#bergen_county

"Boggans."

"I know, rite?" He says exasperated

"Totally." And she helps gather up parts and pieces.

and so it turns into a minor gripe session about the tyranny of boggans, and Dagmar is a good ear. Meanwhile, the two have the parts of what any nocker would see as a TRUE treasure

(End Scene)

Gerd is actually NOT in the lodge. She's at the Gardener House...

She's been reading for hours, and is raptly fascinated.

Bronte INSISTED on following the book, and is perched atop the troll's head to read.

Oddly, the witch doesn't mind this and chats with the bookwyrm a bit now and then "Amazing... the knowledge of soothsay isn't.. isn't new, but some of the ramfications... and the influence it has over the land. I think this book explains how the sidhe do it"

"Not that you can duplicate it per se, well, not without a fief of your own.." Flip page

There's a knock on the door to her room

"yes?" She says trying not to sound annoyed

"I had a vision where a raven clad in white and a hunter who fired rainbows sought you out."

"Oh, that's just Zara and Earl; if they come by to day please let me know. "

Vali mmphs, his vision normally get more of a fuss, "Okay."

and he leaves the door.

She goes back to reading

Bronte ahems... she's been waiting while Vali intruded. Could Gerd please pick up speed?

"Fussy fussy,"" Gerd says but picks up her pace a touch

By the time she's done a read, Gerd sets the book down and gapes. "Wow."

A gentle rap.

Vali opens the door to the house "Ah, as was foretold. She's in her room. Expecting you." He gives directions "Want me to bring in some tea for you guys?"

"Tea would be lovely, thank you."

"Never try to surprise a Beaumayn."

"I'll bring it right down" Vali says with a smile "Well, you can, but we'll probably pretend you didn't. Rep to maintain." he says and heads off to get that tea. While Earl and Zara make their way to room claimed ..partially, by Gerd. THe door is open, and Gerd's room seems spartan, barely claimed.

"I like the new digs.."

"Thanks, We'll see if they stick" She says a bit of a sigh, then an amused glance over to a corner, "I believe your bookwyrm is over there."

Indeed, over a dozen books , some Vali's, some Gerd's, have been piled into a teeny fort/Cave, and within, a dragon purrs

"The brat." Affectionate.

"Vali joked about stealing her cave, and she used some very impressive insults from Chaucer and Shakespeare"

"Oh, the big guns."

Bronte's voice can be heard "“You haven't been bit till a dragon does it.”
― Tamora Pierce, Emperor Mage"

"I know, Darling."

"You have read the book?" To Gerd.

Earl grins

"Oh I want to reread it again," Gerd says "I thought this couldn't be sidhe made, but I hate to say, the sidhe notes are in there. Theories not just on Soothsay, but soothsay influencing KINGDOMS... as infused in the land... through the ruler. Zara, it's a way to enhance the 'ruler and the land are one' style of magic... " A breath "or diminish it"

"Oh... oh, my."

"Yes, I see why the Eiuned might kill for it."

"...And why she mustn't have it."

"From hell's heart we spit at her" Bronte adlibs. She is no longer a child and may paraphrase as suits

Earl chokes "That's what... that's what it's about?"

"In part, in large part," Gerd nods, "Understand I've only read it through once."

"I wonder if, mayhaps, it could go to the Library..."

And she bites her lip "You have no idea how conflicted I am about handing this book over, but it's Bronte's by right, and witch should not counter witch lightly"A nod of respect

"I would not see this in any noble hands, truth."

"Even the Chieftain? She's.. she's a good soul," Gerd says

"I do not disagree - but she is sworn into the system."

"Her oaths would obligate her to hand the book over."

"If Hemlock asked, yes. If he knew, he might ask, and ..she won't hide it from him" Gerd frowns "This... I see your point. I don't like it. And I feel like I'm betraying a good woman."

"Well - is the book yours to claim?"