#anywhere

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And so it was, that Baroness Coradel strode to the Lake house holding where currently Countess Ruxandra ap Beaumayn rules during these summer months.

And, coincidentally, at a time when August was occupied

Coradel has brought Dame Claire along with her, and offers the Countess a graceful curtsy when they're presented before her.

The Countess seat is shadowy, as sluagh prefer, but not so shadowy one can not make out her garb and circlet.

"Excellency," Coradel says softly. "I hope the season treats you well?"

"Quite well, thank you, Baroness. What brings you and your fine lady knight to me? You seem to have purpose"

"I do," Coradel confirms, rising again and approaching the throne. "Excellency, I've sent the county requests regarding my consort, Sir August. I'm certain your business is great, but perhaps you might take a moment to address my request now."

"I see." She says, "I was afraid of this." the sluagh sighs and she rises, "Some place more private please, follow me."

Coradel blinks, her smile slipping away. "Afraid?" she echoes. Then she motions Dame Claire to come with them as she follows the Countess.

They move through the halls, and turn into a room and she goes on "As you know, my counter part and I alike are most impressed with your daughter. " The room in question is a small parlor.

"I...yes, and thank you, Excellency, but I came to speak of her father, my trueheart."

"I Know," she gestures, "Please be seated."

Dame claire pulls out a chair, but ventures "This is something political?"

Coradel does take a seat. "May Dame Claire stay, Excellency? I would value her counsel in this, I think."

"Something highly political" The countess sighs "And she may. Tea? "

"Please, yes." Coradel's expression is a delicate frown. "Excellency, I don't understand why it is such a difficult request. Sir August has served my barony and this county well, and as Countess I should be able to make him my equal."

"Sir Gnaw, my own first knight is a Liam. He has influence over me. Your Regent is a Baroness... and one respected and accepted, who apparently decided she had little interest in a barony of her own here which is her right. But she is a power..and well earned. There are no less than 3 other Liam Knights not including Sir August in the Duchy and one of them is on good terms with their graces." A sigh

Claire raises a brow, "Wait, they're gaining too much influence too quickly?"

Ruxanda says "If we were to raise a co baron to co rulership... no less than 3 houses feeling under represented would raise a fuss."

"Too many Liam." Coradel nearly spits it. "Well, let them fuss, then. I didn't marry them."

"Precisely," The Countess says "And when you marry formally, it will be a loophole where I cannot HELP But recongize him as a baron and your equal. You see? For you would arguably share you rule. I have been post ponining you so I could say it was beyond my power."

A blink. "Is that all, then? Well, we'll hurry along the preparations!" She smiles. "Of course, that will require sorting out mortal family schedules and such, I'm told."

"I have tried to keep it on the low key, lest pressure come on Sir August and yourself. He might become a political target."

Claire blinks, and mutters "Oh it makes sense now."

The smile vanishes again. "Target." She shakes her head, and leans forward, now frowning. "No. Never again."

"Sir August is a good man, but this battle would be fought with weapons of slander and defamation.... of public image and more. "

"But..." Coradel points out, "...that ends once the marriage is formalized, yes? Once he is securely made Baron, the slander serves little purpose."

"It will still come," a warning whisper, "to put more preassure on the count and myself to elevate others in a sense of pseudo balance"

A long silence from Coradel, one with an undercurrent of anger. "I see," she eventually manages.

Dame Claire sighs "My House is one of the three pushing for more influence, isn't it?"

"Ailil crave political influence like a drunkard craves wine" The Countess says

Dame Claire sighs

Yes, she's doing that a lot

Coradel looks at Claire. "Your squire is part of this, then."

"if I thought she was involved directly, I'd send her on a quest to the 8th plane of hell "

"No...no, I think she's a tool of the House. But a tool in this particular game." Coradel shakes her head. "Fine. It is better that I know in advance, rather than be surprised by this during open court one day." She looks between both of the other ladies. "Should I tell him?"

"That is your choice, Baroness." The Countess says "Sir August has been through much I know. He is yours, I may out rank both of you, but in a matter of truehearts, well.. I would not presume."

Coradel nods, frowning and looking down for a moment...but then she takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders, putting a bright smile on her lips. "Well! You and the Count should expect invitations from us in short order, then!"

"You need not have it right away, as long as it is before Samhaine. That is when my rule ends" She reminds

"And...if we do not? What would the Count's position be, Excellency?"

"Sparrow earned his respect, not many Liams do. I think he might expect more effort on Sir August's part" She says

"That's insane, Sir August has been on quests, defeated monsters, and taken on foes plenty. And he ight have been captured but he took some down with him by what little is remembered or known" Dame Claire says then blinks as if surprised she defended the fellow

"More effort...." Coradel sounds slightly outraged at that...but lifts her chin and listens as Claire speaks up.

Then she makes an impatient gesture. "Fine! Fine...we will see this done sooner than later, and if we cannot, I am at least ready for what opposition presents itself." She rises. "Excellency, thank you for your wise counsel."

"You thank me, but am the one who hoped to bury this long enough without explanation. In truth, I am not sure I have been a good liege to you personally even if I strove to put the County as a whole first. "

Coradel seems to war with herself about how to respond to that for a moment. Eventually she settles on, "You have your duties and your priorities, and I have mine. And I must return to mine now. By your leave, Excellency."

"Of course, and... Baroness...in amends let me tell you this. IF Sir August go on a quest, let me know. I will make sure it accounted to his credit if it succeed. "

And with that, the Baroness is freed.

"I know that one is planned. I will keep you appraised." She curtsies low but perhaps with more formality than before, then takes her leave briskly, so that Dame Claire may need to hurry to keep up. To Coradel's credit, she waits until they're well away from the County seat before starting to rant about intolerance and outrage.