#scarsdale

(We shall temporarily be using this as the Dark Gate Fortress)

Blink. "So, hi?"

Yeah, being flashed in front of the Dark Gate Fortress might seem a bit.. abrupt

"Sorry, sorry... " Gerd says "But there's no TIME. he's given me no TIME. " Her hands shake as she hammers on the door

"Right.. so.. right, so he's at Carthage now?"

The door opens and a Thane steps out "WHo are.. oh, Gerd. " He nods "Is there a ..."

"Transport. I need the fastest car or vehicle or whatever to get to Carthage and to track my brother... Connor.. a pOoka... This is Dame Dagmar... we have to get therE NOW" Oh courtly matters are shot to hell

"Hi?"

The Thane looks at Dagmar and bows "Dame Dagmar, please come in. It's an honor. "

"Gerd, maybe you should have called Nadeen... "

"Um, it is? I don't... we're just trying to get Connor home safe."

"Right of rescue... " Gerd says

At that the Thane calls out "Right of Rescue being requested aid... a Rivervaler is lost..."

"I don't...." She frowns.

"I doubt the Ailil will bring him physical harm."

Gerd stiffens "I let this happen. I didn't talk to him myself. I didn't explain. I didn't see the signs."

The fortress rallies... and fortress it is. It seems EVERYONE, from Thanes to book keepers has weapons on hand at almost all times.

"Gerd, you aren't all-knowing. You can't blame yourself for this."

"Watch me" She says in what might be dark humor and defiance mixed.

"What's all this then?" A scottish Burr as the Chief comes up

"You can, but you'd be wrong. Gwydion blunt. It's not helpful or useful."

"Or, well - it ain't TRUE. This isn't your fault."

The Dougal Troll, Baron..well, CHIEFTAIN Hewitt, comes up

"Chieftain, I need transport.. forgive me, my little brother is heading towards a father that doesn't care about him and is likely to use him as a political pawn. I will owe you and then some if..."

"No need for that" The Chieftain says "We're in your and young Sylvi's debt. We'll get you directions and a ride"

Poor Dagmar has no time for a tour. Gerd looks ready to FLY the rest of the way with a cantrip if she has to.

Dagmar looks a bit nonplussed.

Alas, nonplusement gains no benefit, even beyond the fourth wall

She does get a look at the statue of Symon

Eyebrow.

He almost looks..heroic... and also a bit resentful someone had the nerve to cast him as such

She does snap a furtive photo.

And then Gerd comes up with a nocker..dressed in.. odd colors, purple, Silver, black AND gold? He's not a pretty guy, most nockers aren't. But his face has a mask like a long nosed carnival mask with moon pale eyes

"Uh, hi?"

"Journeyman Wudlig Moonspinner, House Dougal, Banner House Combecatte" The fellow says "As are furking willing to serve and all that. I'm your ride"

"Yeah he's got the fastest vehicle" Gerd says "Come on"

"So - we're going to an Ailil hold, yeah? You hear that part?"

"Yeah... heard. No big. " The Nocker says "Long as you read the fine print, they pay well "

Gerd gives him a dubious look... "Thank you so much, Wudlig but.. I'm about to have a troll sized panic attack"

"One of our childlings managed to con his way up there."

"We want to bring him home. He won't want to come."

"Ah, childlings. I did the same thing once.." He motions them to follow "Mentor told my work was derivative. I was DEVASTATED... so naturally ran away"

Gerd follows "It's more ..complex than that" She says as they go outside

"As said, I doubt he will be physically harmed. No. Abuse takes other forms."

"Oh shit.. okay that does sound furking complex" Once outside Wudlig gives a whistle "CINDERELLA!"

Eyebrow.

A soft hiss... and something rolls up.. a steam punk carriage... with a somewhat story book design.

"Oh. Cinderella."

"GO on in.. don't worry, bigger inside than she is out... " The Nocker says proudly