#earthrunes

"They do."

"Then... how?"

"Well, active protection for now is smart... but... we need to see what is happening at the Hollow."

"And when you tried just now, something was blocking you?"

"Aye. A nocker... with a device? I slipped past for a second, and then she blocked me."

"Not a nocker I recognized."

"A nocker ... you think they were working for the Baron's niece?"

"But why would she send them here? Or block you?"

Zara hears Coradel's familiar step well before the baroness appears. She's approaching quickly.

"I know not. But if she is working a scheme, she would not wish to be observed."

And then she's there at the door. A quick three raps with her knuckles. "Zara? August? Is something going on?"

"Coradel...." He goes to open the door all the way.

"Something, aye."

"Delores said I might want to hurry and meet you at the Library, August. She looked troubled."

August explains quickly about Tylar's observation, what they found in the mailbox, his concerns for the monarchs.

She enters, taking his hand as he starts to explain...and then letting go when she feels the need to clench her fists. "OH!" she says in outrage. "I knew it wouldn't end with Carnivale! Somebody is guarding the monarchs?"

"Tylar is organizing it."

"Observe and report only, but I don't think they'll make another approach till they see if this first attempt works."

"I have a... tis not a theory, not yet... but a notion."

"As do I. This so-called 'niece'? She's calling me out. She wants a confrontation with me."

"I doubt she is his niece."

"We don't know anything about her." August says gently "It could be she isn't involved at all. We do know that our two Hollow guests from Carnivale were here, and involved."

"Hmph."

"But there was that Balor Countess, with the trolls..."

"August, we also have Zara's scrying, which tells us this is more than coincidental."

"I... suppose. I'd like to do a little reading; I'm sure there's a precedent here. Taking advantage of Carnivale is forbidden."

She regards her lawyer-to-be husband and purses her lips a moment in thought. "If you can find it, do so quickly. For myself, I am very close to going to the Hollow and having words with whoever is in charge there at the moment.

"I'd rather we take the high road, if we can. Not ...stoop to their level." He straightens "But if we have to go, it should be me."

"Oh, I have no intention of stooping to their level. I intend to demand satisfaction directly."

"We should gather more information first... aye?"

Then a blink. "You, August?"

"But it can't be for what happened -at- Carnivale, as much as I'd like.... me what?"

"Ah, yes. It should be me that goes to the Hollow and confronts them."

She frowns. "I don't like that, August." But she's not exactly disagreeing.

"But it's true."

"We could find Seneca... see if he is still in the Barony?"

Her lips pressed together, she stares at him for a long moment.

"Perhaps," she says, responding reluctantly to August.

"Can you do it, Zara?"

"Let me see..." She collects supplies.

August offers to take Coradel's hand again, if she'll allow.

She allows. She's tense, he can see that, as if she's restraining herself from making an unwise and VERY angry phone call.

A copy of "On the Shortness of Life" used to hold a mirror, the envelop tucked in between its pages.... she works her slender fingers in a complex pattern, weaving the tattletale image in the reflection.

She's distracted by watching Zara, though.

"You think the letter will work?" voices in the scrying

August is concerned, but waits for news....

"I don't see why not...." The dougal's image appears "I know how to send cantrips by snail mail. Frankly anyone who still gets snail mail now adays is askihng for it"

They appear to be in a car ..still in Jefferson City

Brow raised. She makes room for Cora and August to see.