#earthrunes

"That... wait. Wait."

"Sluagh were traitors, aye. To the Fomorians."

"Red seeds, thallain... nightmares and slaughter. Twas the first war, the oldest war, the War of the Trees. Our kith, and the Redcaps, we joined the Tuatha."

He blinks, "yes, trees. I didn't catch the reference... but there were trees..."

"Not even Nightmares sanction such utter destruction, nay. Only something worse than a nightmare."

"Yes. The shining host." His expression is grave.

She raises her whisper, straining it. "Ivanka, could you please go to the kitchen to fetch a pitcher of cold water?"

Symon's nod is grateful.

A soft whisper "Of course, miss zara" And...footsteps.

"The Dark Ones would destroy all of us. I may not be a fan of nobility, but I do not wish them dead. And the Fomorians would kill us just as quickly. They wish for naught but destruction."

A sigh. "What does it mean, though?"

"Whoever sent that goblin has grand goals, and places we love are under dire threat. Immediate threat."

"Obviously. But to what end? A sword with a crown, that makes it seem that the Blade may actually be involved, if the crown represents nobility. A false card left to draw attention away from them actually being the culprits? But then, this other imagery. Some sort of Balor Nobility plot?

This makes me feel stupid that I can't... it's a puzzle, but it's missing pieces, and someone dumped checkers and legos in the box."

Zara nods. "We don't know enough. no."

"I think I have some texts on the War of the Trees..."

Ivanka 's footsteps rrreturn "My lady?" a whisper outside "I have the water"

Symon nods, having mostly recovered his composure.

"Thank you. You may enter, Miss ivanka."

In she comes, ice water and small glasses on a tray. She sits it down where directed

"Again, my thanks." No comment on the mess - the spilled water, upended candles,broken pottery, bloody tea...

"Most welcome" She says "Will there be anything else for now? " As if the mess were invisible until she is told of it

"I shall require your assistance later, after my guest has departed."

"of course, Miss Zara." A nod to the guest "Sir" And she withdraws again

He takes a glass of water and drains it. A sigh. "Is Soothsay always like that, or am I just unlucky?"

"Not always... but, ah... more often than one would like."

"It largely depends on where you choose to look. I... well, my mentor has oft compared me to a Took."

"Or Pandora. Depends on the day."

He muffles a snort. "Mentor, eh? That's not Madame Grey, is it? Sounds too informal for that old witch." Said in a fond manner.

"Oh, I frustrated her, too. She taught me the basics of soothsaying, but I was far too much a chatterbox for her tastes."

"Nay - Emmitt. I am his first sluagh student."

"Ah." He blinks. "So it's personal. Glad I came to see you."

"I've just been doing independent study, myself. Maybe I'm too stubborn for a teacher."

"I... understand that. We have clashed, a'times. But... I was very determined to learn."

She exhales. "In a way, it is a relief that it is not the Blade."

"Even though I think what we face is objectively more of an, ah.. existential threat?"

He nods slowly. "But the Blade has enemies we could tap, point. It's a known quality. This... I feel like we are grasping at shadows."

"Precisely."

Gloomily. "I like shadows. Normally."

"As do I. But... I have dealt with the Court before. They are unpleasant."

Brow up. "You have? Over what?"

Zara twists her fingers together, frowning. "Ah."

He shakes his head. "Nevermind, rude of me to ask. Not relevant, either."

"Suffice to say, I have no love of Balor, or the Court."

"Me either. Mind if I check out one of those books on the War? Do I need to read it here?"

"You must needs sign it out, and return it in good condition. If you do not sign, Bronte shall fuss."

Zara goes to retrieve the old history books, ones from the Eiluned days.

He carefully wraps it before putting it in his bag, and yes, signs out neatly. "I've seen bigger dragons than her... but still, even a little draconic fuss is not worth it."

"Exactly. Now, if you ever wish to see more of her kind - the Met library across the river has a whole colony."

"Ah. I don't much go into the city. Loud, and crowded. But someday, maybe.."