#earthrunes

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And so August seeks out Magnus again.

He finds Magnus in the dueling area.. flat on his back. Temerity standing over him

August leans his arms against the top rail and waits.

"Cursed to never use a blade eh?" Temerity says

"Right.. so I focused on magic" He says setting a mace aside

"Never would have guessed," Dame Temerity says

A touch on August's shoulder. "The poor boy," Coradel murmurs.

"Everyone enjoying the show?" Magnus groans

"Could you groan more, dear? For the drama of it?"

August turns around. "Coradel!" Pleased, but surprised.

"Know, Baroness, thy soul son has the heart of a lion.... aye, the fangs are more those of a canary but he is not plummed shabily"

"Hello, Love," Coradel smiles and gives August a warm kiss.

Then she waves to Dame Temerity. "Well, he was facing a most horrific foe in you, Dame!"

"I am a terror to the land, aye. At one time, some one paid a dragon to hunt me down to spare their crops" Temerity's tail flickers

"Indeed? An epic tale, I'm sure?"

(Her kiss is returned.)

She remains close to August, slipping her arms around him as she watches the two in the ring.

"Ah, but i boast not, baroness for I am ever a humble beast." The mouse's ears flicker and she helps pull Magnus

"I hope you're not planning on keeping his pelt, Dame."

"Okay... enough training for today" Magnus says but takes the help

"Nay, lady... i do not poach from branded bulls" A snif "Tis unseemly"

"A wise woman, certainly."

'Bran.. huh.. someone's telling tales" He mutters

Coradel murmurs to August, "You don't frequent this room often. What coaxed you out of the study or library?" a gentle tease.

"I attend to my physical fitness and martial skills, Coradel." He protests mildly. "But, ah, I did come here looking for Magnus."

"Oh my.." Magnus says "Well, that gives me an excuse to sit down and have a drink. Thanks for hte work out, Dame. I think"

"I know you do," Coradel says appreciatively, giving his butt a little pinch.

"Ah." August clears his throat and pinks a little.

"I'm off for a ride. Anything I need to know before I go?" she asks August.

"Noooo...." August takes her hand. "But I'd like to speak with you when you return."

A curious look. "I can wait, if that's better?"

August seems torn but, reluctantly, says "I am not sure it will be better, but it will be sooner."

She grins and looks at him squarely, taking both his hands. "August...love...Decide."

"I.... yes. You may as well stay for our talk. Magnus, you wanted a drink?"

"Well sure, jacks? or just ask one of the staff to fetch one?" He says

"Up to you. It's about your case."

"Oh..." A sigh "Yes that's.. rapidly larger than I expected." A thought "Jacks. I may want more than one drink depends on how it goes" And he motions for August to follow

August offers Coradel his arm, and they follow.

(Unless she objects to Jack's.......)

"Oooh, this sounds juicy. And I'm all in favor of Jack's." She slips an arm through August's and goes along.

And soon Jack is serving them drinks

August sips his sparkling water.

Coradel smiles at Jack. "Bartender's choice, Jack. I'm game for anything."

"Be glad Vince didn't hear you say taht" He lays out something "Try this..."

A bemused look. "Oh, Vince would not be surprised." She takes up the glass and takes a sip.

August waits till all are served. "Coradel, I have a quest this summer that I must attend to... and I'm not sure you will be able to join it or be involved." with quiet regret.

A blink at this announcement as she's drinking.

What Coradel drinks could best be described as a thick smokey mead. it.. tastes better, much better than it should

"It's about the human traffickers that shot me, I suspect" magnus says taking his own

August nods.