#earthrunes

And the glamour flows... Zara can feel the fates turn their attention

The mother to be shivers

Claire might not "do" magic... but Zara is not only a master of Soothsay.

The Witch of Many Names is in her river, calling on all mothers to bless a mother. She speaks the tongue of Da'an itself, a master of pure Glamour.

Zara can almost imagine three women talking whispering, deciding if they approve and then... nodding, readjusting a loom, touching up the needles, altering the pattern every so slightly, but that slight difference is a cosmos wide when the years will fly.

Oh mother and father and daugghter will love each other dearly, oh and how they mother and daughter WILL figh with each other when the girl's spring becomes a vibrant summer and yet the love will not be dimmed. A heroine ever walks with the threat of shears cutting a line early, but it will be a life that does much good, long or short. And Claire will be grateful beyond her own Autumn .

Zara smiles. Love conquers all, and her troubadour's heart sings.

She notices for a moment the fates turn, and then eye her, including her own abdomen. As if contemplating something

Not yet, some part of Zara thinks. Too soon. Far too soon.

Too soon!

But.... someday?

And the crone of the three chuckles, and waves the meddler off. The middle one, the mother, winks and the youngest twirls and laughs and... the sensations end. Fates are never mastered, merely strongly advised.

But it is advice they've taken

"I felt.. something. My kenning is.. is it done?"

That voice from the mother to be. Yes. yes she could feel something. How could she not?

Zara looks a bit unsteady. "Aye. Aye, it is done."

A bit unsteady herself, the Ailil rises "I... don't know how to thank you. I mean, yes, I told you of the oath bird but... that was quie a working"

"You paid me more richly than you may know." Zara makes her way back to her shoes, shivering. "Now, let us inside before you catch a chill."

"Oh sure, before 'I' freeze. Remember, nothing to anyone.." A smile "And.. Zara? Whatever bird you eventually get? You'll love the song"

She turns pink again, and it's not just the cold!

"I, too..I am choosing hope over fear." A soft confession.

A finger to her lips. "Our secrets, both."

"Why miss Zara, I don't know a damn thing about what sluagh are up to" a smile of understanding "And.. good choice, hope. Tell me after?"

She nods!

"Lavender petals suit you" she looks down, just a moment, then resumes walking with her

"Oh.. oh it has been quite a state... the boggans know something is amiss..."

"The secret there is to release a few rumors of your own, throws them off the trail of what you don't want them to find. Like throwing corn near chickens when you want them away from a fence"

"Well... it seems to be a mix of Coradel or Delores being the cause behind the blooming."

"Delores? " A pause "okay, now I am curious

"

"Now that secret... mm.."

"Fine. Keep it. " A nod "I can defy curiousity"

"I suspect Coradel may well know aught. Or it is a red herring!" Zara smiles.

"Ah.. god bless my mother in law. She never lets it get boring"

"She is rather... aye. Aye."

"SHe won you over, didn't she?" Not gloaty, almost sympathetic

A sigh and she turns out her hands in a gesture of surrender.

"Tell her not. It may go to her head."

"May?" A snort then she nods "Yeah. She got me too."

"Well, our dignity shall be preserved."

"Dignity is every woman's birthright, no matter rank or kith" A nod of agreement "And woe betide those that try to take it"

"Aye, indeed." A firm nod as they reach the hold once more.

And so the Ailil Warrioress, and the most uncommon Commoner witch, make their way their way inside. And if the former seems to have a weight off her shoulder ? Well, who is to say

(End scene)