#rivervale_lodge

"They were in my care" Nadeen says "EVERYONE told me. Dagmar told me to treasure them. I didn't. The Mountain told me to get to know them to learn to muse them with love and I.. squandered that gift. " Somehow a dog fur' is getting wet

"You did," Kerri assures her. "You patrolled. You protected the people and creatures we thought would be likely targets. None of us thought...." She shakes her head. "None of us foresaw that."

"Anne Marie will be able to help us in this." Frank says quietly. "And Nadeen.... if you wish, I think you may stay with us here." Frank looks at Brekke.

Brekke's brow furrows, and she shakes her head. "You thought you had more time. I believe we all thought you would have more time."

"Of course," Brekke nods. "Please, Nadeen, stay here with us."

It's an ugly cry, hiccupy, with snot.

Nothing Kerri hasn't dealt with before.

She holds onto Dagmar until the storm of it is passed.

"I.. thank you but I .." tears, beautiful like diamonds "I'll be fine. Dagmar ..she's... she's so angry and needs help. I held her back. I don't know if she can forgive that. And Aiden, I .. think I... " A sob "I can't get the patterns down on all this. The plan's over and I'm lost"

She does eventually cry herself out, going from harpstring to dishrag.

Brekke takes a deep breath. "I should have let her fight Gildas the second time...but I wanted to be sure that Lady Kenna's claim was secure, by my own hand." She shakes her head. "That was my error, not yours."

Kerri eventually offers Dagmar a wet cloth to clean her face.

A grunt of thanks, and she does so. "Sorry."

"Nadeen, you are mourning," Brekke says. "You are not lost. You are here."

Kerri squeezes Dagmar's shoulder. "Nothing to apologize for."

"How's Nadeen taking it?" she asks gently.

"You did fine, Chieftain. I failed to think more like a seelie troll. And two of you were frustrateed and rightly so and I.. it worked. It did. I gave up another hold. I could have done that for myself. But the bargains. What's wrong with me? "

"Hard." Dag admits.

"Nadeen...I don't ...." Brekke shakes her head. "It is good you did not think like a seelie troll. I am not so cunning as you. I could not have planned as you did. It worked. But such a heavy price...." Still concerned for the girl's loss.

Frank pours a glass of water and takes it to Nadeen, gently encouraging the puppy to let him through.

"Can you be with her?" Kerri asks. "Since you both knew them, it might help her."

"Couldn't... like.. Dagda and the rules and everything... I wish I could hurt him. Again and again. But it won't bring them back. And I don't.. I... I feel sick when I hurt someone bad like I want to..."

The puppy growls a bit protectively... then gets shusheed by Nadeen tho takes the glass "the price was already paid before the plan was finished. You.. you must parse out the damage to Gildas. Banality works two ways. You risk yourself "

She gulps

Kerri looks off a bit before answering Dagmar. "The Code demands justice. If your vengeance is just, and not merely for personal satisfaction, then...I think you should allow yourself to take it. But if you think there is another way, seek that out instead."

Brekke frowns at that. A slow breath as the weariness weighs her down again.

Over Nadeen's head, Frank gives Brekke a look.

"I wish this didn't happen. Any of it."

Brekke avoids meeting that look. "Nadeen, you will stay here tonight. We will determine what happens next afterwards." Her tone doesn't brook argument.

Kerri nods. "We all do. For many reasons. But the first crime, the abuse, belongs on Gildas's head. Anne Marie did the right thing in helping Lady Kenna away from him...and sometimes the right thing results in unfair consequences."

Sniffle. Nod.

A glass of water for Dagmar.

Nadeen takes a breath "Yes, Chieftain. I... "A breath "I have secured a debt for Rivervale froma new Freeholder. The Count's banner showed over a batle where the one who used he herb of his name sake was devastated and he will take pleasure in that justice. Certain Alliances are tighter than ever. This.. this was a win. A great victory . The Balor thought they had a no lose scenerio, and that too we cheated. This was a triumph. I must.. remember that"

As long as he's up, Frank gets Brekke a coffee.

Nadeen takes another gulp of water. More like a child after a nightmare than a woman triumphant at court

Brekke nods to Nadeen, slowly. "It was brilliant tactics. Well done."

She gratefully accepts the coffee from Frank and rests it on the wide arm of her chair after taking a sip.

She rests her head back and closes her eyes. "The cost of their lives cannot be retrieved...but he has lost his power to harm more."

"I..." A sigh "I intend to woo Baron Aiden. I do not know how to do so without risking hurt to Dagmar who I thought... " A breath "I am not sure. I do know that Aiden ... at first Icoveted his holding. Now I .. I want him with it I think. No. I know. I know he has done some things that we do not approve of , but he is a good man in manyways. And I... I grow fond."

Dag drinks the glass. "Sorry. Thank you. Sorry."

She opens her eyes slightly and looks over. "That much was clear even to me, after the combat today."

Since he is still up, Frank gets the Balefire Cot set up.

Kerri shakes her head. "Nothing to apologize for. I wish I could make it all better, Dagmar. I really do."

"He was magnificent" Nadeen says "A true sidhe lord in his mastery. And.. he is kind to me,and I think needs me. I am...pondering"

"Perhaps..." Brekke says, closing her eyes again, "perhaps you can be part of his healing."

"Just gotta... only way out is through, right?"

"And he part of mine, perhaps. I know. I know .. I overshare" A sigh "Forgive " She drinks the water "Chieftain, you have given us much praise. thank you. May I say, you are a force. I knew this, but to see you in action. Gildas was actually skilled. But compared to you, he was a declawed cat fancying iself a panther"

Mind you, it is a BIG Cot.

Kerri gives a fond grin. "That's often the case, yes."

"...That helped, though."