#earthrunes

A wet nose pokes into Coradel's hand.

Tail-thump.

"Caitir got there safely? No trouble on the trods?"

"She did" Jennette is the oenwho speaks there "Ludmilla made sure she texted when she got there"

"It is a two to three day drive." August observes. "Or a .... call it 9 hours to fly there."

"Including delays and waiting and such."

"Nine hours there, a blink to get back." Coradel finishes scrunchle-ing the pup, then stands again. "This is exciting," she smiles.

"Well, they started the trip last night so.." Leonora says "it's possible they are NOW plummeting"

"Perfect! I expect we'll get a confirmation report shortly. Who went with Bachdion?"

August is trying not to look worried.

"Sir Earl... I had to bribe him, the weenie. " Leonora says

"Sir Earl? Really? He's no coward, certainly, but I'm amazed he got our Librarian to agree to this."

"I..don't think we told Zara" Leonora says "Should we?"

A blink. "Ah. That...is an excellent question." She looks to August.

Now he looks a little ill. "Let me do it. And.... we may need to take her with us when we go."

Jennette stares at the Fiona like they're nuts

"Oh, I'm certain Earl will have returned by then?" Then she notes Jeanette's look. "What?"

"Should have TOLD the woman who loves the man who has been sent to an area with high winds thath e's been going to possibly break his legs? You think she might not have had an opinion?" Jennette asks

"She.... is certain to have an opinion."

"Not my decision," Coradel points out. "And now the question is whether to tell her while they may be plummeting, or after."

"Leonora, what was the arrangement for contact after they, ah, made landfall?"

"Oh ...they'll call or text me sometime if they want" Leonora seems nonchallant "They have a cellphhone"

"Let's give them another half hour."

August looks like he's going to sweat for 30 minutes, but he nods agreement.

"We do need to be alert for Balor retribution, both on BrightWinds and here at EarthRunes as a related hold."

Jennete's eyes flash at that 'They will regret it if they try"

"I'm afraid we have no friends among the Serpents." August agrees.

"I'll step up patrols" Leonora offers . Fiona still do their duty

"I have no regrets for not having serpentine friends," Coradel says airily. "I far more enjoy them as enemies. It's terribly awkward to be in a position to battle a friend."

Jennette says "For now I fear our greatest threat is that Miss Zara discovers what happened before the phone call comes in"

"I agree."

"Leonora, perhaps next time we might keep a Master of Wayfare as back up for this kind of thing?" He suggests. "So if the initial effort meets.... challenges, we can send support?"

"I'm sure they're fine," she says to both August and Jennette.

"You know, I would like my initative to get some praise here"Leo sulks

"Praise? Absolutely! And envy, too!"

"I am sure they are." He says steadily. "And Leonora, you've certainly opened up the pathways between our two Holds. Thank you."

She preens a bit "Okay better"

"And you knwo if you two ever want to skydive I'll be happy to help arrange it" She says to her lieges

"Ah....thank you."

"Fantastic! I haven't been since...oh, it must be since my fosterage!"

"Well, there you go!" A grin "And it's also the ultimate in social distancing. You're thousands of feet up!"

"Actually, I suppose I've never really done any actual skydiving, with a parachute and all. Bachdion just flickerflashed us up into the middle of sky and dropped us...then cast windrunner on the way down. I think your way, though, saves glamour and dross."

"Oh you've got to try it! The fact that chute MIGHT, one in a t housand chance, fail is exciting!"

"Oooh!"

August sighs.

JEnnette shakes her head

"Oh, don't worry, August, you don't have to go. I'll tell you all about it afterwards." Coradel smiles and kisses his cheek, and whispers something in his ear.

And the tips of his ears pink. "Ah."

"See? Fringe benefits." Another kiss on the cheek, and a wink to Leonora.

He clears his throat.