#rivervale_lodge

"Have you checked? Uh, I mean, have they been tested? Or... or whatever, to see what they can and can't do? What they're good at?"

She tilts her head at him. "Did we test you?"

"Not, like... like very formally but.... yes. We have sparred, and I've practiced with Dagmar and Olgar and Ms Kerri had me talk to that cookie and other members of the Lodge have done other stuff like that."

A slow nod. "And why have we done each of those things?" she coaxes.

"To figure out what I'm good at, how I can serve."

"Mm, in part. Adam, we largely followed your lead. You expressed interest, we listened, and we supported your interest. Do you think there has been a time when we tried to force you into a task where you had not expressed an interest or demonstrated a strength?"

He thinks, searching his memory.

"I don't think so. Some stuff I didn't want to do but that's not because of weakness or 'cause I wasn't interested." Honestly.

A nod. "Adam, Crash of the Storm, Linnorm-bane...I am going to ask you, as the one with the most experience, to undertake the task of testing out your family's skills and interests. Ask, listen, do not judge...and then consider how you may best work together. You have far greater contact with them than I. It will help me if you can bring these ideas to me."

"Chief, I don't even know what -I- can do yet! I haven't been Sained either, not that I can be but..... how am I supposed to test what they can do?"

She shakes her head and grins. "You are taking the word 'test' too seriously. Perhaps...study? Investigate. Speak with them, separately or together, about strengths and weaknesses. You need not do it perfectly, but it is a place to start. I cannot be in all places, Adam, and this would help greatly as we prepare."

Adam thinks about it but is troubled. "I'm too... you don't think I'm too close? I don't want them hurt, and this could be dangerous, so maybe they won't be good at anything and then they'll stay home or get something not-dangerous?"

She raises her brows. "You would do to them the very thing that made you so angry when it was done to you?"

He lifts his chin. "Saying I might not be the best one to figure out what they're good at. I have.... biases, right? But you're the Chief. You tell me to do it, I'll do the best I can. Best I can means warning you I have biases."

She gives a solemn nod. "I understand. And I trust you to remain aware of your own biases, and compensate for them where possible. I know you will tell me the truth as you know it."

He nods. "Okay Chief." Accepting the charge.

"Good. I know you are trying to protect them, but you must also help them to grow. We will need all of you to contribute to the well-being of the barony. Now...do you wish to spar?"

"If... if you want."

"You mistake me, Adam. I am asking your preference, not suggesting mine."

"Oh." He checks the time.

(?)

(Evening, likely.)

(Possibly dinner time back home.)

"I should probably get home. Dinner. Thank you for offering, though, Chief."

She nods. "Begin speaking with your family. Come and tell me your thoughts...the day after tomorrow to start. I do not expect you to have firm ideas by then, but perhaps the beginnings of ideas. We will spar then." Another nod, and he is dismissed.

"Yes, Chief." And he departs.

Brekke watches him go, then takes up her practice blade again and starts walloping the pell once more. Yes, they'll need a new one by morning.

"Whatever has you angry, I hope It's not my fault." Vali says

Brekke gives another solid strike, splinters fly, and she turns to look at him. "No. No, it is not your fault."

" I was hoping. You left a mention that you wanted to talk to me sometime soon?" He says

"Mm. Yes, and thank you. I have..." A pause. "There is a situation, and it involves...." Another pause. "Hm. There are some things I am reluctant to say. Vali, you know of the mortal trafficking that has been happening locally? And that it seems to be along a route stretched across Concordia?"

"Yes, in the next county over.. but it still might be going through OUR area. " He nods

"And by ours, I mean COunt Hemlocks"

"It is close enough. And...I have other concerns. But before I say..." A sigh. "Vali, I know there is not much you can say, but...is there anything you have seen about this that you can share?"

"I've had a few visions...that I don't understand completely, not atypical... but... I did see a web and when I closed on the web to look at it, it was not spider silk but rather small chains...and I saw a snake with a goat's horns....this snake as venomous as any, it's pits sanquine. I have considered searching again, trying for another vision. I can if you ask. Though I may hold back much of what I see if I..well, you know how it is"

"Goat's horns...." She frowns, thinking. Then a nod. "Vali...I am concerned that we may have accidentally helped this chain of slaves to develop. Besides this horned snake...I would wish to know if there are any others who seem to be...pivotal in transporting these people."

"I can try to narrow the vision evoke it, but as hypocritical as it sounds coming from a Beaumayn, it would help if you gave me some specifics if you have any?"

Brekke considers what to share. "I am concerned that one who has helped us with relocating the immigrants from the border may have decided this is more profitable." A pause. "Someone near Firnost."

"The boggany valdemort?"

A sigh. "Well..." She seems reluctant to confirm.

"I"m going to try to envoke a vision under that assumption... and hope I have guessed right. " Vali says "I understand plausible deniablity on a leader's part. I worked at Eiluned hold's for a time. It's okay" Reassuring or trying to be

An eyebrow. "I am not certain the Countess would appreciate the comparison."

"I don't know, but I'm starting to think you don't." He doesn't wait for her to answer, and assumes a lotus position "Give me a few minutes. Stand guard if you would? I'm going to be rather vulnerable"

"Understood." And she does, keeping watch as Vali closes his eyes.

Vali at first just seems to be meditating... breathing slower, slower... until his breaths seem to be apart in an almost unhealthy fashion.

Brekke glances at him with concern, but keeps watch on the surroundings.

Suddenly his head shakes, an abrupt ..almost spasm like motion to the left... then the right.. his hands..tighten into fists.

Brekke keeps watch, concerned, but not about to interfere unless he seems not to be coming out of this.

On the seventh minute he gasps and opens his eyes

Brekke untenses a bit herself. "Vali..." She grabs the bottle of water she had nearby for training and passes it to him.