#rivervale_lodge

"Hmm?" Frank looks up from his reading. "A new hold? I have heard of the one in Texas."

"Yes sir, that's the one" he says "It's a noble hold still, probably the last sort of place any DeBuke should go.." A look around the lodge "Present company excepted. But lately I've been tempted"

"I have great respect for you family. Mountain Emmitt is an example to me. But I have to disagree with the premise of your statement. Who is to say what a DeBuke 'should' do or where they 'should' go?"

A smile "Well, Mara is itchy to get out and do things and is going out and a bout now that she's sained.. nockeer stuff. And I find myself wondering if I should broaden my horizons further. I mean, you've been teaching me so much, but I have to wonder .. am I ready , capable of helping a place like this? I hear about hwo the trolls there sold out. I don't know if that puts an obligation on other trolls to make amends but they could sure use some decent ones to show them it's not our natural state"

Frank sets his reading down. "Bix, are you interested in redeeming the image of trolls at the Hold, or in helping the Baroness there with your service?"

"Ah.. I guess I want to help redeem the image AND help, not so big on the fact she's a baroness but everyone says she's a good person. You say she's a good person. I mean, should I help her even if she were a commoner holder of a tiny mews? "

"She -is- a good person; she has not had an easy road, no matter her Kith. I think you know the answer to your question, Bix."

"I'd feel more sure of it if I heard it from you, Mountain" Sheepish

"Also I'd be a fool to pretend you taught me everything you could. I mean, am I ready enough?

"

"If you like, then.... yes, of course you should help even if she were a commoner holder of a tiny mews. You should help, if you can, any who ask or who need it."

"As for if you are ready -enough-.... that's harder to answer, Bix."

He nods at that

"For one thing, we don't know what help she needs. And, to what degree."

"Yes sir.. any idea?"

"I think you should visit. Take a look at the place, get to know the Baroness a little."

"Couldn't hurt" He agrees "Well, it could get me knifed by a renegade balor from what i hear... but thanks to you know I'm more advanced in arts than I was. And folks will always need a good mechanic."

"Thinking you'll take Mara with you?"

"I don't know, Mara's all over the place lately. Though we did have fun with the cookies. I think I get her better now. I'll tell her about it, and see if she's interested I guess but she might just get contrary"

"Maybe if you visit solo first, then you'll know if it's likely to suit her."

"Maybe" He nods then a surprised look at himself "It sounds like I'm going, at least to help for a little bit. Ah, is that okay with you, Mountain? I am your apprentice after all, or have been"

"Of course it's ok."

"Sorry, I know it seems odd but , well, I guess I wanted your blessing."

Frank's beard moves, and he chuckles. "You have it."

"Thanks." he says "oh I would guess she hopes you visit sometime, but are there any messages you want me to pass on?"

"On that note, actually. Please invite her to be in touch when it would convienent for a old friend to drop by."

"I will" he says

"Thank you."

Bix rises up "Thank you, Mountain. You've always been supportive."

"Goes with the title." Frank stands as well. "Let me know when you decide to visit."

"I will"

The Lodge phone rings.

"Good man." Frank starts to pick up his reading, then looks at the phone closet and stands to answer it.

"Oh, Uncle Frank! Perfect! It's Sylvi."

"Sylvi, hello. Is everything ok? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm at BrightWinds, and I want to catch you up on how things are out here. Do have a few minutes, or would you rather I write it down and send it?"

Bix holds up his hands letting the mountain know that he's good and no need to cheat himself of a phone call for his sake

"I have time. Bix is here as well, and is considering a visit there."

"Oh, cool, that's good news. Hey, Bix!" she calls slightly, not loud enough to hurt Frank's ears. Then she continues, "First things first...Siv stayed in the Dreaming for now." And she relates what she remembers about the Balor on the trod and the undermanned outpost. "If you could pass that bit on to my dad, I'd appreciate it."

"Hey, Sylvi" Bix says also modulating his volume

"I will."

"Okay, so...Lady Sparrow is being really welcoming, and she's got a good staff. And there's a Wichtel childling here, a relative of the Balor's host. She's kind of adorable. I've only been a couple of places so far, but one cool thing was the Observatory..." And another narrative about Professor Ham and how a simple cantrip went BONKERS in all the right ways!

Frank listens fondly.

"...so I think that's a really good start. But...Mountain, these folks need more people. There's a lot of healing to be done here, of all kinds, and they're going to need defense when the Balor try again. Here, and at the outpost. Lady Sparrow asked if there might be anybody at Rivervale interested in coming out here. I said I couldn't make any promises...but that I'd ask. Um...I want to stay out here for a while, if I can figure out a way to swing it with school. Gotta talk to my mom and dad about that."

"Bix is interested, as I said. I'll come out for a time too, when she wishes me to. I'll ask around; I think Tig might be feeling restless."

"Sounds good. Maybe some local folks, too? I know that most of my friends are still dealing with school stuff, but...well, fieldwork for class credit is a thing." He can hear the grin.

"Yes, I'll ask."

"But I think the first priority is to get a relief crew to the outpost. There aren't enough fighters here to really help with that."

"Bix, see if you can find Olgar."

"Yes , Mountain" And he goes off