#rivervale_lodge

"But sometimes seeds take time to grow and it's an ugly wait."

"But..." Harrumph.

"I want to help. I wish I could fight."

"You are helping and... maybe you can see the Duchess, but it is a risk."

She ponders "If they get kicked out.. IF it all goes wrong, it doesn't mean they have to suffer. We'll find a place for them.. I bet the Chief knows people who would be happy to have such fine folk. I bet Count Jude would take them in."

"But what about the kids?"

"I don't know" They pull up to their home.

"Maybe House Liam can help them too.. just in new ways"

"Programs like that are hard to get into. There's not a lot of them."

"And they seemed.. I mean.. they're doing good work."

Tove nods

"I bet all Miss Prissy Pants wants is to cater to rich people and flounce around acting like a fancy bitch."

"It's possible" she says

She opens the door "THe only Daireann I know around here is Kerri's new Squire"

"Brogan? I don't know him real well, he keeps to himself."

"Is the Duchess a Gwydion?"

"If she is, I mean, then she'd know I was telling the truth..."

"Fiona I believe" She says "And.. if you can be careful not to insult his House... maybe you should seek Brogan out. I'm told he makes a pretty good pastry"

"But he might have a possible solution we haven't thought of"

"Maybe?"

"Maybe" A smile

"I mean, it's not like..." Harrumph. "It's not like I want the baroness to, like, suffer horribly. I just want to protect the ranch."

"exactly. You've got your eyes on what's important ,and I am proud of that" She gets out of the car and closes it "Now, homework. I know you have some"

"Uhhhg, hoemwork..."

"Uuughhh that's rigght" She gets her hair tossled as the two of them go in

At least some things are underway ..a song is being heard

(end scene)

Brogan , Squire of Daireann has been working hard when here, sparring with those far more expeirenced and powerful than he, and learning from a chef who makes him feel quite ignorant. Good. Only going along side or against the best will he be ready for an innately unfair Fior Righ, let alone living in a house where maximum effort is expected.

So when Brekke calls him into the practice ring, it is not the first time, and it will doubtfully be the last.

He comes out, armed and armored as she has directed. "Baroness" He bows "Pardon, Chieftain"

A nod. She is also geared for proper practice, not mere wooden swordplay. "Squire Brogan." She bows in return. "Come, take your place. Three touches for a 'death.' Agreed?"

"Agreed" The boy is nimble, young, and energetic. That's about the only 'edge' he has here, and it's really ovewhelmed by experience, but when the fight begins, he makes the best of it, raising shield to guard and at the same time hoping to create an opening as he closes the reach

She doesn't push him too hard at first, but as he succeeds, she gives him greater challenges, advising and correcting as needed.

He learns, of course, and once mutters "Wow" as she takes what he thought he knew, and forces him to abandon preconceived notions.

"Do you understand that? Here, look...like this...." Demonstration, practice, sparring.

"I see..." He says "Do you have to switch the grip to achieve that or..." Blocking if he can

"Yes, like this, you see?"

"Yes, it'll take practice to do that seamlessly as you do" His tone indicates practice will be performed. Then he tries a twirling leap of a celtic style. One that Brekke MIGHT Recognize as normally used with spears rather htan swords, from river practice. He's trying something, anything, he thinks she might not have seen.

Oh, she's seen that, and she turns and parries at the same time, allowing the force of his blow to travel past her, carrying him along with it...and she smacks him on the back for good measure.

And on his face he ends up.

"I imagined that going just a bit better" he says after spiting out some of the dirt "you ah.. know the counter"

For a young lad who just ate dirt, he is managing some dignity. Being a sidhe helps.

She grins slightly as she offers him a hand up.

"It will, in practice."

He takes the hand "Thank you"

"Mm. A break, some water." She nods him to a bench; there's a jug of water next to it.

He moves to fetch it and pour them both some if cups are available, or offer her first drink if there is not.

Cups are available, and she takes hers from him with thanks. She watches him as she drinks, then says, "I have a question for you. Possibly several questions."

"Ask away, if I dishonor not myself in the answer, I will."

"Good." She looks away towards the west. "I have news of a Baroness of your house, one who would lay claim the holdings of another below her rank. The current holder does good work, valuable work, with the lands, and the Baroness wants it out of spite, or so I am told." She looks at him. "What do you think so far?"