#earthrunes

"And Zara? Was she involved in the original case?" A brow

"Zara recruited me."

"Well, that explains it" They approach the library "She doesn't like me, does she?"

"I have not heard her say so." He opens the door and steps in.

The Library is dark... though that is no guarantee the Librarian is absent.

August lights a few candles.

Magnus takes his hat off, "Afternoon, Miss Zara, if you're there."

"Please take a seat, Magnus."

The glint of dark eyes. "Magnus Truthbranch."

"And August." Oh, the second is a MUCH warmer whisper.

He does take a seat, "I understand you wish to coordinate with me, Miss Zara. "

"August says you are largely focused on the mortal infrastructure."

The smile on August's lips blooms warmly.

"Not exclusively, but yes. I do know changelings are behind it, but the operation is huge and 90 percent of the 'staff' are humans." He frowns "Not that hat forvies any kithain for taking part in such..afrontery"

"No. It does not."

"I believe you underestimate that satyr."

And he sits with Magnus.

"oh?" He says "How so?"

"Granted, the mortal structure is large, and extensive. But so long as Tantalus plots, more human horror shall grow. He will not restrain his compulsions, and a new abomination shall arise."

"You were with Caesar and August when he first rose up, didn't you?"

"Well, first showed his true nature"

"Aye. I was involved."

"She led us." quietly.

"I suspected. " A nod "Impressive work all around." A pause "Ah, Caesar is a bit too public a figure for me to want to use him for this"

"We think it best to protect him."

August nods.

"Thank you for seeing that"

"But, the fact of the matter is - I can best handle Tanatalus if I can be in sight of him. The most effective fate-bending cannot be done through scrying."

"Truth.." he says "But.. why do you need to be the one who handles him?"

"I, ah, I had not mentioned your strategy to Magnus." August mutters.

"Pray, who would you have handle him?"

"Well, the leading Candidate is a return to Count Jude" Magnus says "he was pressured to ease his punishments by those who found them 'too harsh'. Tantalus had served his time, but this violation will have him not treated nearly so kindly by the Count of the Conch. "

"Feh. His time did nothing - no rehabilitation, no change in behavior. If anything, this new Tanatlus is worse, for he has grown more subtle."

August looks progressively more grave and somber.

"Perhaps this time the Count will mix that with a good ole fashioned Geasa" A nod

"Punishment which does not educate is without meaning." Her eyes narrow. "And a Geasa is slavery."

"I intend to grant Tanatalus that which he sows."

"Those who take the freedom of others deserve to feel shackles of their own- Geasa has it's place, and I'd say this one of them."

"But .. what exactly do you plan to cast upon him? Specifically?"

"The Fire of Fate."

"You," He points to her, "try to down play your abilities. I suspected it, but it's interesting to have it confirmed. "

"One does not use that power often, or lightly."

"I am glad to hear it," He says a look to his father "I owe you an apology, father. You're better at keeping really big secrets than I suspsected. Of course, I never had much use for secrets once the need for them is over... but clearly that's ..subjective at times. Can we still agree that Tantalus and this whole chain must be stopped? The how exactly secondary to that?"

"Aye, agreed."

August nods after Zara speaks. "Agreed."

"Okay, then, I can tell you some more on the mortal sides of things, and what i know of the changeling influence... though I suspect anyone who can cast fate fire and already met Tantalus has scriedo n him plenty and may know more than I on some of his actions."

A wry little smile.

"Of course, I have some of his leg fur, and that's been a big help for me, lesser though my talent maybe"

"Hair is a useful tether, aye."

"Shall we trade notes soon? My wife expecting me, but .. say, tea in an hour or two?"