#dreaming

"Well done" The Knight in green says "I thank you, Miss Raven, Sir Hunter"

Denys fights an eye roll at being ignored

"Fair travels, Sir Mykron."

"I am not seelie, but if there is some favor I can do in exchange for this service?" he takes the horse shoe, and with a bit of magic, it refastens "Leave me know?"

"I know the oak's reputation for graciousness and hospitality. Perhaps da'an will have our path's cross again."

"If so, you shall see that reputation is well earned" He assures "Fly well on the wings of fate"

and then he mounts his horse, and rides off

'Denys' watches him go then sighs "LIke I wasn't even here"

She nods. "Aye. And likely for the best, nu? We do not wish noble meddling in our affairs."

"truuuuuee" he says reluctantly, then the satyr smirks "Besides Sir Earl?"

"Earl is different. Aye, call me hypocrite - but he is no stranger."

Earl takes Zara's hand, and kisses it

"I kind of like most nobles I've met" Zane admits "Drives MOuntain Emmit nuts. He says I'm too trusting with them"

"Nobles are a mixed lot - tis the system itself I object to. While I can like individuals, I despise how they are accorded such power without accountability."

"Yes, but aren't we commoners just as guilty not going to the lords above the corrupt lords? " Zane points out

Earl raises a brow "You're a bit contrary, you know that Zane?"

"No I'm not" Zane say then breaks out in a grin

"Ah, grovelling that some bigger despot mind the smaller, rather than making the ruler answerable to their subjects."

"Let he with the most might rule the weak."

"Well, that's why we want more commoner kiths to be elevated, so they can share the experiences of the non sidhe and encourage greater community" He says as they walk on. Zane is happy to talk

"And pray that your dictator be benevolent. That they are not conquered in pennons. That their heirs prove true. Pray for luck and good fortune, for you are a pawn of fate."

"We all are" he says

"Not all of us."

Earl gazes to the side "Wow"

"I will not be a passive subject."

"What do you mean not all of us?" Zane asks "Even with your sooth say if D'an has decreed they rule, then the best we can do is direct some of the strings, we can't break free of..- " Then he turns "Wow?"

earl points. There, far off the trod. lumbering along, is a dinosaur. No other word for it. It's a great Brontosaurus, old and wrinkled even for a reptile

A quiet eyebrow at the sight.

And moving behind it, small young bronto babies, like a grandparent taking the grand kids out for a walk

A little smile.

"weird. I've seen dragons but dinosaurs are still cool" Zane mutters

"it's not weird. Dinosaurs rock" Earl says

"Thank you" The old Brontosaurus says in a voice that carries, and it does sound like a grand mother's voice "It's nice to meet folks who appreciate us. What do you say, children?"

Invoices like young boys and girls, the little brontos says "thank you very much" "You're very kind" "We DO rock"

"Very polite." Approving.

"Where are you going if one may ask?" The old bronto inquires

"On a quest."

"Ah," The old one nods "If it's for a grail, don't bother, there are so many of them now it's causing fights over which one is real" The Bronto dame says

"it's for a river that.." Zane starts to blurt

Zara makes WIDE eyes at Zane.

And he sees it and clamps down

Earl nudges the satyr then says "Forgive us, grand dame. Such talk might not be suitable for the young"

"Awwww" go the kids

A gentle shake of her head. Satyrs.

"Well, there are many rivers in the dreaming" the old one says "But I understand. Ware of Styx and Lethe, of course. And you'll find far too many seeking a river that leads to the Fountain of Youth but that is far far deeper by necessity. You will soon be on a river and possibly get travel down it if you wish to pay for passage. It's waters are not dangerous in themselves, for silver traces are on the surface, but you wouldnot want to swim IN it , not without risk"

"Well, youth, at least, we have..."

"I see that" A chuckle from the great thunder beast "be well, little young ones. Say good bye to the mammals' children"

"Good bye, mammals" "It was very nice meeting you" "Do you suck eggs?" A light tap on that one "I mean, safe travels"

Earl says "I have never eaten nor sucked a dinosaur egg in my life. "

That makes the little brontos beam with relief