#anywhere

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As Dagmar and Adam wander the Pennons, they do hear talk "So help me, if Rivervale takes crafts too I may just cry."

"Should we go look at the crafts?"

"Thingamabobs! Thingamajigs!"

"A genie in a lamp, a genie in a lamp!"

"Crafts, sure."

"I mean, we're gonna win. Tove entered."

"If she doesn't win Bardic, yeah? Maybe she'll win both."

Sure enough, they see Torin minding Tove's booth, the old troll smiles, "Well, if it isnt' my favorite grand daughter"

Adam glances back and forth between trolls.

"Your only Granddaughter. And step."

"But okay. Torin, have you met Adam yet?"

"Oh."

Adam offers the hand not holding his mace.

"I think I've seen him about we've never met," Torin takes the hand, "Good grip. Nice to meet you, Adam. Hey, nice mace."

"Tove's dad. He's a skald. Like a bard, but extra?"

"Thanks." A proud grin.

"Cool." Adam sums up his opinion of skalding.

"It is pretty nice, got to memorize the epics, sagas and edas, tell some stories about heroes of yore... sing, of course. Currently selling wooden gear, save for the stuff reserved for Judging. Mostly Tove's, but some of the Chieftains' work here too that Siv put up."

"Chief didn't put her own stuff up?"

"I think Chief has some carving in to be judged..."

"Right, that craddle she made isn't for sale. "He gestures

"Is that being judged? It's pretty fancy."

Adam is peering, looking it over.

A cradle may not sound impressive, but stuff taken from an island in the Dreaming and lovely crafted by a mother's hand, the engravings show a style that just screams rivervale's hills and wood...

and little runes of protection.

"Yep. Judges seemed to like it. THey came by , made a big fuss. Me? I'm surprised the Chieftain showed her work this year. It's normally not something she puts out for crafts."

"No?"

"Well, you said Siv put it out."

"Well, yes I did but surely Siv would get her mother's permission before..." A pause "Oh dear. Now I wonder if the Chieftain even knows"

"Ohhhh... Siv would."

Adam nods.

"Heh..well, this could be all kinds of interesting"

"Can I interest you folks in any of these sculptures? " A wink from the old man and he holds up one of a Unicorn peeking from behind a tree.

"I would, sir, but I spent almost everything on this..." the mace.

"Well, hell, son, you're of the lodge and a friend to my grand daughter, take anyone of the small ones you like..." he indicates the small figurines no bigger than six inches wide or long. "Mortal wood so you can show it off to friends and family of all kinds"

Adam examines them.

"I ever show you the badger she gave me?"

"Don't think so... lookit these."

There's a wolf in mid crouch, a Fox peeking up over a log, a Lion roaring, an eagle with wings spreading. An absolutely adorable owl.

Quietly beaming. "She's amazing, isn't she?"

"She's got her mother's hands, Tove does," PROUD papa

"Which one do you like best?"

"Mmm.. the wolf, I think."

"I'd like that one, sir." And Adam offers the rest of his dross.

"No no, on the house like I said" The old grump says and wraps the wolf in some paper and a small bag before handing it over.

"Are you sure? I feel like I owe you...."

"How about next time you take my grand daughter to a movie you pay for her ticket, we'll call it even" Torin nods.

"Torin!"

Torin smiles at Dagmar "Oh he'd probably do it anyway"