#rivervale_lodge

Brekke puts down the box and fumbles a bit of dross from her pouch. "Here...break this." One for herself as well, and she snaps it.

"Why?" A wary look, but she complies... snap!

And suddenly Sa..Dagmar remembers.. . Snow is the talking monkey, and Klump is one of her earliest friends after her saining.

Well no, BEFORE Her saining

And Brekkee takes a breath.. she is a park ranger, yes, but also s o much more, so many more duties.

"KLUMP."

"Klump is the rock man, and my friend. He came to my Saining. I have a name."

A deep breath. "You have a name, and you have oaths, and we must be done here, quickly."

The box is almost full and t he last bar remains

"I am a daughter. Oaths are magic." She picks up the last.

"And magic is real." Brekke nods. "We are creatures of the Dreaming. All is well, and our duty nearly fulfilled." Encouragement.

"Magic is real. I'm strong now. Strong enough to stop the bad guys."

And into the box it goes

And Brekke shuts the box.

Dagmar peels off the mitts. "That sucked."

"We must yet dispose of these." Brekke holds the box tightly, as if it held a rabid animal.

Even iwth the box shut, there is a 'chill' in the air that has nothing to do with temperature

"Yeah... think there's still a car there?"

As they make their way up the wet and muddy sides, they find a rope waiting for them. And...they see Siv's car, empty

"I believe so. Siv is leading them a merry chase." Brekke starts back up the hill, box under one arm.

GOod sailor knot

"There." And the knot makes her grin...of course it's one she taught her daughter.

Dagmar uses the rope to help her in the climb back up. "Where would be safe, you think? Buried?"

Brekke shakes her head as she opens the trunk, finds some rope to tie the lid down and further reinforce it, and closes the trunk again with the box inside. "No. I have an arrangement for this. Come." She gets behind the wheel, adjusting the seat.

Shotgun!

And soon they are driving to a more industrial part of Bergen. Smoke stacks and stench.

Nose-wrinkle.

It seems a year in the greenery and peace fo Rivervale has spoiled her...

The sign at the foundry is faded and merely reads "Mackabe's"

"Melt it?"

Brekke parks and retrieves the box from the trunk, motioning Dagmar to join her. She goes into the dingy, dusty, soot-covered building, calling out "Mackabe! It is Brekke!"

"COme on in... " A gravely voice says, like bass voiced man is gargling rust

She nods to Dagmar and enters. "Some iron for your flames. If I may..." Dagmar can hear respect in her tone for this man's demesne.

Dagmar follows, looking around at everything... she's not drawn her halberd, but her hand itches.

"Of course, you've always been a straight talker. Help yourself"

The hot smelter is already running... and there is something greatly relieving to see the bars plunk into the red and... go from cold iron, to future steel product. Indeed, with each bar's demise/transformation, the weight of the chill fades

And there is certainly nothing chilly about the smelter itself. The blast is fierce...but in a good way. When it is done, Brekke assesses the box to see if it has been too badly contaminated.

Actually, no, it can be salvaged! D'an is on their side

Mackabe comes out long enough to wave. His face has the texture of a football save for the gray stubble just one day away from being a beard

"...Hi."

Brekke nods to him. "Thank you again. Use it well."

"Sure... you never ask to be paid for it, bugs me a bit, but then.. no questions asked and it's always straight" he nods

A nod. "Use it well," she repeats. "That is all the payment I need. This is Sam. I think she may bring deliveries sometime in the future. Sam, this is Mackabe."

"Nice to met ya" he says "Just let me know you're doing it for Brekke and we'ree square"

"Sure. Sure. Thanks." She offers a hand.

FIrm hand shake.. for a human

Introductions made, the two make their way to Siv's car. There's a text from Siv awaiting her mom "Dad picked me up. He is ah.. curious. "

Brekke notes the text with a bit of relief, and slowly texts back. "On the way, all is well."

"Sounds like Siv escaped, at least."

"I have seen her escape from far worse." And they drive back to RV.