#anywhere

And from the Duchess's court, one of the servants slips away, smirking.

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"Mum... it was wild..." Siv says "I was at a car show, it's complilcated... I was tracking down that bastard who tricked Bix and so on..."

Brekke frowns. "You did not tell me you were going there."

"You've got a GPS that tracks me... Remember? You also told me I was on the case to spy on the spies. When my contact helped me determine where he was exactly at that moment, I had to move and move quick"

Her mother grumbles. "Yes...yes, I understand. I simply do not like it." She looks to Vali. "And you...you were there as well?"

"I came in a bit later" He admits

"Mm." A look back to Siv. "And so? What happened then?"

"He found me... I.. mum, you're going to be mad if I tell you, you sure? "

Brekke takes a deep breath...and nods.

"Well, nockers are good with tech mom, when he got close to us the other day? He used this device he had on him to scan our phones. He had my GPS too."

Brekke winces, sighs, and shakes her head. "I hate those things."

"Well I didn't realize they could do that... " she admits.

"If anyhone should have thought of encryption in this bunch, it's me" Vali says "So let's not blame you two mm?

"

"Nor did I. Perhaps they cannot, unless nockers remake them so."

"Mm. I am not ready to add blame to your wounds yet, Vali. Perhaps later."

"Well... the funny thing is he acted real smug about having caught me... he had the car you see?"

"What does the car have to do with catching you?"

"He tried to run me down with it..."

Vali interjects "And the car makes sense... See.. In my vision, I flpped through wilders galore... the wilders of the lodge? I knew that one of them might die.. at the talons of a thunderbird. Of course, that turned out to be the make and model of a car"

Brekke's hands clench at that.

Then a sigh and a rueful look at Vali. "Of course."

"I had it handled, Sir Vali.. then you showed up..."

"Yeah... I know. " Vali says "I screwed up... when I showed up, he sensed me. It's a house failing... the Shadow Court ..the real one, not that 'woooo we're for freedom' fake front... does not like Beaumayn, they can sense us."

Brekke blinks at him. "I did not know that."

Siv says "Well he MIGHT have saved my life.. not sure I Would have survived what happened next... "

An eyebrow. "Which was....?"

"He went after me... to Siv's credit, SHE had the sense to hug walls and narrow spaces.. I was... stupid..." He admits "I was terrified she would die... because you know, my vision... a wilder would face death at the talons of a thunderbird. But with a Beaumayn target, the kid decided I was the bigger threat... " a shrug to siv, "And the more open target as I was bellowing a challenge...... son of a bitch SHOT me... then ran me over... thus was the vision fufilled. "

Brekke's expression is a mix of horror and outrage. "Shot you...then ran you over. Insult to injury." A glare towards the doors and the general direction of the infamous ravine.

"Yeah well.. see. I AM a wilder.. so I forgot I was on the list... then he turned to get Siv... trying to run her down..."

"Leaving you for dead."

"Yeah... he shot at her.. she dodged, evoked the wyrd for extra armor..." He starts to ssay

"Ahem.. this is my part" Siv says to Vali then goes on "It was real touch and go.. he was a demon in that car and nearly ran me over but I did this tripple axle over it! And then slashed at his ugly face!"

Brekke puts up a hand. "Siv...my daughter...I love you. And someday I will probably enjoy the more daring parts of this tale. But right now they make me feel ill."

"oh fine.. to sum up then... Vali iced the wheels made it slip... then he realized Vali was around, and somewhere net line thing shot out of the car and grabbed him.... I leaped on the car, we ended up driving by the lodge area... and thank any god you care to pick for Dagmar"

"And...he shot you, as well." Brekke seems to be tallying up her understanding of the evidence.

"I'm not sure if they changed their mind about killing me, wanted a trophy... or just decided I was the less slippery fish" Vali says

"Only because I was trying to stab him from above as I rode the top like a damn surfboard.. blam to the left, blam to the right.. then UGH in the chest.."

Brekke shakes her head wearily.

Siv says

Then looks apologetic "I'm really okay now mom"

"Siv."

Then a sigh and a nod. "Yes. You are okay."

"Great... " Vali says "I have one question."

Brekke gives him a wary look. "Yes?"

"How the hell did we get a horse?" He asks

"I know, rite?" Siv chimes in

Brekke blinks, startled...then gives a weary chuckle. "That is a different kind of long story."

Siv says "Mom.. Dagmar came charging up on a HORSE... after a car.. a swerving iced up one to be sure... and she CAUGHT it.. lanced actually..heh, guess you could say she won the joust"