#earthrunes

((As the player isn't available right now, will take artistic license.)) Lets it ring while she says to Leonora, "I need to speak to the Baron. Bachdion didn't hear everything."

"Then I guess I'm your escort."

After the phone goes to voice mail, she says, "August, call me. It's important." And hangs up.

Thistlesnort rises to lumber next to his mistress, while the archer waits.

"Yes, let's go." And she's off through the door. If Leonora is going to keep pace with the basselope, she may not keep up with Coradel. "And whoever tranquilized me last night has some explaining to do."

"You really think they're going to confess to it?" She smirks as she keeps up.

They move down the halls with great rapidity.

"Hmph."

They move to the Baron's main throne room and hear "With many of the knights out and about, we are short staffed but no reports of yet of the missing chyrsalid" The herald Inish talking

Coradel makes a predictably sweeping entrance, striding up to the Baron and giving him a deep curtsy. "My Lord."

The Baron rises and nods, "Lady. I am told you had quite the experience last night. Do you not need more rest?"

"I do not care about rest right now, My Lord." She stands. "You must know what Bachdion could not tell you, and I must know more about the search for the child."

"tell me what the good satyr did not know, then. Do I need to clear the court?"

"I do not know, but I think it would be wise for now. Then you may decide what others may hear."

"Very well, Herald??" The Herald closes court, and others withdraw, leaving the Baron with her.

She gives both Leonora and Inish grateful nods, and when the court is cleared, she turns back to the Baron. "My captors said some things before Bachdion arrived, My Lord. First, that their intent was to twist me and make me serve the Shadow Court. That in itself is no surprise. But they also said that the Count would put in power whomever they directed him to put there. My Lord...does that mean our Count is in the Shadow Court as well?"

"It means," he sighs, "That what I feared is true, and while he may not be in the Shadow Court, he is most certainly their puppet. now you know why I have defied my liege."

"This confirms it."

"Yes. I am sorry."

"Can anything be done to...retrieve him?"

He slumps down, "Do not apologize. And if it is the Court, then I doubt their hold is merely geographical"

"No, I understand that. But perhaps...I don't know quite how it works. Can he be...untwisted?"

"That remains to be seen. Of course, if we had evidence I could take it to the Ducal level."

"Evidence. Beyond my eyewitness account?"

"Delores...she heard it too, I'm sure of it."

"We challenge a Count's honor. " He frowns, "That's no light thing on .. mm true, but she serves you. They will try to make it appear as if I am striving to become Count myself." He coughs violently, then says "Amusing giving I will not be about to rule even this barony much longer."

She offers a hand to steady him as he coughs, thinking hard. "My blade cut them...perhaps it could be Whispered?"

"The blood from your blade was collected last night, actually," He says as he steadies.

"Then surely that can help confirm? And...OH! There was an ogre. Unconscious, tranquilized, but not dead. He could be questioned, if he was captured."

"No ogre was found by our knights. He must have wandered off while Sir Bachdion went looking for the child. She was his priority."

"AGH! If I hadn't been knocked out myself, I might have thought of that in time."

"I see," he says, "YOu do realize I'm still not going to tell you which healer sedated you? He or she is my vasaal too."

Is there a bit of amusement in his eyes?

She gives him a resentful pout, but then sighs. "Fine, then. The blood can tell there were Thallain. The servatal that escaped has already stolen one person I care about to force my hand. It seems likely he will try it again. I need to contact Deryn and Magnus and August." A concerned look.

"Agreed. Sir Magnus and I had dealings recently. Would you like me to call him?"

"Please, and I will call the others." She gives him a careful look. "Are you well, My Lord?"

"No," he admits, "I am not. But it will wait."

"It cannot, My Lord. For so very many reasons. Please...how can I help?"

"You and Sir August already have" He reminds, "I will be fine.." Coughing "Call."

She hesitates a moment, then nods and gets out her phone, dialing...

"I already left a message for August...I will try Deryn."

He takes a sip, just a sip, of a foul smelling brew.

The phone rings then slips to voicemail. "Deryn, it's urgent, call me, or come to Earthrunes directly."

A moment later, "Sir Magnus is on his way."

"Deryn isn't answering." Concern.

"Your family maybe questing again." He muses

"Neither did August." She gives the Count a look.

"I didn't send them if that's what you're wishing to know," he says, "I can send Dame Leonora to search for Baroness Deryn"

"Please, yes."

She stares at her phone. "My Lord, can you or someone of your court Tattletale August? I...just want to know where he is."