#earthrunes

A deep sigh and a smile. "He doesn't dare to stay unwell with care like that." Then to August. "Of course you do. And you should. I thought you would be home when he was first sent back, but I didn't see you until later."

He nods. "I slept." He confesses. "You did too, right?"

"Eventually, near Bachdion. He was still sleeping this morning." Her smile fades at that.

"Bachdion was? Leonora was with me when I woke up."

"I think she was worried. Watching me."

A bit of a grin about Leonora, but she looks concerned. "Bachdion looked...aged, August. Much more than before. I wanted him to use my glamour, but he wouldn't...."

"Oh...." He touches her cheek. "Shall we go see him, and Magnus?"

Innish says 'Your schedule is quite tight, my liege"

She seems about to say yes to August, but then sighs after Innish speaks. "You go, August. Don't wake Bachdion if he's still sleeping. Let him rest, please."

"I'll bring you word." He promises. He glances at the accounts. "How does it look?"

A sigh. "So far...not good. But Delores is still doing inventory...maybe she'll find a secret cache of dross we hadn't yet discovered." A wry grin.

He nods. "It might be we have some sources we're not using. I'll see if there are Dreamers we could Muse."

"Yes. But...we need to be careful. I'll confess...I was thinking that if Magnus didn't wake, we might need to use more desperate strategies to inspire a doctor."

He kneels to embrace her. "He did wake, though, you said? It's not a bad idea. I can work on that too."

"He did. And he seems fine." She kisses him gently and strokes his hair back from his forehead. "Go and see him."

He kisses her, and does.

*out*

No sooner does he go out, when he almost runs into Dame Nansaidh ap Gwydion.

Who has been assigned to the Count and Countess and serving at the County seat for some time.

"Sir August?" She says

" Dame? Of course, how can I help you?"

"I was looking for Steward Delores. Is she in court?"

"I did not see her there, no. We've had a bit of an accident last night, I know she was very busy." apologetically.

"An accident?" She raises a brow "is this something I should report to the Count?"

"I don't think so, but that would be a matter for the Baroness to decide." Diplomatically.

"Of course. Though I really should see Steward Delores as I'm here at her request I suppose. Unless you think it would offend the Baroenss not to pay my respects first?"

A handsome smile. "I'm sure she'd love to see you, Dame. Are you here on County business?"

"No, it was a request for a personal favor" She replies

"Which is odd, Steward Delores and I were never that close, though I respect her"

He nods. "As we all do. I feel I owe her a debt. Do you wish to see the Baroness?" He glances back at the door. "There might be a delay but I'm sure you could ask."

"I'll ask..." She says going to.. she's let right in.

The troll says "Weird, the schedule went open" He shrugs as the boggan who handed him the new form walks off

Coradel is still puzzling over figures.

He nods and goes to find Bachdion and Magnus.

"Baroness Coradel," Dame Nansaidh ap Gwydion bows formally

She looks up. "Dame Nansaidh! I didn't know you were here." She rises and goes to offer an embrace.

The Gwydion accepts the embrace, indulgently "I see your hold remains as welcoming as it is informal" a smile though "I am not here on official matters"

"No? Just visiting? Oh, I'm glad to hear it. It's grand to see you. Come...sit and tell me everything that's been going on." Coradel makes sure there's refreshments for both of them.

"Well, actually, I'm here to see the Steward. Some personal request she had for me. As for myself however, I have... taken your advice in some matters and it has been rewarding"

"Ohhh?" Coradel smiles and leans in. "Do tell," she murmurs conspiratorially, despite the many other eyes in the court.

"Baroness" She says in that slightly reproven tone, "I am a Gwydion. We must needs have our dignity"

A very bemused look, and she leans her chin in her hand. "But you're aching to tell me."

"Not in public court I'm not" Almost sing song under her breath then "Besides, you seem quite busy. Sir August mentioned, without betraying confidences, that an accident last night had you pressed for time."

"Well...Inish? Do I have anything else on the agenda right now?"

"Well, The Warders for the chidllings would like to remind you that you'll be asked to attend a play the childlings will be putting on for the Greening."

"I wouldn't miss that for the world," she says enthusiastically. "Do we know what the play is about?"

"Apparently it's a ..mish mash... Isis insists on playing 'KAT-Niss ' from those hunger game books and some of the boys thought 'twelve angry men' was a cool title, but thought it meant they were like the hulk. So.. they've mixed all that with midsummer night's dream to create a..." A look "persmission to take the greening off?"

"Not a chance. You could use a little culture." She winks at the hapless herald, and then says, "If there's no other immediate business for the court, I'd like to adjourn for...well, lunch really, I suppose. I'd like a tray brought for Dame Nansaidh and myself in the antechamber." She nods toward the hidden-panel room...the worst-kept secret in the hold, now.

No doubt, the old Baron would wince at the secret panel room being so known, but he would do so indulgently. Court is adjourned... and soon the two ladies are sitting in private talking "To answer your question, the Count and I have an arrangement. One that garners me no favors or special treatment."

"No special treatment?" she asks with a grin.