#earthrunes

"Thank you, Zara." A gentle smile.

"I... may need some quiet, for a bit. You are welcome to stay and read, if you wish."

"I can leave you in privacy if you would prefer, Zara." He offers honestly.

A blink. "You are welcome to stay and read..."

His face lights up again. "Then I will." And he gets a book; for recreation! And reads.

(Fade to reading)

****************************************
(Later)
August is prepared for bed, and is reading in his/their chambers.

Coradel is finishing her own bedtime routine, brushing out her glorious hair. Eventually, she rises from her vanity and moves to the bed, slipping in beside him. She props a pillow up behind her so she can sit up, then simply looks at him, arms folded.

Oh dear, lost in his book......

She waits him out for a minute or so.

Nope, definitely reading.

Her eyes grow larger, and finally she jabs a finger in his ribs.

He jumps. "Yes?"

"You forgot I was here," she pouts. "First you left me out of the planning, and then you forgot I was here!" A humph. He knows her well enough to know this is largely for show....but with Fiona, it could change to real insult at any moment.

He puts down the book (not even marking his place) and turns to her. "I apologize." Sincerely. "That was .... inexcusable of me."

He takes her hand.

Still pouting, she allows him to take her hand, and might be slightly mollified. "Well...yes."

"I hope at least it's a good book."

"Research." He admits. "How may I make amends?"

"Research? Into...?"

"Ah..... for the quest."

"The quest I'm not allowed to know about," she pouts again. Then she tilts her head. "How did Tantalus get loose? Did he have allies who broke him free?"

"Count Jude released him. And, I will tell you of the quest."

"If you wish to know."

"Of course I wish to know, but why on earth would he release him? Have you spoken to the Count?"

"I have not, but I hope to. I believe he felt Tantalus's time was served, but I cannot be certain."

A frown. "August...has anybody spoken directly to Count Jude about this?"

"Not that I know of, but I have a letter written to send to him. I will be in contact with him before we go."

August is calm and assuring.

"Hm." She seems dissatisfied. "Not sure you can trust the people who would get to the letter before he does."

A puzzled tilt of his head. "You suspect his court?"

"Well, were you ever under the impression that Tantalus's imprisonment was going to be temporary?"

"I never thought about it, Coradel. It happened .... it was all very quick."

"I'm just saying...I have trouble believing that Tantalus would just be let out and the Count wouldn't have advised the people who had defeated him in the first place."

"I... I'm sure he did what he thought was best, having direct information and experience in the matter." Loyally.

"If he was in control of the decision at all...." Coradel points out with a expressive look.

"Who else would be?"

"Well...what if it isn't Jude? What if somebody has taken his form while he is imprisoned? Or what if somebody has ensorcelled his heart to make decisions he might not normally make? Or more simply, what if he is being blackmailed in some fashion?"

August blinks. "Then.... Tantalus being loose would be the least of our problems."

"Well, certainly a big part of a bigger problem, yes."

"Have -you- heard of anything that would indicate Count Jude is... under that kind of influence?" Dubious.

"Only that he has released an incredibly violent criminal without warning those who should know."

A nod to emphasize the rightness of her position.

August thinks. "I.... If Count Jude is, in fact, in and of himself then to go to Duke Tieron directly would be vastly insulting. But if he is not, then the Duke should be made aware." A paradox.

"Well, maybe somebody could find out about Count Jude, first. Maybe somebody who is a skilled seer?"

August looks horrified. "I can't ask her to do that."

"Why not?"

"Can you imagine Count Jude would welcome such... ah, prying? And... I don't think she cares for him very much."

"Fine. But maybe Almandine could manage it?"

"And...maybe it could be indirect? Scry on somebody in his inner court, see if they're concerned about the Count's recent behavior?"