#fenixtj

"Yes, immediately."

The oldest sidhe here nods, and says "Then I must go tend to that bunk which even now is processing"

"Please do."

He bows and withdraws

The meal is rapidly vanishing, and it is delicious, the Baroness says "I shall handle the unseelie houses I suspect. They do not trust you, your excellency. "

"The unseelie were welcome at Fenix when Summerstrike would not have them, and that place is now under an unseelie .... well, manager?"

A shrug, unconcerned.

She shakes her head "I speak of the unseelie nobles, those of houses, and ... no, you did not always make it welcoming for them. You diverted them elsewhere, you refused them, and when they were allowed, they were watched like hawks My Betrothed told me this, and he was not alone in this view. Furthermore, your parentage is also a source of distrust, though I am not one to believe you should be judged negatively so."

Jess chews on this, and her food, for a moment. She takes the time to think, and then speaks deliberately.

"It is true that I have offered to make unseelie nobles comfortable at other freeholds." she admits neutrally "I don't know that I'd say I refused them. And yes, unseelie nobles at Fenix have been ... I have kept aware of them."

"There are, of course, reasons for this."

"Let us say, Countess, however you wished to appear, many, including seelie, read it as I have said. Whatever was in your heart, your resultts are what matter, and the results of your past are that Unseelie Nobles of Unseelie Houses believe you are biased against them. " A sip "Might I know your reasons, Countess? "

Jessica looks around the table.

The Redcap Bard, the Pooka Reeve, the Varich Steward... and of course, the Betrothed Sidhe are there. The seer having stepped out to work his magics

She nods, wipes her lips, and sets down the napkin. Another pause.

"I deposed Baroness Rathbone in a violent insurrection to rescue a dozen or more pooka from danger, perhaps death, or something worse. I have intelligence that says clearly House Balor would like the Barony, or even the County, back under their control. That does not suit either the Duke or myself... nor, I think, the Barony of Fenix or the County.

"I have had... unpleasant encounters with members of House Leanhaun on a personal level. Damage has been done, distrust firmly sewn.

"I'm afraid Ailil and Varich have reputations that precede them, but I hope all will note that I have supported a Varich Baron and welcome his choice of heir and his choice of partner." she nods to the Baroness.

"Additionally but tangentially, Regent Mitra is perhaps my closest friend."

She ponders "Regent Mitra is proudly Eiluned, if I recall, and thus not..germaine to the matter. The Varich baron was here before your ascension, but, I am pleased I pleased you as his choice, and young Vaeltilde shows promise yes," The Baroness says "You have come here to exert power and maintain order. I respect that. I would do the same. I do feel I would be worthless as an advisor, or as his betrothed if I did not warn you of perception whether you feel it is earned or not," A beat "While we have a few Balor that serve welll, your point of Rathbone and the Balor lingering plots ... is dead on. "

"I did say it was a tangent." she stipulates, and nods courteously at the acknowledgement that Balor are out to get her.

"You did" She concedes "But House Eiluned, while the sister House to Ailil, is not trusted by Unseelie Houses either. Too often the Eiluned have done their own services for the Summer Court Houses, infiltrating our intrigues too and playing games in the shadows to keep them in check. Indeed, " She admits with amusement "Regent Mitra is considered a greater threat than you at times. She's less predictable for all her warrior ways and... rumor has it, your spies are few or non existent. We're sure she has some. Eiluned can't help but pry, poke, peer... bless them" She chuckles

The Steward arches a brow at the Baroness "The Seer is Eiluned, and loyal"

"Of course" She nods "Some Eiluned, well, sorcery is sacred to them"

Jess takes a sip of her drink.

"As I said, Regent Mitra is a close friend."

"If I have slighted her , then I apologize both to you and if you wish, her" A nod "I suppose my point is, I do think it's best I pacify the local unseelie nobles here on your behalf rather than you yourself. I will pass on you have the situation in hand while hinting that power plays are to be discouraged"

Jess considers a long moment.

"I will tell you, in confidence, that I am aware of a larger picture. Efforts that have been made and conversations had to bring a greater peace to our home here. While the Baron's situation is regrettable, there is opportunity in it. I am taking advantage of that. I will look with grave displeasure on any one, or any thing, that upsets this particular apple cart. Am I crystal clear?"

"Abundantly," The Baroness says "And I thank you for your candor. And I will keep your confidence. You understand that as I am yet unwed, I have much to personally lose as well. Thus you may trust that enlightened self interest will make me your most loyal ally"

Jessica nods. "Eminently logical and practical." this, she seems to feel, is high praise.

The Baroness takes it as such

The Steward ahems "For my part, I am already sworn to the Baron as a vassal. I will continue my duties to you and through him to you, Countess. I do not know if you wish to bore yourself with our inventory indexing and the like, but if there is any resource you require estimates of, but let me know."

She nods. "Thank you."

"Most welcome" He rises "May I be excused to tend to those duties?"

"Of course. Everyone, please don't stand on ceremony with me more than necessary. Fenix is an informal court, it's how I'm comfortable working. I understand Sunkissed Waves has a reputation to maintain but... if it's just us? I will not be offended if you get on with things."

The Reeve smiles "Ah, an agent of chaos among us." The pooka also rises, "I think I'll get to work as well then, spread the good news to the common folk that not only is all well, the golden ticket is out there to be found"

"Thank you."

He bows and withdraws

The Baroness watches as one by one the others have left, then she says "My lord has some good people under him"

"So I am learning."

A sip "Have you given further thought to my use of dictum on the prisoner?"

Another pause as she assembles her thoughts.

And sighs.

The woman in black and silver waits patiently

"My plan is to hold him honorably and as comfortably as possible until the Baron is healed, and then return him to his people as a show of our intent. My concern is that dictum will be seen as an intrusion and an insult that will derail the intended show of intent."
<SEND>

A trouble look at this response, then "You do not see this as Naive? And placing a would be murderer over the life of your vassal? If released, he will try again"

"If he is not released, his fellows will try again." she points out "In point of fact I'm not placing him over the Baron. I have told him that if the Baron succums, I will send the Nunnehi to the Duke for a lifetime of captivity and study...." she trails off as an idea occurs "Hmm."

"You've an idea" She notices "Someway to turn either outcome to a gain?"

"I'm not sure of the value..." she says slowly, still thinking "But...if you were to give him a taste of the Art... enough to scare him but not too much... and we explained the Duke is far stronger and more powerful in the Art than you are.... forgive me. But it might be enough to knock some of the sass out of him." she is still thinking.

"Oh no offense taken, it is by default try that the Duke's power counts more than my own when it comes to soveriegn" She ponders "An interesting idea. It might work."

"But... to what end? We trust he's given us good information on an antidote. Why threaten him?"