#bergen_county

"While this assault IS breaking the rules of Pennons, if offense was given.." the guard says "Ah, I may have a suggestion, Chieftain. The Count is often busy, but one rule is that many duels and fights are not fought for sport, but affairs of honor. If you feel your lodge or it's members have been dishonored... you have the right to demand satisfaction"

The Jackal's eyes widen "DUEL?"

Brekke gives this serious consideration, nodding slowly. "While I take offense on her behalf, as Dirk certainly did, I would allow Hearth Kerri the first opportunity to demand such satisfaction, if she chose. As you say, she has a claim. The intent of his marketing was clear. Yes. That seems fair. I will find her and bring her here." She turns to go.

"Wait, wait.. Hold on, you know, now that I think of it, that was an ugly stall anyway..." The pooka says "How about I charge all dropsy or what not?"

Brekke pauses and looks back at him. "How much profit had you already made today, and how much did you lose in ingredients? NOT how much you think you have lost in profits for the rest of the day."

"Prophet? only a itty bitty teeny weeny ellow pooka dot bikini" he answers making a small gesture "BUT OH THE LEGS ..Emu is not sheep"

All lies, but which direction?

"Do you have written records?"

"Dust in the schiwnd.." he sighs

"that he does," The Guard corrects. "the money he made in his safe box AND the book with them are in the evidence locker. "

"Ahh." She nods. "I wish to see those."

"As you wish, Chieftain" he gets it.

And soon she's looking over both. This guy has done VERY well, part novelty, part Kerri's name no doubt.

Had he covered the costs of his ingredients?

And yes. Lie as he might, there are receipts for the emu legs

And other ingrediants

"You have done well. You have covered your costs, and at the expense of my Hearth's honor. We owe you nothing other than what my peacekeeper has already delivered." She snaps the safe box closed and hands it back to the guard. "I want Dirk released."

The Guard nods, and speaks quietly "Chieftain, you do realize that the boy, however provoked he might have felt, DID attack someone at Pennons outside of the festival's events. Of course I'll release him ,but ... Redcaps can be hard to control. Are you sure you don't wish me to just hold onto him until the events are over so he doesn't cause any further trouble for you and yours?"

She looks at him steadily. "Thank you for the offer. I have a plan for how to manage him. I do not believe he will cause undue trouble."

"By your will, Chieftain." He inclines his head, "There is a case that he has damaged Hearth Kerri's good name. More than one person was impressed with the Size of said legs, but not the taste"

"Hm. We will sort out the confusion. She may wish an accounting from him yet."

"As your lodge decides." he nods and as an aside, "Our thanks to the Hearth and the Daughter for the donuts. It really helps the guard duty at pennons feel appreciated even though I fear I may have to d a few more patrols to burn off the calories" He then moves to Dirk. Dirk won't glare challengingly at the Chief, but he gives a withering look to the guard

The guard coughs "the matter is settled in so much you are now released into Rivervale's purview"

Dirk shrugs "Fine. They can Purview me all they want. That guy pretends to be the Hearth again he better hope I dont' catch him off the grounds"

"Thank you," Brekke says to the guard. Then to Dirk, "Come with me." Her expression is grim.

Dirk rises and follows "Same as it ever was... E.W.R.C"

"Hm?" Brekke asks as they leave the striped tent.

"Existing While Redcap" he answers "So.. how hard am Geetting Purviewed . because the boon's gonna tell you my only regret is I didn't bash his face SOONER and I'm sorry he got healed"

Brekke's jaw is clenched...but it may be because she's trying to control a grin. She leads him to a less-busy alley between vendor tents and turns to look down at him. "Perhaps I should not approve of what you have done...but I do. The reasons, if not the methods."

He looks stumped then says "Uh.. wha?" Then it settles and he grins, his ugly face still sporting that busted lip "I... thanks. I lost my cool when I heard about it. You're right, my methods stunk. I should have struck him from behind, knocked him out, put him in a sack and given him 'the treatement' so he couldn't put the finger on me after.. but I just got so MAD you know?"

She takes a deep breath, then shakes her head. "You should have told me or the Mountain, or the Hearth herself. Keeping the peace and punishing misdoing are two different things. We will speak on that more. But what you did, you did out of respect for the Hearth's reputation, almost as if it were more important than your own. I will not forget that. Now...I will not be seen seeming to reward you when others expect me to punish you..." she pauses as she quietly hands him some money. "I understand you are hungry. I know there is a stand selling ribs. Buy yourself a rack."

"YEah?" he says surprised, then gets a sly look, takes it and says "I understand Chief... I done a bad thing and out of the protocals an stuff and it won't never happen no more" A bit loudly then quieter he says "Well, you know, you and the Hearth are .. well, you're all right. I guess I might owe her an apology for not letting her kick his ass instead. I'll try to remember that"

She nods firmly -- it might appear stern if anybody's attention was drawn by his loud declamation -- then points, sending him back into the festivities. "Go."

And he moves off...aboutt to make a Rib vendor's day

As Dirk stomps off towards the ribs, Brekke may feel another set of eyes on her. Staring at her from somewhat off to one side is that pint-sized redcap from earlier. Briar glances at Dirk, watching him leave... then goes back to examining Brekke. Appraising, and curious.

Brekke watches him go, partially very very proud...and partially very concerned.

Then she senses that gaze and looks. A frown. "Yes?"

(Having left Gwen behind - "I gotta take a MONSTER shit. Don't wait", And then threatening to go on in horrifying detail if Gwen didn't acquiese..)

(Gwen did. She's rock hard, but not fool hardy)

A glance around to make sure that no one is really watching, and she stomps forward, staying just outside of what she judges to be the Troll's wingspan. "Hey." Her teeth grate a little bit as she contemplates, gnashing just a bit. "Uh."

Brekke...waits.

Another grating sound, metallic squealing. She scowls, and finally spits out. "Yule. What do you want?"

Brekke's brow furrows hard. "Excuse me?"

She scowls deeper. "You're a troll. What kind of shit do you want?" Hiding embarrassment behind the pissed look.

She blinks. Then seems to realize... "You are not asking about me, but about my kith." To clarify.

"Obviously, dumba-" She catches herself. She's not INCREDIBLY bright, but she has some preservationary instinct. "Yeah, that. I helped keep your man from being kneecapped so I figure you owe me."

"You helped Dirk?"

"Nah, the tall one with a face like he fell in a bucket of glue and barber clippins."

A blink again...then she realizes, and does not want to be amused by that description. A slow nod. "And...for this you believe I owe you...information about Yule gifts?"

"You owe me something, and I figured I'd let you off the hook easy like. Not that I'm gonna GET anything! I just wanted to know., okay?"