#rivervale_lodge

Time passed, and Vali got worried.

More time. No report

Finally, it was dark, and Vali broke out his cellphone and texted

His brow lifted at news of the mortal. He doesn't see it all

but he's glad he sent Frank, no olnee takes better care of mortals than Liams

Then he finds the Baron has the hammer "Damn it"

Then he finds out Frank GAVE the hammer to the Baron

"#$%#$#$#"

He curses for a minute, then takes a breath, and responds

politely

"Not sure what part of 'to pick up an Polish War Hammer' were unclear. Did he think I meant to lift in the air, wave it once, and then set it down?" A rub of his forehead "Not being fair, Vali. A mortal always comes first with a Liam, and it's on you if you didn't know one would be involved. It would be like asking a Fiona to ignore her love's distress."

He types

A nod and a text

"I best go to Tea Neck. And.. ah shit" A thought and he texts someone different

Shortly in comes Gerd, with the hornshield of her namesake "Uncle Vali? You do know I'm not a knight right?"

"You do remember telling me how I shouln't worry that you pop all over Concordia willy nilly sometimes by yourself?" He reminds "Well, you win, you're all grown up wilder bad ass.. and wilder bad asses get stuck watching the lodge "

"Crap. Respect from your elders." She says Deadpan "You hear about it, but you never think it will happen to you."

He snerks, "I also wanted to use you as cab service. Sorry. Could you send me to the hold at Teaneck?"

"Sure" She makes a gesture... and he vanishes

THen she realizes "I sure hope he meant NOW"

*****************

Gerd paces

THen Edelweiss barks!

And in comes Frank and Tiffany, carrying Vali on the litter

Wordlessly, Frank parks Vali in front of the 'Fire.

"Is anyone hungry, or thirsty?"

Gerd says "I'll get food, drinks. Hang on. And we have a spring cookie. You ARE eating that, Uncle Vali" She races to the kitchen

Tiffany nods approvingly, then looks to Vali "Your line in this play is : Ooo cookies, yummy"

"I'll get bedding. Ladies, will you and Theon honor the Lodge by staying the night?"

"Sounds like with the Chief gone you need a thane on Duty in this ranch anyway" TIffany says

"Where would you like your quarters?"

"I' guess I'll stay by the fire" Vali proposes, "My old room here will do for the fam"

Gerd comes back an shoves a cookie in Vali's mouth "Here" And she moves back to the kitchen

Vali almost chokes, but digests the cookie, slow

he looks a bit better "Great bedside manner there, Gerd"

"you scared me , Uncle Vali. ' from the kitchen "You want nice? Don't put some stupid hammer over your health "

"AHEM" Tiffany nods glaring at her husband

Frank nods and goes upstairs to ensure the quarters are ready.

Frank comes down to see....food ready. "Have a seat, please, Frank" Gerd directs

"Thank you Gerd." before he does, he continues "Ladies, your room is ready when you are. Gerd, is Kerri here?"

"Not right now," She says "But Dame Anne Marie is on her way to help with a heatherbalm"

Frank nods understanding. "Please." he gestures everyone to the table to serve themselves, and gets a bowl himself.

A beefy noodley somewhat spicy stew hits the spot

Frank takes the bowl of it to Vali. "Can you sit and eat?"

"Gerd got me the first bowl" Vali shows

"So enjoy yours"

"Mm. Thank you." He takes his bowl to sit at the common table at eat.

Vali sips "Thanks, Frank. And.. sorry about sending you in blind"

"You have already said that, Mountain. No apology needed. You told me what you could."

"Right" He says