#bergen_county

"If.. when..."

She nods. "If it happens that I cannot fulfill my duties soon, it will be Olgar. But I do not think it will be soon, not unless a foe defeats me. And Olgar is not very much younger than I. After him, or after me but much later than now, you will be Storm."

"This is what I expect."

She tilts her head. "I hope it can be so."

She ponders this, and nods.

"So I'll have a lot of work to do, to get ready."

"Yes. You have already been doing much to get ready. And...you have time. You will be able to complete your mortal schooling, I think, before this happens."

An exhale, satisfaction. "It is good to know you understand this."

"Even if I go away? I.. at camp, there was this guy from Rutgers..."

"Yes?"

"Like... he said I might not have to pay anything to go to college..."

"Indeed? That is very good news!" She nods. "And yes...even if you go away. You are still my knight, Dame Dagmar. Even at a distance."

"And Rutgers or the City, I could maybe even stay here..."

"Yes, it is not far at all. Not as if you were going to, say, Harvard."

"No way would I want to go there..."

"I'm still not sure what I want to be, you know?"

"I know. That is part of why I say Olgar is next, rather than you." Not unkindly.

"You will have the time to understand more about yourself."

She nods. "I haven't told my parents about the scout yet."

"Why not?"

"College didn't even seem that real until... I dunno, it still doesn't feel that real."

"I think much about your education seemed unreal in the last year," she nods. "Speak with them about it. It is a new type of quest for you. And we will be here."

She nods. "I.. I think I understand Klump, in a way. Rivervale is like an anchor. In a good way! Someplace steady."

Brekke nods slowly. "I understand that, as well. And if I understand correctly, that is part of why Sylvi wishes to return. And...as to that...."

"She's the next Chief, yeah?"

"I mean, in a LONG time."

"No. No, Sylvi is not well suited to lead a noble hold, even if it is trollish in nature." A brow. "You dislike change, but I think there is a change coming that will be a good one, and it involves Sylvi. And am I hoping you can help me to support her in it."

Brow furrow.

"Sylvi's the best leader we have. Maybe Symon after that, though he wouldn't admit it."

She nods. "And that is why I am asking her to return now. I ask you to keep this quiet for now, although the news is beginning to spread of necessity. I have access to the means to establish a new freehold, and I intend to do so. However, I do not wish it to be a noble hold. I am asking Sylvi to return to lead it, as a commoner mews."

Blink.

"But... " She frowns.

A brow. "Go on."

"But I thought she was coming home for us..." Uncertain.

"She is. She wished to return, and asked her parents to be able to do so. She did not know of the freehold until yesterday. She wants to return to school with you, her friends. But...as you say, she is a born leader, and I have need of that. I am asking her to return formally because that frees her of most of her oath to DarkGate."

"If this... mews... I mean, I thought we were trying to get people to feel welcome at the Lodge?"

"Yes, and we should continue to do so. But I think it is important that there be options, for those who cannot see beyond the Gwydion green-and-gold, or the very large furniture."

"It doesn't feel a lot like a noble hold. Not like Hemlock's court."

"Not to you nor to me. But it feels very much like a very seelie hold, at the least, and that is enough to alienate many. I may not be able to claim the honor of it, but I will see the people of Rivervale have the resources they need."

"Right..."

"Like Rikki, or the twins."

"Exactly. And there will be others." A pause. "Have you spent much time at Firnost?"

"I've been through it once or twice. I haven't spent a lot of time there."

She nods. "I have. It is far from a perfect place, but it is a safe haven that welcomes all, at least temporarily. Sylvi often snuck away to visit Firnost when she was still a childling. I think it may have imprinted on her...and I think she understands the value of such a place. I think she will do well to lead it."

"Syvli's a born leader."

"And she has Rivervale in her blood, since birth."

"I... I bet Symon would like something like that. Or Piper. Or most of the wilder crew..." Another note of anxious discontent.

She recognizes that note. "And you as well?" A note of invitation.

Furrow.

"Like you said, I've got... I mean, Rivervale is home. I don't want or need somewhere else... and I've taken an Oath, yeah? And.. it's.. I mean, I guess it's great for everybody that needs somewhere else."