#rivervale_lodge

After the duel that defeated Baron Gildas, the Rivervale contingent returns to the Lodge. Chieftain Brekke is tired and burdened with more banality than when she left, but also victorious. She claims her seat before the balefire with an air of weary satisfaction.

Dagmar is stormy but directionless, her emotions stoppered up.

Frank makes sure Brekke is settled and briefs Kerri, then gets briefed by Vali and others.

Kerri makes sure there is plenty of food and drink. The tone is one of quiet celebration.

Nadeen looks worried at Dagmar but flumps in a corner and looks to the Hearth as if hoping she can.. help Dagmar

Whether or not Kerri caught that look is uncertain, but she does ask Dagmar, "Come help me in the kitchen?"

A grunt and she follows Kerri to the kitchen.

"I went on a bit of a cooking spree while everybody was away. So now I have a dishes spree to do. Will you dry while I wash for a bit?"

Another grunt, apathetic agreement.

Kerri sets to work, handing her dishes as she cleans them. Quiet work for a few minutes.

Nadeen , now entrusting her friend in the care of kerri stares out the window past the fire. Where will I go? What will the state do? How do I...I'm so very tired

Dry dry dry.

Frank comes away from his briefings looking more troubled than when he went in.

A bark, and Pyschka rushes over into Nadeen's arms almost tackling her owner with canine kisses. Shocking the Varich out of her gloom and despair if only for a moment

After a bit, Kerri says, "Seems like this was intense."

Grunt.

"None of it was really directed at me."

"Nadeen," Brekke says, looking over. "You did brilliant work today." The Chieftain sounds weary but grateful.

Kerri nods, "And yet...the cause for it was terrible. Thank you for standing with the Chieftain."

"Course I would."

"I.." A breath "Thank you, Chieftain. That means a lot" Her eyes a bit wet but she nods "The Count got a bit of his own back with his pennons being used to take that freehold from such an unworthy man. And the Countess is shamed, and tricked"

She holds a plate in her hands, looking at it contemplatively. She could probably break it with her bare hands, she bets.

"I was right," Brekke sighs, "to trust you and Lady Kenna. Very clever." She then looks to Frank. "What is it, my heart?"

Frank comes over and puts a hand on Brekke's shoulder. "Nadeen." he addresses the puppy-wrestling Sidhe.

Kerri says to Dagmar, "No doubt. But you still deserve thanks."

"Chieftain, I..." A breath "Symon was the unsung hero in much of this. I can't elaborate and he wouldn't want me to, but..." A sigh "sluagh or no, he deserves great respect for what he's done. He was the eye and hand Kenna and I stretched forth. I .. I can't believe he trusted me"

"Then she nods "Mountain" She hugs her dog

"You heard Gildas killed people? Not just tried, like the animals."

"I understand you suffered a direct loss." he says quietly.

Brekke gives an interested look. "I am not surprised, about Symon. Thank you for telling me."

Kerri says to Dagmar, "I heard. It's sick. Depraved. I'm glad he's been beaten, and will be beaten more. That's his due."

At Frank's comment, Brekke glances up at him, then back to Nadeen again. "I know you were a witness. But...you knew the mortals?"

"I want..." She frowns. "He.." Another frown. "He killed the Browns."

"I... yes" Nadeen says "I watched them die" A chin lift "He will never do it again to ANY mortal"

"My mother and father, the Browns. They're gone" She admits

Frank squeezes Brekke's shoulder gently.

Kerri stops. She freezes for a moment, then turns off the water. "The Browns. Your foster parents before you came here."

Dagmar nods, still holding the plate.

Brekke leans forward. "Nadeen....your parents? I did not know...."

Kerri reaches carefully towards the plate to take it from Dagmar's hands and put it on the counter. Then, if the wilder allows, she pulls her into a careful hug.

"And I made sure you did not, tried to make sure Dagmar did not. It.. Forgive me, we could not have this about them. It has to be focused... we all had to be foc..." And that's when her dog licks her in the ear and Nadeen hugs her again

Dagmar allows it, though she's still stiff and tense.

"I'm so sorry," Kerri murmurs to her.

Brekke frowns. "I understand. That was a great burden for you to bear, but necessary. It should not have happened. Should not have...." She sighs. "I am sorry, Nadeen. I wish I could have prevented it."

"I shouldn't... they were Nadeen's..."

"I haven't got any..." A deep breath. "Not like her. But.. but.."

"They were kind to you," Kerri points out. "They were good people. They didn't deserve a pointless death."

An awful hiccup.

"It was wrong," Kerri says, still holding her. "It was wrong. It shouldn't have happened."

"I should have DONE something. After Brown Dog. Something." Another hiccup, and she starts crying in earnest.