#rivervale_lodge

"Why not try a few. Start with a club, there, and give it a try."

HE grabs a war club and gives it a swing "Mm have to fight the urge to use it like a baseball bat"

"Not unusual. It's not really a precision instrument but it will get the job done."

"Yes, I'm stronger now"

"Pardon. I'm also stating the obvious to one who already knows" A swish in the air

Frank rummages around, picks out a few more. "Dagmar uses a halberd. Superior reach."

He tries it, "I can see why"

"Brekke uses an axe, and Olgar uses a war hammer."

And he tries each in turn, testing. Frank can judge how well he takes to each.

"Which one feels best?"

"Hard to say, but I like the spear plenty so far. Range, good point. War club is good too"

Frank nods. "Take the war club with you. Let's meet to start practice later this week."

"I will, thanks." He nods

"Mountain, do you have a book on troll knowledge? The basics?"

"Yes. Come inside." And when there.... "Coffee?"

"Coffee is fine. I like a bit of cream in it, my wife tends to tease about that"

"Kerri makes sure we're well-set. Pour yourself a cup." And he gets the cream from the fridge.

He does "Want me to pour you one while I'm doing this?"

"Thank you....." And he returns with the pitcher.

He takes his coffee black, and goes to his desk and bookshelf.

A sip, "Good coffee."

"Yes. There's a Chimera here that we think helps."

"Friendly things. All we have his this creepy little inaminae doll" A sip "Which I'm told is different. But she protects our daughter so...she stays"

"Chimera can be useful, yes. Sometimes dangerous."

"Yes, I heard about the Dragon." A sip "At least that it was a nasty one. We've been memorizing the Escheat and the Seelie code. Pretty sure we're all Seelie. The Troll lore stuff , well, I'm still a bit mixed up about that..Chieftain AND Baroness, Mountain and knight. It's why I wondered about that book."

Frank has been looking through his things. He finds a relatively small book, which in a mortal's hands would be more like a phone book. "Here we are. This might suit you."

He takes it, "Thank you. When do you need it back?"

"And, part of my job is to help you learn what you need to know. All of you."

"When you're done with it."

A nod "So the mountain is a teaching position?"

"Frequently. The Storm can be thought of as a War Chief. The Hearth cares for the Lodge; logistics, provisions, so on. And the Mountain is a Spiritual leader, helps with education, so on."

"Spiritual? Interesting... priesthood among trolls?"

"Not priesthood, no. I was raised nominally Christian, but few Fae keep that kind of connection once they have their Dream Dance. If any do, it's not uncommon to find them in my House."

"I was raised methodist" He admits "But fell out to to speak. Still love Christmas carols though"

"You can keep loving those." Frank assures him.

"Good. " A smile "I mean, if I have to dance around with woad or something I will, but I refuse to give up Little Drummer Boy."

"Woad is also an option, yes."

"You're having fun with me aren't you?" Brow "just a bit."

"Not intentionally. Some warriors do wear woad, and honor old ways. And some of our younger set experiment with how the computer technology we have today in the mundane world interacts with the Dreaming."

"Mmm. Well, I will try to respect both, but I think I'll mostly stick with my carols"

"The Lodge hosts many of the holiday celebrations we hold."

"Mmm thank you" He takes the book, and starts to read as he has coffee

a half hour later he'll be gone.

And Frank? Frank can tell Kyle is aware of that 'odd Liam aura' but he seems better at disregarding it.

(End Scene)