#rivervale_lodge

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Frank King, Mountain of Rivervale, HATES the plan. It's obvious the way his eyes grow dark at the telling and his expression smooths to unread-ability. He turns away, face angled down and to the side. The struggle is clear in the rigid set of his shoulders, the tension in his neck and back.

It's already done. It had to happen immediately, and he was on a long patrol to secure the borders and post guards at the command of his Chieftess. He recognizes that with a terse nod of his head.

He clears his throat. "So then.... what else?" There is a faintly bitter tone in his voice.

OOC: I suspect he's talking to Brekke as Siv is gone at this time but if anyone else is in on the convo let me know

OOC: Could be talking to Kerri? I'm not sure. Clarify, Frank-P?

OOC I left it open on purpose.

OOC: Okay.

Brekke told him. She told him quickly, dispassionately, before taking Siv to the farm. Told him with that hard expression that he knows, the one she has when she has to make a decision that she absolutely, utterly hates.

Now Kerri is there, watching his reaction. "Now...we do what we can to find the nocker and whoever else he was working with. They'll likely be back."

"I don't know," Vali says "The smart tactic might be to switch spies"

Kerri looks to Vali. "You mean...that's what the Lady Leanhaun would do?"

"Yes... she might swap her folk out, but..." He ponders "She maybe limited. I Hope she is."

A sigh. "Well...yes, if her agents have been compromised, they're not much use...but only one has really been spotted by us so far, right?"

Frank nods, and goes upstairs.

Kerri says, "Frank..." as he goes.

Vali watches him go, "Damn. News of his daughter being in a coma is... he's going to take this on himself"

"If you need anything...?"

OOC: swap that around so Vali says that after frank is up 🙂

Kerri shoots Vali a look, then pauses...and turns to go to work on some dishes in the sink. "Yes...yes, he is. He may do something rash."

Frank returns fully geared up, armed and armored, heading for the door.

"Ah, Mountain?" Vali says

"Frank!" Kerri follows him to the door. "Frank....Mountain...where are you going?!"

"To find the Peacock agents. Or Peacock herself."

Sir Vali purses his lips in a frown but says nothing ...yet.

"Don't go alone. Please."

"I'll go with him," Jaymes offers, grabbing his claymore.

Kerri looks at Jaymes, pauses a moment, then nods. "Tove is with Dagmar?"

"Yes." He says

She gives another nod. "I will let the Chieftain know. Good hunting."

And Jaymes moves on with his brother

Frank looks at Jaymes a moment, nods, and they move out.

Once the two brothers are gone. Vali shakes his head, "Not sure there's a thing I could have said to disuade him but feel like I should have tried"

"No. Vali, this house is an old enemy for him. Perhaps Ancient, I don't know. But trying to keep him home from this?" She shakes her head. "It would tear him up inside. Best to have his brother at his back."

"Yeah, Jaymes is a good wingman in a scrap anyway" Clearly speaking from experience. "But if it were that easy...just go out and find her, we'd have done it by now don't you think?"

A long silence. "Maybe. But we've been playing a defensive game, Vali. We've been protecting our home from an incursion. This is different. He is hunting." She looks at him, and he may detect a hint of envy in her eyes.

"Well, he's definitely got experience at it, but I worry he's the one they want going out... like you, I'm glad he's got back up."

She nods, frowning. "It's him, or the Chieftain. Siv...is collateral damage, I think. A happy accident, to them. You would have been the same." She scrubs a pot almost vindictively.

"I'd like to think I'm bonus points for House Beaumayn...we go way back with some forces." A frown "The fact they can sense me if I get too close limits my use. Damn it."

"Yes, I didn't know about that little detail."

"Not a fun one right now," He admits.. "I'll take on mountain duties while Frank is out unless you or the Chief object. he's had me act them on on his behalf before . "

She lets out a sigh and nods. "Thank you. That'll help." After a moment, "I know Sylvi's going to want to get involved, somehow, Vali. If there's any way to...to limit that....?" A hopeful look.

"Between you and me? I'm terrified Gerd is about to start flickerflashing the others across concordia so they can each drive us crazy with worry. But Siv is their own, they're not going to want to sit still. Dagmar will take on patrols I think, and thank goodness. Maybe if we tell Gerd and Sylvi we need them here while Jaymes and Frank are out they'll consider it. We'll have to give them something to do though, and not just busy work. They're too darn smart for that."

"Yes...yes, they all have a strong sense of duty." A slight wry grin. "Rivervale, the next generation."

"It's in good hands," He smiles back, and he rubs at the bridge of his nose as if feeling a pressure, "Sylvi has been a diplomat and has good people skills. Perhaps she can serve in that regard again. Let her collect information from allied holds?"

She turns to watch him. "...Maybe. But they might scry her. Then again...they might scry any of us. Hm...I suppose that's one of our strengths. Numbers. There's so many of us, would it be easy for them to scry us all?"

"If theyr'e close together, it's not much harder than if it's just on person...after that, it gets tricky. Tattletale isn't perfect...There are wards and countermagics but many of them are beyond our abilities as far as I know of. Spreading everyone out makes them vulnerable to attack, but burns more glamour for scrying. It's a dangerous trade off if I'm following you right?"

"Yes. Probably too dangerous," she says slowly, musing over the idea as she rinses some utensils. "But...yes, Sylvi should go to our allies, and perhaps beyond. But she's known for that role of emissary. Maybe Dagmar should escort her. Which...somewhat undermines the we-need-you-to-stay-home-to-defend-the-Lodge angle."

"Catch 22," he agrees, "I know it's nuts, but..what about Dirk? He's not bright, but he can fight...and for the right amount of pay he'd probably stand guard and scowl."

"Hm. You know...Dirk has grown on me. I mean, he is a fine example of his kith, which means that he's frequently irritating, but he also has a...well, it's not exactly a 'kind' streak, but ...he's not all bad, not by a long shot."

"And he's weirdly reliable. I mean, he'd probably mug someone for 20 bucks, but for 40 he'd instead guard them. I bet."

"Mm. Well, it's worth a shot, certainly."

They discuss plans a bit further...

(End Scene or maybe pause)