#rivervale_lodge

She meets Frank's look, and a slight headshake, then looks to Kerri. "We will speak more later, Hearth."

"Good to have you home, Kerri."

"Good to be home, Frank, Chieftain." She goes into the kitchen, smiling.

Brekke watches her go then looks to Frank.

"I wish her to be settled before we discuss the current events."

"I understand."
Frank goes to sit with Brekke. "I have not heard back from Siv, but I heard from Anne Marie. Met Klump while I was on patrol and... he had some information."

"Tell me," she says, leaning forward with interest.

He does. "Anne Marie recognized Bunni; good chance of things coming out even sooner, now."

"Hm." A sound of...well, surrender, really. "It is what it is."

"Klump says Wopletingers were formerly chimera but are now a new kith. Kith, not entirely Fae or entirely mortal.

"He said he has heard stories, hard to confirm, of...." Frank takes a breath, sighs it out "Ancient wizards who could use their magic to bend chimera. Make them human for the wizard's own purposes."

"He siad that the Naming cantrip Reweaving might turn a chimera to mortal... but there's be a price for balance. He said, 'Like water going from one bowl to the next.'"

Her brow furrows. "Wizards. Willworkers."

"As for a mortal becoming Fae...." Frank looks grim "Klump said that he's only ever heard rumors from the Deepest parts of the Dreaming of such a thing. He has not witness it but that he would ask older and wiser Gloams about it."

Frank nods.

"The deepest Dreaming, and here in this room," she reminds him, her expression dark. "One of my greatest errors."

"I wish I had been here to advise you."

She sighs. "I thought I knew what I was doing. I thought it was the solution." A deep breath. "But, again, it is what it is."

"If Willworkers could make the change that has happened to Bunni, could that be connected to Adam's sworn vendetta against them?"

"Perhaps. But he never made an Oath."

"No? I was told he shed his blood to seal the intent."

"I mention it because if it were an oath, Da'an and the dreaming would observe it, and that would change things." Frank shakes his head "I reviewed the notes before I gave them to Vali, and I have the old copy here. Adam said he -wanted- to make an oath of vengence, he -tried- to spill blood in the Balefire to do so ... but did not."

"Mm." She nods thoughtfully.

"That said, though...there would not be a Willworker in the Dreaming, so it more likely was a reweaving that sent Bunni here in this form."

"The background to the notes does state that... Bunni.... Nabuni... was destroyed by a willworker that attacked Adam and an eshu called Alanza." Frank remarks before continuing "And no. No willworker... in the Dreaming...." he frowns.

"I'm ... almost certain."

"And...." he continues slowly ".... Hm."

"There aren't many details in the note's backgroundn section. Lord August is thorough but if he doesn't have the information,
he doesn't have the information."

"Hm."

"Has a willworker ever found a way into the Dreaming?" she asks with some small alarm.

"I know they can sense our .... Uh-oh. Yes."

He gives her a look at ancient as the grave. "Freeholds are in the Near Dreaming, at least... parts of them. Yes? An abandoned warehouse or bed and breakfast? A ranger station or a Lodge?"

"Yes, the near Dreaming. I recall at Firnost, being on watch. But not the deep Dreaming...?"

Frank shrugs. "Who knows? Willworkers -have- entered the Dreaming."

"Here."

She shakes her head. "This becomes increasingly complicated."

"We sent the willworker that attacked the Lodge to Count Jude, as I recall?"

A blink. "Yes. Then...it is time to speak to your House brother."

Frank nods. "What do I ask him? First, is the willworker still there and if not, when did he leave."

She nods. "And if he did, why or how he was able to leave."

Brekke rubs her face briefly, a gesture of weary frustration.

"I hope the answer is that the willworker is still well-contained."

He touches her hand briefly. "I will call now." and he goes to the phone closet to do so.

He leaves the door open, dials....

the phone rings and "Hello" A woman's voice "Mr. Jude's receptionist, Ella speaking. How can I help you?"

As he does, Brekke rises and goes to the bookshelf. She peers closely at the titles, running her finger along them until she finds what she is looking for: an old and much-read copy of The Last Unicorn.

"Ella, hello. This is Frank King, I'm Mr. Jude's fraternity brother. Is he available for a call?"

She skims through to find sections about the clock.

"A moment, Mr. King. You're a priority. He does love the frat"

And soon, Jude's voice is heard "Frank? How are you? "

"Thank you." Brekke can hear his part of the conversation.