#earthrunes

Elegant and poised (of course), she makes her way to the library. Once there, she taps the door frame softly with her knuckles.

A gentleman sluagh rises at the knock

"Please, come in."

Coradel gives him a curious look, and then steps into the library. "I understand I was asked for?"

"yes, baroness, thank you for seeing me," he bows, "My name is Laurent St. Yves," he whispers, "And I am cursed by conscience and driven by pursuit. My professions are varied- but one of them is bounty hunter"

A blink, and she gives Zara a bemused look. Here's a sluagh more gregarious than she is!

"Mssr. St. Yves has been granted hospitality by the Baron August."

Then she returns her attention to the gentleman. "I see. Mssr. St. Yves, perhaps you would be so kind to elaborate?" A brief gesture to a chair, asking Zara if she's welcome to sit.

Zara nods, and moves to prep a third cup of tea.

Laurent St. Yves pulls a chair out for the baroness, "have you heard, baroness, of the incident of Centaur kidnappings through out Concordia?"

She accepts the seat and settles gracefully.

And then a surprised look. "I had heard of a kidnapping, singular. You say there were others?"

"All over the country, the man sponsoring them is named Galorian Leech"

Coradel frowns slightly, mulling over the name.

"He is ..captureed now, the centaurs freed. But, he had various... outreaches, boltholes and more"

"Safe houses for himself? Perhaps further allies?"

"Troves" He answers "Hence my... wish to pay respects to you, I hoped to search for a suspected locale in your barony."

"Here?" She seems to be a mix of surprised and offended. "He had a space in my lands? You're certain?" She takes a sip of the tea provided by Zara.

"It may well have predated you. Leech was... quite old."

"Fae Eternity, he ages slowly, and yet he thouht Centaurs would end that..."

"Well, that would surprise me even more. That Baron Nemauses might have overlooked such a thing. But, I suppose it might have happened."

A blink. "How would Centaurs be connected to that?"

"A prophecy, or so he believed, " Laurent St. Yves explains "He wanted to destroy them, before they could destroy him"

"Oh, my...that doesn't seem to have worked well for him, does it?" A nod and another sip. "So, you wish to seek out his hideaway. What will you do when you find it?"

"That depends on what I find. I have already spoken to Miss Zara about providing at least one book to this fine library"

"Mm. Mssr. St. Yves, I appreciate that you are providing this information and speaking to me before you begin your search. Perhaps you would also benefit from the aid of a member of my household? Somebody to support your search and advise you about the locality?"

"I wished only to risk myself if risk there was, Baroness, but if you have a suggestion? "

Zara listens.

"Hmm...well, I think I would defer to Madame Zara's sensibilities about who might suit as an assistant."

Laurent St. Yves turns and inclines his head "Miss Zara?"

And she turns to the librarian. "Do you think Velvet would suit?"

"Aye, she is clever and eager."

Coradel may have noticed that there has been a odd draft cold, but not banal that has come up

"Yes, if August agrees..." she pauses. "What is that?" she turns to see if she can sense the direction of the draft. "A bit of chill?"

"Then... " He looks upward "I will be happy to have her as an extra set of eyes"

Zara glances - perhaps a ghost?

She returns her attention to him. "Then I think we are agreed. I will speak with August." Another sip of her tea, and a look to Zara...that breeze is a bit distracting.

"My apologies, that is in fact me" The slaugh says "My soul has .. well, just as some few leave mushroom rings where they sit, I tend to create... gothic touches"

Indeed, a light fog seems to be on the floor, only an inch high

"Ah. A blessing, nu?"

Coradel's brows go up. "You carry your own atmosphere? Quite dramatic."

"With willpower I can dismiss it, but Yes... I am told I carry my own slice of Mary Shelly's setting with me" Wryly "Or perhaps Lord Byron's theme matics?"

"Well, it suits you," Coradel lifts her teacup to him in mild salute.

"Mad, bad and dangerous to know." Bronte quips.

"Bronte! Now, Byron has his merits!"

Coradel looks over to the little dragon. "There you are." A smile, and she reaches to offer a scritch.

Bronte leans in, wings spreading a bit in contentment.

As slugah go, he's a handsome man, "Charming book wyrm, I admit, our club footed lothario was a role model to me"

“I adore simple pleasures. They are the last refuge of the complex.” Bronte is pleased.

"Ah, lovely." Pleased at Bronte's response. "Now, when do you intend to begin your search? I should say, if you discover that his hideouts are in locations that involve other local fae, my priority is their rights first."