#anywhere

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St Louis is not exactly next door, but with the right trods and means, well, it doesn't take that long.

Coradel did let August know where she was going, but stated that she wanted to go on her own. Maybe she's expecting to have to get tempermental, and she doesn't want August there to, ah, temper her? Either way...she's here now.

The hold remains an odd one, at least the entry, a giant sculpture of a head ... on it's ear. Mortals entering can peek out an eye and go no where. Enchanted? Oh they can enter the hold.

She rather likes the quirkiness of the locale, and soon she is making her way into the hold proper.

As before, she finds herself entering a lattice of works.
If one can imagine an inverted face turned into a mutlilayered framework of a building, that might describe the seat of power at the Duchy of Hawthorne. Far bigger than the mortal creation that gave it shape, Crowds from the various balconies walks and outcroppings gaze up and down, as the Baroness enters for she has come into the mid section. A boggan herald sees her and bows "Shall I announce you, Baroness?"

"I would appreciate that, thank you." A small, courteous smile, but the boggan can certainly tell that she's a bit tense.

Jance troll and the Bard of the court looks surprised o see her, and inclines her head before she's even announced

A nod back, a bit curious at her surprise. Certainly I'm not a regular, but is she more surprised than that alone?

"Your Graces, come to court, I present to you, Baroness Coradel Truthbranch ap Fiona BannerHouse Truthbranch, ruler of the tried and tested Barony of Earthrunes and the hold of same name!"

Their graces have not aged much at all, advantage of being wilders with a hold. They are NOT gazing lovely in each ohter's eyes, but nor are they glaring at each oher when they turn their gaze to her

Coradel steps forward gracefully and offers a full formal curtsy to them. "Your Graces."

"Do you request a private audiance," The Duchess tils her horned head, her tone indicating she's pretty sure the Baroness does.

"I would appreciate that, yes, your grace," Coradel says as she stands again. Good, that's one awkward battle I won't have to fight. On to the rest.

"Then follow me" The Duke rises. His wife gives him a look "I mean us, of course" He corrects.

And they lead the baroness into a private smaller chamber, but a luxurious one none the less

Coradel does so, glancing over to the bard again as she goes to see if she can gauge her reaction to this.

Sympathy! Is that sympathy? that's not a good sign

"Thank you for meeting with me, your graces," Coradel says as the doors to the chamber close behind her.

The door closes behind her

And the Duke turns "Would you like some wine? " He offers where a tray stands with options

The Duchess is already reaching for hers.

"I would, thank you." She goes to the tray and claims a glass with a deep red beverage. She takes a small sip as she waits for them to sit before she begins.

They do, getting their own.

"How fares your hold?" The Duchess asks.

A slight smile. "Earthrunes is well and strong, your grace. Our fae thrive, and our hold's beauty increases. And it seems all goes well here, as well?" Manners and custom before substance.

"It's good to hear," The Duke says "We had feared the loss of your daughter, though we are glad she has claimed her own glory, to the area would hinder Earth Runes. The Duchy thrives as well, though the challenges are many. "

"We feel Derynwydd's absence, of course, but it is so deeply satisfying to know of her victory over that dreadful baron that that the sting of her absence is softened in the knowledge of the great good she is doing." A sip. "And you bring me to the point I wished to address, your graces. I suspect you will not be surprised that I wish to speak with you about young Lord Hume." Oh, she can't keep just the slightest touch of a sour tone out of her words at the name, no matter how hard she tries.

"He's a very different sort of heir, isn't he?" The Duchess says trying to rally a sort of praising tone, "Amazing at computers."

"Yes, he is that" A nod from the Duke

"That is what I'm given to understand, yes, your graces. Which makes me wonder...why send him to Earthrunes?"

"With Baroness Derynwydd gone, a new Regent was required to provide a failsafe should the worse happen," The Duke explains "Further more, our liege, the Queen of Grass, herself a Dougal, expects some of her House brothers and sisters to be provided for or at least given the chance to make place for themselves."

Coradel blinks. "This comes from...her majesty?"

"Not specifcally, but there isp ressure in general"

Coradel takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "Your Graces...he is not a good fit at Earthrunes, to put it bluntly. He does not interact with anybody, remains shut away in his room, and does not participate in any activity unless directly instructed to do so. I don't see how he is likely to become a suitable heir who can serve and protect my people properly in my absence."

"Truthfully, do you see him, as he is, a good fit to be regent anywhere?" The Duke says. The Gwydion's eyes reading the truth of her.

She frowns. "Perhaps in a Dougal hold. I certainly had thought I would have had the same right as my own patron to choose my own heir."

"Your patron was late in his life and, let us be honest, knew a great deal of soothsay and necessity," The Duchess says "But he had patience with you, and with the help of others, molded you into your own woman rather than a copy of himself. Surely you and yours are up to the task of bettering the lad?"

"He was late in his life and had not yet been forced to name an heir," she points out with just the slightest bit of petulance. A sigh. "He has to meet me part way. He has no interest at all in interacting with members of my hold. How will he inspire them to follow him?"

"In truth he was much the same here," The Duke says "We had hoped the ... energy of Earth runes, would drag him out of his shell somewhat more than here. Here we have higher court constantly or nearly so, your court, while no less dedicated, works through parties and more. Further I... " A glance to his wife, then back at the Baroness "It is possible he has a place in nthe D'aan"

"I have had, visions of him. I can say no more" the Duchess explains

"I had wondered if that were going to be the case," she says of the visions. "So I have no recourse?"

"In the interest of justice to you, who your immediate lieges speak highly of.. you do have some recourse" He says "Though not simply his dismisal"

"All right. I'd like to hear what you mean, your grace."

A frown "In truth, it does not serve me to tell you, but Gwydion is the just house so.." He says "You may demand recompense to help provide for his needs while he is in your hold, to pay for time, food, ..effort. Within reason. You might even ask we assign someone to assist you in teaching him " A breath "The other caveat is that you are within your rights to insist that if the boy does not improve within a year and a day, you will have shown good faith effort and he must find a new domain then"

A nod at the first...and a much more interested look at the second. "It is my decision of what qualifies as 'improvements'?"

"You may submit your expectations to us, and we reserve the right to veto things we find a bit too extreme... for example, it is unlikely Lord Hume will ever be a great warrior, and expectations of the same are clearly over the top"

"He has already made that argument. I have no hope or intention of ever attempting that, but I do expect that he should learn some skills in defense, at least."

"You have absolute dominion over your demense. If need be," the Duchess says "That includes over the property he has brought with him."