#earthrunes

And so it was, that to Coradel's view, suddenly Samson was just ...cured, just like that

Of course, she didn't know at the time of Zara's workings in full.

And it certainly didn't feel as if it happened "just like that"...worry makes hours draaaaggggg.

Despite her husband urging her to at least drift a bit in their straw nest while he stands watch.

Thankfully, August supported her through it. He is likely to be the beneficiary of her much improved mood...but that'll be later, after Samson gets the best grooming she can give him. Red and silver ribbons in his mane, and all.

"I don't understand it. I've never seen him that ill, but now he's..." Samson interrupts with a snort. "Yes, you're fine, I know."

Delores peeks in "Oh, wonderful, he's welll. Guess Zara's sacrifice wasnt for naught"

"Zara's sacrifice?" Coradel frowns. "Did somebody harm Zara?"

A concerned look to August.

He stands from the nest, alert.

"Well, " She says "Rumor has it that she lifted the curse on that patient zero crow... and thus everything it got ill is now healthy. Now, I know sluagh can be a bit stingy with secrets, poor dears, but Zara isn't fooling anyone as took some of that illness herself. She got a bit of blowback of the 'normal' or mundane course. Apparently a minstrel named Alan O Dale was recruited by Hume, as per your instruction for your ward... and Zara and Hume and Alan captured the crow. Zara succeeded, but at a cost. Earl has callled his cousin, Chief Clem to help. Sorry Zara is in Earl's bed room being spoiled rotten. As she deserves. I'm sure Emma didn't mind someone else helping with healing for Zara." She says "Pardon, I'm rambling a bit. But suffice to say without those three , Samson might still be in dire straits"

"But Zara will be well? It's treatable?"

"OH yes. Clem seemed sure of that."

August listens intently, and might put Coradel in mind of a horse about to take the bit in its teeth.

Coradel puts a hand on August's arm, asking him to stay by her for now.

"Delores, please bring Lord Hume here. And if the minstrel is still present, have him join us, as well."

August remains, under tight self-control.

She nods and "Right away, my liege" A pat on Samson, "And if I may say, good to have this fellow returned to his old self" She looks at August "She's going to recover, Baron. Earl is getting Zara her mother's soup. Mom soup is among the most powerful curatives known to man or fae." Delores wants to reassure the kindly Liam knowing how Zara is among her oldest friends.

"Thank you, Delores." After the steward leaves, Coradel murmurs to August, "She is safe, and she is resting. Spare a few minutes for the other heroes, and give Earl a chance to pamper her, then go and see her."

Then she gets onto her duties to fetch Lord Hume and if she can, chief Avian Investigator Alan O Dale. Leaving August and Coradel... and Samson, private time.

"I... will wait till she summons me. If she does." he murmurs, nodding, and forces himself to stand down.

"Yes. But perhaps it would be reasonable to wait in a comfortable chair outside of her room." A warm smile. She wishes to thank Zara, too, but she knows August's concern is more powerful. Coradel will wait until Zara is more recovered.

Coradel nods and passes August a brush to work on Samson's other side.

Quicker than one might think, Lord Hume gives a gentle knock on the wood of the stable "Baroness? You summoned me?"

August takes the brush, and works.

A nod to Hume as he enters.

"Yes, Lord Hume." She turns to smile at him, pausing the grooming. "Come see your handiwork."

Hume comes up closer. It is only thanks to Coradel that he learned how to ride a horse, that and Red Dead Redemption games. But he does like Samson. You'd have be a monster not to like Samson, who is a true sweetie among equines, "Hey" His eyes light up "Samson, you look SO much better" A look at the Baroness, "I have to admit, I'm surprised you wanted ME on a bird tracking job, but I'm glad you gave me a chance, Baroness. Between your confidence in me, and Zara pushing me to step up at finding an Avian pooka... I think it did me some good. Alan was a lucky find."

"You did a great deal of good," she corrects him. "I needed to be here, and August with me. You did what I could not, and you did it swiftly and well. You turned to the resources we already had, and sought out the resources we needed. I knew you could do this. And for this..." she gives him a full formal curtsey (even if she is in stable togs), head bowed "...I give you my most gracious thanks."

August offers a deep, full bow.

Hume looks truly touched at this display "You're both most welcome. " Hume says and bows in return to both

Samson gives a happy nicker and gives an equine bow/head nod

"Now..." Coradel straightens again. "I asked Delores to fetch the minstrel as well, but perhaps she cannot find him."

"And you know about Zara's illness, of course."

August returns to quietly grooming.

"I'm afraid I don't know where he went.... but ... personal opinion,, he's likely earned a boon" then the mention of Zara being ill has confusion, then concern "She's ill ?"

"Yes, at least so Delores tells us. She seems to have taken on some measure of the illness in her efforts to rid Samson of it. But Delores seems certain that it will not be so severe, and that she will recover soon." Part of that was reassuring August.

The swish of his curry brush pauses a moment, then continues.

He frowns, then says "Baron, she's your squire but... with Zara recovering, maybe Velvet should fill in helping the library tasks ? Miss Zara would probably be relieved to know a sluagh was on the job whhile she is recovering?"

"I think that's a wise suggestion," Coradel nods, looking to August. "Zara already trusts Velvet with the library, I believe."

August nods. "She does. I'll send word to Velvet."

"Well...why don't you go tell her yourself? Then perhaps check on Zara?" Coradel comes around to the same side of Samson as August and gently takes the brush from him while giving him a soft kiss. "Thank you, my beloved," she murmurs, and she means for more than just helping with the grooming.

"I don't mind staying. One does not see Zara unless she wishes to be seen."

"True." Another kiss. "Then...perhaps we should finish here and then get cleaned up. Hume, make sure you are present when court is called. I wish to thank you formally."

He bows again, "Of course, my liege."

August nods and starts cleaning and putting things away.

In all honesty, Samson now looks almost as well-groomed as he would before a competition or a festival day. Coradel pats his neck and kisses his cheek. "No more sickness for you," she chides gently.

Coradel releases Hume to return to whatever he was doing, and then finishes putting the last things away before taking August's arm.

And with that,, hume slips out

And August escorts Coradel inside on one arm, bedding and such on the other.