#earthrunes

IN A WORLD... where elephants are protected by Giants. Where Boys Dream of Being Elves and Genies get them half way there...

Brekke has arrived, and Bachdion with her "Well, that's more familiar. I bet he's upstairs in the Ayrie. Still, interesting detour, no?"

"Very." She glances down at her blood-spattered and dirt-stained voile. "It gave me much to think on. I thank you, Sir Bachdion." A respectful nod. "Would you be willing to guide me to the Aerie?"

She regards the trinket in her hand briefly, then tucks it away in her belt pouch.

"Gladly" He bows and leads her up.

She follows, grateful for the cool of the mansion after the heat of the jungle.

At the Aerie, Bachdion indicates where Adam is working with one of the birds. Sir Sergei seems to be nowhere in sight at the moment.

Adam looks up, blinks. "Chief?"

"Is everything ok? My folks?" He puts the bird down/back and cleans up.

A nod. "Adam." She raises a hand to forestall his concern. "They are well." Her clothes, however, look like she's been in a battle. There's a stray leaf in her hair.

"Are -you- ok?" He comes closer.

"Hm. Yes. Sir Bachdion was bringing us here by flicker-flash, but somebody else's need pulled us into a conflict. It is resolved." She looks about the Aerie. "There are fine specimens here."

"Uh. Okay. I guess?" He looks around, and moves to pick up a few stray bits of equipment, cleaning up.

"STORM!" A raven caws

"Ssh."

A blink at the raven, and a nod of acknowledgment.

"I see that Sir Sergei trusts you with this work already."

"I guess. He had.... a thing. He had to go so.... I'm just feeding the babies." He goes to check on them.

The mother is actually taking over feeding the babies. Kansas is a lovely red tailed hawk

"That is important work. It looks as though the mother has it now, though. You have fed them before now?"

"Just since he told me to. Yesterday."

"Mm. How is it done? I have not fed hatchlings." Sincere interest.

"Well, songbird hatchlings, yes. Not raptors."

"Mostly, just...." Adam explains. "..... but I don't to make them mad. I'd show you but..... then they'd be mad and their mom is home, so...."

"Oh, no, a demonstration would be unwise now, I agree." She regards him a moment. "Adam, how have your conversations gone here?"

"Uh. Not sure? Sir Bachdion and Sir Magnus.... I haven't heard back from them. So. Not good?"

A brow. "Sometimes such decisions take time. Being a mentor is a great responsibility, not to be taken on lightly."

"Yes, Chief."

In one shadowy corner one bird has its back turned from them. Staring at a wall

"If they are taking time before responding, they may be concerned that they are not right for you, rather than the other way around."

"Yes, Chief." He nods and fidgets with equipment; nothing need to be polished that much. "Maybe."

"Hm." A moment. "It has been suggested that, if you are mentored here, your family may wish to come with you. A rented home could be made available, I am told."

Adam stops and turns to face her, thinking. "No. I mean... how would that work? Dad.... maybe but Lily? We just -got- there. Dad could maybe telework but.... "

She nods. "It may be complicated...but I did not ask you how it would be for them. I asked if you would like it."

Then a sudden pensive look. "You do that often."

"Sorry?"

"You...you think about what you want, but you do not say it. Instead, you say why others' needs would prevent your desires from being possible."

Sir Sergei has entered the room, but they may or may not notice, as he goes about his work quietly

A shrug. "I just.... I mean... I know what people say but.... what I want isn't as important as what they need."

The boy notices Sir Sergei, and gives him a full report on that status of the mews.

Brekke is about to respond to Adam, but then Sir Sergei arrives. She waits for the report to be complete.

"Uh, Sir Sergei? This is Chief Brekke. From Rivervale."

"Sir Sergei." Brekke nods respectfully. "You have beautiful animals here. Adam has shown me the red-tail and her brood. Ah, and the raven."

"She kind of showed herself. The raven."

"Hm." Brekke makes a sound of amused agreement.

"Thank you, Baroness" the man bows

"They are my pride and joy " he sighs "Alas, not all of them are at their best"

A curious look. "There is sickness?"

"Sickness I could handle" He moves to the shadowy spot where a bird stares at the wall "Do not let me interrupt. I will tend to Helga as best one can"

Adam would go to help but......