#elsewhere

"The baron is still ieige here," the boggan warns.

"lieges are as lieges do" the Gwydion simply says

Zara silently harrumphs in agreement.

"I would ask you to not say such things in the presence of the... oh" a figure approaches

"Dame Kamakana," Baron Doiléir Rathmist ap Eiluned 's voice says "Still here? Are you wanting for glamour?"

She watches the Eiluned, eyes narrowed.

"No, Baron. I am hoping you will reconsider" She says.

"I am already looking into it, by means I am not required to share" Baron Dolieir says "You hinder my investigation by distracting me"

The Gwydion frowns at this. "Your subjects say this happens every year for the last few years. Perhaps a pair of fresh eyes? "

"Perhaps..." the baron considers.

And then he jerks his head up, as if feeling something.

She feels it too... the pulse of a namer's power

he is not casting, it is just tied to him now

and.. it is tied to her.

A silent curse.

A cautious look, "I was about to say, perhaps you could assist me in the investigation of someone who I fear my have been scoping out this area for years... perhaps even the exact number of years. She is said to have some odd history. She may also be innocent, but as your social skills are likely better than mine..."

Suspicous look on the Gwydion's face, but she did offer to help "I might have time."

"A nocker by the name of Miriam" He says "Grump... deals in textiles"

She narrows her eyes again, bristling.

"I shall look into it, Baron" She does not say my baron, but she bows and withdraws.

"Your move" the Baron says once the Gwydion is gone.

"Pardon, my lord? " The boggan says

"Apologies, just... hedging a bet in case something is more than a feeling" he says

"As you say, Baron .is there anything else?" She says

"Please tell Professor Plum I may need him available for tutoring later."

"Of course, my liege" And she slips off

The shadows stretch and grow once the boggan leaves. "Bad form."

"Odd. I was going to say the same of you, Miss. You intrude upon my affairs and the affairs of my fief with so much freely given."

The pale sluagh emerges from a thick draft of darkness. "You know she had naught to do with this. Leave the nocker alone."

An arched eyebrow. "Intruded? Have I acted against you? Have I meddled in your court? Have I set over-eager Falcons to stoop?"

"You have intruded and well we both know it, by the very nature of your studies. I know you feel it too."

Her lips curl. "Nay. My studies have naught to do with you, but concern only the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge is not your pet domain, you cannot claim demesne upon it."

"Knowledge is power, and some power in the possible wrong hands? Very much the concern of a good baron. As for Lady Knight Kamakana... I'm curious to see how she operates. Stubborn , but not without some perception. I'd like to see if she also is persuasive"

"You know not my hands. You know me not, but presume much, it seems. I have earned my knowledge. And while you have no call to gatekeep access, you surely have witnessed no misuse. I know what I wield."

"Gatekeep? The Cat is out of the bag there is it not? Well, there are means, but I certainly won't inflict them upon you. I am not your enemy, Goodsluagh Zara. I am , however, your ruler as long as you are in this barony and especially while in this hold. Leave the matter of the vanishing Chimera be and we may yet get along. You are a keen mind, and brave and I see much to admire in both."

"My Bookwyrm was taken."

"Amongst others - and it is not a balanced deal. For all the bows and veils and trimmings, it is starkly unbalanced in cost and benefit."

"So you believe. But that does not make it so" He says

"No?" She stalks around him, shadows streaming from her shoulders as a cape, swirling about her feet.

"No." he says "You above all people should know how private somethings are."

"Cui bono?" She asks.

"damnant quod non intellegunt" He sighs then says "Another...and indirectly? The fief."

"So. Help me understand."

"He stole my Bronte. You have sicced the Dame upon my kin. Your boggan set spies upon me. You say you wish me to leave it be, but I have been drawn in."

"Many chimera were stolen, you act as if rain falling was after you and yours personally. Professor Plum is not 'my Boggan' he is a trusted confidant and a loyal vassal and a man of great learning who deserves our respect. He spies on all new stuidents. If it seems I treat you as special it is only because you insist on being special. as for 'sicced' the Dame? That was to encourage you to handle here instead of prying deeper. Instead you choose to talk- an improvement I suppose. " he glances at her, "And you spy at least as much as I and mine do. A sluagh's calling some might say, but they often wait for jobs, for gain. Why do you spy? I think perhaps there is something of my House in you. Which may explain why we vex each other. Too similar to be comfortable"

"Many were stolen, aye. From children, from Dreamers, and there are dreams broken because of this. Many chimera were taken in fear and panic, this is a deal paid for with the suffering of many - most of whom have not my means."

"I am not special. I did not seek your gaze. I sought to be a student, to attend my classes, to live peaceably here - as I did in my previous home."

"I fear you prevaricate, though it maybe more to yourself than me. You are special, Zara Scwhartz. Perhaps Alabastor Hollow did not see it, but I am not so blind. You are wise enough to trade in bright autumn colors for humbler flare so to speak, but you sing of the season still. However, your point on dreamers being lost is not lost on me. I shall see what I can do to arrange musers for those mortals who lost their chimera. To help offset... IF you agree to drop the matter."

"Feh. If you see the harm, you should attend it regardless of me."

"You've spent too much time around Liams. Mortals are not our equals you know. They are not chattel, but they are also only my concern as far as it goes to how it affects my people. Musing thrives here... not ever acorn becomes a tree, but the forest grows well even if the chipmunks feast"