#fenixtj

SLeep brought dreams. Visions of her own hold... of her walking through the hold looking for something. The study... the old books, pre rathborne... the old wall behind the oldest book case

She wakes.. Fenix's fire in her eyes.

She drags some clothes on and grabs her mail, stalking out to follow her dream, searching....

Folks talk to her but she tunes out the greetings and well wishes...

to the study, retrace the steps

The two pixie chimera, Flex and Specs buzz about her.

There.. old book case..

She arrows in and examines it.

Behind the case, in the wall behind it.. a brick, not loose, but.. the mortar there looks less firm.

"Give me a letter opener, please." She asks, eyeing the brick.

Flex and Specs fight for a moment over who gets to give it to her, but then finally Flex wins and hands her one.

She picks carefully at the mortar.

With troll might? It gives away fast and she can slide the brick out. Within is a booklet.

She eases it out with the letter opener.

She opens it. This thing looks glamouroous all right. Infused to withstand a lot and last. She opens and is bombarded by Fae Legalese

Wow, this writing is old... back with that Fiona was in charge sure, but the wording is older... more official

She reads it carefully.

She reads....

Oh wow, a lOT of this is over her head.

However, she does have a scribe

"Constance!?!?" She calls out.

"Yes? I ... oh my" the cerebral troll frowns "Freeholder? I hope you're not shoving book cases about on a casual whim?"

"No.... can y understand this?" She offers the letter. "It's over my head."

She takes the ledger and reads "No wonder, the writing is all legal jargon of the high courts no less. Sidhe often made them delilberately vague and there is some Contract Art in it. "

"How long do I have to translate this, please?"

"As long as you need but I think it is important. I didn't find it by accident."

"I'll have a report within an hour" She says

"Thank you." And sensing that a pacing Freehold would not help speed things along, she goes to the Balefire. "Now... what is all this?" Firmly chiding.

The freehold 's flame.. did it just go pink?

"Thanks for helping." Gently.

Warm waves of heat, and glamour, like a hug. Apparently the balefire thought she could use one as long as no one else saw it

She chuckles. "Thank you."

Yes. It is going well when...

"Some Schmuck messager from Summerstrike here to say the Freeholder!" Phobos at his best

Jessica turns, her eyes darkening. "Ask Diego and Dame Mitra to join me, and send a messenger to Father V." When the two advisors are in place, she nods for the visitor.

Fetching some will go. And the Vistor steps forward. A fine looking sidhe lad, about 14, but there's something about his nose i nthe air that takes away from his angelic looks.

Jessica is actually sitting on the baronial throne.

She waits for the boy to announce himself.

"I am Toyle ap Fiona, Squire in Service to Baron Summerstrike. Through ME, He brings news of his intent regarding a fugitive he believes to be seeking succor here."

"You may speak."

A sniff at the 'may' and he pulls out a scroll

And reads "To the Freeholder of Fenix hold, One Jessica King. From your area of influence, a citizen has arisen to commit acts of terror within the Summerstrike fief including kidnapping. I shall be sending patrols into your fief to seek out this culprit and seize him for his crimes, sparing you the burden. If you wish to set a seelie thane or knight of your own , then they can be temporarily placed under my captain's command in the task. Otherwise, do not be alarmed as we take action needed to maintain order and bring justice. "

Jessica looks to her advisors, although they can see she has an answer ready.

"Clearly the precedent this sets is unwelcome," The Eiluned says.

quietly

"Precedent? " Diego says "There will be some like minded to me who will attack this patrol as an invader, and they are just that" A hiss

Jessica nods. "We are in accord." She stands "tell your master that I am at least his equal in rank and land and I will be addressed as such. When he can find a more mannerly messenger to deliver his words he is welcome to do so. Until then, any patrol of his sent to invade my fief will be dealt with as such. Hostile invaders. Go."