#rivervale_lodge

"I imagine when she does find out we'll hear the scream from here, even if she's still in Iowa" Jaymes agrees and drinks.

"Oh jeez, yeah. Is it chimerical? Cause, like - school...."

"Well, see, if you go deep in the dreaming, the damage is..chimerical and mortal are one?" Vali says

"It's not just her chimerical hair" Jaymes says

"Ohhhh... that's bad.."

"I sense hats in her future, lots of hats" Vali says

"Her school doesn't allow hats, does it?" Jaymes looks to Dagmar "At least not in class?"

"No... maybe scarves?"

"Suggest it to her, she might thank you a lot"

"...I won't laugh."

"Brave girl" Vali says//Jaymes looks at Vali "As a rule Dagmar's not big on fun at other folks misfortune. " Simply and proudly Then "Though I admit, yhes, it is kind of funny"

"No fun being made a joke of." She shrugs.

"Could be worse" Vali says/"Yeah, Siv could have been really hurt badly" Jaymes agrees//"not what I meant," Vali says "What if it was Sylvi who had a bald spot?"

"Nobody was hurt too bad?"

"Ah.." Jaymes frowns "Ther'es always someone hurt when a raid turns itno a battle honey"

"Well... you got hurt, but not too bad. You're here."

"Yup, the Rivervale crew was lucky" He agrees

"And the Farmhold?"

A long breath "They lost two folks"

Her eyes go wide. "No. Who?"

"One of them you didn't know... the other?" he winces "Is Kelby...you met her, fouoght against her in Pennons"

A look of confusion. "No. That's not right.."

"Kelby's my age. She was the nice one with the horse."

"She was also a warrioress who wanted to go." Jaymes says

"But... I know her..."

"The funeral will probably be held after carnival"

"Damn damn" Vali hisses

Her jaw juts out, stubborn. "I don't think that's right. She's... I know her."

"She died bravely, she carried some pre made medical supplies on the fied, and other supplies but she fought as hard as anyone " Jaymes says "Hard to remember the details"

"But...." A frown. "But..."

"Folks die in battle. It's the first rule of a battle" Jaymes says grimly

"It's a stupid rule. Isn't it like Bug Guy? Won't she just be sleeping somewhere? We could look for her..."

He rises "Vali ,pass things on to the others. I'm talking my ilttle girl home"

"Let's talk about the dangers of the dreaming" He says offering to take her hand "But home okay? I miss Tove, and Twobit, and maybe even Odin"

She takes his hand. "But it's not fair..."

"Absolutely it is not" He agrees as they head towards the door "It sucks and it's hard and it's gonna hurt those who loved her or even liked her"

And out they go... Jaymes, Vali realizes, is turning into a pretty solid father.

Vali scowls as a thought plagues him I didn't see it coming. I didn't see it coming. He knows that's irrational, but he hates it. Sylvi is going to ask why I didn't see it.. . and I'm going to say..because I'm not good enough to see more. Damn it.

(End scene)