#rivervale_lodge

Which has Brogan look confused, but he sips his chocolate milk and lets it go

"Kassidy. May I offer a thought?"

"Yes , sir?" She says

"It might help if you began to think of this Lodge as a family. The Chieftess and I are married. Our daughter is your liege. I feel like a brother to Kerri, and could not love Sylvi more if she were my own. I am very found of all our childlings, and proud of our Wilders as a father or uncle should be."

"You and I are of the same House, which makes you my sister."

"And family takes care of each other."

She blushes but looks pleased "Well, I.. it's just, Squire Brogan is the Hearth's squire and I don't want him to think... I mean"

Brogan blinks 'Oh, you mean cooking lessons? No it would be silly of me to get jealous of That. Dame Kerri teaches anyone who asks, it's part of her Hearth duty to help us learn some basic life skills. And as a Daireann, I think everyone should learn how to be a good host..er hostess. Dame Dagmar and Gerd are both pretty good cooks, and Sally Mae is better yet. " A pause "sometimes I do wish more boys would cook. Rover Olgar says it's a gendernormative stereotype perpetuated by the patriarchy"

"What.. does that last part mean?" She blinks at the mouthful quote of Olgar's words

"I have NO idea," The other boy says "I'm just a kid"

Kassedy turn to Frank "THank you, Sir Franklyn, I'm not used to being welcome places. It's nice. Your daughter is a great liege. We've not sworn or anything, but that's okay and she may work me hard, but she looks out for me"

"That is as it should be, but also good to hear."

"She took me sailing, I thought it would be scary, but it's actually less scary than her driving" the girl smiles "I got to see the Atlantic near the British isles"

"Not something everyone can say." Frank points out.

"Yes, many sidhe houses were founded there, we didn't get to go to HIbernia, but Siv says one day maybe? We saw the coast of it. I learned about rigging and how to steer, and never ever confuse starboard and port"

"Important lessons." He agrees.

"Later we're going to see Norway, oh and the Captain is teaching me some Norweigan"

"Is that something that interests you?"

"Yes, I like learning, it's one thing our house does well, we are scholars, right? I mean, not JUST Scholars, but wer'e better at it than any other house" proud

"Yes." Frank says with a similar quiet pride.

Squire Brogan raises a brow "But.. don't you want your house to be a great warrior house?"

"The pen is mightier than the sword." he points out mildly.

Kassidy nods at Frank's words "wars not make one great" clearly she has studied her yoda "Besides, a sword never solved ignorance. Education does"

"If you say so" Brogan is clearly not convinced a quill will help much against a claymore

"Consider, Brogan.... sometimes battle is the only way to resolve an issue, but it risks the loss of talent and resources. Education, and wisdom, can avoid war entirely."

He thinks it over, really thinks it over "I suppose that's true. Barren fields can kill as easily as an army, and far slower"

"Yikes, famine must be terrible" Kassedy frowns

Frank nods. "Redcaps have a unique perspective on that."

"They do?" Both kids ask in chorus

Frank nods.

"Because they're always hungry?" Brogan guesses

He nods. "They are dreams of hunger."

"I admit, they DO Scare me" Kassedy says

"Best not to let them know that" Brogan suggests

"Hunger is scary." Frank agrees.

"I've seen pictures" The girl says "And they wreen't even the worst pictures"

"Well, no one goes hungry where a Daireann is serving food, let alone Hearth Kerri so finish your sandwich" Brogan says "Would you like another?"

"No thank you" Kassedy says as she finishes the one she has, "But could I have more strawberry milk?"

He nods and takes her plate to put away and her glass for a refill

"Thank you, Brogan." Frank says.

Frank has finished his PB&J and milk too.

"Oh, would you like seconds, Sir? On the milk or another sandwich?" Brogan says

"No thank you, Brogan; that was very tasty, and just enough."

He nods "most welcome then," and he departs to get that second class for the newest Squire

Frank is content to sit with Kassidy as she eats.

Kerri comes in the front door, carrying a couple of gourds from the garden.

At that time, another milk (strawberry) is delivered to the table for Kassidey, but not before Squire Kassidey bows a hello the Hearth "Greetings, Dame Kerri"

"Hello, Squire Kassidey, Squire Brogan, Frank." The last with a hint of amusement in her eyes, but just a hint. "These ripened well, don't you think?" indicating the harvest she carries.

"Kerri." Frank's beard moves and he stands. "Want a hand?"

"Oh, no, I've got it. I'm just going to set them to dry. The pumpkins are just about ready, as well."