#bergen_county

Brekke listens grimly, her face lined with concern. Then she nods. "So...a relocated bale and a gap in leadership. Is there word of who is expected to fill the Baron's position, if he does step down? He may name an heir yet, may he not?"

"With the Count's approval certainly, without it? Mm possibly. The count may do the selecting" Then a frown "It certainly shouldn' be the commoners here that do it"

The professor says "That's a bit overtly traditionalist isn't it?"

the Gwydion looks at the professor "It was for the sake of the people's fear and demands that the admiral had that thing BUILT. Their insecurities, their fears, their distrust...they did not trust. My liege blames himself. I blame the mob that pushed him to this"

Brekke raises a hand to forestall this from escalating. "Professor..." she says, to remind him of her earlier request.

"Ah yes," Mmph "My condolences for your troubles and the troubles of your people sir" And leaves it at that

Then to Dyfus, "Let us meet with him, briefly. But I may wish to speak with you further, Sir."

"I get off duty in three hours . " He says staying by his post and bows

Nymeria walks with them and whispers "He's a good knight. Probably why the machine had the Chancelor dismiss him. " Then they come before Angus

Still rail thin, at least his mein is strong, but there is a weariness and something defeated in him

Brekke nods understanding to Nymeria, then bows to Angus as she enters his presence. They are equals in rank, but this is his hold. "Admiral."

"Chieftain" he says then sees Zane "And the young savior of our latest arrival. Be welcome" Then he notices the professor and says "And you, wayburton. Would you like drinks or the like?"

"Nothing for me, thank you."

"Quite fine as is" The professor says remembering nont ot make trouble

"Thank you but nothing for me either, Admiral" Zane bows

"Ah, to bussiness then" he old sidhe nods "Please, have a seat anywhere if you like" He gestures "I think that bench is solid enough for a troll if it is all right."

Brekke nods and takes the indicated seat. "Admiral, I am gratified to see you looking more yourself."

"Well, my britches aren't so tight, but it's not a diet plan I would reccomend" Angus says in an attempt at some humor

"Agreed." An awkward pause. She had come down here to chastise the baron for this breach of good sense...but she cannot bring herself to do so.

"I hear unwelcome news as well. The bale must be relocated?"

Nymeria has not left. Rather she seems firmly at attention and ready to leap.. TO THE DEATH if need be if trouble should arise

"Yes" the baron says, and does not ask how she knew "I thought the Dream dance would bring us the energy the bale needed, but later I found out more of what had happened. Emails and paperwork sent to me as caretaker of the 'museum' that I ignored because.. well I wasn't here to see it. " he looks grim "I love this place with all my heart I do. Here was the birthplace of some of the finest ships you could imagine. It had history of brave sailors. But now... all that is to end. I am thinking I may go down with it. I cannot bring myself to let go, but I must release the flame. "

Zane remembers Brekke's reason for being here "Admiral, I'm very sorry for all that happened. But.. what DID happen?"

Brekke looks to Zane with a hint of gratitude.

The Admiral says "Oh, did I not say? The glamour from that stupid election went sour... distrust was in the air. A rush of banality born of it seemed to plague the area.. nervous and more. I was asked.." Not quite true? "to construct a device that would help be fair and impartial in advising rulership. near as ysnia can figure, instead it devoured some of the fears, the resentment ..and it grew intelligent in truth, and decided 'meat' was inferior. My boys had made two, just two steam sailor golems. Alas, with the pattern made, the machine soon made more"

"Poor Ysnia was forced to play Chancelior.. chosen by the machine...with her child at gun point" He goes on then looks at Zane "Until a brave wizard did Rivervale proud and saved him. But do not blame Ysnia. She was a mother desperate to save her boy"

Brekke frowns. "Admiral, who asked this of you?"

"The people... someone stirred them up I suppose but they.." He frowns "I had near twenty kithain insisting on it! Never had such a near mutiny in all my days" he admits "And I obliged, but the error is mine. The buck stops here, as Truman said. And I cannot fool myself. the challenge of building such a thing tempted Dougal pride."

All true

"And I will pay the price if I can so my people pay as little as possible. No true noble would do different" He says

Her frown goes deeper. "Admiral, you have been separated from the world, as you say. You have not heard of what occurred at Alabaster Hollow"

"No. I Haven't.. I'm still catching up local"

"What I know is second hand at best. But there was an infiltrator who captured the Dougal Baron there and replaced him with a convincing golem. She then exiled many others. The details of the baron's rescue are not entirely clear, but...I wonder if this is somehow connected. The perpetrator there is, as I understand it, in custody. But if she had allies to her cause, perhaps one of them instigated your people to demand your action."

Professor Wayburton raises a brow at this.

But Zane nods

The Admiral says "If so, it could be a coordinated effort upon House Dougal by anarchists."

"This is my thinking. Or...it could be a coincidence. I have no actual evidence of a connection," she points out.

"I fear I do not have the time or resources to search and find out. Not when other prorities in clude saving the fire" A sigh "I'll have to talk to the Spymaster of the Count"

"If you wish, I can bring the matter to the Count's people, leaving you to attend to matters here."

"The Count will be coming here... to take me to task I am sure, or I shall be summoned befoe him anyway" The Admiral waves it off "Let us talk of matters more directly pertaining to you that I can affect and influence- I would ask you show forgiveness for the wrongs done to your good name, or at least, blame me and not Ysnia. It was ,she says, her planning, but it was her idea of how to get you here. Trust an Eiluned to go around about method to risking their necks by angering a Gwydion in hopes of being a hero...but she was a desperate woman and a loving mother"

Brekke shakes her head. "I have no anger towards anyone for that, now that I know its purpose. It was a clever approach, and effective. However...I do agree that a replacement song should be circulated to deter others from singing it, for I will become angered by them. I understand that Ysnia wishes to craft a new song; I ask that Tove of Rivervale also be involved in this process."

"Tove? Oh yes, fine minstrel.. pardon me, Skald is the term isn't it?" he asks

Brekke nods. "I trust her skill to recraft the current lyrics."

"Done. It shall be deferred to your Skald and she will be paid tto promote it." he says "Further, Ysnia will issue a public apology three times. once here. Once at Caer Falken, and once at Rivervale. She will denounce the songs as baseless and born of desperate gambit"

"Hm. I will issue a written statement that I bear her no ill will. The song will likely fade quickly in favor of the actual story in Tove's hands. Ah, I meant to ask, the new chrysalid is well?" She glances briefly at the professor.

The professor shoots her a grateful look

"Amazing is more like it. That boy should have nightmares of giant killer golems."

"Insead" The Admiral goes on... "he's a pure bundle of sunshine."

A pleased look. "Good. Is he home with his mother once more?"

"Yes. She was never chancellior save by that machine setting her up to pretend to be... but I blame her not for that. I asked a thane to patrol by their house for a bit."