#rivervale_lodge

Squire Valter comes in with Ives, both look to be in good spirits as you can tell by the stoic smiles

"Nice work" Valter nods

"Thank you" Ives says simply

Brekke looks up from where she sits by the balefire. "All is well?"

Ives nods

Valter nods as well "you may wish to look out the window over there, Chieftain."

A brow, and she rises from her chair and goes to the window.

Walking outside is a chimera, wistful, yet not hostile... she is full sized woman, but she is clearly more than that, a spirit of a season

"We saved her, ma'am" Ives explains

Her eyes widen and she watches quietly a moment. "Have you spoken with her?"

"Saved her?" She turns sharply to look at Ives. "Explain."

"Redcap Corby tried to chain her up and sell her. Slavery ain't illegal if it's on Chimera they said" Ives says, but then says "We consider that Bushwa ma'am. Thought you might too."

"Further it is dangerous, that is a seasonal icon a dream possibly tied to Nature's cycle.." Squire valter says "One does not harm such visitors let alone chain them"

"Hmm." She nods. "I would speak with her. But when I return, I wish to hear more about this corby." So saying, she steps outside to speak with the chimera.

The chimera is walking, watching the still summer land about her

"Lady," Brekke addresses her. "Welcome."

The Autumn Chimera turns, "You are tied to these lands. I can feel it" She dips into a curtsey "how should i call you?"

A nod in response. "I am Chieftain Brekke, and the lands are Rivervale. How are you called?"

"Some call me the Autumn Princess, others prefer the term Lady Fall, madame Saffron, the Painter of Trees, and in bawdy fashion Harvest Wench" thogh she looks to dignified for that "Call me what you wish, Chieftain. I am very much subject to your interpretation, even as I am also somewhat inevitable"

A hint of a grin. "I will think on it. I hear you were attacked. You are well, now?"

"I was spared capture by your fine stalwarts. They kept me from being yoked and sold. There is always some one thinking that my tie to the season can make them a master of a quarter of the cycle"

She shakes her head. "Foolishness. I am pleased you are unharmed. Please, take haven here, we will host and protect you."

A turn then a a smile on her somewhat melancholy face, "Chieftain, you honor the old ways of welcoming each season as it arrives, early or late, with courtesy and respect. I had feared that was lost, even among the kithain"

A brow and a deep breath before she admits, "Your season is not my favorite, lady. I will own that as my truth. But I would be a madwoman to think the lack of a season would do this place any good."

"Ah, yes, the season does include that holiday. Many seelie dread it . Would it suprise you to know sometimes i am not fond myself? It is not all I am, and yet some focus on that"

Not a chastisement, she's just sharing

"I can see that. But there is great beauty in your time," she allows.

"Painter of Trees" She repeats the earlier time "Even in entropy, beauty can be found. The sluagh know the lesson, as do grand dames I hope?" meaning her seeming

Another nod. "It is the way of life, to fade before it can be renewed."

"Fade is such a sad word, what some call fading others might see as preperation. Sometimes a muted hue is lovelier than a garish one, a soft light more enchanting than a bright"

"As you say," she agrees. "And I think you will find that many here agree."

"Come, show me your land, I would enjoy the love and pride you bring as a guide..."

And they walk, and they talk, a season made welcome

(End Scene)