#rivervale_lodge

Summer is running short.

Perhaps, then, it is no surprise to find Sam at the stable - honest, straightforward work, familiar and soothing. The horses (and two goats) need plenty of care.

Siv has caught her mom on the return from patrol, but still hasn't worked up how to word this. So they return to the stables and Dagmar may hear "Mom , there was... an incident at the apartment"

"An incident?" Brekke's voice takes on a low and wary tone. Dagmar can hear the familiar creak of Stormwake's saddle as the Chieftain dismounts.

Dagmar tilts her head slightly, listening, as she works the currycombs against Star's flank.

"Aye. We swapped apartments with Rikki? She gets on my nerves, but she did us a solid there. It's so much bigger" Siv explains "Only it appears to have had an ugly consequence and I don't mean pranks. Someone tried to kill her thinking she was me shapeshifted." Okay. Blunt..and direct. Fiona troll

The sounds of saddle and bridle being removed pause suddenly. "Kill? Who did this?"

That's a dangerous tone.

"A hired assassin, an Eshu... came at Rikki with a knife thinking she was me"

Stormwake snorts and paws the ground with a let's go get 'em attitude.

"You know who it is, so I assume you captured him. Where is he now?"

"The Spymaster has him... but he'll be turned over to you for judgement as right of demense requires. Rikki got some healing.... and got to use the bastard's credit card. Mother I..." She sees Dagmar and stops, then shrugs "Hey, Dagmar"

Narrowed eyes. Comb. Comb.

"Siv. Chief."

Brekke follows Siv's gaze and nods to Dagmar in return. "I think you should hear this as well." She sounds grim as she leads Stormwake into the stables and sets his tack aside.

"Did you learn who hired him?" she asks Siv.

Siv nods "Aye. Not sure how much ye heard Dagmar, but as you're my friend, cousin and my mother's loyal knight best ye do"

Then to her mother "His employer was a lady sidhe who referred to herself as 'Lady Highfeather'. She wore peacock designed ear rings"

Brekke's head whips around at that last detail, a sharp look.

After a moment, she quietly says, "That may be nothing...." but she doesn't seem to believe those words.

"Or it might not."

"I lean towards something" Siv says

"Hmph." She scowls and looks troubled as she begins to brush down Stormwake.

"The Baron knows this detail," she checks.

"He does. " A breath "Dagmar, Mom. I'm going to go after her. Using my weapons and my means. "

Brekke regards her daughter quietly for a long moment.

"What weapon was used on Rikki?"

"So you mean sneaky spy stuff? Don't think straightforward is the way."

"A knife, I know, but...chimeric? Mortal?"

"Sneaky spy stuff... and mortal mom, a very real knife."

"Hm." She frowns. "Do you think this Lady Highfeather knows of your weakness?"

" She knows I shape shift... that mean she has intell on me" An admission "But assuming she's an arcadian sidhe, she has the same weakness so it's use as a defense for her is limikted. Besides, Going after her is just part of it. I mean to remove her means to make war by robbing her resources and transferring them to various charities"

A blink. "That...is not what I expected."

A look at Dagmar "I'm.. hoping you won't tell Piper or Jonas about this. If anyone should, it should be me and I'm still working up on it." A look to her mom "Same request"

Brow.

"Sidhe do not do well, being poor."

"And you should tell your partners something."

A frown, realizing Dagmar's not WRONG. For now she focuses on the other side "Hopefully she won't expect it either. If word gets out she can't hire folks... then guess what, any future hit men won't be interested"

Brekke nods slowly at the strategy. "You can do this? And Dagmar is right...you must tell your family."

"You'll need to deprive her of dross, too. Mortal wealth provides comfort, but dross can be worth more than gold."

"And stores of dross can be difficult to track and locate."

"Good point about the dross" Siv nods "Should have thought of that. She could just go to sidhe friends and make conversions if need be. Thanks, Dagmar" Then at something her mom says she..brightens "You don't always call Jonas and Piper family"

A brow. "It is easier than saying 'Siv and Jonas and Piper' repeatedly," she points out. "But am I wrong to call them your family? Especially with the babies coming?"

"NO no, you're not wrong" Siv lets a smile slip wider "I like it. They're my family too. I hope you feel much the same about htem but I understand without oaths its.. well... it maybe a bit untraditional. " Then she falters "I suppose... I have to tell dad about lady highfeather and the hitman to?"

"I would appreciate it if you do, for you cannot expect me to keep this information from him."

"I can't" She nods "Would be wrong on many levels. I just worry da is going to find some way to blame himself for this. You know how he is. Touch quick to take too much on himself"

"A suggestion: offer him a way he can help you. And not merely busy work. He may have knowledge that we do not, especially if this Lady is connected with the house we suspect."

"I don't want anyone I care about involved or endangered by this" Siv says "I'm telling you folks as it's honest. I mean, for intell sure but what if he wants to go shaking down informants or the like?"

"I suspect he will want as much time with that Eshu as I get," she points out. "As to the rest...your father is no fool, Siv. I cannot think he would undermine your efforts."

"Not undermine but .." An admission "I've already got aunt Kerri suggesting I'm too close to the problem"