#elsewhere

At the heart of the hold surrounded by flames only Jude controls in a room that even a sluagh cannot peer into by stealth or tattle tale, Jude has a tray of shrimp set down for both and drinks with little umbrellas, though August chose the non alcholic one likely

"So, what was the emergency?"

August explains the offer he recieved, and the circumstances and context around it.

Jude almost swallows his little umbrella

"I'm sorry... " He coughs "You think they have a clue to the diary?"

"I mean, is it possible they're leading us on?"

August frowns, thinking hard. "I ... cannot say for sure, Excellency. I think it is possible, but unlikely."

"If the DeBukes are genuine in a desire to, ah, change thier attitudes and approach to the Sidhe kith and Nobility in general, it would ill serve them to desemble in this."

"A number.... nearly all.... EarthRunes childlings and wilders attend the school there; they have our trust in that."

He looks thoughtful, "True."

"I am not wise in these matters but I cannot see the benefit to playing us false here."

"No no, nothing sneaky. The have at least one socereror among them, I suspect three. More Wards than New york city..." Jude says "Damn it. THey want ALL our troll info ?"

"Chieftain Clementine said that was a start to negotiations."

"No kidding..." He ponders "how hard do you think we should haggle on our side?"

"I do not know, Excellency."

"No opinions besides playing it straight?"

A rueful smile. "My friends tell me I am woefully straight. Duplicity is not in my nature."

"Well, they're right but they also say it with some admiration. Okay- You're a leader of a banner house, you do have some moments when you're in charge. If you were in charge of this, if you could speak for House Liam, how would You handle this?"

August looks a little overwhelmed and doesn't speak immediately. He's thinking. That's not a bad thing.

And Jude is patient

"Ithink there is wisdom in making strong allies, but it runs both ways. The Debukes have made what is, for them, significant outreach. And they have created what could be a real resource; the school. It could even be a sea change in our Fae society as a whole. To my understanding, their fundamental desire is to keep their farm from the control of nobility and that means Sidhe control."

"Hurts my feelings" He sighs "But yes. Go on":

"They are not the only common-run enclave. There are even established Freeholds with a Balefire that are controled by commoners. There is significant precident in Grass for this style of resource management."

A nod

He is almost thinking out loud, working through it. "I do not have enough informaiton about how matters stand between major troll holdings and our House, Excellency. But.... Sir Franklyn might. I cannot understand why they did not go to him. But it might behoove us to know."

"A good question. Sir Franklyn is an ally. Maybe they think of him as a Mountain first, and a Liam barely. A mistake, but possible"

"Perhaps the House should ask him? He might be a better intermediary than Iwould be." a pause "Alternately, the DeBukes want to offer this to me -becasue- I am Sidhe and they wish to mend bridges."

"It's an interesting situation. " (Did he mention the shin dig?)

((Yes))

"Sounds like she killed two birds with one stone" He says, the rolls his eyes "Or she did it not just for you and House Liam. YOu do have a rather nefarious biblophile as a friend"

"Ah. Yes. Ah." August looks abashed. "My friend, and my wife, were present when the Chieftain mentioned the diary."

"The Chief's friend too. Maybe she thought the offer might also be a gift for Miss Zara in that she would be in on the hunt. or so the Chief assumed. I would have rathered she's brought this and kept this offer to the Liams only but small house that we are, that's not likely"

"If I had to guess.... Excellency, I wish very much to be wrong on this but..... I think that if too much time passes, the offer would be made elsewhere, yes."

"Trolls don't have a gentle grip, I really don't like the idea of them having us by the soft and curlies. I'll inform Sir Franklyn if you prefer?"

"I am torn, Excellency. Part of me, I hope not a prideful part, wishes to accept the challenge and do well. More of me, I fear, does not believe I am up to the challenge. Above all, I know I must put the House above myself."

"I think you underestimate yourself, Baron. The DeBukes came to you, while that might have been because of a party invite and a mutual friend as much as anything, they're not idiots and they clearly think you are up to that challenge."

A wry smile. "Or, that I will give them all the Troll lore they have lost that my House possesses, and more besides."

"HA. yes. " he chuckles "They might think you're a soft touch no matter how found. Look, if this cluee is legit, there's no rule against sending TWO Squads to follow it. How about we let you run one, but you have another doing the same so you don't feel as much pressure ? We double the chances of the diary being found that way"

The boy's forehead wrinkles. "How would we do that, Excellency?"

"Well, We give the DeBukes something they want IF it proves legit, then you get a few folks to track the clue down, using htee same clue I send some other agents"

August nods. "I... think I can do that, Excellency."

"If you think it's a terrible idea to have a second squad, let me know now, but I figured doubling our chances would set your mind at ease somewhat"

"It seems wise toe, Excellency. "

*to me

"Fair. As for the agreed upon price. Inform them that House Liam doesn't as a rule hide it's lore from commoner kiths, that's more Eiluned stuff, but we have had many proud knights and even barons of House Liam who were also trolls and they had extensive records we have archived and we can get them quite a lot of it. And to sweeten the deal, ask them if they're interested in the fate of one Herschel Allan DeBuke. lost during the Accordance War"

August blinks, and nods. "A... good faith offer."

"Thank you. Now eat up, man, this shrimp is delicious!"

"Oh, yes. Thank you, Excellency. " and August obediently eats.

Actually this is delicious!

And August finds he was hungrier than he realized.