#earthrunes

"Oh, certainly! An honorable quest can often make for the most excellent stories later. But when one's honor prevents one from acting...if one has to keep from doing what's right for the satisfaction of some obscure detail that's been interpreted in the most constipated manner in the name of honor...well, that's Gwydion territory, I think."

Then an easy shrug. "Or I could be running my mouth. My manor, my privilege."

Siv looks troubled, thinking back on the time her mother and other Gwydions had insisted was THE right way at times, "They can be a touch rigid." Then she smiles at the bit of the manor "Aye. Well , if Fiona are allowed to act on their heart or gut first then I've found the right house."

"Perhaps," Coradel agrees. "I seem to have interrupted, though." She waves them back to practicing.

"Also, " Claire looks at the Baroness, then back, "You have to be careful of accepting what others say is 'honorable' at face value. Many a 'noble' knight has played to their strength. A master swords man may sneer at arm wrestling, because one he is more likely to win, and CALL it honor. "

Siv says "That's why we have the Code of Dagda among trolls." She says "To keep our strength in mind."

"Trolls are unusual in their relationship with honor. Not that some don't also have those flexible definitions, as Dame Claire describes. But that Code does tend to keep them from losing track of themselves, yes."

"I once..." A breath " tried to coddle my mother. I did not mean it as insult, but in retrospect, it was. She brought me to task for it, rightly so. That didn't stop my protective urges, but it gave them perspective. I think even then I knew I valued love over honor. I value both mind, but... if I have to do one or the other, I favor love." Siv remembers how damn SCARY Her mom was, how powerful. Would she have done it again? Not in the same way, but she might still have tried to work it so her mom was ..buffered a bit. Maybe. "It turns out my mother really doesn't appreciate coddling."

Claire blinks "Coddling Brekke 'the Shacklebreaker' King? isn't that like Coddling a Cave Bear?"

"Not in the slightest," Siv says "You have a chance against a cave bear"

Coradel looks very amused. "I'm trying to picture the scene. And I'm wondering if you wet yourself."

"I did not," Siv says, then adds "Everything was too clenched for anything like that to happen"

She laughs, a clear bell sound. "I think I very much approve of your mother. And I hope she appreciates your love, Captain."

"For all their quiet ways, it's they who taught me how to love" Siv admits "The first type of love I ever knew. "

Bemused. "Your parents may be dismayed to know they're the ones who set you on the Fiona path."

"I think I'll be kind and hold that one in reserve until I need to win an argument" A grin

"Clever and cagey. Make sure to keep your bits clenched if you play that card, though."

"I try to time bathroom breaks before talks like that if I know they're coming" Siv says and she might not be entirely joking

Claire says "I know my House is the last one your mother probably wants you talking to, but if you ever write memoirs about your lodge, let me know. I think they'd be more amusing than I thought"

"I admit, Dame CLaire I don't..ah, trust you fully, but I'm not the writer anyway" She says

"No? Who is?"

"Oh, Sir Vali writes some ripping good sword and sorcery fiction, I put a copy in the library. And Pr. Wayburton writes thesis on political systems ... both used mom as a kind of template actually"

"Did they? Well, I suppose that sort of publicity works for some leaders...." Thoughtful.

"Oh she didn't seek it, makes her cringe. " Amusement?

then a touch of guilt at the amusement

"I need to read these books" Claire ponders

"Get in line," Coradel says.

"Not to butter you up, Baroness," Siv says "But mother's not the only one with much praise. The story of you breaking the Siege of the Fell is known even in our corner of Apples. "

A nostalgic smile. "That was a hell of a good fight."

Claire says "The one I nearly died in? Yeah.. we may have different definitions of enjoyable memories" but a slight smile

"Wait, you fought too?"

"Dame Claire defended the balefire, nearly with her life."

"house AIlil, two knights, defended the balefire" Claire says proudly, "The Dragon too, has it's pride" She inclienes her head "But then Heir COradel won her lord's hold's safety by rallying, fighting, and more... and Sparrow, well, she was lightning. Many put forth effort but the Truthbranches rightly hold key parts of the story"

Siv clearly hadn't heard about Ailil being invovled, but nods at the rest

"Key parts," Coradel echoes archly. "Well, I'm so glad I made it in as a character in your tale, at least, Claire." She adds a wink.

A snerk from Siv

"And now it strikes me that the Captain has gotten us reminiscing...when perhaps she's actually trying to avoid getting her butt kicked again?"

Siv blushes "I did kind of need to recapture my wind."

"I leave her ass kicking to you, Baroness." Claire says "I'm going to kiss my husband "

"Do so, Dame, and soundly."

And Coradel enters the ring.

"Oh boy" Siv says, and is glad she got that break.

(End scene)