#earthrunes

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And so it is, that Bachdion comes into the library.

He looks a bit tired, perhaps even low on glamour, but the fellow smiles anyway.

Dark eyes glance up from the pages of a book. "Sir."

"Ah, forgive me, miss zara, I wasn't sure I would find you. I have a book I thought you might want to add to the library or your own personal collection?" He bows "If you don't have it already?"

"Aye? Do tell.."

"Well, I thought surely you have a copy, but as it is a first printing with autograph... " He pulls it out, The Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt "Circa 1960? Normally ancient by a wilder's standards, but your kith has a better grasp on antiquity, still.. would you be interested?"

"Oh, tis a classic of Gothic Romance..." She rises, holding out her hands. "Not all would appreciate it..."

Bronte, of course, swoops down to investigate.

He hands it over, "Hence my thought that you might have an idea where in it best be kept." A smile "I must confess, this is not entirely a gift without selfish interest, but a lead into a hope for a favor. Though it's yours, regardless."

"...I'm listening." She flips through, trailing delicate fingertips across the yellow pages. Bronte noses in, trying to read.

There's the signature, it looks authentic, at least at casual glance.

"Your kith is known for discovering secrets, hidden things, while I have some boggan friends, their style doesn't suit all forms of knowledge, at least not evenly. There is someone I would like you to look in on, see if you could learn if they have a specific object, or knowledge of its location. I am somewhat barred by biases against my kith and house. And it could be dangerous, as the target is a Daireann. THey're not a forgiving people."

"No, they are not. But gracious. Hospitable, even."

"They rather pride themselves on guest-rite. And do love to boast..."

"Yes, but a satyress once tempted and betrayed one of their nobles... or so I hear. Ever since then, they've rarely given us time let alone trust. And they have something of a disdain for Fiona in my experience. Mind you, it's nothing compared to what your own kith faces from a certain black and gold house, but you know how hard it can be to overcome biases. Far better than I, I'll warrant."

She shrugs. "Sidhe do hold grudges. So.... what are you seeking? This is a very fine book...."

"Thank you, it is something called the Nettle of Venus. "

She tilts her head. "Sounds rather Fiona..."

"It does, but in truth it's probably born many names ,and the Roman goddess being honored indiccates the true source might be in despite... Zara, it is dangerous, and I have a reason to believe its going to be used in...something it should not"

She frowns. "Aye? Perhaps... tell me more, of what you know... I am curious, and intrigued - but if there is danger, I must needs know what I would stroll into."

"There is, and I was definitely going to tell you. The nettle, if used by one skilled in certain arts of herbology, alchemy or the like, can create strong passions ...of a specific sort. Far longer lived than a haunted heart. WIthout guidance, to touch it is to risk a more chaotic and unpredictable effect. The nettle worms its' way into your flesh, mind, and most of all heart. Where it might, at fortune's fickle choosing, infect one with desire , hate, or even love that starts small, but over the course of time becomes maddening"

"It is rumored, that it can also be used to undo a desire, that it is one of the few things that can slay, like a dart built for it, a trueheart oath"

"It should not be used as a weapon of vengeance. And House Fiona has a claim upon its ownership. I Need to find out for sure if this person has it, or knows where it is. I'll take care of the retreival."

Her eyes darken further. "Love, like life, is sacred..."

"We are in accord" He says

"Who would imagine? Two such as we..." She brushes back a stray lock of hair. "Which is to our advantage, I think. I may move somewhat independantly..."

"Yes, while I have respect for you, few would think we were associated. If i told the Baroness, well, she might insist on a kick the door down make demands kind of approach... figuratively or otherwise. And Sir August," He sighs "A good man, an idealistic man, but when he feels in the right he...can lack subtlety?"

A long-suffering sigh. "Aye. Bless."

A slight smile, "This book is yours regardless, think of it as the equivilent of buying a professional dinner out of respect for their expertise and a need to entreat; the dinner is gone whether they agree or not." He scratches his chin smile fading, "And yes, even nimble hands can be endangered by handling such. .one of the reasons I want the knowledge from you, not for you to retreive it yourself."

She sets the book aside - and the little dragon eagerly turns it to the first page, plowing ahead without waiting for anything.

"And I've no gift for legerdemain, which is likely the safest. But... eyes, I have. You have a suspect already?"

The satyr glances with amusement as Bronte dives into the world of Gothic romance "It also occurs to me that anyone trying to take the book now , save perhaps yourself, might risk a fierce little bite." Then to her question, he sobers anew "Oh yes. I may trust to your kith's professionalism that if I name names, even if you refuse, this remains confidental?"

"I fear I've given her a taste for it. Her nesting was of Jane Eyre and Rebecca and Wuthering Heights..."

She nods. "Discretion is our pride."

"You've shared something you love with her, every book is, I think, at one time or another, a trust of something savored to another." Bachdion says "AH, forgive, I grow pedantic. The lady Dairean in question is..."

A "lady" means it is not Quinn... Zara waits...

"Yseult ap Daireann " He says "Ever hear the name? She may have visited firnost once but if so, it was infrequent"

"I do not believe I have met her... but I can find her, I'm sure. Know you her preferred hold? Is she of great title?"

"I have only heard of her referred to as Lady, so I am thinking of a lady knight... I understand she is Auburn haired in mortal form, red to the dreaming sight, with gray eyes. She would not be much older than you. And I thought I had her, in pacifica, but unfortunately she moved on. Of course, I am not skilled at following people or prying without drawing notice so I thought best not to press"

"Do you think you could find her and learn what she knows of the Nettle of Venus?"

"I can make my best effort. And I assure you, my best effort is excellent - I say this not to boast, but to explain."

A chuckle, "If I thought it was't I wouldn't have come to you. I am gratified at your confidence."

"I will give you my best, but that does not mean assurance - I do not know my quarry well enough to predict the difficulty."

"Reasonable, and understood. What more would you ask of me? I won't yield House Fiona's claim to the treasure itself. But I can provide that it not be used by just any silver lion. "

"Fiona can be capricious - you know this to be true."

"I do, which is why I offer to keep it limited in access even to us" He says

"I appreciate it."

"Consider that a part of the payment then, if you are accepting. "

She nods. "Aye."