#earthrunes

"I will, then." Softly. "Good night, Zara. Earl." A nod, and he slips out.

"Good night, August" earl says

Then Earl looks to Zara "I have.. other news"

Eyebrow.

"The Mountain is preparing for a quest. He wants..." A sigh "Uncle Emmit wants me to be acting Mountain while he's gone"

Head tilt. "And how do you feel about that?"

"Conflicted... it's a pain in the ass and seems like a ploy to drag me to the farm more often and get used to the idea... and yet, it's a great honor. I know if you were a troll he'd pick you. But still, it's a great honor."

"Why not Clementine? She is certainly skilled with magic. My understanding is the Chieftain is often one of the Three."

"Yes. I pointed that out. Clem wants me to take the job so I will teach other DeBukes wayfare."

"Well. The DeBukes do not like the idea of any getting away."

"And aye, it is an honor - for the prodigal son? The 'weird one' they taunted and bullied?"

"Well, you can't steal other DeBuke fellows. I'll be jealous" he adds

Then he nods "True, but Clem.. well, you know she stood by me"

"She did."

"And this is a personal favor to her?"

"Not sure.." He says "And it'll wait. Uncle Emmit can wait. We have a mission"

"Do you know what the quest is?"

"No. I asked, he said it was personal and over due" Earl says

"And I should have found another way to answer that" He mutters

"Mmm..."

He knows that face.

"Now you want to find out what this 'personal and over due' thing is, don't you?" He says

"Well... aye."

A kiss on her cheek, "In what ever order you want. But I'm with you on this mission. Not just because I'm protective. I miss doing good with you and August"

"Me too. Though... argh!"

"Protect me?"

"Jude let Tantalus free, and he has used that freedom to enslave others!"

"I do not think even that un-aging elf is my equal in Soothsay, for all he is skilled."

"My lady is a weaver of fate's skein fit to make Arachne envy" He takes her hand and kisses the knuckles "I do not htink Jude meant to hold Tantalus forever. Let us blame Tantalus for taking his chance at redemption and throwing it to the trashbin eh? Jude..well, he CAN be foolish as he proved with you, but I really don't blame him for Tantalus actions"

"No..."

Huff.

"But I do not think returning him there will change him. And Jude... must needs release his prisoners, aye."

"I do understand this."

"But..."

"But.. he has had his turn" A nod

"He in this case being Jude. " A nod "His attempts to teach to work. So, it is just it fall to one who is a tutor in other means"

"Aye."

"Let Magnus handle the mortal authorities."

"Which he DOES seem suited to" A nod

"I feel a responsibility to Tantalus. And I suspect Magnus does not appreciate what he is dealing with, there."

"Fiona can be reckless. What of Siv? Ask her to help the other group or a third location?"

"Mmm... Siv and I, perhaps, should visit Rivervale."

"While it may be elsewhere in Gardens... well, she is the Shacklebreaker. She has no care for me, but will listen to Siv."

"Mmm that's a good point. " Earl says "And you can say hello to Gerd and Symon again." HE nods

"Aye, true."

"Have tea."

"Thank you," he slides in to a chair, "Let us have tea, speak in French, and I will gaze into your eyes"

A little grin. "Now that sounds pleasant."

"Good tea, good company, good conversation"

And that proves to lead to a pleasant next hour indeed...