#rivervale_lodge

"Should we agree to treat him as one, as much as possible? A Fiona Sidhe, in need of Fostering and Saining?"

((And much later, Frank finishes the sentence.))

"That is what I have tried to do in turning to Lady Sparrow," Brekke points out. "Do you mean something else?"

Frank shakes his head. "Not necessarily. Spitballing, here."

Kerri shifts uncomfortably. "It may mean sending him to a Fiona hold. Of course there's EarthRunes. Or...the court in Greenwich Village..." she adds reluctantly.

"I think I would prefer EarthRunes, if it came to that," Brekke says.

Frank nods. "Which, as we've said, would need to be addressed to Kyle and Brenda as well. And on that note...." He takes a deep breath. "What do we tell them about this worst-case scenario? That his situation might lead him to twist Glamour and the Dreaming, and become Dauntain?"

"I think you should save that for if they seem reluctant, Frank," Kerri says. "They might respond well enough to the sense that it's like sending him away to boarding school. No need to scare them if they're okay with that."

"I have read as much as I can, through my House contacts, about how Dauntain come to be. Very little is known; the High King's edict to absolutely avoid them still stands. But it is firmly believed that when they turn, when they become Dauntain.... their first victims are often those closest to them." Frank looks grim.

"Difficult, because the ones closest to them may also be the ones best able to prevent them from becoming Dauntain, is that not so?" Brekke asks.

She frowns deeply.

Frank shakes his head. "Perhaps?"

"I don't wish to scare the Thomases. Is it fair to let them live in what is hopefully only faint danger?"

"This...is my fault."

Kerri looks at Brekke, "I don't think so. I mean...this was a risk either way, right? Because of what he already was? Right, Frank?"

Frank nods. "I believe so, Kerri."

"Adam's Da'an is not your fault." Gently.

"He came to us Kinain, and.... well, you recall what we originally thought of his parentage. Looking back... I think I can see both Sidhe and Fiona in his actions. At the time...."

Frank shakes his head.

Brekke sighs. "Then...do not tell the Thomases. Not unless it is necessary. But we will speak to any potential mentors about this concern. Does that make sense?"

Frank nods. "Yes."

"Then...until we hear back about Sir Bachdion or Sir Magnus...are there any steps we can take?"

"Oh," Kerri says, "I wonder if Vali would be willing or able to scry which mentor would be best for him?"

Frank scratches his beard. "Might be worth asking, at least."

"I leave that charge to you, Frank." Brekke says.

Kerri says, "I will speak to his parents. Not about the Dauntain concerns...but just that it might be necessary to send him away for training, since this isn't a sidhe-led barony."

Frank nods. "I will speak with Vali. Are we open to hosting a mentor for Adam here?"

"Yes," Brekke answers immediately. "That would be preferable, I believe."

Frank takes another deep breath. "Thank you, both, for listening. Is there anything else that occurs to you about this situation?"

Brekke looks at them both seriously. "If he does become Dauntain...and if he threatens the people of this barony...I will do what is necessary." Grim.

Frank nods, looking as grim as Brekke sounds. "He left a message looking to speak with you."

A nod from Brekke. "I will be back." And she heads off to speak with Adam.

Kerri watches her go and sighs. "Frank...if she has to defeat him...the impact on her will be devastating. You know that, right?"

"I do." He watches Brekke go as well.

"She should not blame herself."

"Yes, and that's always stopped her before." The Hearth gives him a wry and worried look.

"Hmmph." He agrees.

"Well...I'll prepare something to bring to the Thomases after she gets back. I don't want us both descending on their home at once."

Frank nods. "We know so little about Dauntain. I would give a great deal to know if there is a way to stop one from becoming. Or to understand Adam's situation better."

"Well, research is pretty much your specialty. Or maybe there are others you can ask?"

"But you're going to talk to Vali, right?"

"I have pretty much asked everyone I can. There is... reticence about speaking of Dauntain, as if saying the word might summon one. Yes, I will speak with Vali."

"Good." A nod, and Kerri starts to go back into the kitchen. She pauses and looks back. "We can figure this out, Frank."

Frank nods. "We must. For everyone's sake."

Kerri nods and goes back into the Lodge.

Frank rises to seek out Vali.

and finds him... not far from the lodge in fact, finishing up a patrol

Frank lifts a hand in greeting; he looks troubled.

"Frank how goes?" THen he sees the facee "That bad?

"Potentially. Vali, we have a favor to ask."