#earthrunes

"Not purely, no."

She raises a brow

"Dame, I wanted Velvet and Tylar as my squires. Coradel had spoken for Honoria. I thought Byzal was best suited to Fiona. There were only four."

"I see. I thought perhaps it was, largely in part, because of my House"

He says nothing.

"Ah, " A nod, "Well, I suppose we all have our prejudices. Given yours, you've been more than kind" Claire says "Everything in context I suppose.' still, she stiffens a bit "Sir August, I know our houses are as different as Day and Night, but ... oh nevermind. Sometimes I fear you won't see it."

After a long moment, he ventures. "I... it is in my nature to seek wisdom. If you feel there is some for me ....."

"Fine. " She turns to August, jaw set, "your biases are going to hurt the fief. I'm as Seelie as you are, Sir. I believe the same Code. And you still judge me as an Ailil first. Neachdainn might have been unseelie, but he and I both bleed near to death protecting the balefire during the siege. In exchange, you have put up barriers, walls against House Ailil and those who wear its banner. No matter their court, and seemingly no matter their deeds. This hold has a way to shut out House Leanhaun, but only with Ailil help. You are blowing it and... " A shake of her head "And on ap ersonal note.. your'e never going to see me as a daughter are you?"

He blinks a few times. "I... do you want me to?" He seems confused that she would, and chooses to address that last question rather than the rest, first.

"I don't know. But it would be nice if you could see me as a woman who loves your son very much and wants ot make him happy and not someone you have to be on guard against constantly. You've gotten better, but..damn it. You're a Liam and I'm not just nice to you, I respect you. I even see what Coradel sees in you somewhat. There's a lot to admire, to like. But you? You might respect me, but I don't think you'll ever trust me as I do you. "

"I.... ah, I suppose...." He says slowly, but because he is thinking, "... I might not trust quickly. There has been... I've had reason to be cautious. But.... " He looks at her. "Dame, if you received orders from your House to do something, something that might put one of your House siblings on the Baronial chair here instead of Coradel... what would you do?"

"I'd tell them no, for the good of the House. You are no friend to any Unseelie House, but Baroness Coradel is more openminded and yes, Just when her passion does not blind her. It would serve the Silver dragon NO good to find themselves shut off from the entire fief as Balor and Leanhaun have managed to put themseelves in. And really, I espect the Balor swagger to get them in trouble but the Leanhaun should have known better. But you know, House Aiill is denied representation so many places we have to take what allies we can just to survive... or at least, so it was. Now we have this hold here, where we may pass through, pay our respects and get fair treatmeent, even if it will take some deeds. the Beaumayn Countess would CRUSH an Aiil hold, not to mention what their Graces would do. A Fiona hold that leaves us be and even takes some of us in as equals is FAR preferable to such stupidty."

He shifts uncomfortably, and nods. "There would be retributions for your refusal." he predicts.

"Or promotion for saving the House from making a mistep. Really August, it's House Ailil. we have Knights with more political clout than Dukes out there, and so on. I won't say it's pure meritocracy, but defiance is a risk, yes, but risk takers often are rewarded. Yet that wouldn't be the reason I'd say no. I'd say NO because while I am not always obedient to House Ailil, I think it has some legitmate gripes"

He sighs and rubs his forehead. "You do." As if confirming bad news.

"you don't?" She raises a brow

"You struck me as a traditionalst"

"I.... I suppose. Politically, I haven't had to .... it never mattered."

"Yes, well, half the year for Seelie, Half for Unseelie, that was the way. Many Ailil want nothing more than a return to the old form."

"The end justifies the means?"

"Did I say that?" She raises a brow "Let's not build strawmen. if you don't think Unseelie should ever rule, just say so. But I remind you, the County we're in has just that set up. House Aesin is unseelie. I don't see you leading a rebellion. Myself? I'm delighted. It may not be Ailil rule, but I think it's healthy for the Dreaming to recognize that balance in someway."

August is quiet another little while, then admits. "That was Derynwydd's.... idea." Quietly.

"The situation was extremely volatile; stability was required, and quickly."

"yes well, never lt it be said the House of Silver on Blue doesn't earn that wise reputation" She sighs "August, you're a good man. But one moment you seem to be sneering at the ends justify the means..sorry if I read that wrong, the next... your excuse for the current political situation is what was required..and quickly- how is that NOT the same thing as ends justifying the means?"

He shakes his head. "I think... I think it's an issue of goals, and time. Now that Earth Runes is not just stable, but recovered, it can be built on, developed, for the good of the people here."

"I see. August, what would you do if your house told you to insist on claiming corulership, coaxing your wife into it by the love you share, so you could claim more influence for house Liam a safe haven for those unwelcomed?"

He seems startled at the question; a thought that has never occurred to him.

"I... ah, I would...." He pauses. "The Lords of House Liam would not order such a thing. There's no need, and it would be dishonorable to use my...ah, my love for Coradel so." He swallows. "If they did do such a thing, I would tell them so. If they insisted, it would have to be on pain of being excommunicated and banished from the House." He lifts his chin. "I would seek another way to satisfy their goals. And I would tell Coradel all, as it happened."

"Good. Now. would you care of their were reprisals for this disobedience?"

"If I were excommunicated from Liam?" He swallows. "I am certain an agreement could be reached. Coradel is not unwilling to offer safe haven for those in need." He pauses. "Would I care? Yes. Would I act dishonorably to avoid it? No."

"Did you find these questions on your honor and the suggestion you'd be intimidated from doing what was right the slightest bit insulting?"A tilt of her head

"No." Matter of factly.

"then perhaps you really are better than I am." She says "Because after bleeding for the baroness, and helping her hold onto her honor at a moment of her greatest rage... I felt insulted that you suggest I'd do less than you."

"Liam are not often allowed the luxury of pride, Dame." Gently.

"Yes. I know. You were distrusted and abused at Alabastar Hollow because of your House. Pride might have made it worse. I'm not sure it really mattered though" She looks at him, "You still hold a bias in your heart and think of certain other houses and their way as inferior. In that, you were fostered very well. Still an Alabastar man at the core." She bows.

He frowns.

"I... abused?" He shakes his head. "There were... incidents but.... Ah, I, ah, yes. Yes, I believe the Seelie code to be the more positive, constructive, productive way to live and to rule if it comes to that."

"Well, fortunately, I'm Seelie too. But where do you think the Unseelie are going to go if treated as suspects rather than subjects? One doesn't have to be a Beaumayn to know a self fulfilling prophecy"

Nonplussed. "It... they... those who are Unseelie will.... " He trails off.

Claire taps her foot, waiting.

"As long as the Seelie rulers are respected, and the Escheat is observed, the two Courts should have no conflict. Or at least, minimal conflict."

"How can they respect someone who does not respect them?"

Another thinking pause. "Let me replace 'respected' with 'obeyed.'" He suggests.

"More honest I suppose" She says "And now , August, you see how Unseelie folks go running to the Shadow Court, because the only 'civilized' option for them is a life of obedience and Seelie views. This is why Leanhaun, Balor, and Ailill have armies of commoners ready to form up in the shadows. Because those Unseelie, Noble or Commoners, have no place else to go to be themselves. No voices with any power. It..." She sighs "If the Baroness is wise, she'll continue to allow House Ailil and Commoners of both Courts to have input here. Otherwise there will be no outlet exccept intrigue, insurrection, and rebellion. Now, I'll die if need be to protect her and hold this place even against my Unseelie House brothers. But I fear you and I might yet go down together and I'm just petty enough to tell you , with my last dying breath that i warned people"

"Do you have firm knowledge of such plans?" with deadly calm.

"No, and i I did, I'd warn her. " She sighs "And so would Neachdainn, and he'd have a better chance of learning, but you did a good job of driving HIM off. You don't even see how damaging you.." Claire shakes her head "Nevermind. This is ..what's the term? Seed on hard rock. Nothing's going to grow form this. I love Magnus, and if not everyone in his family accepts me for who I am, then I'll live with it. Good night, Sir August."

"Sir Ne... "He stops himself, recognizing the dismissal. He bows politely. "Good night, Dame Claire. Dream Well."

"I'll try....and Sir August? Please stay away from my Squire. She's got enough bigotries without you adding to the problem" She leaves closing the door behind her

About 15 minutes later, the door wrenches open and August steams out, scowling, to his study.

(End Scene)