#rivervale_lodge

TXT: kay

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"Chieftain? Have you a moment now?"

“Mm?” After the meeting has dispersed, Brekke is sitting by the balefire with a mug of coffee, contemplating the flames. She looks up at the voice.

“Yes, Nadeen. I have time now.”

"Thank you. First let me apologize again. I didn't realize the lodge had such a gather today."

“Yes. It was not something I wished to draw attention to.”

"Yes, well. About the bannerhouse paper.. your voice carries great power in house Gwydion so I was hoping you might write a missive regarding the benefits. Sir August Truthbranch has fought hard against Balor and other foes... and the purpose of the Bannerhouse to protect the love of mortals and mortals in love, while a touch ...sentimental, falls neatly into House Liam's niche"

“My voice?” She frowns and shakes her head. “I do not know if you are correct about that.”

"Well, then there is no harm in trying to apply it" A deep breath "particularly in a good cause"

A furrowed brow. “Why is this important to you?”

"Does it matter?" She asks

“You are asking for my words on their behalf. I would know your motivation.”

"I wished to hone my political skill and put some in my debt " She curtseys

True.

Yet there is something in that beautiful face... layers. Layers deeper than that

A sigh. “Nadeen...I have many concerns tonight. Please do not make me play a game of pulling the information from you.”

A proud look, then, "I am bargaining to make sure that should this place go to hell... devoured by dragon or not, that ..two of the people living here have homes in another hold."

the pride dwindles. WHatever this is is ..a touch embarrassing "That's why I try to sway you"

"If you live, then I know it will be well.. but ..this fight, you could kill the dragon and still die"

An eyebrow. “Nadeen...you are asking me to give my name to this as part of your negotiations. Do you believe in this bannerhouse beyond the benefit you can gain in the deal?”

"Actually, yes." She paces "I find it naive and sentimental, but it seems like an excellent outlet for those wishing to learn how to muse romance and so on and that brings in more glamour. It also surpresses ravaging, and while my house is not liam minded, the point is it still preserves resources ..err dreamers . Lastly, they really did give Balor quite the bloody nose and might have a chance to do more. It certainly is in Gwydions interest I think"

Truth

“Hmm.” Brekke eyes her as she paces, then looks to the fire in thought. “I have met Sir August. Have given aid to his wife’s barony.” A pause....and a nod. “I can write on his behalf in good conscience.” A sigh. “I suppose I should do so now.”

"Thank you. I would be grateful" She says possibly the truest thing off all, indeed. relief

A curious look at that. “The two you wish to save...one is Dagmar, I believe. The other?”

"Must I answer? Chieftain" A blush

She looks at her another moment, then looks away. “No, I suppose not.” She rises creakily from her seat and goes to Frank’s writing desk to find paper and pen. “I am no scribe, Nadeen. This will have little art about it.”

"You are a warrior and a great leader who cares about her people, poor penmanship is hardly a factor" No sarcasm? "Thankyou. As long as I can help them I am not.." She catches herself "I am not powerless."

“What else were you going to say there?” Brekke asks as she bends over the table surface, scratching out a missive.

"I am not going to be here much longer I suspect. I'll be sained. I'm pretty sure I'm a baroness... that means I will have to go because too many will fear I'm meant to be be your heir when we both know i am not. To keep the peace, the Count will move me to another location...the House Varich will take me deeper into their fold... and I will have duties to them. I cannot help Dagmar as I am, nor... the other. I have been helpless here. I have learned much from you, the Hearth, and the Mountain, but have I been of use? I do not think so. And once I am in my full nature, your people will want me gone."

Brekke glances over at her, pauses a moment, then turns back to her writing and finishes the letter in silence.

When it is done, she asks, “Do you wish to read it before I seal it?”

"if it wouldn't insult you?"

She shakes her head and hands the paper over.

She takes the paper and reads intently

After the salutation, it reads: ....I have met Sir August Truthbranch, and deem him a worthy member of House Liam. I have heard the mission of the bannerhouse Truthbranch, and I see the value of its mission. That which nourishes the Dreamers and their environment nourishes us all. I urge House Gwydion to act in support of Bannerhouse Truthbranch.

“It is too brief, perhaps. Too simple.”

“But I cannot give it more time than that just now, Nadeen.”

"No no, it is sufficient because your name is attached. I thank you for that."

“Perhaps, though, to establish one bannerhouse may make it easier for others to take root.”

"Perhaps" She smiles

Then a she returns it to be sealed, and sent "Chieftain, is there anything I can do to help?"

"With.. the ..dragon"

Brekke seals the paper, then looks back at the girl and hands it back. “I do not know. You are yet unsained. If Skallstrike comes to Rivervale, it will likely be because I have fallen, and I do not intend for that to happen. But if you can assist the Hearth and Mountain as they rescue who they might, that will be of great worth.” A pause. “Nadeen, you have learned to care for others, and to seek ways to aid them. I think that is something of value, as well.”

"I..my father would tell me I was putting too much value on the wrong resources in the two I have aided. ..well, maybve not Dagmar. "

“You are not your father. His world is not your world. His words have value, as a point of reference, but they are not your words.”

"Have I not a duty to my family?" She says

“Perhaps. But does Siv follow me in word and action? Does Jessica? They respect my words, but my words are not their laws, not outside of this Lodge.” A rueful grin. “Sometimes not even within this Lodge.”

A smile then she laughs then covers her mouth "I am sorry, Chieftain, but yes. You're right. I often wonder why you haven't invoked the ancient power on Siv"