#earthrunes

"But... I suspect you would like sailing. Aye."

"Find a boat that is 'yar,' go forth in the wind to face adventure."

"Oh, that is something I haven't tried, other than the little boat August and I rented at the campsite last year. Ocean sailing must be quite different."

A blink. "Yar?"

"Ah... 'yar.' A fine boat? I am uncertain of all the vernacular, but Katherine Hepburn used it..."

"August may have done some sailing. I'm afraid I have not, but I would watch them when my family went to the shore..."

"You went often?"

"Most summers, aye. A week on the shore, and usually two in the poconos."

"I much prefer the mountains - the Poconos have more ghosts and rivers and less sunshine..."

"Oh, yes, I think I've heard you mention the Poconos." She turns the book in her hand again, flips through the pages briefly.

She nods. "We have a lovely house there - quiet, you could forget there are neighbors."

Coradel looks at her. "You don't get...bored?"

"No? There are books to read, and behind the house we have a stream... I can go watch it, or explore the forest. At night, the spirits come out - true ghosts, a'times, but often chimerical ones. "

"Hmm...I can see the appeal of exploring the forest, but the rest of it sounds very quiet. Still...if you enjoy it...."

A fluid shrug. "I am a sluagh, lady. I like the quiet."

"Sure, of course. "

"And I think even you like some quiet, nu? You have your soft-spoken gentleman..."

Coradel smiles. "Well...yes. Quiet times with August are nice. But he enjoys a good workout as well. We run, and dance, and play hard."

She nods. "Balance. I think August might enjoy sailing... it is a kind of battle, wits against wind."

Definitely intrigued. "I would like to try that."

"Perhaps some books on that subject, then."

"Ohh...one or two, perhaps. The horses first, though, please."

"But of course." Hand on her chest, a slight bow.

"Thank you, Lady Librarian." Coradel smiles and gives a little graceful curtsy in return before she moves toward the library door. "Oh, and do say hello to your artist, will you?"

Zara smiles - an expression that softens her gaunt face. "Aye. I shall."

And Coradel sweeps out into the corridor, glancing over the first page of Misty as she walks.

And the sluagh returns to her book.