#earthrunes

"Thank you, Zara. Now, about the other squadrons, does it matter to anyone who goes on those?"

Zara shakes her head. "I am sure Coradel wishes to be involved..."

August looks uncomfortable. "She does."

"Well, she is a force..."

"She is." Quiet pride.

"And my wife will guard her with her own life... even as she curses me for being another group. Yes, Claire and Coradel for the group in the Duchy I suppose."

August nods.

"In Gardens, or here?"

"Here, here, she has impressed the Duke and Duchess, I am thinking"

"What of Derynwydd?"

"Derynwydd seems to have good relations, has she not been visiting their court?"

"Sister had seemed to be withdrawn of late, but if she wishes to go I'd not stop her... or I could ask if she prefers the team in Jersey? Though yes, the Duke and Duchess of THIS Duchy are more than a little in her debt"

"While I am befriended of Siv, your sister has better relations to Rivervale, also."

"Of course," Magnus could slap himself. "She has studied under Sir Franklyn and worked with them before."

"For that matter, I could call on my House brothers at Rivervale."

"You, August, are going with Zara and I to Tijuana.."

"Sir Carawyn, then."

"Carawyn, aye. Good man, but if we put sister in charge of the squad of Jersey, assuming she wnts it, we should also ask who she wants to put in that squad," Magnus sips tea.

Zara makes a face.

"You do not need me for... all of that, aye?"

"No no, Miss Zara. I am aware you want to focus your own efforts on Tantalus' capture near Fenix" He says "I understand it has become personal to you on some levels . "

"Aye."

"But I am open to suggestions on who else might be on the other teams. Clair and Coradel for THIS Duchy, Sparrow and Carawyn possible for Gardens"

"Send Siv, too - one or the other, but she's one that would wish to help."

"And she has useful talents for it" Magnus nods "Yes, I suppose." An amused thought crosses his features but he doesn't speak it

Eyebrow. "Aye, Magnus?"

August nods, agreeing. Perhaps not with amusement, but agreeing.

"It occurs to me that Siv also is a friend of yours. And thus, a set of eyes for you in her way so you miss nothing and will likely hear all later on" Magnus says "I can't throw stones there though. My wife will likely fill me in on her own experiences"

Zara just smiles a little and sips her tea.

"Siv, bless, has a touch of the bard."

"Useful skills at espionage too," He says then looks to his father "Father o My Soul, what think thee so far?"

"We seem to have teams for a multi-pronged offence and defense, as a strategy but what for our tactics? What are the goals for these teams, and how will the accomplish them?"

"I fear my skills do not lean to the martial - I can handle Tantalus when we have him, I can scry and sneak and spy... but I cannot battle."

"Nor will you have to." August assures her warmly.

"I imagine August and Earl will volunteer for that"

"Aye..."

A look at August's face and there's no question of that.

"The goals are chiefly, I think, seizing or stopping the changeling leaders among the ring, freeing the slaves, and if we can, make sure mortal authorities get their hands on the mortal slavers. Sound about right as the priority for each group?"

Zara nods.

"Slavery is an abomination."

"We are all in agreement"

August nods.

"Tactics will depend on the situation at each location." He proposes.

"...There is a Varich Lord in Tijuana."

"And to each squad leader to a degree." HE says "Say Sparrow in Jersey, Coradel in Missour, and ..well, myself in Mexico"

There's a fast little quirk of August's lips and he glances at Zara.

This is not lost on Magnus, who , a true Fiona investigator, only misses clues about romance, "Oh dear."

A little frown.

Magnus raises a brow, "Father, did you make some bargain?"

"I... no. Not that I am aware."