#earthrunes

Jack laughs at that

August .... rolls his eyes.

"Also, you're the consort to the baroness and a knight, it's actually fitting your station" magnus says

"Well, you're the son of a baroness, and a knight, about to married to a knight."

"Ask Jack, it's not the same, not noted as much" Magnus says

Jack nods "Sorry, August. He's right. More eyes on you."

August definitely doesn't seem comfortable with this, but he soldier's on. "I, ah, I certainly don't mean to force it, Magnus. I'll ask elsewhere."

"August, I'll met them" He says with a smile, "if you think I would be a good knight mentor I'll consider it, okay?'

He nods uncertainly.

Coradel ventures into the subterranean tavern, and blinks in surprise to see August there. "Well, hello." A smile, and she goes to give him a quick kiss.

.... which he returns in kind. "Hello."

"Baroness mother how are you?" Magnus asks

"What'll it be, your ladyship?" Jack inquires

She also gives Magnus a hug. "I'm fine, Sir Son." A grin and a wink, then she settles on a bar stool. "Oh, something sweet but with a bit of bite, please, Jack."

August sips his water.

Her son hugs her back and smiles, "Good to know"//Jack smiles, "Strawyberry with thorns, got it"

"Perfect," she nods to Jack, then looks to August, and his glass. "What are you having, my love?"

"Water." Simply.

"Truth to tell, I came here to see if Magnus would consider taking a squire, if there were one that was a good fit for him."

magnus adds "I'm not sold on the idea. Wedding coming up, for one thing."

A blink. "What better time to have a squire? An extra set of hands to help with the preparations?"

'well, I am supposed to be teaching him or her, and most squires are interested in sword play" He reminds "Something I don't do."

"Most squires, and most knights...but certainly there are as many squires who would do better serving knights with non-combat interests?"

"I suppose it could be just a broader education; non-edged weapons with you, and edged weapons with Sir Sergi, or Dame Agencourt.... or Dame Claire."

"Now Claire would probably be a better knight mentor than I am. Heck, she already educates Catir a bit, as her 'nemesis'" A smirk "That is, Catir refers to her that way, not the other way around"

"Oh! Yes, a squire for the pair of you. I like that."

"Wait what...what just happened?" He blinks

Jack laughs

And has handed the baroness her drink by now

"Hm?" Coradel asks innocently, easily accepting her drink with a nod to Jack. She sips, and "mmmm"s with approval.

"mom, your word is law in this demnse, you have to be careful with that or folks will think you're serious"

"I don't think she was joking" Jack says helpfully

"I wasn't," she confirms Jack's opinion. "Magnus, I think it's an untraditional but very fitting idea. If one of the potential squires has an interest in both combat and non-combat skills, then it's a perfect match."

"August, do you think there's one who would do well with the two of them?"

Magnus groans

"Oh, stop being overdramatic," she says to Magnus, and sips her drink.

"Well, you know Fiona" Jack mutters with a smirk clearly enjoying this all over

"Bazyl, the satyr, would do well with a Fiona knight; he dreams of glory and battle and romance. Tylar, the boggan, wishes to serve and might do better with a Liam, to be honest. Then there's Squire Honoria." He pauses. "She was here before us, but the Baron never matched her with a knight. Does anyone know why?"

Jack quiets

"Jack?"

And indeed, his smirk has grown impassive. He has been around, "Honoria is a..special case"

Well, he has the baroness's full attention now. "Please...tell us."

"You know every dougal has a ,well, a piece of them impaired or missing. With Honoria though, it's her heart. She has to wind it, there's a little clock tick thing and..otherwise, she grows unfeeling. Frankly, I think the Dreaming shouldn't put that on anyone"

"Yes, but why would that keep her from having a knight?" Magnus is curious now

"That doesn't seem an insurmountable obstacle."

"if the Baroness hadn't asked, I wouldn't be able to answer" Jack says "The old baron had a lot of secrets. Honoria's da'an is one of them."

A blink. "I...oh. Jack, why would Honoria's heart keep her from having a knight? and what is her da'an?"

She regards Jack seriously, any trace of humor gone.

"Or...is it something that should be told in private?" She looks to the others. "Both August and Magnus can be trusted, though, surely."

August has been listening with concern, and he straightens. "Magnus, perhaps we should excuse ourselves."