#odyssey

He blinks slowly, not replying to the former. But the latter... "Always."

"Good." She has reached her room. "Find the steward, make sure you have space appointed for your rest."

"I'm sure they have a pipe I can crawl into." He says, nodding. And heads to find his own bed.

And she goes inside the room appointed to her, to speak with Frank when he returns, and to get what rest she can before the duel.

Elsewhere, Colton walks with Sylvi "You okay? I know you were hoping to see your mom or dad again?"

"Well...." she shrugs. "Kinda hoping, but not really expecting. They've gotta hold down the fort while the Chieftain and Mountain are here. I mean, Dad's not technically a Lodge leader, but you know he's not going to let Mom deal with without him there right now."

As Nadeen and Dagmar find sleep, Symon finds his bedroom , not a pipe but not troll sized. It is actually a bit dingy, with sluagh preferences in mind. He finds a book...Sun Tzu's art of war?

It's ancient - this guy never even dreamed about gigabit wifi. But it looks interesting, so he gives it a read. The room... surprisingly comfortable!

Colton bites his lip at something "The Chieftain is.. I mean, MY Chieftain, is .. well, you do know you've increased our productivity right? The kitahin who live near by have told Chief that you're great."

"They have?" She smiles, pleased to be topic of praise. "That's cool. Your Chieftain is great, but he does get kinda over-focused on stuff sometimes. I'm just an extra set of eyes and ears."

"Or you could be Sub-Chieftain, at least, I think that's the title he's considering offering you"

She laughs. "That's funny. Sub-Chieftain."

Sylvi's boyfriend looks at her. HE is not laughing. Not even doing the deadpan thing. "I'm sure the title might be up to changing if you hate it, but the offer is sincere"

She blinks. "Wait. What?" Stops in her tracks. "That's...that's...he said that?"

"Mmm mm" A nod "Think it over. " He gives her a kiss "No rush. Sorry, I have to go. Duties to see to. "

She returns the kiss in a rather stunned manner. "'Kay. See you later," she adds, watching him go.

She glances around the hallway a moment, considering it in a new light. "Um...." And she wanders for a bit, turning the thought over in her mind.

Time passes... folks, more or less, rest. A few have an easier time of it than others. But rest is gotten. Assembling the next day, the return to the dueling location in the Silver Wolf Barony, the baseball Diamond secured as before

Brekke stands ready, staff in hand, having left Speaker in Frank's care.

Dagmar is stoic and quiet. But she is prepared to fight, if need be.

Silverwolf has come out as host, referee, and witness all. The thanes are present on horseback, patrolling the surrounds. Bluebell, Julius and Briar off to the side, and Aiden himself, a massive wolfhound at his side, presiding.

He approaches the diamond, scanning those here. "Will the combatants approach?"

GIldas comes forward , at last some get a look at their tormentor, flaxen of hair, green of eye, handsome of course.

Brekke steps forward and gives Aiden a respectful bow.

Gildas inclines his head

Brekke does not bother looking at Gildas at all.

The redcap second stretches and shuffles a moment but holds still

Aiden clears his throat, and starts to speak, his voice loud and clear, carrying over the grounds, and carrying with it the weight of Dictum and Protocol.

"As you dance the Dragon's Dance upon my lands, hear ye now the Dragon's commands. Under my eye, combatants two, fight with honor, just and true. Lest thou release thy Gwydion rage, the bounds of Protocol be thy cage. As my magic flows and surrounds, let no trespassing spells be found.

Let loose the Dán, the Chariot of Dream - encompass all within thy stream. The reins of reason slip as the star-hoofed horses race, And we hear the cackle of misrule beneath their frantic pace. Wide-eyed, the mares of terror to us draw you near... Come, sweet Mother Dream: our love, our lot, our fear! Let this be settled now, and here!"

He steps back, and bows to the combatants - and the fight is sanctioned to begin!

"You should have let me have what was mine" Gildas says drawing his staff and whirlingg it about

Dagmar clenches her hands into fists. What she thinks, what she would say, all kept under lock and key.

Brekke watches Gildas flourish and pose. When he pauses for a moment, she says, "No." And then attacks.

Symon lurks by Dagmar's side, and he does not cast any spells that affect the fight, no.... but his eyes, mostly hidden beneath the brim of a cap, gleam green as he assesses the Daireann lord for any visible weakness.

Her approach is pure Shacklebreaker, to begin...straightforward, heavy, honest, and determined to finish this quickly.

Her staff comes down on the ground and she finds him flipping over her with ease, using his staff to propel himself over her, dragging the staff over her "Clumsy cow"

"SOMEONE BLEED ALREADY!" Briar, the redcap childling, shouts from the sidelines.

She turns as he flips and aims a linedrive at his midsection as he lands.

Fists. Jaw-jut. Teeth-grinding.

The staff comes up fast, a blocking motion, but the troll is so strong she nearly drives him into a wall. Only by twisting free does he avoid being smashed

And she pursues, her staff striking again and again, relentless, powerful.

And gains a strike to her jaw for her trouble... unforunately for him, it's a jaw of granite

His strike makes her head turn for a moment, but then she locks back on her target. Her expression is grim. It's clear she is thinking of those he has threatened, those he has actually harmed, and he will not get away from this easily.

Meanwhile, Chompwhomp ...knight and second... seems to be swaying on her feet

Gildas says "Fall! I know your secret" He seems to be aiming at her jaw.. a lot. "I know your weakness"

And he does avoid most of her blows in return. MOST

That claim puzzles her briefly. She returns the favor...he gets a hard shot to his jaw.

Gwen whispers to other Silverwolfs "He's.. he's out matched. How does he not know?"

Symon watches, and... looks at Chompwomp. He hisses to Dagmar, "Cheating! Look - his second is soaking his damage."

Bluebell buries her face in her hands, only just peeking out and wincing at each blow.

"Foul!"