The days were full in an empty sort of way. Busy like bees and feeling like he got just as far in the strange twisting turning dance that was going on about them. Residing in Yearling Brook had allowed Ewan to keep close at hand for all activity and messages arriving from Yransea. It also gave the advantage of overseeing the new recruits closely, looking for just the one that might fight his need as his secondary self in his homeworld.

Today the sun was high though the weather still cold, but it suited Ewan's chilly thoughts. He paced the grounds outside the paddock of the recruits sparring until he saw the arrival of a short breathed messenger with a satchel too skinny for much good news. "Good day, Afen, I will take those."

The messenger delivered the small pile into Ewan's hands with a bow and scampered away to get refreshed. Flipping through seals, some broken, and others not, he saw one particularly interesting. With a smile he went to find Storm to share its contents, whatever they might be, with her.

"Oh, why thank you." She took the small stuffed dog from Kellan's outstretched hands. He sat well on his own now, facing his mother on the floor in the parlor room with various toys scattered about. As soon as the dog was within her hands, he stretched more so that he could have it back, "Ah, so you were not offering it at all. I see." Amused, she returned the toy to his hands, much to his glee.

"Storm?" he called as he entered the main entry to find her, though any response was not exactly necessary as he saw her and Kellan having play time on the floor. "Ah, Storm, a letter of interest. From Vetras." He sat down next to her, the other letters, revealing how some had been opened already, set aside. "He says the first group have established their home just outside King's City. He worries over the use of the concealing paint," he glanced up to her, having had that same concern, "but the communication is undiminished for being the distance. At least that's one segment of our plan that seems to be working, in principle." He smiled to her and kissed her cheek. "Thanks to your persuasion and sharing."

Her hand reached out to absently run over Kellan's back comfortingly as she listened to his news. She nodded as well with the concern for the concealing paint, but knew she could think of nothing else for the time being. The attention to her cheek brought a pink glow and she gave a sheepish smile, "I am glad that it worked well, beloved." She was infinitely anxious for this to be over, for Sylvia to be freed and for suspicions to cease. "If only we can now figure out how to get the rest of our plans into working order." She sighed softly as Kellan turned for Ewan's attention, and held up the plush toy for him.

A sigh, he picked up one of the letters opened with a sardonic grin. His other hand reached for the toy. "Very good at sharing, my young boy, but how about I share it back?" He turned the toy to tickle at the little boy's neck then set it in his hands again.

"It seems they are intent upon reading messages sent out from Sylvia, so I do not doubt they are reading the ones sent in to her as well." He looked over the message quickly. "Nothing she can tell us of any use while the letters are reviewed. On top of that," he twisted a smile to Storm, "Hudson would like to get word in. I am tempted to just dress the man up and send him in as the messenger. Few would recognize him I think, if I gave him a little aid." He is, most clearly, in jest, and he leans over to make faces for Kellan, mocking his own tendency for disguise.

"Hmm, maybe not Hudson, but perhaps someone else that would be unrecognizable." She mused over this new information while watching Kellan and Ewan. The baby gave an open-mouthed smile, abandoned the toy, and reached his arms out towards his father, "We could send my father. Or.." she was grasping at ideas as they came to her, "send a few Airs to build a portal to send messages.." her lips came together as she thought more.

Ewan felt himself bristle instinctively and paused his game with Kellan, moving the boy around to sit in his cross legged lap. "If it had not come to this, I would say it might be a good idea. Not now, though. Not when the very accusations laid at Sylvia's feet are the influences of outside forces. Would they know?" He shook his head with a grim set to his mouth. "I cannot say, but I dare not risk it. We will have to delay such plans until this idiocy is put to rest. If your father would go, then he would certainly not be recognized. Yet," he sighed as he played with Kellan's hands a sort of clapping game, "again if he were discovered, forced to use his talents, what then? But, what about..." he was thinking out loud and wandering into territory he had little knowledge. "...is there any sort of device perhaps that could be used to convey messages? Something harmless looking and if someone came across it would think nothing of it?" Of course, more thinking countered his question. "Of course, Sylvia and Keefe, too, would think nothing of it, so I am at a loss as to where I was going with that idea."

She was silent for a time, a small frown creasing her forehead as she tried for more ideas. "Some device.." she muttered, before her eyes landed on some of Kellan's toys. "What about hiding them in.. oh, toys for the children?" She sounded somewhat hesitant and doubtful, but reached for the plush dog anyway, "If you fold it just enough, it could go undetected. And, maybe find a way to code the message? We have a new dog?" She shrugged slightly.

He thought it over, considered the possibilities. "It is possible. At least, it could be used once or twice, but any more than that and they'd be suspicious. Something that would make Sylvia wonder but others would not. A new dog might just make her laugh. It would need to be idle chatter to anyone else, but false to her." Then suddenly, he looked up at the half filled bookshelves. "Swords and arrows, why did I not think of it?"

"What?" She had been paying attention to Kellan and replacing his toy for his contentment, before glancing up at Ewan. She then followed his gaze, "Books?" A questionable look to see if she was following him correctly.

"Sylvia's books." He smiled and stood, offering Kellan over to his mother. "We would have to use the toy ruse once only to set up the ciphers, or communicate where letters were concealed in the books themselves. Do you know a skilled book binder? One who could hide something in a book binding? I could try, but why have an amateur if there is a master about?"

She took Kellan into her arms to set him in her lap, light laughter escaping him at the unexpected movement. Her eyes followed Ewan as he stood, "I do not know of one personally, no. I am sure it would not take long to find one, however."

The Tunnels had a welcoming feel even with their dank embrace. The air was cool and carried the scent of the underground light upon its slow movement. It brushed against Ewan's cheeks and back of his hands as he walked the maze to one of the south eastern junctions. There Compass leaned against a dripping wall, uncaring of the effects of wetness to his clothes. "Been some time, Quicksand," Compass grinned. "We hear, though, you've been a busy man."

"One could say that," Ewan smiled in kind, stopping into a natural stance. "I am glad you could take the time to meet with me. I have but one easy question."

With a snort that echoed faintly down the western branch of the junction, Compass moved from his lean crossing before the small torch burning low in the scone. It cast his face into shadow. "Nothing is easy with you, but I will hear the question all the same."

Ewan did not argue or fall into debate of what was easy or not, but asked, "Do we have any book binders among our lot."

"Our lot?" The man rubbed at his bearded chin. "Ours is it? Well, I suppose it is in a way, still partly yours. Managed the new signals with your aid, I suppose." As if tallying up merits of Ewan to counter the weight of his absence. "Right then, well, we have two or three depending on the talent needed."

"I need one of the best. I need one who can help me conceal messages in the bindings of books to be sent to my liege lady." Ewan held the man firm in his gaze, sharp eyed and unyielding. "I need one I can trust with such secrets."

Compass stepped back, even felt safe enough to turn his back to Ewan. It was a small sign of trust and faith. A sentiment Ewan was uncertain he shared at that moment. The air felt tight about him like a tourniquet. When the man turned back, he jutted out his chin. "What's in it for us if we help?"

"Yransea's undying gratitude?" Ewan tilted his head, thoughts running rampant over just where Compass would lead.

There was more laughter at his remark than Compass set free into the soft chortle. "Not good enough, Quicksand. We need something more. We need something from you."

Ewan felt the trickle of apprehension slither down his spine. "I have little offer. If this is too difficult a request, I will look elsewhere."

"No, wait," Compass's swift reply hinted at relenting. "I forgot how damn apathetic you are, lad. Right then, what we want is just some training. Things are getting tight here abouts. We just want to know how to protect ourselves more."

With a quirk of a brow, Ewan considered the consequences and possibilities. "That is all? Just training."

"Well, Pincer will want something more monetary for his work, his our best man that earns his living by book binding. The training for the silence. Money for the effort." Compass held out his hand to bind the agreement.

And Ewan took it.

Just as Sylvia was tracing a nail along the edge to find an opening to the hidden note, Gwen's hand was upon her shoulder again from behind. Sylvia looked up, but upon her turning to the young girl, she saw the reason for the warning. She turned pages as if finding her place to start reading as Maelgwn and Lord Trevorsson entered the garden and approached. Rian was at the garden entrance, but when she entered her path took a different direction.

Sylvia watched the young woman, her head held high, catching furtive glances her way. There would be a conversation to be had, but not before the one that joined her among the leafing shrubs and trees. She curtsied to the approaching men as did Gwen, though Gwen slipped quietly away. "Good day to you, Your Majesty, my lord."

"Sylvia, Lord Siarl and I would like to help resolve this matter as soon as possible, and hopefully, avoid a trial."

Feeling no desire to play prettily in this game, Sylvia smirked, "It is you who started this, Maelgwn, not I. You should have thought through the outcomes of a trial before casting the name of traitor upon me."

Maelgwn did pause nor show any sign of capitulation, but he did lower his voice. "I had to show the northern land holders I still had strength, power, over Yransea."

"You do, my lord. Our fealty has never strayed, but your power has always been in working with us, not pressing us under foot. You think Cian will forget this? Do you think Keefe or any of the Yransea people will forget this?"

"My lady," Lord Siarl darted his words in before Maelgwn could reply, "I, we, understand the gravity of what has happened here and its long term repercussions. I ask that you listen to what we have to say in hopes to end this amicably and heal wounds fresh made."

"You brought a courtier, Maelgwn?" Sylvia smiled to the man, looking him over without derision, but no little skepticism. "You know me. Better to have had a mercenary by your side."

Both men chuckled, sharing glances, and Siarl rubbed at the sandy bush of his mustache. "Well, I was once one, my lady. Old days long gone by. Come, let us talk."

One raven brow rose but with a smile at the humor of it all, Sylvia nodded and they walked on to talk, as they said, but she only listened.