#rivervale_lodge

"Sure. I mean, you take turns, right? But on the basketball court, it's everything all at once. Very different."

"Exactly! And you have to be a team."

"And there's no May or Lupe, and it's... different."

"But it's not awful, right? You're getting used to it?"

Frown.

"I guess."

"Symon thinks I'm going to be even more gone than I think."

"More gone from here?"

"Yeah."

"Could be." She nods. "You probably should be, for a while, to really get into the whole experience. But you're part of Rivervale. We know we can call on you when needed, and you'll be there. And if that ever changes, let us know, and we'll work it out." Gentle and serious, not accusatory. "You're going to be fine."

"I swore an oath to the Chief." A beat. "And one to Connor."

Kerri looks at her. "You haven't explain things to him yet, have you?"

She drops her gaze, avoiding Kerri's. A nod.

"Okay, so...how can I help you get ready to do that?"

"Symon thinks maybe I should talk to Chief about having him knighted. Releasing him."

"He is technically a teenager, you know?"

Frown.

"Hm." Kerri considers that, taking a nibble of danish as she does so. "You know, it's so hard to think of him that way, but of course, he is. So, you're going to make a case to the Chieftain. What can you say to her about reasons he should be knighted? Deeds and so forth?"

"I should be able to say something."

"He's... a great kid, isn't he? He's got Shadowpaw, he's brave, he's a leader amongst the childlings."

"There are other kids with titles. Even higher ones than knight."

Kerri raises a brow. "He's absolutely a great kid. But you'll need to spell out something specific that he should be knighted for."

"Now, I can tell you that when I was knighted, it was a matter of expediency. The Chieftain was away questing, and Count Hemlock needed somebody with a title at Rivervale to prevent challenges. I think he chose me mostly because I was there at that moment." She shrugs.

"Frank was, too, but I don't think the Count would have considered knighting a Liam at that point, not without a lot of good reasons."

"I didn't earn my title. A past me did. And Connor's certainly... it's, like, a hundred little things. Not one big flashy thing."

"Symon's not wrong. I guess I just... I.. I like having him as my Squire. He's like a kid brother. I like being... you know?"

"You like being in a position to take care of him."

She nods!

"And now I'm abandoning him..."

"You're absolutely NOT doing that. You have a new quest, and it's one your squire can't join you on. So you're planning for how to position him to his advantage. That's the opposite of abandonment."

"You have nurtured him, guided him, and helped him become a brave young man."

"He CAN do patrols on his own. He's not a physical fighter, not really, but he's clever and has magic."

"And he's wonderful with the dogs and horses."

"All of that makes him a spectacular squire. But it's not quite enough for knighthood, I think. Not without a specific act of important and impactful service."

"He IS a spectacular squire."

"But how can I be his knight when I'm gone?"

"I understand. So you either need to figure out something he's already done...or it may be time for him to quest, to gain the title for himself."

"Yeah. That's what I'd imagined, us going on a quest..."

Kerri doesn't point out that that's not what she suggested.

"The other option is that you see if being a remote knight for him works. Stay in contact daily. You know we'll keep an eye on him if necessary."

"Is that fair to him?"

"Fair isn't always possible. It'll be more fair to him if you explain clearly why it needs to happen, and give him clear guidelines on what you expect from him while you're away. If he knows what he should be doing, he'll feel more confident."

"I don't want to hurt him."

"He's... I know, Gerd's claimed him as her brother, but.."

"And I'm not trying to take her spot..."

Kerri tilts her head and listens, not interrupting.

"But I don't want to stop being his knight, and maybe that's selfish and not fair?"

"I think...he's old enough that he can be part of that decision. Don't you?"

She bites on her lip.

"He's.. yeah."