#bergen_county

*****

After the puppy talk and pick, Clem and Brekke return through the trod "You do realize he probably wasnn't going to pick THAT puppy?"

"Mm." An easy nod. "But I only bargained heavily for first and third pick on this litter because I knew it mattered to him. I am not a dog breeder, not in the same way. A good dog is a good dog. I trust him to care well for any animal in his care, and so I do not fear to promise him a first-pick puppy."

"I suppose not, one thing we know, whatever his politics, he takes care of the critters. " Amused "And i suppose we both figure Nadeen will talk sense to him in private if needful. Never ever thought I'd be making dealing with an Ailil"

"Nor did I." She frowns a bit. "I think if I had heard such a thing as a prophecy in my younger days, I would not have believed it."

"Probably why Vali kept his yap shut" Clem half jokes, but she notes the frown "Damn hard to figure out how much to open my mind before my brain falls out. I think I'm taking the farm the right path, the only path. The world is coming to us; this way it's more on our terms."

Brekke nods. "While we must adapt to survive, it is difficult to know how much change is too much. I think that, yes, you have set the terms for the Farm in a way that allows it to...to shift without shattering." A pause. "You still have some opposition among your people, though?"

"Some" She says "We're family, but it's an extended family, so there are some sides that are getting ansty. Feeling all we knew will be replaced and them with it. It's embarrasing, some worry that we're going to have satyrs popping up because of the Maude children having Caesar for a father, others notice that we've had some non Troll DeBukes already like Mara. They fear we're losing our trollishness and won't be a lodge anymore. Maybe one day we won't, but we'll still be DeBukes, and some customs, some parts of our culture, will survive, and we won't lose it to defeat. The fact I am now.. well, I knew a centaur suitor would be worrying some. I try not to let it get my goat. Now, don't get the wrong idea. Ain't but a quarter of us that feel that silly scared of it, but..." A frown " still, a quarter of them.. it's more than a bit embarrassing. The Very old, like Emmit, are rolling with it better than I thought, but the middle aged, as grumps go? Bristling. Younguns seem to be fine with it"

She furrows her brow and nods. "I suppose...there is no harm in still continuing as a Lodge even if the trolls lose their majority. Following Lodge practices, structures."

"Yeah. I confess, I DO have a hard time imaginging traggos and stuff at the farm... frankly never careed for the gift of pan, sure, you release your heart like you always wanted to, but sometimes what a girl wants ain't always what she needs. Begging your pardon for bringing that out." She considers "Some say I've spread us too thin, that we're sending out mroe trolls than we're taking in. " An amused look amid the worry "Frankly I know where I could pinch a lot of good troll types, but your people won't leave"

A slight amused sound. "And you know my feelings about poachers." After a few more steps, she points out, "Some of what you are saying is why I made the point of having Sylvi start a new freehold. There are practices that I am not comfortable with...but they are not necessarily bad, in and of themselves. Others' needs should have a home. Otherwise, I am a tyrant who will only allow what I prefer."

"And you're never that" Clem nods "Sadly, holds don't grow on trees and even if I had one, they'd still be family and I don't want to make them feel like not family even as I gave them a new bale. what would I do? Say 'hey, you , the DeBukes without blue or gray skin, who look a bit shorter than the others, or Odin forbid have hooves... you shoo on over to that other place and leave this to the REAL DeBukes' ."

A quiet pause as they keep walking. "The other option is to say that those who cannot abide the non-trolls may move to the 'real' DeBukes new homestead. But that would not a workable option, either. And I do not suggest it in seriousness," she assures Clem.

"I didn't think so" Clem ponders "Sorry to unload this all on you, Chieftain, but you have a level head on your shoulders so I thought you mighth ave a few ideas. I.." She considers "mmm, now there's an idea"

"Hm?"

"Oh, you might not have heard.. mind you, I have to be careful intruding on this, too many cooks spoiling the pot but..." She relates what she learned from Earl about the Varich of the Bloody Oak barony, how Zara and he ended up rescuing a whole group of sluagh from being used as 'training' for 'hunting' by Varich

And, she relates of a lost cousin, who was returned by a flicker flash to hsi confusion... And is sworn to that Varich

"As you can imagine, that.. riles us"

Brekke listens to the tale, first with a frown, and then a scowl, and then a slow-burn of anger. However, the news of the cousin gives her a shock. "A DeBuke was working for such a person? How did he become so sworn?"

"A DeBuke, but he doesn't know he was a DeBuke. It.. happens sometimes, different family name , a kinian gets lost... found in a dream dance.. he's not farm raised." SHe scowls

A quiet pause, then a bemused shake of her head. "My apologies...for a moment it sounded as though you were speaking of wandering cattle. Perhaps branding DeBukes might help return them where they belong." Then a sigh. "What is his oath."

"Fealty" She observes "Fealty to a person who hunts children. Apparently Järnbryn made a deal?"

"A deal? Did he tell you the nature of this deal?"

"Stubborn as a DeBuke too. Under orders not to betray secrets, so the power of trhe oath behind it. Fortunately we have our own magic. He has a loved one, best we can tell for Omens. One with a medical condition that could not be afforded. So, he found himself a rich Varich ...sidhe often do come into money... and.. he sold his oath. I'm... normally a troll selling his Oath for MONEY would... I wouldn't want him near me. I'd spit on his ass" A frustrated look "But.. it wasn't the money, it was what the money could do for someone he cares about. "

She nods slowly. "There are details that would be helpful to know. I hope you do not mind if I ask."

"No I don't blame you. We're still learning things our selves. Omens are .. imprecise. We can't make him talk. Chicanery worked better... but still only gave so much and he has a strong will. Ask away"

She nods. "I am wondering if the aid that is being provided for his loved one was a one-time event, or if there is on-going support? You see, I am thinking that if the loved one can be cured, then perhaps the oath would expire as the need for the assistance would be gone."

"You mean like how some companies give medicines that suppress, but never want to sell the cure?"

"I had not thought that exactly, but...yes, that would make sense. Ensure a condition that keeps a troll in loyal servitude."

"You realize that idea isn't making me less mad?" A brow rises, then she sighs "Course you realize it. You're just being logical. "

"I realize it." She nods. "It is infuriating," adds the Gwydion.

Clem may realize that Brekke has a lot of practice working on keeping her temper.

Clem nods "Won't help his loved one me getting riled, or Järnbryn either. Seems he tried not to abuse the sluagh save as much as he was ordered to"

"How do you... free someone from an oath of fealty? We.. I mean, we could try to Reweave the Oath itself that's.. dangerous. Almost a blashemphy to our kind"

"First, we ensure the leverage is removed. The loved one must be located and cured."

"More research then"

"To start. If he is reluctant to speak of it, a pooka would be helpful."

"Mmmm" She ponders "That is is the advantage of an inclusive hold. We don't currently have any pooka nearby, know one you trust we could ask?"

A nod. "Connor is very clever, but also kind."

"But he's a childling . I mean, Järnbryn should be safe but... you never know? Wouldn't Dagmar have a fuss with me risking her squire?"

"Not if she is with him."

"Fair point. " A nod "I like Dagmar. She only puts up with so much BS afore she calls it out"

She nods. "She can also be insightful."

"Gwydion boon is a nice back up too I imagine." Clem nods "Thank you, Chieftain. I'll ask her and connor for help. I apologize for unloading this on you, but sometimes, it's good to consult someone who has been chiefing with experience."

"I will send them to speak with you, so they know I support what you ask of them. Once we have that information, we will be able to plan how to move forward. There is nothing to apologize for; I do not mind, and I wish to help."

"Do you wish to come back to the Lodge for refreshment, or do you return to the Farm now?"

"I should return to the farm, but actually, I could use a cup of coffee. Maybe " she pats Oak "talk about about those pups. " smile ccrosses her features "I think he's wondering why Celebdil isn't with him now. She sure won him over playing Daddy's little girl"

"Oak is clever. He knows the choice has been made. He is also patient. He knows I will bring his girl home when the time is right." A nod to Oak.

Oak nods. His people always keep their promises to him, he just has to be patient

"I will bring him to visit her again before that time comes, as well. Now, come. Let us have coffee." And she leads the way back to the Lodge.