#earthrunes

A chuckle, "When you put it that way, no. Good night, mother" A pause, "And Baroness? "

"Yes?"

"My own biases aside, I know for a fact that almost anyone in this hold would follow you trhough hellfire" He assueres her, "Can't say that about many ladies of other holds. They know you're a good and just ruler. So do I."

She sighs and looks down a moment, then back up. Her voice is low. "Magnus, my every desire was to ram that blade down his throat, and keep slicing until we could investigate what exactly a redcap's stomach contains. Even now, I want to give him a geas so powerful and miserable that he will wish himself dead. I am not so very good and just at heart...but I will do what I can in action."

"Everyone has those thoughts, mother, when someone they love is in danger. Fiona perhaps more than most," He says, "Do you know why Claire was shaken tonight? it wasn't your near killing of a helpless prisoner. It was the fact she was this close to consciously letting you do it. No one is perfect all the time, that's why we cultivate friends, family, and loyal vassals. You earned Claire's trust. Even if she did not love me, she'd be proud to serve you. the love you plant in others, the loyalty, the respect? that is it's own safe guard. A strong ruler knows they need others, now and then. You deserve some credit for grasping that, for surrounding yourself with good folk."

She listens and smiles. "Well...it helps to have good family already in place. Go, Magnus. Go back to bed, and be sure to thank Claire for me again." A bit of a wink.

He salutes, "I'll tell her to lean back and think of Earth Runes." And he turns to go.

A brief laugh, and then she returns to her room...even though she knows August will be scribing the night through in his study.

(End Scene)