#earthrunes

Sir Ivory frowns, the pale alabaster looking sidhe has hung on the edges. But August hears him mutter "Balor, Leanhaun, Not sure it's worth it to our House if we're going to end up being controlled by any one of the dark three"

The young Liam is idealistic, and a bit fierce.

Magnus is trying to calm him, "You have to play the game. "

August, close enough to hear, turns to his House brother. "Not controlled, no." Gently.

Ivory blushes, on him it really shows, "Forgive me . Sir August, Sir Magnus... The Leanhaun Count is charming, but if he asks that the House be allowed into this fief undisturbed... or to stay at this hold..."

Magnus says "Then he'll be asking we honor the right of haven... which would happen likely anyway. Doesn't mean we trust them or let them sneak. Trust me. I would investigate the hell out of them ... probably only to find two sluagh hushing me"

"As for the Balor," Ivory says "I could barely stand that cackling twit"

"EarthRunes is Baroness Coradel's to rule as she sees fit." Mildly.

"I know, but the Bannerhouse seems like everyone wants to cheapen it" IVory says "At least we'll get votes from the seelie ones"

Magnus coughs

"We're NOT Getting all the Seelie House votes?" Ivory says looking at August

"Perhaps not. House Gwydion is.... deliberating. "

"And House Eiluned is dallying with mother's time and still might promise the moon only to sell us out... they love intrigues as much as their brother house. Add to the fact Dougal has never been sentimental..." Magnus points out

Ivory groans "I don't believe this."

August tightens his jaw. "Then we will have to try harder."

"Ironically enough, House Aesin seems to be a plus. Sister was really charming the socks off MOther Drost" Magnus says proudly

A proud smile. "She is very good at this. Thank God one of us is."

August looks around the room. Who has not had Truthbranch contact?

It would appear that Baroness Gowdeen ap Dougal is talking to the Dougal Emmisary over there, perhaps on Sparrow's behalf. Meanwhile a wilder sidhe woman with slavic features wearing the colors of House Varich looks about with great calm. Near her is a Glome, Large and powerful... and seeming uncomfortable in the servant garb he is wearing.. Lastly there is a fellow in fine plate of black and red hue. He removes his helmet revealing a sidhe face that looks highly amused at the proceedings. House Danaan? They're rare! So rare they weren't sure who to send an invite to.. yet one has arrived. His choice who he goes to first if any

"Magnus, Ivory... the Dougal there, the Varisch, and.... is that Danaan? What do you think?"

"The Dougal is... oh wow, Baron Dugald ap Dougal. Quite the legend in his house." Magnus says

"They only sent a baron?" Ivory blinks "Can he really have that much influence?"

"House Dougal pays a great deal of respect to its Graybeards, MASTER Dugald alters and sometimes even constructs Freeholds. You bet they listen to him" Magnus grins. Then a glance towards the Varich "She looks familiar but.. no nothing. Got a guardian with her. Impressive." Then a blink "So that's a Danaan. Can't believe it's coincidence. Honestly, August I have no idea who to suggest"

"We should lobby all three." He takes a breath. "Magnus, you recognized the Dougal Master. Will you and Ivory speak to him? I will pay my respects to the Danaan lord, and follow up with the Varisch lady."

"I'll do my best though I don't have sister's charm. Come along, Ivory. " The two head off with Magnus saying "Be respectful . This man could litterally drop a tower on us"

Ivory follows

August approaches the mysterious stranger.

"Ho there, good fellow," The Danaan greets August as he approaches. "Liam are you?"

August now's respectfully. "I am. Sir August Truthbranch."

"Aha, I Knew it" he says "Actually I didn't know it, but I knew an August Truthbranch was here. You're the reason for this Pennons.. well THIS Pennons, not all Pennons. You're the one who sent the Mouse"

Sent the mouse?

He tilts his head. "Dame Temerity?"

he snaps his fingers "That was her name. I was in the Dreaming, wandering the trods as is our wont, when this lady knight sees my banner and begins to make a fuss. Actually challenged me to a duel for five minutes of my time and compliance. She was a pooka, so I didn't take her seriously... MisTAAAAAKE" he sings the word, then grins "Quite the work out."

"Anyway, after I got her off me... she handed me this invitation... some sort of pitch for a BannerHouse?"

That's his writing. It's the very scroll he was trying to send but ddin't know where to send it to

A gentle smile. "Well done, Dame." He looks up from the invitation. "Thank you for coming......?" He trails off, not knowing how to call the man.

He pauses, "I didn't give my.. oh of course I didn't. Forgive. I am Margrave Arvad Doomhorn, Edgewalker and Farsword."

"Margrave." August bows again. "I am afraid I am unfamiliar with the rest of your titles."

"Oh complicated really.. don't mean what they used to... Margrave will do. You..don't look like a knight to me. It's like it's.. not fitting on your shoulders"

"I.... it..... my title may change, it is true. At the moment, though, I am a knight."

"No.. I imagine not," Then he leans forward and whispers in August's ear, "I thought we had you reduced to nothing, and yet.. here you are."

August utterly freezes in place for a moment, then moves so there is space again between them, watching the Margrave closely.

"After your crime, you want restoration? I.. must tip my helm to your pluck" He admits

" I take it, then, you are reluctant to give your support?" His mild tone is at odds with his wary posture.

"Answer me a question, and truthfully, and I will hear you out" Arvad says

"Truthfully, I will hear your question."

"Did you suffer?" the man asks

A long pause. "I will answer you as best I can. The Dreaming hides much from me. It.... was not a pleasant experience."

"Oh I mean this life too... Liam, and titleless for most of it? You must have been the whipping boy for every Dougal Squire with a chip on his shoulder or Eiluned KNight with an urge to find an outlet for amusement. Nevermind what the Unseelie Houses would do. You were stripped of title, held back from your family for an era, and then your soul forced to seize a human host to arrive without title...a commoner who other commoners would not see as one of their own, a noble who was no noble... oh tell me someone made you suffer?"

His body betrays his, face flushing. " 'Suffer' is a subjective word. Others have, I think, tried."