#earthrunes

Temerity and Rollo strain as they arm wrestle

"You're strong, for a chick" Rollo says

Temerity snorts and keeps matching him with her own mousy might "Though art well spoken, for a man"

Back and forth the gripped hands seem to waver.

Then finally, Rollo gets the edge. The Boggan is damn strong, and is not new to using his leverage. But it's not easy, Temerity fights him all the way, inch by inch, second by second, there is no sign of her just giving up!

But eventually, he presses her hand to the table... and wins!

"Still Champ" he says

"Bah, if we'd had live scorpions on the table as I had suggested, twould be a different story" The pooka says and looks over at Jack "Bartmaid, a drink for this fellow's victory"

Jack nods "Told you. Rollo's good at this." He gets Rollo a beer

And the two drink

Be back next week for more Wages and Warriors

*****************

The boy looks confused at the hill. It's important , right?

He's..not sure.

It's just a misty hill but there's a kind of road on it.. right? "I..should go I'd be tresspassing" Tyler says

And yet, it looks just like the hill he dreamed of. He smoothes his shirt

A mint-green Prius hums along the road leading up to the hill.

And August, as he drives by, might see a young guy who looks famliar, stocky build, earnest face.... Tylar...or more accurately, Tyler... for his kith is dormant

August brakes, quickly.

He pops the door open and stands. "Tyler?"

"I'm sorry, do I know you?" He asks

"Ahhhh...... yes. We had a class together, remember? Been a while since I've seen you, though, how've you been? Need a lift?"

"We did You ..seem al ot older than me I..." A pause

"Sorry, I'm actually a bit out."

"That's ok. Want to hop in?"

"I.. guess" He does "I dont' do drugs. Not sure why I seem so out of it."

August slides back in as well. "Well, everything's been a little crazy recently. Where are you heading?"

"I don't know... " he admits

"Yeah, you do sound kind of out of it. Water?" He grabs his hydration bottle, offers it.

And he takes it "thanks. Oh shit... the Covid thing? You don't have..."

"No, no Covid here." August smiles as he passes the bottle, and Glamour, to Tyler.

Tyler...no, Tylar drinks and the gasps then looks about 'Oh thank goodness.. I made it to the hold"

"What -happened- Tylar??"

August, while stern, is also relieved.

"I used too much glamour up trying to help somone who was low...had some left, thought I would make it.. got caught by a lady who started to rant at me about being gutless for not having a mask... and then some of her friends joined it. I love mortals, Sir, but they were so.. they needed something to lash at with their fear. They didn't hurt me, they were just..banal."

August nods. "I know." A hand on the boy's shoulder before August starts the car again with a purring hum and takes them up to the Manor.

"They're afraid and confused. They want desperately to believe what they want to believe, whether or not it's true."

"Thanks. I think the fellow I helped went to the key club. I gave him directions to here too but Key Club was closer...." Then a nod, "Yes, it's not imagination, it's ..not faith, it's latching on and shutting everything out and not caring about what that view does or makes of others. That's why it's banal"

"Fear makes them rigid." August agrees.

August pulls up and parks. "Let's get you into the Freehold."

"Thank you, Sir" he gets out weakly

"Come on." August slips out and helps Tylar in. "Do you know anything about the one you helped? I'd like to follow up with them."

"Eshu... name was ... Fablo? No ah..Fabuni... Grump.. mortal body looks late 40s... bright yellow shirt"

August searches his memory.

Doesn't ring a bell, but knowing Eshu..well, he's likely not native to the area

"Well, I'll send word to the Key Club, see if he turned up there."

"Thanks, Sir. How are you?" they pull up.

"I'm well." August helps him into the Freehold, heading for the Balefire. "Preparing for a quest for the summer. I'd like your help on it."

"oh?" he says warming his hands by the fire as if shivering...and, in a way, he was.