#earthrunes

And apparently she never got the hold back, as the motely was much prefered by the locals

"Thomas is mortal, Baron" Velvet gushes the obvious

"Velvet, you are a jewel." August sets the books down and takes her hand to kiss the back thereof. "Thank you. Excellent work."

Velvet blushes

Tylar agrees "You're amazing"

"Tis naught" the girl says, but beams

"Bet that's not the only precedent now that we know the kind of thing to look for" Tylar grins "But the High King's ruling in.. what was that, 78? That's pretty firm"

"I think so. I'm comfortable taking this to Coradel."

"That is, I think -we- should take this to Coradel."

Velvet says "Lord, courtly attentions are not a sluagh's style....Tis gauche"

"But you're the one who found the precedent" Tylar reminds "how about if you go in a robe and cowl, and you lwoer the cowl only for the reveal, then slip it back down again?" He knows her well "It will look very mysterious."

Velvet inwardly fusses. Okay, she'd love that but gah, wince did she become so well known? She needs find someway to confuse Tylar later to restore balance she decides "That would.. suffice"

"I don't mean to make you uncomfortable, Velvet. What do you think of, yes, the cowl.... in a private audience with Coradel. I do want you acknowledged for your excellent work, but it needn't be before court -IF- you don't wish it."

"Much thanks, Baron"

"Let's do it that way, then."

Both squires bow. It looks like things are prepared.

Shorly, A dougal in a full body cast is wheeled in

And there too is Mirwin,... stripped of weapons and walked on in.

As the enterouge moves to the grand court

In her grand audience chamber, Coradel is not seated on her throne. No...she's pacing in quiet Fiona fury.

August enters from the side with his squires and page, who are carrying books and papers.

The look she gives the two thugs would freeze beer on an instant. But then her look gentles as she goes to August. She begins with giving him a kiss. A good one.

He pinks a little, reserved in public.

Bachdion is holding Mirwin hostage, the old goat seems energeticly riled by the fellow

And Sir Earl is a big haggard, but none the worse for wear

A pale shadow pats Earl's hand.

Seneca the Dougal curses "How badly was I hit? I thought the pooka fixed me but.. this cast"

She steps back from August. He knows the look she gives him is meant to include a bit of apology for that display. Then an approving nod to Bachdion's roughness, and gratitude to Earl. "August, I hear you have been researching," a pause with a little bit of a grin. "What have you found."

He clears his throat. "I must, ethically, point out that Seneca and Mirwin have not had the same opportunity to research." He offers a hand to Velvet for the notes she carries.

He explains about True Thomas's encounter with Ginadenna, and the beating afterwards; High King David's finding.

"Thomas the True was mortal, of course."

Mirwin says "What? of course he was mortal.. what's that to do with anything?"

Coradel listens, nodding carefully, her eyes lighting as the precedent is revealed. And at the final statement, she turns slowly to look at the two with a decidedly bloodthirsty smile.

"We have evidence that you both worked together to harm mortals in this Demesne following Carnivale."

"And an act against a mortal may be avenged...most decisively."

"We left a note for mortals," Seneca says "That's no crime"

August draws the envelope they left from his pocket.

"Learned interpreters of our laws and traditions have agreed that "There can be no retribution for any word spoken or deed done." stands on it's own as a dictate of Carnivale. Had this worked, harm would most certainly have been done."

"Harm to our Carnivale monarchs."

Mirwin goes "Huh? I don't understand"

Seneca however swallows from his cast as this sinks in

"Let me simplify..." Coradel steps towards them, a prowling pace. "You are guilty of a crime. In my demesne. And you are to be punished."

August clears his throat.

She turns slightly back to him, "Mm?"

"There -are- arguments that could be made to the effect that the dictate 'A monarch cannot exact revenge against harassers,' the second part of that dictate about Carnivale, means it applies only to monarchs or perhaps nobles."

August's ethics are on painful display.

Velvet whispers something "Precedent"

Coradel turns to him, about to get irritated, but then Velvet speaks. "What was that?" she asks the sluagh.

"Yes, there is precedent. Based on arguments and study." gently.

Tylar nods "high King david"