#rivervale_lodge

Brekke sighs as well. "I was hoping we would be able to speak to both of you girls before you discovered for yourself. Yes. Count Hemlock assigned her here."

Siv's face is doing funny things. If only she had a beard to help, but.. she doesn't. She is trying VERY hard not to laugh out loud. Her lips wobble up down with the effort "I.. see."

Frank does -not- look amused at all.

"Siv," Brekke says seriously, glancing towards the Lodge to make sure that the girl is not approaching yet. "This is not something your father wanted, and I do not blame him. It should not have been his lot...but it is, and for the girl's sake, he has accepted it."

"Hmph. Karma, maybe." he admits.

Then he shakes his head. "So. We'll get her settled in, contact Anne Marie, and.... I suppose I have to figure out what to do with a squire. Call Carowyn, for one thing."

"I'm sorry..."She swallows the laugh for her dad's sake

"Dad, you'll be a great knight to your squire" She says surely "She's lucky to have you" And in this is quite serious

Brekke nods, and she rests a hand on Frank's shoulder for a moment.

He covers her hand with one of his own.

"Annd if Vali teases you about it, Mom can suggest a squire to HIM and I bet he backs off" She adds. If she doesn't get to tease her dad about this, no one does

"Good idea," she says to Siv. "And Siv, your father will still be traveling. Kassidy knows this, and during those times, I will be overseeing her. I hope you will also help her as needed."

Frank's frown hasn't gone away. "I should go to the house, help her settle in and make phone calls."

She sees her father's frownn persistting "I'll help. Least I can do" She nods "My work load is more settled nnnow that I'm no lonnger a janitor"

"Siv...wait with me a moment," Brekke says. Then to Frank, "We will join you inside, soon."

Frank, preoccupied, nods and heads in to Kassidy.

Siv watchdes him go then whispers to her mom "Okay. He seems ... really upset."

She nods. "Yes. And I thank you for your words of support. Siv..." She pauses, choosing words. "If you were about to embark on a time where you could do exactly what you love, only to discover a new burden, how would you feel?"

"Upset" Siv frowns, "He feels trapped here, doesn't he?" She asks

"It's not that. Not exactly. But...he loves the road."

"Like I love the sea, onnly I have a ship to cheat with that whisks me away ann back" She ponders

"You saw when he stepped down from being Mountain. How he...lightened?" She nods.

"I understand why the Count sent her here. His reasons are correct. But...I do wish he could have found some other way." A sigh.

"I think I have a solution..." Siv looks at her mom "I'll take her. No I'm not a Liam, but house lessons will come from Dad anndn Carowyn easily or I'll pop her to Earth Runes for visits. It's half Liam anyway. Now I realize the poor girl might take it as rejection, but we tell her I WANT her as a squire, that I'm playing keep up with Dagmar... make the kid feel in demand. Father's done his bit for Lodge and County. I just had free time open. It makes sense. " Siv ponders "I need to grow up a bit... I'm not sworn to any liege, least I can do is perform a knight's serrvice and teach a squire. I'm the DAUGHTER of a Liam, I surre don't feel shame having one for a squire"

A blink, then Brekke stares at her youngest daughter. "This is something you would willingly do?"

"Yes, I'd let her use my room at the lodge since I'm mostly living at the apartment but teaching, training, setting a good example of knighthood? Willing and able"

Her brow furrows. "You may need to convince your father of your desire to take a squire, as well. Otherwise, he may feel that he is failing in a duty he accepted. If he understands that this is something you truly wish to do...he may accept it."

Another thought, "You do have more formal court experience than both he and I combined."

"OH he can be stubborn.. and yes, I do. Mind you, Aunt Kerri's done a good job with Brogan, but I do knnow sidhe courtly ways"

She nods towards the Lodge. "Go. Make your bid quickly."

She blurs and runs

leaving Brekke to talk to the horse about ... juggling count whims and family hopes

Brekke watches her go, then takes a deep breath and releases it before turning back to finish the last details with the horses, and then join them all in the Lodge a bit later.