#earthrunes

"Oh, no...just a good drive. Might need to crank the heat a bit," she adds as she lowers the back window enough for Ladybird to stick her face into the breeze.

August reaches forward and does just that. He takes them down roads with more forests and fields than strip malls and highways.

"Mmmm..." Coradel approves. She smiles over at him, then just enjoys the ride for a bit. Eventually, she says, "Leonora doesn't want to be Regent. She's said as much already. Mind you, I hadn't asked her directly."

August nods. "I agree with you. You know this is primarily your decision, yes?"

"Well...yes, but I value your input." A quiet moment. "I don't think Magnus would be interested, but we should ask him if he is."

"It would be polite, yes. Do you think he would be a good Regent, and his wife a good consort?"

She thinks about that. "I think he could be if he wanted to. But if he doesn't want to, it would be a terrible fit." She sighs. "I suppose I need to figure out what I need in a Regent. Derynwydd was the natural choice -- our daughter, our heir, equal in title. But now it's not so clear. Hmm."

She looks over at him. "August, even before speaking of a Regent...if I should pass while you remain, I believe the barony should fall to you. You have much good work to do from here."

"It will mean an elevation in rank, eventually, to whomever is chosen."

"Do you agree that that is the natural order of things? EarthRunes is yours if I should pass?"

She tries to nail him down on this.

His eyes widen and he pulls over; apparently his comment was musing. Boy, is he paying attention NOW.

He puts the car in park.

"If.... what?"

"Oh, now, August...don't disappoint Ladybird."

She repeats clearly. "If I should pass and you remain...EarthRunes should be yours."

"I.... Coradel, I have no intention of surviving you. And I think the Count and Countess would have something to say about it."

"Why? I am the Baroness. I choose my assign. And...what do you mean? August, you're far more likely to outlive me. Surely you know that. And I expressly forbid you to take your own life, should that happen!"

"If you put yourself in a situation where you die, I expect you to make sure I am there as well!"

She gives him a frown. "You know such things don't always work out that way. And even so, I would expect you to live if possible."

He looks exasperated; outside observes might be amused that their usual expressions are swapped. "And I would expect -you- to live."

"Of COURSE! I'm not planning on dying anytime soon, August. Honestly!" Oh, no, she's getting just as exasperated.

"My point is only that, if I'm selecting a Regent, that person needs to know what the order of succession is if I do pass."

"It sounds like you need to know that, too."

She blinks at him. "Do you...not want to be next in line? Would you rather succession go directly to a regent?"

"I .... I never considered that I would be. Being head of the bannerhouse is more than I ever thought of."

"Well...okay, I can understand that. But now that you have that, think about it. Do you want to be the next in line, or would you rather it goes to somebody else? That's going to make a difference in how I choose a regent." She glances at the backseat at Ladybird, who might be wondering why they're not moving.

THUMP. Panting smile. She's ready!

"Coradel.... I can't imagine being at EarthRunes without you." He answers honestly.

But at least he puts the car in drive and eases back out.

She frowns, and looks forward. A few silent moments. "Okay, then..." She seems to be leaving that particular topic behind...for the moment. "So, I'd need a Regent who was ready to take over the barony not only when we're away temporarily, but to take it over completely at some point."

"Regent and Heir." he agrees.

"So I definitely need to discuss that with Magnus."

"I agree. Although lands and titles do not always pass through family lines." He blinks as a thought strikes him. "Ah."

"Mm?"

"The bannerhouse. What happens if....."

"Exactly."

"It was irresponsible of me not to consider the matter. I'll need to find someone."

"Well, it hasn't been our priority until now. I think we really presumed a great deal on Derynwydd taking on our responsibilities if needed. Now she'll be carrying on elsewhere...but still a Truthbranch. Perhaps only the seat of the Bannerhouse need change in that case?"

"If she is willing. She may have duties there that preclude heading the bannerhouse, but I will ask."

"I mean, after you do."

"Perhaps we should speak with her about it together when we're there. So...maybe we need simply to find a Regent for while we're away on this particular trip, and consider the issue of a permanent Regent for after. Oh! Derynwydd might have some good recommendations, as well, now that I think of it."

August drives for a few minutes. "I am concerned about how she will take such a conversation, Coradel." He says honestly.

"How do you mean?"

"She has achieved a great accomplishment. More than one, of course, but the freeing of this Barony is a crowning achievement. Literally. And to fully develop it she must step away from her Regency and Heirship with you. I am worried she will see that as a betrayal. That she will feel bound by duty and affection to accept our offers to continue, and be miserable when she does so."

"Oh. Well...then we absolutely MUST have the conversation, to reassure her that we're glad she's done such good work! And to show her that we value her insights about what comes next, both here and at her new barony!"

"Yes. That would be the best outcome, I think."

"Defeating Balor, liberating serfs, and expanding the Truthbranch influence, a betrayal? Hardly!"

"That stepping away from her position here would be a betrayal." He corrects mildly.

"But that's just it. She's stepping away for all the right reasons. For all the best reasons!"