#earthrunes

She frowns. "But...what has that got to do with anything?"

"Because, education is the weapon the quick mind uses to fight, and for some men like August, it is the artful decolletage of a meeting of the mind. I am not saying you need a mortal education to rule, but if you want to titillate him on levels he will not be anticipating? Let me help you catch up in some of it. Find what appeals to you subject wise, and I think you'll find him delighted and you will be delighted in turn. who knows, you might even enjoy some subjects for their own sakes."

A wry grin. "Bachdion, I'd enjoy studying with you again, but...I don't know if that will help what's troubling August now.

"It will help, trust me. Maybe not with this, but the two of you? yes. My dear girl, I didn't realize it now, but up till now it's like you've been wearing baggy rompers around a leg man. He loves you, but you aren't taking advantage of an advantage. Consider further education a close shave and hot pants combo that will make your man smile and you too as you like the effect."

She considers this. "Well...it sounds as if it's worth a try. And perhaps you can help me improve my chess game. He does like a good game."

"Gladly, actually that's one area of Academia you might like, tactics, strategies, military science. You do have a warrior side"

"Yes...that might be interesting..."

"Now, if you'll agree to those classes, I'll work on getting the Countess to move forward on making his title baron"

"Oh, done! And happily!" Another hug for the satyr. "Thank you, my Teacher."

He enjoys the hug "Now, go on my dear. Be gentle with August, coax him even if you'd rather yank and pull.. he's... I don't claim to understand him, but I do admire him. Yes, even now."

A beleaguered sigh. "I do, too. And that's why it hurts so much to...oh, there's a phrase he used once, something from his faith, about a lantern? And a basket?

"Something about hiding your light under a bushel?" Unsure

"That's it, yes! And seeing him doing that...and knowing it's because of me...." She looks at him with pain. "Please help quickly, Bachdion, with the Countess."

Bachdion strokes her face "Ah, fiery one. The pain that you feel may strike cuttingly for a time yet, and I know a large part is because He is hurting. When one hurts, the other feels it. that is a sign of love, though one we do not like always. Still , this is proof of the good of what you have."

"And, my dear girl, you just betrayed an education in the use of that metophor. I think.. if it helps you reach him in moments like this? it will be more precious than gold."

She leans her face into his palm lightly and sighs, then turns her head to kiss the heel of his hand. "I should go. I told him I would be back soon. He's in the library, so perhaps...perhaps I'll try to find something on strategy while I'm there." A game tone, and she takes a deep breath. A swift, soft kiss on the satyr's lips. "Bring me word soon, My Teacher." And she slips away.

He nods after the kiss, and watches her go Now, how to seduce a Beaumayn Sluagh?

(End Scene)

**************************
Shady Lady [7:35 PM]
He jerks awake in the library; it's late, the candles low. He sits up, rubbing his face and then slowly combing his fingers through his hair. His expression is one of troubled wonder.

DeBuke and Co! [7:39 PM]
He appears to be alone... the fragments are threatening to leave, but just like an ordinary dream, not like a visit to the DreamING

Shady Lady [7:40 PM]
Absently, he finds the paper and pen that are always nearby, and makes what notes he can.

DeBuke and Co! [7:44 PM]
And unseen by him, a sluagh countess slips away. She's learned much of August, and how he would react now as a leader if forced to, and if he were too hungry for ambition. She saw much, but did not understand it all... the pieces of his memory were put together, some by true memories of the pre shattering, others by his own imagination and rolefits that seemed natural... even she isn't sure which is which. Yet he did lead, when pushed, and once one is above a knight, one must be ready to do that. She has much to think of.
(End Scene)

A few minutes later, Coradel paces into the library to find him hunched over his notes. "Hello, August." A carefully light tone.

He looks up, sleepy and unguarded in the moment, grey eyes soft. "Coradel!" He lights up at the sight of her, rising to take her in his arms and press a kiss to her lips.

A bit surprised, she kisses him back eagerly enough. "Well! How are you today, my husband?"

"I missed you...." Softly.

She smiles gently, and tenderly brushes hair back from his forehead. "I'm here."

He watches her for a moment, his gaze tracking over her features, and a shadow falls across his expression. "I messed up, didn't I?"

A hesitation before she responds, "How do you mean?"

"We... we had a difference of opinion and....you got mad at me."

She gently strokes his hair. "I'm concerned for you, August."

"I thought.... I thought, it was just Magnus and us and I thought I could... but I won't, not again."

"It was stupid of me."

A little frown. "You mean...over breakfast?" A sigh. "I don't like being contradicted so directly, no, but...August, it wasn't stupid of you. It was...you. And...I love you."

"I love you too." He tears his glance away to look at the papers he was writing. "I... I don't want you to be angry at me. Not really angry."

He looks back to her.

A concerned look. "Why? If you know I love you, then...why be so concerned about it?"

"It hurts." Simply.

A deep breath. "I don't mean to hurt you, August. But...I understand." She pauses. "My temper...."

A crooked grin. "But... I love that about you."

A bemused look. "Even though it hurts?"

He nods.

She shakes her head, smiling. "You are a mad one, August Truthbranch." And she kisses him again.

He kisses her back.

"Anyway." He strokes her back. "I'll avoid contradicting you in front of others."

She is warm in his arms. "Sometimes it will probably be necessary. But...I'll try to listen when you do."

Then a murmur close to his ear. "Thank you for telling me."

"I'm still not very good at this." Mournfully.

"We're both learning." A fond smile. "Works in progress. Remember?"

He nods. A glance back at the papers. "I had the weirdest dream...."

"Oh? Tell me?"

He frowns, swaying slightly with her in his arms. "It was... it was like I was in the Dreaming, but I wasn't. It was a dream-in-my-head. But I was.... it was like I was -just-, ah, stripped of my title and disbarred." Quietly. He goes on to tell her what he can remember.

She sways with him and listens, that little line of concern etched delicately between her brows.