#rivervale_lodge

"Mm. Have any directly expressed a desire to stay?"

Lut ponders "Tig has spent more time around them than i have. He really enjoys the guide job"

"I will speak with him. What opinions do you have about them?"

"Mmmm hard not to like EirFrey, but she's.. very old. I don't know how useful she'll be when she's not healing" Lut frowns "I apologize that sounds rude but.. it could be a factor. Happy is one of the best kenner I've seen, but he sure lives up to his name . I think that disturbs some. Squire Valter is solid, if it weren't for the Ailil back story I'd not hestiate. Good warrior, good guard, alert, and experienced. I do wonder if he won't bring trouble without it being his fault. Then there's the DeBukes.. Yves is a fantastic archer, quietly confident, Eululie is eager to prove herself. Djilias is ..well, a bit of a horn dog, pardon, but not an ass about it"

Brekke listens and absorbs all of this quietly.

And then, the smell of Rich Rivervale stew and out comes Sally Mae

"Ah..." A pleased sound, and she takes her portion gratefully. "SallyMae, I have asked Lut about those who are visiting. I would ask your opinion, as well...do you see any who should not stay?" It may surprise the kinain that her opinion is being sought, but it shouldn't; Brekke knows that SallyMae sees much of what happens in Rivervale.

"You realize you're asking me to be nice about Cousins?" A brow but yes she's pleased.

The recipe is Kerri's, Sally Mae seemed to know the CHief would want a touch of home

"I am asking you to be honest," she corrects before enjoying the meal.

"Djilas is his own worst enemy, wants to impress girls his age, but if he was smart he'd play up his Mountain training. They all have some cantrips but he's further than most and knows his lore. Eulalie can be a bit of a priss but she wants this just to test herself. Good warrioress, good kenner. Yves is the prize of the lot in some ways. Quiet, confident beyond his years, but not boastful. Deadshot. Frankly sometimes he's so good he makes my teeth ache. He does have a phobia"

A brow at the last. "A phobia? Can you tell me more?"

"Claustrophioba... tight places, being in the thick of a crowd. " She frowns "I didn't want to tell you but you deserve to know. If you keep him on for a year or so, it's tight places that will freak him out. Not uncommon for trolls. You're all so big"

"Hm." She takes a moment. "Are there any who have said directly that they wish to stay on? Kin or otherwise?"

"Not direct, and nor will they. Chief, they voluntered to help. They all are interested, but they're not going to wheedle or try to cheat it through sympathy. Clem would have their hides if they pestered wheen they're uspposed to be helping. If you want one, offer"

A nod. "I was hoping that would be the case." She considers as she eats some more stew. "I think Eulalie will have better luck proving herself in a hold like Fenix or Brightwinds. Or...perhaps Olgar should see if she would be suited for trod work."

"mmm she mgiht like roving" A consideration "Not sure we thought of that"

A nod. "As to Djilas...I will ask Mountain Vali's opinion on him. But Yves...yes, I agree, Yves is a good fit here."

"Any thoughts on the non-DeBukes?"

"Oh now those I can gab on free and without the urge to talk about which of them is the least obnoxious. Squire Valter's got some scars and i don't just mean old fight lines. He reminds me of an Uncle who came back from a human war. Saw stuff. Used to tell the others there was nothing glorious about it, just ... 'things that needed doing.. if we were lucky, and if we weren't lucky, we tried to convince ourselves it was a need anyway'"

She ends her quote with a shudder "He wasn't broken, but it was amazing he wasn't"

"Mm. So, you see Squire Valter as wounded but not broken, yes?"

"Wound seems to have healed mostly but it could be torn open again? I don't know I'm not as good at reading folks as Kerri, but then few are. "

"True."

"Eirfrey is... she's a bit like Agnes was but sweeter? I feel bad saying it that way, but you know what i mean?"

"I do."

"She fusses over the kids, and Happy for all his niceness would probably kill if she asked him too. She doesn't thankfully. Oh, also she takes no bull when she's healing you. Sweet and firm then"

"Hmm. She is welcome here, but she might fit even better on the Farm."

"That is, if she is actually seeking to relocate. She may be content at Brightwinds."

"mmm" A nod "Brightwinds may not be fair enough for her liking. What i Hear the Count there is a waste of space and a mean one"

A blink. "That sounds as though she might be needed there."

"Well, you'd have to talk to her about that" Sally mae says then asks "How's the stew?"

She indicates her now-empty bowl. "Excellent," she says as she sets it aside. "Thank you."

A thoughtful frown. "Where is Happy, now? I should speak with him more."

"Happy is out feeding the horses"

"Least I think he is." She pauses "he might be done"

"I will go and see."

She rises and stretches slightly. Frank had to step out quietly a while back to tend to something...perhaps he is still outside as well.

A quick, short whistle, and Signe jumps up to follow at her heels.

Signe springs to her side

And off they go

(End Scene)