#rivervale_lodge

And yes, folks ask about childlings. "Sounds like it could get adult. I know the count has events for the childlings at his place, in one of the wings, but anyone want to watch over them?"

"I would like people to feel free to travel between parties, and I don't think Count Hemlock will mind...especially as he'll be in jester clothes that night." A smile. "But yes, perhaps...maybe we could host a childlings' sleepover here?"

"Oh that might not be fair to you, Kerri," Mrs. Wayburton says "You and Olgar hardly get time alone. " Then she realizes "Apologies, forgot the titles. But you know what I mean"

"I'd do it," Tove's father, Torrin Torad speaks up . the old skald says "The count will have his own musicians, and I'm too old to go whooping around a bonfire."

Kerri smiles gratefully at Torrin. "Oh, that would be perfect, yes. Thank you. Now...I'm not sure just how many childlings we'd be likely to have with us...any notions?" Another look around the room.

Gerd coughs

"Gerd? I know you'll be one of them. And Connor, of course."

Gerd says "There's only like 10 of us in the whole barony, ever since sylvi sold out but if you count the kinain it's more like 15"

"..Will you need guards here for the holiday?"

A few chuckles escape at the term 'Sold out"

"We're not going to blame Sylvi for that, Gerd." Kerri tries not to laugh, and the turns to Dagmar. A brief consideration before she asks, "Are you volunteering?"

She draws her lips in, considering.. then a shrug. "Sure, I guess."

Torin says "Well ,it might be dull for her, but I would welcome the company" A smile at Dagmar

"Dagmar, maybe you and Gerd can come up with some activities for the childlings. Well...I think that's well arranged. Thank you!" she smiles to Mrs. Wayburton.

"Oh..." Blink. "Sure."

"So it seems, thank you Chieftain" Mrs. Wayburton backs away and mouths to Kerri 'you're doing great' 👍

Kerri gives her a grateful smile and a bit of a wink, then looks to see who's next, remembering to let Gerd do the announcing this time.

"uhm, Next is " she looks at her notes

Kerri shifts, a bit restless.. She should be baking....

"Jozsef Greely?" She looks up "I can't yell comeforward, he's a sluagh, it would hurt his ears"

"kind of you," the reporter comes up, wearing voile that indicates an older time for newsmen

"That's very considerate of you, Gerd, thank you. Mr. Greely?" Kerri asks.

"yes, chief, sorry to bother you. as some know, i work for a few rags in the mortal realm, and have my own interests in ours- and i have stumbled onto a bit of info might be of interest to the fief"

"Yes? Well, you've got my attention. Please continue."

"... it's regarding a certain theft..and if you have a moment, i'd like to discuss it with you in private."

Kerri frowns. "Certainly. Ah...how many more people are waiting to speak?" She looks to Gerd.

"Just a messenger... another Sluagh named Myre?" She says.

A truly ugly looking sluagh, with a face like melted wax carries a scroll

Mr. Greely steps aside

"Then...Mr. Greely, if you'll wait a few minutes, then I can speak with you in private."

Dagmar stares at the melted sluagh with a certain morbid fascination.

Jozef nods.

"Mr. Myre?"

Myre starts to hand the scroll over. Gerd steps in front, takes it, and then lets one of the dogs sniffs, then "Thane Dagmar, do you wish to look it over to?" It seems the dogs find it safe

"Gerd, just give it to Kerri..."

"Fine." She hands it over.

Kerri reads it

maybe not aloud

Kerri patiently waits to receive the scroll, and yes, reads....

...and smiles. Then she clears her throat and nods to Myre. "Thank you for this. I would like to have a day to deliberate with others before responding, but I do appreciate the good news it brings."

'No problem, " he whispers apathetically "I don't know whta I carry, i just carry it. my card when you'r ready to call.." He offers it out.

Edelwiess sniffs that too, then lets it pass

Kerri takes it, nodding respectfully. "I'll give you a call. Thank you. Now...if there's no further business, I think we'll adjourn court...?"

And Court, is adjourned

With Gerd say "Court is adjourneyed... Don't stop believing and hold onto that feeling" She looks at Torrin "that's right right?"

The old skald says "That's.. Journey, different thing, but works"

More chuckles nods of respect and the lodge empties a great deal, thank the Dreaming Kerri almost feels she has room to stretch again

She mutters, "A whole new respect for the Chieftain...." and shakes her head.

And she and the sluagh head off to talk.