#earthrunes

There is a knock at the chamber door

"Easy and satisfying?"

At the knock, "Enter, please!"

"Oh, you should try dropping in an egg... I tried it after watching all these cooking shows, and it's divine..." Fluffy feathers. "Ok, not THIS divine. Did Delores make dinner?"

Dame Nansaidh ap Gwydion enters in, dressed quite nicely. "Baroness, Regent?"

"Dame!" A sunny smile.

To Derynwydd, she says, "No, I don't think so, this was other kitchen staff." Then a smile at the Gwydion. "Dame Nansaidh, I'm glad you could join us. Come sit and eat. You'll have to forgive us for starting...the steak is irresistible."

"It has been some time, Regent... and no apology needed, Baroness. I am aware I'm running late and apologize, though at least I attended to the matter so now I can enjoy a repaste" She moves to the seat and joins them, "Oh my this looks delightful." THen "Regent Dernywydd," Still a bit formal "How are your artistic endeavors?"

Coradel grins and indulges Nansaidh in her excessive formality.

"School is going well, I'm trying ceramic this semester... other than the mud in my feathers, it's a blast. And I have been experimenting with impasto techniques with my mural work - something tactile, not just visual..."

"Bold choice. It takes time to get out of one's comfort zone. I'm glad you are enjoying it. " She smiles kindly and dines, "I've no knack for the arts."

"It's a great opportunity. I'm hoping to teach after I graduate."

"Impasto? Is that...building up paint like plaster, in a way?"

"Exactly, yes!"

"I've seen some, but I didn't know the name."

"Lady Gowdeen brought the thought to mind - she can't see mortally, only chimerically..."

"Oh, yes...so your work, once dried, would be something she could touch and sense. Clever." A smile and another bite.

"I've heard of the Baroness Gowdeen, she was in negotiation for a marriage alliance" A nod then "oh my " On another bite, "Don't tell me the name of your cook or I may forget my honor and ask the Count to poach him"

"we're also trying to brainstorm himerical aerosol sprayers..."

"No poaching," Coradel declares with the same confidence that somebody might call "shotgun" on a road trip. "Mine mine mine..." And down goes another bite of steak.

When she finishes, "So, Nansaidh, did you eventually find Delores?"

"Making sprayers? I am out of my depth" The Gwydion admits

(chimerical)

"And yes, yes, I did. She had a favor to ask of me. I investigated and agreed."

"Delores is wonderful. I'm glad you were able to help her."

"A favor? Hm. Something to do with the Count?"

"I'm …" A hesitance? "i'm representing her interests in a duel"

"And no, nothing to do with the Count."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "A duel? Delores? Did someone... who would call insult on Delores?"

"mm this steak really is delicious," The Gwydion opines yet again, filling her cheeks , and delaying any answer

Coradel blinks in shock. "She...she didn't say anything to me about a duel. Is she all right?"

mmmm nom nom.. in the most lady like of ways , of course

Coradel notes this, and frowns. "Dame...is there a reason you're not sharing the details of this duel?"

"I fear it might upset you both since it appears that you did not know of this situation. ALso, it occurs to me I may have done Delores as a discourtesy in what might be a private matter- but I cannot imagine you not hearing of it," She takes a napkin and wipes her lips "To answer both the Regent and yourself's questions in reverse order. She is hurt, offended, but is taking steps to rectify what she feels a sleight to her honor so she is otherwise alright. And to the first question? Sir August."

Coradel's eyes widen, and she drops her fork.

"....August?"

"Delores...is having you...duel August?"

"As was explained to me, the steward is third in command here. Yourself, Baroness, then you, Regent, then Delores. Last night, she was in charge of a rescue mission to get her Baroness, Sir Magnus, Dame Claire and Sir August out while the Regent assumed command here. During that event...despite the steward's orders, August defied those orders, risking injury to himself further and complicating the mission moved from his bed … and when he was safely returned to the hold... he did endanger himself again by returning … when in fact the goal was getting everyone out, he again risked others by adding himself to that number . Add to this, the insult given in Carnival of last year..."

An eyebrow. "Last year?"

"And yes, Delores has endured repeated insults to her position, and willful disregard for the powers appointed her by the baroness and agreed upon by the Regent. she will have satisfaction and her honor restored forthwith"

Coradel's face goes to a cold, formal neutral. She turns to a server and says, "Have Delores come speak with us here. Now."

"If it were one event, Regent, then it might be something I...oh dear"

The Server bows and is gone like the wind

Coradel's face is slightly flushed with anger, and she polishes off her glass of wine with one swig, then pours another.

"I put the man to the boon. He confessed to his insults almost nonchalantly. It would appear he respects her authority only when he agrees with it, and then disregards it entirely. "

"I must admit, in this, I find myself siding with Delores. She considered turning to you, Regent, to be her Champion, but you are his daughter, at least in Arcadia. Similarly, she did not wish to cause division by asking Claire, who is his daughter in law depending on how one views things. Sir August is allowed to select a champion. Perhaps he will turn to one of you to take up his trial. "

"Surely there can be an honorable resolution that doesn't involve swords.'

"What are the terms of the duel." Coradel's anger is icy.

"Oh of course, maces and axes are also options" She says

Nor is she joking. This is a Gwydion after all