#rivervale_lodge

A brow. "Not the concern you may think. He suspects that Dirk might attempt to bully the Count and the Duchess, perhaps even the Princess, into compensating me for the insult of their deception." A brief grumble at the end there. Then a sigh. "At any rate...Kealan suggested I tell him what might be a good boon, that he might suggest it before Dirk gets himself in trouble. My first thought was the grandchildren, and their support."

Frank has facepalmed at the news Dirk is aiming high.

"Mm, I appreciate Dirk's intention, but it would end badly."

He drags his hands down his face. "It would." he agrees.

"How would that support work?" he asks of her thought,

"That whatever support the grandchildren would need, that the parents would struggle to provide, will be provided by the County. Not to the point of spoiling them, and not against the will of the parents, but...birthing care, medical, tuition.... this was my suggestion."

Frank sighs. "My concern is that a) the parents will object to this being the boon that is asked. Perhaps out of pride or guilt or... I don't know. But they might object. And b) that somehow it will work out that Kealan gives Siv more spy work to legitimize the support."

"Valid concerns. But a boon is not a boon if it must be legitimized after the service it rewards. Now, I do think it means that Siv will be available for more service if they are able to afford occasional childcare, but that is not an obligation on Siv's part."

"If Kealan tries to burden her through a sense of debt, I will correct him," she says firmly.

"Mm. I meant more..." air quotes for "legitimize."

A nod. "I will not allow that. However...My Heart, you realize she does love her work with him."

"Yes. I do." He clearly, does not.

A brow.

A small shrug.

"Perhaps it is better to say that, whatever she does, she enjoys risk. If Baron Kealan provides opportunities for risk, she is likely to pursue those opportunities." A sigh. "Fiona," by way of explanation.

"I know." a statement of fact.

A sympathetic look. "It is not for us to like it."

"I know."

A nod. "At any rate...this is what I said to Kealan, even before I knew the child would be children. This is why I am not as concerned about their finances as I might be."

"It could be a neat solution." he admits.

A slight shrug. "Perhaps Da'an provided the timing."

Frank's quiet a moment, nods. "It would make it easier, if that were true."

She squeezes his hand. "I should tell them that I have arranged this. But I am reluctant."

"Why?"

"As you said before, they may reject it out of pride. But they need the support."

"All we can do is offer it."

"Or...allow them to benefit from the resource without knowing its source...?"

An eyebrow. "Obfucate and play dumb?"

A wince. "I do not mean to deceive if they ask. But until they ask...let it be?"

"Would you be comfortable with that?" dubious.

A harrumph. "Perhaps only if I do not think about it overmuch. Fine, then. I will inform them soon. It is not a certainty, at any rate. I only gave Baron Kealan my suggestion -- that does not mean the boon has been granted.

"True." Frank nods.

"We shall see." She sips her coffee. "I also recommended a boon to Goldfinch, as several of the wilders were also involved in Caer Falken's ruse, unknowingly."

"Is Baron Kealan going to forward the suggestions to the Count?"

"That is my understanding. You know Kealan. He will do what he does in his way, but he is a friend to us."

Frank nods.

"And I must speak with Dame Dagmar. I have requested for her younger brother the same support as provided to our grandchildren. She has more than earned such a boon."

"I agree, but do you think Baron Kealan will? Or the Count?"

"Baron Kealan was the one who suggested it. I believe he can make a persuasive argument."

Frank grunts. Good

A slight grin at his approval of that.

"How long before your next run?" she asks him.

"Because we should be sure to see the parents together before you leave."

"Three days. Time enough."

"Yes. Time enough." She squeezes his hand again. "Come...let us walk together a bit."

A shift in his beard, and Frank stands, keeping her hand in his.

A brief separation as she puts her boots back on at the door, but then her hand is in his again as they venture out into the firefly-sparkled night.

(End Scene)

Gwen comes out after checking on the pups.

Kerri is setting out more mugs at the coffee station, and she looks over. "Dame Gladiola, how are the pups?"