#rivervale_lodge

"Connor's a good kid." She smiles.

"Guide?" Brow furrow. "Um. Guide how?"

"Be a good example. Teach him further skills, about horses, about armor...perhaps about combat, so he may defend himself when necessary. Help him learn how to serve when you must call on him for assistance."

"I don't know if I'm a very good example... I mean, you want me to work with him with horses and fighting? Sure, I can do that."

A nod. A few moments of thought. "Sometimes I have greater understanding of my liege," she mutters, then says, "Connor. Come here, please."

He sets the shovel aside, wiping his hands on his pants as he moves up, looking from the Chief to Dagmar, ears pricked. A little uncertain. "Star didn't get her apple yet."

She watches the chief, gears turning.

"You will be able to give it to her soon. Connor, you did well in assisting both myself and Dagmar as we returned from battle, and you have have shown responsibility in caring for the steeds. These are important skills. And yet, you must still learn some responsibility and self-control. Dame Dagmar can teach you both of these things." A moment of consideration, and then she nods. "Dame Dagmar, I ask you now to take Connor as your Squire, formally. Guide him well, and help him grow in service."

....Blink.

BLINK.

The horses BLINK

Brekke raises a brow.

"I... I am willing, Chief. But... does... Connor, do you want to?"

He looks - stunned. "But... " A glance at the Chieftain. "This isn't a punishment." Eyes wide.

"It's a... a.... funishment?" He attempts. "I would be like Brogie, and I'd hate that... but bad dogs aren't s'posed to GET treats. " Befuddled.

Stubborn. "You aren't bad"

"It is a duty. It is an obligation. It may be hard work. It may be sad work, sometimes. Dame Dagmar will sometimes need to require you to do that which you do not wish to do, and as her Squire you must do it. If you feel this is 'fun'....well, perhaps for you it will be. But no, it is not a punishment. It is a sign that I see potential in you, but that you have much to learn."

He looks to Dagmar. "You'd -want- me? Even if I mess up, and can't say things right and you're a Falcon that has to fly straight? I don't want - I want most of all to make you look bad."

Snort. "Like I haven't messed up? I mean, you do give me a headache sometimes, but that's not your fault. If... I... I mean, I don't know how good a teacher I'd be, but, I mean... I mean, you'd be a good squire. You have a good heart."

She rubs the back of her neck, a touch purple.

"You have already been a good teacher and a good example." Brekke looks at the two of them. "I must ask you to oath fealty to her, Connor, if you undertake this role."

He looks stunned. "Does the dreaming listen to a pooka?" But willing. "And should I wash my hands first?"

"And I oath back, to protect him." That more firmly, not a question.

Brekke nods to Dagmar. "Try as best you can, Connor. I hope the Dreaming will find a way."

"And your hands are clean enough. Squiring can be grimy work."

"I'm not exactly a fancy knight..."

"Do you know the words, Connor?"

He shakes his head, then nods. "I pledge, on my honor, to do my duty, and sell cookies at only $5 a box..."

Brekke actually chuckles a bit, then goes down on one knee next to Connor (with a wince) and whispers into his ear.

His listens intently, ears pricked, then nods. Stepping forward to Dagmar, he asks, "Are you sure? I don't know if there are takesy-backsies."

"You can ask to be released... it's not take-back, really. But you shouldn't make an oath, thinking about ending it."

He shakes his head hard, ears flopping. "Nuh-uh." And head to one side, unsure how to start, and he reaches out to take her hand, if she'll give it.

Dagmar takes his hand.

"When you're ready, okay? And only if you want to."

He squeezes her hand, takes a breath, and starts to recite, pausing to make sure he has the words right, but not faltering.

"I swear fealty to you, Dame Dagmar, the Just. Your command is my desire and... and your request my desire. May my service always please you, and may my sight grow dark if it don't. As the tides to the moon, my will to yours, my liege, and liberty and milkbones for all..."

She gives his hand a little squeeze, and doesn't hesitate on the response. "I take you as my vassal. You are of my house, even as the very stones. I pledge to hold you, to guard you, and to keep you. I pledge to honor your service as it deserves and to reward loyalty in kind. As the moon to the seas below, my will to yours. I pledge the Escheat to you."

Brekke has stood again and stepped back to witness the oathing.

Glamour flows

Dagmar closes her eyes as the glamour settles, and her lips tug into a faint smile. "Feel that? I told you, oaths are magic."

Brekke takes a deep breath. "Good. It is done. Connor, I will send a note to your father, informing him of your new rank."

"Now...I believe Star has been patient in waiting for her apples."

"As much as Star can be patient. Connor, you got this?" A gentle smile.

His eyes were squinted closed for a moment as he clung to Dagmar's hand and felt the glamour. "Oh! I'm Star's Squire too now. I'd better get that..." And he blinks again a few times, shakes his head and sneezes, and then rushes for the bag with the snacks.

As Connor goes back to work, Brekke looks to Dagmar. "I know you will keep him well, Dame."

She turns to go back to the Lodge, giving Stormwake one more pet.

A determined nod.

Stormwake nods

well, enjoys the and gives a bump in return

And apples are provided, to Star and to Stormwake, and then a crunch - "Just checking if they're poisoned, you would look silly riding a frog..." as he gulps down his bite.

"Well, luckily, there are enough apples for horses AND squires."