#fenixtj

"Didn't say I was going -now-." she points out logically "Just that if it happened, the County would be fine. And that's the sign, I believe and from what I've been told, of a good, strong leader. That if they disappeared, everything they lead would adapt and continue."

"That holds true for you, too. What you've started here will continue."

"But it never takes the shape the older generation intended. ANd I suppose that's for the best.... 'custom' can , to a degree, become just tyranny of the ancestors. "

Jess shrugs "Isn't that what you rebel against?"

"Oh, there in lays the trap for me. If I get MY way, to think my way must be preserved. I hope I resist the temptation"

A smile though "But yes, the seeds of tomorrow are well rooted."

Jessica nods, agreeing.

"But today, the here and now..." he looks about at the childlings dancing and chattering, and even some wilders flirting and dancing when they weren't dining, as music plays in a joyful manner "Also very good"

"Yes." Jessica seems satisfied.

He pours himself some wine, knowing Jessica often forsakes the liquors.

She does seem content with her juice.

Wearing ear muffs to dim the sounds, Mr. Viggo, sluagh teacher, approaches Jessica with a bow

Jessica nods back; she's grown resigned to people bowing to her. "Mr. Viggo." she greets him, sure he can read lips.

"Countess, I was wondering if I might have a moment of your time in private?"

She nods and gestures 'lead the way.'

And he does, nothing too sinister

They find themselves in a darkened hallway off from the crowd, "Thank you, Miss Jessica. I know you were enjoying the party"

"Imbloc is an important holiday for unity." she agrees.

"Well, we're not there yet" he reminds "Imbolc, I mean, but now that we have the fire... ah, but I digress. Miss Jessica, you do prefer that to Countess yes?"

"I do."

"Miss Jessica, as you know, my kith is often involved in the wheeling and dealing of secrets. Some wickedly aquired, I confess"

She nods patiently; of course she knows.

"Recently, one Lady Charra revealed herself to be... offensive, to Liam, indeed, MOST sensitiivites I dare say?"

Jessica nods.

"One could not help but notice this stressed your liege, and you wanted peaceful resolutions where the law was more firmly on his Grace's side. I took the liberty of prying into other matters, on my own accord, no dishonor or shame to you. It is what we sluagh do. I have found evidence of ... a rather grievous crime. More than sufficient to seize the woman."

Jessica takes this in for a moment.

Viggo waits patiently

"Let me say, Mr. Viggo, first.... I would like to clarify a point. I see your actions as a concerned member of the County using his talents for the cause of justice and the good of the County. While I may not have instructed you to do so, I do not mind that you have done so. There is no issue of dishonor or shame to be mentioned, save perhaps that on the part of the lady."

"Next, can you tell me of what you have found?"

"She ravaged, my lady" Viggo says. "And... as odious as that stands, it is worse in another regard. She ravaged an indigenous woman"

Jessica's expression hardens. "You have proof?"

"I found the victim, the signs of ravaging are clear and she described Lady Charra when I pried... I had to be gentle, the mind was fragile. I gave no leading questions that would bias her and will attest to that. But also, there is this..." He pulls out an enveloope with some hairs, lovely... "From Lady Charra's head, but found in the dwelling of the victim. Still not proof, I know, but then there is this ..." He holds up some xeroxed papers "Copies of the victim's diary. She describes how she's lost her drive, how she was an idiot to ever think she could be worth anything. Her hope was destroyed. It is, enough I think, for the Duke to summon Lady Charra and subject her to Gwydion boon or even dictum to speak truth.."

"Will you take this, under escort, to the Duke? He can't have got far."

A nervous look, then a nod "I hope that as a member of your household I can count on your protection should allies of hers learn of my part and seek revenge? I am not a warrior, merely a teacher with proactive curiosity."

"Of course. I will make it public known if you wish."

"Perhaps not yet, thank you. Yes. I will go with the escort. " A frown "You underestand, to save face among my peers I must ask for some boon or reward from him or yourself? It's a matter of preservation for Sluagh. If we gave the knowledge for free we would soon go from distrusted to taken for granted. The latter is far worse"

"Of course. The Duke is as incenced as I, perhaps moreso, and has the Duchy to draw on. I'm sure he would welcome the chance to reward you. I'm happy to compensate you for your efforts as well."

"You understand, thank you. Beyond your shielding hand, I promise not to ask anything tawdry or onerous"

"I'm happy to pay." she insists "Can you leave for the Duke now?"

"Promptly" he assures "I doubt the childlings will be surpriseed I am gone. The noise and all." He says "But should they inquire, please tell them I AM proud of Miss Ellie's work and said so? That I hope to return from a journey soon. All true"

"I will tell them, if they ask." she responds, respecting his privacy and need for secrecy "Let me gather an escort, you gather your things."

"At once, Miss Jessica" he puts his hand over his heart in that splayed gesture of respect

She bows to him and goes off to find Demos.

Demos is eating, it's not pleasant to watch, but redcaps dont' apollogize for it

He looks up as her sees her "Yeah?" Mouth full of under cooked food

"Go ahead and swallow." she invites without judgement "I have a mission for you."

GULP wipe with elbow "yeah? What's up?"

"I need you and a few of our warriors to escort Mr. Viggo to the Duke, immediately."

"On it" he says and grabbing a loaf of bread, a whole loaf, goes off to do that. ,Without any further questions. Demos is meaner than his brother, but he doesn't pester with questions

Which, often, is a blessing. She positions herself to wait for the party to leave, so she can address them.