#earthrunes

"She was rather blatant about it..."

"But, well, I also believe it exists. I look at the organization against this hold, and..."

Slug says "I... what do you want me to do? is this where I get geased or oathed or imprisoned?"

Coradel regards Slug, and despite the fact that he has declined tea, she pushes his cup closer to him. "I'm thinking. Drink."

"i.. okay." Slug says

"You did attack our steward. That is not something that can be overlooked. But... if I may speak freely, Baroness?"

"Please." A nod to Sparrow.

"I believe that reformation serves the dreaming better than punishment as an end unto itself. Perhaps a way for Slug to earn clemency?"

the Seer remains silent. He's here to provide advice on magical matters

Coradel taps her fingertips atop the table. "Risky. He has proven himself to be for sale to the highest bidder." She speaks about Slug as if he were not there, though she's looking right at him. "Though that is largely on behalf of his mother. If she receives care...ongoing care...I imagine he would be more interested in his own reformation. However, he himself would be a target, then, having turned against a Shadow Court employer. We would, indeed, need further insurance...but does that not then equate to 'sidhe tyrrany'?" A bitter irony in her tone.

"I think we are a target of the court whether we show compassion or cruelty."

slug pales

"Oh, we are, yes. But do we provide protection for him? And if so, how?"

"We do, because we are the good guys."

The Seer raises a brow.

A bemused look at Sparrow.

"We are not the damned Shadow Court. We believe that love, honor and beauty can win."

"And that means sticking our necks out, sometimes."

Slug looks very very confused, and very very ashamed

She turns the bemused look on Slug. "You have a supporter. And if you were to disappoint her, I would be very, very angry."

a nod, "i..."

"So...we help your mother, we protect you. How can you help us, though? What other information do you have that might be helpful?"

"i told you what I know, but... " a breathe "I can talk to other sluagh, try to learn more. They might help me just because that's what sluagh do."

"I think that will only work if nobody thinks you are compromised. Did others know what you were hired to do?"

"other sluagh? No... I guess not. Only Rock knew.. ah, he's the troll"

"I do not foresee him getting back quickly..."

"Oh, no...he will be here for quite some time. But he is not the only one who knew. LD knew, whoever she is. How did she come to hire you?"

"she found Rock first. rock came to me. I first met her with him at this condemned former bar. we use it for secret meets"

"Mmm...that's good. Little direct connection to you."

He names where it is located

"It might be wise to have an appearance of punishment.. some level of subterfuge..."

A look at the Eiluned.

"Regent? what would you ask o me?" The seer says

"I'm as blunt as a drunk redcap. Subterfuge is not my forte."

"oh. It's the black and silver isn't it? Something about those colors type cast one" he sighs

"you Eiluned guys kind of bring it on yourselves" the sluagh whispers

August wisely says nothing... but might look just a hair proud of Derynwydd.

"Your input is welcome, Sir Almandine. If Deryn is blunt as a drunk redcap, we need not even make a comparison for my level of subtlety."

August coughs, makes a note.

The seer says "I would suggest this: Firstly, we see if the slug swears an oath ...it neeed not be eternal, I can even craft a new one, call it an oath of contrition..."

That earns August a glance, but she doesn't say anything.

"Second, we see to it that his mother gets help, else we'll hear no end of it I suspect, and not rom him"

A glance at the Liams

A grin.

Nods.

"Thirdly? We inform Miss Zara or Mr Gluminski of this plan so the sluagh's net work will be at the least neutral"

"Then... with this understanding, we let the thanes beat him black and blue... and he 'escapes'"

"Ah... I see the potential here, yes."

"It is, after all, difficult to hold a sluagh..."

"not crazy about the beating black and blue"