#earthrunes

"I trust em" Jack says "I'm...just trying to remember the reading"

"Stay, please..." she rests a hand on August's arm. "Both of you."

August slowly relaxes.... no, he -settles- back.

Magnus nods, "Thank you. I admit to being curious."

She looks to August...and carefully retrieves her hand, offering him a small smile.

.... which he returns.

"Daughter of Dougal, with a heart of Steel. Cursed in only winding bouts to feel. Should she ever by knight be claimed, a heart of flesh will be torn. Heart of steel shatters too. Gears broken, scattered token, and the bird shall feast on what remains" Jack intones

the lights in the tavern actually flicker at that... there's power in that phrase one doesn't have to be a Gwydion to know the truth of

August's eyes go wide at that, as he looks around.

Magnus whistles low.

Coradel blinks. "Oh...no. Poor girl."

"Does she know?"

"No. The baron was going to have her told when she was older"

A frown...then a surprised look. "Oh. Oh, well, that's easy then. I'll claim her. I'm not a knight, after all."

"Ah, Baroness, some believe that a higher title includes knighthood. It's danger the baron didn't want to try, you're taking a risk"

"Coradel. We should have the Seer, maybe Zara too, double check this augury." He cautions. "And I'd like to speak with you privately about it."

"But...it says a knight, and I'm not one, and have never been one in this life...skipped right over that to baroness." She smiles. "It seems like a perfect solution, doesn't it? But...well, August, if you think so, yes, have Zara look into it."

He nods, frowning, lines deep on his forehead. "I need to speak with her anyway."

"You're not going to tell her are you?" Jack says worried, "it might break her heart in a different way"

"We can talk about it privately now, if you like." She finishes her drink.

"You don't think it's equally heart-breaking for a faithful, hopeful squire not to know why she's been passed over?"

Jack shrugs "Maybe she's old enough now. It's your call, Baroness"

He takes a breath. "I think there are three other childlings or wilders who are looking for someone to follow. And yes." He nods at Jack's words. "I think it's your call."

She thinks a moment, then says, "I won't tell her yet."

Magnus rises "Well, I think I'll head out so you two can talk on the details"

"Don't think you're off the hook, child-of-mine."

Wince "Yes, Baroness Mother dear" A groan

"Oh, you suffer so." She gives him a smile.

"I ..shall...endure" He faux staggers out the door

Jack chuckles, "You wonder if the women of Concordia had a meeting to decide which one would have to keep him in check?" THen "I can clean in the back if you two want to talk privately here"

"I wouldn't want to put you out of your place, Jack." A soft mutter.

"It's okay, Sir knight" A smile "The back is also my place"

"No, Jack, you stay, but...well, we'll move to a table at least...." She slips from the bar stool and moves deeper into the tavern area, to the furthest table.

August follows, with his water.

Jack shrugs and wipes the counter while the two back up

She sits and waits for August to join her. "What are you thinking?" she asks quietly.

"That before any decisions is made, and before she is told, Sir Almandine and Zara should recheck the augury, make sure it's still valid. Yes, Honoria should be told. I'd be interested to know how and why the Baron felt it necessary to check her Da'an; that's not normally a part of service, that I'm familiar with. Why, for this girl, was it done? And.... I'm not sure I'm comfortable with you taking her as your squire; certainly not before we know more through Almandine and Zara."

"Well, the baron was curious and cautious by nature as well as by house...I wouldn't be surprised if he had investigated the da'an of anybody who'd been part of this household for any length of time. And fine, yes, we can wait until we know more, but I really do think I'm right on this." She smiles confidently.

August watches her a long moment. "I would like to ask you to promise me something."

A curious frown. "Yes?"

"Please, other than gathering information, don't take action on this matter until I return? Don't take her as your squire, until I.... have a chance to hear what they say, and talk to you again."

The frown relaxes to an easy grin. "I won't, August. It's not a matter of urgency, anyway."

He nods. "Alright." He pushes the glass of water around between his hands for a moment. "I'm thinking.... Magnus said he would talk to Bazyl, but Leonora might be another good choice for him. Maybe." A frown. "I'm torn between Tylar and Miss Velvet."

"What do you see in each of them?"

Tylar's goals are consistent with those of my House; that's rare to find. Velvet is also interest in the Lore that my House specializes in, she enjoys study, and ... I find her interests intriguing."

"Hmm..." She considers him, smiling slightly. "Intriguing how?"

He moves the glass around again. "She's interested in what happens when... when a Fae soul leaves their body."

A blink. "She's, ah, not interested in hurrying the experience along for the sake of research, I hope."

A quick grin, and a shake of his head. "I don't think so."

"Well, there's that, at least." Then a curious look. "That's something you're interested in? I...hadn't realized."