#darkgatefortress

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Hunters behind bars. The cells of Dark gate are not pleasant, not inhumane, but they do not pamper.

Sylvi pauses by the corridor leading to the cells. But she doesn't go any closer.

Kelby notices this, "They won't be mistreated. Just held until a trial of sorts."

"Oh, I know. I mean...I kind of wish they would get mistreated. That's the not-nice side of me. But truth is...I don't want to go down there because you know what a softy I am when people have a sob story. And I don't want to find myself arguing for leniency or something."

Kelby raises a brow "Ah, City Girl, there's something you might not be thinking of"

Sylvi blinks at her blankly.

"You're the Bridge, supposed to be kind of like a Reeve, the way a lodge can relate to non trolls. Now, what's to keep the CHief or Hearth or Mountain or Storm from going 'huh, that sounds open ended... bet it also has to do with prisoners' ?"

A smirk "You better make sure the ink on that position isn't too wet or they'll write that in behinnd your back"

She bites her lip and groans. "Oh, mannnn."

Kelby has a good chuckle- as only a friend can

A few moments of agonized indecision. "Maybe if I talk to Colton...but I don't want to shirk if they need me...."

"Talk to Colton the STORM, Prisoners are a matter of Defense"

"And security" She adds "LEast they were on DeBuke farm"

"Well, yeah, that's what I'm saying, but...I don't want to beg off something if it really should be my duty."

"Should it?" She asks

"Don't know..." She pauses a moment more, then says, "Scuse me, Kelby. This is going to make me crazy until I get it settled."

"You're so much like your mom somedays" then she realizes she crossed a line "But in your own cool style"

"Nice save," Sylvi laughs. "But no worries...I know Mom's like the best. Hey, catch you later for some lunch?"

"Definitely, liberation makes me hungry"

A grin, a fist-bump, and she's off to find the Storm.

She hears Colton yelling "If I catch anyone NOT resting up afer that I may bust their ass... work ethic is fine, but i want you on a full tank"

She approaches with a bit of a skeptical look, arms folded.

Colton whirrls around "Okay why are YOU out of bed?" then realizes it's HER "Ah, sorry I.. "Blush "Thought you were one of my soldiers"

She blinks at him. "Uh-huh. Hey, soldier-boy...when's the last time YOU got more than a nap?"

"Sylvi, I'm like the captain on a proverbial ship.. I have to stay there until others are secure" the annswer is clearly a long time

"Excuse me, STORM, but you screaming at them isn't going to make them any more secure. Don't make me sic the Hearth on you."

He winces, annd whispers "Sylvi, not in front of the troops"

She looks at the troops. How many are there?

About 5 rooms but in bunk areas

She frowns, realizing that perhaps she'd reacted to quickly when he snapped at her. But she clears her throat and calls out, "Troops, are you secure? And will you rest, as the Storm has ordered?"

"Yes, Brridge" is the general response

"Then do it, so that he may get some rest himself."

"He IS a bit cranky" Someonne in the barracks muters

Colton looks over "Don't think I don't recognize your voice"

"Sorry, Sir"

"I'm going to be a bit cranky if you all don't follow orders and go to sleep."

And in that moment, Sylvi realizes she's becoming her mother.

A blush.

Seems to work, no one wants to challenge her.

Storm Colton takes her hand

"You wanted to discuss somethinng with me, Bridge?"

She turns to go with him, and whispers, "Sorry, you just snapped at me, and I snapped back, and...ugh."

A sigh. "Yes. It's about the prisoners."

"I apologgize.. I thought you were one of my troops. They're used to my 'voice of auhority'"

"What about the prisoners?"

A bit of a grin. "I like that voice...when it's not aimed at me."

Then more seriously. "Kelby pointed out that you or the Chieftain might decide that I ought to be a liaison between you and the prisoners...and if that's the case, I don't think that's a very good idea."

"I hadn't got that far ahead" he admits and frowns "Which shows Maybe i DO need sleep if it's affecting brain power. go on. Why not a good idea?"

She nods agreement about the brainpower/sleep connection. "I'm concerned I'm likely to get all soft-hearted if they start giving me sob stories. Fighting foes is one thing...but dealing with captives is something else."