#scarsdale

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A text message from Clem to Zara 'We need to talk soon'

"What's up?"

'Can we meet? Not for texting'

"Come over?"

'will now then'

It is not like Clem to just hang up and go unless someone's life is on the line. But soon enough a bird is landing on the window sill, a blue bird. It pecks 'shave an a hair cut'

She raises an eyebrow as she opens the sash. "Really?"

The bird flutters in and changes, "Didn't want to be seen coming here. " The now troll wider says "Tell me, you know of a troll among your half siblings?"

"A troll or two are rumored. Probably all the kiths." A pause. "Why?"

"Ordan Klay" she says "Is a troll, who tried to get into Sally Mae's pants to get her pregnant. I don't share this lightly, but as it's a family matter for both of us, you needed to be told."

"You think he's one of Paler's?"

"Willow whisper by the chief certainly hints at it" She says "How did that go?" She tries to remember

"Whiter than white, faded, devoid..." She says "Mention of slaves... balor design chimerical darts made by a slave."

Zara goes still, eyes dark and dangerous. "A slave?"

"no clue, what I understand the Chief asked where, but the figure moves around." SHe says "Ordan had sabotaged prophylactics, played the charming troll , wooed Sally Mae. After a week or two of dating she... decided to get intimate. Near as I can tell.. either Klay or his father got the plan to establish a 'seed' into our farm. Try to take over that way maybe? Though it seems like a damn long game" A frown

Dark grumbling. "Of course they move. They're mobile."

"Paler likes long games."

Clem nods "Please don't mention Sally Mae by name to those not in the know yet. She's... well, her pride is stung."

"Who would I tell? Earl?"

"Clem, you know I am discreet."

"I mean no slight on you. It still feels like I should say it, for her sake, you know?" Clem says "I think this is partly my fault. I got so caught up in the transition... I dropped my guard on family abroad. Between the eye, and our resources we should have caught him, not giving him tours"

"Hmph. Even I have trouble scrying on Paler - he could well have shielded this Ordan, if he's one of his."

"Yeah, and Uncle Emmit thinks scrying on him is just asking for a whammy, not that I can." A frown "But still...well, everyone feels bad about it I guess. Poor Sally Mae feels a fool. The Chief tried to take the blame for it getting this far but I nixed that. Turns out Sir Vali figures because he had a vision he should have figured it all. So a lot of humble pie. Ordan was last seen heading towards Firnost. I have Uncle Emmit scrying on the place and a kinsman he doesn't know in hiding"

"Do they have anything of this Ordan's? Hair? Something he handled?"

"Chimerical darts, those damaged condoms, other than that I don't know" A pause then, "Then again.. there's someone else who might have something of his. Sally Mae of herself. If she was that smitten...well, some girls 'borrow' a shirt or even keep a few hairs. IF We're that lucky"

"True that..." She gums on her bottom lip. "I would like to see this troll. But without having met him, a physical tie is needed."

"Understood, we'll see what we can get you and get you what we can. Just be on your guard and..." A deep breath "I think this is pay back for what I did to golnaz. I should let you know... I turned her into a tree"

"Aye." Her grey lips quirk.

"Not dead. Gone away. Possibly being useful for once."

"I'm surprised he found out, though..."

"Probably scryed on her and got the forest look and put two and two..." And Clem stops "You knew? About the tree thing?"

"She hurt Earl." A shrug.

"So naturally you'd keep... well, I should have realized that keeping things out of YOUR learning aint' for amateurs like myself" Wry "She's lucky I didn't have her carved into part of a railing for a pig trough"

"I'm glad you didn't maim her."

Zara is quiet for a bit. "She really didn't have a chance, you know?"

"Comes a time where you have to put the rabid dog where it can't bite anyone, even if the dog didn't ask for rabies" CLem says "You've got a good heart, Zara. But I'm going to be Chief... and I can only allow so much mercy. I'll geld rather than kill, you know that, but I will not let her do what she did to Earl and walk away."

"I understand. And you had means I did not. My magic... for all I study, it is not so much for doing things."

"Let me know if you ever want to plant a paler forest" Clem says "You have used your arts to help me and I mine, least I can do"