#anywhere

"Not a bit" she says "They're under magiked for defense of the place I think"

A scowl. "Not my forte."

"Mine neither" A frown "This place is ..easy pickings.. .unless they have some real aces under their sleeves"

He huffs.

"They guard the motley, though. Protect each other, or at least some of them it seems."

"True. I have an idea, but I don't know if it will be enough" She frowns

"Mmm. Share?"

"The DeBukes. They could hanndle the food for this place, offer to put up wards, and would probably get a kick out of it. They're as blunt as hammers in most tactics but it's something"

He pauses. "I'm not used to thinking about that approach. Hm. True. But....."

"Please, if you have another suggestion, I'm nnot crazy about the DeBuke solution if there's a better"

"I suppose it could be done. Just in case, I'd prefer the suggest didn't come from you."

"now that's a good point. How do we suggest it then?"

"Hm." He kicks off his shoes and sits in a comfortably appointed easy chair, thinking.

"If there were a third party. Someone we could.... point at the DeBukes with stories of this place, or vice versa... and have them connect the two parties....."

He lifts an eyebrow. "Oh my."

"Oh my?" She knows that look "you thought of someone"

A smirk creeps onto his lips, and grows up to be a smile.

"Indeed."

"There would be...some expense but....."

"Yes. I think that would suit."

"I am very curious now you know that?" A smile "But whoever is I'll back your play"

"A book tour."

"OH?" Now very curious

"A Broken Crown book tour. Starting in .... Kansas City perhaps but then Des Moines, cities westward, and ending in eclectic little bookshops in northern California."

"How will that defend the hold?" Curious tilt "Oh, but it might spread support..."

"We just need to arrange that stories of each hold reach each other, yes?"

"Yes.. oh!"

He thinks again, then looks up ".... a.... book tour, with signings and.... readings. Of a new work. As yet incomplete. About ... these fantasy lands growing a network of support for each other."

"I could certainly drop off a book at the farm covertly"

"I think... I should. My authors, after all. And if there is blame that attaches, well....."

"I won't get in your way then" She kisses his cheek

He chuckles and stands. "Well, it's a rough plan. We'll need to work on it a bit. For now though.... rest?"

"And dinner.." She says "But definnitely rest. I did a lot of walking today"

And she rubs his shoulders "And I know you're a bit sore from it too"

He chuckles. "Happily I was able to wash the worst of the grass stains off my .... but you know where I made contact with the grass." He smirks.

"I'll get my shoes on and we'll join them for mediocre chicken and green beans, yes?"

A throaty chuckle "Yes and.. yes" And she kisses him and waits for him to put his shoes on.

(End Scene)