#rivervale_lodge

"Zane and I have cleared the air. We've apologized to each other and I believe we are on friendly footing."

"Well, he felt bad about it, but I wasn't sure how YOU felt about it?"

Gerd tilts her head.

"I'm satisfied Zane and I understand each other."

Gerd rolls her eyes "Okay. But somethinn is on your mind. Probably not my biz. Bu honestly Vegard is all jingly jangly in my head"

"That can't be easy for you."

"Sometimes a real pain, but it's also , SOMETIMES, let's me help folks... so maybe worth it. IF they let me lend an ear though"

She coughs in her hand "Hint hint"

"Anytime you'd like to talk, Gerd. I'm always here for you."

"Vegard too." not without humor.

Snnerk "You know darn well I'm trying to pick your brain on this one, youngster"

"Gerd. The answer is yes, of course, there are things that trouble me at the moment. Zane is not one of them."

"Okay. Well.. I'm here if you wannt an ear, okay?" a pause "And if you don't want to confide in me, at least talk to your wife about it, please? Seems to me a lot of our problems in the past come from lack of communication."

"Like, what's troubling you now ? Bad guy defeated and all"

"I do have some concerns but I'm not ready to talk about it at large. Ihave talked to Brekke about it, we will talk again."

"Kay." A nod "I actuallly have something to ask you about, but it's not a problem, so much as a thought"

"Please." Frank encourages.

"My greatest use so far to the hold, besides helping , appears to be transport. And.. even that is.. redundant. Siv can go almos anywhere where there is water. The Rover knows the trods better than.. well, anyone and could probably shape them like a craftsman. I was thinking maybe, I should travel some more, learn more places?"

"I think that's an excellent idea." he thinks "Being that it's summer, would you like to go with me on a few hauls?"

"Really?" She perks up "That would be great! The more places I know, the more useful I'll be, and I'll be happy to put the work in on a haul"

"Suppose I should downn play the goth, a bit"

"A bit." he agrees "But yes, you'd be welcome. It's only in Concordia but...."

Sounds of movement a little ways off. Frank would recognize his wife's steps.

"But that's where a lot of folks need to go" A nod

"So it will be useful experience."

The steps are closer, and then Brekke is there past a turn in the path, approaching them. She raises a hand in greeting.

Frank lifts his as well.

"Chief, hello"

A hint of a grin to Frank, and then a nod to Gerd. "Hello, Gerd. You are well?"

"Great. I bothered the Mountain and got an offer to on a haul with him. I've been wanting to be more useful, and.. well, the more places I memorize, the more useful I'll be"

"That makes very good sense," Brekke nods, pleased at the arrangement.

"When do you think your next run will start, Frank?"

"I'll call on Monday, see what the schedule looks like."

"Also, something is on the Mountain's mind and I pried, but he told me you and he had talked so I guess I'm superflous"

A blink at Gerd, a look at Frank, and then back to Gerd. "If it is what I believe it is, then yes, we have spoken. That does not, however, make you superfluous. You may have a valuable insight that is different from my own." A pointed look at Frank.

"That said, however...the Mountain has a right to his privacy."

"It's the old man" She taps her head "He noticed something was bothering Sir Frank and...I pried. And it's okay, Chieftain. I do want to help."

"I have no doubt that you do, Gerd. I know that Vegard means well." And usually was right to nudge she thinks to herself.

"Oh, he always means well." A sigh "I had to draw a linne with him in my head over romantic advice. I'll go to you or the Hearth or the older girls for that, thank you"

A slight chuckle. "He may not be entirely unhelpful in that realm...but yes, boundaries are important."

"how are you doing, Chief?" A look "Lots of pressure this last month on and off"

"I am well, thank you. Much better now that Leech is gone and his connections eliminated."

She looks at the surrounding wooded area, and nods. "Yes...very well." Then back to Gerd. "Tell me, Gerd, is there anything I should know about our wilders? You see more than I do, there."

"Brekke, speaking of the late unlamented Mr. Leech, we have one of his former servants at the Lodge. A Chimera called Blinkums."

A pause "Well, understand, among my seeming, snitches get stitches...but.. sure. I can tell you a few thing. Siv got treated roughly but one of Piper's moms and bristled a touch. Not sure of the details, but it felt like a dig at our kith?"

Brekke's eyes widen at this news. "At the Lodge?" Tension, concern. "Is he under guard?"

"No. Last Isaw he was under the table."

Frank is .... remarkably mellow about it?

And then a sharp look at Gerd's news of her daughter being mistreated.