#debukefarmhold

"Of course." A pause. "You are not broken. And...these are children of the Farm, Clem." A gentle gesture towards the graves. "Don't you think they deserve to be acknowledged, grieved, and remembered by more than you?"

"I grieve enough for twenty" Clem says sadly

"Then you are breaking yourself."

Clem looks like she got a gut punch and looks at Kerri "I'm my own to break, ain't I?"

"Of course not. You are fae. You belong to the Dreaming, to your Lodge, to those whom you could help, to those who would help you. You have duty."

A scowl "I hate you just a little right now, you know that ,right?"

"Yes. That's part of my duty to you."

Her eyes ARE wet as she says it

Kerri rests a hand on her shoulder. "I am sorry, Clem."

"Fine." She turns and heads of yelling "I need a scouting party to look into finding Chase's... Chayse's parents . Use discretion, they could be banal, they could be kitahin. We'll find out. Someone get the Mountain, I have scrying needs!" Folks scramble!

Kerri takes a step back and listens to the tone of Clem's voice. She removes her hand from the Chieftain's shoulder.

Clem turns back to Kerri, as the hand is let go "You should go. Consider yourself barred for three days from here. If the Shacklebreaker has a problem with that she can come to me about it. After that, you're welcome to return as a friend again. I am very likely to lose a child I love for you, and I will have my token pound of flesh be you right or no." She does not say this loudly, a private command.

A stunned blink. Then she steps back and gives a respectful nod. "As you say, Chieftain." She doesn't dally, but makes her way directly towards the trod, not even pausing at the kitchen to gather up the basket.

Kerri's pace is purposeful and steady, and her posture is straight and stiff.

And footfalls join her, not Clems , a basket of squash is handed to her "Want me to walk with you back to rivervale?" The hearth says. Kourtney is a young wilder, but her orders are not involved in this and she has the authority to do this

A surprised look, and she pauses long enough to accept the basket. "No, thank you, Hearth Kourtney. You have work to do here," she says, nodding towards Clem. "I'm fine."

She resumes her path, and soon she's crossing the bridge.

Hearth looks back at Clem barking orders anew , then says "She'll may never thank you, but i will. You're a good ally and a better friend to us all. " And she watches as Hearth Kerri goes to the bridge and is gone.

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