#rivervale_lodge

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Sometime later, Brekke picks up her duffel where she dropped it outside, and then she enters the Lodge with Frank.

...and the dogs.

Lut is on a phone, texting rapidly

Frank follows her and ... does not take off his shoes at the door, this time. He does hang up an empty duffle bag, though.

"Lut," Brekke says by way of greeting. "You are relieved. Thank you."

"Report?"

Lut nods and gives a troll salute "I was just coordinating with the DeBukes on patrols along with a few other wilders including Basil and Tikki. So far things seem very stable, Chief. Nothing we couldn't handle. We have a lot of manpower. Still, very glad to be relieved and I hope my temporary time as Storm sufficed"

Frank goes to pour Brekke a cup of coffee and brings it to her.

She returns the salute. "It sounds like you have the situation well ordered. Well done. Give me your notes on patrols when you can."

She accepts the coffee from Frank with quiet gratitude.

"Where is the Mountain?"

"Young Basil was the one that brought the carving to me." Frank mentions "He deserves credit."

"His wife came after him. Turns out he hadn't slept in 34 hours? Working over notes, magical ramfications, equations, pouring over books. That was about an hour ago, but he said he'd be back as soon as he could sneak out"

"Mm, noted." She nods. "That was good thinking of Basil."

She frowns. "Thirty-four hours? Hm."

"He'll be asleep for some time."

"I hope you are right. If he tries to keep going, he will damage himself and possibly hurt others."

"He did leave a note for your return? there in the blue envelope"

She goes to open said envelope, and reads.

"Hm." She hands the letter to Frank so he may read it, too.

Mountain Vali, the houndpecked. PS: Siv and Frank both turned down replacement pro tem for the Storm position though I didnot press. I think Lut has proven useful. pPS I sent Hearth Kerri on a quest to help a childling. PPSS: If you hope to keep one of the DeBukes , Squire Valter, or Gerd's recruits from texas you might want to declare something soon. You've been away for a bwhile_

Frank takes it and reads.

"Mmphm."

In our last exciting adventure, we had learned Frank could read Vali's handwriting

Frank hands the letter back.

"He says it may be an object that pulled her here...but perhaps not an object, but a person? Or both."

She shakes her head. "Da'an is strange, and may have a hand in this."

Lut says "I confess, I'm still a bit confused but the Mountain said it was quite serious."

"Mm." She nods. "And dangerous. A chance to influence, but to do so may be to risk much. I do not like toying with such matters."

"I...have done so enough."

A tone of regret.

Lut frowns "It's your place to make hard choices, Chief. I was Storm for a day and that was a heavy thing"

"Hm." She gives him a measuring look. "Well, the barony stands, as does the Lodge, so you managed well."

"Well enough" a nod , "But my point is, you make hard choices all the time, but you do so with as much wisdom as any could muster. You seek advice when you need it. You're... you're a good storm, and a good Chief'

She gives a slight grin. "Thank you, Lut."

"You're welcome" He smiles, "Also Sally Mae said...."

Sally Mae comes in from the kitchen "Food. I said they need food, a proper meal"

"Thank you, but do not think I have been starved. The staff at Caer Falken are...stubborn."

"When's the last time you ate, Chief?" A look at Frank "And Sir Franklin?"

"I was well-fed this morning before departing the manor. But I will gladly eat what you offer, SallyMae. Do not tell the Count, but I prefer what comes from our kitchen here."

Sally mae smiles "Lut's right, you ARE wise. We have some beef stew you missed last night that I can heat up, or if you prefer a chicken, corn and asparagus dish I have that too"

"The stew, please." She settles in her chair. "Somebody tell me of the Hearth's mission which the Mountain mentioned?"

"It was some quest to help that little girl from Brightwinds? Apparently the Hearth fit some flame motiff to make it possible?" Sally Mae says

"Mm. I hope it goes well."

"Gerd's with her " Lut says

Sally Mae ducks into the kitchen to get the stew reheated

"Hm. And so...our local force may be outnumbered by our visitors."

Lut nods "Squire Valter has been a patroling machine. He prefers the woods but goes wherever we ask him too. THe DeBuke trio is leaving soon. I think they're wondering about apprentice ships here, at least some of them. Happy is scary good at kenning. And Eirfrey and Myrttle Anne are clicking over herbs"