#rivervale_lodge

the phone keeps ringing

"Fine" Siv leaps down and picks up the phone "King, Residence. Siv King speaking"

"Siv? Is Lady Sparrow there?"

"not in sight it seems. Sorry. Want me to take a message or something?"

"And hi to you too, Adam"

"Sorry, hi, how about the Chief?"

"I believe she's on a patrol."

"Do you know where?"

"Nope. She prefers the wood paths but that's not a guarentee"

"Shit."

"Okay, hold on, where's the fire?"

"Ok. Yeah. Could you let the Chief know that I'd like to talk to her? Lady Sparrow too." He sounds discouraged. "No fire. Just.... I might have screwed up something the Chief asked me to do."

"Hey" she says reassuring "My mom can be pretty understanding. It'll be okay." A breath "I'll put down a note and leave it by the phone so they can't miss it. OK?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Siv."

"You're welcome" And he can likely hear a pen scratching as she says so "Anything else?"

"No." he still sounds discouraged "I thought you were at EarthRunes?"

"Well, I'm back, or will be." She says with a smile

"Oh. Ok. Anyway, thanks. See ya around."

"You're welcome" she says again "See you. " And she hangs up

And she having put the note down.

Meanwhile, now that the Raids are concluded and the colt born and more than a few of the obligations taken care of (though several still remain), Brekke takes the time to unwind with a bit of practice in the training ring. Accuracy only...she's not interested in destroying (and having to rebuild) a pell today.

She is aware of Frank approaching quietly, and waiting without urgency.

A glance over to show that she knows he's there, but she continues the current drill until she finishes that set.

They might hear singing in the lodge. Siv sings when and where she will

Frank waits easily.

Then she turns to him...a glance over to the singing, and a bit of a grin. (Married Brain: That is a good sound. )

Frank smiles (well, his beard moves) and he approaches to take her hand.

A bit sweaty, but he might expect that as she's working out. A moment of just being there with him, and then, "I have spoken with Adam. And with Lady Sparrow."

"Mmm. You might want this, then." He hands her a note he found by the phone.

She blinks and takes the note, reading it over. Her brow furrows. "Well...yes, I believe he is right, but it is not entirely his fault or failing. He simply is not ready for her."

A sigh. "I should have known that."

"-I- should have. There was much to recommend her but....."

'Hindsight."

"Mm." She folds the note slowly. "I will speak with him. Lady Sparrow described what happened..." and she repeats the information for him.

Frank frowns. Now his beard AND forehead move. "I see."

"Damn." Muttered.

"Mm." A nod of agreement. "Frank...you and I, all of use, we are better able to withstand temptations and distractions after we have pursued our strengths, one way or another. But Adam is still human...and I do not know if he knows how to develop that reserve. I do not know if I know how to teach him, either."

Frank uses two hands to rub his face. "Brekke.... is Kerri near?"

"In the kitchen, last I saw."

"I would like to speak with both of you together."

...and one or the other of them asks Kerri to join them at the fighting ring, which she does. "What's going on?" she asks, wiping her hands off on a kitchen towel.

Frank looks.... worn. "I should have said something sooner but.... needless alarm and.... I might be wrong."

"Adam is.... well, we all know; atypical. Unusual, even by our standards."

"I have.... concerns."

Brekke frowns, Kerri blinks. "You mean...beyond what we already know?" Kerri asks.

"Yes."

"What is it?" Brekke asks, her voice low.

"Brekke, Kerri.... I must ask you to hold this in confidence, from all around you. Yes, Kerri, from Olgar and everyone else. Brekke..... from everyone. Yes?"

"For Adam's protection as well as our own, I promise."

A solemn nod from Brekke. "Agreed, Mountain."