#earthrunes

"Not to me. But...well, it became rather self-evident pretty much as soon as she presented Squire Lesleah."

"Interesting" He sips.

Coradel swirls her glass lightly, holding it by her fingertips as she regards him. "What else would you be willing to tell me, Sir Neachdainn?"

"I can tell you that it wouldn't have been possible without Sir August. A gamble was made that he'd not see that Claire got a Squire. Partially due to her upcoming wedding, but chiefly because of his biases. Thanks to his prejudices, the opening was there. House Ailil doesn't like giving up anything. WHen Moved up in the County, it was praised by my House. Greater influence, higher vantage, larger range, but there was no doubt a sadness that it came at small cost of losing some Ailil influence that we knew was loyal to House. Dame Claire is loyal but only on her terms."

Sip.

"Not only is she Seelie, she refused to swear an Oath to the House beyond membership. She's not seen as a reliable set of eyes, let alone a push for Ailil interests."

"Damn she can fight though." A drink

Coradel's motion stills, and she frowns...then sets her glass down.

"I would not say a misjudgment, of course.. but an interesting vessel for a 'push,' here."

"Actually, the squire in question is a dubious gamble on our part since I've committed to talking this much" He admits to Sparrow, "You are right, Regent, if you noticed that. Lesleah is trained in politics, but that doesn't do you much good when the dragon on your back translates to a 'don't trust anything I say' sign. The girl is here to sink or swim after the embarrassment she caused"

"All squires must prove themselves." Neutrally. A sip of wine.

"The embarrassment she caused? I would say it was hardly her intent."

"In House Ailil, it's Results that are valued. And the results of her being a squire was embarrassment to some influential member of the House with sufficient rank . Lesleah did try to play the game, make promises ,and more before she was sained. When she was revealed a mere squire, not only was her 'credit' no good, she was 'in dutch' quite deeply. She's not an innocent, no one really is. But this assignment isn't a prime one for her. If she's been sent as a spy, it's not like spying on DC... it's more like , well, forgive me, but more like the equivalent of a very hostile town in Alaska"

A soft laugh.

"I'd be insulted if I cared to compete on that field." Coradel smirks a bit. She leans back in her chair and folds her arms. "So...she is at a deficit and needs to uncover something worth her debts?"

Neachdainn grins "I didn't quite say that. And frankly, you must not forget that we don't abide by the Seelie Code. The math of our type of honor gets very complex. Let's just say that, House Ailil has set it up so it can't lose in this situation, or at least it won't lose much and others will lose with it if it does."

"At the least, you have an embarrassment out of the way. At best..." A shrug.

"I would prefer not to 'just say that'...can you explain more, Sir?"

He nods to Sparrow, and looks to Coradel, "The Regent sees it I think. Either the squire proves herself despite all odds, gains favor and gives us more influence for House Ailil in the area... even as Dame Claire and her heroism help our reputation with the locals, or she flops utterly and thus the pride of certain nobles is mollified. Perhaps the girl will follow Dame Claire's path and go Seelie but I doubt it. Even then, more reason to trust. In the mean time, she distracts like a tiny lightning rod for any agents we DO send in. Every House has its agents who are not wearing the garb, even Fiona I'm told."

"And that you have a check on Dame Claire is merely an added bonus."

A sigh. "This...is the part I truly dislike about your House, Sir."

"A check?" He shakes his head, "i'm sure Lesleah will empower the lady knight....giving her new options. We're not out to damage Dame Claire OR Earth Runes. Though I'd be lying if I said we didn't want to nudge both here and there. Like any House.. The late Baron was no stranger to chess, Baronesess"

"No...I think, perhaps, he rather enjoyed the challenge." She takes up her glass again and takes a drink. "It is gratifying to hear you say that no damage is intended."

"You said it yourself - she's Seelie, and a wild card. Can't let her get too comfortable in the wilderness."

"Well, it's gratifying to be believed," He assures Coradel, then to Sparrow "I did bleed with the woman, Regent. At the siege, believe it or not, we would have died for each other as well as the hold. She maybe a rebel of the House but she's still of the House. Besides, I dare say she's not allowed to get too comfortable here anyway, and that is not our doing."

"I did not say I believed you," Coradel clarifies, but with a slight grin.

"I do believe that - while Unseelie do not regard honor the same way Seelie do... " She shrugs. "I have found you t behave in an honorable manner, and I respect that."

A chuckle at Coradel, and a look of gratitude towards Deryn "Then you both understand me a bit more than I thought you might."

"Well, I know something about being judged by my House alone."

"Sir...I value Dame Claire, as a member of the household, as a future daughter-in-law, and I like to think as a friend. I want that clear. And I have never forgotten your personal service and sacrifice to this Barony." Sincere.

"Yes, I suppose you would" He says to Sparrow. "And I underestimated you, perhaps more than you ever misjudged me. I'd apologize if Ailil knew how. Gets itchy when we try"

"No need, sir."

A sip.

He takes Coradel's hand and kisses it lightly, "Baroness Coradel. Dame Claire is your friend. I can tell you truthfully this both delights and alarms members of my House. Delights because it means our House has broken down a barrier and has an ear so to speak. And alarms them because her loyalty you is proving firmer than some are comfortable with. My advice? Keep Dame Claire close but...yes, as you already know, the squire is not your friend. She's not your enemy either. but that's neither here nor there."

"And I am glad to have served here. " A pause, "I think I am a better man for having done so"

A slight grin at the kiss and a nod. "The Baron was a good influence, on both you and me."

"I suppose, then, the goal is to avoid turning Squire Lesleah into an enemy."

"I think I've said too much and advised more than I should. Sentimentality is the enemy of realpolitik" He sips "But I will say there's wisdom in that"

"Of course. Now, the Countess rules, but have you had much chance to interact with the Count? I imagine the two of you would do well in battle - he is fierce with a blade..."

Coradel grins a bit more. "I appreciate that sentimentality, then. In fact...I'll confess that I count on it a bit."

"The Count and I could not be more different in manyways the man is frighteningly forthright. But I find it impossible not to respect him anyway. Which I imagine you took into account. During his 'off' season, the Count hunts nightmare Chimera, and, to my surprise, often supports the Countess to the point of enforcing her will with blade. It would appear he expects HIS rule to be respect, and so must hers also even if he cares not for her otherwise"

"You maybe more of a political creature than I give you credit for, Baroness Coradel"

"Well, respect of the office counts for much."

"I am a creature who recognizes flattery, at least, Sir." Sip.

"The Lily may recognize she's being gilded, Lady, it doesn't mean she doesn't enjoy the way it makes her shine" He rises slowly, "I must go. Other matters on behalf of the Countess , not the least of which is a visit to a kith brother of hers who deals in antiques. But, at risk of further giving away? Lesleah was raised to indulge in games that you might see as cruel..f.or practice. Even unseelie I don't completely agree with that. But she did it in part to evade cruelty herself. Find the right mix of firm and kind, and you may find her not just of use to our House, but all of you as well. But do be ready for her to try to make a play in her own small pond. She is a frightened dragonling, and those bite."

"We have had no shortage of wounded childlings here, Sir. We will guide her as best we can." She rises as well. "It has been pleasant to see you again, Sir Neachdainn. And thank you , truly, for the insight you have shared."

"Possible betrayal of some House mate's machinations aside," Neachdainn smiles wryly, "I rather liked it myself. You are both pleasant company. We'll have to do this again sometime, hopefully without a potential spy being the cause" He readies to leave

"Take care, Sir Neachdainn."

"I would appreciate that, Sir." Coradel smiles.

A bow, and he withdraws leaving the two truthbranch ladies be.