#rivervale_lodge

***********

Olgar looks around, operation sneaky husband is under way. With the Hearth and most of her assistants are gone, he slips into the kitchen.

And starts to clean!

He turns on some music to a classic rock station, and brreaks out the rubber gloves

Brekke might peek in the kitchen long enough to get a glimpse of the apron strings tied behind Olgar's back as he shimmies around the kitchen, wiping down counters. She doesn't interrupt him -- only grins and closes the door again.

And heads out the front door to tend the gardens.

As she approaches, she can see Frank is already there, mulching.

She approaches at an angle where he can see her peripherally. A quiet nod, and she starts weeding in the next flowerbed.

He acknowledges with a nod back. The work is methodical, leaving the mind free to ruminate. If one needs that sort of thing.

And they work in quiet companionship for a time.

Some fifteen minutes later, Brekke says, "Do you wish to speak? About the other matter?"

"Mmm." he pauses to lean on his shovel, considering "We may. If you wish."

"I do not know if I wish. I do not know the subject." She also straightens and looks at him.

He's not looking at her; he studies the garden around them with a distant gaze. "The subject. Is the next Mountain. It is time."

She takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Is it?"

He nods, examining the mulch at his feet.

"What tells you this?" Not challenging, just wishing to understand.

"The Lodge's future is its wilders. And childlings. I have found I'm. Clumsy. With them. I am doing damage. I cannot in good conscience continue to serve as Mountain."

Brekke considers this quietly. A long silence.

"I will prepare a list, some background information. It will be a challenge to find the right someone. We have... The three of us have worked together for so long. I have been thinking about who might be able to step in."

"Frank...is this what you want to do, or what you feel you should do, only?"

"I want to do what I should do."

Brow. "Hm." Another pause. "What do you wish to do, after?"

"Everything else I have been doing. I will work around the Lodge, on the road, patrol, and so on."

She nods slowly, and her shoulders relax a bit. "I do not know that I agree...but I also would not force you to continue in a role you do not wish to have."

His beard moves as he looks out over the garden again. "I never wanted to be Mountain." he reminds her.

She looks in the same direction. "At times, I have forgotten that. You should know, Frank, that I do not think you have caused harm."

A pause. "That means... a great deal. To hear. More than I realized."

She looks at him, surprised. "You thought I did?"

"It would not have surprised me, but no. I did not believe you thought I have caused harm."

She nods. "I would have told you, if that were the case. But I understand that hearing it said is more than simply knowing." A pause. "This is about Zane," she hazards.

"Among others."

"I hope it will end with Zane, but it did not start with him."

She looks across the garden again. "You should know...Zane has spoken with Kerri. He does not blame you for the conflict between you. He sees it as a moment of stress for both of you that escalated, but not that you were at fault."

A long pause. "That is good."

"I think you must speak with him, if this is what you choose to do. Otherwise, he will assume that it is entirely about him."

A deep breath, and Frank nods; he doesn't like it, but he agrees to do it.

"I would like you to do so soon. If you still feel this is the right decision after that talk, do you have an idea of when you wish to step down?"

"Do you wish a new Mountain in place before I do?"

"I would wish one to be ready to step in by the time you are ready to step down. This may require training. Do you have an idea of who is at the top of your list?"

"I have. More unformed ideas than a list. At the moment."

"I do not think there is anyone in the Barony suited. Of course if you wish to consider someone. That goes without saying."

She considers a moment. "I do have an idea. But I have never been Mountain. What do you feel is needed?"

"A strong and positive relationship with you and Kerri. Solid grounding in Lore and the Arts. Compassion. Patience. An open mind." his listing is slow as he thinks it through. "To start with."

She nods slowly. "I would agree. So...yes, I have an idea. But I would see your suggestions."

Frank nods. "I will prepare them."

"And speak to Zane."

"Yes." A pause. "This is not a finality. If you decide you wish to remain as Mountain, I will welcome that choice. Speak to Zane...and then decide."

"Speaking to Zane is what decided me in the first place." not without (dark) humor.

A brow. "Arguing with Zane is what decided you. Speak with him now, when the stressful situation is past."