#rivervale_lodge

"So."

"The Duke must respond soon, and act justly."

"But I will not wait long," she repeats.

"I will let him know the moment I have word."

A pause.

"Good."

Another careful, quiet moment.

"You guys ok? Made it back safe, I guess?"

The very slightest hint of humor. "It is not a difficult journey, from there to here."

"Well. I mean, you can never tell. In the Dreaming."

"Glad to hear it though."

"Mm."

"We sailed the Kestrel for a bit after."

"I bet that was nice."

"It was good."

A moment more.

"They were not expecting us back. There was little for us to do; others were already doing it all."

"Well.... why not take advantage of that? You have the Kestrel; you could go anywhere."

An almost audible brow. "Not quite anywhere."

"But...the task we were to be absent for is...well...not our task. There is no purpose for us to go."

A sigh. "What about visiting Tweak?"

"Tweak?" She sounds nonplussed.

"I mean... it's here. And you know her."

A pause.

"We will consider it."

"We will speak more soon, Jessica."

"I love you."

"It's up to you, of course. And yeah, sure. Um. I love you too, mom."

And Brekke hangs up.

As does Jessica, and she goes back inside.