#rivervale_lodge

"If you had asked me a year ago? I'd say yes. I'mm not so sure anymore. " Vali says honestly "She's in her holding, the seat of her power, like a spider on a web. I don't think she has to concentrate too much to sense SOMETHING and she is powerful. But it certain would be needed for anything beyond an impression, though understand you're talking to Layman at Soothsay."

"Hm." Brekke considers this and sips her coffee before answering. "Vali, when I arrived and was alone with the Countess, she offered me her insights on what she had 'read' from both girls. She had pried into their Da'an without permission of their guardians...and I suspect without their knowledge. She called it 'illuminating.' " Another pause. "I told her that she would be wise to employ that illumination only with the greatest of care, especially in the matter of my daughter." She looks at him seriously.

"Oh Chief," he sighs "She offered to share information with you? An Eiluned doesn't often do that. I think what you two had here was a ..cultural clash. You took what she did as a threat. She saw it as practical. Strangers came into her holding. Both of which claimed a location but she'd never heard of before. Of course she pried. Eiluned curiosity is as strong as gwydion pride. I'm not saying she's in the right, but I'm not sure she's in the wrong given Demense was on her side"

"But yes, I can see how you might dislike anyone prying into Siv's nature"

"I am not comfortable with what she said about Dagmar's either. And yes, Vali, I recognize the rarity of her offering what she learned so freely...but you do understand that I could just as easily claim that her words seemed to me to be a threat."

"Did you really feel they were? I know Eiluned can't be read,but in your gut, did you really think she was threatening too teenage girls?"

A slight narrowing of her eyes. "I am skeptical about the possibility for her to have information and not use it to her advantage. And yes, the obscurity her house provides her does not reassure me."

"That seems a bit indirect" Vali notes with a sigh "All right. Then let me explain why this all alarms me. I care for two great women in my life, and respect both as leaders. One is like all that I see as truly heroic in trolls. The other I see as a beloved aunt who is often alone and cares more than she dares let on. I would walk through fire for either one of these woman and trust that I would reach the other side, or, if not, that I was not given up cheaply. And these two amazing women...cannot stand each other? Why? Because one dated the other's liege is all I'm really sure of. And that seems so long ago and so...unimportant now. And I have need of both of you, for Gerd. Who I want to protect no less than you do Siv. And... that bridge between the two ladies I so admire, the bridge I may need open for Gerd's sake, looks like it's got one or more of the ladies ready to take a torch to that bridge. So.. it is very frustrating, and scary to me to hear that the two of you might be trading threats."

Brekke's jaw is tight as she listens. "Vali...whatever may have started it does nothing to change the fact that each interaction I have had with the woman, even in recent years, has included her belittlement and mockery of me, all in the most noble fashion. I do not like her, and I do not trust her...and I do not have the tools to tell me that I can trust her. And now she has my daughter in her attention. But you may feel free to tell me more about feeling frustration and fear."

Vali raises a brow, and takes a breath "Then know this. And, perhaps it won't help but I hope it will. I cannot read your daughter, she is indeed a ghost to my visions and soothsay, but I will protect her with my life if need be. I will shield her as I would Gerd if required. I would oath to it, if you asked. I think we have each seen a diferent side of Countess Thea, and I am sorry your side was barbed. There is that in her, I know. But as for Siv? As if she were my own blood and I'd put her before myself. I would oath it if you liked."

Brekke takes a deep breath and leans her elbows on her knees, coffee mug cradled in her hands, head bowed. She stays that way a few moments, then looks up. "Vali...no oath is necessary. Your word is valuable to me, and your service deeply appreciated. I take you at your word, and thank you." She extends a hand to him.

He takes hers in a warrior clasp "And I am sorry. Sometimes, I get so caught up in how I see you, all that is heoric in troll dom, that I forget you can be scared too. Perhaps I have blind spots where legends are involved." A weak smile then "Would you like me to say anything to the Countess? I will visit her again, but it is not for me to put words in either of your mouths to the other no matter how much I wish I could ease tensions. "

A brief squeeze in the clasp, not enough to hurt, and release. Then a sigh. "Say what you will, Vali, as long as it is truth. I have long since given up trying to make sense of what is or is not the right thing to say to her." She shakes her head. "If she says I threatened her...please clarify, as I have clarified to you."

A nod "I shall try. Diplomacy is not my forte as I often prove." A sigh "I'll also have to soothe Tiffany. She likes her boss. And I'm.. err nother subject. Apparently I'm coming close to pulling 'a Jaymes'"