#rivervale_lodge

As Nadeen's post-saining party is winding down and several people have gone out to inspect the battering ram, Brekke relaxes by the Balefire with a mug of coffee. And that's when Sylvi and Colton approach her.

"Chieftain," Sylvi starts, "Colton says he has news about the new Lodge....or, I guess, the revived Lodge?"

"Yes, with Skallstryke's death, it's like the dozen or more lodges it destroyed, well, not all are coming back, but some are" He says excitedly

"I think it would be too much to hope for all, but some?" She leans forward with interest. "Tell me what you have heard."

"THe omens indicated it was in the Eternal City but not... the city wasn't built in a day, but wasn't built in Italy. It took some finagling, but we think the new hold is some where in Rome.. Rome New York"

Symon is perched up on the rafters in a way that may disconcert Brekke or others slightly, reminiscent of another sluagh, at another hold, which he has never met. Shoeless, one foot is perched to lightly cling for balance, while the other scrawn leg dangles idly. He doesn't seem to mind the dim lack of light up there, as he carefully pages through a certain book.

"Rome." Brekke nods. "I have been there, but I have not spent much time there. Hm. That is near Oneida. I am not certain who holds that County...."

"I think I must undertake a roadtrip tomorrow. Colton, are you available to stay and come with me? You have more information about the matter than I."

"I would have to ask my liege, but surely. I know that New York State..er Duchy is ruled by a Troll Duke of House Fiona, by an election, but there is supposedly a rival Dougal who thinks it should go to a sidhe or something. Rome might be in contest"

"Yes, and if the County is unclaimed at this time, the Lodge's energies might be grabbed up." A frown.

"that's the other concern. It was a troll lodge, but with the troll reclaimation project and other noble efforts, or for that matter, if a motley of commoners finds it first" A sigh

"The sidhe don't really need any more power on that seat." He comments from above.

Colton jumps. HE at least didn't realize the sluagh was there "Give me afreaking heart attack"

His shoulders move in an inaudible snicker.

Brekke glances up at Symon. "If it were any other site, I might allow them to make their claim uncontended. But this is a Lodge."

"Are there trolls in the area who can take over running it without being spread too thin? " Thoughtful. "The DeBuke farm always seems to have quite a contingent. I wonder if there are wilders there who would be itching for some space of their own to grown into."

A faint sigh. "I might have once said that as long as any commoners took it on, that's good enough. But you blue folk are growing on me." A pause. "...like a fungus."

Brekke aims an eyebrow at the sluagh. "You are thinking aloud." She seems amused.

Colton says "Oh yeah, that's what they want, Iowan Separatist trolls forming a colony" then "No offense, but the DeBukes are a bit crazy when it comes to the nobles"

A shrug. "I don't know them well, other than a kithsister speaks of them fondly. And Mountain Emmit seems formidable."

"I think I wish to see the Lodge before I start recruiting its leaders." But yes, the gears are turning.

"Is there any reason the duchy... or other area powers... would be against a new troll lodge around there?"

"Because there are a dozen nobles that are hungry for it probably, and several commoner motleys" Colton looks at the Chief though, he's never seen her like this, not that he knows her well, "I will call my liege. "

and coffee, and thoughts, fill the Chieftain. While Symon and Sylvi might talk privately

As Colton makes his call, Brekke pauses in her ruminations to call Siv and Dirk over to her. "Some concerning things happened this evening. I wish to speak with you about them."

Dirk says "So when she pries into something, you give her the truth you weant her to know, and hope she leaves the one you don't alone?"

Siv sighs "We WANT her to know about this, Dirk. I'm not sure I want you to know about it, but that's another matter"

An eyebrow at the two of them. "Explain."

"I don't know, she's all 'it'll just make me mad' and I'm like LOTS of things make me mad"

Dirk says

Siv sighs "Well, mom, dirk... that corby of redcaps thinks Dirk is Seelie...and they want to beat the crap out of him.."

Brekke nods. "Sylvi suspected this. How did you determine it?" she asks of Siv, noting Dirk's reaction.

"I snooped," she says "I mean, later on I took on Redcap form to convo with them"

"Seelie? So stupid i wanna smash them in the crotch with a nailed stick until they whistle when they piss" Dirk says deeply insulted

"Dirk," Brekke says, "you know how this happens. It is a claim based on what they think they see, and once they decide to see it, they will see little else."

"Yeah... I'm gonna have to find out who they are, where they live, and beat the shit out of them one by one ..maybe scar one" He nods and says it practical a syou please

Brekke frowns, but doesn't immediately disagree. "Siv, did you learn where they are from?"

"I've actually got their cellphone numbers and their adress" She says "It's not in the Barony but it is in the couty."

"Hm." She considers this. "Dirk, I can ask the Count to have them banished from the County. If he does so, it may be more quickly settled."

Dirk frowns "If I have it done that way even I will wonder if I've got soft seelie"

Siv's expression indicates this is why she wasn't sure about telling him

"Mm." She thinks a minute. "Dirk, I do not like your solution. However, my way is not the redcap way. If you can ensure no innocents are harmed, I would consider allowing you to do this."

"Uhm.. is anyone REALLY innocent?" He says

"Innocent, as in not directly connected to their threats to you." A frown. "I still do not like this. I would like there to be another way."

"Well...." He fidgets, "There is a way"

An eyebrow. "Yes?"

"I can screw someone else up so bad, and provide evidence, that they have to respect me. Like, chimericaly beating the shit out of a knight and returning his shield with a bit mark out of it. Or the skulls of a mortal street gang"

"No mortal deaths." But some other idea is working through her mind.

"Well, I could CHIMERICALLY Kill a changeling, but you Gwyds can be wierd about that if it's not in a duel"

"Nothing short of chimeric death would work?"