" Dochartaigh, isn't it. Your going to make an accounting of yourself and your going to do it right....you add a single skerrick to this mans woes and I will take it out of your hide."
" And you, I had it from Sheriff Brunn that your Loch Glendennig. You'll keep your mouth shut and speak nary a word."
He turned away from the two and regarded the others with a slight smirk that the lads couldn't see, " Anything to add?"
(Sorry for the long gap in posting, this will be a little disjointed to catch up. I won't disrupt the events that have transpired in the interim.)
Cainneach's instinctive reaction to Almeric, Ori, and Sheriff Brunn's collective suggestion to let matters lie for the night was to protest, for the job of dealing with the ghostly woman was far from finished. Men, some likely even good men, might still be at risk while watching over the grounds this night, or what little of it remained. The forester seemed about to speak, raising his hand in anticipation of delivering an impassioned plea to push onward in spite of their fatigue, but Cainneach suddenly found himself encircled by an anxiously pacing hound, clearly fatigued, pleading for a few hours of sleep with his master. The chorus of calls to turn in for the night and the departure of his adoring, teasing, beloved converged with Salt's entreaties to drive home just how weary he was. And of course, the thought of Famh snaking her way through the dank confines of the runnels, heading toward who knows what sort of peril and with little ability to escape or defend herself sent a shiver through him, colder even than Meadh's touch. With a beleaguered sigh, "Fine, we'll rest. I suppose you're right, we could all use it. Come on Salt, I'm sorry I've been running you 'round all day and night." He gives a short nod to the assemblage, then heads off to their room.
During breakfast, Cainneach is characteristically quiet. He is still not fully rested, nor fully settled upon the idea of leaving Marrowglen behind. It did seem likely that dragging the two remaining guilty lads away should leave this holding safer, but who knows what governs the vengeance of Meadh? Eating is slow, as the forester feels compelled to hold tight to Famh's hand under the table with one hand, while petting Salt with the other. Eventually, he manages to shovel a decent portion of the sustaining meal into his mouth and to subsequently gather his equipment and make ready for travel. Cainneach is relieved to see that Vardi seems recovered from her supernatural case of frostbite and that the rest of the party is none the worse for wear.
Upon reaching Bunessan, Cainneach has little to offer, as Almeric and Famh have both spoken wisely in their consideration of the meeting of the guilty and the aggrieved. He is, however, very interested to see how this little encounter goes. Salt, too, seems eager to hopefully have this matter come closer to a resolution.
Thatch wordlessly followed Ori back to their room and went back to bed. Surprisingly, he had no trouble falling fast asleep, the activities of the day catching up with him even as he comes to grips with what he had witnessed that evening. He was uncharacteristically quiet the remainder throughout breakfast and the first leg of their journey the next morning. He keeps his distance from the two lads they are escorting by ranging ahead of the party, alternating scouting duties with Cainneach and Salt.
As they reach Bunessan, Thatch hangs back with the others. “Aye, they should speak with the Father, may it give him some measure of peace.” He looks at the two and grumbles under his breath “I still say we should have let the spirit have them, I just hope it doesn’t follow us to exact its measure of revenge.”
Thatch will hang back during the meeting. He is eager to get back to Beltayne, between the vision of the lady in the moors and the spirit from last night, the cold North has unnerved him slightly. His hand pats the dried sprig of primrose, still pressed beneath his leathers.
(OOC: Apologies all for the extended absence. Things appear to be sorted out now and I will be a lot more responsive moving forward.)
"So we parade them by the old man to show we catch some for justice. I wouldn't let them speak, the old man might ask for closer like why and what is he gonna say? Lass drowned herself in a well? He would love to hear that, better then the alternative I suppose. Technically no one has seen the girl dead. We just found the clothing down the well and we see this ice ghost, we don't even know if ghosty even looks like the lass. Honestly woukd have like to resolve ghosty issues before making this march. Can't tell if the old timer would like to know how we think she's fighting back or be appalled by what we think she's become." Ori thinks for a bit. "Damn if we do, damn if we don't, can't win at losing at this point Aye?" Ori really had wished they could have finished it or been in hot pursuit of the ice figure the previous night, but with no leads and a target that can banish before thier eyes, what were they to do. He could tell the rest were amped up and ready to pursue, and his call to stand out wasn't probably popular, but what would they have chased, where would they look? All they would be is empty handed and exhausted. He hated not knowing what to look for or what to do next, he supposed that why he was interested in following Almeric in the first place. Ori never would have been a good ring leader, he was fine being a main attraction but the stress of leading wasn't worth the headache.
Famh isn't sure whether Thatch's remark was meant as a deliberate play on words. But given the urgent need the two lads stand in of ghostly counsel as well as legal, over and above the reckoning they owe to Meabh's actual father, she considers it a most witty observation indeed. And Ori's commentary seems to her a concise and well-worded summary of the issues and difficulties attendant on that reckoning. "Aye," she responds to both, "I'd say a talk wi' theFather o' this village for some counsel o' the Spirit wad dae thaim guid after they finish their accountin' tae Meabh's earthly father. But that talk is a little more here i' Thuland, Ori, than juist paradin' thaim before him to show we've caucht thaim.".
"They owe him galnes for her life, accordin tae the ancient code... ye woud ha' callit it weregild in Ellesland i' the auld days, as I believe Vardi's people dae e'en now.. And accordin' tae thon code he has the clear richt tae face thaim and speak on her behalf as her father, sae the laird can know the value o' her life and set as juist a fine and compensation for takin' it as mere human law can achieve. And the auld law is clear... e'en haed she been married, thon compensation wad still gae tae her father -- and her mother. if she's yet alive -- raither than her husband. ... ... Thouch payments for woundin' or insult dae gae tae him -- the husband, that is, as ... "
She suddenly realizes that she is about to go off upon a meandering exploration of a large portion of the Leges inter Madhos et Thullos, as the occupying Selentines had labelled the old code when their scribes first recorded it. She knew just enough history to chuckle at the ancient Selentine tendency to commit everything to writing rather than trusting to the strength of good human brains and tongues to pass things down as the filidhs had for the last several thousand years. But in this case she had to admit that it was thanks to an old forgotten vellum copy left behind in Fort Beltanus -- now Duke Carnasse' seat of Beltayn -- when the ancient Selentines withdrew, that King Dàibhidh had been able to reconstruct the best principles of the old Madhir code and marry it to the new understanding of justice that the New Selentine faith had brought to Thuland, His achievement two generations ago had produced the present Thulish legal code, also titled Leges inter Madhos et Thullos in honour of its ancient model and of the ancient ties between Thuland and Cornumbria. ... (There are also, of course, ancient ties between Thuland and the wild, shadow-haunted lands of Erewhon and Glissom, but the present Thulish king would prefer not to be reminded of those. As these ties have intimately involved the shadowy Clan Morrigan as well for a great deal of modern history, Famh and Cainneach would also more than likely prefer to forget them). ...
In any case, she draws her attention back with an effort and finishes, "Ye're quite richt aboot no wantin' thaim tae gae intae ower much detail aboot the lass' death thouch. I'm afraid thon means it'll be our responsibility tae break in and tak ower the story gin he daes ask thaim an' the story seems tae be wanderin' intaeower painful terrain." She raises her voice slightly at this point with another pointed, steady stare at Ice Lad. "O' course it wad be much easier for us tae judge gin a certain personage haednae seen fit tae stop us frae learnin' exactly whit did happen thon evenin'. Quite uselessly, as he'll have tae tell her father an then the duke ivery thin thing thon passit anyhou gin he wants any hope o' mercy frae anyone." She allows the silence to build to a perfect pitch of pressure and then observes ... apparently to the setting sun, but loudly enough to be heard by both lads. "I dinnae suppose anyone wants tae amend thon and finish the explanation here an nou, sae we can..., " she pauses to think of just the right phrasing, diplomatic but still cool and firm "... help thaim reduce the unpleasantness o' this meetin' for aw concerned?"
Sir Almeric gave Cainneach a tight smile and nod and grunted his agreement with Thatch as he moved forward. He paused as Ori spoke fixing him with a thoughtful look and a series of considered huffs of apparent like-mindedness.
Famhs words however brought him up, he regarded her carefully as one would a cornered animal and they could see his mind ticking over......
" Aye, ye've the right of it. Theres complications applenty.......but I for one am growing tired of playing nursemaid."
He nodded to Ori to grab Dochartaigh by the arm though he doubted the lad was up to resisting, then in a flurry of movement snatched up Loch Glendennig by an arm and growled into his ear, " Why don't you tell us exactly what happened, and don't bother yerself with making threats theres a hundred different perils between here and Beltayne that could take ye with none being the wiser...."
" Speak boy, or I'll leave you nailed to the wall of that shattered broch above as a gift for the wee lass."
Loch seemed at least a little thrown for the first time since they'd seen him even after his brush with death the previous night......his eyes went from one of the retinue to another as if searching for someone who would speak on his behalf, finding none he coiled again into sulleness.
" Its as the idiot said, we climbed the hill surprised the stupid girl and she......she tripped and fell and died....."
Cainneach watched the scene unfold with great interest. It had been some time since Almeric's authoritative side had shown and this circumstance certainly warranted its return. The question was, as glumly defeated as the Ice Lad appeared, was he sufficiently chastened to tell the whole truth?
Cainneach watched the scene unfold with great interest. It had been some time since Almeric's authoritative side had shown and this circumstance certainly warranted its return. The question was, as glumly defeated as the Ice Lad appeared, was he sufficiently chastened to tell the whole truth?
Cainneach watched the young man with the eyes of a hunter and noted the quarry was not defeated, rather he seemed wily as if hiding his true face behind a pretense of defeat.
Cainneach cleared his throat in an only slightly subtle manner, hoping to catch Almeric's attention. When the Capellar glanced his way, the forester quickly shook his head. It was likely that Almeric had reached the same conclusion, having doubtless been in many more situations like this than Cainneach, but on the off chance the knight missed this particular deception ...
Cainneach cleared his throat in an only slightly subtle manner, hoping to catch Almeric's attention. When the Capellar glanced his way, the forester quickly shook his head. It was likely that Almeric had reached the same conclusion, having doubtless been in many more situations like this than Cainneach, but on the off chance the knight missed this particular deception ...
Almeric blew a blast of air through his mustaches and marched up and punched Glendennig solidly in the gut, his eye fixed on Dochartaigh as he did so.
He stepped back, pausing in case any of the others wished to say something before looking expectantly at both the young men.
Famh looks on in some dismay as Sir Almeric rapidly escalates his methods to physical chastisement, but she says nothing. Given the reputation of his Order, she presumes that he has had to do much worse in the course of the routine interrogation of a Ta'ashim prisoner. But in the back of her mind there is a fear whispering that the Capellar's personality is being subtly influenced towards violence by the draugr drum riding in his pack. Those who take up the weapons of darkness to drive darkness back must ever beware of the shadows in their own souls, as Famh herself knows only too well. And yet he is also the knight she has sworn fealty and obedience to; though he has given his retinue great latitude in using their own judgement, she considers it imprudent at best to contradict him too openly unless she feels he is truly enmeshed by a power that is forcing him to act contrary to his best self. She is not nearly that certain at this point, but she has another worry also, having seen enough of Glendennig's demeanour to be concerned that such a direct approach might backfire and only drive him deeper into a sullen silence. If he was willing to be choked to death by a ghaist able to wield the full and terrible might of winter's cold rather than divulge what the retinue was pressing both lads to reveal now ...
All in all, she feels it is best at this point to step forward and play good bailiff to Sir Almeric's stern shire reeve. "Nou ye see, if ye'd answered my question fully and freely when it was first asked, the good Capellar would no have had to be involvit." She bears down hard on the name of Sir Almeric's order, hoping that either or both lads will have heard enough rumours about them to bolster their desire to not draw any more of the knight's attention than absolutely necessary. But then she smiles as sweetly as only the half-fae or the half-mad know how, and concludes, "A really dinnae want this tae be any more unpleasant than needs. And aw we want is the truth thon the wisdom of old says will oot anyhou. It cannae be any worse than whit we already suspect; sae ye wonae be convicting yerselves o' anything new. And gin ye werenae the monsters we think, it touches yer honour an thon o' yer kin tae tell us whit truly passit. But dinnae think ye can lie an get awa' wi't... ye've juist haed experience o' hou sharp the guid Sir's e'en are in detectin' deceptions o' thon sort."
===***===
(I can see this either as Sir Almeric's Intimidation with Help from Famh, or Famh's Persuasion with Help from Sir Almeric. I would consider it rude at best in me as a player to roll the former without permission; if you judge it as being the latter...
Persuasion (oh come on, Glendennig. Ye came across yon lass an' juist like thon, wi' naething thon ye did or said, she juist happenit tae trip an fall i' the abandonit well o' an ancient broch ten chains awa' frae the road. Pull the other ane, it ha' bells onae... )17
Something seems to recur to Famh's memory shortly after her 'good bailiff' intervention, and her e'en grow harder again. She waits to see if her companions have anything to contribute and then pierces Ice Lad with a look whose coldness matches his own. "And if ye're hesitatin' while ye come up wi' anither lee, ye micht want to remember t'next time tae at least TRY tae explain hou the lass cam tae clour her heid on t' high lintel o' t' doorway in the coorse o' trippin' and fallin' doon a well in deid center o' t'broch. 'Tis an awfu' lang stretch tae mak' credulity reel across." Her expression as she continues to regard him steadily indicates that the mercy she was earlier disposed to show in no way signaled any improvement in her basic opinion of him, and is now nearly at its full stretch.
"Because if ye insult our intelligence that brazenly again I'm sure the whole retinue woud be mair than happy to turn our backs and scout the area for our knicht while he has anither wee private chat wi' ye. Whereas a lee wi' some thoucht and care in it will at least get ye turned ower to the Kingswoman yon." She indicates Vardi with a comprehensive wave that takes in her full four-cubit-tall form in one gesture. "I'd hope she's no feelin' too many regrets ower savin' yer foutie life when ye turnit oot tae be sic a bamstick as tae expect us tae believe yer tale o' a simple accident that ye puir innocent lambs niver meant tae cause and coud dae nithing tae prevent. But o' coorse that's her ain affair."
"I do ken, thouch, that they're baith as fond o' the honest and truly forthcomin' truth as I am." One raised eyebrow indicates to the lad, if he has any sense at all which Famh is at this point mightily unsure of, that she is not jesting in the least and that this is something in the nature of a final warning.
Almeric blew a blast of air through his mustaches and marched up and punched Glendennig solidly in the gut, his eye fixed on Dochartaigh as he did so.
He stepped back, pausing in case any of the others wished to say something before looking expectantly at both the young men.
Cainneach winces along with Glendennig when the Capellar's stony fist slams into the rake's midsection. While the forester didn't share Almeric's apparent enthusiasm for violence, in this case it seemed a fraction of either what Glendennig deserved or what Meadh endured with her demise. Cainneach only wished that one of the two captives would have the good sense to confess. Even if an admission leads to their death, at least there would be a portion of honour remaining in it and the poor father would gain some closure.
Famh seems to be of the same mind, as she takes a persuasive tack, in contrast to Almeric's more concise expression. Cainneach finds his beloved's chiding and pleading to be more palatable, though he is not yet convinced it will be more effective.
Ori walks a good distance away with the younger lad do that they couldn't really make out what the others were saying. "Now let's try this again, Dochartaigh was it? You see the Sir over there, well he doesn't take well to being tried to be made a fool of." Watching the glare Almeric gave the lad as he doubled over the other, not a bad swing for an armored hand. Ori put a big hand over the lads shoulder and let the weight of big arm weigh on him. "Your friend there, well sone folks need more convincing then others to get to the point. But you seem like a smart lad, smart enough at least to know when the truth is the only thing to keep you alive long enough to amend your ways, aye? So I'm only going to ask this one time before the sir wants to talk to you, tell me what happened in full at that well and don't leave any bull out of it."
Thatch huffs and rolls his eyes as the boy tells their story. He catches the sideways look between Cainneach and Ser Almeric and the following punch to the lad’s midsection. He shakes his head sadly as Ori leads one of the boys off to the side. “You all need to do better than that. If you be making up stories to the old man, it will not go well for you.”
Sir Almeric gave Cainneach a tight smile and nod and grunted his agreement with Thatch as he moved forward. He paused as Ori spoke fixing him with a thoughtful look and a series of considered huffs of apparent like-mindedness.
Famhs words however brought him up, he regarded her carefully as one would a cornered animal and they could see his mind ticking over......
" Aye, ye've the right of it. Theres complications applenty.......but I for one am growing tired of playing nursemaid."
He nodded to Ori to grab Dochartaigh by the arm though he doubted the lad was up to resisting, then in a flurry of movement snatched up Loch Glendennig by an arm and growled into his ear, " Why don't you tell us exactly what happened, and don't bother yerself with making threats theres a hundred different perils between here and Beltayne that could take ye with none being the wiser...."
" Speak boy, or I'll leave you nailed to the wall of that shattered broch above as a gift for the wee lass."
Loch seemed at least a little thrown for the first time since they'd seen him even after his brush with death the previous night......his eyes went from one of the retinue to another as if searching for someone who would speak on his behalf, finding none he coiled again into sulleness.
" Its as the idiot said, we climbed the hill surprised the stupid girl and she......she tripped and fell and died....."
Cainneach watched the scene unfold with great interest. It had been some time since Almeric's authoritative side had shown and this circumstance certainly warranted its return. The question was, as glumly defeated as the Ice Lad appeared, was he sufficiently chastened to tell the whole truth?
Cainneach watched the scene unfold with great interest. It had been some time since Almeric's authoritative side had shown and this circumstance certainly warranted its return. The question was, as glumly defeated as the Ice Lad appeared, was he sufficiently chastened to tell the whole truth?
Cainneach watched the young man with the eyes of a hunter and noted the quarry was not defeated, rather he seemed wily as if hiding his true face behind a pretense of defeat.
Cainneach cleared his throat in an only slightly subtle manner, hoping to catch Almeric's attention. When the Capellar glanced his way, the forester quickly shook his head. It was likely that Almeric had reached the same conclusion, having doubtless been in many more situations like this than Cainneach, but on the off chance the knight missed this particular deception ...
Cainneach cleared his throat in an only slightly subtle manner, hoping to catch Almeric's attention. When the Capellar glanced his way, the forester quickly shook his head. It was likely that Almeric had reached the same conclusion, having doubtless been in many more situations like this than Cainneach, but on the off chance the knight missed this particular deception ...
Almeric blew a blast of air through his mustaches and marched up and punched Glendennig solidly in the gut, his eye fixed on Dochartaigh as he did so.
He stepped back, pausing in case any of the others wished to say something before looking expectantly at both the young men.
Famh looks on in some dismay as Sir Almeric rapidly escalates his methods to physical chastisement, but she says nothing. Given the reputation of his Order, she presumes that he has had to do much worse in the course of the routine interrogation of a Ta'ashim prisoner. But in the back of her mind there is a fear whispering that the Capellar's personality is being subtly influenced towards violence by the draugr drum riding in his pack. Those who take up the weapons of darkness to drive darkness back must ever beware of the shadows in their own souls, as Famh herself knows only too well. And yet he is also the knight she has sworn fealty and obedience to; though he has given his retinue great latitude in using their own judgement, she considers it imprudent at best to contradict him too openly unless she feels he is truly enmeshed by a power that is forcing him to act contrary to his best self. She is not nearly that certain at this point, but she has another worry also, having seen enough of Glendennig's demeanour to be concerned that such a direct approach might backfire and only drive him deeper into a sullen silence. If he was willing to be choked to death by a ghaist able to wield the full and terrible might of winter's cold rather than divulge what the retinue was pressing both lads to reveal now ...
All in all, she feels it is best at this point to step forward and play good bailiff to Sir Almeric's stern shire reeve. "Nou ye see, if ye'd answered my question fully and freely when it was first asked, the good Capellar would no have had to be involvit." She bears down hard on the name of Sir Almeric's order, hoping that either or both lads will have heard enough rumours about them to bolster their desire to not draw any more of the knight's attention than absolutely necessary. But then she smiles as sweetly as only the half-fae or the half-mad know how, and concludes, "A really dinnae want this tae be any more unpleasant than needs. And aw we want is the truth thon the wisdom of old says will oot anyhou. It cannae be any worse than whit we already suspect; sae ye wonae be convicting yerselves o' anything new. And gin ye werenae the monsters we think, it touches yer honour an thon o' yer kin tae tell us whit truly passit. But dinnae think ye can lie an get awa' wi't... ye've juist haed experience o' hou sharp the guid Sir's e'en are in detectin' deceptions o' thon sort."
===***===
(I can see this either as Sir Almeric's Intimidation with Help from Famh, or Famh's Persuasion with Help from Sir Almeric. I would consider it rude at best in me as a player to roll the former without permission; if you judge it as being the latter...
Persuasion (oh come on, Glendennig. Ye came across yon lass an' juist like thon, wi' naething thon ye did or said, she juist happenit tae trip an fall i' the abandonit well o' an ancient broch ten chains awa' frae the road. Pull the other ane, it ha' bells onae... )17
Something seems to recur to Famh's memory shortly after her 'good bailiff' intervention, and her e'en grow harder again. She waits to see if her companions have anything to contribute and then pierces Ice Lad with a look whose coldness matches his own. "And if ye're hesitatin' while ye come up wi' anither lee, ye micht want to remember t'next time tae at least TRY tae explain hou the lass cam tae clour her heid on t' high lintel o' t' doorway in the coorse o' trippin' and fallin' doon a well in deid center o' t'broch. 'Tis an awfu' lang stretch tae mak' credulity reel across." Her expression as she continues to regard him steadily indicates that the mercy she was earlier disposed to show in no way signaled any improvement in her basic opinion of him, and is now nearly at its full stretch.
"Because if ye insult our intelligence that brazenly again I'm sure the whole retinue woud be mair than happy to turn our backs and scout the area for our knicht while he has anither wee private chat wi' ye. Whereas a lee wi' some thoucht and care in it will at least get ye turned ower to the Kingswoman yon." She indicates Vardi with a comprehensive wave that takes in her full four-cubit-tall form in one gesture. "I'd hope she's no feelin' too many regrets ower savin' yer foutie life when ye turnit oot tae be sic a bamstick as tae expect us tae believe yer tale o' a simple accident that ye puir innocent lambs niver meant tae cause and coud dae nithing tae prevent. But o' coorse that's her ain affair."
"I do ken, thouch, that they're baith as fond o' the honest and truly forthcomin' truth as I am." One raised eyebrow indicates to the lad, if he has any sense at all which Famh is at this point mightily unsure of, that she is not jesting in the least and that this is something in the nature of a final warning.
Almeric blew a blast of air through his mustaches and marched up and punched Glendennig solidly in the gut, his eye fixed on Dochartaigh as he did so.
He stepped back, pausing in case any of the others wished to say something before looking expectantly at both the young men.
Cainneach winces along with Glendennig when the Capellar's stony fist slams into the rake's midsection. While the forester didn't share Almeric's apparent enthusiasm for violence, in this case it seemed a fraction of either what Glendennig deserved or what Meadh endured with her demise. Cainneach only wished that one of the two captives would have the good sense to confess. Even if an admission leads to their death, at least there would be a portion of honour remaining in it and the poor father would gain some closure.
Famh seems to be of the same mind, as she takes a persuasive tack, in contrast to Almeric's more concise expression. Cainneach finds his beloved's chiding and pleading to be more palatable, though he is not yet convinced it will be more effective.
Ori walks a good distance away with the younger lad do that they couldn't really make out what the others were saying. "Now let's try this again, Dochartaigh was it? You see the Sir over there, well he doesn't take well to being tried to be made a fool of." Watching the glare Almeric gave the lad as he doubled over the other, not a bad swing for an armored hand. Ori put a big hand over the lads shoulder and let the weight of big arm weigh on him. "Your friend there, well sone folks need more convincing then others to get to the point. But you seem like a smart lad, smart enough at least to know when the truth is the only thing to keep you alive long enough to amend your ways, aye? So I'm only going to ask this one time before the sir wants to talk to you, tell me what happened in full at that well and don't leave any bull out of it."
Thatch huffs and rolls his eyes as the boy tells their story. He catches the sideways look between Cainneach and Ser Almeric and the following punch to the lad’s midsection. He shakes his head sadly as Ori leads one of the boys off to the side. “You all need to do better than that. If you be making up stories to the old man, it will not go well for you.”
Famhs words obviously have an impact, as does Almerics fist, a Famh gets the distinct impression that the youngster wants to say quite a lot at this moment but is keeping his tongue behind his teeth in a very purposeful manner......his eyes are another matter entirely....he seems to hold no wrath for Sir Almeric, indeed he takes the punch better than expected perhaps used to such treatment, but his eyes upon Fahm bristle with contempt tempered only when he takes in Cainneachs proximity, but when Famh indicates Vardi they take on a glean of utter loathing and disgust that she has trouble recalling ever seeing its like previously.
He merely spits bloody phlegm onto the ground near Famhs feet in response.....
In contrast the display and Oris ( and perhaps Thatchs, words and more familial demeanour seem to have the intended effect on Dochartaigh who begins running at the mouth.....
" Like I said other night, we was camped for a spell in brush and then we hear something uphill so Macflurchair and Fraser they was in the lead up hill, and they seen this lass wit them coos. Fraser spooked her and she lit off up the hill like her tail was on fire...and we laughed cos it were funny seeing her bolt off like so.....ye ken?"
" I was thinking thats that.....but then Loch marked where she was headed and he said we'd have a bit more fun......Fraser was in straight and Macflurchair shrugged and I went along .....like you do..."
" So we track her up hill an she's hiding in the old broch, so we're outside just banging on the stones and she's wailing and saying go away and well feart.....and I'm feeling a little strange doing this now but the others are still going so.....and Loch gets this look and nudges Macflurchair and they move round to the entry......me and Fraser not too far behind cos.....I dinnae....it was...fun..."
Then Loch tells her to haud yer wheesh and theres naught near can help her and she goes all quiet like and moves back behind well....and me and Fraser look at each other but the other two are already in after her......and Loch says she's gonna show us a good time on account of us protecting her people and she starts up saying nae again and again and Macflurchair makes a lunge for her....Fraser tries to stop her.....I....I stepped back.....I swear I did. I swear I did.....but Loch he darts up and hauls her off her feet and her head comes down on the rock and she's lying there and I'm just stood there and Fraser looks poleaxed....Macflurchair is swearing at her and Loch....he just squats down over her and looks at her up real close then gets this weird smile.....I tell you it set my soul to ice it did....."
" But.....thats nae the worst....what I did is the worst.....the other three are talking about making a run for it.... Fraser is in a panic....Macflurchair starts legging it but that daft bull shoves his head in door and Macflurchair crowns him one across the face with his blade and the coo legs it....then Loch says we should dump her down well and t'other two agree..and I say nothing cos I'm too feart. They pick her up and carry her over to well wit a stone wrapped in her dress......and I........God will nae forgive me I know.....she moved....one of her eyes opened slightly and her fingers reached out to me......but I said naught......I was.....I dinnae.........and then they cast her down."
" And we stood about for a bit......and Fraser threw up....and Macflurchair was white as a sheet.......and Loch looked.....happy.......first time I'd ever seen him smile......."
" And the rest ye know."
He looked up at Ori but his eyes caught Lochs across the way and those eyes promised slow death.....
" Yer best ta leave us here.......he'll put paid to me and she to him and that'll be right.", Dochartaigh sank to his knees.
" I dinnae want ta burn forever.....but its what I deserve."
Famh's lips go thin and hard as she hears the full story; but at the end she nods. "We were feared it was something like that. But ... I dinna ken about ye're being the worst o' ye four. At least ye're no the one who took the most delight in't. Beyond that ... it's no for us to say. That word lies with Sir Almeric under the Duke's commission. I for one am glad I needna judge ye ... ye can understand its a hard thing for any woman to forgive."
Seeming not to notice Loch Glendennig's bloody spittle in front of her, she takes a step forward to address Sir Almeric directly and just happens to press it into the dust of the road under the soles her well-tanned feòrag leather brogues. "Unless, o' course, ye think fit to order me to take that role, Ser. Ye are my liege commander, in the end." Then she gives him a crisp salute and turns on her heel to rejoin Cainneach and slip her arm around under his shoulders to both give and seek reassurance. Purely by coincidence, the pirouette grinds a small ball of bloody clay under her heel into an insignificantly thin and flattened wafer in the part of this ancient thoroughfare most traveled by droves. If she can find a pile of cow dung to mingle it with, so much the better. After this she draws her beloved close and falls silent for a moment. Then she draws a deep breath and adds ... whether continuing her remark to Sir Almeric or musing aloud to the retinue in general, no one is quite sure -- "Wi' a tale like that though, ... hou can it possibly be stripped down enouch to no break a father's heart anyway?" She falls into a moody silence, having no immediate answer to her own question.
Almeric nodded, " Thats my feeling also."
" You two, form up."
" Dochartaigh, isn't it. Your going to make an accounting of yourself and your going to do it right....you add a single skerrick to this mans woes and I will take it out of your hide."
" And you, I had it from Sheriff Brunn that your Loch Glendennig. You'll keep your mouth shut and speak nary a word."
He turned away from the two and regarded the others with a slight smirk that the lads couldn't see, " Anything to add?"
(Sorry for the long gap in posting, this will be a little disjointed to catch up. I won't disrupt the events that have transpired in the interim.)
Cainneach's instinctive reaction to Almeric, Ori, and Sheriff Brunn's collective suggestion to let matters lie for the night was to protest, for the job of dealing with the ghostly woman was far from finished. Men, some likely even good men, might still be at risk while watching over the grounds this night, or what little of it remained. The forester seemed about to speak, raising his hand in anticipation of delivering an impassioned plea to push onward in spite of their fatigue, but Cainneach suddenly found himself encircled by an anxiously pacing hound, clearly fatigued, pleading for a few hours of sleep with his master. The chorus of calls to turn in for the night and the departure of his adoring, teasing, beloved converged with Salt's entreaties to drive home just how weary he was. And of course, the thought of Famh snaking her way through the dank confines of the runnels, heading toward who knows what sort of peril and with little ability to escape or defend herself sent a shiver through him, colder even than Meadh's touch. With a beleaguered sigh, "Fine, we'll rest. I suppose you're right, we could all use it. Come on Salt, I'm sorry I've been running you 'round all day and night." He gives a short nod to the assemblage, then heads off to their room.
During breakfast, Cainneach is characteristically quiet. He is still not fully rested, nor fully settled upon the idea of leaving Marrowglen behind. It did seem likely that dragging the two remaining guilty lads away should leave this holding safer, but who knows what governs the vengeance of Meadh? Eating is slow, as the forester feels compelled to hold tight to Famh's hand under the table with one hand, while petting Salt with the other. Eventually, he manages to shovel a decent portion of the sustaining meal into his mouth and to subsequently gather his equipment and make ready for travel. Cainneach is relieved to see that Vardi seems recovered from her supernatural case of frostbite and that the rest of the party is none the worse for wear.
Upon reaching Bunessan, Cainneach has little to offer, as Almeric and Famh have both spoken wisely in their consideration of the meeting of the guilty and the aggrieved. He is, however, very interested to see how this little encounter goes. Salt, too, seems eager to hopefully have this matter come closer to a resolution.
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Thatch wordlessly followed Ori back to their room and went back to bed. Surprisingly, he had no trouble falling fast asleep, the activities of the day catching up with him even as he comes to grips with what he had witnessed that evening. He was uncharacteristically quiet the remainder throughout breakfast and the first leg of their journey the next morning. He keeps his distance from the two lads they are escorting by ranging ahead of the party, alternating scouting duties with Cainneach and Salt.
As they reach Bunessan, Thatch hangs back with the others. “Aye, they should speak with the Father, may it give him some measure of peace.” He looks at the two and grumbles under his breath “I still say we should have let the spirit have them, I just hope it doesn’t follow us to exact its measure of revenge.”
Thatch will hang back during the meeting. He is eager to get back to Beltayne, between the vision of the lady in the moors and the spirit from last night, the cold North has unnerved him slightly. His hand pats the dried sprig of primrose, still pressed beneath his leathers.
(OOC: Apologies all for the extended absence. Things appear to be sorted out now and I will be a lot more responsive moving forward.)
"So we parade them by the old man to show we catch some for justice. I wouldn't let them speak, the old man might ask for closer like why and what is he gonna say? Lass drowned herself in a well? He would love to hear that, better then the alternative I suppose. Technically no one has seen the girl dead. We just found the clothing down the well and we see this ice ghost, we don't even know if ghosty even looks like the lass. Honestly woukd have like to resolve ghosty issues before making this march. Can't tell if the old timer would like to know how we think she's fighting back or be appalled by what we think she's become." Ori thinks for a bit. "Damn if we do, damn if we don't, can't win at losing at this point Aye?" Ori really had wished they could have finished it or been in hot pursuit of the ice figure the previous night, but with no leads and a target that can banish before thier eyes, what were they to do. He could tell the rest were amped up and ready to pursue, and his call to stand out wasn't probably popular, but what would they have chased, where would they look? All they would be is empty handed and exhausted. He hated not knowing what to look for or what to do next, he supposed that why he was interested in following Almeric in the first place. Ori never would have been a good ring leader, he was fine being a main attraction but the stress of leading wasn't worth the headache.
Famh isn't sure whether Thatch's remark was meant as a deliberate play on words. But given the urgent need the two lads stand in of ghostly counsel as well as legal, over and above the reckoning they owe to Meabh's actual father, she considers it a most witty observation indeed. And Ori's commentary seems to her a concise and well-worded summary of the issues and difficulties attendant on that reckoning. "Aye," she responds to both, "I'd say a talk wi' the Father o' this village for some counsel o' the Spirit wad dae thaim guid after they finish their accountin' tae Meabh's earthly father. But that talk is a little more here i' Thuland, Ori, than juist paradin' thaim before him to show we've caucht thaim.".
"They owe him galnes for her life, accordin tae the ancient code... ye woud ha' callit it weregild in Ellesland i' the auld days, as I believe Vardi's people dae e'en now.. And accordin' tae thon code he has the clear richt tae face thaim and speak on her behalf as her father, sae the laird can know the value o' her life and set as juist a fine and compensation for takin' it as mere human law can achieve. And the auld law is clear... e'en haed she been married, thon compensation wad still gae tae her father -- and her mother. if she's yet alive -- raither than her husband. ... ... Thouch payments for woundin' or insult dae gae tae him -- the husband, that is, as ... "
She suddenly realizes that she is about to go off upon a meandering exploration of a large portion of the Leges inter Madhos et Thullos, as the occupying Selentines had labelled the old code when their scribes first recorded it. She knew just enough history to chuckle at the ancient Selentine tendency to commit everything to writing rather than trusting to the strength of good human brains and tongues to pass things down as the filidhs had for the last several thousand years. But in this case she had to admit that it was thanks to an old forgotten vellum copy left behind in Fort Beltanus -- now Duke Carnasse' seat of Beltayn -- when the ancient Selentines withdrew, that King Dàibhidh had been able to reconstruct the best principles of the old Madhir code and marry it to the new understanding of justice that the New Selentine faith had brought to Thuland, His achievement two generations ago had produced the present Thulish legal code, also titled Leges inter Madhos et Thullos in honour of its ancient model and of the ancient ties between Thuland and Cornumbria. ... (There are also, of course, ancient ties between Thuland and the wild, shadow-haunted lands of Erewhon and Glissom, but the present Thulish king would prefer not to be reminded of those. As these ties have intimately involved the shadowy Clan Morrigan as well for a great deal of modern history, Famh and Cainneach would also more than likely prefer to forget them). ...
In any case, she draws her attention back with an effort and finishes, "Ye're quite richt aboot no wantin' thaim tae gae intae ower much detail aboot the lass' death thouch. I'm afraid thon means it'll be our responsibility tae break in and tak ower the story gin he daes ask thaim an' the story seems tae be wanderin' intaeower painful terrain." She raises her voice slightly at this point with another pointed, steady stare at Ice Lad. "O' course it wad be much easier for us tae judge gin a certain personage haednae seen fit tae stop us frae learnin' exactly whit did happen thon evenin'. Quite uselessly, as he'll have tae tell her father an then the duke ivery thin thing thon passit anyhou gin he wants any hope o' mercy frae anyone." She allows the silence to build to a perfect pitch of pressure and then observes ... apparently to the setting sun, but loudly enough to be heard by both lads. "I dinnae suppose anyone wants tae amend thon and finish the explanation here an nou, sae we can..., " she pauses to think of just the right phrasing, diplomatic but still cool and firm "... help thaim reduce the unpleasantness o' this meetin' for aw concerned?"
===***===
Persuasion 15
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Sir Almeric gave Cainneach a tight smile and nod and grunted his agreement with Thatch as he moved forward. He paused as Ori spoke fixing him with a thoughtful look and a series of considered huffs of apparent like-mindedness.
Famhs words however brought him up, he regarded her carefully as one would a cornered animal and they could see his mind ticking over......
" Aye, ye've the right of it. Theres complications applenty.......but I for one am growing tired of playing nursemaid."
He nodded to Ori to grab Dochartaigh by the arm though he doubted the lad was up to resisting, then in a flurry of movement snatched up Loch Glendennig by an arm and growled into his ear, " Why don't you tell us exactly what happened, and don't bother yerself with making threats theres a hundred different perils between here and Beltayne that could take ye with none being the wiser...."
" Speak boy, or I'll leave you nailed to the wall of that shattered broch above as a gift for the wee lass."
Loch seemed at least a little thrown for the first time since they'd seen him even after his brush with death the previous night......his eyes went from one of the retinue to another as if searching for someone who would speak on his behalf, finding none he coiled again into sulleness.
" Its as the idiot said, we climbed the hill surprised the stupid girl and she......she tripped and fell and died....."
Cainneach watched the scene unfold with great interest. It had been some time since Almeric's authoritative side had shown and this circumstance certainly warranted its return. The question was, as glumly defeated as the Ice Lad appeared, was he sufficiently chastened to tell the whole truth?
Insight 19
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Cainneach watched the young man with the eyes of a hunter and noted the quarry was not defeated, rather he seemed wily as if hiding his true face behind a pretense of defeat.
Cainneach cleared his throat in an only slightly subtle manner, hoping to catch Almeric's attention. When the Capellar glanced his way, the forester quickly shook his head. It was likely that Almeric had reached the same conclusion, having doubtless been in many more situations like this than Cainneach, but on the off chance the knight missed this particular deception ...
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Almeric blew a blast of air through his mustaches and marched up and punched Glendennig solidly in the gut, his eye fixed on Dochartaigh as he did so.
He stepped back, pausing in case any of the others wished to say something before looking expectantly at both the young men.
Famh looks on in some dismay as Sir Almeric rapidly escalates his methods to physical chastisement, but she says nothing. Given the reputation of his Order, she presumes that he has had to do much worse in the course of the routine interrogation of a Ta'ashim prisoner. But in the back of her mind there is a fear whispering that the Capellar's personality is being subtly influenced towards violence by the draugr drum riding in his pack. Those who take up the weapons of darkness to drive darkness back must ever beware of the shadows in their own souls, as Famh herself knows only too well. And yet he is also the knight she has sworn fealty and obedience to; though he has given his retinue great latitude in using their own judgement, she considers it imprudent at best to contradict him too openly unless she feels he is truly enmeshed by a power that is forcing him to act contrary to his best self. She is not nearly that certain at this point, but she has another worry also, having seen enough of Glendennig's demeanour to be concerned that such a direct approach might backfire and only drive him deeper into a sullen silence. If he was willing to be choked to death by a ghaist able to wield the full and terrible might of winter's cold rather than divulge what the retinue was pressing both lads to reveal now ...
All in all, she feels it is best at this point to step forward and play good bailiff to Sir Almeric's stern shire reeve. "Nou ye see, if ye'd answered my question fully and freely when it was first asked, the good Capellar would no have had to be involvit." She bears down hard on the name of Sir Almeric's order, hoping that either or both lads will have heard enough rumours about them to bolster their desire to not draw any more of the knight's attention than absolutely necessary. But then she smiles as sweetly as only the half-fae or the half-mad know how, and concludes, "A really dinnae want this tae be any more unpleasant than needs. And aw we want is the truth thon the wisdom of old says will oot anyhou. It cannae be any worse than whit we already suspect; sae ye wonae be convicting yerselves o' anything new. And gin ye werenae the monsters we think, it touches yer honour an thon o' yer kin tae tell us whit truly passit. But dinnae think ye can lie an get awa' wi't... ye've juist haed experience o' hou sharp the guid Sir's e'en are in detectin' deceptions o' thon sort."
===***===
(I can see this either as Sir Almeric's Intimidation with Help from Famh, or Famh's Persuasion with Help from Sir Almeric. I would consider it rude at best in me as a player to roll the former without permission; if you judge it as being the latter...
Persuasion (oh come on, Glendennig. Ye came across yon lass an' juist like thon, wi' naething thon ye did or said, she juist happenit tae trip an fall i' the abandonit well o' an ancient broch ten chains awa' frae the road. Pull the other ane, it ha' bells onae... ) 17
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Something seems to recur to Famh's memory shortly after her 'good bailiff' intervention, and her e'en grow harder again. She waits to see if her companions have anything to contribute and then pierces Ice Lad with a look whose coldness matches his own. "And if ye're hesitatin' while ye come up wi' anither lee, ye micht want to remember t'next time tae at least TRY tae explain hou the lass cam tae clour her heid on t' high lintel o' t' doorway in the coorse o' trippin' and fallin' doon a well in deid center o' t'broch. 'Tis an awfu' lang stretch tae mak' credulity reel across." Her expression as she continues to regard him steadily indicates that the mercy she was earlier disposed to show in no way signaled any improvement in her basic opinion of him, and is now nearly at its full stretch.
"Because if ye insult our intelligence that brazenly again I'm sure the whole retinue woud be mair than happy to turn our backs and scout the area for our knicht while he has anither wee private chat wi' ye. Whereas a lee wi' some thoucht and care in it will at least get ye turned ower to the Kingswoman yon." She indicates Vardi with a comprehensive wave that takes in her full four-cubit-tall form in one gesture. "I'd hope she's no feelin' too many regrets ower savin' yer foutie life when ye turnit oot tae be sic a bamstick as tae expect us tae believe yer tale o' a simple accident that ye puir innocent lambs niver meant tae cause and coud dae nithing tae prevent. But o' coorse that's her ain affair."
"I do ken, thouch, that they're baith as fond o' the honest and truly forthcomin' truth as I am." One raised eyebrow indicates to the lad, if he has any sense at all which Famh is at this point mightily unsure of, that she is not jesting in the least and that this is something in the nature of a final warning.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Cainneach winces along with Glendennig when the Capellar's stony fist slams into the rake's midsection. While the forester didn't share Almeric's apparent enthusiasm for violence, in this case it seemed a fraction of either what Glendennig deserved or what Meadh endured with her demise. Cainneach only wished that one of the two captives would have the good sense to confess. Even if an admission leads to their death, at least there would be a portion of honour remaining in it and the poor father would gain some closure.
Famh seems to be of the same mind, as she takes a persuasive tack, in contrast to Almeric's more concise expression. Cainneach finds his beloved's chiding and pleading to be more palatable, though he is not yet convinced it will be more effective.
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
Ori walks a good distance away with the younger lad do that they couldn't really make out what the others were saying. "Now let's try this again, Dochartaigh was it? You see the Sir over there, well he doesn't take well to being tried to be made a fool of." Watching the glare Almeric gave the lad as he doubled over the other, not a bad swing for an armored hand. Ori put a big hand over the lads shoulder and let the weight of big arm weigh on him. "Your friend there, well sone folks need more convincing then others to get to the point. But you seem like a smart lad, smart enough at least to know when the truth is the only thing to keep you alive long enough to amend your ways, aye? So I'm only going to ask this one time before the sir wants to talk to you, tell me what happened in full at that well and don't leave any bull out of it."
Ori persuasion: 16 (advantage from mask)
(OOC: I knew Ori would speak up for the poor bull LOL ... )
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
Thatch huffs and rolls his eyes as the boy tells their story. He catches the sideways look between Cainneach and Ser Almeric and the following punch to the lad’s midsection. He shakes his head sadly as Ori leads one of the boys off to the side. “You all need to do better than that. If you be making up stories to the old man, it will not go well for you.”
Famhs words obviously have an impact, as does Almerics fist, a Famh gets the distinct impression that the youngster wants to say quite a lot at this moment but is keeping his tongue behind his teeth in a very purposeful manner......his eyes are another matter entirely....he seems to hold no wrath for Sir Almeric, indeed he takes the punch better than expected perhaps used to such treatment, but his eyes upon Fahm bristle with contempt tempered only when he takes in Cainneachs proximity, but when Famh indicates Vardi they take on a glean of utter loathing and disgust that she has trouble recalling ever seeing its like previously.
He merely spits bloody phlegm onto the ground near Famhs feet in response.....
In contrast the display and Oris ( and perhaps Thatchs, words and more familial demeanour seem to have the intended effect on Dochartaigh who begins running at the mouth.....
" Like I said other night, we was camped for a spell in brush and then we hear something uphill so Macflurchair and Fraser they was in the lead up hill, and they seen this lass wit them coos. Fraser spooked her and she lit off up the hill like her tail was on fire...and we laughed cos it were funny seeing her bolt off like so.....ye ken?"
" I was thinking thats that.....but then Loch marked where she was headed and he said we'd have a bit more fun......Fraser was in straight and Macflurchair shrugged and I went along .....like you do..."
" So we track her up hill an she's hiding in the old broch, so we're outside just banging on the stones and she's wailing and saying go away and well feart.....and I'm feeling a little strange doing this now but the others are still going so.....and Loch gets this look and nudges Macflurchair and they move round to the entry......me and Fraser not too far behind cos.....I dinnae....it was...fun..."
Then Loch tells her to haud yer wheesh and theres naught near can help her and she goes all quiet like and moves back behind well....and me and Fraser look at each other but the other two are already in after her......and Loch says she's gonna show us a good time on account of us protecting her people and she starts up saying nae again and again and Macflurchair makes a lunge for her....Fraser tries to stop her.....I....I stepped back.....I swear I did. I swear I did.....but Loch he darts up and hauls her off her feet and her head comes down on the rock and she's lying there and I'm just stood there and Fraser looks poleaxed....Macflurchair is swearing at her and Loch....he just squats down over her and looks at her up real close then gets this weird smile.....I tell you it set my soul to ice it did....."
" But.....thats nae the worst....what I did is the worst.....the other three are talking about making a run for it.... Fraser is in a panic....Macflurchair starts legging it but that daft bull shoves his head in door and Macflurchair crowns him one across the face with his blade and the coo legs it....then Loch says we should dump her down well and t'other two agree..and I say nothing cos I'm too feart. They pick her up and carry her over to well wit a stone wrapped in her dress......and I........God will nae forgive me I know.....she moved....one of her eyes opened slightly and her fingers reached out to me......but I said naught......I was.....I dinnae.........and then they cast her down."
" And we stood about for a bit......and Fraser threw up....and Macflurchair was white as a sheet.......and Loch looked.....happy.......first time I'd ever seen him smile......."
" And the rest ye know."
He looked up at Ori but his eyes caught Lochs across the way and those eyes promised slow death.....
" Yer best ta leave us here.......he'll put paid to me and she to him and that'll be right.", Dochartaigh sank to his knees.
" I dinnae want ta burn forever.....but its what I deserve."
Famh's lips go thin and hard as she hears the full story; but at the end she nods. "We were feared it was something like that. But ... I dinna ken about ye're being the worst o' ye four. At least ye're no the one who took the most delight in't. Beyond that ... it's no for us to say. That word lies with Sir Almeric under the Duke's commission. I for one am glad I needna judge ye ... ye can understand its a hard thing for any woman to forgive."
Seeming not to notice Loch Glendennig's bloody spittle in front of her, she takes a step forward to address Sir Almeric directly and just happens to press it into the dust of the road under the soles her well-tanned feòrag leather brogues. "Unless, o' course, ye think fit to order me to take that role, Ser. Ye are my liege commander, in the end." Then she gives him a crisp salute and turns on her heel to rejoin Cainneach and slip her arm around under his shoulders to both give and seek reassurance. Purely by coincidence, the pirouette grinds a small ball of bloody clay under her heel into an insignificantly thin and flattened wafer in the part of this ancient thoroughfare most traveled by droves. If she can find a pile of cow dung to mingle it with, so much the better. After this she draws her beloved close and falls silent for a moment. Then she draws a deep breath and adds ... whether continuing her remark to Sir Almeric or musing aloud to the retinue in general, no one is quite sure -- "Wi' a tale like that though, ... hou can it possibly be stripped down enouch to no break a father's heart anyway?" She falls into a moody silence, having no immediate answer to her own question.
Famh Thrawn Fiadhaich - 'half elven' sorcerer (wild magic) 2, Sleeping Gods - A Dragon Warriors campaign in the Lands of Legend
Quspira Inirali - tiefling cleric (Life domain) 4, Painted's "He'll be the father of my child"
---RETIRED HEROES' REST HOME---
Sae Ivui Nailo - wood elf rogue (inquisitive) 5 , Sea of Death: Captain Hailstorm's Lost Treasure
Ryshraxea "Shra" Naranthi - tabaxi artificer 1, Nyx's Tomb of Annihilation - Group 1
(I am under the assumption that only Ori and Thatch heard the confession, is that correct?)
Active - Player: Sleeping Gods ---- Complete - Player: Masquerade, Teleportation Machine ---- Complete - DM: Extradimensional Spaces
Come join the Worlds of Pphost, a new and growing PbP community! Adventures are currently running in the world of Haven or do some role-playing!
It never hurts to help! ---- PbP: [Rolling Dice] [Tooltips] ---- DDB Content: [Free Adventures] [Encounter of the Week]
( All heard it. Maybe just Ori and Thatch for the last line)