#bergen_county

Brekke Zane and Professor Cornelous take a trip back to Hackensack

"Professor, have you met Admiral Angus before?"

"Yes yes, I found him to be far too traditionalist, too stuck in old thinking. I tried to help him out with a few suggestions on how better incorporate reformer policies.. and .. he threw me out"

Not quite true

And Zane calls him on it "Dad, you used words like 'antiquated' and 'near sighted' at him. Of course he was offended"

"And they say we satyrs are thin skinned" The grump sighs "But that was years ago, and he didn't so mcuh throw me out as inform me I was dismissed"

A brow. "I see. Well. I do not understand all of what happened yet, but it seems that in trying to manage a situation efficiently, his people created a device that overtook them all, deeming them too inefficient."

"It's like old sci fi" Zane muses "I wonder..."

"Mm?"

This speculation continues as they drive, "I was just thinking" Zane says "Maybe they created a nervousa of sorts? Sure in computer form, but it would explain a lot"

She frowns. "I suppose. It is not my area of expertise." A pause. "What concerns me is the timing and location. A Dougal hold overrun by its own creations less than a week and less than an hour away from another Dougal hold that fell prey to deception and betrayal."

"Yes" the professor says "That is strange"

And they continue driving, the city of hackensack now in view

"Do you wish to go to Dame Ynisa's home or to the hold? I do not know where she would be right now."

"Much as I'd love to see Ynsia and little McClean" The professor says "I think that might be rather selfish of me and rude to storm in even if only to say hi and offer aid she might not even want. The hold I think?" A glance to his son

"You'll wantn to talk to the admiral" Zane nods

Brekke nods. "Professor, given what you told me about your last encounter, I will ask you to attempt to listen more than you speak, please."

"Well mmph very well. I don't want to distract from your questions I suppose"

Zane smiles at this ,but doesn't let his dad see it

And they approach the naval museum again

"Thank you," she says solemnly, and finds a place to park.

After they park, the satyrs move out with easy energy, even the grump

Brekke moves a bit more slowly. As they approach the hold, she takes in any signs of damage and assesses the state of defense.

The whole place seems to be full of glamour, of course, damage undone... but it should be better than this after a dream dance. There are thanes that don't make eye contact , boggans that go about their work but seem ulra focused on it. Rivetingn and ship building resumes

It looks good structure wise.. but there's a sense of.. profound shame everywhere

The professor frowns "Not a good sign this"

"Mm," Brekke agrees. She wonders if they will be properly challenged at the door.

Two thanes seem to be making no challenge...

when suddenly a troll childling, a girl, steps forward "Halt, and be recognized!"

She is fierce in her little pig tails with her viking shield

Brekke blinks down at her, then bows her head respectfully. "Chieftain Brekke of Rivervale. With me are Rivervalers also: Professor Cornelius Wayburton and Zane Wayburton. We request audience with the Admiral."

One of the regular thanes says "Nymeria this is the Chieftain of Rivervale, we don't challenge her" He then says "Sorry , Nymeria is a bit zealous"

Brekke's brows rise. "Thane, your hold stands under your guard. You challenge those who approach, if only to welcome them into your hold as good companions." She looks to the childling again. "Young Nymeria, will you escort us to your Admiral? We bear no ill will to him or your hold."

"You better not, Chieftain" She says then bows "Please follow me"

"Precocious" the professor mutters

Brekke nods to the girl, troubled at herself that she just scolded another hold's thane.

the thane says "Apologies, Baroness.. it has been..hectic" He seems unable to meet her gaze

but they are off

"Troll," she mutters back to the professor.

And they come intto the chamber. Here there is a KNIGHT on guard, a witthered old grump of a Gwydion, "Page, who do you escort?"

"Hello, Sir Dyfus. " The girl says with a bow "This is Chieftain Brekke and the professor and Zane...they want to see the Admiral. They mean no ill will." Then she adds "I'll keep an eye on them, Sir"

Dyfus gives a tired smile "Of that i am sure. Heroes deserve an escort such as you"

He bows to the baroness "The Admiral is just one more door in. He is tired. I would ask you keep the converation under an hour if it please, but it is merely a request."

"Of course, Sir. Beyond that, is there any aid that we can offer, or that Rivervale might be able to supply as Hackensack recovers?"

"Officially that's beyond me" the knight admits, "Unofficially? Between falcons?" A look to the satyrs to be sure they can be trusted by Brekke's opinion

A pointed look to the Wayburtons. "This stays among us," she says to them. Then she looks back Dyfus. "Tell me."

He says softly "The hold is in danger of dying.. it is not just a matter of glamour, the dream dance would see to that. Mortal authorities, while the baron was encased annnd helpless, made moves.. the mueseum must be moved, perhaps outside of Hackensack. We must move the bale .. the Chancellior did not know.. the Admiral wasn' awake to fight it. And it's as good as done. The people are demoralized. We.. may need a new baron or baroness soon and a new hold suited location. The dejection is in the air.. and the shame is.. well you've seen it. it hangs over us even now like a miasma"

"Yes. It is clear. But moving the balefire...." She frowns. "There is no undoing this mortal decision?"

"It seems unlikely" he admits "Certainly beyond this old falcon's reasoning" Dyfus does not like being helpless and it shows in his frustration "With no heir on top of it, I think the Baron is going to be expected to step down anyway. My liege is not a bad man, but he does not adapt to change well. Not taht I can say I do"

Nymeria listens,and her face grows .. nott fearful, but intent