#salmon-duchy-lands-aka-alaska

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Had Siv NOT come with the babies, she'd been in real trouble. Valr and Franki are just jewels, a grandmother knows. Brekke probably missed her daughter too mind you.

Siv might almost feel like an afterthought for the first twenty minutes or so, but not for too long.

Siv looks amused at that rather than offended.

With one grandchild on each knee, Brekke looks over at Siv with a hint of a grin. "They are growing strong. You are feeding them well."

"Oh Jonas is the real cook but I must say I'm glad I learned enough of the trade to provide. At least they are well past weaning now," She makes a brief gesture over her breasts, "You can tell men control the propaganda when there are no war songs about women trying to get their babies off the breast milk."

"I imagine Jonas is grateful for that, as well. You had him using one of those...machines, yes?"

She sighs "No. He wimped out. Men. I used it, why couldn't he?"

"Ah, well. Some things are simply too difficult for the mind and body, though one wishes to do them with the heart."

"Now, how are things here?" She asks

Siv needs to wait for a response as Brekke bounces the babes on her knees, gently, making horse hoof noises as she does.

Valr laughs, and Franki holds her hands up like she wants to fly.

Once she gets a good giggle out of both of them, she answers, "We are doing well. The house is done..." she indicates the walls and roof surrounding them "...or done enough for us to weather winter. Still many things to get around to, eventually."

"It looks lovely," Siv nods "I see you even had time to put in a few personal carvings, your woodwork will be missed some Pennons. It'll just be Tove at it."

Brekke nods as the glances at her work. "As I say, much more to be done. I hope Tove is teaching somebody the ways of carving arts?"

"I know Dagmar has the skill, but I do not know if she will be there for Pennons this year."

"Oh yes, Kerri actually started encouraging folks to mentor more than just trolls in the area. Olgar gives some fight lessons, I've been teaching a few classes in boating and sailing, and Tove got pressure to teach wood carving. I don't always have the time but I do enjoy. Oh, and I give swimming lessons in the lake. Honestly at first I had my doubts about it, and it hasn't been perfect, but it is earning some good will and gratitude."

That gets a very pleased expression. "That very much sounds like the sort of think Kerri would encourage. Very good indeed."

"As for Dagmar, you know hard as she works, whatever is best for her as far as I'm concerned," A hmph.

A brow at the hmph.

"Oh, I worry Dagmar doesn't always look after herself is all," Siv says "Maybe I'm just the slacker of the knightly crew but Dagmar does not always pace herself or even treat herself. Hopefully she's liking Alaska."

"I believe she is, yes. But she is driven, as she has always been, to excel in the eyes of those she respects. I think she is mostly successful, and I am glad Symon is here with her to support her when she feels she is not."

"By now, Symon probably has dirt on half the folks who live here," Siv shakes her head, "I'm in the spy business, but Symon? He's a devoted hobbyist at the least and no less skilled for that."

"I suspect he has also developed something of a network among those who prefer the shadows to the sun. A very valuable hobby." More horsey rides for the babies.

GIGGLE!

Siv grins "You're so good with them. " Then she goes on, "And I suspect you're right. Sluagh around here are rightfully on guard against the Varich. Not that all Varich are bad. Turns out Baroness Nadeen is getting a good reputation among commoners for hearing them out and giving them her ear when they have fears or concerns. Wonder who taught her THAT?"

"Ah, do not give me all the credit there, daughter. You know it was Kerri and Dagmar who taught her that as much or more."

"At least you're taking PART of the credit, which is progress," The Fiona smiles at the Gwydion "I remember when you would have waved it off entirely. Now, back to Rivervale, let me tell you what Vali did the other week... with YOUR favorite tree... don't worry, has a happy ending..."

Brekke's look of startled alarm is only somewhat eased by that reassurance, and she listens carefully to the tale that Siv relates.

It ends up having quite a happy ending, and a carefully preserved Acorn that her daughter brought her, with a few spells to help protect it from Alaska's cold.

(End Scene)