#earthrunes

"Tylar?"

"I would not want it said a decision was made in haste, or without a defense." quietly.

"Just that High King david himself is the precedent.. he was in your shoes, so to speak at one time"

August nods slowly. "The High King's decisions are...foundational."

"Mmmm," She likes that point, especially. "And it would be foolish for me to decide differently."

"It would be difficult to argue that." August admits carefully.

"You say he banished the Gwydion woman?"

"For three years. On her return, she was Hold-less."

"Yet these two are practically nothing. They have no holds."

"We most humbly apologize" Seneca says "And will not enter your barony again. That's exile yes?"

"Hardly an exile you will feel," she points out. "Who is your liege?"

"Our Lord is Von Dornklippe" Mirwinn says "but if you're hoping for a ransom..."

"Pfft. As if I need it."

A dismissive wave. "Be quiet now," she says to Mirwinn.

August offers Velvet back the papers, and smiles at both squires.

"Sir Bachdion, Sir Earl, I'm sure you can manage them a few moments longer while we consult." She steps towards her private audience room, gesturin August, his squires, and Zara to follow.

August guides the two squires (and Benny) in first.

He also bows Zara in, then follows.

Zara joins the rest.

Earl nods "Happy to help, Baroness"

Bachdion "VERY happy, my liege." Hoping they try something

Benny hops to it .. a bit nervous, a lot excited

She looks to them all. "Well, August, Zara, these two have arguably harmed you far more than they have harmed me. I'm tempted to bring up their old deeds as well, but I don't want to undermine the very good case you've built. Now, tell me...what do you see as a suitable payment for their deeds?"

"They shan't feel exile from here, though I agree they should be made unwelcome to return."

"Or I could bind them to duty here. And a vow of silence."

"I'm really tempted to rub this in their faces."

"There is the matter of whatever is amiss at Alabaster Hollow. And.... there are those who we care for who make their home there."

"Yes, I'm not particularly interested in seeing their faces every day."

"I am very concerned about the Hollow..."

"Can we demand an oath of service out of them? Service to mortals and commoners?"

"What a pity we cannot un-title them."

"Quite a pity, agreed."

"Ransom's NOT a bad idea. It draws attention to THIER liege's ire. Their fault, not yours" Squire Tylar says

"Hm. Or...oh. If we hold them in the dungeon until their liege comes personally to settle their ransom? That might help us find out what the matter is at the Hollow as well, if he cannot come."

"Unless they don't want them back..."

"The Ransom of Red Chief."

"Command them to find and serve, under Oath, a Liam lord for a year and a day ere they return to the Hollow?"

"That poor Liam. Feh. Send them to Jude."

"We really wish that on some poor Liam lord?"

A grin at Zara, then a notion. "Hmm. Jude might have fun with them."

"What do you think, August?"

"What if they're already sworn?" Velvet muses

"They're sworn to Von Klippe, it sounds like. Ah, well. It was a nice thought."

"I think the question could be asked; if they are sworn."

"And if they are... a ransom refused would be a great shame."

"Von DornKlippe." he murmurs, following that.

"Yes, and if they are not, they will have an oath to take for that year of service to Jude." She nods with satisfaction.

"Oh, whatever. I have no use for him, either." she waves off the name correction.

August clears his throat. "The, ah, ransom.....?"

"Hmm. I've never ransomed somebody before. Tell me...what are the books you both most desire?" She directs the question to August and Zara.