#earthrunes

Inish takes Coradel to the baron, accutely aware that more and more... the fire is hers. Like he's losing ground. She goes in and sees the old sidhe look up at her with milky eyes "Coradel?" Shallimar nods "Yes, lordship. She's saved the day and now she'll save you."

"The healers got her okay?"

Coradel shakes her head at Shalimar. "Everybody saved the day. Even allies -- we had help from Rivervale and the Rovers, and others as well. And each member of the hold did a part, My Lord. You would have been so proud to see it."

"I might have..yelled at Chieftain Brekke to move her ass now, and I may end up patrol during the coldest part of a jersey winter for the next two weeks" A purple blush, and he sets her down gently "Yeah, thanks to you, she's safe. Geez...why did she even come here?"

(The Dying chamber) "Do their graces... did Deryn talk them..." the waning baron wets his lips

"She said you would be here.... her Damsel..." A hand on the wall again, brace or no.

"She came here for me?" The troll begins to ..well, curse, it would appear that he is angry with Tiffany for doing this, and risking her life, and nearly dying just to save him again

And yes, Vali appears to have been retroactively spooked then angered and a bit spooked again

"Of course she did. She loves you, you dummy."

He looks up almsot heaven ward "Okay Fates. I know I've been asking for somethings, but... NOT funny to teach me this way. VEry Uncool. Very Very uncool." A deep breath then, "Okay, thank you Sparrow. I'm.. I'm in your debt more than I can say."

She frowns in response to the Baron's question. "I don't know. I sent her, with Magnus and Dame Nansaidh. They went today. I know they were all back and in the battle, but I don't know how the meeting went." She turns to Shalimar. "I know you don't want to leave him, but could you find one of them to come here and report?"

"Or Inish...?" She looks to see if the herald is still there.

"I'll do it," Inish says

And withdraws.

She nods, eyes half closed. She might only be lightly wounded, but pain and fatigue settle in where battle-fervor had been before.

But the baron is thinking "They must have... its the only way to explain how they were driven to extremes so rushed. They lost the dukes, the dukes took the count... without the count... " He laughs

then coughs weakly

Coradel gently takes the Baron's hand. "I think we are secure, My Lord. Swainworth has fallen in the battle. He confessed to being behind it."

"good good" he nods.

She thinks about the sequence and nods. "That makes sense, but I would not have seen it as you have."

And Inish finds Sparrow, "A moment if you would? the Baroness wants to find out how it went? the meeting? You talked to their graces? Are they investigating?"

She nods. "They are. Magnus had evidence that was compelling, already...."

(The Dying chamber) "You'll need people who think differently than you... you are no dim flame, in mind or spirit, Coradel, but there are angles you may miss."

Inish nods, "I'll pass that along then, anything else ? And..did you wish to do it? He doesn't have long."

"Do what?"

"Yes, My Lord. I will remember that." She squeezes his hand gently. "You have been such a good teacher."

"Tell the Baroness and Baron yourself I mean?" The Herald says. "of the meeting? Occurred to me I was overstepping"

"Without your guidance, and Bachdion's, I...." She trails off. "Thank you."

"No... let her have that time."

Inish nods then "Liam will never be turned away here again by anyone, not just the baroness. You, and Sir August have...well, forgive a fool of Clurichaun for having doubts." He withdraws

Sparrow slides down to sit, letting sword and buckler drop to the floor beside her.

(The Dying chamber) "My guidance was part of my duty. I did not expect to enjoy it. You brought life to a ...dying hold." The baron chokes starting to have trouble again, then sees Inish come in./ Inish bows "Their graces are investigating. That means the count was likely taken in for questioning. So..." //The Baron smiles weakly "At least I shall go out...right. Yes, I like that. I like that. I won you know. You were my ace in the hole, Coradel. An ace of hearts. Thank you for letting an old tyrant find his mercy instead of his..." The baron convulses "A joke, you loafer" he tells the pooka, "I see you slacking." //Shallimar nods, trying to rally,"Do you know the difference between sex and death my lord?"

Sparrow feels someone slump near her, Jennette? "Baroness sitting your mother is exhausting"

"She is."

"I want a date" The Beaumayn finally admits, "I'm scared you'll say no but i want a movie, and dinner, it doesn't have to be fancy. I'll buy? but...i want a date"

"A date...." She touches the charm at her neck. "Jennette, I don't think you really want that."

"But...... we could, maybe. Anyways."

Coradel spots the stump of the soothing candle in its holder, a mere remnant left from the day before. Perhaps it will be something... She finds a match, lights it.

Jennette smiles a bit "Maybe anyways is good for a start. I didn't want to get kicked by an ogre in the head but it happened."

"Ogres are jerks."

(The Dying chamber) For a moment, the pain stops, then the Baron says "All right. What is the difference between sex and death? this better be funny or I'll have you sacked and some Fiona will have to hire you."

(The Dying Chamber) The pooka nods, "Yes, Dread sovereign. The difference between sex and death is, death you can do alone and nobody laughs at you."

Coradel gives Shalimar a sympathetic smile, and returns to hold the Baron's hand.

(The Dying chamber) the baron actually has the strength for one last laugh "That...that's a good one. I think, I shall be keeping you on here after all...heh. A ..good one" And then he stops. The Eiluned just stops. His eyes do not close, his hand hand forms agrip and then...nothing. His mein fades and... gone

(SParrow) "And they stink"

Coradel stares. That can't be it. That can't be...all.

But it is. Even though so little has changed in the moment, everything has changed.

"Yup. Agreed." She closes her eyes. "Think I could just sleep here? Pretty sure nobody'd notice."

"I'd notice," She counters, "But if you want to, I have a shoulder."

(The chamber of the departed) Shallimar is sobbing into the Eiluned's sleeve and says "I shan't miss you at all. "