#debukefarmhold

***********************************
Frank emerges from the Trods leading to the DeBuke Farmhold and nods to the guards there. "Here to see Emmitt."

Siv comes along behind and nods politely.

"Good to see you, Mountain Frank. " one fellow smiles. /"And your lovely daughter" the other fellow says.

"Awww..." Siv smiles, "Good to see you lads too."

Frank watches them stoically.

"Mountain Emmit's near his cabin" They look that way "Would you like an escort? "

"We know the way, thank you."

"Siv?"

Frank and her daughter move on. Siv strides, probably just cutting through corn and not showing off her caboose and legs for the lads. "Yes da? "

"Up to you if you want to find Clem while I'm talking to Emmit, or stay with us."

"Well, as nice as it would be to see Clem, I'm kind of curious. So if you and he don't mind?" Siv says.

"If Emmit doesn't mind." He agrees, and raps softly on the door.

"Overhere, Frank... Siv," Mountain Emmit says near a bench on the other side of his cabin, "Care for some lemonade?"

"Oh, hello Emmit." Frank leads them around, offers his hand.

"Thanks, Lemonade sounds good."

The Mountain shakes Frank's hand first, then Siv's. A pitcher of still cold Lemonade was put out, and he gets two more glasses, "Have a seat if you like. What can I do you for?"

Frank sits. "We have a situation that bears some action, wanted to talk it over with you and get your perspective. Mind if Siv joins us?"

"Nope, if I change my mind we'll send her off to talk to the ladies so the boys won't bother her," Emmit says.

"Hardly a bother," Siv says

Frank nods.

He takes a sip of lemonade, a breath, and then fills Emmit in on the Lady Peacock, Thyle, and the recent events at RV.

".... and there's a bit more."

Another breath. "Almost 10 years ago, when Jessica had her Dream Dance, she was with Brekke in the Dreaming, looking for me. I'd joined some other Kith to investigate a Leanhuan hold and do what was necessary based on what we found. Things went south, I defended the others and they escaped, I was captured. They held me three years worth of time, on this side."

"Damn." The man says.

"Brekke, Jessica, and I have very strong feelings, if not clear memories, of a peacock association with that event."

"Could be a coincidence but.... yes. Damn." Frank concludes, agreeing.

"Frank, it sounds like this lady feels wronged by what ever happened in your hunt, maybe she was a lover of the fellow who captured you? "

Frank looks as troubled as he ever has, in memory. "Yes. On that note, though."

Siv says "Dad? That Carnivale? Where I had the blade?"

"Right. Tell Emmit about that, then I have another piece of this to add."

Siv relates the tale, how the blade she got in the Dreaming raid lead her to be accepted among the unseelie.

She gets animated, and speaks of freeing the human... and how she turned it over to Count Jude.

Frank clearly dislikes all of this.

"And that's how I got quill... but maybe it's not just dad she's mad at?" Siv says

Emmit says "Might not be just him at all. Add to that Jessica doesn't tolerate Leanhaun in her hold, and I would say you have something of a clan war with that House"

"Wait." Frank says dryly. "It gets worse."

"A couple years ago.... Sylvi and I were doing some outreach in the local mortal community. It was winter, we were trying to get the homeless into shelters during a snowstorm. Sylvi... noticed one of the homeless was Forgotten. She did the right thing; she provided him Glamour.

"It was the Sidhe Leanhuan Baron that captured me. Reiredus. He escaped us into the snowstorm.... he was far from sane. We got word that an 18 year old female mortal was found dead of old age at the border of Bergan and Delaware. We figured it was Reiredus, he was heading south. Into Willows. Nothing since."

"Wait... Leanhaun age other people? I thought they ravaged them into unimaginative husks that even fi they lived wanted to commit suicide, but didn't think it aged them. Frank...are you sure that 18 year old female that was dead of old age was really mortal?"

A deep sigh. "And, finally..... there was an incident at Rivervale involving a Dreamer and the Leanhuan in ... oh, 2000 or there abouts? Leanhuan were defeated, mortal saved. It involved.... an old associate of mine. Not a good person. This was during the near-Second-Accordance War, you'll recall the time, Emmit."

"I do" He says "Go on. Sorry to have interupted"

Frank shakes his head. "No. This was more of a rumor than a report; we didn't send agents to investigate, you'll understand."

"We have a situation, and we'll handle it, Emmit. But I wanted you to know about it; some from Thyle settled here abouts."

"They did," he says "But Frank, I'm sure Clem would agree that we'd be happy to help anyway we can"

"Thanks for that. We will call if we need you. For now though.... the floor's open. I'd appreciate your input."

"My first guess, cold iron axes in the hands of a mortal nutbar is as cold blooded as it gets for plans. ...but she had to know just one mortal, would be overwhelmed even if she didn't expect him to heat the damn metal up on his own. She was hoping to do some damage I'm sure, but I can't believe that's her big gambit." Emmit ponders, "You know what a stalking horse is right?"

Frank nods. "Been one."

"Then I think that's what this fellow was being used at. Now, scrying on someone carrying cold iron is a bear. So...that means two things.. she's likely trying to scry members of your lodge... and... its possible she has an agent who is under orders NOT to engage but watch and report. One who saw the defeat of this Devlin Ford"

"Balor are notorious for their ability to withstand cold iron." Frank rumbles. "Jessica dethroned a Balor baroness." He chews on his lower lip.

"Mmm Rathbone. I know the story. But it's your other daughter that makes me think she'll be forced to use agents for eyes now and then." He gestures to Siv, "She's the cipher. meaning she's a walking blind spot. She makes it hard to tattletale with glamour or omen."

Frank looks at his youngest and nods.