#earthrunes

A pause.

"Tea."

Zara goes to get her fancy ivory chest.

August goes to get the tea cart!

"Ah, of course." She smiles.

August manages the tea cart to the door and opens it for the ladies "I'll stop at the kitchens for a fresh round."

"Place the tea in the box, nu? It will help."

"And the old cream."

"Yes, of course." He puts the box on the cart and waits for the ladies.

Coradel actually demures to Zara, letting her take the lead.

August will arrive by way of the kitchen; a nod to the ladies as they briefly part company.

Florian lays on his bag

"Ah... Mister Florian? If I may intrude?"

A...bag? Coradel frowns delicately.

He rises "Ah, my manners.. most unseemly"

Zara offers a hand up. "Nay, no offense. Forgive us for disturbing your recovery. I have brought the liege and her trueheart with me. They have been generous hosts to our number."

"Hello, Mr. Florian," Coradel says softly.

Zara reaches for a hand and grabs.. air..

Blink.

she thought his sleeves long, instead she finds each hand has been cut off a the wrist

HISSSSSSSS.

"Oh.. I believe the phrase is 'tis but a scratch'"

Florian bows beforre Coradel "Sir Florin, Baroness"

Zara's dark eyes flash with anger.

Coradel spots what caused Zara's abrupt reaction, but doesn't react herself. "You are welcome here, Sir Florin. I wonder if we could perhaps find you more comfortable accommodations."

A soft tinkle of china in the hallway approaching on a cart with a slightly squeaky wheel.

Zara quietly seethes.

"I am comfortable here, madame baroess. My other kithsibs, ladies, children, elders... they should have priority"

"Priority over you? What makes you less worthy?" She watches him carefully.

"my failure. I am a knight, a Fiona, they were counting upon me. I failed them."

The Baron appears .... pushing a teacart.

She steps aside to allow August in so he can serve tea.

"Nay."

"Nay - you have survived. And they have all survived."

August nods "Hello." then "Zara, would you like to be mother?"

"It is in survival that we triumph, nu?"

"It was your doing, and Sir Earl's doing, not mine. My attemptt to break them free failed. I had my hands removed for injuring a varich on the attempt"

"August, if you would?" Pleading glance at the Liam.

More firmly, a fierce whisper. "Nay. Thou survived. Persisted. I shall not have thee dismiss that."

"Of course." And he goes about serving, an almost-slugah-like job; he has been well trained!

"We all survived, Miss Zara... thatt is not nothing, but I did give myself higher standards"

"You have not failed. And you have paid a great price for the doings at that hold. It seems to me you should be well compensated."

"Aye - then be a sluagh, man. Understand what you have done, what you have achieved, and the wisdom you have gained from suffering."

"Coradel is a Lioness. She may speak to nobility and houses. But I am your kith-sister."

"And you have naught to be ashamed of."

"I..." Florin smiles "By the gods of terror's titilation, what an extrodinary woman you are, Miss Zara. yon baronness as well. Is it a safe guess that both of you are taken? Surely the men of this hold cannot be blind to quality?"

"Ah..." Blink. Blush!

The Liam gently clears his throat.

"I am well chastised by two women of beauty and steel, how..." A ttur at the cough "AH, I knew someone had eyes around here. My pardon, Sir. For boldness before you to whichever you have ggiven your heart too"

A light laugh. "Mr. Florian, let me introduce my trueheart and spouse, Baron August Truthbranch ap Liam."