#earthrunes

"To shatter mortal love for pettiness sake"

August exhales, shoulders drooping.

"Why now?"

"The harnass is slipped, the gauntlet lost it's strength"

August waits for the cantrip to end, watching with a troubled expression.

"The Count..."

((Count?))

She allows the cantrip to fade and makes haste - pouring a bowlful of water. "Show me Alabaster Hollow..."

((I forget))

"You think he's endangered? Or... out of power?"

"The gauntlet has lost its strength? Aye, I think aught has happened at home..."

The cantrip faded... another started

And..wards!

ALl she sees are gears and switches clicking and clacking

"Mmm... see me not, I am not an outsider... I am of the Hollow born, friend to Headless Horsemen, at home in the mists where crossroads meet..." She veils the cantrip, trying to slide it past the wards.

It does not work as well as she hoped! Could it be so miuch has changed. She has an image of a female nocker with hand on some control panel to some greater device. She's well dressed, nockers often are.

The there's a turning of gears.. and she's blind again!

Well, her scrying is anyway

"Feh!"

August watches anxiously.

"What are they hiding?"

Phone. Beep, boop, ring - Ratchet.

"I'm going to have to go." he sounds disappointed "Tylar, can you go and organize a watch on the monarch's house. Observe and report, no engagement."

"But lord, if they try something to hurt their marriage we must act. I can't just watch"

"No, you cannot. You are a Truthbranch."

"It's unlikely they'll leave another message until they know if this one was successful, which it won't be."

"No, it is not! What hast happened to the Hollow? To the Count?"

"I'm not home, but what happened?"

"I do not know. Tell me, aye?"

"You know I don't follow that too closely, Zara, I'm no rumor monger. If the Baron's niece has showed up, so what? Who cares, it's nice to have family even if they were estranged. It's good that sort of family rift heals. He's been working hard for so long, it's nice he should take a break."

"You want gossip you should talk to Hirirm." He points out.

"Hehe has been... upset... with me."

She looks at August. "Wasn't there a shanda at Rivervale with a Balor Countess?"

"No, he doesn't. And he does need to mind his temper, I worry about him so..."

August nods. "Yes, from what I understand it was a major battle."

"And Balor has reason to attack Truthbranch, August - not long ago hurts, but recent ones."

Back to the phone. "Aye, aye. Send him my love, I shall be home for Passover."

"Aye, I shall. And you bring your good egg kugel to the oath party, nu? I miss it so."

"Mayhaps... make one early, so it has time to age?" Childlike pleading.

"Oh, you are the best, Uncle Ratchet!"

"Nay, tis as known as the blueness of the sky. Love you."

"Are -Balor- involved in this?" August asks.