#anywhere

The boy looks at Zara "Is quid no pro a thing? did i get that right?"

"Mixed tea, Master Slip."

"Ah yes, mixed tea" he says to Cauley, then turns back to miss Zara "More cream?"

"I am fine, thank you."

"Folks often think Canada is overtly cold, but I find it warm enough, and delightfully gray and overcast enough to enjoy" slip observes mannerly "why even a sluagh might not be sure who another sluagh is, even when they paralel a kith sister" a sip

Cauley twitches while things are done in a 'round about' way. Dougals DO. But for now she holds it in.

"I suppose it is flattering such strict security was attempted to contain me."

Slip nods "Everyone is most mystified by your skill and in a bit of a tizzy searching for you. I am sure you enjoy a tizzy, but your sister , who i have spied on, is worried. she went to the dungeons for you, but of course you were not there."

"I will seek them, after this."

Slip nods "I am sorry I do not know who the other sluagh was who trailed along side. I reported you to Cauley though."

"Someone knew me, my name, my face, and told the boggans."

Cauley says "But I knew you were going to be framed, I would never send slip against another sluagh without making sure they were doing terrible things, or even spill other sluagh's secrets. Just like he wouldn't give copies of my work"

"i wouldn't" slip assures his friend then says "someone had them ready week...well days in advance, miss zara. I think someone has a treasure that lets them read glimpses of what's to be, but... i cannot find it."

Cauley says "Or it could be that your work against the carriages elsewhere attracted attention"

"Darespark was far too occupied for much subterfuge."

"My bet would be Nathair," Cauley says "He covered for Darespark while she was with her love 'rathbone'. We never knew." A sniff "Lazy Balor, faking being REAL crafters"

Slip hangs his head in guilt "should have known, imthesluagh"

"Sluagh are not omniscient, we merely play so."

"If we were, why, how could we ever discover new things?"

"She's right, Slip. Dougals are supposed to be good crafters but we make mistakes lots of times" She puts her hand on her friend's shoulder, but only barely "You're the sneakiest boy i know, and without you the crazed crusaders would be blind to so much."

Slip perks up "you're both kind. and i like new things so yes, i'll get better and learn from mistakes." he ponders "even carmen san diego gets caught now and then"

"Exactly."

More tea is sampled, and Cauley says "Uhm.. your bar... err friend August and Tziporah helped save my life. I lost a good arm but I had a better one made" She shows it off

Slip nods "nathair threw cold iron at her at the dinner table, it got deflected"

"August nearly broke his sword saving me" Cauley states. "We're repairing it."

She examines the arm. "Aye. Tisn't drek, that."

She beams "You speak nocker"

"I am something of a linguist."

"well, I think nockers are fun" she admits "They held the Dougal banner while most sidhe were away, and we should be grateful." A firm nod. She has opinions.

"she has opinions" Slip adds helpfully.

(Pause)