#earthrunes

She does it, and seems to know how, "I've groomed horses before, not a lot, but I tried to learn a little of everything since I was the universal squire." She sighs 'That's ..that's what it says on our website. It's a nice way of saying no one has taken me" An attempt to make a smile

Coradel's quiet a few moments as they work, then says, "Honoria...I have a problem. I want to take you as a squire...and I want to see you earn your knighthood...but I have constraints of my own. I can't give you too many details, but...despite what I want, I cannot take you as a squire right now."

"I..." The girl swallows, her eyes grow large and a wetness threatens to collect in them "is... is it because of my heart? Something I did?"

"No." Coradel responds firmly, and crouches down to get on eye-level with the girl. "It is not because of your heart, and it is not because of anything you did. I promise you that."

"I..I understand" Well, no she doesn't and Coradel can tell, but she's trying not to cry and says "Maybe.. maybe i shouldn't have wound up so soon ... I best go work on that device." She sets the comb down and curtsy "if I may be excused"

"Not yet. Honoria, I cannot claim you...but it is clear to me that as Universal Squire you have learned much of what you might have learned as any one person's squire. More, in fact, since you have learned under the guidance of so many. And that means it is definitely time to prove yourself. Tonight, at meal, I shall give you a Quest. It may be a shared endeavor. And I will expect you to begin tomorrow. Do you understand?"

She wipes at an eye "A quest? Truly?" Hope restored perhaps?

"Truly. One that will mean a great deal to me."

"I.. I would like that chance yes."

"It may well be dangerous." A warning.

"There are worse things than danger, lady"

"There are, indeed, Squire." Coradel smiles encouragingly.

"Thank you. I shall see you tonight then?"

"Indeed." And she turns back to finish grooming Samson.

And off the squire goes. and if any walk by her while she works on upgrading her horse cleaner upper after might hear Honoria singing to herself "I am on my way, I can go the distance
I don't care how far, somehow I'll be strong
I know every mile will be worth my while
I would go most anywhere to find where I belong"

(And scene change to August)

*********************
August is moving with purpose through the halls, looking for either Tylar or Velvet; more likely, Tylar but.....

Tylar is found first, slashing and hacking with Squire Colton. THe older boy is teaching him some moves "See, I have reach, and that is an edge. But don't let that trick you into me controling when you extend" Colton advises, "that's why you have a shield, force me to deal iwth the shield and use that moment to close ..."

August waits, watching.

And the boggan learns, almost turning into a turtle as he forces the troll into an overhead work and does close. "Good good" Colton says "Now I might have tried to knee you in the face, but one worry at a time... GOOD... now I have to worry because you're forcing me to re-balance."

Eventually the boys finish up, and Squire Colton turns, "oh, hello, sir. " He bows./Tylar does the same. hope in his eyes

August nods. "Gentlemen. Squire, may I speak with Tylar, please?"

"Of course, Sir" The troll bows again, then looks to Tylar, "A lot of improvement. Good luck." ANd walks off/ Tylar takes a deep breath when they are alone. "GOod news I hope, Sir?"

"I think so, Tylar. I'd like Miss Shadecandle -and- your good self to be my squires. Is this acceptable to you?"

"Oh...uhm..." Tylar seems stunned

"Sir? May..m ay I ask why? I mean, why both? Not that Velvet isn't wonderful and doesn't deserve a knight, but isn't this...atypical?"

A quiet moment. "There are well-placed knights, known contenders for higher title, who do take more than one squire. And certainly, ranks higher than my own command knights and have squires plural."

"Pardon sir, I didn't know. I..." A frown. "I've insulted you haven't I?"

"No, not at all Tylar." A small smile. "I've been told I'm hard to insult."

"I thought we might use the rest of the summer to... to get to know each other a bit, the three of us. And then when school starts and I return to Kansas City, one of you will go with me, on alternating weeks. I come here every weekend, you see, so one might stay here and the other...."

"The other?"

"The other would come with me to Kansas City. And then the next week, switch. Squire Colton lives with us there; he'll help."

"Squire Colton is..he's a good guy, sir. ANd Velvet will work hard." A nod "And so will I."

"Do you accept, then?" Checking.

"I do, Sir' He bows

August bows in return, and offers his hand.

"Should..should I kneel?" Tylar says offering the hand

August shakes his head, "No, Tylar. Just shake my hand. That's how men acknowledge agreements."

His grip goes up a bit stronger at that. Don't want to be unmanly

August shakes back, not squeezing to hard. "Alright. The Baroness agrees to all this." A pause. "Tylar, ah.... I don't require vassalage, formally, not if we understand each other and the, ah, expectations of both. How do you feel about it?" He swallows.

"Well, Sir, I would like to be titled as a squire, but I wouldn't want you to swear anything t hat made you uncomfortable."

August shakes his head. "It does not make me uncomfortable, Tylar. I thought it might concern you."

"I think Liam oaths aren't seen as worth much to most sir, but then, I'm your squire, not House Liam's Squire"

"Others won't see it that way." Soberly. "Here, it might not be so bad, but... we won't always be -here.-"

"Should I hide your House from others,, Sir? I mean, not mention it and let them guess?"

"No." Then he pauses. "No. No, Tylar, and that's part of my concern. I don't shy away from being Liam anymore. And I won't. And that would make it difficult for you to... which means you'll have to live with it."

A nod "I'll let you know if I wimp out before I wimp out, sir"

"Not that I plan to"

August nods. "That's acceptable. And I won't think any the less of you if you choose to .... if this isn't the situation you want. And I'll do what I can to help you find a new place."

"You really are as nice as everyone says you are, Sir. No wonder Shalimar says you don't need trods you just walk on the raindrops...." He covers his mouth "I'm sorry. I shouldn't listen to pooka it's just, you're very nice"