#earthrunes

"Oh, the party seems like it will be an interesting adventure of sorts." And at that moment, Coradel is called away on another matter. She rises smoothly and kisses August on the cheek before bidding Clem and Zara farewell and departing.

August rises as she goes, kissing her back on the cheek.

Clem waves to her and sips her drink

"It would be an excellent quest...."

"It would." softly.

"Aye. It has been some time, nu?"

A smile, but it's a little odd. "It has. It would be very good to quest with you again. You both." he includes Earl.

"I feel like I've brought the room down with this" Clem says "August, you're one of Earl's best friends. He'd be happy to quest with you again if that's waht this all leads to"

"We make a good team. Also - books."

"No, no, Chieftain." he tries the smile again. "It is... an exciting notion, even if it turns out not to be true. The information, that is. And yes, perhaps a quest is what we should do with our summer."

"Well, I guess." She says not knowing August as well as Zara, the odd smile takes less notice to her but she did feel something was off for a second. Maybe she imagined it

He IS full of making people feel 'off.'

Zara tilts her head, watching August.

He clears his throat and takes a sip of his own drink.

"Now all this aside, how have you all been?"

"Oh, quite well!"

"Ahh.... you ladies have catching up to do." He sets his glass down and stands. "I should excuse myself."

"Zara has had quite an adventure to tell you about." he says to the Chieftain.

"Of course... "

"What? No! No adventure!"

He looks a little surprised. "But......."

"No adventure yes adventure?" Clem says "Have a seat, Zara"

"Aahhh...." August edges away.

"August, you're welcome to remain if you like but I understand. Sorry for unloading all this on you but, well, you and your daughter sparrow were the ones that came to mind and it's easier to reach you"

"Twas a minor adventure."

"Earl's of age and so are you" Wrly "Now about this adventure?"

"And that is an honor, Chieftain. I'll just go and, ah, see if I can reach, ah.... someone."

"Feh!"

And August slips out.

"Well, understood. " She says to August, then to Zara once he's gone "Now he's out of earshot, Zara. What's up?"

"It was not really an adventure..."

"Just visiting home for a bit, aye?"

"Would this be the visit home that lead to a nocker on my porch being whisked away by Uncle Emmit and his bridge club?"

"Ah... mayhaps..."

"You mean the hold I'm the freeholder of? Chief is a duty, but right of demense would be the same if it happened at say, a Library freehold run by a sluagh lady"

Huff.

"Zaara.. you know I'll get it out of earl. "

"I know."

"But... I do not wish to go explaining myself."

"Explaining yourself? Zara I'm nnot accusing you of anything, I just want to know what happened on the farm."

"And yes, your adventure"

"Tis business involving magic."

"The kind I know, and Emmity knows, and yet I must not speak of so publicly here..."

"Ah." She says "It might surprise you but I know about the details of the Bridge Club. as much as anyone not in the Bridge club is allowed to know"

"Aye, but you understand why I cannot go into detail?"

"I was curious, things were afoot. I pursued to see what was happening."

"That's.. a lot of not detail" She says "Can you give me a bit more?"

She tosses up her hands.

"Fine. I'll pester you in anoher location. Maybe your bedroom I hear you moved"

"I have. Tis crooked."