#bergen_county

"Totally."

"Or maybe, I dunno - something cool."

"The power to summon horses" a joke

"Yes!"

"It was a joke" she grins "You've got two ...three sort of, to take care of... you want more?"

"Well..."

"Ok, I don't think I can take care of more."

"But still to be around them mm?"

"Being around them is nice, yeah."

" Gerd says animals are more honest, that's why she likes dogs and such"

"i'm not sure cats are honest though" a smile "Mackerel has fibbed."

"Maybe Mackeral, but Odin doesn't hold back much."

"He's got opinions" She agrees

The bell chimes to let them know they need to get to next class

"Anyway, talk to Sylvi when you can. " And Siv heads off.

"Sure" And off to class.

Thank GOD, it's not about Thomas Jefferson!

(end Scene)

"Sam! Gotta minute?" Sylvi jogs up to her in the hallway after the last class of the day.

"Hey. Yeah?"

Sylvi checks to make sure there aren't any mortals listening, giving her hair a good toss while she does so. "I need you to join a team for a counter-job. Anti-dragon stuff."

"Well, you know I want to help."

"Yeah. And we can't fight him ourselves...but we can weaken him while the three fight him. I think it's going to make a huge difference."

"Siv was saying you had a plan."

"Yeah. I've already got Symon and Dirk on board, and Colton is trying to get released from duty for it. Zane might be able to, too, and I want to get Gerd. Lots of different talents. Can't have more than seven."

She counts on fingers. "All them, plus us - that's seven."

"You sure about Dirk?"

"It is, yeah. And...yeah. I mean, why not Dirk? He's been the most enthusiastic one for the trip so far."

"Just... Dirk."

"I was thinking maybe Nadeen could be useful. But... maybe not with Symon."

"No way." She shakes her head. "Not in the Dreaming."

"Oh, and...Vali had a vision. Adam's supposed to wait at a gate for us. He and I guess that means whatever Rath we use. I haven't told Adam yet."

"...Does he count as one of the seven?"

"No. He's not going all the way to the lair."

"Oh, ok."

"So...Siv told you what the goal is?"

"Distract the bad guy at the right moment?"

"Yup. Raid the lair, fight off whatever critters he's left to guard, steal his loot, deliver to Nocturnus, the rival dragon. We each get a choice of one treasure from the hoard, but there's one thing off-limits, an amber stone. That goes directly to Nocturnus."

"Well, seems fair."

"Yeah...considering the response I got when I tried to haggle? I'm deciding to be more than grateful."

"We're not doing this for treasure." Shrug.

"Good we're getting paid on top of helping the lodge."

"So true. But I did get a deal about a dragon-killing treasure."

"Yeah?"

"Well, not really a deal, but...if there is one in the hoard, I can claim it when we get to choose."

"Not too bad."

"Very not-to-bad. I mean, Nocturnus might have said no-way to that entirely."

"Being a dragon and all, yeah..."

"He did make the point that I wouldn't be happy with letting a dragon take a troll-killing weapon, but...well, he just seems so set on this amber tear thing." A shrug.

"Must be something special."