#earthrunes

"I'll be okay... Cora needs help now, right?" And into the chamber, if allowed.

"No, no, I am..good with this," he says and notices Sparrow's entrance, "Ah, Baroness Deryn, my insurance. You're not out of danger, you know? Neither of you are."

She hears Sparrow's voice and turns to gesture her in. "Deryn. I'm glad you're here."

"Not until the shadows are banished, Baron. But I'll do my duty... hello, Cora."

"Well, we must banish them, then." Firm.

"Exactly. I have a blade - buckler now, too"

"Please don't both of you get yourselves killed, eh? I've worked pretty hard to last this long. Bending fate, cheating it, to make it so that things would deliever a baroness to me who would be freed from the shadow Court. The Count my liege, will come soon. He will expect you to swear to him, Coradel. You Must refuse. This will draw the eyes of the Ducal Court. They will send some one to over see, to investigate. That is how we can keep this barony out of the Shadow Court's grip."

"I understand. But what reason should I give for the refusal? I'd gladly say 'because you're Shadow Court scum who tried to have me killed,' but I suspect you'd rather I took a different approach?"

a weak chuckle, "Oh dreaming I almost want to see that. Tell him..tell him you are doing it to guard the barony. Now, he may try to take it by contest at arms. If he hints at this, remind who has the most warriors built up from Pennons. "

"And remember, the challenged has the right of contest. He has weaknesses, surely..."

"Yes, we have notes on his champion and he."

She frowns at both of them. "You know that if I am challenged, I am likely to answer it myself."

"Then delay the time of the challenge and train. When I die, and it maybe soon, you will be given more evidence to use against him."

"No - you must answer for the Barony, for the safety of your vassals before your own honor."

"No - not honor, pride. There is no greater honor than service."

"She's got a point," Dame Agincourt says "A true leader has to send the right person for the job and that's not always her. You won the joust, but at sword ? Dame Claire is your better. And I haven't seen Sparrow fight."

Deryn shrugs. "I fight a little."

She sighs. "Bachdion warned me of this, but...well, fine." To Dame Agincourt she says, "Deryn is skilled with the blade and specializes in killing ogres."

"Then the obvious thing is to train the best fighters and see who rises. Have Dame Claire and Sparrow try to cut holes in each other. See who comes out prettier," the BogganDame says "Sorrr, I should put that nicer, but you know what I mean."

Shalimar is making facial expressions at the baron, trying to get him to laugh even now. he sticks his tongue and then pretends to gag on it.

"But remember - it isn't just by arms you can meet a challenge."

"My Lord, please give Shalimar at least a smile, or he may sprain something." Coradel gives the pooka an assist.

"True, Deryn, but arms is my strength, so it is what I think of. What else would you consider, Deryn?"

"Wits - I imagine August could play a mean game of chess. Dance. Art. Music."

"Heck, speed. Or..." She laughs. "Have someone outfly me."

She smiles. "Now that you no longer do 'the drunken duck'?"

"I've been practicing!"

The baron gives the, really that's a terrible smile

"Outfly? mm " It is Vidame who brings that up, "I had not htought of that. it is possible to dos o. Though any one with Wayfare to a sufficent degree could challenge you"

"Well, yes. Fair enough. Unless cantrips are barred..."

Coradel frowns. "That's more trickery than I'd like. A contest fought when the ground is that uneven proves nothing, and we'd just be challenged again by somebody else."

"Agreed. But.... who is your most fleet of foot? Who is your cleverest? You must know your court."

"Don't underestimate trickery," Claire says ,"Is there a way to get the ducal court in on this sooner? Or..oh." she looks at the Baron, "Your count ORDERED you directly not to bother the Ducal court, didn't he? No work around."

the eiluned nods "I have tried to be nearby without 'bothering'

"But alas."

"Nobody ordered me. I am equal to both of you in rank, and sworn to none."

"I..." The baron blinks, "But aLiam's wordmight not be believed."

"You are sworn as my heir, but otherwise...."

"There are ways to deem truth. What house is the Duke? One falcon in the room..."

"She need not be believed outright. She need only request an investigation."

"An assault, during my kin's saining..."

"And the attempted kidnapping of a chidling..."

"The actual kidnapping of a boggan."

"The attempted assassination, weeks back.

"The assassination attempt."

She nods. "There is ample reason to request investigation."

"There are Gwydions the Ducal court...yes. I suppose. " He admits

"And, " Dame Claire says "The personal word of the celebrated hero Chieftain Brekke of Rivervale that this Liam can be trusted and is an ally. "

"Oh..." A little frown.

She looks to Sparrow. "You do not think she would say so?"