#rivervale_lodge

Squire Kassedy enters in, with the Lantern in her hands. It's not Imbolc yet which is good, because it's bad luck to be late.

Brekke is standing near the balefire, watching the flames thoughtfully. She turns as the door enters, and her expression lightens notably. "Welcome, Firebrand." She goes to meet her at the door.

The squire is almost as radiant as her cargo, "Chieftain" she curtsies "I have brought the lantern. May I give it up to the bale?"

"You may. Please." She steps aside with deference and gestures her towards the hearth where the balefire burns, and follows her there.

The Mountain waits. It's as if he knew when she'd arrive.

Kassedy looks about as if hoping for another to show, then fights a sad look and rallies

"A moment," Brekke says, and she looks into the kitchen. A moment later she's returning to join them at the balefire, and the Hearth enters as well, wiping her hands and smiling.

Not who Kassedy wanted, but she smiles anway "I'll start now. I learned words"

"Oh, Firebrand, wait...I think Siv would want to be here," Kerri says. "With your permission, I'll call her?"

"Oh, wel, if it's no trouble..." the girl says trying to sound like it's okay either way but clearly hopeful!

A slight wink, and she moves back to the kitchen to make the call.

Brekke says, "We look forward to hearing of your trip after the rekindling."

"Oh it was so neat, but some firebrands had trouble"

Kassey says "there was some CREEP trying to BUY the balefire in the sewers, can you believe it?"

"Some have very little honor," Brekke says with a nod. "I am sure you were not tempted."

"I was revolted! It's SACRED" SHe says with a foot stamp "We reported him"

"Good" Vali nods approvingly

"Well done," Kerri says as she comes over. "Siv's on her way. We shouldn't have to wait long."

A blush "well, I wouldn't want my knight to feel left OUT" the squire rationalizes but can't hide her pleasure

a sound from the kitchen, and then... the door opens. Siv comes in with feathers in her hair, and a rather ugly shirt.

"Ah, here she is!" Kerri says, and deftly plucks some feathers out of Siv's hair.

Kestrel feathers? Interesting

"Siv, you made it" the squire beams and hugs her.

the adults notice Siv go a paler shade of blue as if in pain, but she hides it from the squire and reaches down to pat her "Aye, wouldn't miss it for the world! SO proud. Now, go make it official"

Brekke especially notes that Siv does Not Look Well, and as Kassedy goes to the fire, she rests a hand on her daughter's shoulder, reassuringly.

Siv mmphs in trollish ("I'll survive")

Kassedy moves to the fire, and takes a breath trying to remember the words that were shared. Then speaks...

Brekke nods, and turns to watch the ritual.

Frank watches from the side.

"Winter's might is strong as steel, testing flesh and soul! Dark grew the nights, and dim the hopes, and the world must take it's toll! Yet hope, though frail, is hard to kill. And rises like the dawn! Soon on Imbolc, we'll celebrate, that hope and light go on! Let's follow Brighid's example, crafting new poems and new steel! Let's rekindle the flames of Bale and Candles, and stronger hope now let us feel! For Daylight grows longer, and the night it must recede! Our lives maybe a challenge, but on on this it is agreed: We welcome, we open, we're always hoping, and to the Spirit of Imbolc we say! Be welcome, your bed is ready, go on, have a stay!"

Kerri grins at the poem, and murmurs, "Welcome."

And there is a rush as the Balefire takes in it's renewing offering, and burns bright and strong! Brekke feels it most, but the Mountain and Hearth can also feel the connection tighten and yet find release. it lifts even as it helps them with the heavy weight!

Brekke nods and agrees, "Welcome."

"Welcome," Vali nods

Then a sudden inhale.

But ALL in the hold feel it, see it. A sense of Pride, normally restrained, just this once, allowed to be just a bit shameless, pride in every member of the Lodge, in the important duty they do. In the people they protect who make this a barony and more importantly a community

She exhales, and allows a grin. "There." She nods. "Well done, Firebrand Kassedy."

Kassedy grins "It's BEAUtiFUl'

"that is it is," Siv nods "You're the right lass for the job no doubt. Imbolc will be extra wonderful "

Frank can tell Siv is hurting and hiding it. He's done the same thing in the past and put on that same expression

Kassedy looks at the Hearth "This is a lovely outfit. They said I can keep it. Could I have food please? It was a long way. I'll change so I don't dirty it up. Promise"

"You may certainly keep it, and I'll get food for everybody. Siv, why don't you go upstairs and clean up, then come back down?"

"Aye," Siv says "Not a bad plan"

Siv hits the stairs and hides the wince, then goes on up while her squire goes to change so not ot mess up her firebrand outfit

Frank straightens from where he was holding up a wall, and heads upstairs himself. Probably left a book or something on his nightstand.

Brekke nods approval to Frank as he heads upstairs after Siv.

Then she says to Kassedy, "Thank you, again, for undertaking this journey for us."

Kassedy says "It was my honor. It was so wonderful . There were so many folks. I saw one girl on a trod, she was going all the way to Feathered serpent, and I saw another lady, a nocker, wkith fire hair and cool jangles..."

Soon, Kerri has returned with platters of food. She made a point of finding out Kassedy's favorites ahead of time, and they're all there.

Kassidy eats them heartedly