#earthrunes

**** Post PBEM ****

"Ah, you were informed? i had thought they were protecting you from that among other things. Yes. It is still ongoing. Dame Bludwen is in charge of the investigation"

"Mm." Coradel pauses a moment, then says, "I don't want to mislead you, Bard Janice. I don't have any further information than that, but I think we would be very interested in speaking with Dame Bludwen. Would you be able to introduce us?"

A dubious brow and for a moment she seems to consider if she has been manipuated, but nods "Very well, follow me" She leads her through the crowd. It looks like the Duke and Duchess are hearing folks up front, but back here some llight chatter is allowed

Coradel reaches a hand to August, to draw him along.

And so he is drawn.

Another redheaded sidhe awaits, wearing a black dress, she sips wine then turns to see the Bard, the Baroness, and the Baron and she curtseys without so much as wobbling her drink

"dame Bludwen, may I present Baroness Coradel and Baron August Truthbranch of Earthrunes" The bard offers

"A good day to you, Dame Bludwen."

August bows.

"Baroness, Baron, a pleasure" the Dame says "How fares your hold?"

"Very well, thank you. We were hoping to speak with you, if you have a moment. About...recent issues regarding dross."

The Dame arches a brow "I see. May I ask what your reason for your interest in this matter is?"

"I wish to see if there's some way in which we might help."

"Might one inquire where you were a week ago?"

This, the Fiona realizes, is a trap. Of sorts. By expressing interest, Coradel is now a suspect? Or atl east being questioned for such

A bemused expression. "Not thieving dross, certainly. I believe I was at EarthRunes, or perhaps...hm, Tuesday? I might have been at the college, putting the finishing touches on my final project." She looks to August. "It's almost done, by the way, my love."

August keeps amazing records and knows he can find records for the day of the theft proving hsi wife's non involvement, if it comes to that

A small smile. "I look forward to seeing the finished product."

"Regardless, I wasn't here, neither was the Baron here, and if any of my people were here, I was not aware of it and it was not under my orders."

"You will forgive the boldness of my inquiry, I hope, but we are creatures of drama, and some tragedy, we changelings, and in the tales the culprits often return to the scene of the crime"

"Oh, I would think you terribly neglectful if you didn't ask." Truthfully (and perhaps oddly), this sort of questioning doesn't seem to bother Coradel at all.

Hard to say if -anything- would bother the silent, expressionless Baron.

"Indeed. Their graces did put me in charge of this investigation, and wanted me to be discrete, but they did not rule out aid ...still, I am surprised. I was under the impression you did not think highly of their graces?"

A blink. "I have differences of opinion with them. I would sometimes wish they managed their business differently...but I think in general they are fine leaders, and good people."

"Then why do you allow your jester to mock them in St. Lous?" She says surprised "their graces endure it, but they are not amused, if I may borrow a victorianism?"

"My jester...what?" Coradel looks very much taken off-guard.

"A skunk pooka I believe? Oh well, it's not germaine to this investigation I suppose"

"N-no. No. It's not." But I will be having a conversation with said skunk pooka when I get home.

"At the time mentioned, a shipment of dross was heading this way, the gathered tithe of every County ..." She explains

"All one shipment? Gathered together before being sent on the final leg? Where?"

"It was not two miles from here when the robbery happened" She explains "on a trod"

August makes a sound, something like a cough or clearing his throat.

She looks to August curiously, inviting him to speak.

"Baron?" A raised brow "Please, if you know or suspect something?"

He clears his throat. "You said... the gathered tithe of every County. Every County in the Duchy?"

"And those tithes would, logically, be gathered from every Barony?"

'just so, and Earth runes was recorded as having paid it's "

August nods. "Thank you."

"Who was transporting the tithes? One person? A team?"

"Two rovers, and two knights of this very hold. Those knights have been put to Gwydion's boon as well as other methods, and so were the rovers. "

"And what was their report of how the dross went missing?"

"They were attacked by chimera, let on the trod by people unknown, who took advantage of the distraction to steal it"

"That is foul," Coradel says with a frown. "Have you any leads so far?"

(Pause)