#rivervale_lodge

She gets a raised brow from Brekke while she gets a coffee from Frank.

"You have considered it, I am sure."

"Chieftain, I think I knoew a way out of this... the Count never said WHEN I Had to be knighted, right? I mean, it's all relative... so there's a loophole"

And just like that, they might see where Symon gets it

Frank gets one for the boggan.

Brekke frowns. "Why do you not wish to be knighted, AnneMarie?"

"I'm not sure I'd be very good at it" She says

"I mean, knights are warriors and so athletic" She says

"Ahem...." says Kerri from the doorway. "I mean, I can hold my own in a barfight as good as anybody, but that's not mainly my thing."

"Many are knighted for service other than martial prowess," Brekke points out.

Frank nods confirmation.

A wince as Kerri brings up FACTS

"Well, maybe Symon could be a squire. He's earned it..." She says

"Are you saying you have not?" That Chieftain eyebrow is mighty.

"I .. oh I ... Well, I mean... " She sighs "Cheiftain, I would be HONORED to swear to you. I would. But...it's a bit intimidatingg. The Hearth is a good knight, but ..not to swell your head, Kerri, but I'm not nearly so versitlite or essential as she"

Brekke actually blinks, startled, at this declaration. She looks to Kerri. "No offense to you...." she prefaces, and Kerri shakes her head and energetically waves Brekke to continue, so the Chieftain turns back to AnneMarie. "You are very much as versatile and essential as the Hearth, and I will not have any slight your skill or value within my hearing." She knocks firmly on the table to emphasize. "We rely on you, and you serve to the point of exhausting yourself frequently. You have earned this, and it shall be yours unless you flat out refuse it."

"Which she -could- do without fear or offence, Chieftess?"

A sigh "Well , I can't go around calling myself Firs Citizen. For one thing I'm not. For another, it's somehow too french and prentious" a pause then a look at the Chieftain "Do you NEED such a knight?"

"She could," Brekke agrees with Frank. "Absolutely. But if it is merely out of modesty, I think she is being unfair to herself."

"AnneMarie, what I need is an expert who will have the resources she needs to continue and perhaps even expand her work, the authority to give direction on her own to a reasonable extent, and the security to know that she will not be too easily challenged in her work. If you have a moral or personal objection to taking on the role of knight, I accept and respect that...but modesty alone is not enough for me to be glad of it."

A frown "If I'm a knight I'll have more pull for my work, won't I?" She asks Kerri that as much as Brekke "more power to help people?"

"Yes."

Kerri nods, even if a bit reluctantly. "I can't deny it's been a benefit to getting things done."

A nod "then I acceept. Symon would hate squiring, and Dirk.. well, it might paint target on him for all I know. And I can help more. I'll be knighted, and , join your court, Chieftain" A nod "And thank you. Just.. don't put me on a horse for tourney? I'd get woozy from the height and fall right off"

"Me too." Frank confides.

And just like that, Anne Marie has agreed to be knighted. Obviously, it won't be tonight! But a time is picked... a small ceremony to be arranged

Brekke grins and nods. "I am grateful that you have accepted." And the planning begins.

(End scene)