#rivervale_lodge

"It is not a condition reserved for Mountains," she points out. "I will speak with him."

"probably for the best" he admits "Chief. Neither of us means to be difficult" Sheepish

"I have never considered that you might. And some say I have my difficult moments, I believe."

"I suppose so," He looks over at Signe "How's she working out for you? Oak seems delighted to have her and Echo around"

"She is clever, attentive, and dutiful. I have not had the opportunity to see her in a fight. I would wish I did not have to...but I know she will need such skills eventually. I must make sure that Oak takes that on with her."

Signe looks up at the word fight . she's still not her full size but only comparing her parents to her current size would tell one that. She tries to look super serious, but for a moment her tongue lolls out and she gives a canid smile as she gazes at Brekke

He nods "Echo got into a bit of a fight while you were gone. Apparently Olgar was impressed'

A brow at the dog, and she clears her throat as a reminder to serious up.

Then a wink.

She frowns at Vali's comment. "What sort of fight?"

Signe goes super attentive, then at the wink, she wags

Vali snorts "I suspect you throw a stick for her on patrols when you think no one is looking" then he answers "in the dreaming.. some idiot got in trouble and nearly dragged Olgar off the trod. Echo had his back .i don't know all the story. He got his wounds tended' a lower voice "Between you and me, i think kerri likes Echo even if Mackeral remains her chief ally in the war on rodents"

Brekke harrumphs at the first comment. "Find and retrieve is an important skill." Then a nod at the story. "Good. I am glad Echo was there. Olgar was wise to take an animal companion when he had the opportunity." Then a glance to the Lodge. "The Hearth has adjusted to the addition of numerous animals over time. And one 'zombie hand.' She has never shown a strong dislike for any of them after some time."

"Yeah, I won't lie, the ZOmbie hand freaks me out" he says and carefully does not dispute the 'important skill' of 'fetch' . "Gerd is sure the Silverwolf folks are eying Edwelwiess for breeding. Speaking of my niece, I think she's been in danger of getting bored and lonely."

A brow at the idea of breeding Edelweiss. "Silverwolf is getting ambitious. Not surprising. I may have to point out to them that their new line could not be possible without the aid of trolls and a Gwydion house."

"Now, for Gerd..." Her brow furrows. "I do not remember, how old is she now?"

An amused look at the idea of the Ailil having to share any credit with Gwydions then he says 'She'll be 16 soon"

"Mm. She already spends much time at the Farm, so I do not know if a summer there would be for her what it was for Sylvi."

"well, with her friend Kourtney as a Hearth, I imagine Gerd will visit them more often. Wudlig in Silverwolf. Gerd is quite the traveler. I was thinking maybe we could ask her to take on duties as a courier? she already gets asked to Flash folks around... she should get recognition for that if she's willing"

"Ah, yes, Wudlig." A nod, then a surprised look. "She does not feel adequately recognized?"

"It maybe an Uncle thing. I'm not sure she gets adequately recognized and she's not really on any 'in group'. Dagmar has Symon, and they're a team supreme. Siv suffers from FOMO but she has Piper and Jonas. Gerd's friends andd boy friend are elsewhere. She's interested in some Hearth stuff but is in line with sally Mae, Brogan and so on. Sylvi's focus is Goldfinch . Gerd's got soem witch friends but again, locally? She's actually ... in a hurry up and wait mode. Folks might need a flicker flash, and she doesn't mind, but she does in my opinion get taken for granted sometimes. again, I'm her uncle so maybe biased. "

"Hm." Brekke considers this. "Would she be emissary? We had much outreach for a time, built good connections with holds both near and distant, but this has not continued since Sylvi left that role."

"We certainly have the emissary to Caer Falken, I do not intent to replace her."

"well, Lucia's been doing her part there" A nod "But Gerd might be ideal for further out and a bout. She's personable enough despite all the black" he whipsers "is it wrong I'm glad she's actually toned down the goth a bit?"

"It is not wrong. I think she has moved beyond posturing and into true preference. Now...I will speak with her about her preferences."

"Thank you, Chieftain. Like I said, i worried I was 'too close to it' but every troll needs to feel they have a duty of his or her own"

"Meaning, not mere usefulness," she says with a nod.

He nods at this

"I will do what I can."

Signe watches the squirrels shoot by cheekily. Something about their arrogance and entitlment annoys her canine soul

Brekke notes this. "Signe. Not kill. Chase."

Signe wags, and breaks off after one to chase it (not kill). the Squirel, a rather fat and smug bushy tail is forced to move FASTer than he's had to in years as Signe barks after him about getting on the porch without approval from people

And Vali breaks out into a laugh "she took you at your word there"

She can't resist a grin. "It is good for both of them."

"We may have more athletic squirels by the end of summer" he observes

More seriously. "Mountain, do you feel Gerd is still hunted, specifically, by Thallain?"

He says "She hunts them more in return, but they seem to know the Hornshield. I wonder if they feel she has a destiny they have to stop. yes, they're still after her but less than before."

She nods. "You understand that as she works farther afield, she may become more vulnerable. Of course, she has the ability to escape from danger quickly."

"I know" he admits "But she already vanishes as she likes. And ... she's becoming a young woman. when we were wilders if someone tried to constrantly protect us as trolls we'd rankle."

"You have a point."

"I mention this, not out of concern for her so much as concern for you. You realize this is what comes next -- the letting go."

"And you're right to point it out." He admits "I've seen it in operation. You and Frank giving Siv more freedom, not that she didn't insist. Olgar and Kerri trying not to twitch as Sylvi 'gets ideas', and even Jaymes and tove getting used to the fact Dagmar is utterly fearless in battle and gets in more her share. I'm hoping you will remind me to keep my distance when old instincts arise. I know that's not your job mind"

"You did not see Siv as a new wilder. The battles on the Kestrel did not all involve monsters." A slightly weary tone. "An agreement between us, Mountain -- you will remind me, as well, if I treat any of our youth as younger than they are."

"My best efforts" he nods "As for Siv? i think she feels a bit secluded at times. Then again, Fiona, bless them, do love attention. She has Piper and Jonas, but most folks go to Gerd for transport rather than her ship. An while Siv patrols religiously, that's still a solo thing at times. That said, she also seems to realize folks are damned busy and she's decided to pick up slack when she sees it rather than pine about attention. She's really matured in the last year or two"

Her shift in posture shows the pride she tries to contain. "She has."

he doesn't comment on the shift besides a slight smile "that said, I think she has something planned for Father's day for her dad. she may end up recruiting you"

"Oh? I have not heard anything, but I would appreciate being involved." A pause. "I think."

"I'm suree... I suspsect pancakes for a start"

"Yes..." she nods, but her expression is cautious. "If she has plans, though, they are likely to be...clever."

'which side of the family did she get that from, if I may ask?" Carefully not smiling