#earthrunes

"One could take that as direction from the Dreaming, Sir" She admits "And this adds weight. " In the folds of her dress. He sees a magnfiicent sword , the hilt has a mouth design, open.

to a sluagh and sluagh alone... it gives out a concentration shattering drone of sound.

Discourging them from spying on her.

He nods another a glance at the hilt. "That is how I take it, yes."

"Do you know much of House Varich?" She asks

"EarthRunes Master of animals is of your House....ah,but I don't know him that well." August admits.

"Ah, well, House Varich can never swear an oath of truehearts .Love itself is.. hard for us. We have learned to do without." A shrug "We tend to disregard it from the many patterns of the world . Your cause is of little interest to us, but I do not imagine we are terribly opposed. "

August is quiet for a moment. "There was a time I excluded romantic love from... my thoughts. I was content in that."

"What changed your ..." A pause "Forgive, if you had not brought it up, I'd not ask, but since you do mention this personal thing, what changed your mind?"

"A quest. I returned with a recovered memory.... of my wife."

"She must be pleased to have been so ingrained" Not mockery "We lose so much in the mists"

"I, ah, took pains to be able to recall her even against the Mists." He admits.

"Im not sure if that's foolish or terribly romantic or both" She says

"At the time, I would have credited it to morbid curiousity. "

that actually gets a soft laugh

"Thank you. I am sure it wasn't easy to share with a stranger. Tell me, this Banner House. Will it allow sluagh?"

"Anyone who loves is welcome. Romantic love
is not the only sort of love."

"Well there is breadth to your cause, but my ... House is not fond of sluagh. As they maybe joining you, well, that discourages our vote."

"Why?"

"It was they who cost our House Founder love... it was their trickery that forever made him cold to the heart." She sighs "A Sad tale. I will not bore you with it. I suspect you would not change your policy even if you heard it. "

"I'm afraid I'm strongly rooted in the Seelie Code, that Love Conquers All." Gently, but not apologetically. "And so, my heart hurts for the burden your House bears."

"No pity, please. We don't suffer it well. But I will take your words as ... profound understanding." She says, then bites her lip, "I am not sure I can sway them to you. I could try, but...well, I must ask for something "

"Not pity." He says. "Yes, understanding. My own House has its burdens. What would you ask for, Lady Nadeen?"

"I doubt you have a spare hold, no really does" amusement in her lips "Though if you do I will strive very hard to sway them"

August smiles. "Liam rarely have 'Holds or lands at all. I am fresh out."

"A shame, your House deserves a few more. I do not say that to ingratiate. Your people have a knack for musing ,for replanting as it were. " She nods then ponders "I could ask for great treasures, but I imagine you don't have many of those either."

"I had some marbles but I gave them to EarthRunes when I moved here. I have my sword....."

"It's a fine blade, but Whispermourn serves me well enough. How far are you willing to take haven?"

A head tilt. "How do you mean?"

"A fief a barony, can only hold so many kitahin before they become a drain on the dreamers in the area, the balefire itself.... how many kithain would you be willing to take into Earth RUnes and it's area , to allow to move here? Mostly commoners"

August shakes his head, not to dismiss but to forestall. "Baroness Coradel rules EarthRunes. I cannot make promises for that. But we could speak about it. May I make a note?"

"Please do. If She can guarantee me that one dozen Kithain would be helped to start new lives here, then I will write letters to my superiors and plead on your behalf. But I must know soon."

"A dozen." August jots a few things down. "Do you have specific Fae in mind?"

A bite of her lip, "yes. One troll maiden.... and one satyr wilder. Others as well, but those are the specific ones."

"If you can find room for more than that, so much the better, but my price is homes and help for one dozen should I call on it"

A whisper from the rock man

A curious tilt of his head but he nods as he writes. "I will."

She looks up at the glome 'Not yourself?"

"I am where I am ... but her anchor can be moved. " Klump says.

She nods and then looks to August "Please add one Krofted Glome allowed in these lands as well to the list. Fortunately, she will be easier to settle"

August dutifully (if puzzled) writes it down.

"I thank you, Sir. Now, please forgive me. I must entice these men and women of power and see if I can get a political marriage that will serve myself , my house, and, if need be, others good. I must thank you for gathering them for me." Humor?

"I.... ah.... you... yes. Of course, My Lady." He bows because he doesn't know what else to do about that.

Klump frowns at the 'joke' "I do not understand ...marriage, but it seems to me that you should find one that brings out the strength of you and you he, not one that merely shines like a polish. Polish fades"

"Thank you, Klump" She sighs, "That will be enough of that." Then she curtseys and moves on

Klump shrugs, a strange inhuman gesture, and then follows.

Leaving August with an offer of an advocate.

(And back to PBEM)