#earthrunes

She takes his arm easily. "Just lucky, I suppose. Tell me...does the notion appeal?"

"Mmm" The old man says "What about your Seer? Won't he feel i"m butting in ?"

"How would you be butting in? He is not a Namer."

"So .. JUST Saining... you won't have me put up wards willy nilly just to get a use out of me?"

She tilts her head at him. "If EarthRunes is endangered, or if the people of my barony are at risk, I expect everybody to use their skills as best they can. I hope you can agree with that?"

"Well, I suppose... " Dubious then "Yes I suppose I want to LIVE. So ..workshop, no taxes... and a stipend... dang. this is hard to resist. Tell you what, later we talk about the size of the workshop"

"Well, we could talk about it later...but what do you think would be appropriate?" She's not letting go of his arm yet.

"Well, I can work slow on my projects so it wouldn't need to be bigger than..." He names the price

How does it compare to August's studio space?

She considers the request and nods slowly. "I think that can be arranged. Of course, you would be available for any and all Naming to be done within the Barony."

"May I take an apprentice hoping to eventually replace me? Could take a decade or more...but at least get a replacement started"

"Oh, I do think that would be an excellent idea, yes."

"Now...I imagine it might be a difficult commitment to make in the course of fifteen minutes...but what if we start with a short term. A year an a day? And then you can make a more permanent decision."

"Now that's a very reasonable thing, but if that falls on Samhain.... maybe a year and two days "

She smiles. "Very reasonable, as well."

"It is a deal, then, Namer Roscolli?" She offers a hand.

"Ha." he takes it, "Fine.. ah, your husband, he was the one who told you about... it's always the quiet ones"

"And a deal" He adds

A curious look. "And you determine this...with a touch?"

"No, because I blabbed with him freely about some of these things earlier" A chuckle , he pats his midsection. There's a vaguely bell like sound

A blink, then realization. "Your enhancements are not immediately obvious, Namer. A 'cast-iron' stomach, minus the iron?"

"In a sense" A grin

"Do you mind telling me, then?"

"Liver mostly"

She smiles. "Oh, of course."

"Also left kneecap. Damn it aches during a storm"

"I wish for you many clear days, then."

"Oh, small price to pay.. now, tell me more about your hold. I've been about the place, but not all of it.. too soon. What brings you the most pride?"

"Oh, that would be a difficult call. There's so much about it that makes me proud! For an example, let me show you one of my art collections?" She leads the way to the largest gallery.

And he follows...

And somewhere, Minerva avoids Lord Hume. She just can't be that gracious

(End Scene)