#rivervale_lodge

Another roll of eyes from his wife, but her expression tells him the beer is on the way.

Brekke shakes her head. "No thank you, Hearth."

Kerri nods and vanishes into the kitchen.

Dutch asks "Chief, about the patrol, nothing crucial for me but ... your daughter told me you were a forest loving woman?"

"Well, yes. Have been since long before my chrysalis."

"I got some bad news... not sure how much you own per se, but you've lost an evergreen. Looks like one got chopped down, probably by someone wanntingg a Christmas tree discount"

Frank frowns and looks around at Dutch. "Where?"

"Off the northwestern trail, below the rise. I almost didn't see it"

Brekke's eyes harden, and she leans forward. "Chopped down, and dragged away? Did you see tracks?"

"Embarrassed to say I saw em, but I'm not skilled enough to follow"

Frank shifts forward, balancing his glass to stand.

"Near the north forty. I'll check."

She shakes her head as she stands. "Seeing them is enough. I will go with you," she says to Frank. "Olgar, tell the Hearth we will be back for dinner later."

"Will do" Olgar says

Frank grunts as he pulls on his boots and coat, and gets Brekke's coat for her.

"Need me o show you?" Dutch offers

Brekke looks briefly at Frank -- a moment of married brain....

A soft grunt. "Will you show us the way, Dutch?"

Dutch gges his coat and heads ou. Oak follows

Brekke nods and moves out with them.

About 15 minutes later, they make their way to the spot he spoke of and points. Sure enough, an evergreen is missing

Brekke moves to the stump that remains of the tree, reaching down to touch it. Very quietly, she sings a verse of "O, Tannenbaum" while casting a Willow Whisper.

However, when she speaks to the stump, her whisper is so quiet that the others cannot hear.

It is ready to answer

Frank waits back with Dutch, but watches carefully.

Dutch obserrves... but from here he can't hear the whispers

Brekke can, and as she asks her first question, it whispers back "Seized with haste and desperation was I, by mortal man and an axe a touch too rusty for a clean kill"

She frowns and whispers again: "I am sorry. Were there others with this man, or was he alone?"

"alone was he, save a vehicle of green, but not so green as I used to be"

A nod. "Did he say anything?" is her final whisper.

"an apology was offered, as if my severing was only a bother, he said 'sorry tree... I need to be a good father'

She sighs and nods. No further questions, but, "I will do what I can to recover you, or to hasten your regrowth."

She stands and turns to the others. "Taken by a mortal man to please his children. A green vehicle. I suspect he is local."

"Agreed." Frank rumbles "I should look for him."

A brow. "Because he is mortal?"

"Well, well. We going tto get the tree back"

"Because he needs help."

A nod. "He does. And yes, I would like to recover the tree if possible." She considers. "Wait. I have a thought. I know the tree, and if I can purchase one that has been farmed and harvested, I can replace it. If we had the help of one or more boggans, we might be able to replace it overnight without his family knowing, even if it has already been decorated."

Frank blinks... a faint frown creases his brow. "The family would have to sleep very deeply indeed."

"A one night job? Mmm "

Brekke nods. "Boggans could do it," she says confidently. "The alternative may involve upsetting the children...unless you can come up with a story for why we are taking and replacing their tree?"

"A light won't light on one side?" Frank rumbles, not without humor.

"mm wait, I get that reference" A chuckle "HA"

Bemused. "Perhaps."

"Well, we Clurhichaun are good at vanishing if someone turns their eyes for a second. If that can help, I offer it up"

She nods. "It likely would."

"I'll reach out to some resources, line up some help. I have the feeling they'll need it. I'd like to see the situation first, if I can."

"Let us seek them out," she nods. "Dutch, I do not suppose you are able to cast a Will-o-wisp?"

"Sure am... knnow how useful that is whenn the GPS goes out?"

A grin. "Please..." A gesture of invitation.