#earthrunes

Dubh practices in the training yard. His style silent as always, he's not a roarer or a talker.

He's good, very good. For one unsained especially.

August was walking past, but the ... stranger? ... drew his attention. He pauses and steps into the training yard, watching.

Dubh is quiet, but August has seen him around. Like Cathair, he's one of SParrow's.

He turns, "Sir?" He bows.

August returns it. "I didn't mean to interrupt." Quietly.

"It's quite all right, I'm not really making much progress. Lately I've been feeling of little use. Waiting to be sained as it were."

"Waiting out the year? How much longer do you have?"

"Not sure let me see..."

"Full year and day? Sometime next January?"

August nods somberly and manages not to wince. "So, more than half way!" Putting a good spin on it. "Your fostering is going well, then?"

"I suppose. I... like it better here than Ardent Harbor, but I worry about Baroness deryn."

August frowns. "Why?"

"She seems to doubt her worth here... she doesn't complain, but it's as if she thinks regency is...merely token?"

August sighs, looking down at his papers and then back up. "I don't know how to prove otherwise to her."

"Not taht she seeks her own, not that I know of, She...just doubts her contributions. It's asi f she blames herself for the lost hold of the pre shattering... even though it couldn ot be helped"

"What she's already done for EarthRunes and... what she's already done is remarkable for anyone... and for one of our House, even more so but..."

August shakes his head. "It could not. And I can't prove that to hear heart either."

"I feel like I'm faling her in not being able to convince her" He frowns, "I served her in another life. i'm not serving her well in this one it seems"

"You're unSained, as of yet. You know the way of things."

"I -should- be able to get through to her but... I can't. I haven't."

"Now don't you blame yourself sir. Pity party one one here, please." A frown "Or I'd not have told you"

August sighs, but then recognizes the humor and chuckles. "Well, I knew. On some level. There have been... fires to put out, and ... She wasn't exactly on fire so...."

"Anyway. Look, Derynwydd is smart, she's got a strong spirit, and she's a Baroness to her bones."

"Of course, you can't force people to accept help." he nods "And yes,s she is that"

August nods. "Exactly."

"She got you the best fostering she could, before ... well, before she had EarthRunes. Count Jude is... a remarkable lord."

"He's ...a tad too whismical for my liking, Sir. No disrespect to your House. But his style is..off putting to me."

"He's very much on the opposite end of the spectrum from myself." August responds gravely "But his achievements are undeniable."

"That is true. Ravagers are terrified of him, and he's gathered land and rersources for the House of Liam that is rare." A nod "I just, like you, am more staid." A smile "is it worriesome that I find a Fiona hold more ..dignified than a Liam one?"

"Yes." Utterly serious. "But then, I live here."

"Yes, I rather like Baroness Coradel, but I do hope to serve with Baroness Derynwydd in whatever capacity I can. Habit I suppose"

August smiles shyly. "I can understand that."

"It's comforting isn't it? Finding some piece of the before time and the proximity? I realize for me it's fealty, for you, far deeper affections, but... clearly I see you relate. "

August nods.

He ponders "the baroness Coradel, she has a flaymboyancy of her own. But I was pleased to note her efforts at fairhandness. The commoners noticed it too . One good thing about being quiet is folks will talk around you. I do believe the boggans of the entire fief in particular side with her. She provides entertainment AND they admire her passionate sense of care"

A pause "Perhaps, if you don't mind? We could go Jacks and discuss both baronesses over drinks? I think stories might help me help them."

Another small smile, but his eyes glow with pride.

"Oh, ah... Jack's? I, ah... I don't usually indulge. If you don't mind my sticking to water or something?"

"I prefer it but I like the ambiance" He admits and they head off to share tea or water and talk about baronesses

(End scene)