#fenixtj

Dame Ash mmms "What did you want to know about them?"

"What happened to them?"

"I had them melted down" She says "So they wouldn't be cold iron anymore"

"Where? Just out of curiosity."

She names hte foundry

Jessica nods. "Did you notice anything or learn anything about them before they were destroyed?"

"I.. I'm sorry, no. Cantrips don't work on Cold iron so I didn't try"

"Not a problem, Dame, really." She assures. "I didn't think to ask either."

A frown, "I worry I'm gettting old. I should have.. .well, finger prints would be the men who used it but."

"I don't think Demos questioned them before he dropped them at the hospital. My fault again."

"Oh that... that, we can still do that."

A frown. "How?"

"Visit the hopsital and I'll dictum the shits to talk. I took hair samples from them too"

"Well thought out." Jessica seems puzzled though. "You can cast magic in a place like the hospital?"

"Places seeem banal. but people are the true sources AND victims of it in some ways... with a bit of dross and a complicated enough bunk? yes I think I can over irde them . they don't seem strong willed"

Jessica nods slowly. "Take dross from the stores."

"With your permission, I'd like back up from someone too. If I start to fade I'll want a rescue nearby?"

"Of course, absolutely." She agrees.

"I think I'll take Buce. He's one tough fellow even if he lays on f lowery poetry thicker than a working girl lays on make up"

"That's.... an interesting metaphor."

"I was thinking shit, then I remembered he was a horse pooka and I felt kind of bad..hence the clumsy change up" The woman admits

Jess nods. "Ok, so.... you and Buce go to the hospital and question them. Sorry for the extra trouble. I should have thought of it at the time."

"On an empty belly, less than 3 hours of sleep, and sister induced stress? I don't think others would do HALF so well"

"You heard about that?" A bit sour.

"Beumayn are very perceptive" She raises a brow, "Young lady, I try not to tell you to eat more and sleep more and so on.. that I leave to boggans. Not my place as you are my liege, but I feel I do have to draw the line when you start to berate yourself for not being perfect under such conditions. No knight I know likes it when their liege gets trashtalked, even by the liege herself"

"It's my duty to do the best I can for our people here." A shrug.

"Best and perfect are not the same, never can be" Ash says

"Well. With luck, I am learning."

"I would say you're learning well"

"Thank you." A deep breath. "Let me know when you're on the way to the hospital?"

"I'm on my way to the hospital" She says "Soon as I grab Sir Buce"

Jessica nods and stands. "Thank you again, Dame. I appreciate it."

"no problem..." A pause "About Eleanor," She says "I like her, she's a fine young girl, very brave. Whatever comes of her, you've been kind and supportive to her. Thank you for that. I know you would anyway, but well, she's of my House"

"Which is why I want you to mentor her while she's here. I wrote to the Duke about her, and I'd like you to contact your House. We should see what we can do for her.... and find out, if we can, what happened to her guardian. Gerald."

"Sounds like she's already had the House fundamentals taught"

"But yes, I'll teach and support her"

"Thank you for that. I've asked Ariel to have Coy or Woden Tito help take care of her; DeBukes, and all. But since the two girls seem to have formed a bond, maybe you can coordinate with whichever DeBuke she's working with?"

"I don't think Tito IS a DeBuke" Amusement "But I can see why you'd think so. Seems like they're the main supplier of your kith these days"

"Mm. I understand they're only getting more prolific, but.... anyway. Coy, then."

"I will. You seem to like both of them fine yourself... and no, I am not about to suggest babysitting on top of your many duties, but you seem to enjoy having them now and then laugh in the halls"

A very faint smile. "We have to have childlings, yes?"

"I agree, a little spring breeze is welcome in more ways than one," A fond memory passes over her eyes.

" 'Tis the season. Beltaine is coming."

"So it is, plans for the Celebration ? Any touches you want to insist on?"

A head shake. "Usually I leave that to Maria and Rosa and all. Diego has input."

"As steward I can see why he needs a heads up on supplies needed. You know, I kind of like that goat, even if I'm sure he doesn't like me. If I'd run into some of the same nobles he did, I might be more modernist myself. Shame he judges us by the worst of us."

"Diego's been here since before the beginning; if not for him, I think Rathbone would have succeeded in her plot before I arrived. He's due respect and I'm not sure he's getting it. I'd do something about it, if it wouldn't make it worse."

"Because now he'd be seen as his noble sponsor going to the rescue? " Mmm

She nods.

"I think you might have to indulge in a bit of covert operation to make such a thing happen. Perhaps if he were to take down a corrupt noble with no seeming aid from you? That sort of thing."