#rivervale_lodge

“Then...it is arranged. Will you each take your weapons, or leave them here in trust?”

The last from Brekke.

Arthek "I'll take Gram with me, no offense to any of you."

Brekke shakes her head. “None taken.”

"I'll tell Earl he is needed to transport in case of the worst. " Emmit says "As for weapons. I think I'd like to have the black arrow to study a bit"

“Then take it with you,” Brekke nods. She has Frank bring out and distribute both weapons.

Arthek grunts "Not too long. I want to hunt this thing soon. "

Brekke nods in agreement with Arthek.

"Now that we know what path it will take..." Olgar says "You can pick the time to meet it. Only a few days until samhain. Chief? Tonight, or tomorrow morning?"

“In the morning. I must make final preparations.”

Sylvi’s eyes go wide. She looks like she wants to reach for her phone and send a text, but she restrains the impulse.

Olgar notices this, then looks at Kerri, "Think we should release our daughter early from this so she can do whatever it is she's doing?"

Kerri frowns, then says, “Chieftain, with your permission, I would speak with my family aside.”

Brekke looks over and nods wordlessly. Sylvi mentally braces herself for a punishment, but she goes with her parents into the kitchen.

Once beyond the door, Kerri turns to her daughter. “I don’t like this. Not at all. But...what do you need that we can provide to help?”

Olgar nods at that, "Supplies, directionswhatever"

Sylvi blinks. “I...uh...the emergency kits, yeah. Rations, maybe, if they’ll come with us into....um....”. She stops. “Rations. And....I want to ask for directions, but...I’m afraid you’ll try to stop me if I ask.”

Kerri sighs darkly. “It’s that bad?”

“Well....”. Sylvi shrugs awkwardly.

Kerri presses her lips together, then abruptly wraps Sylvi in a hug and kisses her forehead. “Be successful, and come home safe. I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom,” Sylvi whispers.

“Good. Talk to your father about directions.” And she resolutely goes back out into the main room, leaving them alone in the kitchen.

Sylvi watches her go, then turns to her father with a worried look.

Olgar shoots his wife a concerned look, then glances over at his daughter, "I love you more than life, but you know if you ever try to play me to work against her you'll lose, right? Ain't no hesitation in sides there.. fair or not."

“That’s...no! Dad, that’s not what...I’m not trying to do that!” A pleading look. “I don’t want that! I just...I know what I have to do, and I know I can’t tell you, and I need you to trust me.”

“Please.”

He sits down, "honey, you don't see any irony in this?"

“I....” She bites her lip. “I see it. But...”. A wavering.

"You want me to trust you... but you can't tell us about things, you are doing stuff behind our back.. not sure we'e the onees not showing trust here."

“Siv knows,” she offers lamely. “She’s not going, but she knows. I told her when I was trying to get her to go...,” rambling slightly. A deep breath. “If I tell you, I’m afraid you’ll try to interfere with what we need to do, or stop us from trying, but I know this is the right thing to do, Dad.”

"Then you don't trust me... not to do what you say. And maybe for good reason, but let's not pretend it only stings one way. What do you need directions to?"

A blink at the comment on stinging...then a nod, and a swallow before she says, “To Skallstrike’s Lair.”

"I thought you said you weren't going to fight the fu.." He catches himself, realizes he's raising his voice, "If you fight it, then you lose. It's got Da'an on its side that way"

She shakes her head. “He’s not there.”

"Because he'll be on his.." Her father pauses, "Shit. You're going to raid his hoard"

A cringeing smile.

'And for some reason you can't tell me... but wow" He grins

Yes, grins

“You’re...making a face that looks like a smile but might be a trap....”

"No. I'm just... it's brilliant. If I'm right. It's the scam of a century... an elder wyrm's hoard. It's like the movie the sting... you remember what Hooker said to Gondorf when Gondorf asked why Hooker wanted to con Lonegan so badly?"

“N-no?” Confused.

"He said '
Cause I don't know enough about killin' to kill him." Olgar grins "You can't kill this thing, so your'e taking him for all he's got? It's devious, it's vindictive, and it's going to lead to a good rich future for you wilders. I'm.. I'm so proud"

Sylvi blinks with surprise. “You...you are?” A hopeful smile.

"Yeah... did you forget I was unseelie? How are you splitting the take? Even stevens? Or are you getting a bit off the top before the split? Or can't you tell me?"

A wince. “Can’t say now...but might be able to tell you later.”

"Oh honey, tell me you haggled for the best deal? I mean.... " A sigh "Your mother and I BOTH taught you that skill... " A shake of his head "Nevermind.. here's where you need to go..." ANd he explains..

She listens carefully, nodding and committing it to her memory (which is far more keen than the average mortal grump’s).

(indeed)

He gives advice, and ... then kisses her on the forehead "Now, get a list of supplies you need. We'll give it to your mother." He shooes her off

And he makes a mental note of the path. He's got some dreaming wilds to clear before the kids walk it. She'll be embarrassed, but she'll live. That much I can do.

She nods rapidly, then goes to start the Operation Dragon Counterstrike messages to the other wilders, and have them help build a supply list.

Olgar goes to sooth his wife. Damn he's got to take her on another vakay soon. The woman has more than earned one.