#earthrunes

"Injured? Hurt? I'm not entirely sure that those are synonyms for insulted and offended."

"Baroness, " the Gwydion's voice forms in a warning note, "Are you seeking to challenge me to a duel of redress?"

"That's not my intent, Your Grace," she says simply. "I would, however, wish to be heard without my complaint being belittled by the Duke and Duchess I have served loyally, well, and with skill."

"No one is belittling your complaint," the Duchess frowns "You seemed to want reasons, we provided them. Unless there is more to your complaint? If so, speak on and we will hear you out more completely"

"You believe we were belittling it' the Boon tells the Gwydion "That was not our intent. Yes, go on"

"If not belittling it, then belittling me, Your Grace. For I have damn well served better than well enou. Perhaps I should have brought a herald to proclaim my acts and the good that EarthRunes has brought to your Duchy. I serve, and I will serve, but I believe I deserve better treatment than a mere pawn." Her chin is up and her posture perfectly straight as she sits before them.

August's expression is perfectly neutral.

"Well enou for a private audiance out of the blue, immediately in the here and now, we putting our other duties to the side for your whim? You must learn to take things in context, Baroness" the Duke says "were we unaware of your contributions, and the contributions of earthrunes, you would have been treated as a lesser baron or baroness. Instead we abandoned court to hear you out because it was important to you."

The Duchess nods at this

"I did not ask for that, Your Grace. The immediate audience was offered by you. I had assumed that the Baron and I would have to wait, and I took your rapid audience as your whim, not your recognition. If you say it was the latter...then I thank you." She nods her head, perhaps somewhat mollified...for a Fiona.

"It was," He says, "Now, if we erred in not giving you time for preperation, leave us know but otherwise, we are here now'

Coradel purses her lips, weighing her options...then shakes her head. "I think it would not matter at this point, Your Grace. At any rate...I have done what you requested, taken him in, given him the place you demanded for him as my assigned heir, and given him the tools he needed to learn to lead. I am pleased he could find them at EarthRunes if he was unable to find them elsewhere. I would, in the future, prefer to be consulted in similar matters. You of course have the right not to do so...but I believe I have earned that. I believe I had earned that previously." She stands.

"Did you have another heir in mind?" The Duchess inquires "Your daughter was most qualified, and it was our understanding your husband wanted it not"

"Had I been informed that your desire for me to name one was urgent, Your Grace, I would have made a choice. I was not given that luxury."

A nod from the Duke "Yes, it would have been a luxury. We must all give them up from time to time. However, as you suceded in making a silk purse out of the gamer's ear, I think our choice is vindicated. And, as my wife predicted, it seems he was of use to earth runes as well. " A nod to his wife

She inclines her head "Just so. have faith in us, Baroness. All worked out. No small part due to you"

Coradel looks from one to the other, her lips a tight line briefly before she gives them a smile. "As you say, Your Grace. By your leave, I think we will depart." She reaches a hand for August.

August steps forward and offers his arm.

The Duke looks to his satyress partner, but SHe shakes her head "return to our Court, Baroness. It seems a part of your difficulty is you felt you did not have time to make inquires into other nobles of our lands who might have fit the bill. Mingle a few more hours here, and get to know some here then. it is my wish this not happen again"

An interested...and perhaps intrigued...expression. "Hmm. That does sound pleasant, Your Grace. Perhaps we could impose upon your staff to bring up our bags from our car, and a place where we might change into clothing better suited for the court than the car." She indicates her own travel clothes, and August's by extension.

"But of course" the Duchess says "I do envy the sidhe ability to look good in anything, but if i may, your travel clothes strike me as stylish. Still yes, more courtly. I shall see to it now" She pulls a rope, and a servant shows and she gives those very instructions to a boggan

"My thanks, Your Grace."

"You are welcome" She says . And, presumably, there is some bowing before they depart from the Earthrunes sort, but they are lead to a room where they can clean, prepare, and yes talk alone

In August's case, he can begin to breathe again.

His breathing is slow and even as he escorts Coradel out.

And in summary, they get changed.