#anywhere

"...." Then wetting her lips , she looks at the mile markers then up to him, (as if there is another direction she can look at him) "Awkward"

"Do you want me to let you out?" Gently.

She looks tempted then, "No. Mama always said if you meet a man on the crossroads, talk to him a bit. You might learn something worth the cost"

"I won't be insulted. You're safe with me, I won't let harm come to you. And when you wish to go, you can go."

"Appreciate it, mostly I follow my feet. I'm kind new at this Eshu stuff, but I'm told that's what we do."

"New. You've been Sained?"

"Yeah, barely. About two months ago, trying to make up for it. Near as I can tell the one night stand mom had was an Eshu. Huh, I think satyrs get a disproportionate amount of the blame. Used to wonder why I kept wanting to wander off. Then, well, short story shorter: My mother died of cancer...cold right? But... she told me to be free...to go. to stop lingering on. and...as if she really wanted to make sure I had no excuse, she died night. When I got the news....and realized were BOTH Free from the cancer, it happened, you know? I..became awake."

"Sorry, guess you got the personal history after all- over share"

Frank shakes his head. "My condolences on your loss, Miss Suha. I can't say I have the same impulses to wander but as a parent, I can understand what your mother said."

"Yeah, she was..she was tight. She got a lot of shit for her one night stand, but you know? I think it was the first thing she really did for herself. It just...happened that I happened? You know? She even used protection. THoguh she felt guilty telling me that. Maybe I was meant to be? Anyway, I'm thinking of heading towards the kingdom of Grass willows border, feels right. Trying to find my dad. I don't..hate the guy, though I used to, but I just thought it would mean something. YHou know what Suha means right? Probably not. It means lost, forgotten, left behind. Mom probably did it wishing she could get me a dad who could be there, but she tried."

Frank nods, focusing to carefully change lanes. "It sounds like you had a good relationship. Just..... from my own experience, if your dad knows you're out there, I'd think he'd want to know you."

"You ..don't seem the type to leave a kid. I mean, 'true blue' and all" Curious "Or ..did you not have a choice?"

A few miles in silence. "I didn't have a choice we could all live with."

"Then you did right by your daughter even if she didn't understand that" The Eshu looks sympathetic

"She knows." Quietly, and not without a glow of pride.

"Oh now see, this isn't fair, you've got the rig AND The best stories. How am I supposed to pay you back?"

He chuckles, a deep rumble. "You're young. You'll figure it out."

"Thanks " She pauses, "Actually, maybe I can pay you back..." a bite of her lip "It's just a rumor mind but, you're a liam? It might be of interest to you"

Frank risks a glance, and nods.

"Tonight..there's going to be an auction on mortals"

Frank immediately starts to pull the rig over.

"Tell me."

She sighs "Two counties over, There... someone going to bend the highsummer rules of being fair game on mortals. And they're going to enchant and sell mortals....for whatever reason you want. IT's..slavery, by the time they snap out, they'll be bound by cantrips or drugs or more. I'm told my kith hates slavery, I believe it. I know it's a tradtion, it's custom, to let Highsummer be until after it's done but..it felt wrong to me. There was nothing I could do and I hoped, and still hope, it's just a rumor..but if it isn't just a rumor...then " A shrug

Frank gets specifics about the location 'two counties over' as much as he can.

Then he gives her a stoic look. "This .... story. It's not a prank, is it?"

Soon he has it...Suha Breeze answers "Nope. You think I want to have you stop driving when I was making good time? "

"If it were a good enough prank." He stipulates. "Or if you were sent."

He gives her the look that made Siv squirm with guilt.

"Wow. " She says "That is..freaky unnerving." Yes, she's intimidated, but she cops to it "Nope, not a prank. No, didn't know you'd be on that road., Just knew my feet lead me. Look, my advice would be don't go. You're one guy. I don't know how many it akes to run a slavery auction but it's got to be more than one. Go tell your House. Maybe they can find them after the fact. Don't go."

His look gentles. "I have to go."

"But I'll get you a little further down the road first, if you like."

"Yeah, I..." She pauses "I'm supposed to be reckless, but I kind of like living, True Blue. You...don'think I'm a coward do you?"

"No." Firm, as he moves the rig back into traffic. "I'm trained for it. You're not."

"Thanks...you're...pretty cool. " As they drive her down further and pull over, she gets out then looks at him, "Hey, True Blue. a thought."

"Yes?"

"Before you get there, like, do anything else? Call that daughter or any other kids...tell them that you love them. Try not to be too obvious or they'll worry, but just..wish them a happy high summer, tell em you love em, and then... if you ..you know, don't make it...you'll at least have given them that. Okay?"

Frank nods. "I can do that."

"Fate be kind" She waves and walks off, already sticking her thumb out for the next ride

Frank nods to her. "Danu protect you." And when she's clear, he gets down the road.

The directions were solid enough, and in a rig, well, two counties pass quickly enough. What had been a holiday away from home takes on new purpose.

Frank dials back to the Lodge and lets them know what's going on.

It's Olgar who picks up, and yes, his voice sounds higher pitched

Frank has to swallow a laugh. "Olgar. Frank. Caught wind from an eshu of a Highsummer slave auction of mortals. I'm going to stop it."

"A slave auction? In this day and.. wait, nevermind, naive of me to ask. You gonna be able to handle this solo?"

"I guess I better."

"The Chef is gonan want to rush to your rescue, I bet."

"Probably. But she has the Lodge and the Land."

"And a saddle for Oak"

A pause. "So I'm given to understand. Of course, he can move pretty quick."

"Yeah. Be careful Frank. It goes without saying but saying it anyway. Your wife's a Gwyd. You get killed there's she going to set that county on fire to avenge. "