#fenixtj

"justice cries out for aid" she hisses "Are we not your people too? "

"Tht's enough" The Steward says "Your excellency, this rudeness, this slander.. the man is one foot in the grave"

"Were but it too" The Sluagh girl mutters

"You are my people too." Jess confirms, agreeing "And I will protect you and find places for all of you outside the Barony."

"So exile is justice for us. I see" Horntensia lowers her head "I thank you, Countess. It is the best we can ask for. But not the best we can hope for"

"Exile? That was not the intent of my offer. Your Kith have had a long road to walk since the death of Baroness Rathbone. I'm happy to welcome you back. The Baron, for well-known reasons, is less so. If there are reasons you cannot leave, or do not desire to, I'd like to know them."

she ponders "some of us have kinain who need us. Who live here and cannot move to another neighborhood"

A nod. "That is an issue we could work through."

"you would help them move?" Cautious "what is the price?"

"Sluagh" The Steward snorts "Mercenaries to the core"

"Yes, I would, and ... I don't know, but we can talk about it." she says, ignoring the Steward.

"perhaps over tea?"

"We could do that." she agrees "At Fenix, please."

"my factor shall call your factor" The sluagh assures

She nods. "I'll make sure they are received honorably."

"may your secrets arise at the most opportune time," She bows "And thank you. May I be excused? I have a wish to make to the dreaming, or two"

Jessica nods. "You may go in peace." she makes sure the guards holding the sluagh hear her.

and they grumble and nod, but let her go

Jess sits back, feeling (and probably looking) drained.

"Court is no longer in session, your excellency" T he Steward tells her "Would you like to rest?"

"So much." she confirms "But first, some back story? What did she mean about the baron protecting Varich? I think it was some thing more than what it seemed like."

"We Varich are often slandered by Sluagh, your excellency" The Steward laments "I would not trust her lies"

"I am familiar with the conflict, albeit from the outside. What did she mean?"

"All sidhe are loyal to their House, your excellency"

A sigh. "Ok. I asked." She stands. "What's next?"

"You do as you wish. Court is over"

"I would advise rest, your excellency" He says

"Nothing else to be managed?" she asks, being thorough. And also, not accustomed to being without tasks.

"Actually" The Baroness says "If I Might have a moment of your time, your excellency?"

"Of course. Can we get something to drink and sit quietly?"

"Oh that would be lovely" the Baroness agrees

"Right away," The Steward directs them to a parlor, then says "I'll have those drinks brought to you."

Jessica sits gratefully in the parlor, closing her eyes for just a moment before sitting up and looking at the Baroness. "Ok."

"I'm not Varich, but I thought some of my views would be better than none. If it is not too presumptive?"