#earthrunes

"Oh?" She leans in.

"Well... you know Lord Hume is havinng a rough fit. Poor kid is convinced he's gonnna be replaced tomorrow as heir... " A shake of his head "but that would upset the Duke and Duchess. "

"But Hume won' accept that... so he's busting his hump on some 'surprise' for the baroness. Hopes it will make him worth while. "

Brow.

"I mean, Hume refuses to believe his ass isn't on the way out. He feels bad about it. Not sure wha the surprise is"

"Well.. nobility..." a little handwave. "That is a game they value highly."

"Yup. Here's the funny thing... He's actually got Aginncourt in his corner not that she'll reveal it. They do sharre a house, annd while she prefers 'hard ware', like trebuchets, she's not sure ruler ship should be judged by skill at arms so much"

"Well, it shouldn't be."

Jack shrugs "me? I've worked with all sorts of political views. "

"Certainly."

"But martial prowess is a poor metric."

"But arguably a necesary one. You have to be able to protect your people"

"There are many ways to protect - and commanding warriors is one of them. Personally swinging a sword in the middle of battle?"

"Someimes Duels settle matters "Jack shrugs "Seems silly, but even the DeBukes have chiefs that fight"

Earl sighs "Not our rules but yes. Still, We can pick champions too"

"What matters is actual leadership."

"Oh I agree somewhat" Jack says "But some fighting helps in this world"

"Coradel is a worthy freeholder because of her actions, aye? Not her title, not her way with a sword." She taps the bar for emphasis. She doesn't slur her whisper, but she seems rather vehement.

"Yeah? " A curious look from Jack "You want me to top that off?" Jack asks , then says "was a time you weren't her biggest supporter"

"Oh, yes please!"

"Mm.. I was not sold that she was so wonderful and perfect, aye."

A topping of the Witch's Marsh drink

"A pretty face and fancy title may deceive. One must needs be cautious."

"Well , you're not wrong there, but the old baron picked well..."

"True," earl says "I confess, I was a bit ah... overwhelmed by her style. She came on like a wildfire whenn it came ot leadership but it works for her" Earl sips "And Clem says she's a scrapper"

"Yep. She's a good one" Jack nods "But back to that 'scrapper ' part, if she hadn't been a warrior ANND a leader, the hold would have been lost"

Like all satyrs, Jack enjoys a bit of debate

"Mayhaps."

"Doesn't change the fact that leadership is still more important" Earl says "Zara's right about that"

"Swords may win holds, but they do not make them thrive."

"What's to keep a good warrior from just leaning on a brainy advisor and relying on that?" Jack counters "Just like a poor warrior might pick a champion, a warrior might pick a wiser advisor than he or she. So maybe warriors really are more a priority, gives us commoners input..indirectly. You yourself, Zara, are often consulted"

"If a warrior has the brains to take good counsel, nu?"

"Fair counnter point" Drinks are sipped at

"And a clever ruler, who commands strong arms, may still be poor. See that dead bastard Harkson."

Soft footsteps, and August enters, looking through a book "Jack? I've been looking for books along the lines you were looking for but....."

"Harkson, yeah, Sparrow saved those folks from some ugly uggly shit, beggingg your pardon" the satyr nods "Heard she had sluagh help but i's ah, nebulous who."

She presses a finger to her lips. "Aye. Shhhhhhhh."

"August!" Happy whisper and a wave!

"Hey August" Earl raises a beer. Not tea? Wait, Zara doesnn't have a tea cup either

No, she has a glass of what appears to be swampwater, with a boggy mist hovering over it.

Leonora and Kyle have been talking in the far corner, Leo looks up and waves to August, before talking with the Noker again. Zara's whispers probably aren't overheard

"Ah." He lifts a hand to acknowledge Leonora, and certainly doesn't interrupt. He looks for Jack.

Jack is behind the bar talkinngg to Zara

And Earl

"Ah." He nods to Zara and Earl but doesn't step in. He nods to Jack, then finds a seat towards the end of the bar.

"August, nay, come! Join us. Oh, you would not like this, but it is very fine. And murky. Sir Jack is most talented."

"I am sure, if thoust asked, Jack could make thee a fine drink, too."

"Please, donn't call me Sir. I work for a living" A grin from the satyr " Have a seat, August. What'll it be?"

"It.... ah, it -is- murky, yes." He approaches slowly "May I have one of those soft ciders, Jack?"

"Look! A glamour so it may be a bog of the dead!" A raspy giggle as a drowned face appears in the murk.