#earthrunes

"Thank you. Was there a return message?"

"No, Sir. But he says that he'll send a messanger wihin a day and a half"

August nods. "Thank you."

"I think hyou've a good shot at House Daireann, Sir if you don't mind me saying? Baron Quinlann at least seems won over"

A fast, small smile. "I've had the honor of his acquaintance for some time." A breath. "It's the other Houses...."

"Aye. " Innish says "How devious do you want us to get?"

"Ahh... not at all? Success based in duplicity is not success."

"AH well, I did work for an Eiluned for several years. I thought you might want me to spy"

"Not.... not overly. What good would it do?"

"Because one can get support easier if one had dirt on that someone, Sir Knight"

August shakes his head, uncomfortable. "That is not how I want to start this. Blackmail? Cheating?"

"Realpolitik some would say, sir. Knowledge is power." Innish says "How do you think Eiluned does so well? It's not likablity"

"Still."

"As you say, Sir. I just wish I could do more to assist"

"Thank you, Innish. That means a great deal."

"Well, I am fond of the Baroness. Though at times it' shard to think of her as not just that young fledleing and heir" Wistful, "Even the Baron, Dreaming rest him, thought of her as a ray of sunshine in a dark place."

"She is." Gently

"Ah, the Baron saw the righto f it"

"About Coradel? Yes
"

"Aye,"

"Well, thank you again."

"Any messages to anyone else you need me to send, Sir?"

August nods. "If you feel up to it?" He offers over a stack of Pennons invitations. "Coradel's idea, to try and make a good showing, bring votes in."

He gathers them up, "Part of my duty, Sir. Fear not."

"Good job." August smiles.

"mm I'll keep you posted, and the Baroness , too of course"

"Of course."

"The County events may steal a way a lot of candiates for contest"

"True. Nevertheless, it is what we can do."

HE bows, and heads off. Leaving August be. Lots to do

Coradel is away.... August wanders, pacing. I don't have any experience with getting people to like me or support me. How could I? I need someone to help me with this, but....

But who to seek out?

He wanders aimlessly, hoping the motion will jar some thoughts loose, or just plain exhaust his anxiety.

And he ends up stumbling down into the pub.

Jack the satyr looks up, "You look like a man whose surprised he's in a bar"

Indeed he does! "I was just, wandering. Thinking."

"What about? You want tea?"

"Yes. Yes, thank you." He takes a seat.

Jack normally serves harder fare, but has learned how to make a pretty good cup of tea, "So, what were thinking about? If it's up for discussion?"

A sigh. "People generally don't like or trust me, but I need them to. I don't know how to get that to happen. And I don't want to cheat."

"Oh... mmm well, your House's rep doesn't help I imagine"

He nods.

"Mm and you're more a thinker than a social butterfly. So Sparrow mgiht be who you want to get help from."

He nods again. "Derynwydd and Coradel. And Magnus, for that matter. They are far more apt than I."

"What do they say about this?"

"Oh, they support the revival of the banner house. Coradel has had a few ideas about how to garner support, which I'm working on."

"Mmm so you want to charm those outsie the house but not in an insincere way. Yeah, that's tough"

He nods, sipping his tea. "This is very nice, thank you."

"I suppose I could do some reading. Carnegie, that kind of thing."

"How to win friends and influence people? Mmm maybe. Read that once, not bad advice. But honest August? I think you can be sincere and at the same time oppurtunistic. Some deals are made. Backs are rubbed back and forth"