#anywhere

"Or perhaps," She ponders "Sir Earl, as his title suggests, listens less to his farmhold and more to others"

"Perhaps his lady is MacBeth?"

"You think the lady sluagh the brains behind all of this?" She's surprised, then impressed

A soft laugh. "It would not surprise me in the least."

"Interesting, but, what of the lady varich? Surely, a varich would never knowingly ally with a sluagh? Even Baron Rostlav tends to deal with them only when he must and his dislike is..palatable, and he is very controlled"

"Hm. True." She thinks "perhaps there is no relation."

"Unless the keyword is knowingly," SHe ponders "It would seem to me that the Baroness nadeen and Zara both have potential. Should we continue to study, or even invite either of them?"

"Invite the Baroness."

"It shall be done" She says then blushes "Intrigues are rather stimulating."

A secret smile. " They are."

"Do you wish this invitation to go discretely to reduce the chances of Baroness Brekk knowing? or wish it blatant to stir a possible reaction?"

A sparkling smile, then a wistful sigh. "It is too much to hope she would not tell her mentor. And as much as I love stirring a reaction..... I think the smartest thing is to do neither. Let it not be secret, nor trumpeted. Simply deliver it."

"I suppose she might surprise us but as you say. As for the sluagh," Thoughtful, I Know you only wanted to invite one, but I do know that Sir DeBuke is currently living in Poughkeepsie, the barony of High reeds is Eiluned. Should we send letters inquiring to the Baron there? of him or her?"

"EarthRunes is in Grass, no? Where she is librarian?"

"Yes , I..." A Pause "interesting... maybe she is no longer Librarian? Or something has changed..surely Sir Earl could move some place besides Poughkeepsie. Permission to investigate a bit further?"

Akanthea nods. "Granted."

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

She curtsies, "Thank you. I am also told my dancing lessons are going well"

"Wonferful." Approvingly. "Shall we have a Yule Ball?"

"I would like that, if you please." She says mannerly, "It might be grand to do, and you do dance quite nicely yourself when you choose. Shall we invite Sir Vali, Dame Tiffany and Gerd?"

Oh, that amuses her. "Yes. In fact, the guest list is ypur responsibility. "

"I will attend to it dutifully," She preens a bit at the notion, and for a moment Thea can see the essence of the wilder the girl will soon become

That does not displease her.

"Adelaide, remind me of the year of your birth."

"Well, I came to you when I was 9, almost ten.. but there was time in the hold before that... Oh. I'll be thirteen soon."

The Countess nods slowly. "Thank you."

"You're most welcome. " She says "I'll be off to those tasks" and she departs.

Oh, it does not take a seer's eye to see the shadow of the woman that the childling will become, but keen Eiluned senses and a sorcerer's sight DO confirm... the young lady will heading for her togail soon

Leaving Akanthea to her thoughts....

Once you go Skunk, all other women are junk

(End Scene)