#debukefarmhold

She raises an eyebrow. "Really? Another?" Oh, Clem knows that sparkle.

"Yes, and I assume one of us."

"But it's a secret?"

"It's a secret to me, and I'm the Chief. Murray doesn't either and..." A stop "OH dear. Zara... maybe i hsouldn't have said anything"

"What?"

"You got that look in your eye" She says

"I have a look?" Innocent.

"More than one, the one you had and are now hiding was that 'oo a challenge to find' look or 'A secret you say?'"

Prim. "I am certain I have no idea."

"You do remember I've been your friend for years now?"

Arched brow

"True..."

"But wouldn't you also like to know?"

"of course I do, I'm human" She says "Well, part human."

"Just a tiny part." Grin.

A smile "I do get curious, yes. But I also can leave well enough alone. Now, it's up t you if you go nosing in Uncle emmit's work and such, but I remind you he 's protective of his students"

"Of course. But... we could study together!

"You're ahead of whoever it is I think." A shrug "Seriously, Zara, you are the smartest woman I know"

She piffs. "I am well-read."

"Incredibly so. Frankly, when I'm around you and Earl I sometimes feel a bit uncultured"

"I could make a reading list for you, too..." She holds up the tablet.

Clem laughs "Too busy I fear"

Tuts.

"Zara, I have new kithain, old stubborner kithian, flood managment, all on top of the usual farming.. and setting disputes. I don't have time to read about the maiden Lady Lydia Jane and her unwholesome attraction to the dashing gardener Rowel, an attraction, if she gave into, would be the ruination of her social standing and family's future prosperity"

"You do, however, have time to read Sun Tzu."

"I did take a peek at that once... standard storm reading around here, but it has been years as I wasn't heading for Storm"

"It is not only for Storms - the Art of War is a book as much about avoiding it, about leadership and negotiation and diplomacy. The Prince, too... aye... you should know what the dukes and princes are studying, where they come from."

"The Republic, of course... some Emma Goldman..." And now she's writing a list.

"Mmm maybe" She says obviously being swayed "Make me a better leader eh?"

"Precisely. Granting you the wisdom of a hundred generations."

"You should sell vintage cars" Amused "Okay, make the list I'll try to make room for at least two of them"

"I... I shall star the most important..."

"How about one that's not too dry?"

Zara nods. "Oh, you should enjoy Goldman, she's a firebrand..."

"oo goldman is a lady? "

"Aye, and one of the People."

"Oh, very important then." She says with a nod "Wasn't she Israel Prime minister or something?"

"Ah, no. She was a displaced Russian anarchist and rabble-rouser."

"Oh. wow. Okay yeah, on the list"

A firm nod. Scribble scribble.

"Huh. Mostly I've been reading the diaries and journals of former chiefs" Thoughtful

"Which are also useful, of course. Earth Runes has some Fiona treatises - written by a satyr, but an ennobled one. An interesting perspective."

"I suppose it would" She nods "Mind you, the elders worry about 'noble propoganda' on the farm"

She sniffs. "Know thy enemy."

"Good point" She says "But we got quite a few books from the founding fathers around here if you go to look. American revolution... George Washtington was a troll or troll kinain"

Said with certainty

"He was, what, six foot five?"

"And distressingly... forthright..."

"Six foot five to mortal eyes" She says "And very stoic and reserved"

"I will grant this, I think. Fitting."