#bergen_county

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A knock at the door of the King house.

Dogs!

A responding bark. Sounds like Signe!

"Coming!" Tromp tromp tromp of heavy footsteps.

"Sit." The door opens. Brown Dog and TwoBit are sitting very nicely behind her, though the former is wiggling in excitement. "Chief?"

Signe is in a similarly tenuous sit, tail almost beyond her control. Far above the pup, Brekke gives Dagmar a nod. "Hello, Dame Dagmar. All is well?"

"Sure? Dad's at work, Mom's got the baby in her she-shed." A pause. "Can I let Brown Dog say hi to Signe?"

"He's gonna burst."

An amused look. "Yes. Signe, say hello."

"Okay." Both Brown Dog AND Two Bit take that as license to greet and sniff! There is much tai wagging. The terrier snuffles at Brekke's ankles.

Signe, small and brave and with her own young version of dignity, wags and sniffs and circles and paws and pants.

"They are all good dogs," she proclaims confidently. "Dame, I wonder if you would come on patrol with me. There are matters to discuss."

Much dog greeting ritual occurs!

"They really are." Her brow wrinkles, worried. "I... sure? Let me get Flyswatter."

"Nothing for concern," she adds, noting the wrinkled brow. Then she waits patiently while Dagmar gets her weapon.

Dagmar returns shortly - tabard, weapon, sturdy shoes. No armor.

Brekke nods approval. "Signe, come," she says as she turns to move off on patrol.

Dagmar gives the dogs a pat, but they are sent back into the house.

Signe stops trying to show BrownDog she COULD eat his tail, looks embarassed, and follows promptly

The first five minutes is a quiet patrol in the woods. Familiar, likely uneventful.

Dagmar walks beside Brekke - the eyebrow-crease lingers, but she's quiet and watchful of their surroundings.

A few branches cleared from paths.

"Dame, I hear you have settled on your college plans."

"Yeah. Rutgers. They said I don't need a major yet."

She nods. "I believe that is common for the first year." A few steps. "How long do you think your studies will take?"

"Four years." An ambivalent tone.

"Symon's going, too." More upbeat, there.

Signe sniffs at Dagmar, and seems to approve.

"Yes. I hear that Sylvi has decided to go there, as well."

Her eyes widen. "Really? I thought she wasn't going!?"

"That's amazing."

"Perhaps I was not supposed to tell you yet. I hope I have not misstepped in speaking."

"Um." She clears her throat self-consciously. "Sorry."

A blink. "For?"

"I wonder if she'd want to... um.." A hint of purple in her cheeks. "I dunno. The outburst. Sylvi can do whatever she wants, I just.. I.. she's been so busy this year... and... like, just because she's going to Rutgers doesn't mean she'll have time to hang out..."

"Yes, this is true. But I am glad you are pleased with the news. I think she will be glad, as well."

She clears another branch from the path.

"This means that several talented wilders will be residing outside of the barony for a time. It is good that we have means of swift travel, in times of need."

She bites on her lip.

"Do you need me to stay? I thought..."

"No," she says firmly. "I need you to serve when I call upon you, but not to stay."

"However, I do wish to speak with you about the future, beyond those four years."

"We're looking at staying off campus, but near the train. And home on the weekends."

"That is good," she nods. "I will wish to claim some of your weekend time, when possible."

She nods!

Signe gives the squirels warning looks as they patrol. Their fluff tailed scheming will avail them not today

A few quiet paces. "I wish to propose a plan for the future. In doing so, I do not intend to have you commit to it absolutely. It is a plan, not an absolute, understand?"

Frown. Nod.

"I have been considering the ways in which the Lodge functions, and the same for the Farmhold. I think it is time to change one thing here. I think it is time for Storm and Chieftain to be separate roles."