#earthrunes

Adam will take her wherever she wishes. There is an air of infatuation about him.

And they have a nice time at the art gallery.

(End Scene)

"And he had it all this time?" Earl, having gotten news of the cane and Zane, is offended on Zara's behalf

"Aye." A glare at it.

"Tis most disconcerting, and I dislike the vulnerability it represents - casting upon it it like casting upon myself, or through myself."

"mmph" He grumbles "So breaking it again would be bad"

"Yes." Huff.

"If we may remove the link, I will gladly give it to Zane. It is a feat to have restored it, even if I am... miffed..."

"It was a bit," searching for the right word "unseemly of him. I don't think Uncle Emmit always puts enough emphasis on manners and professional etiquette"

"No, he does not."

"But... this Dreaming quest may do it."

"You're going with him?"

"I cannot let this cane fall astray."

"I do not much... well... Zane would not be my first choice to quest with."

"Nothing wrong with him, I just don't.. I don't know him well enough."

"Well, it doesn't have to be just you and him" he reminds

"True."

"so.. what I'm asking is, would you like me along?"

She smiles.

"When do I ever not?"

And he lights up at that "It's an adventure"

"Aye!"

At that he moves to her, picks her up by the waist, and gives her a lifted spin. She can see the top of her book shelves from here!

The soft rattle that is her laugh.

She makes a mental note to get on top of them some time, squirm, and then use them to startle someone. But for now, she enjoys the whirl, and he lowers her back into his arms "I think, given the link, Zane will understand if you hold onto the cane on the way to the waters. Unless you want me to guard it?"

"I would hold it." Fussy, worried.

"Ok." He says and massages her shoulders gently "It's going to be fine, love. I'll protect you and it"

"Aye."

"I have reading yet to do - the river holds danger, it breaks bonds. It may even wash away Oaths...."

"YIkes!" He looks alarmed

"That is why I would do more research, aye."

"Aye." he says "Ah..shall I get you materials for tea?" It's something he can do

"Tea would be lovely. I believe the cream I set aside may be ready..."

"I'll tend to it" He says and attends to it with the polish of a Victorian butler. One that the lady of the house secretly trysts with when the shadows grow long so polite society need never know. Until the inevitable day when he is slain for over reaching by her peers, causing her to reach into dark magics and avenge him like the very spriit of reckoning manefiest

She misses writing some of her fan fiction

She does, though she has some ideas!

Soon her tea is steaming pleasantly and she's studying a new

Zara, on occasion, reads interesting tidbits aloud to Earl.

"Wow. It can wipe away oaths. I have to say as a troll that sounds... almost evil"

"Do you wish to stay behind? I know you hold several oaths."

"I just won't go into the water" he says

"Mmm..." Worry.

"What's a quest without risks" He says hiding as best he can his nervousness

"Aye, but... is the risk worth it?"

"I lose an oath I can retake, to make sure you are free? " He snorts "i think it's obvious it's worth it"

"Aye... aye, thou art most devoted." She reaches to steal his hand and kiss it.

She steals his hand with hers, and stills his heart anew with the kiss upon it. He bends to kiss her on the head "Now keep studying. Is there mention of protection from the river while we look at it?"

"I shall seek, yes."

As she reads on, she notices mention of dangers. Riverhags? Or Rusalka? Oh..wistful pangs of half forgotten memories