#rivervale_lodge

"Dad? There's a message for you?" Siv says.

"Mm?" He pulls his half-moon spectacles off and looks up from the papers on his desk. "Message?"

"Looks like goblin parchment, says for your eyes only. " She says

"Well, let's have it then." He rumbles, and holds his hand out for it.

She hands it over "you realize I am now nosey as heck?" But she doesn't try to peek.

"Mmmm..." He rumbles, and opens it discreetly to read.

It bears the blazon of House Liam

An eyebrow.

Frank reads, his expression going blank... but if you know him, grim.

"Hmmphm."

And under that it says We maybe going to parliment soon. We shall see if what was fallen can be raised up, and if what is crumbling can be salvaged under a Blue and Silver Banner

Then he shifts his grip on the page, holding it lightly in the palm of his hand.

And now, finished, it begins to dissolve... but he recognized the seals.... Count Jude's mark, surely, but the other two are more rare. Duchess Petalmourn, and young Duke Tierone?

"Hmph" He observes.

When the page is gone he sighs, dusting the ashes from his hands.

"Soon." He rumbles sourly.

his daughter is looking at him, "Odds I get to hear of the details are slim to none aren't they?"

"Less than that, Siv. I wouldn't share that with your mother." He says absently, thinking.

"Wow" Stunned "Okay. Need a drink?"

"No, thank you. More coffee now, I'll never sleep."

"Fair enough" She says "Though we DO have Decaff, buried somewhere deep I'm sure"

"Heresy."

A chuckle "Pretty sure mum would agree with that. Offer withdrawn. Should I go make attonement?"

"Hm?" He looks at her. "Atonement? How?"

"For what?"

"For mentioning the heretical decaff" a smile

"No, Siv, no." Clearly this is of small importance. The fact Brekke is away for this sin is .... maybe..... secondary?

"As you say. " Siv says "So..mysterious note aside? How are you doing today? Did you study hard with Bix?"

Frank takes another moment to finish his thoughts brought on by the notes.... then he shakes it off and looks to Siv. "No. I made him study hard."

"See you're never going to make friends at school like that" Straight faced

"I'm ok with that."

"i'm not surprised" She mmm and gives him a hug "He's got a good teacher in you"

He hugs her back. "You ok?" Gently. He does that; is suddenly gentle, kind, tender. The Stony Mountain.....

"yeah, I'm good. I Miss Bancroft. I look forward to flying the kestrel again. Got a lot of ideas in my head that need to wait. But I'm okay. Thanks" She smiles

A moment's pause.

"After your mom gets back, on a three day weekend.... what about we all go? On the Kestrel, hidden?

"Oh dad.. I was talking about my mission. You know.. when the Ailil arrives"

A smile "But maybe the three of us another time besides that? It would be nice."

"Yes, after the Ailil. The three of us, a .... jaunt."

"I'd like that" She says "Where to? "

A rare grin. "Does it matter?"

A mirror grin back "Only if we're getting post cards ,and maybe not even then"

Frank shrugs.

"Well then."

"Thanks, Dad. I love it" She gives him a hug

He hugs her back. "Love you."

"I love you too. " she says "And...well... I know I don't always show it, but I am learning from you both. "

"I'd like to think I'm not nearly as panic attack inducing as I was when I first came here" She looks around

"Probably... one fish less panic attack inducting, yes." Frank agrees.