#earthrunes

"I am pleased that it pleases." She sips her own.

"My mother tries, but I'm not a huge tea fan, normally. She keeps basic green tea on hand for my dad, but he could probably drink motor oil and not realize it when he's on one of his 12 hour shifts."

"Alas, not all have refined palates. My Trueheart drinks Lipton."

"Iced. And sweet."

A commiserating wince.

But, lest they fall into, arguably pleasant, discussion of family matters, he looks back at the blood-stained cloth.

"So. I had ideas. Taking away his name - making him forgotten - or other such tortures. What do you think is actually in our power? I have some skill in the Autumn art... not as much as I'd like, but I'm learning it."

Zara sets down her tea, steepling her fingers.

"I am... not as adept with mortals as I am with the fae. Methinks I could do more with direct access to him - while one may cast through scrying, distance weakens the effect. This blood does allow for some magical link, and perhaps preparation for a bunk..."

“I think we could get at him, if needs be.”

“If I had full mastery of Autumn, I could Haunt him with angry specters…” a wistful sigh.

"Ah, a worthy goal. A wondrous art, that."

"I could, perhaps, alter his Name - that is tricky, and there could be unforeseen consequences."

"Unforeseen might not be bad. As long as it's still against his favor..."

She nods. "Less... controllable... would be to bring Karma down on his head. Da'an is just."

"It may well take the form of what you considered - and the augury may be guided."

"I think he has built up karma enough to reap his just rewards." A glance over to Zara, considering. "You can wield the hand of fate?"

Zara nods. "I hath learned the fullest reach of that Art."

"Would you unleash it for this cause? I feel it just, and I think the Chief would agree. Though, if you want your name left out of the credits, I would understand. That's frightening power. Folk fear what they don't understand. I wouldn't want it to be known if I had such a weapon in my pocket. Draws... attention."

"I trust you with this knowledge for you are kin, and understand discretion."

"Few know the extent of my arts." Symon gets the impression he is not one of those few.

"Ah. I appreciate your trust." He says, honestly, though he finds himself discomforted by the feeling of the unknown.

"What would we need to do?"

"I shall need access to him - I do not believe that this will work at a distance. I shall need dross. I have some, but... aye?"

"We will need extra eyes, to keep the working safe and private."

"Do you want to go where he is? Or I can try to arrange to have him brought wherever is needed." He fidgets a little. "How can I help? I feel a little like I'm passing the buck. I can provide dross, or... my skills lie in Autumn, a bit of Winter - that's newer - and, uh. Time." This last, quieter.

"Indeed?"

"Winter or Time might be able to still the guards..."

"I know those with fuddle and mind-management, if we just need to remove him to new custody..."

"Aye. Easier to work outside of a jail, all told."

"I doubt the Baroness wants him brought here...." Thinking.

"No, likely not..."

"Somewhere neutral?"

A somewhat amused huff. "Hard to find a place no one claims. That's like - international waters territory."

He said it as a jest, but then looks thoughtful. "Huh."

"I wonder if... Miss Zara, do you know the Chieftain's daughter? Not the countess one. The other one. I expect you might... she turned Fiona here, after all."

A smile. "Aye. I know Siv. And that pirate loves a misadventure and helping her mother..."

"And is a master of many faces."

"Aye!"

(Pause!)