#anywhere

Eyebrow. "A swap? Who's idea was this?"

"Clem's" he holds up his hand "I'm but a pawn"

"Eight to twelve elders for three childlings?" Jessica shakes her head, but not without amusement. "Getting the fuzzy end of this lollipop, somehow, but.... ok. Tell her ok."

"oh, now winning a bargain is something any iowan farm girl prides herself on. I'll let her know"

He reaches into a satchel and pulls out... Oh my gosh, Fudge!

home made all American probably a sin to eat it but who cares fudge!

"This is YOUR tray" he says "The girls is in the kitchen"

Jessica blinks. "Wow."

"It's just a small tray, can't be more than six troll sized pieces "

"It's still very generous. Thank you, and my thanks to the Farm, please."

"You're welcome," he says "And I'll pass it on."

Jessica looks back at the Balefire a moment.

The balefire seems tired, but pleased by something

"Okay....." a bit dubious, but accepting. She heads to her room....ooops. Still has the fudge with her. Well, she can take it to the kitchen to be shared. In a bit.

Turns out the kitchen already has fudge

Good thing it goes to her room first, then.

Oh my goodness.. this is good.

ONE piece for herself. That's ok.

Well, one at a time anyway

no wait wait.. wrong think. Don't do that. One. Period.

Jessica firmly puts the box away. And WILL take it to the kitchen. Later.

And she can review her papers.. oh my. The auditions for troubadours, jesters, and yes bards.

They will start soon with her approval. Folks to come in in a trickle to do an initial audition...

and then be re invited as a group to line them up

Jessica scrawls her signature for approval.

Bards are the ones that worry folks. They have power. it's an honored position with influence.

Maybe.

And a knock on the door.

Jessica crosses to ask "Who is it?"

"Sir Phobos! your herald! We caught him!"

"Caught who?" She swings the door open.

Zane is there looking terrified , with four purses dangling from him . A Satyr wilder, the young Wayburton has turned into a handsome curly haired fellow

The troll..... a Countess? Doesn't look like it...... looks nonplussed. "What did he do?"

"I was told you wanted this guy brought to you.. I don't know what his crime was, but those litle purses dangling on him, who knows?" The Herald says "Need me to rough him up while you interogate?"

Zane says "Your Excellency, C-countess jessica..? You might not remember me... but, I SWEAR... I'm just trying to help some kids"

Ellie heads for the throne room, dragging Ariel and Salma with her. "It's important... I can't tell you, I just know..."

Ariel says "Well, Sir Phobos seems to have caught someone. Maybe a desperado. Is Desperado a spanish word?"

"But Princesca, it is not proper... oh, el Cabricito magico!" She exclaims, and sounds disappointed. "Princesca, we didn't get a chance to make the bolos yet!" She whispers over to Ellie.

"Oh, we didn't... but... but we HAVE to be here!"

They might see the Countess' door open, a satyr dangles from a redcap's grip.. and the girls might notice dangling from the satyr are purses

Glancing up she sees that they are in the Throne Room and Countess is there too, and Salma quickly takes a step backwards, just so that she's a pace behind Ellie, and curtsies hurriedly.

"Countess Jessica!"

A purple one hangs from a horn...

A yellow one from an arm

And a green (with peacock touches) from the shoulder...

"No, that's fine. Put him down." She says (in her chambers).