#rivervale_lodge

"And we are, if I'm honest, in danger of drinking too deeply from the cup of paranoia as is"

Brekke frowns and glances to the door to Tijuana. "I understand what you mean. It is one thing to know where a trod begins and ends, and another to only know where it begins. Zara? Is she a good choice for such a task?" It is clear that Brekke is cannying the image of a dainty and fragile bookish sluagh.

"Oh she's klenex in a fight, but she's so quiet she normally isn't noticed. Earl has a sword that veils him... so he can 'stealth' somewhat too. ALso she's talented in other ways. and Earl has come a long way from runt of the litter when it comes to combat."

"Honestly, if they stumble onto something like a Varich hold, I'll trust they won't lay siege to it"

"Ah, Earl travels with her. Good." A nod and a sip of her coffee.

"Yes, well, Earl's another problem...even if he's also the solution. Apparently he showed up at Parliament. That lead to two interesting situations. And more heacaches for me"

"Parliament? Why? And why did this cause further problems?"

"to support a sidhe friend of theirs. Problem is, by showing up there, Earl, a DeBuke, has cast doubt on our desire to not be part of the accordance set up by high King david... I've recieved missives from nobles... most polite, a few seemingly well intentioned, but that's not my real concern. Earl has been knighted, but most of the family doesn't know that. If a DeBuke is sained and is learned to have a title, well, that's one thing... but to choose a title on their own? To be frank, Chieftain, some of the family is going to accuse him of selling out. Now he's been using that title to protect us, that's why he asked for it, and for over a year it worked, but nwo that chicken is coming home to roost"

Brekke frowns. "Is it? Or are you seeing problems where none truly exist? What do those nobles write in their missives?"

"One troll noble wrote how pleased he was to see a lodge such as our standing out as an example for our kith, and healing a rift. I think I'd like him. Another was a bit more pretentious, but warm and asking about trade... " then a roll of her eyes "There's another that came with a marriage propasal. I would take a sidhe noble as a husband, he would rule during the winter half of the year.. what is it with sidhe nobles? I can't even"

"Ah. I see." Brekke nods. "I agree that the first sounds worth contat, and perhaps the second. But the sidhe noble..." She shakes her head. "Yes, that is irritating."

"And the Earl being a knight thing WILL have a backlash. I know which side I'll be on, but it's going to be tense"

"Hm. Is there any way in which I might help?"

"Not that I can think of, but if i might use you as an example that a troll can be of a noble title and house and NOT evil incarnate?" dryly "I'd sure like to"

A bemused look. "Gladly. I will endeavor not to become evil until after your point is made."

A twitch of a lip at that, yes, she finds it funny, "Much obliged. Truth to tell, a lot of the DeBukes are feeling their oats"

"But that's a problem of another sort"

"Miss Evergreen?"

"It is not her season, I think?"

"Oh, you don't know? Your Piper saved us from a raid... farm was most ly emptied in case of dragon? but some folks thought to take advantage of our temproary low numbers.. but piper caught them.. and threw this.." Ahem and blush "Lust bomb?" She gives the older chief a moment to register that "well, they ..were all over each ohter, but we rounded them up CAREFULLY... then, when the dragon died, well, this backsplash of all that released life force and dreaming energy came through... hit here too, but in addition to a new trod.. it took that residue and we now have a pomengrante tree of ... " A blush "it's embarrassing"

Brekke does turn a bit lavender, then clears her throat. "I see. I had heard about the, ah, 'bomb,' but I had not heard about the pomegranates. Nobody has been harmed under its influence, though?"

Footsteps on gravel.

"Only our good name for being associated with such a thing" A sigh "But it's not just the desire fruit... I'll trundle that off to saytrs and Fiona and ask them to be honorable with it"

"What else, then?" And she looks up at the familiar trudge of feet.

"Well, we have non DeBukes moved in over the years, some stay.. join up, but some wilders who are DeBukes are wanting to spread their wings, and quest or ..make their own way entirely. It's been known to happen . But I'm trying to let them go out and learn without alienating them or losing them entirely."

"And now with Caesar in and out to check on things and him rattling off about the big city life..." then she listens "Well, let's say 'how you gonna keep em down on the farm' is another matter

Brekke frowns thoughtfully. "They all wish city life?"

"The ones who wish to leave, that is?"

"Not all city no, thank goodness..though please remember, Chief, some of them might call this place 'a town''

"Yes...that is true.... Hm...."

"There...might be an option for some of them."

Frank steps inside and starts to toe off his boots and hang up his coat.

"You have suggestions?" Clem says, then smiles to see Frank,"Mountain, hope all is well"

Brekke gives Frank a grin and a nod before answering Clem. "It is possible. There are new developments, and possibly a new place for them to go...but I do not wish to say too much until I can be certain."

"Clem? Sorry, Chief Clem? What brings......" He notices Brekke's recent mobility and crosses over with alacrity. "Brekke?"

"All is well, Frank, though the twins will have tales that will disturb you. They saw my imposter, handless."

"Damn." Frank glowers.

Clem says "Could be this works to your advantage. Or uhm Dirk's advantage? "

A grunt.

"Good news, her real hand , as you can see, is getting better. I think if we're lucky, we'll have a full finger a day"

"Yes. Lucky."

Clem gives a curious look at Frank, kenning him but does not voice her suspicions

After a moment. "Thank you, Clem."

"Frank?" A curious look. "Are you well?"

"Yes." And a hand on her shoulder.

An eyebrow. And a nod. Then she looks back to Clem. "At any rate...we are taking a journey today, and by tomorrow I may have word for you on my idea."

"Be happy to hear it. I suggest a spring application once a day for a week on that hand, see how it goes"

"Sylvi has the skill?"

"Well, actually, she might... but it's draining, that's a treasure on your hand there, Chief, more or less.. costly if she's not used to affecting those. " Clem ponders "But yes, I suppose she could"

Brekke shakes her head. "If you do not mind me imposing on you, then, I will come to the Farm. You have greater experience in the matter."