#kc_necropolis

"Dude," earl says "It's a lure, she's hoping to use you for info...could even be trying to capture you"

"You try talking sense to Casanova."

1122 assures them both he has this. Perhaps I can even sway her to our side. Or at least, learn more from her than she ever will from me. Yes, a challenge but I welcome it.

Earl sighs

"What can you do?"

"Still scrying on the Countess?" Earl says

"A moment..."

She suspects the spider will send her rede soon...

Indeed, the Countess turns, "What? Tredicium, how did you? Tell me more "

"Wait, Octa? You found it? Wait a moment, Tredicium.. your sister has the prize located, perhaps."

Hisss. The book has been under lock-and-key since Zara learned of the seeking sidhe...

NOT in the ER library.

Earl hears the hiss, "What? She knows where it is?"

"She should not. I hid it."

And then... "Play nice, my rival, " And the barbie doll looking sidhe blows a kiss

And she is magnificent, wonderful, even through the scrying, she is the lady Zara always knew she wanted to serve, the sun to her moon...

Zara sees it coming, and hastily scribs a rune of protection into her hand by a painful dig of her nails into flesh.

Haste! Zara's quick rune feels rushed, but it is wise that she did! Even with the rune, the Eiluned's magic threatens to betwitch her. But the rune blunts and dulls it

And dims it...

the river might admire the sun,

but it does not worship it

and neither will she worship this sidhe

what could have been days of awe, or worse, a crush for months, turns itno a fascination of mere seconds.

Hissss.

"What did that slattern try?" Earl says, ruder than is his usual want

"Sovereign."

"I worship no sidhe."

Earl nods "Damn right."

A gran and wrench motion of her hands, and shadows lurch around the Barbie - spectral forms, ghastly ghosts, screaming a silent warning.

"Autumn? Someone's versed" The woman says "My agent tells me you're a sluagh. Adept, very well. " She reaches down and writes on a scroll "let's talk."

And holding up the scroll, Zara can see a phone number to text.

And her keen ears, through the scrying, hear a tapping. Another spider there "Bearer of the Crown we serve, if Tredicium is right, there are two of them. the troll powerful enough to flash , this one powerful enough to resist. I advise you continue to work through agents.

Spider-Crown? Her eye alight. OH.

"Shhh, Una. I would know more"

That must be the treasure...

The spiders do not serve her because she is sidhe, they serve her because she has the crown. Their loyalty, Zara realizes, is to the bearer of it.

She digs through her bag to find the prepaid burner phone. "What would you know?"

"So many things" The countess says "Why are you trying to deny me The Weird Sisters Book of Shadows?"

"Why do you want it so?"

"Questions for questions will lead into a spiral that does not go far for either. But I shall tell you and break the spiral before it starts trusting you will then answer in turn.I want it safe, and put to use for the good of Concordia."

"Define the good of Concordia."

"I have answered your question, before you demand a test of me, you could at least answer mine. Why are you trying to deny me the book?"

"Eiluned do not oft share secrets. I would see what is within."

"Ah, yes, well, that rather devalues the book. I fear, but perhaps I can compensate you in another way ..." she brightens, "yes. Payment for you trouble. Autumn lucre, or perhaps dross to abandon your puruit of the book?"

"I am not interested in money."

"Secrets would be my coin in trade."

"I see...I can let you know of a Gwydion's love affair gone wrong. Would that interest you?"

"I am no boggan, as your spiders revealed."

"Were it a Fiona, I'd say it was hardly a secret, but Gwydions lords are pricklier creatures."

"However, maybe I could tell you the location of a monster's lair? Not that I suggest rousing it"