, water, and then rinse the soap off, and towel. " the fact Jessica could do this herself or have someone else do it much more quickly maybe lost on him "I have been paid to deliver messages across the neighborhood. I am not afraid of walking. I have also swept and mopped. Senior Duff let me clean his windows once. He was very generous"

"Mmphm."

The boy tilts his head at that, trying to read it in troll ese

Then he says "Did you need your windows cleaned , Senoir King?"

"I would defer to Hearth Kerri on that question, Holger. Let's go back to the Lodge and see if anyone's around who could tell us more about the intents for the puppies."

He carefully puts the last pup back, looking at one of the bigger fellows wistfully, but he remembers his manners "Mamacita Perra, your children are strong and lovely. They bring honor to your hold and to you" He gives a troll salute, then turns to follow Frank

And the two return to see who might be available.

They actually find the one woman they might want to talk to as they go to the main room. Dame Gladiola of Silverwolf is writing notes at the table and having some coffee

Frank makes sure his boots are clean before he walks across Kerri's floor. "Good afternoon." he greets the stranger, known to be a guest.

She rises, then bows "Sir Franklyn. Pardon, I was just writing down more notes on the pups rate of growth and making sure the new food was up to par for the dogs"

Frank returns the bow. "On that note, may I introduce Guardian Holger of the childling court of Renaissance County in the Kingdom of the Feathered Serpent." he gestures.

"Childling court?" The Daireann arches a brow

But as Holger steps forward and gives a troll salute. She returns it

"Pardon, Dame but I do not know your name?" Holger says

"Dame Gladiola ap Dairiean, Kennel mistress of Silverwolf" She says

"Dame.... are all of the pups here spoken for?"

"I don't believe so. " The Dame replies "Silverwolf has only two claims yet to be determined written in stone. As the Sire was one of ours, we have first pick, and are entitled to another. Of course, there are contracts for future breeding rights regardless as we try to create the Fae Mountain Guardian dog breed." Then to Holger "it's a very important undertaking. We hope to create a brand new breed of guardians mixing the best elements of the Ovtcharka, Great Pyrannees, and Bernese Mountain Dog. The current litter are of mixed Pyreneas and Bernese heritage so one day they will grow and be mated with an Ovtcharka most likely to help form the line up consistently. "

"They will be mighty and loyal ?" the boy asks

"Oh that for certain," Gwen says looking at the kid with a hint of pride "They are coming from great stock, and being trained by Silverwolf's techniques. Personally I think they're going to be almost ideal for troll lodges or Holds with good troll representation. See we want to make sure the other breeds balance agression and obedience properly. They will likely be head strong but that's trollish too"