#fenixtj

Apparently, to her, it did.

Jessica nods. "I would be glad to welcome him here. Are the two attached to each other?"

"No, but nor does she despise his kind" Digrunted?

" He was caught trying to spy on my holding. I gave him a choice of punishments. I will tell him you have pardoned him"

".... and that he is welcome here."

"As you like" he says "Consider it a sign of deference to your authority if you wish"

"I appreciate that."

A nod

"Baron... please don't take this as an assumption of ill intent on my part, or distrust. But it would make me unhappy to find that, after we have come to this understanding, I were to later find a passive-aggressive... or just plain aggressive.... attempt to take revenge for it."

She speaks evenly, calmly.

He raises a brow "Countess.. how else AM I to take this? I have yielded to you with as much grace as I can muster... and it appears I continue to be slandered. Your Rover friend, he is Unseelie, is he not?"

A sigh. "Yes he is, but that's not the point. I am not slandering you, Baron. At least, that is not my intent. I want to be honest and above-board with you. You're cleverer by far than I am; you could probably run rings around me. I am trying to be straightforward."

"My point, Countess, is that you should know that even those wthout honor have pride. And however you intended it, you have been crossing over mine again and again. In your effort to mkae sure I do not take revenge, you are , ironically, providing ever more reason for me to seek it." A snort "Let me assure you, I do not suffer from the Seelie Delusion of repayment of debts. Revenge for it's own sake, Daireann views aside, is a fool's chase. "

Jessica starts to speak, stops, and then just nods. "For any offence, I apologize. It was not my intent."

"That I believe," he says "You are young, somehow I forget how much, and while we are both wilders, I do have some experience you lack ans well as the kith gifts due me. What I most desire is to rule my barony as I have for quite sometime. It thrives. you have been there. I understand a tour, and how I must report to you, but I think my efficiency is a point of pride for me. Not in Summerstrike's blinded stumbling way, but proven symetry. I have done my best to gather unseelie Houses to my lodge in part to spare you the trials of explaining to Leanhaun and Balor while you will not take them . That HAS been your policy yes?"

An uncomfortable silence.

"Not... policy, per se....." a deep breath, inhale and exhale ".... but.... Balor have reason to plot to regain Fenix. I feel it's best they don't spend time there."

"It may surprise you, but I agree. The real threat is their continued attempts to seize the trods under the pretense of 'defending it'. "

"They could, if they get their way, choke us off from other areas"

She nods.

"My thought is we should allow them access to a trod of our choosing.. let them 'guard it', and then see how they do. In the mean time, keep most trods secret as best we can"

"Though Ifear they know many"

Jessica nods. "Is there a down side, do you think, to letting them know that we know that?"

"It is hard to say.. the Balor are militarily minded. Not fools no matter how they sometimes cackle or drool"

"Will you consider the question, and let me know?"

"As you wish. And the booy will be delivered to you promptly. If there is nothing else?"

"Thank you for coming, Baron." Jessica stops, turns, and offers her hand.

He takes it, "Thank you for the warm welcome to my heir"

"She -is- welcome, and I hope she will be back often to get to know the others better."

A nod "Perhaps" And he nods and heads out to retrive her

Leaving Jessica with her own thoughts. And..frankly, a need for a rest. That was tiring

And so, guests served and understandings reached, Jessica goes to retire........ after just one more thing.

(Pause)