#earthrunes

The Gwydion inclines his head "of course, good thane. My apologies to you, Sir Earl, as you cannot hear the praise you so richly deserved." And he moves with Oswald, taking the rebuke. Were he not empowered by sidhe dignity himself he'd very likely cringe!

"That wasn't necessary, Coradel. Not to imply I do not appreciate the defense, nor that of my Love, but..."

After the knight is out of earshot, Coradel makes an irrritated sound. "Of all the arrogant nonsense," she mutters. Then she says more directly to Zara, "It may not have been necessary, but it gave me great pleasure to see him wilt."

Earl groans a bit. Moves, then winces in his sleep

"Talia Amur is no Jane Austen. And by Summer rules, is he not proved correct by arms?"

"Oh, my foolish love." She pecks his forehead.

"Did I win?" Earl asks weakly

"No, my love."

"If he need fall back on arms to prove an opinion to be a fact to which others must adhere, he has no right to those arms. In my opinion," she adds, a bit of a grin peeking through.

"You did not win the fight, but you won the respect of your opponent, for what it may be worth."

"Damn it" he groans then looks around "Where am I and... Coradel? Why are YOU here?"

A bland blink. "I do live here."

"Respect? Huh...well, that and five bucks will earn me..." He seems to realize "I'm in the entry hall, of course you're here. I'm sorry, Coradel. For some reason I thought I was in... well, nevermind what i thought. He dropped me off? Well, that was.. nice of him." Reluctant "Still hope his shoulder aches."

"Thought where?" She presses.

"It was the least he could do, trust me."

Earl blushes "I imagined we were in our house, my love. And it's not even made yet. I imagined myself laid out in your lap on glorious old couch with a grandfather clock ticking ponderously nearby in a shadowed corner. The smell of tea steeping hanging in the air like an arrow before the fall to earth. Was pleasant." A note of Coradel's tone "Sir Derwood was rude to you too?"

"He's an arrogant, insufferable twat."

"Sir Derwood brought you home. The worst of your wounds were tended."

"Don't mince words, Coradel, tell us how you really feel" Earl manages with attempted humor

"Am I still wounded enough that you won't swat me upside the head for being an idiot?" earl asks Zara sheepishly

A slight laugh, then she says, "I feel it is high time we get you up off the floor. As soon as your lady allows."

A small frown.

"Twas... an act bourne of love, aye? To fight for m-... Miss Amur's honor."

"it was meant to be" he says "And Miss Amur's works are wonderful. They prickle the senses, and yet still warm the heart"

"I would not chastise that. But you should not risk yourself over purple prose, for it is more violet than the dusk."

"McDonalds" She whispers, almost too soft to hear.

Coradel steps back, giving them some space. She's fairly sure neither of them notice.

"As if purple came only in one shade" The artist grouses "If he cannot appreciate the colors of the gloaming made manifest in prose, he's clearly blind"

Indeed, Coradel, who is NEVER overlooked, does manage to slip free unnoticed if she wishes.

She's fairly certain Zara can wrangle her champion from here, so yes, she does move off quietly back down the hall from which she came.

"McDonalds? what's McDonald's have to do with it? " he asks

"Naught."

"Let us get thee to bed."

Weary or not, he looks suspicious but rises with her help "I should have challenged him to brushes at ten paces. I'm not sure it would have worked"

Between them, the bird flutters back and forth, perhaps betraying the feelings of both a bit more than would normally be tolerated

"I know how much thou lovest me."

"You needn't prove it at the point of a blade."

"I would rather prove it to you by creating worlds where you are my moon to see the world by, the hind which i chase and so much more" They make their way towards his bedroom. Already Ivanka has come out from changing the sheets quietly and efficiently

"I would lock thee in the garret for a fortnight!"

"Promises Promises" he smiles

"Oh, wait. Soon, we shall have a garret all our own."

"We shall" he says with his eyes shining "One where I will watch you walk the widow's walk while I am burn for you in the best way"

"Oh, temptation."

"You are always that" he assures her and kisses her, though he fights a wince as his muscles protest the movement

"Bed." Firmly.

He slides into bed as directed "Will you join me?" His eyes look over her "I fear my blood loss puts me at a disadvantage, but ..."

"Oh, thou needest tending?"

She settles beside him, and checks his forehead with the back of her hand.

"Mmm. Hot."

"Mmm" Admiring eyes, a trolllish grunt of admiration "If I am, it's chiefly because you stir me, love." A kiss upon her lips