#bergen_county

"To his credit, he believed he was doing the right thing," she allows.

Yoel shrugs "Guess I'm a slow learner" Then to Brekke "I apologize for the harm I have done and the s hame is mine. You are right to want to punch me to the moon,."

true

Brekke nods to the others, and she takes a seat at the table, watching Hemlock's expression as she does so.

Dagmar hangs behind Brekke - she is the vassal here, that's the etiquette, right?

And here, she can guard the Chief.

Brekke nods to Yoel, allowing the apology. She notes Dagmar's position, and briefly nods approval, but then says, "Dame Dagmar, you also have been invited to take a seat."

Directing her to a seat by her side.

Siv shrugs and takes herself a seat "Duchess Allyssa eh? Looks good on you."

"I'd have been proud to just be a knight" The Duchess replies

Dagmar nods, and sits.

Brekke clears her throat, organizing her thoughts. "Your Highness...I do not understand. Why you are concealed here is not for me to know. I will accept that there is need. But to set my people to meaningless tasks...and to rouse other's suspicion against my people..." she nods towards Yoel by way of example "...I do not understand why this was necessary. Yes, a distraction, but...a distraction from what?"

Dirk lets Yoel go....

The princess considers then says "What you do not know is that your hold has been under more scrutiney than you know. For months, enemies have been mislead towards your domain ... where the Spymaster of Bergen and his agents were quick to nab them up in the act before you even knew of them. Lady Captain Siv was thought to be a problem, but she was so melacholy she ... proved easier to distract than the Baron thought she would. I should say the Scathach Baron was under orders from hsi count not to tell you anything, Chieftain. You were, in some ways, used as shock troops against our foes. SOme of the enemies you've faced, the odd threats you dealt with.... those were but part of it. We flushed out who was working against Concordia."

"And she would have done it ANYWAY if you'd but given her a chance" HEmlock's own temper flares a moment "She's Brekke Grimhand Shacklebreaker. She lives for this shit.. " ahem "Pardon your highness."

Brekke looks from the princess to Hemlock and back again.

Her frown deepens.

Siv stiffens. "So my heartache was of use. Glad to hear it" LIE

"Baron Kealan knew of this," she says to clarify. "And...Rivervale was used as...bait?"

"Baron Kealan had no choice" Count Hemlock said "He was under magics"

"AND orders"

"But why?"

A frown.

Alyssa says "Look at the chain of command here, Dame Dagmar. Do you see Duke Marcurian of Gardens ANYWHERE?"

Grunt.

A blink. "The Duke was disloyal?"

"Duke Marcurian is so eager to please my own godmother Queen Mab of apples and be on good terms with her that he's almost subservient... and I was proud to call him House Brother" Lenore says of her fellow Dougal "Then , roughly a year ago. Something changed. He became reclusive. Bristling. Truculent, then he withdrew even more. Queries were made. The results were... non conclusive. " Troubled "I cannot tell you his final fate. That is.. let us say I am Heir, I am NOT High King, nro am I queen of apples"

A quiet frown.

Brekke's brow furrows. "Then there was another force manipulating the Duke."

Dirk blurts out "You're trying to draw his agents and resources to a place that didn't have any useful intel if he DID succeed. Hot damn that's blood thirsty. You lead his goons into a bear cave, one guarded by Ravens. Even if they get past hte ravens, they meet the bear. And if they somehow beat the bear, they get nothing. SHIT that's ruthless. You'd have made a good cap, your highness"

Had he risen up and SLAPPED her, Lenore might not look more stircken

Brekke tries not to look to surprised by Dirk's insight. "It is intended as a compliment, Your Highness," she explains on Dirk's behalf.

A sigh. "For my part...the bear would have appreciated being informed." The mild words cannot do much to hide the bitterness she feels.

The frown has shifted to a jaw-jut.

"Yes I... should thank you, Peacekeeper Dirk, but I do wish it had been avoidable. Duchess Alyssa also has been in some danger as well...for Duke Marcurian was influenced and if we cannot ...correct this , he'll end up having to be replaced. Others do not wish him to be"

And she looks to Brekke "So your liege has said, repeatedly, on your behalf, Baroness Brekke. I made the choices I was allowed to make."

"Allowed," she repeats. "By...the High King?"

"I will not answer that" The Princess says "Nor may any other here." A look to Dagmar "Your knight seems as upset as you. I do not know how to correct any insult without violating my own honor. I can tell you all that I AM grateful for the brunt you've taken"

"I still do not understand, Your Highness, why the need to seek out a potential Countess when we have a Count in Bergen and a Duchess ready to stand for Gardens if the need arises."

Dagmar stays quiet.

"And it was an error, Your Highness, to forbid Count Hemlock's people from having access to him. We are duty-bound. We would find a way, eventually, and there would be a cost."

"OH that's easy enough," yewstorm says "I was here as a variable. A romantic subplot out to woo the Count to co rule, OR.. if story needs, to usurp a troll when I needed a barony. Honestly Chieftain, you beat red branch. I can't imagine my attempt to challenge you for your bale would have been very believable to most but.. I wasn't told all the plan either. As a Daireann, my house is often accused of loose lips" A sigh

"I do inspire people like that" Hemlock observes at Brekke's delcaration

A blink. "Another deception," she mutters.

"Lies upon lies." She mutters.

"More than you know," Lenore admits "It's like a fine weave. You need threads upon threads to create the right appearances from the right angles. Smooth on one side, rough on the other"

The corner of her mouth twists in distaste.

"How did you fool the boggans?" Siv says, then realizes "That's why you fed them council meetings. Lucia, and your own staff. "

Brekke shakes her head. "Boggans are not stupid."

"Pieces that do not fit become rumor to be shared."