#odyssey

Coradel grins and hazards a glance to see if Baron Torgair was present to hear that. Then she says, "A moment, Your Grace." Then she turns to look back to August. MB: I have an idea. Do you have something you want to request?

He was not. Sadly

August glances down to the polished floors, then back to Coradel. MB: No.

A loving smile, then she turns back to the Duke and Duchess. "I do, indeed have a boon to ask. It is in two parts. The first: There are three people in your court whom I would wish to have serve at EarthRunes for a year-and-a-day, and then longer if they wish. I do not ask you to force them, but to release them should they agree to my invitation. They are the artist Valreria Ackerman, the pooka Eglantine, and our new fledge, Dordi Glowfargen. That is part the first. Will you grant me this, Your Graces?"

Their graces quietly confer, heads lowered, then the Duke says "Eglantine has not caught on at the court here as she hoped. A pleasant enough lass, she might be happier at Earth Runes, eager to please, but also wanting squireship or other advantages. If you have taken a shine, and she is willing, of course." A look at the troll, almost wistful, "Dordi, you are new to this world. Would you prefer to remain with the Baroness? It must be said you are aof a kith that is most useful and trusted in the protect of others and the freeholds. A new fledge such as yourself is often courted for that reason. And you are apparently battle tested on your first night. We are no doubt closer to your mortal life though that Earth RUnes, which is in Jefferson City"

Dordi Glowfargen looks around, then says "The Baroness believed in me during that fight, .. your... uhm.. your..."

'Grace" bacchdion whispers

"Your grace" She continues "I don't mind a move and I think I'll stick with her. She may need more rides in the future"

Coradel grins at that, and glances at August.

He has his court-face on.

Reserved, even aloof but not arrrogant.

The Duchess sighs "Now that is a loss, for us. But so be it. About Valeria Ackerman? Don't you have an artist? One Sir Earl Debuke?"

Coradel smiles. "Of course. But might not one be a collector? The two are of very different styles."

"There is a reason we have kept her, rather greedily to ourselves" The Duchess confesses, "Her talents go beyond most artists. "

"I believe I have some inkling of this, yes."

"A year and a day will seem a very long lapse." The Duchess says "I confess, I wish you had asked for another there. Though one cannot fault your love of fine art. Beauty is life. One priviso, besides her willingness, of course"

"Yes, Your Grace?"

"If any new holds are found in our Duchy, or old holds pass to new hands, we shall need her for a week to paint the new picture" The Duchess says "It must take priority of other projects you may have her on. "

"I find that most agreeable, Your Grace," Coradel says with a respectful nod.

The Duke nods, then says "Baroness, Baron; you have been wronged, even as we, and in the granting of this boon, we hope to bridge the distance others falsely created between us. Please let your jester know of our offer to perform here before a crowd to show his true talents and reclaim his name. " The Gwydion considers something, then "Your husband seems to wish for little, yet he too had a part in this" A look to August

Coradel begins to speak, but instead takes a step to the side and looks back to August, encouragingly.

"Ah, but I am rude" The Gwydion seems apologetic, "You said two parts. No doubt he waits for you to get your full due. Please, go on, Baroness"

She bows her head in thanks, retaking her position before them both. "The other is a minor thing, but it would mean a great deal to me and to those of my court. Stored away, you have a portrait of my predecessor, Baron Nemauses. I would like to bring it home, to EarthRunes, so that his memory may be honored by those who never knew him as well as by those who loved him."

The Duchess seems moved, then again she is a satyress, and they are prone to heart pulls of the sweeter sort as well as anger or desire, "of course you may. The Baron was I am told, loved by few , and loved few in return, but clearly he was loved strongly by those few and I suspect loved them strongly however hidden. He is a stranger to us, an honored one, but for you, not so much."

"Indeed, among we Arcadians, such figures are among the closest we come to family" The Duke agrees "With our blessings, it is yours. Let the image of the Baron you speak of return home."

"He was very selective in his affections, Your Grace, yes," she answers the Duchess. "And this has stirred resentment in those he did not select. In fact, I would like to speak more on that with you in private audience, if possible." Then a deep curtsey to the Duke. "Your Grace, my thanks. As much as it pleases me, it may mean even more to my Jester, to whom he was as a father, indeed." Then she rises and turns to look again to August.

August looks to the Duke and Duchess, should they wish to acknowledge him again.

"Baron, your own boon If you wish one?" THe Duke asks "Perhaps even if you do not"

A smile at the threat of an obligatory boon.

A glance at Coradel, almost involuntarily, and he says "I have all I desire, Your Graces, thank you." quietly.

Coradel gives the Duke a see-what-I-put-up-with look.

The Duke sighs "Well, if..."

"No, no," The Duchess frowns "None of that. Baron August, you are not being a good consort. Your wife has a chance to gain as you gain, to deny yourself is to deny your wife some indirect advantage, and politics may bore you, but it is the world she lives in. I'm a satyress, and have to compete with Sidhe. You can bet I don't let my opportunies for advantage pass."

"That she does not" the duke looks a bit amused

August bows. "Thank you, your Grace. I regret, I am not prepared to ask a boon. If anything, I would ask you to offer it to Baroness Coradel."

The Duchess looks at the Baroness "My house is actually allied to the Liam, but they can be mildly infuriating, pray forgive. "

Coradel puts a delicate hand to her brow for a moment and sighs with amusement. She looks to the Duchess. "That was a valiant effort, Your Grace."

The Duke pauses, then gets an idea, the Duke gets an awful wicked idea, "Baroness, would you please approach me? To confer, quietly?"

A blink. She's seen The Grinch (the original -- not the awful nonsense with costumed actors)...and she's very intrigued by that smile. "Your Grace..." she says as she complies, stepping very close to hear what is being suggested.

And he whispers something to her, allowing his wife to eavesdrop (Like he has a choice)

The Duchess lights up and whispers more

August shift ever so slightly, leather creaking.

Dodri sees something skittering closer, and pulls it out, only to find she's grabbed a local slluagh "Ick" She lets it go

Coradel's hands clap together softly and she holds them near her lips as she whispers a reply.

"By a fledge, well, my humiliation is complete" the sluagh sighs

And goes back with tattered dignity. He'll have to learn what they're talking about wityh everyone else

Dordi whispers to the Baron "Baron, what did I just touch and ..is it contagious?"

The whispered consultation seems to be winding down, an agreement having been made.

And soon, just like that, whatever bargain is made is made. The Duke and Duchess let the baroness part and say "We shall see you for more details if you wish at your appointed private meeting , as suits. For now, most loyal subjects of Earth Runes, we shall prepare travel for your new fledge and others, and you shall be given the best of our hold. Please, dine among us, or among yourself as delights. Dame Bludwen will keep you abreast of results of the investigation you have helped as you like"

And just like that, the court seems to fade to warm soft celebration and Earth Runes is the talk of it- in a good way