#rivervale_lodge

"Well...he did not say so. But I suggested it might be a factor. Bragging rights among his kith."

Frank nods his shaggy head, unsurprised. "I have not met with all the wilders yet, but I have seen Zane and I am making my way around. Checking on families as well."

"Thank you." A thought. "Frank, will you be speaking to AnneMarie?"

"I can."

She nods. "Feel her out about whether she would accept noble title. She is long past due."

Eyebrow.

A half-shrug. "Perhaps I have neglected them. Not all wish to follow in trollish ways. Not all commoners reject courtly ways. "

"Perhaps. But you will attend it now."

"I will sound her out."

"Thank you."

"Of course." He puts a hand on hers, and squeezes.

A slight grin and she squeezes back.

"How bad is the wound?" quietly.

"It heals. I can manage it."

A soft growl.

A brow. "Perhaps you will intimidate it away."

Huff.

"You have had iron wounds, My Heart. You know how it feels."

"It does not mean I like being away from your side when you got it."

"You rescued them, Frank. You got them to safety. You did what you were supposed to do. You did your duty. I am glad."

"Hmmphm."

"You team worked well together?"

"Yes. Lut is an old hand at our partnership. Adam obeyed well."

"Good." A sigh. "I think it was right to separate him from Piper. She could not have done her work with him there."

"Perhaps not. He was... dutiful but not enthusiastic."

"Enthus--" She stops and shakes her head. "I will not be concerned about the Raid's entertainment factor for him. He helped complete the task and save the victims."

"You have sparred with him. Does he not seem to enjoy combat? Not as entertainment but.... well, for the challenge. As Siv does."

"I thought I might see some of that but I didn't." A shrug. "Maybe my expectations were off."

"He enjoys being praised at combat. He enjoys when he believes he is perfect at something. But while he is learning or when the work is difficult..." she shakes her head. "There is not joy in him, then."

"Hm. Perhaps that is what was going on."

"You mean, that he feels he did less than well?"

"That he was learning, or the work was difficult."

"Perhaps."

A careful deep breath, successful this time. "You say Siv and Jessica are well. Jessica is in Fenix. Do we know where Siv is? Did she go back to EarthRunes?"

"Siv is at EarthRunes too. According to Count Jude."

"Good. We should visit them both." She glances at the trod door.

"When you are better."

"Hmph."

It is possible the beard is just slightly smug.

"Do you think we could call them here?"

"We could -call- them." He motions to the phone closet.

A hesitation. "Perhaps another day of healing first...."

"If you like."

A nod. "For now...perhaps the garden."

He tilts his head, measuring her state.

A brow: I can walk in the garden.

He nods, rises, and offers his hand.

She accepts it and rises from her chair. A sigh and a nod.

Frank and Brekke go to walk in the garden.

....slowly.