#elsewhere

She plucks the leaf and examines it.

Ordinary, utterly ordinary, save that someone has written in very tight ,very precise, and very lovely penmanship 'The Land and the Lord are One, and they hold the keys to each other'

She twists the leaf into her hair, an impromptu decoration, and takes her time to leave the Pocket - as if this were a casual market browse.

And so it goes.

She heads back home - when in doubt, there's magic.

Bronte seems to be in better spirits after a time. But still she clings a great deal to Zara or Earl when Zara must go to class.

Indeed - she's allowed.

Earl asks when Bronte falls asleep on the nearby shelf, "How's Bronte doing? I notice she's... well, she's on my shoulder alot more than normal"

"She is still scared. Do you blame her?"

"no no. I don't. I am feeling all too sympathetic to that. Holing up close in the safest place you know? We've both been there"

She finds a book and draws it from the shelf.

"Know you Omelas?" She offers it to him.

"I liked Wizard of Earthsea better, but I've read it once yes. " He says opening the book, "it's about the moral crisis of living in a utopia for many while one suffers.. no, because one suffers, if I recall?"

"So they claim. Aye. And so... they allow it."

"And so this Bargain is allowed. They have decided, collectively, it is worth the Tithe."

A frown "I see. Where do we register to vote on this?"

"Exactly. So. The Lord and the Land are one... it is that Eiluned, somehow. He is the key."

"Of course, he would..allow access. It has to be him.. the Dreaming would recognize...wow, you've really thought this out"

"Aye. But his bargain threatened me and mine."

"I is possible the Baron doesn't know, or ..for that matter, care"

"Oh, likely. I am a newcomer, a nobody. This has been 'fine' for six years."

"But change is good."

"Oh dear" He puts the book to the side and pulls her gently into his lap, "Feeling our winter court coming on are we?"

"I am the gale."

"I thought the baron being a namer concerned you?" But he can't help but mix his concern with appreciation. His witch is powerful too.

"It does. He is powerful."

"But.... this is wrong. This Tithe is wrong. It is not his place to serve over others without their consent."

"He shields his people, some would say the Chimera are..not his people. Zara, you're the girl who wanted mercy for a Hydra. Your views are generous, but not all see chimera as so valued"

"The Hydra was an innocent, too. And caused no more harm when returned home."

"And it IS harm, to lose your companions. What of the young dreamer, the boy with the bear?"

"I agree with you, if the Baron is behind this, well, powerful sorceror or not, he's forgotten what my Uncle calls 'the magic of connection'"

"Aye. So... I shall see what da'an reveals, and go from there."

"It would be pure silliness to tell you to be careful, and selfish of me as well in it's way" He realizes. Take a breath, and then says "Be careful."

"Aye..."

"I do not wish to bring suffering, you know."

"I know" He says and kisses her gently, then strokes her hair, "My lady is gracious, righteous, and while she understands the endings, a lover of life."

She frowns. "I wish I could have rescued more of them."

"There are times I think you've gone trollish" gentle

"Thou art a terrible influence." A wry smile.

"It's why your uncles warned you about me" A wink

Chuff.

"Alright, I'm getting my cards."

"Ok. I'll be good." His hands go up to let her slip away to work

She unwraps her tarot set from its protective silk swaddle - the fabric also serving as a platform for the spread. She shuffles the deck seven times before laying out a horseshoe shape...

Earl can feel Zara gathering glamour - building an omen-casting as the act of laying out the elaborate pattern guides her into a vision-trance.

Chimera... pressed like coins, placed into the hand ... not clear enough...what is gained?

"Aye, the Tithe... but for what?"

Winter snows shoveled...winter frost broken apart, delayed..nothing can block banality forever, not so easily or the world would be fae paradise.... but it does help... but no, that is not all...

with frost broken apart...new seeds more easily more often bloom...

nice enough yes.. is it so simple? So impersonal?