Edith
**Treasury Councilor Klaus Paberly
Riverbreak Hold**

"Entirely uneventful, Lady Batten." Klaus gave a bright smile to his host. "Only snow, snow, and more snow as always," He said, taking a few steps forward. 

"I'd like to thank you for meeting with me today in your lovely home," Klaus said, glancing around at what he could see behind her from outside the entryway. He couldn't see everyone, but there were a few servants standing at attention. Seeing people put their best foot forward to impress him had always been a part of the job that made him feel warm inside, even while living on this forsaken frozen tundra.

"These are for you. I wanted to bring a gift of thanks befitting for the Lady of Riverbreak Hold," He said as he extended the bouquet of flowers. "Might I also add that your fur cloak is *Breathtaking.*"
Hassan
```LADY CORNELIA BATTEN
RIVERBREAK HOLD```

A genuine smile came across the beautiful face of the Lady of Riverbreak, the wintry breeze that wafted through the courtyard making the silky fur she wore caress the feminine line of her throat and jaw.

_"Oh, Councillor, you shouldn't have,"_ she said smoothly as she accepted the flowers, tone implying that — no, he absolutely should have. The flowers themselves were a treasure; not an easy feat, considering the frigid weather that didn't do for most colorful varietals. 

_"Oh, this?"_ she asked, playful surprise making her dimples flash in her cheeks and laughter dance in her merry hazel eyes. _"Just a little something I threw on to greet you,"_ the lady said with untrue modesty.

_"You must be hungry. I'll feed you and warm you and then you can go off to discover all assortment of fishes,"_ she insisted, turning half away from the handsome young lordling to snap her fingers for **Oliver.** The man servant appeared at her elbow, his face stone Cold and stoic as he regarded **Klaus.**

_"Make the arrangements for Councillor Paberly's carriage. See his men and horses are fed and aptly supplied,"_ Cornelia spoke as her slender gloved hand slipped into the crook of Klaus' elbow, her other arm still cradling her flowers as she began a graceful walk to the wide open doors of the Hold.

_"So, my Lord, you have a passion for fishing?"_ Cornelia wouldn't have guessed it.
Edith
**Treasury Councilor Klaus Paberly
Riverbreak Hold**

Klaus tensed at the first mention of fish. He had scheduled a meeting with the sole intention of covering up the fact that he wanted to fish on her land. If only he had just asked instead of coming up with this convoluted plan. Still, he had only just seen the hooks in the store the other day. How had she known... He turned his head back to his transport and saw Seb, the carriage driver, holding a bunch of fishing rods that he'd just unpacked. *Imbecile!* He screamed internally. They weren't even inside yet, and Seb had already revealed everything.

"Thank you," Klaus said regarding her servant directions to take care of the carriage and his driver, despite it being more than what Seb deserved for this failure. "You're too kind."

With Lady Batten on his arm, he strolled toward the keep. "And it's a rather new passion. I'd never given a second thought about fishing until I was in a shop several days ago. I saw a case of shiny, jewel-encrusted hooks, and I *Had* To buy them. I bought the rest of the gear after that. Have you taken up any passions of your own since I last saw you? It's so rare that there's an occasion for us to meet and catch up. It's a travesty, really."