#rivervale_lodge

"Nope. Jaymes caught her guarding the horses in the dark... in Jersey cold no less.. asleep and shivering, and took her home. We've been taking shifts. Dogs are patroling near the horses. "

"Oh, Jaymes took her position because of some..weird dad gene. "

"Hm." An amused and appreciative sound at that, and she nods. "He is a very good father."

"Mmm" A nod "Oh, the Thomas' got that voile that Hearth Kerri and others paid that tailor for. "

Dagmar stomps in. "Take a break, he says, like he doesn't have WORK in the morning..." mumble grumble.

"Your father being stubborn again?" Vali says tutting slightly

"Ah, good," she nods to Vali about the Thomases' voile. Then she looks over as Dagmar arrives. "Dame Dagmar."

"Oh! Chief!"

"Oh, there's - Vali did you tell her?"

"Most of it, I think though my info was second hand"

"He did," she nods. "I understand you have again performed a rescue by jousting."

"Tell it to me, Dame, in your own words."

"Oh. I was on patrol, and I heard Star scream."

"So I ran to see what was happening, and it was kinda chaotic... I knocked out the one guy, the animals got the other - but the eshu, she was on Stormwake with this glowing rope, and running with him."

"Mm. An eshu...." Brekke turns a thoughtful look at the fish.

Edelweiss walks up and wags as if ready to verify

"I asked Star to let me ride her, and we raced to catch up. Jesus, bareback is slippery, y'know? Anyhow, I managed to dehorse her... she shot at Star, but missed and Star was SO brave! She didn't spook!"

"Yeah, Edie guarded the two I had to leave behind, before Jonas showed up and helped..."

"I tied the eshu up with her own rope." A snort. "She tried to lie to me. Dumbass."

"She did ask for quarter, so I didn't hurt her."

Vali says "If only Falcons weren't so humble and overlooked, more people would know better"

"Hah. Unwise to lie to a Gwydion, yes." Brekke nods with approval, and reaches down to pet Edelweiss.

"Vali, I see you are attempting humor again."

An eyebrow.

Edelweiss wags and enjoys the petting.

Vali says "Who? Moi?"

Then she turns back to Dagmar. "Star allowed you to ride her. And even bareback, you were successful."

"Yeah, but man... bareback is fine for, like, just going easy.. but not for battle. You can't set your heels, no leverage."

"Knees." She nods. "But the development of stirrups has always been a great military advantage."

Vali gets the Chief some coffee, and Dagmar a Dr. Pepper.

"Yeah, I know knees... but I'd prefer not to do that again. Star was SO brave, I bet she'd have beaten up the eshu all by herself."

"Ooo.." She takes the pop.

A grateful nod to Vali, and she takes a sip of coffee. "That is the first time you have ridden Star, correct?"

"Yeah..." She bites on her lip. "I sorta... I mean, I'm big, and she can't grow like Stormwake.."

Sudden panic. "Did I hurt her?"

A blink. "I have not seen her. Let us go and find out. Vali, join us." Brekke takes her mug with her to the door of the Lodge.

Dag shrinks and follows.

Brekke leads the way to the stables, unhurried.

Vali nods "Sure"

As soon as they come in view of the stable, even from aways away - a whinny of greeting rings out. Star is prancing along the fence line.

Dag bolts ahead.

"She looks pretty good to me" Vali observes

Brekke grins but does not hurry her pace, watching the younger troll and horse.

She stops and waits for Dagmar, ears perked, leaning over the edge of the railing. She bucks a little, as if to say that she could easily come TO HER if needed...

She extends her hand for inspection.

...it contains no apples, alas.

The hand is snuffled, and she leans past it to lip gently at the collar of Dagmar's shirt. She may get slightly slimed.

Brekke follows. "I agree with Vali. She looks healthy and strong."

"Okay..." neck-pat.