#earthrunes

"YEs," she says "Password1 is a terrible password and you should feel bad!"

"OH GREAT," he says "now I HAVE to change it."

She smirks, then turns, "Baron? " And bows.

Ivory rises and follows suit.

He nods. "Dame, I found an addition to my study. It's very nice but.... do you know anything about it?"

"Is this about the sword?" She asks

"Yes."

"Yes, Baron. Dame Temerity commissioned it, She insisted your study have a weapon handy in case you should ever find yourself without one."

Blink. "In my study?"

"Yes, Baron. I.." The Dougal looks apologetic, "I thought it was with your approval, though she never said it was now taht I think of it."

A sigh. "Well. Pooka. I am sure it was well-intended."

"I do believe she is faithful to you " Honoria says

"To the point of fanaticism" Ivory mutters

"She honors me greatly."

"I do like her," Honoria says "She's contagious in her enthusiasm"

"if you want the mantle takeng down, I can do it and make sure the wall has no mark" Honoria offers

"No, thank you. It is a generous gift. I must thank her."

She bows "Happy to be of Service then, Baron."

Balancing the cat on his shoulder, he goes in search of the mighty mouse pooka.

He searches, but does not find, not at her usual spot of the sparring ring, nor near the stables, Nor at Jack's. Though it at this last that he learns from Jack that Temerity has been out. No sooner does August resign himself to waiting for her return when... Temerity does! Beaming happily and with a bit of excess glamour.

"My lord!" She doffs her helmet with a sweeping bow, cloak fluttering.

"Dame." He nods back. I understand I owe you my thanks

?

"

"Of course, Lord. I am sure, but it is much returned! For are we not bound in a cylce of..." A pause "A thanks for what?"

"A sword?"

"AH! " She nods, "Yes, lord. I confess. It is I who threatened the Dougal with Death should she not make sure the study was outfitted with the most lethal of instruments to protect you from the rampaging horde."

"I had not thought I would encounter rampaging hordes in my study....."

"Hordes are always rampaging, lord, it's part of what makes them hordes. Suffice to say, I did not deem the room secure to my satisfaction. And, as is my place as knight with no authority, I took steps. "

"I appreciate your care for my well being." Sincerely.

A light blush "You are my liege, and head of the banner, this appreciation is most unseemly my lord. Nod as it is your due, perhaps stroke your beard."

"But I haven't got a beard....."

"A subject of debate among rumormongers, lord, but I defend your good name!" She nods

"Ah."

"But my lord, the news i have.. oh, yes. A mother and son reunited after years in the arena together... they thought they would never again speak a kind word, but with effort I managed to shove them in a box together "

"Excellent work, Dame, if I understand you. Do you think you could tell me about it?"

"Of course, my lord... the dragon of old wounds had cursed them, but I quested and helped them find the Fountain of Forgivness, and after slaying the guardian of pride gone wrong, did bade them drink!"

"Do you think you could transcribe your lessons learned? So they can be shared."

"Gladly!" She beams

He offers his hand to her.

She takes his and gives it a comrade squeeze

He bends over it and kisses her knuckles in a courtly fashion.

A blush "My lord, Fiona have devoured your brain, but I thank you"

He blushes back at that. "My sincere apologies if that was unwelcome. "

"AH, lord, I am to my bone, a mouse and we all know mouse is the most warlike of totems. I leave courtly graces to more timid creatures like lions"

She elbows him friendly like to show there's no hard feelings

"Ah. Yes, our own lion is courtly indeed."

"And serves him right," She sniffs, "Why I hear he even takes advantage of others charity"

But she also smiles right after "Thinest thou he liked the tourney in his honor?"

"I know he did." Certainly.