#rivervale_lodge

"Oh?" Vali says "i'm no eiluned, but you have me curious"

She looks pleased for a moment, and she's about to explain, but then her expression falls. "Hm. No. I was going to suggest prevailing on members of Hemlock's court to aid in the care and guarding of her home as she recovers, not as punishment, but as a sign of solidarity against such abuses. But that would require that I speak of what has happened to her, publicly. She does not wish this."

"Then, ask Hemlock as a friend perhaps? the count is an honorable man. He might rally some volunteers willing merely to trust it needs doing?"

"Perhaps. The impact is less if they do not know how she came to be suffering, but it may help build unity. Especially if they know that she is the owner of Knight's Heart."

"Well, House Liam sidhe would surely support her, Beyond Carowyn I mean"

"True. I will start by speaking with the Count. Mountain, do you have any sense of how long her affliction may take to pass?"

"A few more days tops. I've been leeching off the curse even now."

A brow furrow. "'Leeching'?"

"Removing a curse is tricky, moving one a bit easier"

"Yes, but...moving to where?" A frown. "You are not taking it on yourself, Mountain."

"I thought of that, the wife objected" A frown

"Good for her. Then...where?"

He pulls out a bag at his side "Don't open it. Ever hear of a gris gris bag?"

She stares at it a moment, and does not take it. "I have heard the term. I do not know much more than that. But I expect...yes...I do not wish to open this."

"It's a vessel, I leech a bit of the curse off her. Bit by bit. It goes here. Who knows, one could return it to its creator. No revenge there, merely a... bringing it home"

Her eyes widen slightly, and there may be a hint of enthusiasm for this idea before she schools her expression. After a pause, she says, "Mountain, I trust you to handle the matter...justly."

"And so...I will go and speak with the Count." She touches Frank's arm again, and he can tell she looks less troubled now. "I will tell you of it later," she assures both of them.

"I will, and yes, Chief"

A nod, and she's off.

Frank nods to her as she goes; it's enough.

"Of course, there is a chance this blows up in my face , literally, but that's part of being a Mountain"

Frank nods slowly.

"Yes."

"Mmm" He rubs at hhis eyes "I need to spend some time with my wife and son after this"

"Want to get a start on that now?"

A chuckle "I suppose it wouldn't kill me ot go see if I rememberr what they look like"

Frank reaches out, offers to take Vali's practice weapon. "Go ahead then."

He hands itt over "Thank you, Frank"

"Welcome, Mountain."

A troll salute, and offf he goes

Frank cleans everything, and makes his way into the Lodge.

(End scene)