#salmon-duchy-lands-aka-alaska

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Symon finds that Glitterdwell, while for Gwydions by Gwydions, is not hostile to Sluagh. Indeed, a bit of snooping indicates Sluagh here are considered to be, if not allies, more likely on the Gwydion side than some. In the Duchy of Salmon, the Varich are seeking a lot of influence, a lot of conquest and take over... and the Gwydions here have become their biggest obstacle. The Gwydions of the Duchy consider the Varich abuse of Sluagh to fly in the face of the Noblise Oblige the falcons pride themselves on, and are willing to offer haven and rescue to the sluagh with little pleading required. Some Gwyds can be a bit condescending, but others are down right grateful that the Sluagh have provided valuable intel against the Winter Sun house.

This being the case, there are a few more sluagh NOT affiliated with House Gwydion here than folks might think.

Symon spends a little more time snooping around, looking for signs of the local Sluagh and any indication of where they might be found.

If there are others here who have escaped the Varich, he would like to know where they have settled, though he takes care not to draw too much attention to his interest just yet.

His real purpose here is to support Dagmar, but learning more about the local political landscape can only help with that. If he happens to make connections with other Sluagh in the process, so much the better.

A few sluagh actually have house ties to the point of being affilated, fewer still are actual Gwydions.

But for Symon, he finds most are neither quite, yet the Gwydions still offer them a long lasting haven.

One sluagh he runs into is a young grump (30ish?) in a perpetually rumpled suit who goes by the handle Gebrochen or "Geb". Geb is a member of a Motley that has a Gwydion friend in it, hence his arrival. He does seem to have spare time on his hands. Gebrochen encounter each other in the same shadow, nod, and share for a bit while mostly unsuspecting Gwydions share their views with theiir peers in the streets while watching a duel. The duel is not nearly as interesting as the gossip... pardon, political discussion.

Geb mmms and observes, then opines softly, "sounds like the Gwydions are worried about Ailil or Eiluned backing helping the Varich behind the scenes. I wouldn't be surprised by either, but I also doubt either house will majorly commit to it. The Varich can boast of patterns all the want, but the Eiluned are still mostly a Seelie house, and the Ailil? They're not foolish enough to give their all when they can give 'just enough'. Besides, both Houses know that those who help the Varich get less help from we sluagh, and we're just too vaulable. Even in this cold land."

Symon watches the duel for a moment before turning his attention back to Geb. He fades easily back into the shadows at the edge of the alleyway, though he is curious to see if anyone is placing bets.

"Seems a poor bargain for anyone who thinks they can use the Varich to get ahead, if they end up losing the Sluagh in the process." He whispers, keeping an eye on the combatants.

"Have the Gwydions been good about keeping their word to you lot? A haven is one thing, but I imagine there's a difference between being tolerated and being welcome."

"you're talking to a friend of a Gwydion, so that might put some falcon colored lenses over my eyes," Geb says after considering it a bit, "I'd say it varies. Some tolerate us, barely, most tolerate us but seem to want some sort of applause for doing what they are supposed to do, but most do welcome us. The good ones because they know we're of the Dreaming too and thus precious... insert gollum joke here... the cunning ones because they know what kind of intell edge we bring. You can actually get a few high paying missions around here if you prove reliable, not that we should have to per se. I know a few who are aloof to us but aloof to every commoner kith which is , if nothing else, fair . And I know a handful that seem to like us. Those last surprise me. My friend is one of them. Those last aren't like 'oh you poor inferior creature let me guide or protect you', more like they recognize we have insights they never will and respect us for it. " A sigh "mind you, I can't speak for all, but sometimes my friend is a bit 'hail and well met' in a gregarious style that makes me wince, but the shining heart is in the right place I suppose. Yours? Assuming you know one?"

He adds, "As for keeping their WORD, pretty solid. They do fancy themselves the most honorable of Houses after all, but as ever, read the fine print."

Symon gives a faint smile at that. "I know a few, yes. My experience has been good, though I suppose there's always a difference between knowing an individual and judging an entire House by them."

There's a momentary pause, and his expression softens a touch at an inner thought - then sharpens again as he considers.

"I'd take a Gwydion who keeps their word, even with a bit of fine print over a Varich's promises any day."

Thoughtful. "Those paying missions you mentioned, though. What sort of work are they looking for?"

"Varies... but they can be a bit on the dangerous side if you get caught. There's a Redcap corby in a nearby area, and one Gwydion would like to know what they're up to. I also hear one Gwydion believes there is a shipment by a Varich noble of a rare treasure. They will pay for information, and more for the object itself. Alas, not much to go on with that second one that I heard. Maybe they want you to commit. Dangerous stuff though. Oh, and if you can tolerate kids, there's Gwydion Grump asking for Sluagh to play a game of 'guards and spies' with their charges. The kids have to call alert if you invade the building they're protecting a flag at. You get past them, capture the flag so to speak, get out with it... they lose, but if they call alarm, they have won. The kids are forbidden from using real weapons or Sovereign, and of course, the sluaugh is not to harm the childlings," A shrug "Honestly, It doesn't pay much, but it has almost no danger and you train the next generation of Gwydion Knights to pay attention. On the downside ... well, kids can be obnoxious and loud."

Symon keeps his expression mildly curious. "The corby, is that something new in the area, or have they been around for a while and done something to draw attention? What's prompted the interest?"

He gives a slight tilt of his head. "And the treasure, to be blunt, do they want it stolen? I'm sure they'd wrap the request in enough red tape and paperwork to make it sound respectable, but it'd be good to know exactly what the job is before anyone gets involved."

At the mention of playing guards and spies with childlings, his mouth twists into a small grimace. "Isn't tormenting children what we're supposed to be good at?" A touch of a wry edge to that comment to show he's joking. Mostly. Probably.

Geb chuckles, then answers "The Corby is new to the area, I think there's worry of ravaging but that's pure speculation on my part," He admits then moves on "I think the Gwyds want to know if they should HAVE it stolen, or at least know what to expect, but I bet they wouldn't object if the Varich lost some resources as long as ithe action doesn't tie back to them or 'dishonor' them. Good optics are a must after all," He whispers dryly, "As for the Kids... I can see you're a traditionalist." A smirk, probably mostly joking himself.

Symon considers the options for a moment before giving a small nod. "All of them have their merits, I suppose." He glances back to Geb. "Are these jobs expected to be handled by Sluagh alone, or would bringing in a partner be frowned upon?"

"That I'm not sure about. I think of all of them, only a theft involving a Gwydion directly might raise eyebrows of disapproval for the reason I mentioned before 'optics' etc. But ah, you'd want to check with the sources for more details I suppose. I could give you the leads there if you like, we're not at high tea but I can trust a kith brother to remember a good tip or two and repay me eventually I presume?" Gebrouchen lifts a brow.

"Of course," Symon replies, a little sincerity slipping into his voice. "I'd never do anything to disgrace my partner." A faint flush colors his greyish-green complexion as he realizes what he may have let slip, and he clears his throat before continuing.

"And of course, I'm happy to return a favor. You scratch my back, and all that."

The Duel has a resounding clang as one Gwydion finally downs the other for victory, and cheers raise up, possibly causing the poor sluagh to wince a bit before resuming.

Any disembowlings? He cranes his neck to look.

No. Codpieces RUIN so many potentially intriguing moments.

"I swear, the nocker that learns to mass produce non clanging weapons will be a hero in my book," Geb whispers with feeling, but then says "Partner? Mmm. Rude to pry I suppose so I shan't. In that case," He takes out an old style note pad and writes three names on it, the prospective clients , and hands it over, "I do ask that unless it goes against a professional code or contract, you let me know what comes of whatever mission you undertake."

Symon touches two fingers to his temple in place of tipping a hat he doesn't have, ready to take his leave, but pauses with a slight wrinkle to his forehead.

"One thing, though. Why don't they approach the Redcaps directly? Seems to me you don't need a spy or a sneak just to ask what someone's up to."

"Now that's a mystery," Geb admits, "maybe they're worried the caps will hit the matresseses and lay low and just do whatever again later?"

A wince and he turns a little green, "I don't want to think about the concept of redcaps and mattresses. Fair enough though."

"All conjecture I'm afraid," Geb says almost apologeticly. Sluagh consider themselves as the folks who have the FACTS, let boggans gossip, and Eshu spin tall tales.

"I'll let you know how things work out." He says, before slipping away at a polite point in the conversation. He has a Dagmar to find.

Geb inclines his head... and they part...