#earthrunes

"Maybe Vashti could be the 'traitor'?"

Coradel listens to Zara. "Maybe. But it might take a few days to convince him that you're actually vulnerable."

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head. "I would not risk her..."

"Vashti? Shalimar's Vashti? Well, his ex, anyway. What does she have to do with this?"

"She is in much more danger at his hands. No."

"I don't always understand Shalimar, but I don't think he'd hurt, ah, Vash...Vashti." Concerned.

"Paler would hurt Vashti."

"Oh."

"She fled his grasp. She did not deliver me to him, and she fled. He killed Rudy for less..."

"Why on earth would this Paler hurt Vashti? Unless....ah." The pieces click.

Her hands curl into fists. "I would not f-find pieces of my sister's body in a box."

August looks quietly outraged. "That won't happen, Zara."

"As a present." Her breath is ragged, face flushed.

Coradel sighs with impatience. "It won't happen because we start this now. He may have many followers, but we have many at our call as well."

"Shalimar shouldn't know. Vashti dumped him to protect him"

"Did she? That's why? Augh!" A gesture of frustration. "It has nearly destroyed my jester from mourning the loss of his love, and that was to protect him? Madness. You're all quite mad, always seeking to protect others by excluding them." The accusatory look is turned on each of the other three.

Zara doesn't seem to notice, arms tightly wrapped around her torso.

"It... that...." August shuts up.

Earl puts an arm about Zara

"You can't tell me I'm wrong, August. You know it's precisely what you'd try to do right now if you thought it had a chance of working." A bit of a scold.

"So, now, the plan. Zara, where would you lure him? Do you have a place in mind?"

She shakes her head.

A bit of a long-suffering sigh, but he makes no further protest.

"We'll work on it, Baroness" Earl says

She nods. "Do. And...Zara, I know you do not want to tell many, but this is an EarthRunes matter now, and I think that refusing to call on our strength in numbers to fight a foe with numbers would be folly."

She nods a little, still shaken by something. "...aye.."

August slides the book he retrieved when he came in over to him.

Coradel nods. "Fine. I want this done sooner than later. Tell me what location you come up with. But for now...August, I believe you promised me some poetry...." She takes his arm in a way that's more authoritative than sultry, though it certainly has tones of both.

"Farewell, you two," Earl says to them

"Ah. Yes." He tucks the book ... yes, poetry... under an arm that's free. He looks a bit trapped. "Guys, ah, let me know. I still think Firnost.... " as he's led away.

"We intend to," she replies to Earl as she and August make their way to the door of the library.

Softly. "Earl, I want to go home."

Earl nods "Okay. Need to get anything before we head there? And yes, I know you don't mean the farm"

She shakes her head. "I left Mrs. Frisby at the farm, but she should be fine..."

"I'll text Clem. She'll make sure Frisby is checked on." Amused look "Heck, she'll love the name. Clem's a sap for some children books and films."

"Thank you."

Arm still about her "You're welcome. " Wryly "Fiona. And I thought Liam were bulls in china shops"

A soft chuff. "Aye." And out she heads at his side, seeking the sanctuary of home.

Home they go, of course to him, home is wherever she is. Geography? That doesn't matter.

****************

August is towed along.

Coradel doesn't say anything en route to their room. Whether or not August does is up to him.

He seems content to wait.

A few smiles and nods to people along the way, but no pauses for conversation. Finally, the door is closed behind them and...she lets go of his arm.

He glances at her, not nervous per se, but to gage her mood.

She doesn't quite seem angry, but irritated. She paces over to the collection of bottles and pours herself some wine. "Well, now that I know, how long has this been going on?"

"Define 'this'?"

A sidelong glance at him, then she takes a sip of wine before answering. "This Paler person. Her father. How long has he been a known threat?"

"Zara is 17 years old." Quietly. "I've known about his demented interest and intentions for... about two years."

OOC I think. Some leeway.