#bergen_county

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

Brekke seeks out Adam at his home.

And there she finds him, home alone. "Chief? Uh, hi. I, uh..... I don't think it went so well. I'm sorry, I tried really hard but....."

He lets her in and leads her to the living room.

She nods. "Do not be sorry, Adam. I am sure you tried. Lady Sparrow is not upset with you, but she agrees that the fit is not a good one. Perhaps I should have expected. She can be...overwhelming."

He looks worried.

"She.... what does that mean? The fit is not a good one?" Now worried, and nervous.

A brow. "Do you think you would be able to learn effectively from her?"

"I.... I want to try. Zane and me talked, I could use a blindfold. It was easier when I wasn't looking at her. And I could get used to her! Desensitize. Nab can look like her, kinda, and we were going to ask Nadeen to help...."

A blink. "These are all good ideas. I am glad you are pursuing options and thinking creatively. But I think these strategies will take time. And I would prefer to start your mentoring as soon as possible. Adam...would you be willing to learn at EarthRunes, if that were an option?"

He wasn't expecting that. "Yes. With Lady Sparrow?"

"Probably not. But perhaps you can work with her after your training is done."

"How... how long would that take?" Uncertainly.

"It is hard to say. You have an unusual situation. To my knowledge, there is no precedent. I think it will likely depend on your mentor. And we have not yet determined who that will be. The Mountain is pursuing options."

"Would she let me be her squire after training with someone else? Would ... whoever else ... want me to be their squire?"

A frown. "Do you see this as a failing, Adam?"

"It.... it kinda feels like it." His shoulders slump. "She said she wouldn't disappear, and then she did, and now says we don't fit good together and you have to go all the way to EarthRunes to find someone else, if there -is- someone else....."

"Perhaps you misunderstood. She probably meant that she would not disappear from the barony right away. She is still here. And I am certain we will find a mentor for you." Confident. "Adam, do you think gender matters? Would you be able to focus better with a male mentor?"

"Uh... I don't know? Maybe, I guess. Can I see her?"

"If you wish. And if she wishes. I am not restraining you, certainly."

"Will you tell her I would like to see her?" he asks with intense, sincere eyes. "I don't have any way to contact her."

"How did you meet her the last time?"

"I went to the apartments like you told me to."

"Then perhaps you will find her again that way." A slight grin.

"I... yes, Chief."

"When do I go to EarthRunes? What should I take, am I staying there?"

"We do not even know if you are going yet. Arrangements have not been made. I will tell you as soon as I can."

He is clearly disappointed but nods. "Yes Chief. What do I do till then?"

"You have resumed your patrols?"

"Yes."

"Good. Continue that. Also, please ask Professor Wayburton for resources about House Fiona, and read up on the house history and philosophy. We will proceed with that as your assumed house."

"Yes, Chief."

"Train at the Lodge, with me and against the pell."

He nods obediently.

"Good. Then that is all I ask. That...and spend more time with your family, as possible. If you go to EarthRunes, you will want to have good family memories to take with you, as well."

"No one's going to try and make me leave them, are they? Like, abandon them?"

She frowns. "Adam...if anybody tries to make you abandon your family, do not trust that person."

He nods pensively. "Yes Chief."

"Tell me if that occurs. Understood?"

"Lady.... Sparrow..... was talking about it. I just remembered, when you walked about my family."

"What do you mean?" She looks concerned.

He looks uncomfortable. "I.... it's a little fuzzy. Like, there's stuff I don't really remember. But she asked if I'd abandon my family if she asked me to. I remember, I think, 'cause I had to close my eyes to answer."

"And what did you answer?"

"I said I wouldn't."

Then he looks stricken. "Is that why she doesn't think we're a good fit? But she said 'Good' when I told her no...!"

She shakes her head. "No, I do not think so. I think she was testing you. You passed that part. I am glad that is what you said. Do you recall what else you said to her?"

"Uh....." He thinks. "We talked about the Lodge."

A brow. "What about the Lodge?"

A shrug. "Just, like, the people there. Who's who. She was interested, wanted me to talk to her while she painted."

"Mm." Brekke looks serious. "She asked you to give her information, and you provided it. Then she asked if you would abandon your family?"