#earthrunes

August returns from a musing spree. It was productive! The castles turned out to be a good source of info about other families in medical need, and he actually ot to give free legal advice how to help another family out of debt! Forcing a hospital to itemize everything, and pointing out one of the doctors was actually in another part of town but billed for a visit anyway, well, they can get another lawyer in confidence now... one who will be paid not by them, but by the hospital

Not legal advice, per se; that would be practicing without a license. But suggestions, surely, supported by articles and lists available to ANYONE but which might be overwhelming to those already overwhelmed.

And yes, it feels good on many levels.

He comes back to find the hold in a bit of a scramble, and it seems to have nothing to do with sluagh.

Coradel was summoned by tthe Countess and isn't in

His first thought is that the scramble and summons are related, so he seeks Delores or another who is able to provide information.

Oh he finds her. Delores is irked "Yes yes, we'll be fine. Shore up the gaps in our security.. he had to ask for volunteers, of course half our knnights ran off" She's informing Rollo "And Oswald will get a talking too, trust you me. I don't care if the Tauntaun IS ideal for Winter!"

"Steward, may I be of assistance?" August is glowing nicely with Mused Glamour.

"Oh thank goodness... we got a call for aid while i was out, two hours, my fault... and then suddenly I came back to find out Lord Hume sent volunteers and Sir Segei and a dog to help with a winter nighttmare incident in Apples. Of course, this hold is FULL of volunteers! Oswald, Leonora, Temerity. Jenette, Magnus, and Honoria! All off! And who knows if some otherrs followed"

A small frown. "Our own defense have been effected?" he gathers.

"Down one Thane, and 5 knights. Lord Hume .. oh he's grown on me but he didn't consider"

August nods. "You are more than capable of making clear to him what his actions have led to, Steward. I leave that to you. In the meantime, how can I assist?"

"Well, now that you're here, you'e in charge, the baronness considers you her true heir you know. So maybe I should ask you? But if I may advise" She goes on "I put Dame CLaire on Security... coordinate any other defennses through her, and please help me see if anyonne else went? I think I saw that little spider fellow on Leonnora's shoulder... Miss Zara will know I'm sure but she may be upset he's risking freezing. Spiders aren't meant for the cold"

August lifts a hand. "Coradel may consider me so, but in point of fact I am not her heir. And you -are- the Steward. I will not contradict or gainsay you. You are in change here, now. I will take my instruction from you." firmly and without hesitation.

"Oh where was this last year?" Amused though "no, teasing aside, I trust your judgement, the important thing is we coordinate. Please help me find if anyone else went out i donn' know about?"

He bows. "Yes Steward. Where have you already looked, or asked?"

"I checked the knights and thanes, I didn't ask Miss Zara or check the library yet"

Another bow. "I will check there, and then elsewhere." and off he goes.

And soon, he's at the library

He taps first, and enters.

"Zara?" softly.

The door opens. "Aye?"

August smiles gently. "Hello. Apologies for disturbing you. I see you are here, do you know of anyone who might have gone to the Barony of Silverwolf in the last, say, three hours?"

Blink.

"Ah..."

"1122 is with them, let me see..."

She closes her eyes, concentrating.

"After the first batch? The only new ones are Hume and Daria... sounds like the latter guilted him into it."

Snow , mostly she sees snow, hard to read inn he dreaming... but.. they are there

"Do you think I might come in, and take notes? Delores needs a roster." he explains.

"Of course."

He enters and gets paper and pen to copy her survey.

"Thank you."

"No problem, of course."

"And, ah, wonderful work with your kithmates. I've had a chance to meet one or two."

"I'm glad they came here for help."

"I am glad the hold took it so well. It was... well, not the most well defined plan I've ever had."

"Earl, bless, made it all possible."

"The two of you are good together. Better than good."

One of the female spiders scampers down closer

Zara smiles. "He is my other half. Surely, it is the same for you and COradel?"

And..then moves visibly , where August can see her, going to a small corner desk that's half concealed.

"It is." he admits with shy warmth, and then notices the spidergirl "Ah. One of yours?" bless him, he can never keep them straight....

Zara steps quickly past August to scoop up the spider (and keep herself between him and the table. "Aye, tis Trix."

She holds out her hands for August to see the little lady.

Trix fusses and taps Want to see

but she bobs a hello to August

"Hello, Trix." with a fond tone.

"I seem to see her quite a bit."

"Well, all of the sisters have their favorites."