#earthrunes

Coradel looks to Oswald. "How were they found out?"

"Me. I went to check on my Tauntaun, give it a ride, and noticed no stablehands, and a few horses missing." Oswald says "I felt a distrubance in the force too. I'm no tracker, but hoof prints aren't hard, then I heard laughter, thought it was just the childlings only to see mortal children enchanted and among them near the fence area."

Coradel takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly through her nose, her temper not settled in the slightest.

"I'm very sorry, Baroness" the little girl says "We just... they needed help and I ... I tried to fight it but.." the boggan squirms.

She looks to Eugenia again while speaking to Oswald. "It seems the stablehands are in need of a lesson about boundaries," she says sternly.

"Shall I dig a pit to throw them into?" He says straight faced.

"No please, just me!" The girl says. "The others helped but only because I harassed them."

Coradel raises a hand to silence Eugenie without looking at her. To Oswald, she says, "They are all confined to their quarters until I decide what to do with them. Inform the steward they are to have only basic rations for their dinner."

Eungenia shuts up, and the thane nods "yes, Baroness. Shall I take over the stable duties until then?"

She looks to Eugenia. "Have all the day's stable chores been completed?"

"Yes, Baroness," She curtsies, "But it's best they get checked twice a day regardless, for health and .. such. " A sad look "And they like the company. " A lower mutter "The kids were getting better. are."

The Thane gives the girl a LOOK, and the girl quiets.

"So you are saying only half of the day's chores are done." She looks to Oswald. "You and I will see to the remainder of the work."

The girl winces. Oswald nods "Of course, Baroness. " he doesn't say he can take it on himself, he knows enough not to undercut the Baroness even when it is meant well, not when a lesson is being taught.

"Dismissed. I will see you in the stables in half an hour, Oswald." The strong implication is that they will discuss further actions at that time.

The girl curtseys and goes, eyes tearful but she heads straight to her room.

OSwald watches her go, then nods "I'll alert the other stable hands of your command then meet you in a half hour, Baroness."

Dismissed as well, he heads off. Leaving Coradel to take a moment to gather her thoughts and temper her passions.

A deep breath, a slow exhale...she checks her hair in a mirror (of course it's perfect), and then she goes to change into clothes more appropriate for stable work, mulling over next steps.

(To be continued!)