#earthrunes

A flustered exhalation. "I don't know. It's.. there's this... Mama hired a landscaper..."

"A landscaper?"

"A satyr. Papa doesn't have the back to do it all, anymore. So she says. But he..." A grimace. "I don't like it."

"I don't think he's right. I think something's wrong."

"Has he been rude or inappropriate?"

"N-not overtly, nothing but polite..." She rakes back her bangs, looking distressed. "But the way Mama acts... it's not.. it isn't like her..."

August turns, fully invested now. "Do you think something's affecting her?"

"Do you want me to come speak with him?"

She nods. "I think so. I sense something glamorous on him, maybe a treasure.... and he.. I.. ah.. spied a bit. Other women react the same way. Like.. like outsized lustful attraction."

Zara flushes, hiding behind her hair. "It isn't like Mama. I don't.. I'm worried."

"Well...." Reluctantly. "Satyr. They can have that affect." He clears his throat and colors slightly.

"But... to that extent? There's... there is magic, August. I saw it. Centered... it.." she turns red, averting her eyes.

August is looking off in another direction too. "Well, then.... I will come and confront him. Surely there are other landscapers?"

"No, August! Don't. I don't want to risk.... "

"There are, and I must needs convince Mama to try one. But confronting this one, I fear... I.. not until I know what all is going on. There's... he was sent, I think."

"-Sent?- I thought you said your mother hired him?"

"I... it may be paranoia, thinking of who did so... but my omen showed him tied to something, someone... dark and powerful, aye, pulling his strings..."

"And how did a strange satyr just happen upon my house?"

"He is not of the Hollow."

August shakes his head. "I should come and see to him."

"No, August."

"You confront him directly, then what?"

"He feels threatened, emboldened? I have to protect Mama first."

August frowns, thinking. "Well.. wait, didn't your uncles put protection on the house?"

A groan. "Mama invited him in."

Jaw drop.

"Oh." Leaden. "Do they know?"

"The Uncles? No... nobody knows, I haven't told anybody..."

"The first time, I just... I thought Mama was being silly because he was attractive. Like you said, satyrs can have that effect..."

He nods uncomfortably.

"But... the omen.. and there's magic..."

"I think Paler sent him."

His frown deepens to a scowl.

"Then we should stop him."

"But I don't have proof. Nothing concrete. :

"So we get it."

She nods. "I'm planning to get more information. Watch him."

"I could.... I could surprise my mother for mother's day. Find him, talk to him."

"August, what would you say to him?"

He thinks. "I would call him to stand and speak honestly, tell me who he is and what he is doing in Scarsdale."

"I fear setting off chaos that cannot be predicted. And confrontation... being so direct? That would be warning them that we know aught is wrong."

He shifts, not quite squirming. "It's... the honorable way to...."

"Is it no less honorable to gather information first?"

"Of course not."

"You are right. I should talk to the uncles..."

"Oh, if I could send Mama on a cruise... somewhere far away and safe..."

"Why not?" He brightens.

"Well... I.. how?"

"Ahhh...." Thinking. "Speak with your father?"

"Maybe. Send them both?"