#rivervale_lodge

"Star doesn't want that, either."

"Well, we agree on that" Clem says then says "Now, Kourteny and I are going to wash our hands, pay our respects to folks and head off...but Star is fine and we're still on for the agreed upon time"

"Fine.."

"I mean, thank you."

"You're welcome, Dagmar" She says.

Dag manages a kind-of smile.

Kourtney says to Star "Thank you, Miss Star, for helping me learn how to be a better Horse Doctor"

Connor waves to them as they prepare to go. He whispers to Dagmar, "If you want time with your pony, I could escort them. Do they need escorting? Maybe they don't know the way."

"They know the way, but I know you like the farm - go if you want."

A small frown, unsure. Sometimes trolls are as hard to read as pooka. Finally he nods. "I'll be back in two shakes of Snow's tail when she sees a clementine on the windowsill." Trotting off with the Farm folk to give Dagmar a few moments of quiet with her horse.

"Sorry, I know you don't feel good. Soon."

She tosses her head a bit in dismissal. Star is strong and soon will be fast again. Reminded now that as headmare, she must look out for all of her herd, and puts aside her discomfort, now greatly improved by the care and ministrations, and reassures Dagmar with nickers and puffs of breath through her hair.

A little laugh. "Hey now."

Stormwake settles, seeing all is well again

Footsteps approaching. "How is she?" Brekke asks as she comes around the corner of the stable.

Dagmar rises. "Chief. Clem says she's fine."

"She's not comfortable, though. Did... did Kerri tell you?"

"I know there is a concern. I know Chieftain Clem has visited to check on her." She approaches the horses slowly, giving each a nod.

Dag nods. "Twice now."

"She says she might need a c-section. I was googling it..." Worry.

Brekke nods. "It is possible. May I...?" she asks Star, reaching towards the mare's belly.

Grunt of permission.

"Clem has healing, along with you, Kerri, Sylvi..."

"I was thinking, maybe, Jonas - could we shrink the foal?"

"Hm. Possible." She carefully runs her hand over the mare, feeling the shape and movement of her burden. "Chieftain Clem has discussed her diet with you, yes?"

"Yeah. We're mixing in herbs right now - cut down on sweets, no black cohosh yet, that's dangerous."

Star was dozing, and woke when the Chieftain approached. She lets Brekke feel her over with less fuss than she gave Clem - after all, this is part of her herd.

"It is. It can be helpful, but only in the hands of an expert."

"Yeah. I don't want to lose her..."

She finishes and pats Star's shoulder to reassure. Then she turns to Dagmar. "You will not lose her." Certain.

Dagmar nods. "I'm lucky we have so many skilled people."

"Oh! Did you hear about Nadeen?"

"And Connor's family?"

As if summoned, Nadeen comes up "Chieftain, I have the scroll I wanted you to see"

"Oh, I was just going to tell her about that..."

Star moves out into a sunnier spot, and settles again.

A curious look. "Yes?" She takes the scroll when it is offered and looks it over.

Nadeen stands proud

A blink. "You negotiated this? Or was it his idea at the outset?"

"Nadeen did it." A smile. "I haven't shown the kid yet, I wanted you to see first..."

A blush , then "The knife was not suitable, and I'm quite sure a ploy to embroil Connor in throwing doubt on succession For Aiden"

"This is...." A furrowed brow. "He is granting to Connor a privilege that he would have claimed for himself, and recognizing you, Dagmar, as a suitable guide for him in decision making. This is...far more than I had expected. What did he say about the knife?"

"I agree about suitability, but whose ploy? Dame Calanthe's?"

"Right? It seems like a good thing..."

Clearly Brekke has heard of the Dame's visit from Kerri.

Furrow. "Calanthe plays politics. Hard to see what she's aiming for,"

"Yes, Calanthe seethes with ambition" Then she says "My guess would be the message sent, seemingly from the Baron but actually arranged by her, would be like someone who is about to retire selling all he owns... if you see how that could play to her advantage? He was furious with her by the way, but, to my surprise, later asked what Connor thought of the knife. I told him the truth, that Connor did not care for weapons as a rule. He tried to ponder a gift for the boy to honor his squiring and..." A breath "That's when the most meaning ful gift would be first right of the foal, for many reasons. The Baron is no fool, but I did not lie about our own gains either."

"But he still won't come see the kid himself."

A deep breath as she thinks. "I do not like that he will not see Connor...and the influence of this Dame Calanthe concerns me. I suspect she is also providing him with twisted reports about Connor's well-being here. But this...this seems a valid arrangement," she indicates the scroll.