#earthrunes

"Yes but.. " embarrassed, "I can walk on my own really. I don't want the boys to see me not pulling my weight. they might tease."

"Then walk!" A laugh. "I'm sorry. I can be a real mother hen." She sets the girl down.

She smooths her outfit, which in mortal seeming is a mess but the voile looks good! "Thank you. I ..thank you all. I hope my traps didn't hurt anyone they shouldn't have?"

Jennette smiles "They only got the Thallian. Very clever."

"Agreed. Good hunting. We'll take you to Earth Runes, you'll be safe there."

The goblin is taken prisoner and the childling still IS a childling, and doesn't want near him.

Magnus has another idea "I'll call for another car for the prisoner"

"I like that plan. Too much risk for the fledge, otherwise..."

And soon after Dame Claire pulls up in a car, "You knobhead! You went off without me for back up, do you know how furious I am when you do that? I'm a KNIGHT for the baron, if anyone ... Hi Dame Jennette, Lady Sparrow... if anyone should have a right to guard your ass, it's me. Lord knows I let you try things with mine that ... oh hey... a kid. You found the kid" she stops whatever she was talking about.

"I didn't mention that in the text?" He says innocently

"No. No you did not." Claire smiles SWEETLY at him. He's safe from her lecture..for now.

"Ooooo, you're gonna get it."

"Claire, it's mostly my fault. I pushed, it was one of the stars...."

"Why do they need to protect each other's donkeys?" Catir says confused

"Because love is complicated."

Catir wrinkles her nose at that, but accepts it for now.

"It's okay, Sparrow I know how you feel about them," She waves to the kid, "I'm Dame Claire ap Ailil."

Catir wrinkles her nose again "Ailil?"

A sigh from Claire

"Claire's okay."

"Okay."

"I'll get the priosners I guess" The Ailil takes out some zipties.

Jennette offers, "I can stay with her. Two is better than one yes?"

"Yes. Just in case. Be careful, be safe." She reaches out, clapping the other sidhe on the shoulder, then more gently touching the side of her face. "See you soon."

Jennette smiles, "yes, and..congratulations. You'll find the others. I'm sure of it."

"Two so far. I'll find them, yes."

The unlikely pairing of the Beaumayn and Ailil stay behind, while the new chrysalid, the squire, the knight, and the baroness drive off. The trip is filled with questions of what she knows of her mortal identity, which sshe fills in

"How safe will it be for her to go home? Would that thing try to turn her again?"

"I'll do an omen on her, the baron may have his own ideas, and see what we learn I think. But I wouldn't be surprised if she .." He sighs and lowers his voice "went missing for longer to keep it simple for us."

"Well. Get her safe first, figure out the rest."

Catir has fallen asleep, using a wing as a pillow

Magnus looks amused "working on it, I promise."

"We did great, didn't we?" the Squire beams

"I think so, Colton. I think so." A smile at the sleeping childling, and, well... she's a pillow now.

(End Scene)

................

Trolls, it turns out, are terrible bullies. Sure, they can't order her, but they hint very strongly that she should rest, perhaps shower and let the servants handle things for the childling while Sir Magnus reports. The Rivervale crew they aren't. She has an authority here, as long as she doesn't supersede the Baron, but they do give that 'guiding you towards what they want you to do ' so calmly that you don't realize you are doing it bit. Catir is asleep so... a nap or sleep might work, a shower would be fine. But in the end, she might WANT to talk to the Baron thanks. And he is up.

Sparrow is a bit fussy about being "handled" - perhaps so many months on her own have made her unused to the conventions of a noble holding. Still, when she heads for the grand hall she is both groomed and rested.

The Baron notes her attire, "I see the tailors have made your house colors work well in the dress. " She is indeed wearing a lovely blue and silver dress, though the hues might vary slightly from traditional liam ones by a bit to compliment her still more. "Sir Magnus gave me a report and has been thanked. He said you might have more to add. " The older sidhe sips his wine, though she must wonder if poppy is in it.

"Dame Claire also reports prisoner duty has been passed onto the trolls"

"Earth Runes has been most hospitable... really, amazingly so."

"Will the child be able to stay here? I fear it would be nearly impossible to protect her from the severtal were she to return home."

"Baroness, whatever I may think of your House, the personal conduct of you, and Sir August has been, for the most part, beyond reproach. You've gotten a glimpse of the desperate gambles I am playing with a hand of very dubious cards and you have, for the most part, kept the trust, both of you. We Eiluned like to think of ourselves as the House that gets results. I cannot afford to let any bias on my part drive away allies. it's just...practical. You are kind to praise my holding, but I am a practitioner of enlightened self interest. I will pass on the praise, indirectly, to my staff and vassals," A pause "As to this Catir? You're right. We cannot endanger her while she is vulnerable. The Thalllian beyond the Barony are even thicker than I suspected. I would not send a redcap childling armed with a chainsaw out into such a threat, let alone a sidhe. As I have one foster getting sained soon, I see no harm in taking another. You and Coradel may find another if you find better for her later on. But in the short term? Of certes."

"Excellent. Did... Magnus tell you anything of her provenance? At least that which I suspect. And... sorry... the reason why I think I miffed so many thanes."

"Sir Magnus makes me uncomfortable. He has an Eiluned's knack for finding secrets but often lacks the proper respect for keeping them it seems to me. He's annoying good with cantrips and mundane alike though. And I suspect the thanes are ired because I told them you were to stay here safe but did not make it an order. So when my ward used her rank on your behalf, they found themselves caught between protocols. Do not worry. I did not chastise any of them for being in a difficult situation. I really must learn to better predict Coradel's moments of benevolent tyranny."

"Well, they are Fiona both... heart-led, fearless. They can be a bit overwhelming."

"Indeed. What more can you tell me of.. what is her name? Catir? What should I expect? if things hold from her past existence?"

"Caitir - I cannot remember her house, nor can she. But... I once held a hold, before the world fractured, and she was stalwart. A healer and huntress both, attuned to nature. Even if that oath did not carry through to this life, I feel a duty to her. To all of my five."

"If it were not so unlikely for one to serve a Liam, I might think her Aesin. Attuned to nature? well, the owl house does not have a monopoly on that," he looks at her, "You take your duties even from before the shattering seriously. Strong long reach duty has, At least upon those worth knowing." He sips, "I'll tell the mentors to see how she takes to those areas. Healing magics especially are in demand and she might relearn quickly. Tell me, Baroness. How much have you been told of the dire straits of my barony? if much of it wasn't already apparent."

"I know you have enemies - hence my naming in line, at least until such time that that is no longer needed. The Shadows are a threat, one hanging above you like an axe held by a narrow thread."