#earthrunes

"No...but can one go an knock on his cave?"

"If one knows where it is. But that... could be taken as an insult."

"We don't mean disrespect. Far from it"

"Dragon etiquette isn't exactly my field of expertise," Sylvi admits. "But I've got a good track record so far." She smooths her emissary sash.

Colton nods "When my girl is on her game she's a force for emmisaryship" Proud

"Nocturnus is a dragon I have some experience with. I defeated him, once, upon a Pennons..." She considers. "I might be able to arrange a meeting, but it will take some effort."

Sylvi gives Colton a bit of a look. "Your girl? Thanks, Dad."

Colton winces "Oh don't say it that way. I mean like ..my girlfriend "

"Wait...wait...how did you defeat him?"

Siv grins "you did ? That's amazing." Doesn't doubt it.

Colton seems to be only vaguely in the doghouse. Doghouse warning.

She smiles. "In single combat."

"Nice. Riddles? My guess would be riddles" Siv says then coughs "Sorry. You'll share if you want to. Please, Zara. It could be a matter of lives and death"

She sobers and nods. "I can arrange a meeting, I think, but you must negotiate this. My friendship can buy an audience, not his aid. Not against Skallstryke."

"I'd really like that story sometime. "

Colton frowns "So even other dragons are afraid of Skallstryke"

"You mean...Nocturnus won't help?"

"No, I mean I cannot secure his aid on my relationship alone. I can, I believe, convince him to meet with you. You, Emissary, must needs persuade him."

"Oh. Well, that's different." She nods.

Siv looks to Sylvi "There maybe a price . But if there is one, I'll try to find a way to pay it. "

"If what you say about enmity is true, it may make the price less dear."

Sylvi's expression grows more serious. "If there's a price, I'll pay my share."

A grateful hopeful look to Zara. "Thank you, Zara. Oh.. your payment." She offers a folder "i'm sorry it's not very pretty."

"Not that I think your'e telling us for pay, but ..sluagh see it as a sign of respect right?" Siv adds

A blink at the envelope. "Um....Siv? What did you pay?"

She takes the folder.

"Copies of notes about dragons that father had me go over. Liam and troll lore... Mountains pooled knowledge... somethings even a sluagh might not know" A smile

"A token of respect is most appreciated..."

Thumbing through, the occasional nod.

"If I can help somehow with paying the dragon..." Colton says "Then... let me know too."

Siv looks at Sylvi and Colton "Frankly, I think it should fall on me. I am the Chieftess daughter and I think mom is the one who will definitely be one of the three"

"I would take Symon with you, personally..."

Sylvi smiles at Colton. Yup, that scored points.

Colton smiles back a bit brainlessly lost in affection.

Then a look to Siv. "She's my Chief. I'm in on the payment."

Siv nods to Zara, "He's clever." Then at Sylvi's comment "Stubborn"

"Symon? I didn't realize you knew him."

A mysterious smile.

Siv does not seem surprised, "Sylvi, Zara could fill another library with things she knows but isn't telling easy"

"But I tell you this - mind your manners with Nocturnus. Do not demand anything."

"Sylvi's too good a diplomat to make that mistake" Siv assures "She's..worked wonders as emmisary before"

A somewhat-modest shrug.

Colton whispers to Sylvi "Sure work wonders on me"

A smile at the whisper, then she looks to Siv. "Are we going right away?"

Was that an eye-roll?

Surely not...

"I shall need a day to make the arrangements."

"Oh...maybe we should stay over...."

Completely innocent suggestion.

"Oh yes. I know a guest room" Colton says