#earthrunes

"I'm sorry, I didn't think you'd interact with her much. So I didn't think it would be a major factor. And Gloriosa had her job to keep her from nosing around. I should have told you regaredless, but you've been busy and I thought this way if it went south you had plausible deniability" Claire says.

The Eiluned in question takes a breath "Is it safe to say you won't cut my throat now, Baroness?"

A glare at the Eiluned as she speaks into the phone. "I want to cut her throat, Claire. I came very close to it."

"Well, it's your hold but right to life is important, my liege"

But after a few moments, she does flicker her sword away.

"I'd only let her bleed out a little...." Then a sigh. "It was Colton who alerted me that he thought Lesleah was doing exactly what it turns out you were luring her to do. I figured there's no changing a determined unseelie Ailil, so I'd try to rescue Claire instead...and revealed your little play after all."

"Squire Colton? I was outted by a troll?" the Eiluned sighs "I'll never live this down."

"Good for Colton," Claire says "And.. Coradel, ...mom, I'm sorry. I SHOULD have told you. I see that now. It's just where these intrigues are concerned ..."

"No, no...he didn't figure that part out. It was when you called me by my title that I first thought you were out of sorts....and then when you didn't know about my weapons."

She doesn't mention the part about the wedding discussion.

A sigh. "Oh, I see. You don't trust me to keep my mouth shut? I may not be the best at such things, Claire, but I was fostered by an Eiluned, you know. I have a respect for secrets when I know there's a good reason for them."

"I respect them even more when I'm let in on them." Perhaps just a bit petulant there.

"I... owe you more than just one apology, but.. I'm an Ailil. I'm lucky to have gotten out the FIRST time"

the Eiluned seems molified "Well, not my fualt if I wasn't given a full report on treasures"

"Fine." Coradel says into the phone. "How long with this little charade last? I mean, if I figured it out, the boggans probably already have a clue."

"I ...would like a little more time, not just for this itnrigue, but ..personal reasons."

A pause. "You're honeymooning, aren't you?"

"It wasn't intentional... I... well, I've been kind of bitter and missing my wedding and... I ...well,, I told Magnus. He pulled a Fiona mind trick."

Another pause. "Put him on the phone."

The phone is handed over "Hi, Mom. How's things?"

"Magnus, I want you to know I am very proud of you, and I hope you and Claire celebrate intensely while you're away, but I very nearly killed her operative just now, and I'd like to avoid further near-misses, so tell me...is there anything ELSE that was put in motion in my hold that I should know about?"

Claire's voice "explain to her I didn't give you much say in the the intrigue, I just told you because..."//Magnus shushes his wife "Stop that. Mom knows that it's not something I'm going to let you carry the load for alone." then he answers his mother "Actually I'm thinking of having a bit of a party at the hold when we get back, a reenactment of an event we don't remember and all. I DID have a job but I gave it to someone else because, well, my lady needed me more. As for plans put in motion? Ah.. mom, you know that phrase ignorance is bliss?"

"You know the phrase I nearly killed somebody out of blissful ignorance today?"

"I sense upset" he says after a beat, then another beat and "Okay okay.. pretty sure our Seer has secrets he's not telling about and Zara is linked to it but I can't prove anything. Shalimar 's girlfriend is mad for him but has secrets of her own and I suspect is zara's kin somehow. Colton is trying to woo Sylvi, not a secret, but he's thinking of questing to win her a prize to impress her and he's not sure he wants to tell anyone about it. Sir Sergei has defended Zara from another Varich and no one else knows it. Dad has been researchin some kind of grand library ... and the childlings have a special trod somewhere I'm sure of it but I can't find it."

"I'd tell you bout Sis's sinister plan but she's sworn me to secrecy"

Gloriousa sighs "Your son, have you told him he's not that funny?"

A long pause. "All right. All that, I can handle."

"What do you want me to do?"

"Well, I think I speak for Claire when I think it would be nice if you didn't kill, or imprison or guise or even spindle Gloriosa. Give her a mission of your own? sure, but none of the above punishements. let her work on Lesleah, and this time report to you first.." /Protests in the background from Claire//"No, claire, she's the holder and you know better."//mutter grumble//"Other than that, how's it with you and Dad? And are you well? Mostly I want you happy you know?"