#rivervale_lodge

"And perhaps...perhaps not such a cost, if the trade is the knowledge we provide of the event itself, the trafficking. He is a boggan, after all."

"-His- kith-call to help the needy might be seen as selective."

"This is true," she nods. "Then...I will tell Vali, you speak with Kerri."

"And Olgar?" dryly.

Eyebrows. "Frank...you cannot still be pretending to dislike the man."

"I am not pretending."

"Frank...."

"Hmmph."

A slight chuckle, and she reaches out to take his hand.

It's hers for the taking.

"I will speak with Olgar," she offers.

"Could ask Kerri to." He grunts.

"As you see fit, but I will speak with him as well." She rises. "We should begin."

Frank nods and gets the door for them both, offering his hand as she steps down.

A slightly wry look as she accepts the hand down.

He locks up the rig.

And together they walk up to the Lodge.

Brekke very much deep in thought.

(end/pause)

*************

When next Adam arrives at Rivervale, he's informed by the Hearth that the Chieftain is out back in the training ring.

Adam, having stuffed the memory of recent visitors WAY down deep, heads out to the ring.

Brekke is training, and she seems to be training hard, working up a sweat. The pell...well, it will likely need to be replaced soon.

She doesn't see him at first.

Adam moves around to be in her line of sight but waits respectfully until she acknowledges him.

He's certain she sees him, a fraction of eye contact, but she finishes out several more strikes before she pauses, taking a couple of deep breaths. Finally she turns to him. "Adam."

He bows "Chief."

She returns a respectful nod, and then sets her weapon aside. "You asked to speak with me. Are you well?"

"Yes, Chief, I'm fine. Thank you."

He hesitates, searching.

"Is... is this a bad time, Chief?"

Her brow furrows. A hesitation...then she shakes her head. "It is not. What did you wish to speak on, Adam?"

"This quest you spoke of. For my family."

"Mm." She nods. "I have not yet determined that. There are some matters at hand...the trafficking...I may ask you all to be part of that. But I ask you to be patient until I decide where and how I need your aid."

He straightens. "They aren't Sained." He points out directly but respectfully.

"They are not." She concurs.

"They can't.... can they even go on a real quest, if they aren't Sained?"

A deep breath. "Not a real quest, in the formal sense, no. Not an oathed endeavor. But in the sense of working together toward a greater goal in service to the barony, Concordia, and the well-being of Dreamers...yes, this I think you can all do."

She tilts her head. "You are trying to protect them?"

"Of course." He seems a bit relieved at her definition of 'quest'.

A bemused look. "I...am impressed that your understanding is thorough enough that the term and what it means disturbed you."

He starts a shrug and then drops it; an odd flexing of his shoulders. "The other wilders have been on quests. I heard the stories."

She notes the gesture. "Hmm. And you have paid attention, and you have remembered."

"Yes?" puzzled.

She shakes her head. "I am only noting...you learn well from your peers."

"I'm trying to learn from everyone."

"When you send us on this ... mission.... will it be dangerous?"

She looks at him directly. "I will hope to find tasks for you each that will suit your strengths. But...this is our life, Adam. We live in a world with monsters as well as wonders. There may be dangers, yes."

He nods. "All I have is a staff and a mace. Can you give them weapons. Or some other way to defend themselves?"

That direct look hasn't wavered. "Largely, that task will fall to you and your father. Your mother and sister...they have their own skills, and may be able to use them well to defend themselves and you...but they are not fighters, I think."