#rivervale_lodge

The call to Brekke from her beloved Daughter... err Beloved Daughter #2

"Siv," Brekke says. "You are safe?"

"Safe is a relative term, mum, but so far so good. I found Leach's space.. well, Symon and I did. We found his centaurs"

A pause. "So he did find others. Do they live?" A grim but necessary question.

"They do, but Symon thinks that if we charge the place openly he might kill the ones he has.." She explains the set up, the gas and such. Then she adds "Thats only one challenge. Mom, it's in Connnecticut. You know, the place that rebelled during the High Kingg's vanishing? No noble rule here...which means less oversight of oher commonors and a central authority that can act fast not likely"

"That...may be a problem, yes," she says, mulling over the situation. "The captives are guarded by force, but are they also guarded by cantrip?"

"If they are, it didn't trigger when Symon got among them. Me own plan may have me as a centaur getting on the isnide as a prisoner while Symon clears a path. Mom ,I think we can do a two pronnged thingg. If you go after where the Bounty hunters are, that mgiht draw attention away from Leach's home ...they're not near each other but they seem in contact"

A pause. "I do not like the first part of the plan, Siv."

"I know, mom, annd.. in fairness to you, what would you suggest? You've let me spy like I asked so.. what would you suggest in lieu of if we don't get either Symon or I on the inside for the break out?" a pause "Though.. Symon DId get some.. hair clippings"

"I did not say that I see a strong alternative, yet. But...hair? From the captives? That...hmm." Another pause. "Siv, please hold off for an hour, at least. I must speak with your father and Olgar. I will call you as soon as I can, yes?"

"I'll do what I can to stay out of sight while I wait. " She says "And yeah, the clever fellow got a few hairs from every centaur there."

Brekke mutters, "I must stop being surprised when he is clever in this way. Thank you, my daughter. Wait for my call." And she hangs up.

...and seeks Frank and (hopefully) Olgar.

He's not far. At his desk but not at work or reading; he stares out the window.

Olgar is outside painting a motorcycle

(Point of order - Frank was not staring out the window at Olgar painting a motorcycle)

(It's Guy love , that's all it is... 🎼 )

"Frank," Brekke says, "That was Siv. Let me bring Olgar in so I may speak with you both at once."

And she goes outside to interrupt the motorcycle paint job. "Olgar, please come in. I must speak with you."

"Yeah I knnow I know, you never said I got the mortorcycle but.." he follows "I'm an optimist"

Frank is standing when she comes back in with Olgar.

"I think you may need it very soon," she says. And she explains to both of them what Siv shared with her about Leach, the captive centaurs, and the fact that Symon gleaned hair from each. "Siv intends to go back in the guise of a centaur herself, to be put among the captives," she says with a frown.

Frank scowls as well.

"Geez, your kid really drank deep from that Fearless Fiona cup didnn't she?"

The older troll keeps himself restrained from comment.

A heavy sigh. "She did, indeed. She suggests a two-pronged attack...one on the bounty hunters in the cabin, to draw attention there, and then another to free the centaurs from Leach."

"Strateggically it's not a bad idea... but those hairs might let us help more than that"

"This is my thought, as well. Olgar, could you use those hairs to build a rath directly to where the centaurs are being held?"

"Depends on defenses... wards... but.. possibly.. if no directly, right outside it. If they can just get them outside we got this"

Frank listens.

"Hm. Getting them outside may be difficult...I do not know if portal passage may be enough." A look to Frank.

"I have not tried to work any magic with centaurs." Frank thinks "Something from them, the hair, could certainly help. It might take considerable dross."

"Or...perhaps hair from another centaur?"

"Attunement" Olgar mmms

"I believe Lane would contribute. Jordan...I am not so certain. Kerri seems to have made some progress, but he is still an unpredictable quantity."

"If the space is warded, though... portal passage isn't likely to succeed."

"With sufficient dross?"

"Jordan is salvageable, provided we can keep his mouth from getting him curb stomped"

"Or perhaps we can have Tiffany employ explosives to create a back door to Leach's hideout."

Olgar looks at the Chief "Wow. Okay. I did not think you'd ever sugggest something like that. But.. you know, it might just shake wards attached to the walls"

"Lose the element of surprise." Frank points out.

Brekke looks angry enough about Leach to suggest many things.

"Or perhaps establish it. A loud explosion is often surprising."

"Or, maybe... yes. Gain it." a display of Married Brain.

"If the attack on the bounty hunters begins first, and draws the attention away...and explosion would incite chaos and confusion, and yes, weaken the wards."

She narrows her eyes, calculating. "If I begin the attack with the Kestrel...it would make an impressive distraction."

"A flying ship tends to wow" Olgar ggrins

Brekke nods. "I would prefer to be there to destroy Leach...but this will not work if the diversion attack is not a sufficient threat. I must be at the cabin. You both must make the rescue work. And we must allow Siv to be on the inside, to warn and help the captives."

"Will Siv stay clear of the explosions, if any, and focus on the rescue?"

"If Symon can tell Tiffany where to set the explosives, then Siv will know where they are and stay clear. And she will know that her duty is the rescue," she adds confidently.