#earthrunes

"After all, a Fiona might be undesirable... but a Liam?" That brings a wry grin.

the old sidhe actually lets a smile slip, "You have both the right of it, and yet I suspect you miss something. But yes, the county has been corrupted. I must defy my liege in order to protect my liege. If I can live long enough, uplift an heir, one who is no sworn at all to the Count, I can ..." A cough "make a challenge of course. There are protocals, you see. Let us say that no Liam certainly would want the heir who will take it who is not of my choosing. House Leanhaun no friend to your oak eh?"

"No - the Rose is no friend. Charming they might be, beautiful, but roses have thorns."

"Which they hide well, and they are but a face here , a face to darker foes that you have already met," A sip, "My Da'an, I have avoided, and twisted and bent to the point where it might break me, all to keep me alive so my barony does not fall to shadow. My death comes soon, but with aid, I have dealt with the pain that holds it so. You need to-" He pauses, "Pardon, you are a baroness and no vasaal of mine. I would ask that you brace Coradel for my eventual demise. She is , foolish dear, fond of me. She would hold back Atropos for me if she could. She cannot. When I go, she maybe shaken, despondant. Help her grieve, but make sure she is guided to her duties, duties she may not be ready for. New blood is always tested by the hungry ."

"Death is never welcomed... but I will do what I can to help her handle it, obviously. And she might not be ready, but she won't be alone. I have a duty to her, also. And oathbonds or not... do not doubt how steadfast a Liam is in their duty."

"Oh, I never assume a Liam lacks for zealousness. And I thank you. She will need support. My time here will end, this place will...change. How could it not? She will make it her own. This does not mean she stays safe, it merely means I will not be here to protect her." A long sigh, then a smile, "You do realize, that once I am gone, the one thing the lady is almost sure to do is declare you her heir officially? And she'll likely mean it."

Her wings rumple. "I don't know about that. I am older than her, mortally. It would be better to have a young heir..."

"A ward should usually be younger? Heirs not always. How many other baronesses that she likes and trusts does she know? Do not misunderstand. I hope she lives a long and prosperous rule, but you will be her backup. I think I would prefer Fiona to Liam- for reasons you are well used to, but I do chuckle that one benefit will certain forces may be reluctant to take her out because then they'd get a Liam. Their own biases may shield Coradel." A tilt, "Or is it you hope to find your own place to rule?"

"I... do not much expect to ever rule. I am Liam. As a fledge, once, yes - I believed I might do so, one day. And, sure, I have dreams of what I could do if I were a holder..."

"I see. It's difficult, and frankly Liam holds are small and often in areas no one else would want. As you know, but I could see in you a desire to provide for your five and more, and you are not blind to the advantage a hold would bring. I would crush your hopes, though it is good you realize the challenge in them if you pursue, but I admit I do find having you here an advantage right now, and I think it will stay an advantage for Coradel as well. Still, if I find some commoner mews that has forgotten the Escheat, would you like me to tell of it so you might put it under better management?"

Her feathers ruffle, then slick down, then rumple again. "I would work to help Cora, and to help here, absolutely. And for now - the goblin said that Truthbranches are important, for the time being. I am not soothsayer, but I am not set to fight da'an. If.... I am hesitant to take a mews from common rule, by fiat and sword..."

"Even if it is incompetent, or worse, full of ravagers it encourages? "

An angry flick of her wings and she frowns. "I.... that..."

'It happens, now and then. It is not just sidhe that fall to corruption, no matter what some other kith and their modernists would say. Power is power, and it can tempt to abuse. I once heard of a glade nockers had taken over. They would use it as a Hunting R&D, enchanting mortals and then testing chimeric guns and other ruthless devices on them. Threat to the Right of Ignorance, of course. I can't say I was sorry to hear the glade went to a noble who helped end their games."

"No. And nobles are dreamed to lead.... just... I don't know if I am suited to be a conqueror. I have ideas about how I would wish to come to rule, I suppose. Not just dreams of what I could do with a fire to call my own..."

"Alas, we do not always have choices, but one never knows. Even in these times, sometimes a deserted hold is found, one needing rekindlling. Conquest is but the most common, not the only means. If it sounds like I stir your ambitions, I mean it more as a possible way to repay you. I may be in your debt."

"And you have treated me with kindness and respect. I know the value of that."

A nod, "Back to other subjects then. Is there anyone in particular you wish to mentor Catir? I mean, any particular type?"

"Well - again, I don't know her house, but I suspect she is seelie. Anyone inclined to wild places would suit her, I think. I am still learning Earth Runes, so I don't know who would be best..."

"would you object if she was taught by a commoner kith or even an untitled one who knew the wilds?"

"Certainly not. There are amazing commoners out there..."

"Good. I think that maybe more in keeping with.. the values you hope to encourage as well."

"And I suspect we might disagree - but I have seen commoners who bear titles that they are worth every inch of. I see such potential in Colton, and I was mentored in my house by a troll."

"Are you familiar with the Marines?' He says "of the United States, that is?"

"Somewhat?"

"As more women tried to sign on for combat positions and the like, some of the other branches lowered their requirements. Fewer pushups, less grueling obstacle courses, lighter packs. So on. So they might have the chance because otherwise not that many women applying at the time were making it," he sips his wine, "The marines... didn't. They argued that lives were at stake and those that could not lift a fallen ally up in battle would cost lives, and so on. And while the comparison is not perfect, I share that belief. When lives and more are on the line, Standards should not be lowered just to make it so a group that lacks an edge can slip in more easily. If any kithain can hold up to sidhe standards in rulership? Well, then I really don't give a damn if they have a tail or not. " A shrug.

"Well... yes. Exactly. I don't think anyone could say Baroness Brekke Shacklebreaker the Silver-Handed doesn't meet standards."

All hail Brekke Schacklebreaker! Hero! Chieftain! Troll ! ...boinker of Frank!

"I've not had the pleasure, but all I have heard indicates that's quite true. " He nods, "We sidhe are born to rule. But that does not preclude the chance that some non sidhe might remake themselves FIT to rule, and I can respect that. Or as Shallimar might say 'Cream rises to the top and sidhe have the advantage of being extra frothy, especially the hair'"

Ooc oh good grief!

She laughs softly. "Yes. The hair IS a thing... so, no objections to a common mentor. She might need a specific teacher for courtly manners, deportment, but I think... I think having a common teacher will also make sure she sees the value of common kiths."

"I thought you'd feel that way, I'll see to it then." He rubs at his eyes, "Is there anything else you wished to discuss?"

"No, nothing that needs to be addressed right now."

"Then , forgive me, I have some scrying spells to cast."

"Of course, Baron." She dips into a graceful bow, her wings spreading above her.

He bows in return, his kith the only thing keeping it from looking rickety and painful. Then she withdraws. She makes her way to the hall and finds, Dame Leonora with Thistlesnort, "Hey."

"Leo! Hey!"

She hands over a drink to Sparrow, "This was your preferred poison in Firnost, right?"

She takes the drink, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I was less of a regular than some... but... thanks?"

"You're welcome, you got a mo?"

"Sure. Plenty of them. I'm cooped up for the next week or so...." She takes a sip.

"Right, about that, " A deep breath, "Okay, getting info from the Baron is like opening a clam with a plastic spork, but it's becoming clear we've got a Thallian problem out in the County. And for some reason, the said count turns a blind eye or worse to it. SO I'm thinking, we haven't exactly been forbidden from leaving the barony, what if your face was seen in thallian country once or twice... they target you, and then, well." She pats her bow "Twang thunk argh, dead thally"

She raises an eyebrow. "Decoys?"

"Because I think if I hare off again, I'm going to miff the thanes."

"I adore trolls, but don't they come premiffed when it comes to security?"

"But yeah, I'm thinking Decoys. So I'd like your permission to use your face?"

"Well. I guess? Sure. Better to have them chasing ghosts..."

"Thanks. That's mostly what I wanted to know," A pause, "And... one other thing but it's butting into your business."

Thistlesnort snurfles the Liam's dress, checking for poptart crumbs

"What other thing?" She pets the basselope, but has no snacks.