#anywhere

and she is gone.

No doubt, Adelaide will want to ask how it went. Eiluned girls are very curious.

No doubt.

Oh like clockwork

"mentor, how are you today?"

Adelaide is good, smooth, but she has been smoother.

"Feeling a bit tired. I might go rest." She sips.

"Mmm, I can escort you then," She steels herself, "Was the young baroness truly so taxing?"

"Baroness?"

"Baroness Nadeen Dancingsnow ap Varich" Adelaide says, then says "But perhaps rest is best." And she takes her mentor's hand. SHe know who Thea can be trusted with if this is a slip

The granddame chuckles.

"Oh," a soft huff, "well played. You know I wonder about things. I can endure if you insist."

"We opened negotiations. There really isn't much to tell you."

"Well, good or bad first impression? "

"Good."

A nod "Excellent. Fortunately she's not a countess so I needn't feel my position is threatened and thus take steps" MIGHt be joking

"Indeed not. I would not care to see Charm go to the Varich..... or any other Eiluned."

A smile, "I think it's in the best hands possible now"

"I think you know better." Gently.

Adelaide looks at her mentor, the woman who has become a mother to her of sorts, albeit a troubled one "There is time yet," she says "The light of your moon is bright yet"

"Your time is coming."

Soberly, "yes, all things must unfold I suppose, but I hope you do not expect me to dance at that fact"

"Happily, as I told young Dancingsnow, there are.... checks and balances on me. I take some comfort in that."

"Checks and balances that work because you put them in motion"

Akanthea looks steadily at Adelaide for a moment. "In part. The more important, more powerful checks are part of the price for some of my Arts."

BOW your heads, Peasants!

"That too," She says "Soothsay is dangerous, but I know you know stronger"

She nods, agreeing.

"Maybe I should study it when you think I'm ready" Thoughtful.

"Study which?"

"Naming" She says

Sip.

"What is your interest in the Art?"

"I think it could help my future subjects. Names are delicate things, they must be not just sained, but those names entrusted"

"There are other Namers close enough you needn't worry." Sip "I serve the Duke in this capacity, all the Duchy, as well as the County and Baronies, but there are Errant Namers who are commissioned by the King."

"I see. " She says "You trust these other namers?"

"I must."

This seems to suffice for her, "I am sometimes embarrassed Chicanery is my strongest subject in the arts. I know some do consider it..common. But my own soothsay has almost caught up"

"Chicanery has it's place. I might be dead before now if not for it."

"You have had close calls?"

A chuckle. "Assuredly."

"I confess to morbid curiosity. And.. no small amount of kinship" She brushes under her bangs where the cold iron marked her "Chicanery saved me too. In part as you may recall"

The Countess nods. "As I said. It may be common, but it has its place."

A pause "I may have dictumed a redcap to swallow his own stink bomb the other day "

A chuckle. "Sovereign is one of our more powerful Arts. You had good reason for what you did?"

"Yes, he was going to lob it into one of our chimneys. He was a childling. I thought lenancy was called for"

"Do I need to follow up?"

"The guards found him and threw him off property at my request. " A smile "I'm sure foulmouth will recover"

"Did you try a more moderate approach first?"

A bit of an embarrassed look "Not so much. It..just seemed funny"