#earthrunes

August gets a phone call. From... Jude

He looks a bit blankly at his phone, then answers. "Yes, Sir?"

"August? I just had some news? Apparently some folks are coming in to my service?"

"If you will have them, Your..... Sir." he adjusts for the mortal communications. "My, ah, assistant wrote the letter of introduction and I was unable to review it closely before it was sent. My apologies."

"Oh? I have a letter coming? HOW NICE. Thank you, I'm sure it will be fine"

"You.... you didn't get... I'm sorry, Sir, I think I may have missed something. I intended no offence."

"Please, can you .... inform me?"

August is up and moving through the halls to find Velvet.

"August, nothing wrong with your letters. I just have very good spies, contacts and informants. I was hoping for details. Who am I getting and why?"

August explains whahahappen.

And Jude laughs "Why ME though? Where did I get this reputation as being a punnishment to serve?"

"Ah. One of them mentioned, ah, mirrors....."

"Well, given what they tried I can't say I'm not tempted. How much boot camp do you want me to give these little bastards? "

"As much as you feel necessary, Sir. I suggested it because those that were their target were mortal, and defenseless against them."

"I believe they will need to arrange to pay the ransom before they are released to you, but I can check on that."

"I think the mirrors are a secondary issue, however. I think the real punishment they percieve is serving a noble of House Liam."

"Yes, we're a horrible lot" A chuckle "I get it, a bit of humlity, and a LOT of empathy for sons of Adam and daughters of eve after this. I knew a few things I can send them to do... and let me know how the ransom goes. How are things with you, old boy?"

August has stopped speed walking and finds a nook to sit and talk in. "Well, Sir. All is well here. Well, there was a bit of a shanda during a recent Saining. Otherwise, Carnivale went well thanks to Coradel's masterful handling of things."

"A..shanda? That's Yiddish isnn't it?"

"Oh, yes Sir. Sorry. It means a.... disagreement, a struggle, an altercation."

"Well sorry to hear of that, but glad the Carnivalee went well. You knoww, from all I hear, your wife handles those with more FUN than most sidhe.. oh sure, many of us have grace under fire, but she gives a show everytime"

"She -does-." Ferverently. "I am awed, everytime."

"Fiona women are..amazing, but I married one too so... ah, I really ought to invite you and Coradel over some time."

"We would be honored, Sir."

"Lovely. Oh.. not saying I have spies on your superiors? But I'm hearing something sneaky going on with the Duchess and Duke in that area. .. they've got plans and they're trying to keep it quiet. As she's a Beaumayn Satyr and he's a Gwydion Sidhe.. Neither is the soul of discretion, but... I think the focus is on Earth Runes"

The Count can't see August's wince. "Ah. Thank you, Sir. I will pass it on."

"Fair, much joy, House brother" He says farewell

"And to you, Sir." He disconnects and seeks Coradel.

And off he goes

(End Scene)

Leonora goes looking for baron, baroness, or both

And so it happens... August.

"August, hey... " Leonora looks a bit winded, "Dropped off the ransom demands." She holds out a scroll "They sent this back"

Hopefull.... he takes it and reads.

To the honorable baroness and baron of Earth Runes, news of the misbehavior of Sirs Seneca and Mirwin have been received with some alarm. Such ill behavior during carnivale is a stain on Alabastar Hollow's good name and we are sore pressed to remedy it. Though wilders, the 'boys will be boys' refrain will not do. We shall atempt to get the books, and recompense you three fold in addition to that! While protest might normally be mad about our own, however klodish, being 'reassiggned' , no effort to reclaim them will be done until Count jude has had his way. We do not have a set time we know when the books will be collected, but hopefully before the next moon's cycle. Sincerely, Guzrela, Chancellior, acting on behalf of.. And the Count's Seal

Leo says "it was amazing.. she was the most ...amiable nocker I've ever met"