#earthrunes

August sits, carefully. "It was."

"You two do know your'e both alive here.. and both of ye wilders?"

"Aye?"

"Way you're talking it's like you're afraid you'l l trip over your great white beards if you speak of 'ancient times'" Siv says "Now, you're two of the smartest folk I know, both lore lovers. I don't expect you to handle funny voices or accents, but surely you have a story between the two of you about it? For example.. " A look at Zara, "An Innocent Hydra?"

"She defended it." Quietly. "We helped it find a home...."

"Hydras are wild beasts. They are dangerous, but not malicious."

"There is a difference."

"Aye, but why was it attacking in the first place? Not like such things come to the Autumn world often"

August glances at Zara, looks away. "Someone asked me to help ..... stop it. So I did."

Zara frowns when August looks away, but says nothing.

"Zara protected it." Softly.

"We sent it to a deep place in the Dreaming. It had been summoned by a Ravager to meet his own twisted ends."

"Why was it in the autumn world? What drew it? How did the villain use it?" Curious

"Ah.. a ravager... he did he use a spell or item? " Curious indeed

"Yes."

Siv raises a brow "he used both?"

"Tantalus. Aye."

"And he tried to destroy Caesar to destroy his own aunt? Ravaging is a horror, but this fellow sounds nuts"

August nods.

"He is. I... care not much for Jude, but that was the best place for him."

A glance at Zara, testing.

Zara is studying her tea.

"Well, from what I know of the tale, and it's not much beyond this that I've heard..and thank you for that, it was a good story about three friends uniting to take down a threat to many."

"Well, certainly, the Liam are no friends to ravagers."

She nods "But more than that, August went to aid Caesar and you against what first wasn't known to be a Ravager, but a Hydra...that's brave and shows a good friend. And then you discovered there was more to it than that, Zara, and I'm suspspecting without charing them a favor or for kknowledge in turn, so they wouldn't hurt an innocent beast... that's noble...and I don't mean in the title sense. Each of you began a path thing of being more than what any expected of you and walking a path of freindship that has lead you both to greatness. It's a great story of friendship, which as Fiona know, is another form of love, is it not? This.. this is a good story about good folk"

An eyebrow.

He looks away.

Siv is no boggan, but she clearly knows something is going on "Zara, are ye saying you did charge favor or lore?"

"No."

"But I am curious as to why this has drawn your attention. It was years ago."

"It's relatively news to me" She says "Earl was telling me of some of the adventures you two had... how your friendship saw you through, but he left out a lot of details. Even in the ones he was involved in. "

"Ah."

"So naturally, while no Eiluned, I was curious. And when I got a chance to set two good friends down and get to talk to you both at the same time, sure seemed like a good idea." A look at both "Didn't realize you two were going to act like we were at a funeral."

"We had some few adventures, in those times."

"I'm envious. Comrades at arms, well, it makes a difference aye?"

"Mm."

"Yes."

"I mean, I know if I go with Dagmar, she's got my back. And I take Sylvi along, she's a natural leader. And I'd say bot hare friend and family in their way. But you two...in some ways that's an even more rooted friendship. Battle tested, time worn. I kind of see you and Earl like three musketeers"

"I do not know if that is quite... accurate."

August can't meet Zara's eyes.

"So, what is accurate?" She asks

A look to August "You too, Baron. What's it like?"

"The Baron has his Trueheart, and his Bannerhouse. Quite a few things that are dear to him. Before he achieved such esteem, aye, we had more adventures together. But good, bad - change is inevitable."

"Aye, true, and you have your studies... and time in Poughkeepsie" Siv says "But neither of ye are dead. Might be time for an adventure or.. .as this proves," She raises a cup "Tea"

August has not touched his.

"We both have very different lives now."

He looks..... bland. Without emotion.

"If you will pardon me. Please, feel free to stay."

"Of course" She sayys

"No, I'll go. Zara.... I'm sorry." He rises and departs.