#earthrunes

Sir Sergei ap Varich, Master of Hawk and Hound, prepares the Earth Runes Hawks and trains them well. They swoop and fly about the grounds, sending vermin in flight or freezing hoping they go unnoticed

Velvet stays far away as they train

Always a wise choice.

But not all Sluagh do

So when Lily is caught spying, a spider reports that she is being held , not in a dungeon , but an office

Dame Claire's office in fact

The Librarian, not yet an hour past breaking her Yom Kippur fast, makes certain she is the picture of quiet respectability and authority.

Of course, a proper victorian lady of dignity

Lily sighs in her chair, unable to exit. Sovereign is so tedious

A delicate but firm rap on Claire's door.

Zara can feel the cantrips at play, but they're not meant nor do they affect her. "Yes, who is it?"

"Tis I. Miss Lily is late for our tea."

"Sorry, Zara 'Miss' Lily was caught spying on Earthrunes business and Sir Sergei caught her, and had her brought here since I'm seen as Captain of the Guard. He didn't hurt her, though she got a bit spooked surrouned by his hawks..." The Knight Captain explains

"Bats are far more civilized" Lily can be heard whispering

She raises an eyebrow.

"Spying?" Skeptical tone. "Is there a veil of secrecy over the Falconer's exercises?"

"Pennons prep of a sort, the girl was taking stock of our birds, our hounds, and there were tricks and training secrets involved," Claire says "Don't give me that look, it's a legit concern. Like stealing a sports team's playbook"

"Again - where was the announcement that the childlings of Earthrunes were barred from observing the practice? When before has our mews been a secret?"

"And who, pray, is the child 'spying' for?"

"Her connection and love of Rivervale is well known" The Ailil points out "And they are likely to be competing in more than one even. And the area was closed off and reserved. Lily had to sneak past 3 thanes on duty ..."

"As are her connections here, through her grandmother. And Rivervale does not hawk."

"Four if you count the Jedi who stopped to visit" Lily adds not wanting to be cheated

"Relax, Zara. When the Baroness has time, I'm sure she'll release the girl with a quick questioning and a warning" Claire says

A sniff. "So, you placed a plum mouse in a box, and expected a cat not to sniff?"

"Next, you will find that pooka tell falsehoods."

"Zara, not everyone agrees that Sluagh have right to know everything," Claire reminds

"Philistines" Lily mutters

"But, again, there was naught forbidden."

"Posts put up to show the area, and three thanes... what do you need, police tape?" Dame Claire says

"Why yes, one must announce that they were secret maneuvers."

Claire arches a brow "Are you sure about that sentence?" Then she holds up a hand "Zara, I get what you mean, but the girl's behavior indicates she had every awareness that folks were trying to hide this, wouldn't that show that it was off limits? Now I've sent word to Grandame Bondraste already, and I'm sure I'll be getting chewed on from her as well, but waht am I supposed to do? Tell Master of Hawks and Hounds his word about spying is naught? Just.. be patient"

"Oh, they clearly demonstrated that something interesting was occurring."

"But tell me - had it been Poppy or Isis watching the excitement, would Sergei have treated them as criminals?"

"To leap from curiosity to criminal accusations? With a childling?"

"Poppy and Isis don't consider Rivervale their home half the time" She reminds "Though I can't say HOW they'd be recieved because they didn't do it. Now, if you aren't willilng to wait, seek out someone who outranks me and convince them . It's called Chain of command I try to respect that"

"Mmmph" From inside where the childling waits

Zara narrows her eyes.

CLaire whispers "Such as a certain gamer heir?""

"You have chosen to hold her. Sergei does not outrank you."

"No. But i'm following the procedures," She says "THe ones I'd apply to anyone brought to me under an accusation of a crrime. Only instead of a dungeon she's comfy in my office eating moldy cheese"

"Aye? Any accusation of a crime leads to confinement?"

"When caught in the act..." The Ailil rubs her forehead, "Look, Zara. I am grateful for the help you gave regarding my daughter, but I can't just throw policy out the window"

"Attica Attica..." Comes a whisper from the officde

"Lily, thou art not helping."

"Yes, Miss Zara" resigned and quiet

"If she must be in custody, place her in mine. I am sluagh, she cannot slip my guard. For surely, if she were to escape her confinement here it would compound the charges - whatever innocence she may have of the original accusations, why, she is now guilty of defiance!"

"It is true I have the authority to put her in someone else's custody, normally they're people sworn to the hold though and you're something of a free agent" A scratch of her chin "But, " thinking it over "Baron August and the Baroness herself HAVE declared you THE librarin of the hold, could be considered beyond honorific. "

"could be?" Lily slips again in a huff

"I am hardly about to run off to Rivervale with the latest Pennons gossip."

"Sec" she calls out "Young lady, will you abide by Miss Zara's dictates for the rest of the evening or till released formally by the Baron, the Baroness, lord hume or myself?"