#earthrunes

She wipes remaining bits of Ignoramus from her trueheart's sleeve.

"..... book... Book! Where's the book?"

"I have it, August. It's okay. Calm down, you'll hurt yourself. Colton, please, carry him. Hush, August, let him do it."

Now cooing, Bronte is cuddled up about Zara's neck and shoulders.

And Colton lifts, GENTLY making sure to put as little strain on the lower ribs of the man as possible

"No, Colton, don't carry him...."

"I... where's Ivory?"

"Right here" Ivory says

Coradel gives Colton a look that clearly says, I outrank everybody here, do what I told you.

"Ah.... " he glances from Ivory to Coradel/book and hesitates. "Ah." As he dangles from the troll's arms.

"I got it," Ivory takes it, "You go in and ah..mend. Thank you." Ivory limps a bit but will be fine.

"Look, he's hurt too!" August points out.

Then a puzzled frown as she hands the book over to Ivory. "August, it's okay. Shhhh...."

Colton sighs, "Sidhe make the worst patients" As if trolls were always reasonable

Zara goes to her brother, despite the overly enthusiastic cuddles from Bronte. "Need an arm?"

Coradel walks with Colton inside, one hand on August's shoulder if she can reach. "Bring him to our chambers, please."

"Sure... hey, I don't know what you hit it with.." Ivory says "But everything turned after that. Soothsay?"

Colton nods "Yes, Baroness."

"Or...no, wait. The Balefire. He must rest there. Don't argue, August."

Colton changes course and takes the Scribe before the balefire.

Shalimar walks by sees the troll about to lay the Liam near the flame and says "I'll have mine medium well, thank you"

"Oh, hush, you." Coradel gives Shalimar a smirk. "August is a hero."

August seems slightly sulky about being carried in.

In a heroic way.

"Soothsay, aye. Tis my strongest art."

"Oh... then put him on wheat bread, it's healther" Shalimar says and goes off

"He is not an idiot sandwich yet, Shaliwanda. Now, Viscountess..." Emma drags a chair by August, and sets up Cora to read...

And Zara escorts her brother to a seat nearby.

She no longer has the book, though, as it's with Ivory. But gladly takes a seat by her trueheart.

August seems to be making sure, visually, that Zara's ok.

Something one doesn't expect, a wonderful smell and Shalimar arrive at the same time.

For he is carrying a tray of delicious stew.

Zara is beloved by a bookwyrm.... "Oh, I shall get supplies from the library..."

"Oh, Shalimar, that's lovely! Thank you."

"You're welcome... ah, Baroness, Delores absolutely forbids you to see her now" He does the obvious backwards talk so she'll get the message "Not please" he adds

Sounds like the Steward has need of help

August is propping himself up. "I'll be fine...."

At the word 'library' Bronte perks and starts to fly there

"So vain, sir" Shalimlar sets up the stew bowl for the Scribe.

He looks confused at Shalimar; not really remarkable, come to that....

Coradel looks troubled at that, and looks to August. "If you're sure..." She fusses with the pillows behind him. "Then...I'll be back as soon as I can." And she leans to press a kiss to his lips.

He is distracted from pooka to Trueheart. "I'm sure! It's fine...." Resigned frustration.

And as she stands she turns to the pooka. "Shalimar, if he tries to stir from his healing bed before the healer authorizes it, you may bind him there with silken cords." A wink to August...and she's gone down the corridor to see the Steward.

August gapes after her.

"AHHA... and I forgot the safe word... so..best behave, sir" The skunk smikles

Emma sets the radio on - "All Things Considered" begins to roll out soothing and gently informative narrative about the world...

Grumble.

Ivory blinks "I may fall asleep"

"Probably the point." Muttered.

"Oh god, we're in a Matriachy aren't we?" Ivory says