#dreaming

Zane does sigh at the muck on his wooly legs "Going to take forever to get out"

Apologetic shrug.

They wander along and they are near the river still, but now it is even more fantastical . Zara sees no Rusalka (More is the pity) but there are nymphs lounging on rocks shamelessly, and something serpentine moves through the river nearby.

Zane might well appreciate the languid nymphs...

They seem to appreciate him backk, but he sighs 'They're not on the silver are they?"

"You know they're not," Earl says

"The dreaming is a tease" Zane mutters

Quiet nod.

"you've no idea how many times we've seen books hanging from trees and the like" Earl comments with a glance over at Zara

Wry grin, shrug.

Zane looks at Zara, a bit of a strain as she blends so well now "Sympathies. The lures know their audience"

She nods again. Wistful sigh.

"How'd they try to hook you, Sir Earl?" Zane asks

The troll grunts then admits "One time, I thought i saw zara in danger."

A reassuring pat on Earl's hand.

A light blush but love in his eyes.

She kisses his knuckles. No nymph would dare.

Perhaps the satyr makes her feel bolder in expression of her love for Earl, and vice versa, for Earl strokes Zara's cheek in return.

And then the brooms zoom overhead

A look up - witches?

Witches! Green hunched hags, shapely young enchantresses, slender girls with strain raven hair and gothic flair, a variety of this and more, and all of them with brooms.

She claps, delighted. Pointing, just in case the gentlemen MISSED it.

Zane whistles "need a horned king?"

Waver-hand. Maybe.

The witches turn "Turn him into a toad or bed him?"

"the latter first then the former would be my suggestion"

"Satyr horn has useful properties"

A little finger wag at the witches above.

"Aye, sister, if he is in your good graces we shall leave him be" A chuckle "For good or ill...but what are you doing walking? Have you no broom?"

Sad headshake.

the coven hovers and whispers among each other and zara can of course hear.. 'poor dear' 'well one still has to hover near the silver even the' 'aye eye' 'every bit the witch I am... feel the power?' 'yes but still... would she even be interested?' 'we could ask her'

She eavesdrops!

"you know very well we're not supposed to mention the Broomer to untested witches" Whisper "Not directly" "Sadly no..." "Alas , we cannot just tell her to be on the look out for the white willow" "no, a shame. That IS the way to know you're near the Broomer"

White willow! Broomer! Oh, Earl knows THAT look.

Zane might not...

One of the more sultry looking witches glances down at Zane "I sense a blooming power in you, it has appeal. Risk if you wish pursuing me under a full moon in three years time, Nimue Nightclad some call me. Not my real name, enough, but enough for a wizard of worth to start with"

and then, all the witches fly off

Zane looks lustily at the one who called herself Nightclad as she goes "Three years.."

THrowing him off Zara's own expression

Earl looks at his love and bends down to whisper "Darling. Side tracks have dangers"

"But... worthy ones?"

A rumble she knows. Oh how her wolf toothed lover sometimes tries to be oh so trollishly stoic, but his growl grouse might sound like a bear to others, but it is not so fierce or commanding to her. "and who decides what is worthy?" a hurumph but his eyes are not hard

"What price delight?"

"Well, first you have to wear her down" The troll mutters "get her used to you... not easy when she has caught the eye of many others. I found books with dead flowers pressed against them were a good start.." Oh ho! He teases behind his stoic mask. And..flatters too

A gentle bop.

Now he smiles

"You guys ready to..ah.. pardon. You two need some time alone I can scoot out of ear shot so you can have some privacy" the satyr grins at the couple

"River first, unless we chance upon..."

"Chance upon?" Zane says confused

"Mm.."