#earthrunes

"Ah! Yes." Zara nods.

"You see, the avenues available to most sluagh..."

"It, well.. it would seem to be hostile, regardless of the wrong done to my kithmates."

"An escalation."

"But.. if the sidhe are to act?"

"Oh, no, a sluagh couldn't possibly make the first strike here. However...well, once won, the Countess certainly wants to put it in sluagh hands.

August chuckles. "Well done, her." softly.

"That would be ironic and just."

"It is another Duchy, though. Of course, I suppose that is the Countess's concern."

"Exactly. Now the trick is to find a warrior who can win the day and surrender the pennon to a sluagh ruler."

"That is a bit of a problem. And, likely, we would need at least a sluagh baroness."

"That is not common."

August thinks. "A Fiona, perhaps. Leonora?"

"Leo is my first thought, yes. And I think she'd be willing."

"Well, Zara, I suppose I could knight you after all, and the Countess could elevate you quickly. You've done enough deeds, surely." Again, she must be teasing.

Right?

"I..." She blinks.

"But this is my home..." It slips out, and then she covers her mouth.

Quickly, Coradel makes a gentle gesture. "Didn't we just go over that? I have no intention of doing that to you. No fear, Zara."

August looks slightly panicked at all this until Coradel reassures Zara (and him!).

"Aye.. aye, of course.."

"However, I must turn to you for research. You'll need to locate a sluagh with the right credentials. Perhaps one of the recent captives might even suit?"

"Ah... perhaps?"

"Would such a one meet with the Countess's approval?"

"Feh."

"I can't know for sure. We'll have to see what we have available, and then consult the Countess."

August nods.

"Of course...perhaps Lady Halina could take over? Her efforts would make that fitting."

"Only to leave it in Varich hands, even if she is the 'nice' one."

"That.... might be more palatable to some." August says, apologetically.

"Tis a false change. It would be trivial for the House to swap rulers after, for she still is bound to them."

"Trust me, I much prefer the poetry of having it go to sluagh control. Which demands finding the right leader among that kith."

"Aye, indeed."

"I would have thought the Countess would know likely sluagh for the work. One already titled perhaps."

"I know not. I know a few sluagh knights and squires, and the Countess..."

He drums his fingers softly "Surely there must be records here? Or... where else would... Firnost?"

there are books on House Eiluned and some others, maybe mention of sluagh nobles are in there

"Coradel, will you speak with Leonora?" not a request; he's just checking on the idea.

"I will seek advice from my kithmates."

August nods, shifts his weight in his seat..... and then can't stand it. He rises and heads for the books "Zara, heraldry and the Who's who's are in the 300s but.... 320....?" he disappears briefly into the stacks.

"390?"

"370s."

He reappears briefly with a confused look, but heads in that direction.

Zara follows him.

"370 for the Fae pieces?" he's searching, sensitive fingers along the book spines.

"Aye. Mortal is in the 500s."

"500s...??" He seems confused but sticks with the 370s "Ok. -Do- we have anything that might give us a starting place for a sluagh who could rule a barony in Grass supported by the Countess here?"

"The DeBukes might know something, or someone. They are the closest friendly hold I know."

A sad smile "For a value of friendly, perhaps. Do you think they would offer someone to take title and Oath vassalage?"

"Doubtful."