#elsewhere

"Oh? Well...I suppose if you want to admit defeat, that's one way to go, Baron."

He pauses "De..feat?" As if it were a foreign tongue "Why ever would you say that?"

"Oh, darling, surely you see how that would look? 'Baron Highworthy is a one-trick pony, unable to support his people unless they all march in lockstep in an unimaginative design.' Where's the artistry? Where's the daring? Where's the challenge?"

Coradel waits for a moment when the Baron's eyes are not on her to glance over to where the pooka was sitting. Hopefully somebody's gotten him out of sight by now?

And... yes. He's gone.

The Baron listens "Intriguing, but I needn't prove myself to the common folk. I do not need their approval, they needs must have mine"

Coradel lets a surprised laugh escape and then quickly covers her lips coyly with her fingertips. Still, a sound of amusement as she says, "Come now, you can't really believe that sort of leadership is sustainable? For my part, I'm sure there are many who dislike me, but I think I've got a great deal of commoner support within my barony, and that makes EarthRunes all the more stable. Well...perhaps some of us are just better at such things." A smile and she pats his arm in a consoling manner.

"Why ARE you so far from your holding?"

"Oh, it's a rather convoluted tale, involving (as I said before) the abduction of chrysalids, my husband's quest to discover the abductor and free the abductees, and now the rightful disposition of said abductees. But I've been so enjoying Freeholder Lucky's hospitality and selfless generosity that I think I may come and visit more often." She gives Lucky an appraising look. "There she is, doing the brave and honorable work of protecting the Dreaming in Concordia, no matter how small a corner of it. And despite limited resources, being willing to offer what she can to welcome more into the fold, to be nurtured and thrive. It's really quite inspiring."

Lucky inclines her head "We're always open to the kind hearted"

"Freeholder, do me a favor and don't move from that pose." As Lucky still has her head bowed.

Lucky holds, but looks nervous

"I think she has bitten off more than she can chew" The Baron tuts

"And you think a knight would be better suited in her place?"

"Of COURSE" he says as if it were so obvious

She beams at him. "Maybe you're right." She steps away from him and towards Lucky. As she moves, she flicks her wrist, and her gleaming sword is suddenly in her hand. "Freeholder, you might not thank me for this, but I am not about to wrangle about it."

"Wait, are you attacking..." Confusion

From the Baron

Lucky holds VERY still muttering "What are you... doing?"

Coradel raises her blade and speaks clearly. "I, Coradel Truthbranch ap Fiona, Baroness of EarthRunes, do summon the attention of all here to witness: I have learned of the works and determination of Lucky, the Freeholder of this place. I have witnessed her generosity, her fairness, and her honor. She has put others before herself, providing even in sparse times, and has succeeded in maintaining this hold even when others predict failure." The briefest glance to the baron before she continues. "Thus, I call on the Dreaming to witness as I name her a knight errant, that her honor might be known and respected by all." Saying this last part, she gently taps the blade on Lucky's right shoulder, then left, then right again. Then she steps back and says, "You may raise your head...Lady Lucky." A twinkle in her eyes.

She turns to look at the baron. "There. Now there is a knight in charge of the place."

The freehold flares up weak, a sputter, but Lucky's humble voile now has a pair of knight's spurs. All the hold can grant, but it recognizes this knighting as legitimate even if the baron might not.

Coradel continues to beam as she waits to see how Lucky reacts.

Lucky says "Oh Baroness..." A worried look, then she looks at the Baron "There baron, a knight... if that's what it takes" A sigh, she does not look thrilled

The Baron sputters, "Baroness, you have over reached yourself!" But he does not sound sure

Coradel nods to Lucky and flicks her hand, sending her sword away.

"Have I, baron? Have not claimed her as my knight, nor tempted her away from your lands. I have merely acknowledged before the Dreaming that which is obvious -- she is worthy of knighthood. If you doubt it, please observe the very fetching and understated spurs she now sports."

"So...now a knight oversees this holding, satisfying your concerns. Yes, I imagine there will still be struggles here, but at least now you know it is not for lack of a knight."

The Baron's hand goes to his sword....

"No fighting in the haven of the hold" Lucky declares

The Baron lets loose his grip, and eyes Coradel with outrage, but he cools himself, and calls to his men "Let us leave... let us be done. "

And he storms out

Coradel watches him leave, still smiling, until the door closes behind him. Then the smile fades into a look of distaste. "What a boor."

The She troll looks at Lucky, "We'll make arrangements. You want this to be a ruse after? "

"Are you all right?" Coradel asks Lucky.

"No, Baroness... I must now step down as a freeholder" She answers "According to the bylaws we wrote up as a group."

A slow clap "Bravo, you've deposed her .." A certain Eshu says "You didn't even ask"

Coradel's jaw drops. "Oh...."

A sharp look at the Eshu.

After a pause, she asks, "If you cannot be freeholder, can you still serve alongside the freeholder? Your title would protect the hold, and your voice would still carry influence."

The she troll snorts "Lucky, we can change our laws... though the precedent is... dangerous."

She nods to the troll. "I have tried to mitigate the problem. I have not claimed her, and I am not her liege."

Lucky looks at Ruzgala "Be kind. It was a good plan. SHe did not know"

"How old is this freehold? How long ago were your laws written?"

"She didn't care enough to ask, or to remember this was a mews" Ruzgala tuts "YOu'll play the con though? Pretend to still rule and protect the place?"

She turns on Ruzgala. "Had there been time, I would have asked. If I had done so in front of him, he would have countered it easily. Surely you understand situations where time is of the essence?"

"It's been around for _____ years" Lucky says "I wasn't the first holder, and I won't be the last."

"Then there must be a procedure for revising by-laws."

Ruzgala shakes her head "Are you even going to apologize for stripping her of her status as a commoner? Of uplifting her without her wish?"