#earthrunes

"Oh he came later... this one... he slammed me to the ground.. I turned, twisted his legs. Then I heard someone say ''My dear, you didn't have the meal we provided. surely the rules aren't THAT appealing? One could get suspicious..." and I realized that theo ne speaking was a satyr.. a grump... and I had a good idea who he was."

Hissssssssss.

"Yes, dark fur, now shot with gray... " And he describes Tantalus

"Wait, who was speaking? About the meal?"

"Tantalus"

August nods; he's on track.

"And you'd grabbed and twisted his leg after he slammed you to the ground?"

"Yeah, and got stabbed for my trouble.. I hadn't wyrded.... and before I could, the revived snake pooka sneered, took the knife out of me... and stabbed me again.. once, but it looked like twice. WHat i mean is... she gave me a nasty cut... then the next blow went to my throat, but instead... of slitting it.. well, I didn't.. I bled, but it wasnt' real blood? And my mein faded.. only I was still aware... then before Tantalus could continue, she threw me over the edge into the water..."

"Aye, she saved you through deception. Clever."

August blinks and looks at Zara, mildly horrified.

"And risky..."

"I feel into the water... and realized ..shje's put a cantrip on my appearance... 'corpse' me without leaving anyone time to ken me. As I submerged, I heard Tantalus says "I I guess right to life proves at least as much as right to dream' and then... I passed out. Someone.. pulled me out"

"Someone blue?"

"An Alligator"

"Ah. Still, who I thought."

"They are a good team."

"THEY.. who.. argh"

A look at August, giving him permission.

"Oh, ah, no... Zara. It's your information to share." a shy smile.

"I remember when tale tellers where the ones who kept others in suspense ... I do not like this new policy" Manly sulk

"But at least the tea is good" A sip

"The next thing I knew I woke up... in Emma's healing hut." A sigh "Sounds like you know more of the story than I do"

"So you were sent here. Wel, we were waiting for you to show up."

"Yes, the one thing I got as I was pulled out of the water... "Witch O the Books, the Ghost of the Library, the Raven of Secrets'." A smile "You collect new names like I collect stories"

She grins.

"Which one do you want me to use when I eventually tell this one?" Caspian is more cultured than the typical DeBuke, an advantage of travel, but most of the family can be mannerly in their way, as this offer shows.

"Mmm.. Raven, methinks. The Morrigan bring justice."

"Nice imagery" He says

August is drinking his tea and listening to the conversation with a soft smile on his lips.

"We're going back to Tijuana, aren't we?" Caspian asks

"Aye."

"Sounds fun" He grins

(End scene)