#fenixtj

"That's.. that's amazing... but, when you think about it, it makes sense.. when dreams of Europe and Dreams of The Turtle lands..err America.. clashed, then eventually there would be dreams born trying to make sense of the meeting. "

She smiles "You might have someone who has the right and means to bring both sides to the table?"

"Maybe."

"Well, it's certainly promising and saving ANY Fae soul from the brush of final death is something wonderful. Gutsy of you too"

"It was... an automatic thing. I didn't think about it, Clem. Don't know how much guts were involved."

"Well, right of rescue does demand it, and protection is in our blood, but Cold Iron, whew"

She nods, frowning. "Culpepper didn't seem to know who would come after him like that, or why."

"Mystery remains then.. " Clem's brow knits "Whoever set it up will try again then I suspect."

She nods. "It has occured to me. Culpepper will have a body guard if he goes out of the Freehold. And inside Fenix, he should be safe. And he's going to be inside Fenix until he's well."

"Chimerical help won't do much against cold iron, but some sort of alarm system or helpful critter to deliver a message in case of trouble again might"

She ponders "Heck, tweak might have ideas"

Jessica thinks, nods. "I'll ask Symond."

"So in short, you've got the barons keeping their yaps shut, saved a young countess AND a one of a kind nunehi/kithain who might bring peace or at least move it along... and are helping folks keep it together in a time of dreamer isolation in a huge city. Tht's.. not bad there"

She nods. "I'm pleased with the progress."

"Justly so" She says

Jessica exhales and looks over the atrium. "How about the Farmhold, population explosion aside?"

Clem says "We're building a school house... bigger on the inside than the outside."

She nods. "I suppose we need to think about that, too."

"Well, in our case, it's become something of a must. See, with mortal schools dropped... we were giving acredited lessons etc.. qualified home schooling and then some? Well... other lodges, and even some non troll commoner holds have shown up and said 'could you teach our kids' and ... they cross by trods... show up, and learn. We have 20 non DeBuke students coming in for reading, writing, and arithmetic"

Eyebrows up. "Any Sidhe?"

"Nope. I know, we're bigots, but if I bend some of us too far they'll break"

Jessica nods. "Not an easy line to walk."

"Yep. " she says "Teaching pooka kids and redcap brats is a whole new world"

Clem's friend nods, thinking.

"Now, if you're wanting text books for Ellie and Ariel we can set you up"

Jessica rubs the base of her horns. "I may take you up on that. I need to talk to some of my folks first. See where we stand and what are resources are."

"I'm starting to see a niche. " She nods "Education for the young a monster you want to tackle for a few, or many? For kithain, or Sons and daughters of Adam and Eve as well?"

"Jeeze, Clem! I just started thinking about it!"

"You city gals are timid creatures" humor in her eyes on another wise straight face

"Reason I asked is that I might have a list of possible teachers for hire"

"Are any of them DeBukes?"

"Oh we're keeping those for ourselves mostly, but some are from other troll lodges and commonerholds and aren't as hard on Sidhe nobles"

A sigh. "A list... might help."

"I'll get it for you..." She says "Before I go that is. This snacks are delicious"

"Can you stay the night? Or two?"

"Actually, unless something comes up.. I can"

"Am I going to have to take lessons again?" Pipes up a small voice.

"And will I have to go to the farm for them?" another voice "it's suuuummer"

"Um....." Jessica stands. "Countess Eleanor, this is Clem DeBuke. She is the Chief of a troll lodge that is an ally of ours. Clem, this is Countess Eleanor. And Ariel, you already know."

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Chief DeBuke." The little girl curtsies.

A whisper from Ariel "She's not gonna bow"

"Well, she's a lady, she should curtsy... unless she's a knight, most lady knights like to bow."

Clem doesn't, but she does nod, then rise to great her politely in that fashion, and offers a hand "Nice to meet you, young lady"

She takes the offered hand with a perfectly trained shake.

"Firm and fair grip" She nods approvingly, "Hope Ariel's not being a handful for you?"

"Chief" Note of betrayal from Ariel

"Ariel has been a boon companion. She knows almost everything about mermaids AND closet monsters."

Jessica observes.

"Well, we have had closet monster incidents"

"Maria and Rosalita have been very helpful."