#rivervale_lodge

"I do not doubt it. It sounds as though they have a good father, who merely made a mistake. I will be back tomorrow. Will that be all right?"

Frank has had several different soft conversations over the phone.... he hangs up on the last one and returns to Dutch.

"Yes I .. thank you"

From their vantage point, Frank and Dutch can both see Brekke in possession of the tree.

Dutch whispers "Looks like she's got this"

She nods. "We will speak more then." And she departs with the tree.

"She does." he murmurs back.

She meets the others. "I must get back quickly. Frank, he understands that there will be more help. I told him I would be back tomorrow with a replacement tree. If you offer aid, mention my mortal name."

"Well, I can be a bit grinchy, " Dutch says "But the man has kids"

He nods.

"I have assistance on the way; a few things for the family."

"Yes. Young ones. And their mother passed away this year. He is trying to make their holidays the best he can. I must get back," she says, indicating her burden.

"More will come."

"Go. I will see you at the Lodge. Thank you, Brekke."

"I'll help either of you what need me" Dutch says "Who wannts me where?"

"Please work with Frank, Dutch." She reaches to touch Frank's hand briefly, and then she is heading back at a quick clip.

Dutch nods, looks to Frank "I see why she's become a Chief. Good head in trouble, knows what she's doing" Then a grin "How'd you win her over, Rigger?"

As for Brekke, she finds the stump left behind. The weight of the tree nothing to her

Frank watches her go, then answers "I got incredibly lucky, Dutch. Da'an was merciful."

She works as quickly as she might, gathering up whatever wood chips she can find around the stump, and then standing the tree upright atop it. She aims the side of her hand at the cut mark, and then pulls it away repeatedly, reversing the motion of axe chopping. She draws glamour through the motion, and feeds her own glamour into it as well. A more emphatic singing of "O, Tannenbaum" as she works.

And with a creak and a shiver... the tree rejoins. She got it back in time

But it will have a scar at the base.

When the cantrip takes, she sighs and sits heavily on the ground at its base. "In the spring," she quietly promises, "I will have Sylvi add to this working, to strengthen you."

And Frank? Frank gets to work helping the family, Dutch assisting.

And the tree wobbles a bit, but yes, it will live. In spring, it will thrive again

She stays there for a time. Finally, she pushes herself up to standing, nods again at the tree, and then heads back to the Lodge. She will spend some time by the 'fire.