#earthrunes

(August would initially start to decline the offer, then stop himself and accept. So they walk together to the shelter and whatever tasks remain there for August to accomplish.)

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Coradel discovers her court schedule ha s a large gap in it

"Innish? Do you know why the pause in the schedule?"

"Scheduled by the Steward, who... there she is" He bows "Perhaps I should withdraw?"

Delores comes forward and bows VERY low to her liege

A long pause, coupled with a small frown. "Yes, Innish. I think you should."

A bow and he is gone.

Coradel just looks at Delores for a long moment, then rises from her seat and goes to the sideboard to fetch herself a glass of wine.

"You wish to speak with me?"

"Yes. " She says. "I have news, ..and an apology. Which would like you first?"

That gets her attention. She turns and takes a sip of wine, considering her response. "The apology first, I think."

"I should have come to you first. Yes, I thought that you would automatically turn to the side of your trueheart, or make excuses for him, and maybe I was right, maybe I had my own biases, but I should have given you the chance. I apologize, I failed you as a vassaal and a friend"

Coradel presses her lips together, looking aside for a moment. "If that is the impression I have left you with...if that's the kind of ruler you think me to be...then that is still a problem. But that is my problem, not yours." A sigh. "Thank you. For the record...I find no fault in August being determined to see me in my hospital bed, though I am glad you made him return to his own. Force was needed in that case. The rest...he and I have spoken, and he agrees he was in the wrong about going back to the hospital."

"I.. suppose I must agree. I was angrhy for both, and I don't regret tranquilizing his rear when it nearly broke himself, hurt himself worse getting to you, but he is your husband and trueheart and I shouldn't have put a risk to that oath on him and I should understand," A nod "But he absolutely was in the wrong on the second half. It was just my pride and honor? I might swallow and take it, but he almost caused a second rescue team, one that Sparrow would have had to lead, she'd have led well but it would have cost more resources, more dross, and maybe more members." A sigh "And he should have told you for the same reasosn he tried to walk to you but that's yet another thing. But yes. You're right about the first part, and so is he. .. and I took it far too much to heart when that part had nothing to do with me , not really"

"As I said..." she repeats slowly, "he and I agree that he was wrong to go back." Apparently, she's not entirely happy yet. Another sip of wine. "You said you had news, as well?"

"Yes, an agreement has been made. One that won't resuilt in a duel, nor will I endanger his life with some silly dangerous quest. IF you approve."

An interested blink. "Details?"

"He will apologize, publicly... a sincere one... and I hope will include firm statement that he'll do something like endangering others again. I will then, with your authority behind me, banish him from this holding for three full days. Obviously, he can go to the manor, or a hotel where you two can talk and so on... but not the hold, Not for the three days"

" You...would banish him...." She tenses a moment, then considers. "Three days? Hmm." She considers the wine in her glass. "He has agreed to this, you say?"

"He has, and I have. And I need to be the one to do it, with your power behind me, or I am but a dog barking on a chain, lady, one without fangs"

"Done."

"Good. I am glaed you find it acceptable. I imagine this won't be easy for anyone," SHe says "many feelings were hurt, wounds inflicted between friends"

"They were." Coradel turns away, returning to her seat. "I don't know how long it will take for those wounds to heal."

"With apologies, I hope..and honesty. And time..." A sigh "you hurt me too. "

"I?!" She turns on the boggan. "You spring a duel on my husband, and feel hurt when I yell at you for it? You earned that, Delores."

"I didn't deserve to be accused of ruling behind the scenes, of a boggan conspiracy." A frown "However I handled THIS, I did not deserve to be accused of treason and mutiny. "

She pauses....then nods. "Fine. Those words were spoken in anger, and I apologize for them." She speaks a bit tightly, but sincerely.

"Thank you, I ..that means much to me." she sighs "And, well, you're right- I did not give you the chances you deserve. You are no longer the bright eyed but sometimes naive new arrival that came into my care and was an honor for me to present. Proudest moments of my life are associated with you, and yet I... I should not let that pride erode my trust. In that, perhaps I did betray you without meaning to."

Coradel sighs. "I don't know, Delores. None of this has gone well. I want it over. However...so that it isn't a surprise to you...while August is exiled, I will go with him. Derynwydd with serve as Regent, but I will not have him sent from here without going with him."

"I suppose I should have realized that" The boggan says , "Thank you telling me upfront. Will you make your going with him as public as the banishment? "

A pause. "What would suit your needs in this best?"

"Do not announce you are going with him at the same time of the banishment. You love him, want to support him, so yes, it makes sense you'd go with him." She frowns "But I ask that you do not announce that at the same time in front of the same crowd as I banish him. It... pulls the teeth out of the whole thing. It makes what might be a message look emptier."

A sigh. "And it makes no sense to settle this whole thing in a way that leaves you feeling unsatisfied about the outcome. Fine. Done." She sits and sips her wine.

"Once it closes, it doesn't matter if you leave 10 minutes after he does, or an hour. Thank you" she says, "My liege. I... is there anything you would wish? Obviously, not a repeat performance on Sir August or my behalf, and I know you wish, and deserve, more trust than shown to you- but beyond that?"

A long pause as Coradel considers her wine glass again. Eventually she shakes her head. "Not at this time, Delores." A hesitation before she adds, "Thank you," with an attempt at something approaching a grin. "Please send Innish back in so we can resume court."

"Of coursse, my liege" She curtseys, and withdraws to do so.

leaving the baroness a brief moment alone, before he duties resume.

She shakes her head, feeling...odd...and rather wishing Bachdion were back. Then drinks the rest of her wine at a gulp and turns back to the business of rulership.

(End scene)