#earthrunes

"Father Christmas!" She beams

August clears his throat.

"Well, I am glad he encourages scholarship..."

"Ah... yes... that he does." Slightly pink. " Zara, anything I can do to help... I will."

"Well... Firnost, then. When there is time. Between you and Earl..."

"You tell me when, I will be there. No matter what." Firmly, even fiercely.

"Though Clementine first, I suppose. She's crafted me into a boy before, she could do so again..."

"You? A boy?" He grins.

"Aye. What better way to not e mistaken for myself? I cannot be aught but a sluagh, save the cookies."

August retreats. "Right. Ok. Ah. Well...... I, ah, I'm willing. Just let me know."

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No! No, nothing." He takes a breath. "The... cookies."

"Ah. I know, you drew a short straw, so to speak... but, well, I thought you were still pleasant company, in any kith. You didn't hurt anyone, nu? I know you worried, but you didn't."

He swallows. "Zara... you kept me from hurting anyone. I know that." His grey eyes well. "Thank you." He stops, swallows again. "Sorry."

"Sorry?"

"I'm sorry. Tell me what I can do, and I will."

"I odn't.. why are you sorry?" She blinks, confused.

"I'm not sure I ever thanked you properly after helping me when... when I was a redcap. And ... and I'm grateful beyond words for your help at that time." He stops, fidgets. "I want to help you with this Balor. And you seem to invite me. May I?"

"I... it is difficult, asking for help. Especially with him."

"But Zara, I'm offering..." He stops. "I'm offering everything I am to help you in this." Sincerely.

"And to accept help, I think." A rueful smile. "All my instincts say to keep everything close, hold everything a secret, even from those closest to me."

"Three can keep a secret if two are dead" Bronte says sagely

"Aye, dear heart."

"Are...." he looks, distracted, at Bronte, then Zara "... Tell me what I can do?"

"As I said - safety in numbers, so to speak? At Firnost. I thought mayhaps, to hide in the walls and wait... to see him, to seem him interact... I could do something to aid in lucky timing..."

"Yes, tell me when and I will be there." He actually put a hand on the Chimerical blade on his hip.

"There may be a risk to you..."

"I don't care." Firmly.

"I do."

"Then... then, ah, tell me what you want me to do." He agrees.

"Would you prefer your own face or a disguise?"

"What do you think would be best?"

((Pause for shady sleep))

August watches Zara, painfully sincere.

"I... He may recognize you..."

"Why would he do that? I mean, how?" Puzzled.

"He watches me." She shrugs.

".... so he might have seen us together? Ah. Ok. Well. Let him!" August squares his shoulders. "I'd welcome a meeting."

"He might be more... active?... with recognition..."

"Good. He'll make a mistake, and we can capture him, take him to the authorities."

"Well, maybe"

"I mean, if that's what you want." He tempers.

"I just don't know how well the authorities will address him..."

"He's been at this a long time."

"We'll bring proof!"

"Aye..."

"So. You open, and me hidden?"

August nods, ready for action.

"So then. I'll go via the farm, and let you know when we are hitting the trod?"

He nods. "Now?" Eager.