#dreaming

"Is this not a chance?"

"You are here, on a land borne of and for magic."

"Are you a princess or are you a witch?"

"I'm no princess," She stamps her foot, possibly ruining the statement, but goes on, "I'm a witch, ill fitting the expectations of others so I must make my own path in the twilight shadows. A daughter of magic and mystery alike, no man's slave. I drink from the font of wisdom even though it be guarded , and all the sweeter if it is guarded. I want what I will, but I honor the right of any woman to want what she wills as well. I know the power of the broom, not just for flying but for the stroke as it sweeps away that which I do not desire past my step."

Zara raises a spindly arm - an invitation to the hawk.

The hawk flies and lands, SO carefully not to break the thin skin of the Sluagh

Minerva kens, her kenning IS strong, "She's... powerful. That's no ordinary hawk, there's a spell there. She's seething with primal energies. At least as strong in that as you are in Soothsay"

"And what else?"

"I don't know, she's not.. actively using. I feel power, but I can't tell what that is, the primal is in front of it like an oak blocking an equally impressive rowan"

She scritches the hawk's nares. "What do you think, Land?"

Clem the hawk tilts her head enjoys the scritch, then says "Well, Field approves if River does."

Minerva processes, "Rules of trhree... Field? RIVER? " A look "Fire must.. oh your'e the ones. Two of the ones"

"The River... does not object."

"She's quick" Clem states

Zara nods.

A roar of flame, "What the hell? I thought we put up the diverting wards to keep nobles out of this place?"

Ah, Flame is not subtle

As the nocker comes up "Bad enough seems like Field and River aren't here half the time, who let her in?" SHe points to Minerva, but clearly expects Zara or Clem to answer

"We did, but she is not titled."

"You would scold me about nobles in this place? You know the rules."

The hawk flies up then lands, a troll again. No midriff exposed, pity. Not because Clem isn't fun Seelie, but her exploits for romance novel purposes are more intriguing when she lets herself be a bit savage

"What, is she Scathach?" The nocker scratches her chin as Clem 'rejoins' them

"I'm Eiluned," Minerva lifts her chin, "A proud daughter of the house of Secrets, though that is not ALL I am or intend to be"

"Arcadian, to boot."

"How do we know she won't loot the place? Take the secrets and run back ot her house hoping for a knighthood?" Flame asks

"Indeed. How?"

"Oaths, Use of the contract Art, I know you don't have geasa, but you are witches, Field, Flame, and River..." Minerva holds out her hand, "I am no titled noble, and no titled noble is allowed. You three must know Da'an's humors better than most, certainly you, River. I don't believe in mere chance. If Da'an wants me to learn how titles mean less than I thought they did, then this would be how it could teach me. If you wish to have witches of every kith, then maybe Da'an has provided you one who cannot dictate to you by some claim of title. River knows who I am, indeed, she knows where I sleep. How much more precaution or power over me do you need?"

Zara takes the hand and pricks Minerva's finger with a needle. (Where was she hiding it? Who knows.)

She scoops up the dirt which Minerva had earlier attempted to omen, and squeezes three drops of the sidhe's blood onto it.

"The River may nourish or devour. But, know this, if you betray the Haven, water shall turn to dust in your throat." She adds three drops of HER blood, before holding the needle out to Clem. Magic gathers.

The soft loam awaits Clem's intonation.

Clem takes the needle, and pricks herself as well, three more drops of blood from the troll ... from the field mix, "The field welcomes many, and tests them also, but if you betray any sister here who is not herself betraying the haven, you find your steps start to know pain when they pause, and there will be no rest on the land for you." She hands it over to the last of them, though not the least.

Three more drops, from the nocker "Fire will not be furking mocked, and never really mastered even by those who learn to tap it's power. If you seek to conquer the haven or lead others to conquer it in exchange of favor, your eyes will see only smoke and haze, as if your own ambitions blinded you"

Minerva takes a breath, this is power, she can feel it. I nthe haven she has no defense against the three

Zara offers the bit of blood-soaked earth to Minerva. "Take this into yourself, accept its burden, and be welcome here." Does the sluagh mean for her to swallow it?

She takes it, and, then, whatever was meant, stirs it with a finger at first, smearing three marks on her head. One on the brow, one on each cheek. Then she takes the remainder, and mixes it with a water skin, it is essentialy mud now, but more.. palatable? perhaps. She takes a breath, "I hear the words of the three, and understand. I abide by their rules , I honor this pact, for as long as I am treated as a sister as the other witches here, I shall so act and abide. I am neither above, nor below, save by the wisdom I earn. Share with me, and I shall share with other sisters as is proper." Eying the stuff, she ...takes one large swallow of bloody and muddy water!

"No cleverness. Nay. If you are cast out for other reasons, betrayal of our secrets shall still bear down. This secret is for life, unless you are released by Field, River, and Flame."

"But I shall be treated fairly? Given no less chance than.." She gags "Any nocker, sluagh, or troll?" She might throw up

Clem ponders "I'm good with that, River? Nice catch on her little word play there though. Eiluned gotta Eiluned I Guess"

"The world is not fair, Minerva. But you will be a sister here."

"Hey, " The flame nods "Cain and Abel were brothers" A smirk "Argeed."

A glance at Clem to confirm.

Clem nods "World's not fair, but we strive for justice "

Zara nods. "For justice, aye."

"I do agree to all said by the three" The glamour flows and writhes around the sidhe, no, around the witch, as her peasant's kirtle and dress change to a more classic witch guise, a defiance of peasant or princess, such positions are bestowed by society, witches are themselves, gathering names, prying into the shadows others seek to drive back with safe campfires.

And yes, she has a lovely hat, a witches hat, with three tassels, artful, but also reminder of the oath of Field, Flame, and River

Zara smiles. "So, welcome Sister Minerva. You can meet Book!"

She looks down at her outfit, "I do believe I feel a cackle coming on," then she turns green, not with any Ozian affectaction, but rather "I think I need to throw up first. Excuse me please." And she moves behind a tree to throw up

Flame snorts "Some elves just can't hold their blood and mud"

"I'm going to get her something to wash that taste out, " Clem says kindly, "You show her Book. She'll love him."