Marcello smiled and shook his head. "I think that happens today," he said, sounding relieved. "And then we can start getting back to normal. I have a lot to learn, if I'm really going to be a proper Earl."

"You're going to hate it," she said gleefully. "It's all a lot of that strictly-divided caste system stuff that you guys think you got rid of during the last Enlightenment. The best you can do is vow to be a kind and benevolent despot."

"I've noticed a bit of that," Marcello replied. "And I know I can't institute revolution. But I can at least try to use my position to make things better."

"Don't get involved in any land wars, don't try to keep the commoners out of the forest, don't try to mess with how the baronesses run their business unless it's like, really egregious." She raised an eyebrow. "Ask Niabheara to explain what a 'cnoch' originally was. Or better still, let Moira do it; she won't take three hours. Basically you're the county town."

"We're the place that was the only place when there was only land as far as the eye could see?" Marcello asked. "Oh, wait, there's still only land as far as the eye can see."

"What did you expect?" she said. "They haven't discovered coffee or organized religion yet. You're going to have to, like, commune with nature or some shit. Get naked, get drunk, and light shit on fire."

"Sounds like an exciting plan for an afternoon," Marcello told Scarlet cheerily. "I'll have to see what Niabheara thinks of it. So, no land wars means you agree we shouldn't get involved in this mess with the Oisins?"

"You might as well," she said. "Eventually someone's going to come gunning for you for killing off Eleanor. Nobody liked her. But they'll still have to kill you for it."

"Well, does it matter whether it's Dierdre Oisin or Duncan Oisin? Won't they all have to kill me?" Marcello asked. "Or does getting involved in a land war fix that?"

"Duncan's in a land-grab. You're in a clan war." Scarlet crossed her arms. "I told you, these people are crazy."