#earthrunes

Coradel glances back at the departing Selena, then gives Hume a knowing smile. "That looked like it's going well."

"It was" a light blush

"It will again," she assures him.

"Hume, we are just back from the Ducal Court."

"Oh" He lower his head "I understand. I'll pack my things"

"Pack? No! Oh, no, Hume, not at all." She reaches over. "You're not going anywhere. Not unless you want to."

"However, I do have some new insights, and I have some questions. Tell me...when you were there, did you encounter a Lady Wynda?"

He looks surprised then says "Yes. Yes I did"

Coradel nods encouragingly. "Your thoughts on her?"

"She can be nice if you have something she wants" he says "Or resentful"

"Mm. Would it surprise you to know that she wanted EarthRunes?"

"Actually, it doesn't, not anymore. Baron August and Miss Zara both made sure I actually read a little on the history of this place and given how it was once an Eiluned refuge, it makes sense some houses hold on. I crunched some numbers, it actually is prospering under fiona rule more, but the previous baron set up a good foundation for you"

"Oh, Baron Nemauses was a splendid leader. I miss him," she adds fondly. "I'm pleased to hear that EarthRunes continues to grow and thrive, but I would never claim that it was all my doing. He provided a strong foundation."

"I'm... a bit confused why we're talking about wynda... unless she is coming here as a spare heir? She's not of rank but could be elevated'

"Oh, HELL no!" Coradel says with some fire. "No, I have absolutely no desire to have her anywhere near EarthRunes ever again!"

"I can't completely prove it, but the evidence strongly suggests that she has been slandering me to the Court, building resentment in the Duke and Duchess against me."

He nearly jumps back at her initial outburst, "FIona have zero chill" He takes a breath and says "Okay okay. Baroness. I'm glad you want to keep me. I am I .. I have reasons to want to stay. And it's a good hold and i'm sorry I didn't appreciate it before. But whatever is going on with Wynda I didn't do it so... ease up on the yelling?"

"I am not yelling!" she...declares loudly. "I am speaking with emphasis!" A hmph!

She does lower her tone a bit to ask, "Did she ever try to contact you since you arrived here? Try to get you to do anything, even if it seemed harmless?"

"Oh yeah, she asked me for some contact info and then sent me malware..." A snort "As if I'd fall for that. i didn't clik it, of course. "

Her eyes widen. "Seriously? She did that?" A look to August, then back to Hume. "That could be construed as an attempt at attack, could it not? Cowardly, but still an attempt?"

"I don't think so. espionage maybe? Spying?"

"Mmm. Still, the evidence against her is stacking up. What about Baron Tiogair? Familiar with him?"

"An Aill i think? old?"

"Mm-hmm. Any thoughts beyond that?"

"Not really, he didn't seem very tech savvy" A shrug "And an Ailil doesn't normally ask for help"

She nods. "I was more wondering whether, perhaps, he and Wynda seemed to be collaborating."

"Mm I suppose I could use her old link with a dummy acount

reverse spy ware" He ponders

She considers, then shakes her head. "Maybe save that for a later option. When I bring this to the Duke and Duchess, I don't want her to be able to turn around and say we did the same thing."

"There is one more thing, but I can't really give you details...yet. But if you hear any chatter about tithes, let me know."

"Tithes?" He considers "Like a church?"

She gives an arch look. "Churches are not the only groups that collect tithes."

"oh. Well uh m without more info i'm blind but okay"

"Well, I'm talking about tithes among fae. But I think beyond that, I should not say. Yet." She rises.

"I'll keep an ear out" He bows

She smiles and gives him a wink, then unless August wishes to add anything, they depart.

(Fade or pause as required)