#rivervale_lodge

Nadeen tilts her head "You are as solid in your soul as you are in form, Glome. My father would..." she looks over at the new knight "She was one of our greatest knights."

"She is flesh, and blood, and among your house, knights are respected, but it is the spirits of the elements that are true prizes" Klump replies, then nods to the CHief "Yes, Chieftain. I know. I have paid it before"

"I served the house... I don't think.. I don't think I belonged..."

Lady Falconeye says "It can be done." She does not say it should or should not be.

"Klump, I'll pay you back for this." Jaymes says

She raises her hand to her mouth, chewing on her thumbnail.

Brekke looks at the the two girls. "I will support this if you are in agreement. I trust that Nadeen would use Klump's service respectfully and responsibly."

"I don't know if that's fair, though. I don't want Klump to be put in a bad spot..."

"It is my choice, little day maiden" Klump gives a broad stone grin "you should be with your father. And one day, this baroness might be else where. She is not going to inherit this lodge after all."

Brekke gives a slight nod at that. "Nadeen, what do you think of this?"

She frowns and fidgets.

Nadeen says "I do not know why Da'an has put me here. But I think," A sigh "I think father could not have seen all the pattern. Too much in this world is different from what he knew, could have imagined. It is not right that I bind a knight who will be wishing herself anywhere but my service, or in service to my father. I might have her by oath, but her heart would be rebellious. My father couldn't have seen this. And I must do what is best for him and our house in my absence. A Glome? That is always useful" A nod, "But then, that might make an enemy of a now free knight who would work to free him. ..and yet if I say all oaths are off, what would my father think of me? I want to be a good ruler, a good daughter, and a friend to the lodge. I just don't see how to make it all work"

She blushes to admit this failure

"You aren't Sained. I said I would protect you as a fledge, and that's... I don't resent that."

Brekke says, "The offer has been made, but yes, Nadeen is right, I think, that Dagmar would wish to see Klump free of the oath. It is wise of you to see that. If Dagmar agrees to abide by the oath until your saining, and then be freed of it, would that be acceptable?"

"Let me add, I'm not aware of any reason that the decision... decisions... need to be made tonight?" Frank rumbles.

Nadeen says "Until then... I suppose. Yes. Dagmar... we'll wait until I'm sained. Maybe I'll remember more of MYSelf and make a better judgement then. " A look to Klump "Thank you, Son of the Earth. I am honored by your offer. And perhaps, I will earn your service not in trade, but willingly. That would be a task any Varich would be proud of." She bows to Klump

Brekke frowns. "Nadeen...she wishes to take oath to Rivervale. Do you permit her to do so, understanding that she will not be oathed to you after her saining?"

"I was... happy, in my memory. Proud to serve." Her emotions are more plainly mixed now, at odds with the ostensible party.

"I..." Nadeen frowns "So I must make the choice NOW after all it seems"

"I... I can wait?"

"If you can agree to wait, Dagmar, then Nadeen need not choose now."

She nods. "I can wait."

Nadeen sighs

She chews on her lip, looking defeated.

Then Nadeen says "Chieftain, does Rivervale, while acting with honor in it, and if it does not violate its codes? Make good on its debts?"

Brekke's chin goes up, but she does a good job of not looking too insulted. "I always endeavor to make it so."

"Then, on my own behalf, and behalf of my father, I hearby release any claim on Dagmar, Knight of Gwydion, in trust to that. All else can be settled later" A odd tingle and... Dagmar feels something lift from her

She shivers and frowns.

"Take the oath of adoption, Dagmar. Jaymes looks as if he might burst if he does not get to fill his promise to you. Or did you think you were the only one wanting it?" Nadeen smiles

Frank lifts an eyebrow, observing.

Brekke gives Nadeen a grateful and respectful nod, then turns to Dagmar. "She is right. Jaymes...it is time."

She swallows and nods.

Jaymes nods and puts a hand on his daughter's shoulder "She's not wrong. Are you ready?"

Another nod, looking more nervous now than she did for the Namer...

Jaymes nods, then says with gentle eyes and a deep voice ""As the sea to the river, as the tree to the seed,
as the mountain to the stone, so do I now recognize you to me.
From this day forward, you are of my blood,
of my family and of my hold.
I swear to offer you my wisdom, my love and my regard,
for you will carry my name and my memory when I am no more.
Should I abandon you, I abandon myself.
It fills my heart to call you daughter"

Glamour fills about the room as half the ritual is done....and the other half waits to close

Dagmar brightens - like the blooming of sun at dawn. "As the river to the sea, as the seed to the tree,
as the stone to the mountain, so do I now recognize myself in you.
From this day forward,
I am of your blood, your family and your hold.
I swear to offer you my respect, my devotion and my love,
for you offer me a home where I have none.
Should I abandon you, I consign myself to loneliness.
It fills my heart to call you father."

Brekke witnesses this with satisfaction.

She says the words carefully, having spent weeks pouring over the text, memorizing it...

And the circle closes, and a ring of magic as strong as the bale flares and settles about them , enclosing them both.

Nadeen looks on in envy and wonder.

Siv tries not to squee

Klump tilts his head

Sylvi is trying to be serious, but can't help beaming.

"It is magic!" Wondrous. "I can feel it."

Gonzalez mutters something about beautiful..

Kerri's expression mirrors her daughter's.

"It really is" Jaymes he grins "I have a daughter in two worlds now. I did before but .. I'm glad we did this. "

Tove is crying happily