#bergen_county

"Mm." She steps back. "Dame, I will heal your hand. Then go home. Both of you. Tomorrow, meet to speak further. After that...what comes of this from now is up to you."

Frank straightens off the top rail, standing.

"Yes'm." Softly.

Brekke reaches to take Dagmar's hand with the busted knuckles by the wrist.

Adam moves out of the way, around the ring and out the other side, then circles back the long way towards the kitchen door of the Lodge.

With a surprisingly gentle touch, she dabs her finger against some of Dagmar's blood and uses it to inscribe a rune on the back of her hand. A few muttered, rhythmic words in an unfamiliar tongue (unless you know Norwegian)...and the healing glamour sinks into her flesh and knits it whole again.

Ashamed. "I'm sorry, Chief."

Eyebrow. "For?"

A shrug. "Being a mess."

She shakes her head. "I do not fault you for that. But do not lie about it again."

"I thought..." A shrug. "Dunno. I wanted to be a good troll, and a good knight, and... dunno."

"You are that. Now...go home. Meet with him tomorrow, as I have said." Brekke turns from her and goes toward Frank.

He reaches for and takes her hand, murmuring to her.

Adam is already at the kitchen door, and goes inside.

Brekke listens and shakes her head briefly.

Dagmar hits the path, heading for the Barn.

As the two wilders go, Brekke takes a slow, deep breath...and exhales with a rueful look to Frank.

The Mountain gently takes her chin and tilts it towards the light, observing.

"Crash of the Storm...." he says softly.

She Heatherbalmed herself earlier, so the worst of it is healed. Some bruising that will fade by morning, likely.

"Mm. Hits like a very angry boulder."

"Inside, or a walk...." He does not say patrol "... or visit the Kestral for a while? Listen to the water lapping?"

"I think...I will wait here. For now. Then...the balefire." In other words, she may well end up sleeping in her chair tonight.

He squeezes her hand. "Meet you there."

"Mm." She squeezes back, nods...then sets about cleaning up the ring.

"Can I help?"

She shakes her head. "Make sure all is well within...and that he leaves for home."

Frank nods, and goes in.

The Chieftain will....well, putter is not the right word. But she will slowly work on setting the practice ring to right until she satisfied...and much later will go inside to settle by the fire and rest.

((End of scene))

************************************

Her touch.... it might not help, in the grand scheme, but it comforts him. He opens the house door quietly and slips with her upstairs.

She steps lightly on the stairs, to not draw too much attention with her hooffalls.

He shuts his door softly and leans against it, exhaling.

Then he steps away, stripping off his shirt and dropping it on the floor.

She looks around to see if they are alone. "Nab?" She asks, softly, checking her normal perches. Then, sits on the edge of the bed, leaving a spot open next to her.

No sign of Nab

"Go, Zane....." Adam mutters, dropping on the bed next to Piper.

"Piper, I'm -sorry.-" A mirthless chuckle. "Ended up with other women again...."

"That's not the same thing at all." Leaning over against him lightly.

"Unless you had secret plans to romance the chief, and I'd probably recommend against that."

"HA! Noooooo...." He leans against her.

She snakes an arm around his back, holding him.

A long pause, then.... "Oh shit, did you get anything to eat?"

"I did! Thank you. But you didn't." A frown.

"Not hungry. It's ok."

"Hey, I want a shower. Do you mind?"

"No, go ahead. Do you need your back scrubbed?"

He takes her hand. "I'd like the company."

He stands and they'll sneak to the bathroom.