#earthrunes

Coradel approaches the dais, and August comes with her by virtue of the fact that she still has her hand on his arm for escort. She doesn't part from him until they are directly before the rulers, at which point she gives a deep curtsey. "Your Graces."

August squeeze her hand on his arm, a brief, warning pulse as they move forward. He bows deeply with her curtsey.

The Duke says "It has been sometime, Baroness, Baron. how fares earthrunes?"

A brief glance at August at the squeeze, but then her attention is on the Duke and Duchess. She rises again. "EarthRunes is strong and growing, Your Grace. We have undertaken many challenges and achieved much since the time I saw you last."

the Duchess looks curious "this is good to hear, Baroness. Your immediate lieges, the Count and Countess, speak well of your domain when last we spoke to them. But I suspect this is not merely a social visit to assure us all is well?"

August straightens.

"Well, you did request that I return to report on Lord Hume's progress, and I am here to do so." Yes, absolutely, no other agenda, nope! "I do not know if you wish to hear that report here, before the court...?"

The Gwydion duke arches a brow at something

She looks him right in the eyebrow and smiles.

August's expression betrays nothing.

Then he says "As you prefer, Baroness. You have served well enou. You have earned a private audiance if you wish"

Coradel blinks at the 'well enou' and the smile might grow just a bit forced. "I would prefer that, yes, Your Grace. At your leisure, of course."

The duchess takes her counterpart's hand, and speaks out "We shall be in the parlor then. We leave the Court in the care of our chancellior while we are in private conference' She tells the court. nods and bows, then she says 'earthrunes, this way"

Coradel again claims August's arm for escort, and he may be able to feel her irritation through her touch, but she moves gracefully in the wake of the Duke and Duchess.

Under her hand, he is tense and on-edge as well, although he wears a veneer of calm neutrality.

And they follow the Duke and Duchess.

Into the parlor they go the doors closing behind them, the Duke says with a worried look 'Has his cowardice not been cured yet?"

"Your Grace, if by that you mean to ask if I have made a fighter out of him, the answer is no."

"A pity, but I was more concerned about his willingness to fight period. The lad has no spine, and as he is a Dougal, that is almost literal" the Duke sighs "Honestly, I despair for him"

The Duchess frowns "I thought for certain he would overcome it"

She takes a breath. "I do not. Your Grace, Lord Hume may not ever lead a battle from the front lines, and that is a good thing. That is not where his leadership thrives."

"If I may tell you a tale, Your Graces?"

"Of course" The Duchess says

"Would you care for drinks while you do?" the Duke gestures to the wetbar

"That would be lovely, Your Grace, thank you."

"Allow me." a soft murmur, and he goes to the bar "Your Graces?" an offer.

Coradel gives a slight frown, but if there is no servant there to prepare drinks, she doesn't stop August. And he knows what drinks she likes.

"Too kind, Baron. " The Duchess says "and beneath you, which makes it all the kinder. Still, you know your wife's preference the best as well as your own. I would like a white wine, please"

"Ale, bitter, and thank you" The Duke says

A small smile to the Duchess as she acknowledges August's rank, and she touches August's cheek lovingly as he brings her her drink. "Thank you, my love."

He bows, and gives Coradel loving eyes before he goes to pour drinks.

As he serves, Coradel begins to tell the tale of the time when, in the absence of both August and Coradel, Lord Hume undertook a rescue mission, rallied a small army, and ventured into the Dreaming where he utilized his own particular skills to save the day.

The Duke takes his drink and grows.. amazed as the tale unfolds

the duchess, a satyress, shows her delight more openly

"...and so, you see, Lord Hume is no coward. He merely needed the opportunity to learn how to lead in his own way."

"He put himself in danger" the Duke says "What a relief" Gwydions say odd things like that all the time

Coradel finishes her drink.

"Ah, that's waht that vision meant" A thoughtful look on the Beumayn duchess

August took a glass of wine, but hasn't put much of a dent in it.

"Vision, Your Grace?"

"I am Beaumayn" the satyress says "And I had.. portents. It helped guide me. I KNEW you would be good for Hume, and he for you" She beams

Coradel is silent for a moment, and she sets down her glass. "I am pleased to have been able to serve you, Your Grace, in providing Lord Hume a chance to thrive...but I am not at all certain I was in equal need. Was that the entire reason he was placed with EarthRunes? Because of this vision?"

"it would be enough, "she says "But you were without an heir ...' a look to the Duke

"If you will allow me to ask...how soon did you declare an heir after you rose to rulership?"

"...Your Grace." she adds, perhaps a beat too late.

"i was not done " the Duchess' eyes narrow, her horned head lifting "...'but you were without an heir, and we thought it would be better a Dougal than the ailil that was being pressured forward''

The Duke nods "Politics were at play, ones we sought to protect you from"

August takes a slow, deep breath, and passes his untouched wine to Coradel.

Coradel, never looking away from the Duke or Duchess, reaches over easily to claim the offered glass. She takes a measured sip before speaking.

"I...should thank you for that consideration. I do thank you for that. I also wonder why you thought I was in such need of protection from politics. And why, instead of issuing me an heir, you did not consult with me, give me the chance to choose one for myself."