#fenixtj

Jess shakes her head. "My representative should not have to plead."

"mm I don't speak about visions, but I think there will be a chance soon when it comes to the Sunkissed waves"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, maybe start your search, but don't commit to anyone to his hold just yet. Temps maybe."

A slow nod. "I will take your advice. What about Skyhook?"

"Skyhook hold is a craftsman's focus, but Albedo barony has the same needs as any barony .. so the one you send doesn't have to be a craftser but would be more respected if you did. You do need someone who respects crafters though. Perhaps who has a good eye even if they odn't have a good hand for it themselves"

"We don't really have anyone from House Dougal, and a nocker could, um, fall under Tweak's command. She is ... a force. A boggan....." Shrug "Maybe."

"Do you know anyone from other lands you'd like to ask to join you? You're friends with the DeBukes. I know"

A faint smile. "I could ask, I suppose."

"Never hurts. I know they don't like nobles, but that's not a hindrance for Tweak's area."

"True." Thoughtfully.

"I'll keep an eye out for others that fit. " SHe says "I'm afraid Dame Dil isn't ready for that sort of assignment."

"Through no fault of her own, she is not." Agreeing.

"Oh goodness, I sure wasn't ready at that age and I'm a sidhe with natural instincts for Court."

A few paces, that stretch to a few more. "Do you have any interest in the post?"

"What? And give up my influence on the real power?"

Is she jesting? Vali does that.

Not.. entirely jesting. No.

Jessica glances at her. They walk a bit more. Her pace slows. "-Are- you seeking influence here in Renaissance?"

"Yes. Now ask me why" She says

"Why?"

"One. I'm a sidhe, it's my nature. Two, I Owe it to my House to earn your favor. Three, the time will come when I will tell you to do something that makes you recoil, and without your trust, you will not do it. And people will... pay for my failure to earn your ear."

She stops and turns to Ash. "That is ... very grave, Dame."

"You want the happy nobles, you should have stuck with Fiona"

The old woman says "To be a Beaumayn is to taste tears that have yet to escape someone's gaze"

Jessica watches her a while, then moves on with patrol.

And the rest of the patrol goes on quietly

(End Scene)