#anywhere

"Alas, yes, kroor neela never relents" Lord Timorus sighs "If I could finish him off, I would"

"Kroor Neela? SO they are not just from the children's fear, but sent?"

"An Acheri, a Dark Kin tied to dreams of Corruption... and Plague, they are thriving in these times. Thriving, how could they not?" Timorus sighs

"Mmmm... indeed." She glances at Earl.

Earl frowns, "Why can't you finish Kroor Neela? I don't normally approve of violence but in this case..."

"Ah, he hides in the collapsed mine... he can get in, I cannot. Nor my troops." The Gwydion says

"So - were his refuge eliminated... or, perhaps, were he to be trapped within?"

"He knows his wayfare, I doubt I can one can keep him from portal passaging," The noble frowns. "And few here know it to equal level."

She nods. So, he cannot be trapped within... but your troops... mm... would gaining them entry be worth, say... a book?"

"Aye.. yes. More than..." the man says "Though I would need keen eyes for when he tried to escape. For give me Lady. You have not offered your name so it felt rude to pester, but if we are to bargain" he lets it hang

Earl smiles at her

"I am Manynames." true

"My Love is a hero and a knight, I do not doubt he would wish to be a light against darkness. I am of shadows, but mine eyes are keen and my magic strong."

"Lady Manynames it is," He nods "Were you two to assist me in getting this monster cornered so my brave soldiers and I could finally bring him to justice, you would have that book, of certes. Though it seems the least of my treasures to me"

"A price is in the buyer, is it not?"

"Truth that on every level. Yes. Then... let me set the wards for my charges using that painting proper, and then, we will be able to assemble in force, and attack. We must make haste " He rises "For I knwo you cannot linger long"

"I am no wielder of sovereign, but I believe I could aid your working."

"Then I shall open my magics to yours and trust. You are mysterious, Lady Manynames, but you have yet to lie to me and your actions, and the actions of your Paramour, have been naught but honorable"

Earl nods "You can, and she's right, I am eager to assist" and he rises, putting his tea aside

"Sir Earl, we can finish our tea. We are not savages" The Gwydion says "I'm kidding. My children could be in danger. Leave the tea and let's go"

"Ffft." One last sip, but she is ready.

The Gwydion is quite skilled at the arts he has focused on. When they return to the clinic, the Weaverward is centered on Earl's painting... and the Children light up to see it.. feeding their hopes and dreams into it.. and thus feeding the ward! It may not last forever, but it certainly will longer than it ever did alone.

Zara uses her own skills on the cantrip itself - buffing and blessing it.

True to his word, the Gwydion opens himself to her power.. she could take terrible advantage.

And when they are done, with that help, it will last years.

She could... but she does not. Da'an is not to be played with.

The Gywdion turns back and looks at her, "Lady Manynames, I had no idea you were so potent. "

"Well, I said I had some measure of skill." Modest to a fault.

"I see, and if someone asks how my ward became so strong , should I reply that 'many names' were of assistance?" His tone intrrested

A smile. "Aye. See the sense of it?"

"I do," He nods "I had not considered using a system similar to the flow of a river to both fortify and fuel."

Earl smiles at the metaphor

"My children, I must go. If I am very lucky, the word we have put up will be tested less after this, but know I care for you and love you...and I will see you safe whatever may happen." The Lord informs each child, then turns to his Thane "We have a chance to remove this cancer on our lands. We have someone with a scalpel "

The Thanes smile, and the warriors of them gather their things to make war upon the Dark Kin and at last hunt him down.

Zara is a witch, not a warrior... she girds herself with bunk supplies, and her thieve's tool.

Many nightmares are slain... and Kroor, captured... and then, Zara watches as a terrible Geasa is cast upon it, rather than simply killing it, "Wherever you wander you will drink in illness and glut yourself. You will cure what your brethren cause... and take the pains and marks and signs of death they inflict upon others into yourself. The milk of legend that is twice denied- once by your nature, once by choice, will be your only salvation, in the drinking of it, and in the giving of it without selfish interest... you have a year and a day to find it. Begone from my lands... and know I do not slay you only because slaying you would be selfish compared to the recompense you now make" And the Gwydion shines like a torch as he makes this pronouncement.

Indeed, the rot and withering that had formed on many of the thanes, and the strange pox on earl, fade..nay, not fade, flow to Kroor instead. The carrier has instead become a vortex to what he once spread

Zara is pleased - even, yes, the dark kin. While Death is a friend, killing does not delight her.

The creature gasps silibant and wheedling "You have undone me more than Winter itself could..... lift..a loophole, an easier escape."

A sniff.

The Falcon's eyes narrow and grow hard "No. Making you suffer was not my goal, nor it is my delight, but I will ever take the wails of evil creatures with great fortitude. Begone."

And the once terror of the local area stoops and walks away as ordered.

The Thanes break into cheers, and as most of them are trolls, that says a lot

An overwhelming display of emotion!

And a small celebration to be done later, the two heroes are invited, but they must be off so.. instead, for them, a return to Lord Timorus Holding, and Earl whispers something to the sidhe's ear!

Zara hears him mention "She's listening to everything I whisper but I'm going to try anyway lord... if you are truly so pleased with our efforts, perhaps you could sweeten this bargain by offering one other book on top of the magic one? The treasure IS what was agreed on, but as her paramour I feel I should point out how exceptional she was and that might be worthy of the legendary Gwydion largess"

Lord Timorus chuckles and reaches for the book in the parlor that she was so enjoying ,goes to the treasure chamber to get the treasure book that will link to any book she owns , and...hands them both to her "As agreed, and, upon advice from a knight I respect, a bit more so I may say House Gwydion is the most gracious of houses . "

Zara pinks!

"I am most grateful, and praise your manners, Pelican-in-Falcon-Fledge."