#earthrunes

Sir Bachdion looks for either the baron, or baroness

He finds the Baroness pacing impatiently in one of the galleries, glaring at the paintings and sculptures with dissatisfaction.

"Ah, my liege. HOw lovely you look. How goes?" He knows the answer he suspects

She whirls to look at him, her annoyance at something clear. Then she relaxes marginally. "Ah. Teacher-Mine. Fine, fine. How are you?"

"Wise. Wise enough to suspect you are annoyed with your husband" He bows but he says "Coradel, I'm not just your teacher, I'm a friend. And I have two ears"

"Hmph!" She looks away, her hair swinging in a graceful arc. "I'm sure he'd be happy to tell you all about it."

"Not likely HAPPY....he looked miserable and confused" He watches her ire. Sidhe are amazing to watch

"Really?" A pause. "Well...it's good for him."

"Baroness, my dearest pupil," He says gently "You know he would never intentionally hurt you. "

She sighs and turns to him again, a pout upon her lips. "No. No, I know he wouldn't."

"From what certain sources tell me, he turned to Lord Hume for help? Perhaps not realizing how that would feel to you when you wanted to be a part of it?"

A haughty tilt of her head, not completely agreeing, but allowing a drawn-out "Mmmayyybeee." Then a dismissive gesture. "Of course, silly of me to think I might be wanted or, Dreaming forbid, needed."

A long look "You really think he doesn't want or need you? Come now, dear. He can sometimes miss a cluebyfour, but he's not a robot. Though he can be.. " A thought "Well, no, not fair for me to say what his reasons are exactly. It could be he doesn't want to burden you when you have a barony to run, or that he simply thinks 'so and so can do so and so' and got locked in a plan."

"Oh, but Hume is doing such a good job, and Hume is coming into his own, and Hume has more potential than anybody imagined...."

"HUME didn't hold against a thallian siege. Hume didn't face Paler down and rescue a loved one. Hume knows computers, and he is, FINALLY, learning to lead from the front because he finally listened to you about the higher ideals of leadership. Hume's success in the Dreaming? Not possible without you and he admits it. August sees Hume as a computer expert who has knowledge he doesn't in that area, but maybe also thinks Hume NEEDS to learn how to deal better with mortals in need. You? You don't. You were thrust into this world even before you met August in this land, in the body of a cruel mortal woman who was abusive, hateful, and tyranical, and you lived every moment after undoing her harm and raising others up. Delores? A maid now a steward. Zara? A lady who once distrusted you, won over to be one of your greatest allies. Shallimar's loyalty for the old baron was almost son like, but now he would die for you if he had to. Hume impresses with growth because he has so much growing to do, YOU impress with every breath, but perhaps we do, all of us, forget to remind you how amazing you are still. How you inspire and delight each of us. Your husband loves you. He doesn't love Hume."

She listens, and Bachdion's words are, as ever, precisely chosen to land the bullseye. Yes, she preens a bit at the praise even if she still nurtures some of the hurt. As he finishes, she reaches out to touch his cheek softly. "Oh, Bachdion...thank you...but all that? It is was was, and what is...but what of what will be? There's...a reason Hume is here to begin with, you know."

"My dear girl" he tilts his head against the touch "You are a wilder still, not some grand dame. And even if you became one, look at me. Am I retired entirely yet de spite decades of service? Am I obsolete despite not growing up in a world that has always had the internet?"

"No, of course you are not. But even so...Bachdion, how would you feel if I were grooming some wilder specifically with the intent of having him take your place some day?" An annoyed huff. "I dislike the...the replaceableness of it all."

"But it's not August who is grooming him for that purpose, is it? The Duke and Duchess put him here. Not AUgust. "

"Nnnoooo." Grudging.

"Arrrgh!" A gesture that threatens to topple a nearby marble statue of a faun and a dryad. "Teacher-mine, I know there's no sense to it. I know the hold will need an heir, and I know the heir will need to lead, and I know it's a Good Thing that the heir is learning how to do that, but...dammit, I'm Not Done Yet!"

The satyr steadies the statue, "of course not. And there is sense to it. Your pride has been pricked ,and Gwydions aren't the only ones with a sense of honor. You have had this put to you as if it was written in stone, when your story has just begun. Of course it irritates. I just wanted to point out that August probably doesn't see, even for a second, that his asking Hume for help diminishes you in anyway. Because it doesn't. It would be like asking Shallimar for help because he's a better juggler than I am. I'm hardly reduced by that fact and frankly, juggling doesn't interest me anyway. You are rightfully upset that someone is writing the sequel to the trilogy of this hold when your own novel and part of it are barely past chapter 2. But your anger keeps drifting.. you were angry at hume, but he didn't have much of a choice either. Now you're angry at your husband, and he's being a bit thick but he doesn't see you as 'done' either. You SHOULD be angry at the Duke and Duchess. Have you considered approaching them and asking how you have displeased them that they seem to think you're going grump prematurely?"

She turns and stares at him. "I...I did go to them. Back when Hume first arrived. I complained...and...and I don't remember getting much of an explanation. What makes you think I'd get one now?"

An amused look, "My dear lady. You are a ruler. You never heard someone fuss, nodded, and then waved them off the first time, knowing that if they really meant it, they'd have come back to show they meant it? Besides, at the time you protested, Hume was brand new. They wanted you to 'give him a chance' I believe? Not sure of the wording. But you have given him a chance. So... sounds like permission to revsiit to me, don't you think?"

She looks intrigued. "I could give them an update on his progress. Share his growth, because, yes, fine, there's been growth. And victories. But then, in all that, I can revisit the question of why."

"They practically ORDERED you to give an update later, when you think about it and now is finally later. Chance given. Here's your report , your graces" A wink

That gets a smile. "I suppose I have a trip to plan." She slips close to him and plants a light kiss on his lips. "Thank you, Teacher-Mine."

He returns it "Always willing to serve. "

And as she strides out to plan a trip, he smiles The old baron would be so proud to see her now I've no doubt I know I am.

(End Scene)