#rivervale_lodge

Nadeen walks up "Chieftain?" She looks about the lodge as she enters

"Mm?" Brekke looks up from the bit of carving she is doing in her chair by the fire. "Baroness Nadeen, hello."

"Hello, Chieftain. I have the list of events and so on from the Pennons. Some changes this year"

She pulls out a scroll with rather fancy gold ink font

"Ah." She nods and sets aside her carving. "I had heard this might be the case. Please, tell me."

"Well, you'll be pleased to know the joust remains the center piece in the athletics. In point of fact, some are actually wondering if this is the year Rivervale falls, for Lady Doomwind is said to be exceptional and possibly a match for yourself. But the event itself the same." A smile "Dagmar is going to place well I know. She's been training hard and.." A pause and an embarrassed look "But of course, you know this. you've trained her. Ah.. where was I?" She reads on "There are new performance events. The biggest one, being dance!" She looks personally pleased at that

Brekke looks pleased and confident as Nadeen's speaks of the joust. But at her following words, she seems...well, nonplussed. A blink. "Dance?"

"Just as there are events for song, proposals have been made for an event of dance." She says "Where I Sir Vali, this is where I would lead you to believe that all the freeholders had a dance off for victory and you would be required to practice your twerking. Seeing as I am NOT as brave as Sir Vali, and perfectly aware you are a Gwydion on top of it, I'll fore go such humor attempts" Deadpan "But each hold is being asked to present at least one formal champion of the dance. More are allowed. Commoners may also partake."

An eloquent eyebrow at the suggestion of twerking, then a furrowed brow. "A champion of dance...." She frowns. "I am not sure who would suit. This is not a skill I see here often. I suppose there is Sylvi with her cheerleading...."

Ahem. Nadeen stands a bit straighter

"I suspect, Chieftain, some might have suggested dancing as a way to have a prize 'beyond' Rivervale's reach. "

Ohhh, that frown just got a little deeper. "Hmm. Stacking the deck against us. That will not do." She did note that shift in posture. "Do you have a recommendation for a possible competitor? I suspect the wilders dance more elsewhere than they do within my presence."

"I would like to volunteer myself. " She says "And I think others might as well. We should ask , I think Sylvi might be quite happy to try, as would your daughter. My vanity makes me hestitant to mention those who might beat me even if they are lodgemates, but I think there's something more important here. In their effort to find something to leave Rivervale wanting, they've issued a slur, perhaps unmeant, on our talent. If Rivervale answers with one dancer, folks maybe impressed. If they answer with more? All the better. Let others see that Rivervale is deeper than they assumed and their prejudices against the lodge embarrass only them"

She does indeed seem delighted at a chance to dance, and offended at the 'insult' implied to Rivervale. And Brekke mikght notice the young baroness has used 'we' not in a royal sense, but in a sense of community. The little varich associates the lodge with her pride

Brekke listens seriously and considers Nadeen's words a few moments. "I...suppose. I certainly would not trust myself to judge which single competitor should be sent, so sending more than one, if allowed, makes sense. Hm. Would you be willing, Baroness, to recruit dancers to represent the Lodge?"

"I'd be honored" She says "And of course, it's open to those who wish to represent just themselves as well. " Nadeen adds "I actually rather enjoy dancing so this maybe one event I have a chance at" She says "Ah, speaking of other events. There are openings in combat "

A nod of approval as Nadeen agrees to organize the dance performers. Then another curious look. "Openings?"

She nods "Silverwolf is not the only guest that maybe coming, other holds outside as well.. I suspect many at the Count's invite. With this, other events are offered. Apparently they include fencing, foil, epee, saber and rapier only... and something that is apparently rather celtic, a spear contest wading in a river or something akin? "

She leans forward. "Spear? I would like to find out more about this. Is there a chance that you could discover the details? As for saber, I believe Siv will be only too eager to take up that challenge."

"It would appear" She checks notes "That the spear work in the river is a tradition from the Celtic stories where two warriors would meet at a river's shallow passage, and the 'better man' would expect the other to step aside. As you can guess, when both disagreed on this, it lead to amazing duels in lore. The water slows your legs down, can dim your blows... but one who is strong enough, and skilled enough in weapons can evade that, or even use to his or her advantage. The Dariaen fancy themselves masters of it, but so do the Scathach. I believe the Count hopes for House Gwydion to surprise them" A look at her "You'd be quite good I suspect"

Slowly, a hint of a grin. She leans back in her chair. "I...shall consider it."

"I think the Count was hoping you would" She says

"Well...I must not disappoint the Count." A nod.

Nadeen may suspect that Brekke is already considering what practice drills she should focus on for a spear competition.

Nadeen fights a smile. She suspects the idea of tossing sidhe nobles about the riverbank (or model there of) might appeal

"And, then there are other riding events, rather light... but .. in addition to jousting, there's a race, and there's also a course, low hurdles and the like. Equestrian events"

Brekke comes back from her own thoughts of catapulting combatants into the water. She clears her throat and nods. "Both Dagmar and I are in good position to meet other challengers. Hm. We must be certain that Spark is watched closely while his parents compete."

"Those are the major changes, Chieftain. I'll try to find out more about the river contest and.." A sigh "Oh right... the Count says 'it can be so hard to judge portions at big events like this he would totally understand if the Hearth made one too many 'coconutty fluff cakes' requiring him to help thin the herd... " She sighs, then says as if having little choice "Wink wink"

An eyebrow and a bit of a grin. "He said 'wink wink' did he not?"

A slightly put upon look "Yes. yes he did. As I am under orders to pass his words on, I felt I had little choice but to do that as he directed."

She nods. "You did honor to his words. And you had best repeat them to the Hearth."

A look at the Chieftain , "And Falcons wonder why Unseelie houses grumble about them. " In a clearer voice "Yes, Chieftain"

A nod. "Thank you, Baroness. Well done. Keep me informed about the dance competition."

"I shall. By your leave" The Baroness bows, and moves to the kitchen to give the Hearth the 'wink wink'. Trust Hemlock to find a way to destroy an Unseelie's dignity and get himself a snack in the bargain. Mind you, it won't hurt the girl any and the Hearth will likely be amused.

Meanwhile, Brekke leans back in her seat by the balefire and muses on the notion of spear combat in rivers.

And the notion follows her as she eventually goes out on patrol.

(End Scene)