#debukefarmhold

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Sometime earlier...

Earl returns to the farm, diplomatic regalia on still. He looks quite dignified.

Zara is immersed with a book about Enochian, that doesn't seem to have any actual information on real Enochian...

Vashti is working with needle and thread, loaned to her by the kindly trolls.

Clem is going over images and paper and planning.

The door to the main area of the farm opens and Earl comes in looking rather dashing with the snow behind him.

He leaves it open a bit long as he smiles at the picturesque scene particularly zara.

Bronte, of course, is trying to read a page ahead of Zara...

"Earl, come in, close the door with that cold behind you... where were you raised?" Clem says

Earl thinks about it, then responds "A barn" but he closes the door behind him as directed

Clem gives Zara a look "I think you've let him grow a little too Sassy"

"Good morning, Love."

"Tis how I like it, Clem."

"Fair enough" Then "How'd it go, the mission?"

Earl responds to Zara first, as he feels i should be "Morning, my love." then to Clem "Chieftain, we have the Shacklebreaker."

Quick, Make a statue!

Vashti looks about "your fourth wall is noisy here, but...carry on. Wait, thou hast the storm of vale and river?"

"I suspect Brekke dislikes enslavement as much as I do."

"Hence the name, nu?"

Clem smiles, "More like, I suspect, that she'd be ticked if she was left out of it. And yeah, she's got no love for slavery, but more than that, she'd never dignify it with a response, but i suspect a part o her likes getting into the thick of it now and then. She's a grandame, but she's not as tame a falcon as she makes out."

"Now, others of her lodge we may or may not have, she's planning things and will get back to us soon. Probably send her own messenger." Earl says

"Convenient, having that trod..." She looks up, considering.

"Clem, would Agnes be interested in a Shakespeare Garden, do you think?"

"She ...a what?" Clem says.

Earl sighs "youdon't know what a Shakespeare Garden is?" Appalled

"In theory, Shakespeare Gardens.. ah.. foster trods. To others of their ilk."

Clem rolls her eyes "Forgive my lack of culture, we're still intstalling the Oscare Wilde Outhouse"

Then she grows curious "Fosterign trods mmm? Our Hearth is a practical woman, She's not always into gardens that don't provide nourishment for the belly but there are exceptions"

Earl explains the point and purpose of the gardens "And it would give us an excuse to do a local play that isn't The Music Man"

"And Vassar has one. I know not if it is a trod.. but some magical encouragement?"

"I would prefer not to be reliant on an Eiluned hold. They may question my sojourns more than I would like..."

"mmm might draw atetnion of Eiluned here, Zara. We're still a bit shy about nobles. But if only a few had a way to open it on our end, yourself among them, yes I think we could try that."

"Aye. And I tell you, going to the Eiluned hold, and using their trods..."

"Dougal are incurious beyond their machines, and Little Shy Zara beneath notice."

"But I do not think I would have such grace in a new home."

Earl ponders "If I may? If you want to keep the Eiluned away?"

Clem raises a brow "yes?"

"Be dull" he advises

Vashti laughs "Ah, tis the way to drive off spiders... "

"I am dull." Innocent look.

"At the Hollow, I ever shall be the child I was. Timid, bookish, a,,, little white mouse, nu?"

"To tell them, say, I was a sorceress and a seer - they would laugh, would disbelieve it."

Clem grins and looks at Zara "And if they learn of the farm, maybe w'ell give them a tour of cows, and..oh corn, so much corn."

Vashti nods "Sidhe are immune, utterly immune to chicanery"

"Aye, my brave, clever sister."

Vashti blushes "still,moon mages are sublime as termites if they do get in your wood work. Be cautious?"

"Cautious? We're practiced paranoid' Clem says and nods "Okay. We have the Storm of Rivervale. She's worth any ten other warriors and I can't believe she'll go alone. "

"I shall. I respect their magical skill, I understand their inquisitive urges... but I want neither pointed in my direction."

"Smart" Earl says thoughtful.