#odyssey

"We'll be crossing into grass, but unlike the firnost trods this could be well guarded" He says

He, being Olgar, the Rover

"So not much risk of Balor," she replies. Regardless, she has Speaker in hand.

"Soon as I say no problem, ten of the snakey bastards might appear" Olgar says as they get onto the trod. "They've been really riled all over lately. "

"Mmph." She frowns. "It is getting worse?"

"More like they're lashing out , testing for weaknneses. The boys outside Brightwinds are holding them in check, but lots of balor connected incidents seem to be flairing up in other areas. I think they're looking for a new place to take , new avenues"

"Hm. Agitated and contained...will lead to an explosion. Perhaps we should create some way to let off that pressure, safely."

"How to do that, though, I do not know."

"Sic em on threats even they don't want ...thin their ranks. Use them like the shock troops they always claim to be. But it would take a softer touch than I've got"

They move, the dreaming shifting and aglow

It would appear that all signs of the Yule star are gone...dreams insteaed consist of winter storms far harder than that's going on in apples. It doesn't harm them, of course. Not on the Silver

Brekke regards the swirls and sheets of snow carried by hard winds as if assessing a worthy opponent. "I will think more on it." Then, "Have you heard any other word of newly returned fae?"

"Rumors... Centaurs spotted, but not found. And.. more firmly Rusalka in holds... and also Hobgoblins... but less news about them. "

She nods. "A gift from the Dreaming. May it continue to prove to be a gift."

"What are you going to do if one shows up in Rivervale? I mean, obviously take him or her in, but how do you train a kith that's been dead for a century- or more?"

"Well...fortunately, Rivervale is diverse. Whatever training we could provide would be, at least, well-rounded."

A chuckle at that, as if he finds somethting funny-Brekke knows the man well enough. Whatever he's thinking might annoy her, but she'll have to ask to find out what if she wants to know his thoughts on the comment. The ogre has proven loyal and skilled, and maturity has molded him into a better man than he was when he arrived , but Kerri has said and with good reason that not all the wildness is out of him.

A sidelong glance and a bit of a wry grin. "I would be lying if I said their court did not matter to me. I would find seelie more...comfortable. Is that thought what amuses you?"

"Actually, I seem to recall , tthough it's been awhile, someone making a comment about the Lodge being a Troll club... and part of me wonders if you enjoyed showing them how wrong they are and rubbing their faces in it just a little. " A beat "With honor, of course" A chuckle "It bugged you when you found out that's what was thought. I could tell"

"Hm. It was disturbing to think that people of my barony felt excluded. The role of a leader should not be to exclude."

a grunt, but still amused "But did you enjoy showing them wrong?"

Her brows rise as she looks at him. "They were not wrong. Not then. I had not attended to the needs of other kiths as well as I should have been. It was important for me to change that...and I am glad that that change has happened and is continuing."

"Huh. Fair nough, and I guess the Dreaming agreed. The attempt to pick 'non troll' events at Pennons, remember that?" A chuckle "Backfired from troll and non troll alike. "

Oh, that gets a grin. "Well, I think the Dreaming likes to teach a lesson now and again, yes."

"It does indeed, and I loved it." He nods as they pass through thicker parts of the dreaming... older memories from older lives stirring ... and the journey becomes more of a montage than a smooth narrative. When they get closer again, more their' current selves' the Chieftain has memoires of a cyclops with it's one eye wounded, the creature pathetic from starvation for a blind Cyclops cannot hunt well; a collection of golden hind leaping farther a full city block distance of field with each jump.

Glorious images, just on the edge of memory, leave her with a bit of melancholy as they return towards the waking world.

"mmmmph" Olgar says his own focus snapping back "No blood on us, or our are weapons. Usually a good sign"

"Uneventful, yes. Or at least unbloody."

"Part of me thought I'd have killed tye Cyclops and put jhim out of his misery" Almost surprised "Getting impractical in my old age"

"Mmm. Perhaps too far from the silver."

"Probalby.. either that or maybe you took pity on the thing and heatherbalmed it"

She checks the address she got from AnneMarie. "It is possible."

She looks at the surroundings. "I am not sure how to get there from here."

The Near Dreaming around Cincinatii seems almost Mark Twain like.

She takes out her phone and dials the contact for the Daireann.

"Hello, Brekke of Rivervale yes?"

"Yes, I am she. I am at..." she gives the cross streets. "How will we meet?"

"I'll pick you up" She says "I know the area, be there in ten minutes."

"Thank you." She hangs up. After a moment, she says, "Olgar, I am not certain she can be trusted. I want to think so, but...."

"I thought that was what Gwydion boon was for" he says looking at her "What's your plan?"

"I find it not so effective over the telephone...and it does not work if a direct lie is not spoken. Nor in the case of ambush." She looks around. "Stand aside at first. Keep watch."

He nods, eying a tree that won't hide him entirely, but would provide some cover

He moves there... and... Brekke sees it too late. But who expects a satyr in a tree?

The Satyr leaps down, two daggers drawn at Olgar's back...

but her leap set one branch to swaying, and it snaps back, swatting her in the ass...

"OLGAR."

This, The Chieftain sees! Olgar turns as the Satyr's ambush is ruined

She moves to strike at the attacker.

Olgar turns to punch his attacker, hitting the tree with such force it loosens a rotting limb and causes it to fall down

the limb bonks both satyr and rover