#rivervale_lodge

"Not all, but they are a kith of secret things, secret places, and just plain secrets. They see wonders in the discarded, they know the miracles of the missing, and the glory of the hidden. It's like stage magicians, they don't tell you everything, because it ruins the trick and kills the magic. You have to get used to that as a troll who has sluagh friends. Trust me. They're like cats. They'll nearly kill themselves because they got into stuff... then when they get out alive , maybe because you saved them, they strut off like cats as if they meant to do that. And you have to be a good friend and nod"

"And it can be hard, how about I wing it? that way if it goes wrong you can blame me " A smile

"Sure, I'll pass the buck."

"Oh man, so Symon is sort of like Odin? Odin's a cat. My cat. Not the god."

"Well, I wouldn't tell him the comparison, either odin OR Symon, but maybe"

"Symon's my best friend."

"Then you are lucky. I didn't really have a best friend at your age, unless you count my cousin Clem."

"Clem seems nice. I guess if everybody is a cousin, your friends are gonna be cousins."

And then he presents the image of Frigg ala Brekke. "Something like this? "

"Oh, wow, you're really good..."

"Thank you, art is my calling, and was my escape. Now it's my profession. I mostly do morbid art. Things with a dark twist. It's why sluagh and I get along I suspect"

"Ohhhh, I bet."

"I don't know if Jaymes is Odin or not. He's my dad, even if it's not finalized yet."

The various dogs' ears perk up, and there's a restless chorus of "Whurf"s and a few eager wags...and then the sound of trudging feet approaching the front door.

"well, here's Olgar as Hemd...hey, someone is here I think"

Brekke opens the door, tapping snow off of her boots on the welcome mat. She tries to keep from letting too much cold air in, closing the door quickly, and then removes her cloak as the dogs eagerly surround her. "Yes, yes...I survived, and you are good beasts."

She glances up and spots the two of them. "Ah. Company. Hello, Earl, and welcome. Hello, Dagmar."

"Hi Chief!"

He rises slowly, laying the Olgar as the Guardian god sketch down to the side. And he nods "Chieftain. I come bearing news from the Farmhold's chieftain. A matter of both danger and perhaps interest"

Dagmar sneaks a look at the sketch in progress.

Brekke's demeanor changes in an instant, from post-patrol relaxed to battle-ready. "Tell me."

It looks just like Olgar, with a calling horn and all. She also sees another sketch, started, of .. her

Brekke's tone draws her amber gaze upwards.

Earl says "I have a scroll, goblin parchment so only you, the Hearth or the Moountain of this hold may read it without disovling" He hands it over "But in short? There are plans for a raid. The sccroll tells more"

"A raid...." She sounds both intrigued and grim as she takes the scroll. "I do not think the DeBukes start raids easily." She unrolls the scroll carefully and reads.

A raid? Oh, she's listening!

the scroll reads To Brekke Shacklebreaker, Chieftain of the Rivervale Lodge- Intelligence has come to us of a set of mines in the dreaming under the grip of House Balor, entrapped within, enchained to work, numerous members of our Kith toil and suffer. There maybe others as well. We have the numbers of their defenses, the way and means to find it, and the obligation to do what we can to free them even if we did not have personal blood between us and those members of House Balor who maybe involved. ...

All hail Brekke Schacklebreaker! Hero! Chieftain! Troll ! ...boinker of Frank!

_... but as our allies, it seems only right we ask if you wish in on the risk, the glory, and the call. I cannot emphasize the risk enough though. _

She reads slowly, carefully, and her expression darkens. She looks up at Earl. "Personal blood?"

"I was kidnapped and tortured by the daughter of one particular balor" he says simply "Clem is less forgiving about than I am. Then another, well, you may recall the incident with Sally Mae? He too was the son of said balor. This boarders on a kin war, and that would not be your concern, but the rest? that is a concern to us all"

The rest of the scroll has more details, and due formality.

She regards the slender troll. "I am sorry, Earl. And I am glad that you were freed." She looks again at the scroll, perusing the details quietly.

After a long pause, she looks up again. "I intend to join you in this. I cannot speak for others of the Lodge until I speak with them." Her voice is firm.

"Understood, Chieftain. I am told there is talk of reaching out to a few others if your lodge refuses, and this is no light thing we offer. Come for the war, stay for the maiming is not my personal style. this could go south and we know that. Clem says even if personal matters weren't involved, the Da'an has brought this right of rescue to OUR attention, and we prove the nobles right if we close ourselves of to that."

"No offense to the nobles of htis lodge meant" he adds

"We're rescuing trolls?"

"Without doubt." Brekke nods. "Clem is wise. And no offense taken."

An eyebrow at Dagmar. "We?"

Siiiigh. "No fledges, right."

Earl picks up a pad and draws again.

"But the Lodge?"

"Again, that depends on what happens when I discuss this with them." She looks at the scroll again with a preoccupied expression. "Earl, do you have any idea how long these slaves have been kept there?"

"It varies no doubt, some new, some for decades . Standard policy is to work them near bedlam, then move them to the autumn world in banality laden holdings. I've seen the sort of set up before" Earl 's eyes look distant "There is no need for Hell when Balor nnobles plot. "

She nods slowly. "Balor...Leanhaun..." a slow headshake. "They do not change."

"Earl, tell them that I will be able to give a firm number tomorrow. But for now...I hope you two will excuse me. "

"Of course," he says "I am not sure I was the right one for this message. I'm no warrior, but well, two very important women trust me, and I make a policy of heeding their wishes when I can. Would you like me to come back tomorrow?"

A pause, then a head shake. "No, I will come to you, or send word. I do not know what our discussions will be like."

"Understood. Thank you, Chieftain. I bid you good day and won't linger long. I promised ssomeone something though"