#earthrunes

(End scene)

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Later that day, and sometime after court, Coradel suggests tea in the garden to August.

August agrees to meet her there, of course.

And there they are, at a table under the shade of a willow.

August has brought flowers; likely from these very gardens.

A pleased smile. "Why, thank you, August." She accepts them easily, inhales their fragrance with appreciation, and asks a boggan to fetch a vase with water for them.

"You're welcome." He seats himself.

The boggan is back swiftly, and Coradel sets the flowers in the vase, arranging them fondly. "There."

August arranges his silverware. "You had a good ride?"

"Oh, yes. Samson was feeling energetic, so we had a wild gallop." She sits back easily, appreciating the flowers, and sips her tea.

"Good." A gentle smile.

"I, ah, I want to apologize for... well, anything I did that upset you." Quietly.

"Hm?" She reaches for and nibbles on a cookie. "When?"

"Ever." Sincerely. "But I think most recently at breakfast."

"Breakfast?....oh. That. I'd forgotten." She waves it off.

"You... oh. Ok." Nonplussed.

He clears his throat. "When there's a moment, I'd like to talk about squires."

"Oh, of course. Now's as good a time as any."

He clears his throat. "I spoke with Magnus and Leonora. Magnus wasn't keenly interested, but Leonora said she'd speak with Bazyl about perhaps taking him as a squire. Of course, Honoria is a special case. And I, ah, I was thinking of taking... both... the others. Ms. Shadecandle and Tylar."

"August...I think you could do it. I mean, you had to lead others in your scouts. But I think two squires would be a great burden. Is there one that appeals to you more than the other?"

A frustrated sigh. "No. I mean, I really think either, or both, would be great."

"Hmm. Well...wait...August.." She looks around quickly before continuing in a lower tone. "What is the wording of Honoria's...conditions?"

"I mean...as closely as you recall."

He thinks. "Something like, if she were to pledge herself to a knight, disaster would befall." ((Looking....))

"Right. Well...I had a notion, but now that I think about it, it might not make much sense. She's been a squire for a very long time, and so certainly has had the chance to learn everything she'd be likely to learn if she were sworn. If she could complete a quest or a heroic deed of her own...we could knight her, and then give her one of the squires." A wry grin. "At least, that was the quick thought I had." A faraway, thinking look.

August blinks. "That's not a... -bad- idea." He agrees, then stops. "....I mean, of course it's not. Of course not."

"Do you think she's ready? Hmm...actually, to decide that, we need to test her...and to keep that from seeming like being oathed to somebody, she should be tested by several of us."

"I wouldn't have any idea if she's ready or not. I was never a squire."

"Well...I mean, is she ready to quest?"

"Hm. I suppose I'm a little concerned about her mechanical heart; if it should wind down while she's questing.... Would she go alone?"

"That's a good point. I suppose she really couldn't, could she?"

"Well, Dougal are very efficient, and smart about their disabilities. And strong, very strong."

She looks at him. "Tell me more about that. Their strength."

"Ah." He sets his teacup away. "The founder of the House devised a way to weave Glamour into steel, and that made it safe for all of us to use. They are precise, as they must be to make the things they do, and efficient, which conserves resources. Practical; if it works, it works, and if it doesn't... fix it. In fact, sometimes when they find a masterpiece in their specialty, they can get... well, lost in it. They can actually create Glamour just looking at it. And they can put Glamour into the things they create, of course. Do that can strengthen their will to accomplish ... anything."

Professor August.

"So...strong in will, more than in arm."

"Depends on where the handicap is." He answers soberly.

A blink, and she sets her teacup down. "August...she's perfect."

"She... is?"

"A quest to fix my sword! If she's invested in doing it...she will find a way!"

"I... I had thought... maybe a squire could look into that." He confesses.

"You mean, one other than Honoria?"

"Well. I was, ah, I was going to ask one of ... well, mine. To look into it. But asking Honoria to do it is smart. Efficient." He nods.

A quiet moment. "There are three squires still in question...what if...what if we have them work together to devise how to approach the quest. If Squire Honoria proves herself, she is knighted. The next most successful one becomes your squire...and the third becomes Honoria's squire." Testing out the idea.

August pauses, "What if.... " then stops and nods. "Thank you."

"What if what?"

"Sorry." Quietly "What if she doesn't prove herself? Or... well, what is plan B?"

"Well...if she doesn't, but both of the others do? Then...I suppose they both become your squires, which is what you were planning to do."

"What about Honoria? I mean... well, nevermind. It'll sort itself out."