#bergen_county

Brekke nods. "Understood." She hands the compass back to Dirk without taking her eyes off the guard. "You have a task, Peacekeeper."

"####ing sucks" He mutters but takes it

She takes Speaker from her belt. "Stand aside," she warns the guard again.

"No " The staff wielder's stance turns defensive. "You cannot win. Defeat me, and a dozen warriors will arise after you pass me. But... no, as you said. An Oathmate"

Dagmar does not draw Flyswatter - this is not a place where the long weapon will help her.

Siv's rapier however might be ideal

The troll they don't know seems to accept this IS happening. He is resigned

They are creatures of Oaths.

"As you say." And Brekke abruptly plows into the troll to bowl him out of the way. Perhaps the others can get past.

The troll to her surprise, manages to move fast enough to get the staff between he and Brekke! That does NOT Mean it doesn't press him back, but not as back as far as she thought

The haft of Speaker meets the staff, and they wrangle.

Dagmar looks to see if she can pass, for a higher advantage.

For a moment, staff and axe seem to ...converse. In a language of weapons.

Dagmar might be able to squeeze past but ehs' not sure.

Siv says "I got an idea. Dagmar, you trust me? "

The top of the staff slides vertically, then pops Brekke in the jaw

"Sure!"

Siv casts "Where giants tussle, Mice may play" And Siv, Dagmar, Dirk AND Yoel all shrink.

SO Much more room to go around now!

She immediately responds, taking advantage of the opening to swing Speaker in counterattack.

A squeaky "Gah!" but Dagmar moves - helping the smaller smaller folk up the stairs if need be.

Her foe tiwsts to avoid the worst of the axe head, but still feels the force of the the shaft against his side.

Brekke presses her attack, allowing him to get some strikes in because they create openings in his defense that she exploits.

Tiny yeets as needed!

Brekke's onslaught keeps the foe from stomping or stopping the small ones. Dagmar actually shoves a big food as she goes by, and this throws the unnamed troll off !

He manaages to land some telling strikes, but Dagmar, Dirk, Yoel and Siv get past him up the stairs to the top floor.

WHile Brekke finds herself facing a REALLY good challenger! the man's an artist with a staff

Yes, she doesn't allow too many of his strikes to land, because he lands them well, and she feels them. Block-strike-block-strike!

Dagmar looks back - hesitant to leave Brekke behind.

The staff should not work as well as it is on the steps... but it can be blocked

"The mission" Siv says "Sides, honor duel of sorts"

The close-quarters fighting is not Brekke's strength.

Grunt. Dagda knows, she can't help in a one on one.

She follows up one strike with a grab, trying to force a switch in their positions so she is on a higher stair than he.

They lock!

"Shit" Dirk has moved up with Yoel to the hallway "Grow us agaain, damn it. We got incoming. Six guys!"

Now that Dagmar, and she (And Dirk and Yoel) are past. Siv complies

And Dagmar embiggens to her natural height of 'Holy shit'

She's shorter than Brekke!

Brekke is surprised. She had presummed she had an edge in strength, but if she does, it is not by much. Still, inch by inch, she is forcing the position shift!

In the hallway, she plunks down her helm and pulls Flyswatter into her grip.

Part of her hates to do it, but she thrusts her left hand against his chest and casts Holly Strike.

The figures, two of them in red armor, appear to be mostly sidhe! They move forward eager for battle, and one of them says "Take them alive, chimerical weapons only. Do not let them get past"

Siv answers , Quill (her rapier) in hand "You heard them, Dame Dagmar. We take them alive. Was going to anyway"

Brekke holly strikes! The Fellow COUNTER WEaves... willing to take on Banality rather than let her get by.

Dagmar nods. "Alive is fine. No orders about unbruised."

Brekke resumes the physical attack, impressed by her opponent.

And while Brekke battles in the spiral stair case, her daughter nimbly dodges one blow, and smiles, her own reposte gives a minor cut "Damn. Good armor."

Flyswatter can make an excellent bat. She grips the weapon low, squaring up like Babe Ruth, to swing an arc at the defenders.

The fellow Siv missed says "I'll pass your compliments onto the armoror. We of the Branch do get the best"