#earthrunes

A frown. "August? What's wrong? You sound very strange."

"Sorry. I... I'm sorry."

"No...don't be sorry, tell me what's going on." Gently.

Muttered. "Nothing in her Da'an says that the Oath effected is on she took. Just that... an Oath is.... broken."

OOC I would but I can't find it......

OOC I will find it eventually.. .but point is that WHO has a heart broken isn't spelled out.....

"August...I thought the curse said if she was oathed to a knight it would harm her. I'm not a knight."

His look is stricken. "Do you want to .... risk it?"

"If you do... of course you can."

He looks away.

She stares at him. "I don't want to harm her! But...but I thought..." An inarticulate sound of frustration and she hits the chair's arms with her hands.

He flinches. "Sorry."

Eyes wide. "August. Don't."

"Sorry."

"August!" She stares. "You. Are. Simpering."

He glares, but then it's gone. "I don't... what should I do?"

"Tell me what you think, and then face me if it makes me angry!"

the weather outside the hold has grown windy, insistent.

He swallows. "I don't want you to take Honoria as a Squire, for the same reason I didn't. Don't risk... us."

A blink. "You think....you think the broken heart means our hearts would be broken?"

"It - could-."

"Well." She's quiet a moment, thinking. "I think that's a bit of a stretch. But still...August, she's perfect for the quest and I want her to be part of it, so...so at least let's move forward from there." But she's huffy, frustrated with her good idea having come to naught.

He looks away. "Yes, of course."

Another exasperated sigh. "You're doing it again!"

The winds had died a bit, but they pick up once more

Another flinch. "Sor... It's not a bad idea! It's good, I.... I just..."

"Tell me! If there's more to say, just say it!" Yes, it's a library, but her voice is definitely raised.

"If I could, I would say don't. Not until ... we have a better idea." Quiet.

.

"Then we need a better idea, and soon. I don't want her just...lingering. I'd outright knight her if I could, but she simply hasn't done enough to earn that yet. She'll be suspicious about why she's being knighted."

"She deserves to be treated well. I agree."

Still frustrated, she leans forward. "August, she wants to seek treasures. She wants to fix things. I want to let her do it. I want to send her on this quest as soon as possible, or at least part of it. I have a list of supplies that need to be retrieved...I want to send her to get at least some of them. But she's not ready to go alone."

"Then... you should send her." He swallows. "With someone."

A close look at him. "What are you not saying, my love?"

He shakes his head. "I just... focus. Send her with someone, so if she runs into trouble and... winds down... someone can wind her up."

"Yes." A pause. "We spoke of it being all childlings, but...I'm not so sure that would be best." She's still watching him carefully.

"Do...do you want me to go?"

"I'm thinking....you seem a bit 'off' August...I hadn't really realized it, but now I am and...and I'm wondering if a quest would help."

He shifts. "If you wish... I will."

"What do you want, August?" A firm question.

He swallows, looks away, but doesn't answer.

"August, please."

"I don't... know. I don't know what you want, what... what I can do." Whispered.

"Honoria. Ok, Honoria." He frowns, looking at the floor. Ask her to put together a list of people she'd like to with her, those she'd like to quest with. See if they will. People that could assist her, not those that would take it over and do it for instead."

"Make sure she has the resources she needs; weapons, supplies... information." He nods.

"I'm not asking you to tell me what I want, I'm asking you what you want."

"That... that's what I want. Make sure she has the resources,supplies, people, she needs to succeed... and let her try." Resolved.

"What do you want for you?"

August seems reluctant, confused.

"I'd be honored to accompany her, if you wish it."