#elsewhere

"Ah, Pennons, yes." A hesitation in her tone. "Perhaps you should visit after Pennons, then. You must be busy."

"I'll still have two kids after Pennons, mor," She mmphs "And wouldn't trade it for anything. THEY keep me busy. About the only one asking much of me at the lodge is Mountain Vali and not that much at all," Her daughter says "I do patrols, like anyone. Oh, speaking of that... there was a situation with redcaps. I only heard about it mind ye, but it all turned out okay"

Siv can't see it, but might be able to imagine the sudden tension of protectiveness that Frank can see in Brekke's posture. "Redcaps? But all are well?"

"Aye. A corby threatened Dirk's cat, and used that to take him hostage. Then impersonated him, attacked poor Klump, and Dagmar got on the scene. She handled it pretty well, though my word Serenity was insistent it couldn't be Dirk ... turns out the fledge was right. Kerri got the news and took charge working with Dagmar to discover the ruse and free Dirk. New Chief banished the corby and all is well and straightened out. " Siv seems to realize her mom might be worried, "You'd be proud of how well Kerri and Dagmar dealt with it. You left the lodge in good hands"

Then she adds, "Mind ye, I miss you both terribly, but my biases aside, you picked well. I can get there afore pennons"

Brekke's tone reflects her relaxing shoulders. "Good. I am glad they were successful. That sends a good first message for the new Chieftain."

"She was tested but it was a test she passed, that'll discourage other attempts" Siv agrees, "NOW... what do you want me to bring over in the cargo hold?"

"I did not wish to make your first visit a working trip. But if you are asking...." And what follows is a lumber order. "Will will source some portions locally," Brekke adds at the end, "but it is too costly to do so for all of it."

Siv knows the family-owned-and-operated lumberyard near Rivervale, the only one Brekke would use. "I will call in the order when we hang up."

"Oh," Siv lilghts up a bit and takes the order, "You've got a fine eye, and if you like in addition we've got some fallen lumber of that sort that's not decayed. Mountain Vali used Winter to preserve it for contruction... he's a handy mammal at times like that. And you know that type of wood better than many and it will have a touch of old Bergen too" she mentions some that fell naturally . She'll still have to get the rest from the lumberyard

Frank might notice Brekke's eyes light up. "Siv, that would be wonderful. Thank the Mountain for his cleverness, please."

"You sure, it might go to his head" A grin somehow audible then she says "I will. You make that call and I'll fly it in as soon as they've got it ready."

"Let us know when you depart. We love you. Goodbye." Brekke's phone manner has never gotten any less stilted over the years. The call disconnects.

Somewhere, Siv looks at her phone and smiles wistfully, but then gets to work prepping her ship