#rivervale_lodge

Dag's eyes widen.

Kerri says, "Symon." It's an invitation to speak and an announcement alerting others to be silent so he can be heard.

The bits of conversation around the fire go quiet.

All eyes are on him.

Vali jostles his wife gently to pay attention to this one

He hesitates, opening his mouth, then closing it, then looks over the gathering - his gaze falling on Gerd, he gives her a beckoning gesture, a look of request in his eyes.

Gerd approaches and nods, ready to help

He whispers to Gerd, "Would you be my voice?"

Gerd nods "It would be my honor." She takes a position near him as he directs

Kerri nods approval at this arrangement.

He looks out over those gathered, and raises his head, letting the bonfire's light fall on him without flinching or hiding away. Symon whispers, perhaps audible by the closest, and pauses after each sentence to allow Gerd to repeat.

"Those here know me as Symon the Denier, a name that speaks to my nature. I deny the light, I live in the shadows. But tonight, there is something I would share. "

Gerd repeats it, her training as an Emmisary giving her good oratory skills

“Recently, I found myself ensnared in a web of magic. It was partly my own doing, and partly the work of trickery. I was caught, bound by forces beyond my control.”

His gaze seeks out two trolls among many. “But I was not alone. It was by the hands of Dagmar and Sylvi that I was freed. They are true friends, the truest one could ask for.”

Further, she stands with her hands clasped, and not overly demonstrative. She is the voice only.

Dagmar chews on a cuticle, watching her Oathmate. She feels his heartbeat next to hers, and holds her other hand to her sternum.

Symon’s whisper steadies - not any louder, but with more conviction. “Not only was I freed from another’s control, but I discovered something unexpected—freedom in an oath. For so long, I saw oaths as chains, binding and restrictive. But now, I see them differently.”

Siv gives a thumbsup to Sylvi and Dagmar at this.

Sylvi bites her lip as she listens raptly.

He glanced toward Dagmar, his eyes filled with an unspoken depth of emotion. “Dagmar is now my oathmate, and I would have all know it. She holds my heart, now, and always.”

Symon speaks to all, but has eyes only for Dagmar, his voice steady and full of emotion as he added, "She is my strength, my rock, my all."

The weight of his words hangs in the air, a rare glimpse into the heart of a man known for his silence. "And that," he concludes, "is something I will never deny."

Gerd repeats each line in turn making sure she gets every word right. It's important to do so.

He gives Gerd a nod and a whisper of thanks, his uncustomary speech concluded.

When Gerd finishes, Kerri stands and raises her tankard to Symon. She suspects she knows a bit of how difficult it is for him to bare his heart in public like that.

Sylvi follows her mother's example. She really wants to let out a squeeeeeeee! but that wouldn't be kind on his ears.

Brekke also nods somberly and toasts both Symon and Dagmar, approving of the public declaration and the value of an oath.

Dagmar reaches out her hands for the sluagh, arms set to receive him and provide shelter.

Everyone raises glasses or mugs or tankards

He nods to the crowd, suddenly shy at the attention, and slips back into the shadows - and into Dagmar's waiting arms.

Siv grins wide, but Jonas whispers something in her ear and whatever she was going to say about love conquering all is kept quiet as 'obvious'

The little bird on Dagmar's horn flaps skeletal wings, it's bared heart pulsing bright for a moment.

She touches her forehead to his, not needing words to convey how touched and proud she is.

Piper giggles at Jonas, but also bites her tongue.

He closes his eyes, leaning into her in return. When the moment passes, he tucks into the crook of her arm, half in light and half in shadow, to watch the remainder of the celebration.

Dirk blinks "OH... now it makes sense you gave in to my logic so quick"

A smile lingers on the Gwydion's face, content.

The stories continue, but more than one person is thinking that's going to be a hard boast to top.

Indeed, and some of the tales take a more comedic turn, as Tiffany describes in detail how Vali SEDUCED her by nearly dying more than once and making her care , "A devious damsel indeed"

"No regrets" Vali answers letting her spout whatever BS she wants

Laughter travels through the group at that.