#rivervale_lodge

"Um. Maybe I'll watch from here?"

"...He's really... are they all like that?"

"Oh, this one's relatively low-end, looks-wise. There are some that you just can't look at, at all, for the beauty." To Tove, "Coming with, or staying here?"

"To hand out lemonade? I suppose I can go with you" Tove says

"Well, maybe I can go. I'll carry the cups!"

"And...we're off." Kerri opens the door with her hip to let the girls through. "Something to drink? I always keep lemonade chilling during the summer months, for those who don't prefer hot coffee."

"Oh, thank you," Bancroft says "I'm afraid I had trouble putting down the pastries, Dame Kerri"

"I warned him, " Siv smiles

"Sallie Mae makes cold coffee..."

"Thane, I always appreciate my work being appreciated. And, Good point, Dagmar, so that's also an option. What would people prefer?"

Dagmar is staring again.

"Lemonade is fine thanks all," Siv says noticing the crowd

He sips the lemonade, "This is wonderful."

Oh, right, Lemonade. A glass for Dagmar! Yes!

"You are all being very kind" The Thane says "Are you sure I'm not intruding?"

Kerri almost hip-checks Dagmar before the girl re-engages her brain.

Those eyes of two colors in perfect blend briefly survey each troll lady in question

"Not at the moment, no. I will have to vanish in a bit to check on the breads I'm baking."

"How is Baron Kealan?"

Siv nods "Twould be a shame to burn the bread"

"He's well, I can't, in good taste, go into matters that are personal to him, but as you know he has directed the spy network for the Count for sometime. I understand it thrives, but I don't know the details which is, I suppose, a good sign."

"True." Kerri nods and sips her drink. "That's good to hear. The Baron has always been a good man and a friend of this Lodge."

siiiiiiiiiiiip.

"Yes. He says as a Scathach, The CHieftain was actually one who welcomed him more warmly than many, at least giving him a chance to prove himself. of course, he also likes to joke that one basis for his relationship with your chieftain is that her obliterating him at every joust is a tradition' A very serious, almost troll like face that looks a bit like Frank's expression goes "I don't always understand his humor but I think he means it fondly."

Kerri grins slightly. "I wasn't going to mention, but yes." She turns to look at the kitchen...the scent of baking bread is drifting out, and she nods with satisfaction. "A few more minutes."

"I don't think I've ever seen mum joust" Siv realizes, and looks a bit cheated

"Well, come Pennons, you'll get your chance, most likely."

"What's Pennons?"

Tove smiles "A grand holiday where the best warriors may test their might against each other in jousts, archery and grand melee, but craftsman be they cooks or blacksmiths also compete at least I tink I've the right of it"

"Will I get to fight?"

"Oh, if you think you're up to it..." Kerri says to Dagmar, then gives her a wink on the side away from the sidhe so he can't see.

"It can be grueling" the thane says

"Will you be fighting, Thane?"

"If my lord asks, yes, but otherwise probably not. Somethings are required"

"Required?"

"A cause or lady worth fighting for" he says utterly serious.

"You could fight for Siv!"

SIV goes bright Purple

Tove turns her face lightly

"What? That's the... like in the movies?"

Kerri clears her throat. "That is a charming thought, Dagmar, but perhaps a bit...premature." Then another look to the kitchen. "Ah, it's time. Dagmar, a bit of help please? Thane, if you've left before I return, it has been a pleasure, and please visit again." And she heads to the kitchen, nodding for Dagmar to go with her.

She sighs, and follows.

"I would be honored but it would be very presumptive on my part . It is the lady who deems the fellow worthy of bearing her token. " He says after taking a moment "It ..it was nice meeting you, but I should probably go back to my duties. I have let time fly." He turns to Siv, "Please forgive my departure."

Siv nods still purple "nice...nice meeting you, Bancroft. "

And they're in the kitchen, and Kerri is rescuing the bread from the oven and putting the tins on racks.

"I guess Siv would want to fight for herself at Pennons?"

"She might very well want to do that," Kerri agrees. "But now the notion's in both their heads..." She's grinning again. "Now, I don't actually have a chore for you, but a first visit should be short-ish, and if Bancroft is any kind of a gentleman he'll be taking our departure as a cue."

"I think he likes her."

"Oh, and don't take what I said in there wrong. I think you're likely to be one of our Lodge's secret weapons at Pennons, and a secret is best if it remains a secret until used."

Bancroft withdraws, or starts two when Siv says "Hey. You never said why you were a thane by job and title?"