#anywhere

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Sparrow is looking over lists - this, at least, she had plenty of practice with at Earth Runes. Dross stores, armory inventory, available rooms and resources, notes on other glamour sources in the barony - it seems there is a small glade hidden in the nature preserve. How delightful!

Hope , true to her word, is assisting "We're well supplied on dross, but when I think of how much has been shipped out of here to House balor in the past years, .. i do grow frustrated...."

Sparrow nods. "The past can't be changed, but the future is ours. And better dross than Dreamers - honestly, it seems the small population helped protect them. Even he knew that rampant ravaging would have destroyed this place, so he focused on dross."

"But there are sleeping Dreamers here."

"In truth, Baroness, parasitie or not, we all knew that we shouldn't tell him ALL of the Dreamers. But yes. I take it you've seen some potentials?" She knows little of Liams . How inspiring Dreamers is one of their specialities

"So far, yes. A lot of folks who are just trying to make it day to day - so the dreams are there, but waiting."

A nod "I don't know your policy on dreamers. " She says "This is going to make us sound like ignorant children but... perhaps you should give out word of the Escheat as YOU see it? Clearly Harkson's views on it were..rather selfishly motivated"

"Ravaging is forbidden. It harms them, often permanently. If one is desperate, that is what right of rescue is for. The other... " She frowns like a stormcloud. "That is an abomination, and to do so bears grave penalty. Chimerical death and banishment."

Hope grabs a paper and starts writing this down.

"One's musing is one's own. Too much tithing in the past here."

"That's wonderful" Hope says "I know I'm supposed to say 'but your reserves' as your steward pro tem but... the people will love that"

"I'm inclined to agree " Sir Dubh says from the archway

She nods. "We will need to find a way, there are limits to how much we can give."

"Perhaps encourage giving to a community pool? Dross that is explicitly for going to those in need - for healing, or for those damaged by banality."

"The dross the fire itself produces... that goes first to those who serve the Barony."

Dubh nods "I think the restoration of the childlings may change numbers ... you..hired a young owl pooka?"

"Stuart." She smiles. "He's a reader, it seems."

"I have him also doing work in the library" Hope says then her eyes widen "Sir Dubh. I hope I'm not.. none of this is chancellior stuff ? Is it? Oh.. some of it might be. I don't want to..." A bit scared.

Dubh is startled, then his face gentles "Steward, please, never apologize for giving the Baroness good council. I can only imagine what you've been through here. And I am grateful. I assure you, I'll have opinions on inventory in return."

Hope relaxes "Thank you"

"Commoners are stakeholders in this barony, and must be part of its management. Period."

Dubh nods

"Oh my, that sounds very big city" Hope actually smiles "But it's kind. Yes."

"It's not kindness to give someone their due. Every kith has their unique gifts to contribute. Sidhe are inclined to leadership, but leading is knowing how to work with people."

"Well, the reason I mention the childlings" Dubh says "Is that we have one more among among us. And.. she is inclined towards leadership"

"Oh?" She sits up, wings perked.

Hope has probably already learned that Sparrow's wings are akin to a dog's ears - telegraphing moods that her face might conceal.

"Which room is mine?" A voice says, a familiar one. A Gwydion girl with luggage from behind Dubh beams smugly

Sparrow laughs. "Hello, Caitir. Is this to stay or visit?"

She says "To Stay, of course! " She bows "You need a Gwydion or this whole thing could fall apart" She says "We must not allow that to happen!"

Hope whispers 'Dramatic little thing isn't she?"

Dubh mouths 'you have NO idea'

A shrug. "As she says - Gwydion."

"There is a suite near the infirmary and still-room..."

"Good." Then Catir bows "It's so good to see you on a throne of your own. I'm so PROUD of you, Baroness"

Sparrow blushes. "This wasn't exactly.. ah.. planned."

"Of course not," Catir says "Sir Dubh told me how Lady Captain Siv needed the right person for the job and she called you. Smart for a Fiona that one"

"Have sword, will travel."

"I am going to miss Emma," Catir says, apparently she reather liked the healer of Earth Runes "And others. ANd I fear Bronte shall get fat without being properly hunted now and then. But now is the time to step into the light and bring new hope to ...what are we calling this barony?" the girl wrinkles her nose "You're not leaving a BALOR name on it are you? Ugh"

"No, I am not. I was considering Bright Winds..."

"I like that" the girl says "You should send out your herald and announce it so. Should I go to my room now, my liege?"

"I don't have a herald yet!"

Dubh says straight faced "She has a chancelior , and Miss Hope is Steward...."

"Temporarily" Hope throws in

"And Wenceslaus is reeve to the sluagh" He finishes

"I will need at least one more reeve. A satyr or older eshu might be suited - with as spread out as this territory seems to be, we might have quite a ways until we hit another domain."

Catir ponders this, then nods "Well, I suppose defeating the villain and saving the people WERE the things you had to do first. " this is acceptable "Let me know if you require Gwydion's wisdom. I shall take these things to my room"

Hope doesn't know that 'Gwydion's wisdom' means (Truth Dar folks like a hot lamp in a police interogation)

"Yes, Dame Caitir. Make sure you check out the view!"