#earthrunes

The sky over Earth Runes rips open and a flying ship comes into view, tattered sails, a bit of damage.. it's a beautiful viking ship with a hole in it's hull and every now and then, it threatens to drop out of the sky. The Bird of Prey figure on it seems to glint with triumph despite it's injury.

"Are.. are we fucking being raided?" Rollo the thane looks up

"COOL" Oswald says!

Rollo gives him a look.

"And terrible. Raids are terrible" Oswald coughs "I'll sound the alarm"

When the alarm goes up, Coradel rushes outside, summery gown swirling about her. She follows the thanes' gazes to the sky. "They're in no shape to attack, I think they're trying to land. How can we help them?"

Rollo frowns, "I got no idea, Ladyship."

Oswald says "Dame Agincourt or Dame Honoria might know.. Dougals are always thinking of things... should I go get?"

"Go! Hurry!"

Whoever is flying the vessel is taking long winding loops. At first it might seem they've lost control, but then the noble woman realizes wheover is at the wheel is using the movement to delay the crash

A moment later, a chimerical mechanical griffin comes out, Steamfeather, Carrying both Honroria and Agincourt! They fly past the Baroness and Honoria yells out "We have a plan"

"Don't shoot," A voice calls from the ship. Squire Colton?? It is! "IT's us!"

"Good!" Coradel yells back. "We're sending up help!"

"Somebody fetch Bachdion, quickly! And Healer Emmaline!"

It turns out to be a good idea. Particularly the healer, for the girl holding the wheel is going pale from loss of blood.

When the satyr grump arrives, Coradel explains the passengers may need to be FlickerFlashed off the ship before it crashes. "The ship can be repaired."

Bachdion nods, "I understand.,.. but the way it's moving, flight would be safer"

But above them... Agincourt , carried by Honoria, flies along the hole... whatever the boggan says is lost in the wind, but a chunk of some siege weapon is spat out.

"Yes! Oh, yes, that makes sense. If you can help them...."

And then the hull starts to patch up... a heatherbalm on a ship? Trust a Dougal to know how

But Coradel watches and...well....

Mmm looks like that debris is about to land on her if she stays in this five foot area.

"Fixing the craft while it is in the air. Impressive."

And she moves swiftly, but gracefully, out of the way of the falling debris.

Unfazed, this barely registers on the 'ooo that was mildly alarming' on the Fiona fearlessness meter. WHAM near her. NOthing the groundskeeper can't patch.

Perhaps a new raised garden bed on the spot. But her attention is more on the ship. Can they fly it now? Land safely?

And the ship regains it's strength, and it's flight and halts... answering her question.

"Yes. I think the workshop roof might have what they need" Bancroft says. "In fact, theyr'e guiding her to it now."

She recognizes the one at the helm now.. Siv! That troll girl with all the questions.

Coradel beams and applauds the successful rescue of the ship. Still, that girl looked badly wounded...she orders Healer Emmaline to hurry and help her.

Emmaline YIPES as Bachdion hopscotches her onto the ship... or perhaps it was more in the vein of 'I regret noooothiinnng'

She then asks somebody to fetch a scribe and have the ship's complement brought to the audience chamber as soon as possible.

"I do believe they come bearing a story."

And Rollo looks at her, "Ah, Baroness? The official scribe is.. away on a quest"

She looks at Rollo. "I'm quite aware. But we need somebody to fill the role as best as possible."

"Velvet would probably do it in a form that Sir August can transcribe ...when he gets back. I'll go get her by your leave?" Thane Oswald says

"Yes, thank you." Another look in the direction of the ship, and then she heads to the audience chamber. The healer does not need her underfoot while healing is happening.

Indeed. Coradel goes in to find the Steward there. WIth Velvet ready

"Baroness, it seems a lot is going on?" Delores was whispering to the sluagh but now turns to attend

"Indeed. A flying ship, piloted by Siv Waveborne of Rivervale and carrying Squire Colton has narrowly avoided crash-landing. Dame Agincourt repaired the ship in the air, and it is now settling safely. Squire Colton was in the company of Seana when she left, so I hope she is also on board, and safe. They are being brought here as soon as all are healed and secure." A bit of summing up for Velvet's scribal benefit. "They'll want refreshment, certainly."

"Oh my, never a dull moment," The Steward says "I'll see to it. I know what Squire colton likes for a meal. Velvet, now you know why Thane Oswald retreived you."

The Squire sluagh actually looks a bit disappointed for some reason but then says 'of course. Thank you for this honor, Baroness"

A slightly bemused look at Velvet. "Your studies will not be advanced today, I think, Squire. I can't even pretend to be sorry for that."

"I..was rather hoping someone else was returning, Baroness" Velvet says in a meek voice..as if feeling guilty even admiting this sentimentality

Her expression goes a bit more sad, but she gives a gentle smile. "I have dreamed him, well and happy and full of...life." A bit of a redirect there, amused. "He is gone longer than we'd like, yes, and I miss him terribly...but he will return soon. I am certain of it."

"Speaking of which," The Steward says having sent word to the kitchens, "If I may act as a friend and not your steward for just a moment?" She lowers her head.

Delores is up to something

A blink. "Of course...?"

"Sir Earl had a suggestion in case we took longer than needed. I completely agreed and put my resources to it." She hands over a small envelope, really no bigger than an index card

A puzzled look. "This is...?" But she doesn't wait for an answer or explanation before beginning to open the envelope.