#earthrunes

"Hope it helps" Siv nods

"Perfect."

Siv takes a sip of the tea offered and waits patiently. Zara has made her think about this, then that's part of what Zara does. Usually for the better

Zara takes the sword, and begins to polish it.

She takes her time, working in small circles - meditative, even, to descend into a near-trance.

And Siv, who is not always patient in other areas, waits. Being the daughter of a mountain has taught her you don't intrude on ritual workings

After some time, when the blade glows mirror-bright, she sharply taps it with a fingernail, and it rings - holding out a sustained, clear tone.

Images gather in the silver glow, at first indistinct - as if shrouded by mist. But Zara perseveres, and focuses...

And she sees him, a Giant as he will be, and the boy that he is.. nearly one. He is weary, and battered....and has a bag over his shoulder. It gleams with promise. The prize is within.

There is the sound of wailing, not his, but nearby. And she can see him look towards the wailing, and frowning. The trollish desire to protect rising and at war with the mission he is sworn to

"Mm.."

"is he in trouble?" Siv asks

"Depends on his wisdom."

"Oh it's luring him, isn't it?" Siv grumbles "Unlce Olgar once told me that the Dreaming will use your best traits against you and write a tragedy if you're not careful"

A slow nod. "True enough."

The boy giant looks at his bag, and keeps hearing the wailing. A stubborn look on his face

He takes a knife, and says "SOrry tree. I must know you so I can come back" And makes a mark in the tree's bark, some nordic rune? Then... he makes the mark on himself, shallow but there. It will heal into a matching scar

And then? the boy heads down the path, ignoring the wails... not ignoring, but leaving for now to return, hoping he remembers

"Good boychick."

At THAT whisper, Siv relaxes "So he's avoiding the danger?"

"Sorry, not an Eiluned but I am curious"

"He's been taught."

Siv nods "Thank you, Zara. I'll leave him be and..."

Zara sees more in the dreaming, a howl is heard.... a great dog lumbering along the silver, followed by a giantess of stone! And with her, Olgar! The blight faced Rover

They have found the boy at last, just in time in fact to lend aid. That's the way of the Dreaming sometimes. And Holger shows up his bloody hand and then points towards whence he came "Prisoners!"

"Ah. Gladiola and Olgar are there."

"Oh poop," Siv says, then catches herself "I mean, yay... someone gets to save the day and the Fiona is left out" mumble then a chuckle

Brow.

"Oh don't brow me, Zara. Me mother invented brow." a sip "I'm just wishing I could help is all"

"I understand. But the boy IS safe."

"And I am indebted to ye," Siv nods "I'll call Hearth Kerri and let her know that Holger has her husband and the Dame with him now. That much I know, if I may share it?"

Zara nods.

"I thank ye again. " Siv nods with a smile , and rises, "With your permission, after I call her, if she does not need me, I'll return here to rejoin you for good tea, and better company. You're not just the best witch I know, you're me friend. And friends, like teacups, should be savored no?"

A quirk of grey lips, one might call it a smile.

Siv smiles back, and slips out. She knows Zara can hear her out in the hall, but would be rude to take the cellphone out in the tea table and blast the lady's ears

The spiders clatter and talk, and one even follows Siv... if she wasn't observed she might feel neglected. Spying is just good manners

And Siv soon returns, and resumes her spot "The Hearth sends our sincere thanks to you for your help, though I did not identify you"

"I suspect Hearth Kerri knows, but I appreciate the discretion nonetheless."

"She's a smart cookie," Siv nods "Now, if I, as a Mor to be, that's Mother in Norweigan by the by, may talk of her upcoming baby without boring ye? Piper is fit to burst and none too gracious about it"

"Oh, pregnancy can be a difficult time. Should I make a kugel?"

"Oh Zara, that's so kind. That's mostly potato right? She's a vegan, well, okay, she's turned slightly carnivorious but she is trying to be vegan"

"No dairy?"

A soft tut. "She ist building an entire skeleton, that requires much calcium."

"Oh Dairy would be okay" She says "We've already told her it's okay to violate that one while pregnant"

"Alright then."

"Sweet, lots of cinnamon. I promise, shall be most fresh."

"I know, Earl says you're the reason he has to jog instead of just flicker flashing everywhere" A grin

"Mama taught me well."

"Miriam, bless, cannot cook her way out of a paper bag."

"Miriam and Tiffany should start a club, poor dears. " Siv shakes her head "And your mom could be a hearth if she were a troll"