#earthrunes

"I am. They're interesting. Do good work too, I think, even if I don't agree with all their views..."

"Tell me more about the Key Club, Deryn?"

"The mews. It's nocker-run, but not all that kith. They provide refuge, and seek to free the enslaved."

Then she laughs a bit at herself. "Sorry, I seem to be asking too many questions at once."

Claire pales at something.

"Claire?"

August frowns slightly.

"Something with a Saint, too..."

"Claire, what's wrong?"

"a very ugly negative thought, and , well, it's just.." A deep breath , "The Thallian come in many shapes and sizes. There are even Piskie kin called Spriggin. Just as Piskeys are drawn to steal things, Spriggins steal children. It is rumored not everyone i nthe Shadow Court has a problem wit hthis. They can brainwash and train future troops, or, in the here and now, use them to mine rare chimeric stone from warrens in the Dreaming. I... there were no children with the Thallian when they attacked and tried to flee. Not one."

Now Delores looks pale then red. Her little boggan heart outraged at the thought.

August finally speaks. "You think this nocker childling might be a spriggin instead?"

"No, no, I'm sure we'd find out if the childling was a Thallian. I think that... I think the shadow court had to have some non thallian childlings in chains."

"but they left them behind." Claire says "Wait, I'm just... this is just an ... I'm Ailil. I am not part of the Shadow Court, they wouldn't want me even if I had interest because I can't lie right, but..." A deep breath, "one hears stories."

"You think there are Thallain childlings left?"

August glances around at the company, looking to ensure that they are among friends.

Coradel is quiet, listening...she sits back in her chair. "Thallain childlings...."

"I think she's talking about KITHAIN childlings, actually"

Magnus clarifies

"Thallian childlings would most likely be sent out other ways before the attack, but slaves?"

"You think they had childling slaves."

August has stopped eating, is listening.

"Catir was fussing over the boy, I saw it earlier... she's got a healer's touch and a Gwydion temper. She said there was a mark around his neck she didn't like."

That from Claire

"So you think this Gyre was enslaved?" Feathers rumple.

To Coradel. "We need to see that mark."

She sighs. "So there will be a number of wounded, homeless childlings wandering about, carrying some very twisted notions."

"And in need of rescue."

"Yes, we must. Or...somebody must."

She nods agreement with Sparrow. "Of course, Deryn."

August sets down his silverware. "Yes."

"So. Dalton was invited over for tea - perhaps we should gently encourage him?"

"Sounds like a good thing to unite a mews and noble hold over," Magnus agrees

A slow nod. "What can you tell me of Dalton, Deryn?"

"He's a nocker. Rather charming for the kith."

"I've met the fellow," Nansaidh warns, "Don't assume he's not a political animal in his way. He's quite happy to risk the barony's stability by causing trouble in other noble's lands then coming back here."

"I see." She nods. "Well...probably a good place to start."

((switch those last two))

Then a frown at Nansaidh's words. "Disruptive influence, then."

"Have you seen how the Balor and Leanhuan treat those beneath their heels?"

"Nansaidh, are their any lingering enmities with our neighbors of that nature?"

A look to Deryn, and she shakes her head. "Not personally, no."

'Most of our immediate neighbors are getting new barons so... no I imagine," She says, "And yes, Chancellior I have, but duty to the barony means we can't save eeryone outside of it. " The Gwydion tends to think defensively

"We aren't. Now, Dalton is not a vassal - correct? No fealty?"

"If there was fealty... there isn't. Now."

"I agree that it is not our role to save them...but it is in our best interests to make sure that they see us in a positive light, so they do not seek vengeance on us."

"If they are in the Barony it IS our role to save them..."

"And Dalton, well - he's a grown nocker."

"I agree, Deryn. I was thinking of what Nansaidh was saying."

"Permission to withdraw? " Claire says.