#earthrunes

A sigh. "August, this is not a bad thing. Why do you look like it's a death sentence?"

" Magnus said something very like that. And there might be more of the house out there."

"Well, something does seem to have opened a floodgate somewhere." She seems pleased.

August thinks and then looks stunned." 50..... 50 years ago......."

Mmm yes, there was a certain even 50 years ago about this time roughly..mmm

"Fifty....?" Then she also blinks. "Oh! The Resurgence...an anniversary...oh, my!"

August looks back down at the books with something akin to renewed horror.

Well, Coradel was smiling.

She puts down her teacup with a little clatter. "August...right now you are going to spell out to me exactly what has got you tied up in knots about this."

The tone of a woman who is losing patience.

" it is a lot to take in! You.... Are the baroness. So you are the head of the house. Right?"

A blink. "August...what does the Truthbranch symbol that we've seen look like?"

He describes it.

She nods. "And...do you see a mane in there? A paw? A tail? Teeth?"

"No......"

"But there is a tree? A silver one, with bare branches? And 'branch' is part of the house name?"

"Yesss...."

"Then I submit to you, dear my love, that I am not the head of House Truthbranch." A teasing look as she takes up her teacup again and sips.

" but you outrank me." Stating the obvious.

"So? What does that have to do with it?"

"August...do you think....are you worried that I'd be offended to have you as head of our House?"

He seems nonplussed at the questions. " no. But you would not take orders from me. You're a baroness, you should be in charge."

"In charge of my barony, certainly. In charge of our banner house as well? I don't see that that's necessary, or even particularly helpful." Another sip of tea.

" I don't have the training."

"You don't have what training? August, you've done more studying, spent more hours in court than I have. And apparently you've been the leader of the House before. What you need to learn, you'll learn." Amused confidence.

" no one would swear an oath to me."

A blink. "You're wrong. You know you're wrong."

"In fact..." A narrow look at him. "You're afraid that they might swear to you, aren't you?"

" besides you I mean, you don't count."

Then he just looks guilty.

"You're afraid..." she continues "...that they'd swear, and then end up disappointed."

" I don't want to fail anyone, put anyone in jeopardy. I don't want anyone hurt because of me."

She sits back and folds her arms. "But you're okay if it's me doing it?"

" you wouldn't fail them." Again, stating the obvious.

"Oh. So I'm perfect and never make any mistakes? I'll remember that the next time we argue." Arms still folded.

" isn't that what we are doing now?"

"Exactly. So I must be right. You're the head of House Truthbranch." Game-set-match. Smile.

Now he knows where Magnus gets it from.

She relents, unfolding her arms to rest a hand on his arm. "August...nobody's saying you're going to do it alone. I lead the barony, and you help advise me in that. You lead the House, and I'll help advise you. It's likely to make for some wonderfully passionate debates, but that's part of what will make it the best it can be. If you put me in charge of both, well...I can't promise I wouldn't just end up doing whatever was easiest for me rather than what was right."

He sighs. "If.... if you're sure."

She reaches to take both his hands in hers and meets his gaze seriously. "I am very, very sure."

He sighs, looking forlorn.

"August! Stop! This is a happy thing!"

"When you woke Camillus...was he disappointed? When you met Trina, did she look disgusted?"

"No. No, he didn't and she didn't. She... no, she didn't."

"Then be happy, my love. They are."

A sigh for strength, and he straightens up., fixing his face with resigned determination.

"Now...with that said..." She does turn a bit more serious. "I think maybe we should get our marriage solidified before we broadcast the existence of House Truthbranch widely."

"We may not have a choice." August points out. "If what's doing this -is- the anniversary, we could end up with ... more. All over."

"True. Well...." A brief troubled frown. "Well, we'll make it work." Determined nod.