#earthrunes

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Through the halls of Earth Runes, Colton , Squire, paces.

He looks, troubled

He ponders going out and beating up a target dummy, but while that's a good way to burn of steam, he's just not feeling it. He needs to think on this. He needs to use his brains. And while Colton is not dumb, he isn't sure he's smart enough to counter an Ailil.

Maybe he just needs to trust Dame Claire?

Yet Dame Claire seems to be the one most in danger.

He sighs and moves on. What, he wonders, would Sparrow do? And what, would his old knight do? Somewhere between them maybe the path he needs to take.

Coradel is strolling the halls, just back from a ride and dressed for it. A smile as she passes. "Squire Colton."

He ses her, and bows, "Baroness." His face forces a smile up. To be fair, probably not quickly enough.

A flicker of expression. "Something wrong?"

"Yes, but, I don't know if I should trouble you with it. It's...not my place. It doesn't involve my liege though.." He sighs. "I don't think it's an immediate threat, Baroness."

Her smile vanishes completely. "But...a threat. Come...I am getting some tea. Will you join me and tell me?"

"If you wish," he says and follows.

Coradel flags down a boggan and requests a tea be brought to the alcove seat near the north gallery. She then leads Colton that way, and gestures for him to sit as she does.

He pulls out a chair for her, then takes his own when she sits, when they are alone, Colton says "You remember Dame Claire's squire?"

"Mm. I could hardly forget her." A slight tone of annoyance. "Why?" Then she raises a hand for him to wait as the boggan brings the tea service....setting for two, plus pastries. When the boggan leaves, she pours, and nods for him to continue.

"Because she seems to be preying on Dame Claire's bitterness over her Samhain Elopement." a frown

A frown. "Preying? In what way?"

"And...I don't think I realized Dame Claire was feeling bitter."

"I'm not a boggan, Baroness, or even the most observant troll, but yes. i think she blames herself ..mostly. But yes, her squire seems to be trying to console and ingratiate, and seems to hint that if her knight were Unseelie well, it would be 'easier'"

"Hmmmm..." Coradel frowns and takes a sip of her tea. "Not that I mind a bit of an unseelie trip now and then, but...I don't think that's what you're suggesting she means."

"Oh, I think it's the start. I knew her before... it would be ..a push towards that, then deeper into loyalty of the Unseelie sideo f House Ailil, that is the majoirty, and possibly Ailil nobles. The Dame is sworn to you but that allows a lot o wiggle room"

"It does." She nods and regards him. "Are you certain, or are you letting suspicions run away with you? You know this girl from the past...are you certain this is happening now?"

"No I'm not certain" he admits "And I know she's gotten under mY skin so I maybe..projecting. But I think I saw SOMETHING, and Dame Claire wasn't actng like herself"

"How so?"

"Dame Claire seemed, almost conspiratorial, almost more Eiluned than Ailil.. and she skipped a few practice sessions at the training yard . She's a warrior knight. She LIKES hitting things. "

"Ohh...that is bad. " She offers him a pastry. "I should speak with her. Or perhaps spar with her."

"If you think so, Baroness" He takes one "But I can't help but ffeel I should have been more on guard. " A sigh and munch "Thank you"

"More on guard? Colton, we're not sure anything has happened. And we had to give her a chance, Colton. It wasn't her choice to be here...ostracizing her or making her feel rejected would not have helped matters."

"I suppose" He says guardedly

"Still, I do appreciate that you know what to look for." She finishes a bite herself. "Where do you think Dame Claire might be just now?"

"I don't know, she's not wwith Sir Magnus. He's on a mission"

"Which mission?" Puzzled. "I didn't send him on a mission...."

"Well, he is a private investigator still, and quest didn't seem the right word"

"Ahhh. Well, yes. Then...I should seek out Claire. " Another sip of tea, and she sets down her cup and stands. "Feel free to have more, but do let Dame Claire know I need to see her if you see her first. And thank you, Squire." She rests a hand on his shoulder briefly before going off in search.

"You're welcome, Baroness" He tries not to blush. If Sylvi knew what goes through my head around here some days, I think she'd kick my ass. Still, Sidhe cheat. Sylvi's..real. Weird as that is to say about any of us.

And so Coradel strides through the hallways . it's not long after Yule, but at least the smell of Tauntauns has improved. Emma created this new Herbal shampoo that really works on them.

Coradel ventures through the hold, inquiring about Dame Claire's whereabouts as she goes.

As a horsewoman, the smell never bothered her all that much...but the effect of the shampoo is a definite improvement.

Floral!

One Boggan points "I think she's in the art gallery room, Baroness"//And sure enough, She does seem Dame Claire there, talking to a figure in the shadows

Coradel thanks the boggan, and the strides into the gallery, her boots click-click-clicking on the polished floor as she heads directly for Claire and the shadowy figure.

"another time" Claire says... and the shadowy figure departs.

Claire turns and bows, "Baroness"

Coradel returns the bow with an amused nod. "Dame Claire. How are you today?"

"Adequate" she says politely "I have nothing to really report if you're asking about patrols, my liege"

"I'm not. And...I'm not sure when you and I got so formal with titles. I don't like it much. Come walk with me?"

"As you like, we are in the hold. I thought a bit of formality was still appropriate. I can't be too long though. I promised Dame Leonora I'd go hunting with her."

"Oh, that sounds like fun. What quarry did you have in mind?"