#fenixtj

Jessica returns to Fenix, her liege safe.

PHobos greets her "THE COUNTESS RETURNS!"

A sigh. "Thank you, Phobos. Let's get everyone in and the luggage sorted, yes?"

"Oh sure" he grabs her luggage

"Phobos, I can take my own.... give the others a hand? The Duke sent some things along. Wait.... get someone else to do that. Can you find John Longfeather and send him to me?"

He moves to get along "Sure.. he's in the study. I'll grab him"

"Thank you. I'll be with the Balefire."

And soon, Longfeather is there "You called for me?"

"I did. Thank you for coming. Have you eaten? Or ... drink?"

"Coffee be fine. How did it go with the Duke?"

Jessica gets up and gets the coffee for them both.

She brings it back and sits to sip it.

He sips it and waits

"It had its ups and downs."

"John. Did you overhear information about the Duke that I spoke to Dame Mitra about?"

"you and Dame Mitra are good friends.. " he says "And sometimes I witness that friendship"

"That may be an answer, John, but not to my question."

"Then.. Yes" he says

"John, did you pass that information to the local Nunnehi?"

"Lil bit" he sighs "After getting some promises from them"

Jess takes a sip of coffee. "What promises?"

"That a certain Duke wouldn't be killed" A sip of his own coffee "I'm sorry, you wanted peace. I had to take them to a pinnacle of power... and then have their OWN version of honor hold them in ccheck"

"I want to understand."

"I figured that if they gained a position of strength.. it could lead to a position of strength for your view in return"

"It worked."

"I know" He says "And.. I undersstand if you feel angry about it even if it brought your plan forward by months if not a year"

She sets her cup down. "I only wish you had told me."

"If I told you, you might have risked your oath... depending how it went down" John says

"I wish you had told me. I wish I had known. And I understand why and how I should not have."

"Am I.. about to be kicked out?" He asks

"No."

"No, John. You risked everything. I appreciate that."

She takes up her cup and drinks.

"Well, thank you then. Having set it forward.. I want to see what the payoff is"

"What do I need to do?"

"What you've been doing. It wouldn't have worked if you hadn't busted yourself trying to open the way. I just greased the trail after you did"

"John, you have opened a dialog. I... am in your Debt."

He bows "Consider it paid for. You know how many people would have just settled for war?"

"No, and... that doesn't matter. I owe you. You risked much for me."

"You're going to be trollish about this debt thing aren't you?" He smiles jusst a bit

And it's obvious that yes.. yes she is

(End Scene)