#earthrunes

"David lusted after Bathsheba, took her to his bed, and had her husband slain in battle."

"OOH, yeah, heard about that one, forgot the names. But David, if I understand, learned his lesson after getting chewed out by a holy man eh? Not so Hunthaze. To his frustration, the widow , undertandibly, grieved and spurned him... and when a friendly boggan saw what was going on, as boggans do, he had the boggan reassigned to a solitary station. Finally, his 'lost love' did end her grieving and turn to him.. Hunthaze at last had his prize... "

"only to hear of another lady... and he realized this one was not his true love reborn after all OOOPPSS.... and he dumped her... after talk of love eternal and more, he dumped the widowed woman he'd manipulated to be his lover...and chased after the 'right' girl this time."

Siv pauses to sip tea, knowing at little of story telling. You let folks react to outrages before you continue

A hiss!

"Aye, a true bastard and a shame to the House Fiona ...but it was not Fiona that proved his ruin. He had made the mistake the monarchists had so often. he had underestimated the very commoners he claimed to champion"

"Sidhe are prone to such..."

"Tis why they need to be reminded by good commonered advisors now and then that they too are mortal in this world, as much as we. The spurned victim was not some damsel, she was a fighter, and she had her pride. Though she thought of challenging him, instead she forged his signature...and recalled the boggan and all those others who lived and he had removed to hide his crimes. The story of his downfall varies then.. but the short of it? They gathered their evidence, and went not to him, not to his liege, but to the reborn lover he had lusted for... and shamed him before her. What ever memories that woman had of him in the past, she realized time in Arcadia had changed him, and not for the better... she refused him too... and told him why! Stories vary.. some say he lost his mind and did try to kill her if he could not have her. Others say he tried to turn to House Fiona which, embarrassed, considered 'merely reassinging him' but ... what is known is that he was slain by a woman's hand. WHich woman? The widow victim or the True Love He lost? Depends on the telling. His heart was torn from his corpse's chest and sealed in alabaster. Hunthaze's heart would later become a treasure of it's own right...with powers show those unfaithful to their subjects and comrades. But the House holds it close.. and speaks of it rarely"

"Oh, delicious..."

"Well, I do not think it is like a matter of House security, and the House does not deny it, but as I said, they rarely mention it. but yes. Oddly, the kith of the women in question, wronged widow and lover no more... it's not mentioned. Given the touch of the heart, it might indeed be two sluagh lasses in the tale. "

"It is a sluaghish treasure. And we tend towards monogamy."

"Calling dibs eh?" Siv smiles "You know, I'd agree to that. It occurs to me that sluagh might be the ones who arranged to have the story vague on the kith of the ladies in question.. keeping the whole of the truth for themselves, while still making sure the warning in the story remains. Perhaps could even be seen as favor to Changeling women of all kiths. Wrong not any daughter of Da'an, boggan, Troll, Cap or Sluagh or any other... for anyone might unleash a justice that would doom a man who acted thus. Keeps the lads, and to a lesser degree ladies, of the silver lion a bit more respectful to all? Just a theory"

"Mayhaps."

"Perhaps, glad you liked the story," she says "I was told it so I didn't assume Fiona was flawless... though, naturally, they do feel they're the BEST house. I think almost every House does "A wink

"Oh, without question."

"I admit, part of me looks forward to prancing about in Rivervale in Red and Silver"

"Well, in the midst of so many Gwydion..."

"Yeah, i like stiring the pot too much"

"Well... I cannot judge this."

Siv chuckles "one thing we have in common I suppose." A nod "Thank you as ever, Zara. I know I probably did kvetch, and it does't SOLVE anything ,but it makes me feel better"

"I do understand... but... the three options remain, nu?"

"For now, acceptance I think, there are lessons here and I will not shy away from them even if patience is not my virtue"

And she sets the cup down

"A choice." The whisper seems to approve.

"Aye. Spinning in circles never got a ship anywhere" And she rises "We'll arrange matters for the lads to meet later. Fine day to you"

"And you, Siv."

and Zara has the silence of her library once again. And that too is pleasant

(end Scene)