#bergen_county

Brekke says, "And this is why I have asked his Excellency to meet with you, for I do not believe he is being told the truth. Please explain to him the status of the Farm, Chieftain Clem."

Frank listens gravely.

"Firstly, the Hearth is up and walking about, but still taking a rest while another serves as acting Hearth with her blessing. It is true she and many of our elders hold grudges from the Accordance War... you were not there for that, good sidhe" Clem says "But it is hard to get past a bias. She recognizes she has become too hard in her hate, but has chastised us to do better than he. That said, we are Modernists.. not anarchists. And WE might say we mreely follow older traditions. The troll lodge method works very well for us."

Brekke nods. "And as I have already said, I will stand with and defend the Farmhold if necessary. I hope it does not come to that. Ah, before we say more, Count Obeithiol Goldenwing ap Gwydion, Sir Drifala, please meet my husband, Sir Franklyn ap Liam."

Frank bows from the waist.

"Ah, the Wise House" The Count says and inclines his head "Sir Franklyn."

"Sir knight" Sir Drifala bows

"An honor, Excellency. Sir."

"Hello, Mountain" Clem smiles

Brekke is a bit surprised with the Count's words. "Just so," she nods. "Now...you have heard my opinion, and you have heard Chieftain Clem's position. I ask you, Excellency, to assure the people of the Farmhold that you will cease your claim against them and seek other approaches."

Frank's beard moves. "Chief Clem."

"Your Excellency, you are in debt to the Beltaine Blade" Sir Drifala reminds "Shelter, Resources. Why, we helped you get that sword you wear at your side"

The Count looks at his sword, then sighs "This is true. I bear a debt, Baroness Brekke. Freeholder Clem. "

"What is the nature of this debt, Excellency?

"In other words, how exactly did that sword become yours?"

"It was given to me in sign of friendship and alliance with them" he sighs "And it is a fine blade" he admits. "An old Gwydion blade. " He draws it to show . It is a lovely thing. It can only be wielded by the pure of heart. Such a fine blade. " It has a stag pattern on it's hilt.

"Excellency...may I?" She extends a hand to request the sword.

He hands it over "of course." For a moment, there is a weight to it but it passes quickly

A curious look at that odd weight. She turns the blade to give it a good look. "Excellency, would you mind if I were to use a cantrip to understand this blade's background better?"

He looks delighted, "Well, of COURSE you can wield it." A smile

"Oh and yes go ahead"

The Beltaine Blade knight's eyes narrow

Another curious look at that delight, and she nods. A few steps away, and she moves the blade in a sequences of strokes, something of a practice pattern, accompanied with a careful sequence of breaths. The movements take her in a dynamic circle, and she ends in a final motion on one knee, the blade point down before her, as the cantrip

's power wraps around it.

And the willow whisper dances along it. It is.. VERY gwydion..welsh

Frank's beard moves as he watches.

She stays in that posture as she whispers, "Who has wielded you before Count Goldenwing?"

The accent is actually Welsh touched "Near a half dozen o the kind hearted... most recently Dame Amlys the Fairbrow ap Gwydion"

"What kind-hearted acts have you been part of?"

"I have slain the Thallilan of the Shadow Court to. I have proven the worth of a pooka who was falsely accused. I have ended machinations by the Beltaine Blade. I have show the way to food to the boggans of last march, I have consoled a child who lost his parents and made him realize he could be brave."

A blink and a look at the knight as she whispers to the sword, "The Beltaine Blade has claimed ownership of you and put another in their debt by granting you to him. How do you claim to have ended the machinations of the Beltaine Blade?"

Kerri's gaze has not left Sir Drifala since the cantrip bunk began. She looks very, very serious.

Frank does blink, and watches.... well, all the others gathered there.

Drifia steps back

Kerri steps forward. "Excellency...you may wish to request the Sir to stay in place..."

"I can only be wielded by the pure of heart. they need not be titled. " it answers

"Sir.. stay where you are" He says

And then gazes at the blade in wonder "Commoners can use..."

he trails off in wonder

A puzzled look at that answer....then she stands. "Excellency...clearly you can wield this." She offers the blade back. "I am not so certain of others."

Frank moves back..... such that he drops away from the group and closer (behind) Sir Drifia.

"I'm not sure how that stops the beltaine blade" Clem says confused

"Nor I" the Count admmits and takes it back

"Nor am I. Unless...it means that the Beltaine Blade is not pure of heart, by nature."

"You may wish, Excellency, to have Sir Drifala hold the blade."

She steps back. "I would nnot presume"

"You need not" The Count says "I am requesting it. No presumption needed"

Clem scratches her chin then eyes Teesha

"The decision has been made, sir," Brekke says. "Will you comply?"

Frank steps just a little further back, now behind the Sir.