#anywhere

"Racing." August identifies.

"Never to harm the horse, of course.. and not always formally"

"Ah, of course, of course." he nods "The Sport of Kings, after all."

"It always seems to cheer him" almost idly "Puts him in a better mood"

August nods soberly "Many forget that the construction of the word 'recreation' is 'Re-Creation,' 'Creation' from the Latin 'creationem' meaning 'a creation, a making.' To 'recreate' is to remake oneself, to refresh and renew."

Sir Durnor looks impressed, and nods "My own kith is not given to an excess of the same, but it is needed from time to time. You're a learned man, Baron, many of your House are. Do you speak many languages? I've tried learning welsh, but it's proven difficult"

"Welch?" Interest sparks in his grey eyes "No, I wouldn't say I'm fluent in any but English. Sometimes, it seems, not even that." with quiet humor "A smattering of academic Latin, a few words in other languages; polite phrases. I have a friend who is, I think, a polyglot."

"Ah," A nod "A gift I envy, linquistic skills"

"Indeed." after a moment "Sir, may I ask what position you hold at court?" politely.

"Of course" he says "I am a knight sworn to the Duke specifically but I would die for the Duchess as well" He says it without boast, as if he were explaining the expected time for sunrise tomorrow "I have no role beyond that though I have their trust. Some would consider me a Captain of the Guard, but in truth the thanes handle their duties well without me and I pull rank rarely"

"A leader leads by example, not by force. Sun Tzu." he says, sounding.... like a wee dragonette?

"Ah, Sun Tzu" He nods "You cannot appreciate his works until you have read them in their original trollish" Deadpan

A head-tilt, thinking.

"Ah." he offers a smile in recognition of the joke "Of course."

The troll looks, for a moment, just a bit sheepish "Pardon. It is an oldie but a goodie with many variations. I do find the words of wisdom from history fascinating. THey are insights into what dreams mattered to some of the dreamers at the time. And those words clearly echo thorugh the ages, helping the dreams we are today"

"I could not agree more, Sir."

"I do believe Synestra has moved on to new prey. I say this not to dismiss you, I find you fine company in fact, but so that if you wish to mingle more I can introduce you or you can make your own path"

"Ah. Truth to tell, Sir... ah, social events are more Baroness Coradel's bailiwick than my own." no shame, just plain honesty.

"I am no social butterfly either" He admits "Feel free to stay in this corner with me then, it may buy you some shelter from too many who would draw you into machinations"

"I'm not... afraid, Sir." he says clearly "Social events such as this are part of my life; there is nothing to fear in them, for me. Events such as this, however, are not where I shine." a glance, and there is only one who shines in his eyes; the red-head talking and laughing, center court.

The knight glances over to the Baroness "She's a blazing ruby of a woman, if I may say, Baron. All sidhe are beautiful, but she demands attention with her energy as well"

"Yes." his love and admiration evident even to a troll.

"I hope all can be mended" He sips his drink

"Mended? Is ought broken?"

"Forgive me. I speak too freely"

August nods, understanding "And having spoken so, may continue. I keep confidences, Sir."

"I detest gossip, but cannot always escape it. Let's just say, there is a belief that Earth Runes is actively disdainful of the Duke and Duchess, and even passively agresively scorns them"

Nonplussed blinking. "There is?"

"You say there is not?" He tilts his head "Answer straight since you pursued for this confidence, please"

"I...... ah, I had honestly not heard such a thing but I tend to miss rumors."

"You have not? Mmm" A frown "Something feels amiss"

"But your words ring true" a Gwydion nod

"Sir, it's entirely possible such rumors exist, however incorrect they might be. I say only that I have not heard them. Either because of my own, many, blind spots or perhaps because none risked telling me directly."

As forthright as a troll.

"Yet, the rumors do not appear to flow from the source, at least if I hear you right. This confuses me"

"The... source?"

He seems mystified; rumors have a source? That is, one that is not a boggan? A clear moment's reflection and his expression communicates... well yes, of course, there must be a source......

"Earth Runes itself. Your jester coming here to make light of their graces, comments from your staff about tyrants forcing an heir on you of no worth.. " He souns as if he'd reciting

"I see."

He sounds.... grim.

"You have heard nothing of this?"

"Just recently, since our arrival for this visit, I have been made aware of a few things." he admits "As we've discovered, I am not part of the, ah, rumor mill on a regular basis."

A nod "Again: I am confused"

"I think we both are, Sir. You are saying that the rumors are not coming from EarthRunes, yet you site people of EarthRunes committing acts that could lead so such rumors as would suggest disrespect for their Graces and this court, which I can assure you I do not feel, and that the Baroness has not voiced to me. Frustration, yes; she has felt frustrated. But disrespect? No."

"Then somehow, either your subjects are doing this on her behalf, or..." a frown "or something else is going on"

A slow nod. "I have read of 'whisper campaigns.'" he volunteers.

"Intrigues nibbling at the edges of a foundation" A nod

"But... why?"

"Beyond me, Baron. I'm a knight. My preference for my lower rank has much to do with the right if a foe comes after me, I have a good chance of simply stabbing them and all is square. At your level and up, things get complicated"