#bergen_county

"Agreed."

"Like.. like.. what if... what if I did get a scholarship?"

"It would be part of my service to you to see that you make good use of it."

"Even if it's far away?" A little knot of anxiety.

"Would you return to aid in times of dire need?"

"Of course. Don't need an Oath to know that.."

"Exactly. Dame, you may note that I do not ask many to swear fealty. Some other nobles use it as a binding, and obligation, and withhold resources until they receive it. I do not see it that way. I wish to have you swear, and for me to return my oath of Escheat, because I already know what you are, and that you will serve. I suggest the oath because I think it would help us both, not because I doubt you."

She nods.

"You would be no less my vassal at a distance. And if you would prefer to wait until your studies are done to decide, that is also very acceptable."

"I just... I don't know how to... I haven't been feeling very great..."

"Mm?"

"Like.. like... the Browns, and Sylvi and Nadeen and... and everything is changing but I don't... I don't know..."

Brekke nods. "This is true. Neither you nor I are comfortable with change, and not so much change at once. Do you see this as another change?"

"Kind of? I am worried about other changes... I'm worried about screwing it up?"

"Screwing up...the oath?" Brekke looks puzzled.

"Screwing up my service? I.. I dunno. I wish I knew what the new normal here was? Like.. like, should I be doing something? Sylvi and Siv went off... and... and am I not because I'm afraid? But I don't want to go anywhere, my home is here..."

A deep breath and an exhale. She is idly stroking Stormwake's neck as she speaks, the horse near dozing at the familiar touch and voices. "Dame, you are not like Sylvi or Siv, in many ways. If you will forgive me saying so, both were raised in homes full of love and support. It is normal that they seek to explore beyond the nest. But you were raised without, and you fought hard to find and win and keep your home. You have every right to stay close to it. It is your well-earned treasure."

"When you are ready to venture elsewhere, you will find support to do so...but I suspect that you will always return, eventually."

She nods. "This is the first place that ever felt like home."

"And there's nobody I'd want to swear to, other than you."

A bit of a grin. "I am honored." Truth.

"Then...let us say that the offer stands. When and if you wish to take it, tell me, and it will be so."

She nods.

"I will have to talk to Connor, too. I owe him that."

"Indeed. Thank you for being his knight, Dame. He has thrived in your service."

"He's great. I might be overprotective, I think."

"Ah?"

"He gets this face when I tell him to stay behind. Like with Gildas."

"Mm. With Gildas, you were right to keep him far from it. And...it is difficult, as I am responsible to SilverWolf to be sure of his safety and care. He may need to experience greater risks, but then again he is in some ways so young."

She nods.

"You get it."

"I do."

"I... listen, thank you for asking me."

"Thank you for considering it."

One more pat on Stormwake's neck, and she says, "I will leave you to finish here."

"Thanks, CHief."

Lucia walks towards the Lodge. Her diplomatic outfit has a coffee stain, her wings fluffed

She looks both angry and embarrassed

Brekke spots her. "Lucia," she calls.

Then she notes the stain. "Has something happened?"

Frown!

She turns then jumps abit "Chieftain, Dame Dagmar I .. ah, Pardon. I must be intruding" She otices the two of them near the horses "Something happened? Oh. well... it's not.. you see... a snag. It's nothing" (LIE) "Okay, it was something. I showed up. One of the other emmisaries refused to believe I was... representing. And.. told me to get her a cup of coffee. I explained who I was, and.... well, things snowballed. I may have.. I DID Hurl Coffee into her face...." A beat "It wasn't hot by the time I did" TRue

Brekke's eyes widen. "Who?"

"A cup of coffee?" A puff of air from her nostrils, rather like an irate bull. "The nerve."

"Dame Shavina Delace" A beat "I have a duel with her tomorrow"

"A... duel? Did you challenge, or did she?"

"I did" A nod "That...came with the coffee in the face."

She looks at her stained clothes "this is back splash."

A frown. "I do not know which hold she represents."

"She's a new Emmisary for Unicorn's Eye, not their regular one"