#elsewhere

Some of the spiders have gathered around Earl as he sips tea.

It would appear they are readying a stare down on Earl for not being here before now.

"Probably why you like him so much" Earl smiles then looks at the spiders "Ah, that's a LOT of eyes glaring at me"

Tapping begins 'Took long enough' 'She was unhappy here and you weren't here' 'Explain yourself'

"Ladies..."

"Ah," Earl seems to have frozen at the unexpected onslaught of arachnid sisterhood

'You best be REALLY good at mating tonight that's all I... ' 'too far, sister' 'oh right.. ahem' they grow contrite as Zara gives that tone

"Ladies. Have you not spying to do? At some point, the seer shall return to his chambers, and then there will be much entertainment."

'ooo' 'the outrage will be delicious ' 'like popcorn' and they scatter off

Earl watches them go then says "Thanks for that. To think, when we first met them they barely had individual personalities. Now, boy do they have opinions":

"So many opinions."

"We have one on August duty, and one with Tzip. They have been taking shifts."

"Mmm a challenge for them. Where's 1122?"

"Spying on the Seer."

"And the Seer is the one who wronged you?" Curious, eyes a bit hard over the smile

"Amongst others."

"He crafted my prison."

"mm " a nod "And this was a vexing cage?"

He's fishing for more information, protective as trolls are, he might even be plotting a bit of vicarious revenge.

"It had a dictum on repeat - over and over, all day and night, to keep me from casting any cantrips."

EYES Dark "Well, that would be ...effective. I'll give him that. He underestimated you though as you did get free. Want me to flicker flash him in a body of water? Rivervale trolls swear by it"

"Oh, I escaped."

"And, well. Wait."

He nods "I'll wait"

Zara's eyes are dancing with very satisfied glee.

Then a smile "There's a story here I won't here till we're back home, isn't there?"

She nods.

He is content with that "Good. Now, Now, lover. I know you had a rough time here, so I took the liberty of getting you a care package. In addition to the tea" he pulls out a book bag "Bronte helped me pick out five books for you"

She claps her hands, quickly and softly, like the fluttering of moth wings. "Aye?"

"Aye. You deserve the escape and haven these provide"

Ah, Bronte put in at least one Bronte, of course she did.