#earthrunes

"It may be you see the need for clean up crews and the like. Feel free to let me know how to help."

"Well, you do understand sluagh tastes on what is 'clean' is... different?"

"I do. Let us say, then, that if we can see the sites and markers more honorably memorializing, then let me know."

A nod "Yes, my lord"

"Thank you." sincerely.

"Tis I who came to you, my liege . The notions you propose for a task for me? those I welcome"

"I'm glad I was able to help."

"I can always count on you to heed the calls of those who seek help" She nods

"I try to practice servant leadership." he says with true humility.

"You have learned it well" She pours more tea "More sugar?"

"No, thank you very much." He seems to have a sufficency of tea.

"Most welcome" And she drinks in silence unless her lord wishes to speak

He clears his throat. "Speaking of school, and I realize it's summer, but how are your studies going?"

"Mortal or fae, my liege?"

"Both."

"I ended the mortal school year with a 3.8 GPA. " She says "Which is acceptable as one of my teachers was a boring sot who took off points because I would not 'speak up' in class" A hurmph

"Was this teacher, indeed, a sot?" concerned.

"Well, not a drunkard if you're worried about that definition, but I did think her a fool"

"As for my fae lessons, Herald Innish has praised me in some studies, and Misss Zara has told me I was 'more than adequate' which as you know is high praise"

"I would be honored if she said as much about me." August agrees.

"Just so" quiet pride

He sips.

A sup in return.

The sup off would be known throughout song and legend, entered into the archives

"What do you see yourself perusing after you finish your obligatory schooling?"

"I thought perhaps to work as a funeral home director"

He tilts his head but doesn't seem put off by it. "Really? Fascinating and no easy task. I haven't researched but I recall there is some special education and training required?"

"There is" she nods "And I am not certain of it. Death, the passage of people, fae or mortal, has always fascinated me. You know this, my lord. THough I admit, I had thought something more academic at first"

"I, ah, trust your interest has not turned to, ah, practical practices?"

"Beg pardon?" She seems confused

"If your interest in, ah, death was academic, it hasn't become... practical?"

"Milord, are you asking me if I'm killing anyone to learn?"

"I am fervently hoping you are not."

"Oh, I am not sure whether to be offended or flattered," She considers this carefully, then says "I shall be flattered. While my kith prides themselves on causing terror, my liege, as a rule, if you kll them, they will not learn. More importantly, it's not a true study if you futz with the results due to haste. There is always a danger of the observer becoming too involved in their research to the point of biasing it by direct action. Lastly, it would offend too many I call friend for me to take a life."

"Those are worthy and true reasons, Squire. I'm proud to hear you say so."

"Though, I suppose if someone were in enough pain" SHe steeples her fingers "A request for assistance in ending it? I would be tempted to aid."

August frowns, troubled. "It is a difficult question. Of course I believe in the sanctity of life. I do not assume for myself the right to end one. Nor to I assume for myself the right to cause others to suffer or live in pain."

"It is a quandry. Death comes for us all in one form another. Pain however... mmm if THAT Is unyielding I do think I would be tempted to assist stop that"

He sighs, heavily. "I pray I will never have to make that decision."

"I pray the same " She says "Though I am an omnidenominatlist"

"I am sure your prayers are heard." sincerely.

"I believe it as well" She nods "I think more than a few members of the hold have some faith. did you know that Vincent is a liesenced member of the first church of Aslan?"

August chuckles. "No, but I am not surprised."

The girl tilts her head, then flushes delicately "It is possible Reverend Vince may have been pooka pranking me when he convinced me of that. I am, in light of this, retroactively chagrinned. But.. there is a chance it was not a prank"

"I'm not familiar with the Faith, but I have read all of C.S. Lewis."

"Quite a marvelous writer even for non childlings"

"A brilliant mind." he agrees.

"Yes, he was inspired by G.K. Chesterton, you know? Of course, so many were"

"I did know, and am glad you do. Have you read C.S Lewis past Narnia? Or much of Chesterton?" he sits forward.

"Oh a little, my lord. Narnia holds me closest, but Father Brown mysteries are quite engaging if we speak of Mr. Chesterton's work. And the Screwtape letters by Mr. Lewis were as diabolical a point of view as to be found in fiction"