#earthrunes

"Ha. Part of the reason she had doubts was I think she was under the mistaken idea you were budies with Thea, or even working for her. I could be wrong on that"

"Mayhaps. I have many acquaintances."

"I'm sorry the Chief was aloof to you"

Zara shrugs. "She is polite enough. And I am quite fond of several residents of the barony."

"Well, you know, if you every want to visit me there, you'd be welcome. Tea drinkers all too rare"

"Trolls rather prefer coffee, it seems."

A groan "I KNOW."

"Sorry," She sips "Don't get me wrong, Kerri has adjusted"

"Aye. Miss Kerri is a force of nature." Respectful tone.

"I will never be that good... but If I get close I'll be amazing"

"You will." A smile.

"Thank you. oh. Pennons news.... a most interesting situation arose with some Silverwolf fledges and an unseemly Gwydion lord... " And she relates the tail

Zara listens, interested!

And she learns the story

tea is nice, company good, and..yes, she gets insight on Arty , TThistle, and a tale of two Gwyds. One an obnoxious tyrantt, the other a fine young fledge

(Fade to tea)

And August seeks Coradel out to speak with her about Minerva's..... concerns.

He learns that Coradel is in the stables, and there he finds her, fussing over the little blind colt, arranging his mane and forelock just so to flatter his glass adornment.

He brings a little sweet oats with him as he comes over.

She turns and beams at him, then says to the colt, "Now, look what the baron has brought you!" Of course, the colt can smell it perfectly well, too, and his ears perk forward, his upper lip twitching towards the detected TREAT.

August puts the oats in the colt's feed bin. "There we are. Manners."

Oh, how much can one expect in the way of manners from a gangly-legged colt who just held still to have his mane braided? He snorts a quick gratitude and then rattles his bucket in eagerness to get at the oats!

August chuckles.

Coradel laughs lightly, then gives August a quick kiss. "What brings you here, my love?"

"Lady Minerva." he says.

"She came to me to speak about her Saining. She is eager to complete her fostering." and August explains the rest.

"Oh, well of course she is, and it's certainly time. We need to get a celebration together, and..." a pause "Oh. Oh dear."

"Yes. She... is under the impression that there could be some concerns with the event."

A troubled pout, and an annoyed sigh. "Well, she's not wrong! That does complicate matters. I suppose there are others trained in naming who would be available, wouldn't there? We must begin the search."

"I believe Master Jeomry had an apprentice. And... there must be other Namers in the Duchy? The Kingdom?"

"Certainly! There must be!" She is confident...ish.

"I'll have Innish send out inquiries, and we should ask the seer for his advice in the matter."

"Oh, and Bachdion might know of somebody!"

August nods. "Can I help in any way?"

A smirk. "Do you know any namers?"

"I... ah, just the one who served Alabster Hollow."

"Hm. I'd prefer somebody more local, but do you think they'd be willing to send their namer our way for a short stint?"

"That... that seems rather ... ah, above my experience." He blinks.

A blink. "How so?"

"I wouldn't want to suggest anything that would cause a problem. You know them better than I, would the Duke and Duchess have concerns asking someone from outside the Duchy to serve?"

A little sneer. "Honestly, I'm not particularly impressed with their choices regarding namers, recently. Although, you have a point....this is, first and foremost, their problem. They are responsible for providing a skilled and competent namer. Let them do so! I will have Innish send a missive today."

"Ah. Would you like me to craft it?"

"That would be lovely, thank you!" Fortunately, she seems to have missed his implied concern.

He nods. "I will do so. Do you want to see it?"

"I trust you, but I do love seeing your calligraphy." A thought. "Give it a little extra silver filigree. That'll show them."

He bows his head. "As you wish."

She smiles and touches his cheek. "Come, let us begin. You to your pen, and me to Bachdion. If the Duchy will be no help, I do want to have other resources lined up."

August nods, and leans in for a soft kiss.

Oh, he is granted that, and willingly!

And then each to thier task, athough they might walk together while they can.