#earthrunes

It should be said, when 1122 returned, he found the reactions of the sister spiders varied. Some greeted him warmly, a few acted as if he'd never been gone, a few were curious, and it's possible one or two fussed

One however is giving the cold shoulder, and if you count each space beween each limb, that's a LOT of shoulder

Zara sets a bowl of popcorn on the table. "Now then, what is all this?"

1122 bows I-have-returned

"And thou promised a tale."

And so.. 1122 spins a tale....

it turns out the herald Innish had felt he had failed his Baroness, because Lord Hume came out of the blue without warning, annd heralds are not always but are often spies for their lords and ladies.

And him Eiluned

Well Eiluned related

So it was, that a spy was indeed needed. And Innish wanted to ... send someone in. To snoop ...respectfually, on their graces

But the baroness should not know, less it reflect on her

Of course.

Of course, 1122 agrrees, then in delight says 'but there was a third agent of sorts, beyond Innish and myself... can you guess who?'

"The Countess, of course." The other sluagh!

'Just so... while she is sworn to obey and do good service to them, everyone of sennnse knows that sluagh show loyalty by waching you ..so no oath was at risk' 1122 nods

the sisters nod. It is known

Zara sips her tea and nods. It is known.

1122 says 'oh, she owes you a favor now.. she thinks Innish was clever to ennlist me, but should have told you before, not after. So...should you need her aid, seek her out'

A little smile.

'So I planted some ..items that Innish could use even pastt their wards to scry, gathered intel.. and returned"

"And of course, items I may scry?"

'only if you have a similar item on the outside as Innish does' a beat 'want to know where he keeps it?" SMUG Arachnid

Brow.

1122 looks smug still

'Want me to drain him until he talks?' one of the sisters offers

"I might not intervene..."

1122 goes from smug to winsome "its a smooth stone in a jewelry box in Innish's room'

Sigh.

'Why the sigh?" 1122 asks and clambers onto Zara's hand

"Well, I can certainly sneak into Innish's room to scry... but it would not be my first choice."

Oh, then I guess you could use the smooth stone I put in a gift box and gave to Bronte to put on the top shelf. a pause I put a purple bow around it

A soft chuff.

Bronte chirps from above 'The Past is a memory, the Future a hope, but Now is a gift, that's why we call it a Present'

Should Zara retrieve it, yes she finds a small stone, nothing spectular, but the shape of it specifically cut so that few would matich it

"Clever." Perhaps Zara's highest praise.

1122 nods Inish is no fool

"Mm. I didn't mean him."

She lifts a single eyebrow.

Oh, well, I'd boast about mySELF but we know how humble I am 1122 assures

"Oof, I needn't be a Gwydion for that one... but yes, it was you."

Should have let me devour him One of the sisters sing songs

Flowers first, surely! 1122 cuts back

oh so shameless is he, at least some of the sisters think so

"Oh, he'll earn it." She tsks.

At least one sister eyes him with a HURRUMPH... annd Zara realizes she was scared for him. Annnd means to make him pay for it

She will not be so crude as to call her out.

1122 has made his bed.

Just so. And as for Zara, she has means to scry easily into the Ducal manor now. How ggratifying

And she has her friend back