#earthrunes

Coradel sits on her throne trying not to fall asleep.

"So you see, because the Purple Cow Chimera keeps getting onto MY Land and eatting MY Grass, I should get first use of the milk" One boggan protests

"Nonsense, my liege... The purple cow is mine, he can't just steal what she produces because she wanders. I've owned her for years, I've cared for it"

Coradel gives a sigh, her fingertips delicately against her brow, a subtle attempt to keep her eyes open. "And...this cow...the milk of it is special in some way?"

"It's PURPLE, your baronessship, purple" The second boggan says

A blink and an expectant gesture with those delicate fingertips. "And...?"

"Yes," The first agrees "Deliciously purple" Adding that qualifier

"But...it doesn't heal, or grant flight, or anything of the sort?"

"it's..VERY Purple?" Both say at once. Apparently this is important.

"Oh...well...if it's VERY Purple...." A vaguely ironic tone, and then a sigh. "Why is first-use of milk important? Is the milk she gives first somehow better than the milk she gives last?"

"Well, cows only have so much milk, even chimerical ones. So if he takes his sshare, theree's less for me" The current owner says.

"But the purple cow eats MY grass.. so I should get first milk" The owner of the land says

A slight smile. "'His share,' hm?"

"NOT saying it's his, just his words" The cow owner grumphs "I provide shelter for her. I tend to her medical needs and keep her safe."

Soft scratching noises from the corner desk.

"So safe she wanders to MY yard and eats MY grass" The owner of the grass says

Dame CLaire is trying HARD not to roll her eyes at the two boggans.

"Hm. Who is supposed to milk her?"

"Me," the cow owner says.

"Well, she's coming to MY Place... so yeah I milk her while she's there" The grass owner says "Darn right I do. She's dropping purple patties, I should get something for my trouble"

"You get free purple fertilizer, and you complain?" She waves that point away. "So you've each done the milking yourselves. I suggest this...you find an impartial third party to come and do the milking daily, take a measure, and split the milk evenly three ways."

"THREE?" They gasp

"But a third is less than half" One protests

"So much less" The other agrees

"Is it, now? Well, fancy that." Her words are light, but her air is impatient. "My next suggestion is that I claim the cow as baronial right in order to settle this dispute. Or perhaps you have a third suggestion?"

"No, your ladyship" "Thank you so much your ladyship" "Won't be needed, Baroness" "I'm sure we can just milk it and divide it among ourselves. " "Oh yes, we're practically friends already" Grabbing the Purple Chimerical cow and taking it OUT of her Courtroom, the two boggans can't move fast enough to bow, and get out agreeing that perhaps half is better than thirds.. or worse, eminent domain on the lavender lactator.

"I was so waiting for you to draw your sword and cut it in half for a moment there" Dame Claire admits

In a low soto voice near the dias

Coradel murmurs back to Claire, "Purple hamburgers were coming to mind, yes." Then more clearly, "What is next, Herald?"

"In whatever order you like, two different knights willing to present themselves and request haven and more. And another lady who would like our help as she is..." Innish sighs " Stuck to a chimerical golden goose...and begs aid."

Coradel tries not to look too annoyed as she says, "Well, let's get the livestock out of the way."

"It's more seriious than you know, Baroness" Delores admits "It is considered bad luck, like a foul fortune, to be the one that KILLS the golden goose"

A hunched over satyress trots out, both hands stuck on a golden goose "This is mortifying, your baroness, but at least I'm already bowing. "

The goose honks.

And yes, it is made of GOLD, chimericla gold, but gold.

More scratching

Coradel's eyes widen. "And how, exactly, are you stuck to this goose?" She tries not to laugh.

Raven head down, grey gaze dancing on the paper....

"It's magicaly sticky, your ladyship... I didn't know that, I just thought it was valuable"

Perplexed. "Does it talk?"

HONK! it says

"No, but it's ah, made of gold" She says "Even in the chimerical item market, eggs and feathers of gold go for a lot" The satyress says "And some of that might become dross. "

"Right. I should have said, does it understand us?"

"Very valuable for dross, certainly, but not so helpful if it brings bad luck. I have no intention of being the recipient. Hmm...does it have an owner?"

"NOt that I knew of, thehy're welcome to have it back if out there. In fact, for get the dross. I just want to stop being crouched over WITHOUT a good time involved. Help?"

A few snickers.

A smile. "I understand, but I'm not quite sure what to...Court Seer, step forward, please. What do you make of this?"

"First, I don't suggest anyone touch her. They might get stuck through conductive magic. Eventually we would get a conga line of people" He says "I believe I'll try to omen her from here, if all are willing?"

"YES" the satyress says

He looks to the Baroness for her go ahead