#earthrunes

Adam receives a summons to meet with the Baroness at the stables.

He takes a moment to make sure his appearance is suitable, and makes haste to meet her.

She is tending to Samson. Odd, to see the Baroness bent over and digging dirt out of hooves...but that is part of horsemanship.

Adam bows. "Baroness. You sent for me."

"A moment." She finishes what she's doing before she straightens and looks at him. "Adam. Yes, I did." A pause, considering. "Adam, do you ride?"

"Uh. Not really? Sometimes at a camp or something, and I haven't really been working on it here. Mostly focused on weapon-work."

"Then a calm steed," she nods. And she starts directing him about how to prepare a horse for riding, and helps him adjust the saddle. It takes some time to get everything done, and she is very matter-of-fact about it.

He is equal parts thrilled and puzzled but he does as he's told and even gets some of it right.

She nods when he gets it right, corrects and re-instructs when he gets it wrong. And she shows him how to use the mounting block to get up on the horse. It's a rather older mare...a bit wider than some, but strong and steady and unlikely to take offense.

"We won't do more than a walk. She'll follow Samson's lead, mostly."

"Yes, Baroness." He doesn't have much a seat, but why would he?

She doesn't seem to expect it. For her part, she mounts up in a smooth motion without using the mounting block, settles, and then leads the way out of the stables. Adam's mare follows without him having to do much about it beyond hanging on.

Which he does.

Once they get outside, she gives a few more instructions about heels and reins and so forth, "All right, so far?"

"Yes, Baroness." He's grinning.

She is not. She has been serious and efficient and maybe even a little patient...but not smiling.

He's a little curious about that but doesn't pry.

After a bit of a walk, where Samson and the mare end up side-by-side, Coradel says almost idly, "I would like to know more about your experience with the Debuke farm, Adam."

Another few steps and he says. "Anything in particular, Baroness?"

"Well, tell me your initial thoughts."

More hoof-falls, then "I guess they do a lot of stuff to make it work for the Fae there. Like you can get credit for quests and stuff. I heard they were accredited so it works for mortals too."

"Seems like they cover all the basics, anyway."

"Interesting. The bit about credits for quests...I wish I could get that with my studies." A bit wry. "What else?"

A glance at her. "Uh. Kinda one-room-school small. Half the students are related. The other half are from Rivervale. Teachers are mostly DeBukes but they bring in others sometimes."

"I see. So...heavily troll, correct?"

"Very."

"I mean, there's all Kiths but it's a troll place."

She nods. They plod along a few steps. "Trolls are interesting. They make excellent thanes, and fierce warriors and generals, and many have proven to be superior leaders in their own right."

"Yes, Baroness."

She looks over at him, curious. "Excuse me?"

"I said Yes, Baroness." guilelessly "I ... was agreeing?"

"Hm." She looks forward and considers for a few moments. "You know, I think that's a rather foolish verbal habit. Agreeing when I didn't ask for your agreement. I can understand agreeing when asked a question, or agreeing when given an instruction, but...just agreeing because I said something seems...well, a waste of air."

"Sorry, Baroness."

"It's just...boring. I'd much rather hear a new idea or opinion rather than empty agreement."

She glances at him in the following silence.

Adam thinks furiously. "Then..... truthfully, Baroness, I don't find trolls interesting."

"Well, I can't say I find most of my professors very interesting. But the subject matter is compelling."

"I'm glad to hear that, Baroness."

She gives him a sharp glance. "That is just 'yes, Baroness' with more syllables."

"No, I really -am- glad you like.... you're in school? College?" It registers.

"Mm-hm." She nods. "Equestrian studies. Baron August is studying law."

"Wow." the boy seems honestly impressed. "That's really cool."

"Well, some of it is really tedious, but yes. It's tricky right now with the mortal virus, but still...we're progressing."

Adam nods. "Yeah, this Corona thing has really.... uh, messed things up."

A glance, and she doesn't say anything as they ride along.

Adam focuses on his riding.

After several moments, she says, "Nobody ever taught you the art of conversation, did they, Adam?"

"My mentors have been working with me on it, Baroness."

"Have they? What have you learned so far?"