#earthrunes

"Well, you must understand, I'm used to an Eiluned Baron. Even after all this time, I find myself shy of sharing secrets. But then, these are your secrets aren't they?" He takes a seat as well, "What do you know and or remember of your family in the before time? if anything?"

August rubs his chest. "Well... ok, you know, oddly, I have a memory of everyone -except- Magnus. I... I remember Coradel. I know I never wanted to forget her. And Derynwydd...." He smiles. "I'm so proud of her. I've always been proud of her." And he fills Innish in on all his memories.

He listens then, "The Baron kept meticulous records of a lot of things, mostly to memory, but when Coradel appeared, well, she was Da'ans answer to his prayers on how to save this place. When you came into the picture, he tried to learn all he could about you too and the word that came up was 'Truthbranch'."

August, frowning, nods.

"It is believed by some that King Liam, among his many other crimes, attempted to carry , for unknown reasons, mortal souls, just the souls now, towards the heart of the Dreaming, far too close to Arcadia itself. This crime was said to have two sides, those who 'snuck them in' the backways in a quick ride ...with many a battle from other forces...and, a sidhe that is said to have acted as a distraction for his peers. One Magrave of House Liam. Details vary, but this Margrave surely must have known that he could not escape punishment, for unlike Liam and those aiding him otuside, he was firmly in the grasp of the Council. It is said they stripped him of his title, all titles.' A look, "My former lord thinks that you were that Margrave."

Any hint of levity, or emotion, drains away.

There's a pause.

"And?"

"of course, you earned your knighthood, new title. In this life, and just as valid" He says, "There is saying this Margrave had a wife, a magravess , of course, but that she spurned him for his plan. The truth of that, I do not know. There are...other theories my lord had."

"Will you tell me of them?" Respectfully.

"That the Margravess , a lady of Fiona, loved her husband so pure and true that she and their lovers conspired to help him. That the Margrave loved her so much that he ordered her to seem to spurn her so she would escape his punishment . That the King Liam had help that was not ALL of his House. That at least one woman of the SIlver Lion assisted as well..." He pulls out a pipe? "Do you mind if I have a bit of a smoke?"

"No." Softly.

"That seems... far-fetched. Forgive me."

" my sire , my late sire, was a soothsayer of no small power, greater than your son, greater than your sluagh friend." He lights up, "He never claimed to know all, but he did not see it as far fetched as ye. May I ask what part you disbelieve?"

"I did not say I disbelieve it." Politely.

"Well, clearly you have doubts. Semantics aside, which part seems the biggest trouble for you ?"

A long drag, and a o of smoke goes out

"I think there is a fundamental difference in the approach our Houses have to knowledge."

"mm Fiona and Liam you mean Or Liam an Eiluned? Either way I'd agree. But not getting your point"

"Liam and Eiluned." August clarifies. "Secrets vs. Wisdom."

"I'm not sure it's wise to keep so many secrets... but I would agree that it -is- wise to keep some secrets."

"Well not being of either House myself, I leave that debate to you good sidhe folk. But I served who I served and was not for me to say you see?"

He nods. "I do. I value loyalty, Herald Innish."

"Thank you, tis a hard path, and one of the reasons I am looking to train my replacement. Coradel needs a younger herald with energy."

August considers this soberly. "I don't want to get too far off track, Herald, but... first, I hope you will stay in the area and visit us here. And second, do you have thoughts on a new herald?"

"You're kind to be concerned for an old clurichaun, but I've already told the Baroness I'll not leave her in a lurch. As for thought on a new herald? thoughts are all I have. None seem to fit. Too many think it's an easy cushy assignment" A snort, "Don't know their pale from a Fess"

"Yes, I can imagine that's a... problem." August leans forward. "Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"Regarding the Truthbranches? Lots of maybes and tales that I can't be sure of. of a River Witch that they called ally and even blessed a winged child . Of a knight holding the line until he fell into the mortal realm... an ayrie hold.... the siege of withering. I am not sure where I'd begin. Anything specific?"

"All of it." Utterly serious. "May I take notes?"

"Ooff... let's see," he says "You can, but understand you're getting a myth and second or third hand at that? " He considders, "Let's see....the Truthbranches were much loved by their vassals. I know that. Indeed, the Margrave's lovers were said to be women of the commoner kith elevated and given advantages many common folk would not know. Grand education, mostly. Tis said each of his lovers was as smart as she was lovely. And he made sure they had access to bettering themselves so that when they tired of his bed and wanted to move on, they'd have yet more opportunities. "

August finds a notepad and pen about him, and is, in fact, taking notes.

If with a bit of a blush.

"The Margravess was the belle of every battle, as fierce in war as she was on the ball room. She too had lovers of his choosing, and it is said that no ring of knights served as faithfully as her consorts. She bespelled them with fondness....but never did she LOVE any. Indeed, it is said one lover who dared not pass on message to her about her husband's wil lfound himself banished. Where he nursed a terrible hate for she who he served. And before you ask, I have not his name"

Writing.

Inish blows more smoke, and two shapes take form, an oak, and a lioness...and the Lioness scratches lightly against the oak to stretch, then lovingly leaps into it's limbs. One could almost imagine the oak swaying happily under the pressure of her...then the smoke changes, and a male sidhe holds up his bride in his arms.

"Tis said that Lord was a mighty warrior himself, and slew many a dark kin, including more than one Fir Bholg Chief, for they coveted his land greatly. His lands were on the frontier, as it were, and while many lords closer to arcadia proper might sneer, itw as ruled wisely and well enough that many soought haven there. And when banner men would be called, boggan, trolls, Clurichaun and more would proudly step forward from the villages under his eye. "

He continues "his lady was invincible on horse, or any other mount they said. Though there was a time she near died "

"What? How? Why?" Rapid fire.

"Well, it wouldn't be exciting if life weren't at risk, but from what I undestood,she fought near the edge of a river, fast and white... and those that came at her could not best her, but then one wiley monster targetted not her, but her steed... Severing the noble beast's legs and sending her, armor and all, into the white..." He shook his head, "Her cry was lost amid the noise of the tide and battle. " A puff and the smoke forms the image of a woman's hand breaking through the waves, unwilling to give up its blade.

August appears, frankly, ready to dive into the smoke and perhaps flatten the herald. "And?" TIghtly.

"From high on the towers, one of her lovers saw this, and mad creature that it was, seized a dozen sheets and gowns and by cantrip bound them together! His intent... " A masculine figure forms in the smoke enactin the same " Was to swing down and pull her out. Down he swung, like a deranged tarzan I suppose, and just when it got taut and seemed it might work... it broke! he went into the waves, and so she went under"

A long pause, and then the waves of smoke burst, and coming out is the lady again, armed, and this time riding a lion! A very wet, and angry lion! "Then the lady's lover did transform into a powerful and great cat, and slipping between her legs did offer himself up as her mount. Clawing into the riverbed, he worked his way to get them both to the air again! And when they rose! She spewed forth the riverwater, and with fury turned upon that creature that had slain her horse and did dispel his dishonor with a thrust to his tiny beating heart that soon beat no more. Tis said it was hard to say which made the louder roar, the Lion, or the Lady who he had saved and now returned to battle!"

August seems... lightly stunned.

"Of... of course." Recovering.

Slowly.

"Lad, you do knnow this could be kiss the blarney stone level of clap dribble for the tourists right? "The old Cluraichain reminds, "Just as like the Truthbranches had good troubadours and spent their days sucking down figs." A wink

"Sucking... down... what?"

"Figs? A type of food? " A blink

"Don't tell me the Fiona feel of the place has gotten on your mind so much all is innuendo?" Hurumps

A slow blush. "No."