#earthrunes

"Would you like me to go and check, Zara?"

"Please!"

He nods and moves out swiftly, heading for her room to make sure it stays untouched.

Boggans brush by.. and by the time August gets to the garret entry his boots are a high shine. And he sees a crowd of Boggans...

and a knight is blocking the way "None shall pass"

"But Sir earl! Spring cleaning!" One boggan says

"My friends....." August calls to the bustle of boggans ".... please leave these rooms untouched. As a favor to me. To us." he includes Earl on this.

Several dust bunnies are taking shelter behind Earl and August's (shiny) boots.

"But... "Another Boggan says "the ritual of spring cleaning"

Earl's eyes narrow "I can and will flicker flash a MOUNTAIN of dust into the halls in retaliation"

Gasps!

"But it needn't come to that." August says gently. "Let's respect the private spaces of our friends, hm?"

The boggans retreat, muttering about how this is sure to be bad for weather, crops, and finances

"Thanks, August" Earl releases, then looks down at the dust bunnies "It's safer now.. just stay in the garret areas for now"

"You're welcome, of course. There was a minor incident as they were passing the library, but Velvet will be fine I'm sure. I'm heading back that way now, if you'd care to come?"

"I suppose they'll honor the agreement" Cauious. He does not mention something in him liked blocking a path. Must be some primordial troll instinct to claim a bridge

August nods and leads him back to the library (not that he doesn't know the way).

"How are you guys doing?" Earl asks "You and the Baroness I mean? " As they enter

August smiles shyly. "We are well, thank you. And I'm very glad to see Zara, and yourself, are whole and well."

"it was interesting to say the least. Her uncles were very ah... well, they love her, I'm pretty sure they weren't happy with me. "

"Did I hear that you were to stay in the area for dinner with her family?"

"She did .. I visited but stayed the night at the hold. The Count had.. questions" Uncomfortable

"Was there a problem, Earl?"

"Nothing I couldn't handle. In fact, the Count was quite courteous to me. he was upset to find the woman who had tricked him and sowed seeds of chaos while imprisoninnng him was whisked away by the Crystal Circle, but he's not willing to mess with them"

"Hm." I -am- glad that he was coureous."

"More than. He offered me a boon" A troubled look

August notes the look. "Is that.... bad?"

"It's unjust" he frowns "As far as I know, you haven't been offered one. OR Coradel. And the only reason I can think you're not is because of your house and the fact she marred one of your house. " A sour look "It's not right"

August puts a hand on Earl's arm. "It isn't a concern, not for me." he assures "What was important was getting you and Zara free."

"I nearly killed her" he admits' Guzrela. She hurt my lady. I nearly lost my.." A breath

"I'm glad you did."

"I shouldn't have let it get that close"

"I would very much like to hear the parts of the story I'm still missing." he invites.

"Well, let's see what Zara prefers said. You know I love her, and sluagh are sensitive to information transfer."

"Yes, of course." August agrees.

Earl does return the gesture, putting a hand on August's arm "When she was in danger, you and Coradel came to her aid. You've always been a friend, August. I don't know if I give you credit enough for being such a good one. thank you" And into the library they go

"Earl had already secured your room, Zara." August announces quietly.

"Oh, he did? Ah, my Love." A peck on his cheek.

Earl smiles happily at this reward for good trueheart behavior

"In truth, love , I rather enjoyed telling them none shall pass. I'm sure they saw me as the cruelest of dark knights"

"Aye? A dread foe?"

"or at least an unreasonable one" He smiles slightly

The dust bunnies of hte library have done their best to help undo the damage done to velvet's garb, though she still clings to the shawl like a life line

"Velvet, would you like to go change?" August asks quietly.

"I fear I might get cleaned again" She says in her corner

"I would be happy to escort you." he offers.

"We can wait it out, methinks..."

"I don't mind waiting, my lord. Unless you wish to have some private chat with Miss Zara?"

"No reason for you to be uncomfortable, Velvet; that's all."

Velvet says 'Thank you, lord but a bit too late for that"