#elsewhere

Leon tends to the stables

He nods. "I imagine so." and he follows in her (fiery) footprints.

Chloe is a few minutes ahead of him, and so he's catching her in mid conversation...after she has already enchanted Leon. "I need you to tell me," she is insisting, firmly.

"But.. miss.. I work for your folks and it's not my place"

August lingers, watching.

"It is your place because I say it is your place," says the Fiona sidhe.

"Yes, my lady I..... yes, SHE killed the white mare, or, more like she whipped it so badly it.. it had to be put down. Your mother paid the vet money for.. discretionn" The enchanted says tears and awe in his eyes

A stunned silence. Then, tightly, "There was another?"

"Before Samson? I meannn, Samson lived, but yes, Mistletoe died.. she was the mare... beautiful mare. Fought you more than Samson did"

Vague memories of a stubbornn white mare who gnashed her teeth at the mistreatment

"Mistletoe," she murmurs. "I...did not know." A sigh. "Thank you, Leon," she says. "You will not mention this conversation or my appearance now to any. If you must speak of it, say that we spoke about Samson's well-being."

"Yes, lady... at least her foal was moved to a better place"

"Her foal?" She had been about to turn to go, but she whips around quickly. "Where? With whom?"

"Some stable in New York State. I'd have to check the records"

He almost grovels "Please, great lady, you .. you took that evil girl away. I'm forever grateful, tthe horses are better for it, but I truly do not know why you are angry for these things you were not evenn here for"

"Coradel." August's voice is gentle as he steps in, approaching.

"Because...because these hands were the ones that did it. Leon...can you check the records now? Right now?"

She turns at August's voice, a miserable look on her face.

"Yes , lady..." And he runs to get them, driven to please the angel that weeps

"Sshhh...." he steps in, taking her in his arms.

"August," she whispers against his chest, "it's awful."

"I know." soothing "I know."

She shakes her head. "I need to make it right. But more than that..." She pulls back a bit to look at him. "August, if Chelsea really does expose that story... my work, my studies...they'd be ruined."

August's expression grows grimly determined. "Then she can't be allowed to do so."

Leon approaches and offers up the paper

Coradel stares at August, startled at this response. After a stunned moment, she turns to take the paper from Leon and look at it, moving out of August's arms, but allowing him to see the paper as well.

He looks.

SilverWolf Stables?

That ..sounds familiar, but it appears they made the purchase those years ago

She frowns at the paper, trying to draw out the familiarity, but then shakes her head. "Leon, I would like to keep this paper. Would that cause you trouble?"

"No lady, just tell your.. your parents" Unsure that's the right term "I ask"

"Of course. I will protect you, Leon. You have done well. Thank you." She means it sincerely.

"The old Chloe won't come back will she? SHe .. she was a monster"

"No," she says with heartfelt firmness. "She is gone. And I regret that you ever had to deal with her. But I am very glad, Leon, that you were here to help those creatures that she hurt, as much as you could."

"Thank you, I.. have worked with some wonderful animals. "

She turns to say something to August, but her Liam husband has already slipped away! She spots him heading back to the house. A momentary pang, and she turns back to Leon. "I trust you will work with many more. And perhaps I will bring you one of the white mare's line, from her foal, if I can find one. But for now...please rest. And thank you again."

"I'll sleep , angel. And.. thank you"

She nods, then turns and heads back to the mansion, reading over the paper record in her hands again.

Silverwolf Stables? Wait. Sir Ivory mentioned it. The monday trod

Well she has resources there. Innish the herald, Sir Sergei, oh wait he's away... Sir Ivory?

Sir Ivory, certainly. She'll set him to the task as soon as they return to EarthRunes.

For now, though, she expects to find August in the mansion, and is surprised when he isn't present.

She does find her son, Magnnus, pouring her a drink

"Have you seen where August went?" she asks, unaware that the drink is for her.

"The drinks' fro you. He borrowed my car. "

"Thank you. He...he did?" She considers what that might mean...and gets a fond smile. "I do love that man," she sighs.

She takes the drink and sips.

"She wasn't you, you knnow?" He points out "You're not autumn, you're Arcadian"

"I know. And you know. But as far as the world knows...it's one and the same. And..." She looks at her free hand a moment, then sighs. "If I can make some amends, I wish to do so."