#rivervale_lodge

Frank almost asks "Which one?" before saying "Connor will be a good friend."

"Connor, si. A good fellow I am sure" A nod "Ah, Mounntain? What chores do I have here while I AM here?"

The Mountain's expression goes -grave- "Are you sure you are ready?"

A chin jut "Si" then the "I THINK I am at least. Besides, I must try"

He nods.

"You must learn."

"In all ways. So I won't direct you. You must explore it on your own."

"Oh" He nods then says "I will..try not to make a mess?"

"I suggest you should make a mess." straight-faced(bearded).

A LONG Pause "My english, maybe it is not as as good as I thought? It sounded like you suggested me to make a mess"

"Your English is exactly right. Go nuts."

Holger looks confused then ... a breath "I will try"

"That is all anyone should ask; that the other should try."

A nod.

Brekke enters through the front door, Oak trotting in at her side (after wiping his paws). Both of them seem pleased, and no wonder...it's the kind of day that promises that Spring is not all that far away, and it was a good patrol.

She sets her cloak upon a peg near the door and looks over to Frank...then spots the new arrival. "Hello," she says, curious.

Frank stands. "Cheiftess, this is Holger from Renaissance. We had word of his coming."

"Ah, yes. Greetings, Holger. Jessica tells us you have come to learn more of trolls?" She goes to get herself a coffee, and looks to Frank to offer him some.

Frank will stick to his evening cider.

The young boy is dressed well in fine Wyvern Scale armor, "Si, Chieftain. I hope to become a better protector, a guardian. I do not wish to fail my friends" A firm nod

A nod to Frank, and she sips her coffee as she moves to her chair by the balefire.

He holds himself with somber stance, but it is clear he is trying not to stare at her hand

"Hm." She looks at the boy and at the armor. "That is an honorable goal. And a difficult one."

"If it did not take work, " he says trying to remember what was said "It would not be worth it perhaps"

"This is usually the case," she agrees. "What do you think you need to know about being a protector? What do you not already know?"

"Well, a cat snuck into my bag, so clearly I need to learn to be more observant" he blushes "The cat is safe back home now though"

"Yes?" Her eyebrow rises. Holger might not yet be able to determine that she is mildly amused. "Being attentive to your surroundings is important. And judging by the fine armor, you can fight?"

Frank takes a seat at the table, across from Holger's cocoa.

"He was considerate, and compassionate.

"I helped Countess Jessica against the Wyvern" he says "She is the one who killed it, but I helped. It dented my shield. It was trying to kill a poor pooka. That could not stand" with the convection of a youhng Christipher Reeves

Brekke nods at Frank's assessment.

"Ah, and that is the wyvern's scales," she concludes, nodding. "Thank you for helping the Countess. It is good that you tried to defend those who could not defend themselves."

"Gracious, but ... there have been times when I did not. Never again. " A nod then a blush "I.. have seen what doing nothing does."

Brekke regards him seriously. "It is good that you learned that lesson while still young."

"Yes, Chieftain. " A look at her "Did .. did you ever not act and wish you had?"

A slow, deep breath before she answers. "Holger, I have failed to act when I should have, and I have taken action that later turned out to be wrong. The best we can do is amend what wrong we cause when possible, and learn how to recognize the better choices more often."

"Then... that is something I hope you teach me." he says nodding "How to make the choices a good guardian would"

"I think you have already made a good choice, in choosing to learn more. Now, what is your weapon?" she switches topic as she finishes her coffee.

"I have a shield and sword, but I also have a spear back Fenix that I can use with two hands. I thought a shield would be good for protecting others not just me. I would like to learn how to use more than a few weapons. Sir Phobos, he is a redcap, he says even redcaps can't always pick their weapons"

"Yes, a shield has that advantage, and others as well. Let us start there, with learning more weapons." And she begins to describe different weapons and their advantages and disadvantages.

Holger listens with such earnest intensity, the boy doesn't realize how endearing it is.

(End Scene)