#earthrunes

"Mayhaps... mayhaps I have spent too much time amongst trolls. I wouldst wrap both of you in cotton, keep you from all harm..."

Earl smiles at that, "That's sweet, but you know what a neurotic mess I am, that would just make me insecure" Then "I think my real concern is letting him pick time and location. That.. seems bad tactics?"

"But we know where he will be, when... and if we wait, there is the scribe..."

"I... if we could draw him out... that... that, aye, would be better... he might be expecting us to strike?"

"well, whatever we decide, we shouldn't talk about it too much here, not warded enough aye?"

She nods.

"Though Coradel should know. He has threatened here, has threatened the hold and Shalimar and August..."

She makes a brief face. "She... how much does she know of this, already?"

"yeah, good point, and speaking of skunks... one tried to follow me covertly earlier. Not bad, but I hang with sluagh so... not that great by comparison"

A sigh. "My heart aches for them both..."

"She loves him, and saw no choice but to hurt him. I.. understand the urge. To push all away, lest they be targets..."

She reaches up, pale fingertips touching the scarred ridge of Earl's horn.

He tilts his head to lean into it "I understand her doing it, but I don't want you doing the same for me. Please. I don't want him to break us apart. Even for a moment"

"Shalimar and... Coradel?" Puzzled but not outraged.

Earl chuckles suddenly

"Vashti. Vashti broke off with Shalimar before she fled him. She did not wish for Him to target the skunk, aye? "

"Vashti.... " A frown, recalling. "One of your siblings by him, right?" Deeper frown. "Something...." he trails off, searching his memory.

"My sister, aye. She helped me rescue Earl."

"I owe her much" Earl admits

"What is it, August?"

He shakes his head to clear it. "Not sure. Something.... I can't remember."

Earl frowns at something, "You know what, I'm going to make sure August can meet at the farm without.. interference. I know it will give Clem grief but darn it, he's earned it"

"Earl, it's ok. I know not everyone welcomes my House."

"It is not your house. It is your kith."

"It's not your house that the elders are biased against" A nod to Zara

"Which..." A sigh. "You have proven yourself over and over again to me. You would think... all you have done for the DeBukes..."

"Yeah, I'm going to talk to Uncle Emmit. Put my foot down.. and Clem better back me or I'll give her what for too" The normally more modest troll looks stubborn about this.

"We could not have rescued Caspian without you."

"Then it's my kith?" He shrugs. "I was happy to help."

"August...?" Coradel's voice at the library entrance as she glides her way in. "Did you find it?"

Zara fades back a half step, self-consciously checking her face again. "Coradel."

A warm, easy smile for the others as she sees them. "Zara, Earl. Good morning."

"Good morning. Aye."

"Caspain will back me... huh yeah, you're owed a boon and.. oh"

He inclines his head to the Baroness "Good morning"

August smiles (glows) and stands. "Hello. Yes, but... I was caught up talking to Zara. And Earl."

She goes to August and easily takes his hand, kissing his cheek lightly before turning to the others. "About eshus and boons, apparently. Do I hear yet another quest happening?" A bemused sound.

Earl looks to Zara

"August was of the utmost aid in securing a relic.... "

She tangles her fingers together in a knot.

"Remember, I said I was going to help Earl and Zara." He prompts, holding her hand.

"Well, yes, I heard something about that, though you're nowhere near as forthcoming about the details as I'd like," she pokes August lightly in the ribs to punctuate the mild complaint. "Still, I'm glad it was a success. But...this sounds like something more...?" A curious look to Zara.

"This... this is something different..."

Coradel has the expression of somebody expecting to hear more.

She frowns. "It... "

Earl mutters "Better hope we're not being scryed on"

"She should know. This is her hold." A low whisper to Earl.

August nods reluctant agreement.

A frown. "Well...perhaps we should see the seer? He could guard against us being scryed?"

"I... Coradel... I fear I have brought a threat upon your hold..." she trails off.