#rivervale_lodge

Kerri looks from Olgar to Frank. "How? I don't know how to get to Mount Doom from here."

"Well, there is more than one Mount Doom in the Dreaming..." Olgar says

Kerri swallows tightly...and nods reluctantly.

"Mount Doom is just an example. Point is, destroy it. And we absolutely need to tell Brekke."

"No," Kerri says suddenly, shaking her head. "If...if we're going to do this...I shouldn't wait."

"Okay." Olgar says

"Kerri. Do you think you can?" Gently.

She looks uncomfortable at the question. "I...I'm not sure about anything right now." Her voice quiet, subdued.

Olgar takes her hand.

Frank nods. "There's a level of sentience to it. It could try to influence you, or even harm you."

"Olgar, what's the best, closest place we could take it to destroy it?"

She lets Olgar take her hand, but is uncomfortable about it, looking away.

"There's a trod in New Zealand that's strong, leads right to a middle Earth dreaming vortex that swirls strong still."

"You think you can make it?" Frank asks Kerri.

"I kind of have to, don't I?" A deep breath. "Okay..." Quiet. "I'll...pack, I guess."

Olgar nods "Okay." He does not try to protect his wife. Frank might sense it's costing Olgar a lot to do that "But I need to guide you, Kerri. "

Frank nods. "You two get ready to go. I'll let Brekke know what's going on." And he turns to go do so.

She looks at her husband briefly...and nods quickly, looking away again. She lets go of his hand to go back to their room and get ready.

She pointedly does not look at the locked cabinet as she passes through the kitchen.

"Yeah..." A look to his wife an unspoken question... an offer, that he's not saying. Then she goes on.

Instead he drops to a chair and flumps

Frank finds Brekke and lets her know what's going on.

Olgar rubs his forehead and waits a moment for his wife, but not TOO long. Five minutes?

his thoughts are racing. He feels like he's been in an emotional prize fight. And he's furious with himself. How could he have missed the extent of the abuses she might get in a noble hold that didn't restrain it's use of soveriegn?

It's...more than five minutes.

He rises and goes to the bedroom, opening the door. He's pretty sure the ring and oath gives him that liberty even if she might think he's an impatient jerk off. then again, she might not.

She's sitting on their bed, a half-full backpack nearby. She looks miserable.

Olgar sits down next to her, "I feel like I should bring a bucket of chocolates and a small hill of flowers"

An attempt at a grin, but it's brief. "I just..." A few moments of silence. "Stay with me in the kitchen, while I get the food and...it."

It's an instruction...but really a needy request.

He nods.

A deep breath, and she gets up and leaves their room, not getting too far ahead of him. She starts working around the kitchen, gathering travel food -- hard rolls, cheese, dried fruits, jerky. All supplies kept on hand as a matter of course. She doesn't look until the cabinet until everything else is packed.

Olgar moves after and camps in a corner, "You getting those little nutty bars you make I love?" Hopeful note.

Frank returns, half-moon glasses on his nose and a book in his hands; he's scanning pages quickly. (With/without Brekke?)

That gets a hint of a grin. "Sure."

Brekke follows Frank in, frowning with concern. She watches Kerri a moment, then gives Olgar a questioning look.

"Thanks" a smile. He does love those things. The other rovers often sniff around his bag hoping he has extra

Then when the Chief walks in he nods.

Kerri keeps working, but it doesn't take long to pack. She's too efficient.

And that leaves her faced with...well, facing people. She takes a breath and turns to Brekke. "Storm."

"Hearth," Brekke nods back. "The Mountain has told me. You have a plan?"

"Not really, no...." Kerri sighs. "But...better quickly done, I think."

Brekke nods and looks to Olgar. "I understand you have a destination in mind."

"The trod we need is in New Zealand... from there? Onto the trod into a dream realm that should do the trick"

"Mm." Brekke nods. "Can we help in some way?"

Kerri looks decidedly uncomfortable, and looks to Olgar, deferring to him.

Frank sighs, holding his place in the book with a finger, and looks up at the other couple.

"The Hearth has decided she will be the one to drop it off. " A nod "I'll guide and escort her. Far as I know, it's.. that straight forward" A look to his wife. He will not take authority from her while she's vulnerable, "Unless she's got a request of you two?"

"Anything, Kerri. You know that."

"Just..." Kerri begins, pauses. "...I want to go quickly, or...." She trails off, starts again. "I need to go now. No delays. Sally Mae knows what to do here, and Brogan can assist her. I'm not worried about that. But...Sylvi..." A tension, and a look to Brekke and Frank.