Elendor
A Chance Encounter
Two men meeting, for a moment, in the mountains..
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Dunland - Caerdh
Description: It's late in the afternoon. The clouds overhead are thick in the sky and offer a dreary reflection to the snow covered rocky lands beneath. There isn't much game to be had under ideal conditions, and the end of winter is less than ideal. Still, Finnian Tavish is happy to be out. He moves at an easy pace, walking along with routine sweeps of his gaze for trouble, using the spear he carries to poke at deeper trenches of snow on the path he follows.
[Brev(#30997)] Should Finnian happen to gaze up the slope, he might see a patch of lighter grey amidst white of the snow and the dark jumble of scattered boulders. Just another rock? Yet what rock moves? The person, or whatever else it may be, slides behind a jagged outcrop of granite, and is gone from view.
Finnian narrows his gaze as the movement catches his eye. Orcs? The man frowns deeply, then begins a slow and cautious change of direction towards some larger boulders that might provide cover should there be any assault. He glances up frequently, his dark eyes struggling to see more.
[Brev(#30997)] At first there is little to see. The man's keen ears might, however, catch the sound of rustling cloth and the soft crunch of snow as the watcher, whoever it may be, shifts position. Then the outline of the boulder changes slightly as the hidden one peers round it. Finnian will get a glimpse of a grey hood ...
Then comes a sudden chuckle, and a soft burst of speech, in a light tenor. "Now, who's hunting who, I wonder?"
Finnian freezes as he hears the sounds, his fingers tight on the spear. The movement has his free hand reaching to his belt to light on his knife. At the sound of the voice breaking the tense encounter, Tavish chuckles and relaxes, letting out a held breath in a small cloud of white condisation. "Brev.. You be taking a year or two off my life." He says with a wry grin, lowering the spear.
[Brev(#30997)] Once the spear is lowered, the figure shows itself, at least for long enough for Finnian to confirm his identification. Brev holds his sling in his right hand, but no other weapon. "Wasn't sure it was you," is the nearest to apology he gives. "'Sides, never know who might be watching." He scans the horizon warily, then jerks his head "Up here." As Finnian draws closer he will find a niche between two boulders - anyone standing there will not easily be seen. "So ... what news from Carac?"
Finnian steps up a bit closer, but his movement isn't threatening. He moves his hand away from his knife and seems to be taking Brev's suggestion of staying out of sight to heart. "News? Bah.. nothing. They all be getting drunk daily." There's an edge of irritation in his voice. "Do you be coming back? Did you learn of Brody?" Tavish pokes the spear down into the snow to stand on it's own, then leans against the boulder.
[Brev(#30997)] Brev snorts at the first words, but the final question brings a scowl and a shake of the head. "Nothing yet. At least, I've gleaned nothing from watching and listening. Can't ask too many questions, that would draw attention. So ..." he too leans back against a boulder, absently folding the sling in his hands, "now I'm the dutiful retainer of a Bear Fian. Figured Carac might find me more useful that way. It has its perks - spent the winter holed up comfortably, with food and ale to spare." He grins.
There's a flash of disappointment on Finn's face when there is no new word of Brody. Then, as the younger man goes on, he gazes at Brev with a curious expression on his face. "You be swearing yourself to a Fian, as a retainer, while you still be working for Carac?" He asks, a brow lifting. "Which Fian? And why do you be way up here skulking in the feet of the moutains?"
[Brev(#30997)] Brev arches a brow in return, holding Finnian's gaze in silence for a moment. He is leather-clad, and other than the grey cloak (probably practical as much as anything else) bears little sign of clan affiliation. Finnian might note, however, that he looks rather neater than before, and the unkempt hair that had always hidden his features is carefully held back at the nape of his neck, leaving his face plain to see.
After a while he grins. "Ranich. Ciaran is the fellow's name. Young, impressionable - he's learning, though, more's the pity. I was able to influence him a bit at first, not so much now. And up here? I'm hunting goblins, what else?" This time the grin is wider.
Finnian nods quietly, and at first his face is expressionless, but after a moment a grin breaks his features. "So.. Last fall you be accusing -me- of being a spy, but you be the one that's fooling people." He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "That be irony, I do be thinking." He rubs at his chin, where a few days growth of beard darkens his tan skin.
[Brev(#30997)] Brev lifts one shoulder in a shrug. "Tell people a little, and they generally just hear what they want to hear. Most folk fool themselves." He looks entirely without guilt at this statement. "Besides - it was you who suggested I should use the family ties." He smirks. "And it fit in nicely. Barseg's son is expected to have an interest in the north, folk would wonder. Who knows, in time I might even be able to raise up a bit of support, actually do Carac some good."
He leaves it at that, but adds after a moment, "Sure you don't fancy playing the Bear again?"
Finnian tilts his head, watching the younger man with the same curious interest, the hint of a smirk on his face. "Anything be better than sitting around and watching men piss themselves. I came out huntin' to be getting a break. I was a scout before. I don't be liking sitting around for long hours, makes a man restless. The Hawk.. I know they be your friends, but.. " Tavish shakes his head. "I don't be one of them and being free of their eyes for a few days be a welcome relief. Carac wanted to send some with me. I don't think he be seeing the point of my needin' to be away."
[Brev(#30997)] Brev snorts. "They're men like any other," is his own answer. "Hawk, Bear, Wulf or Stag, doesn't make much difference in the end. Go back far enough and you'd probably find each one of us has the blood of all clans flowing through his veins. I never did understand why folk try to fool themselves otherwise."
He falls silent, regarding the other man thoughtfully. "So ... lets see. You're an old friend of mine, from ... where was it you said you'd been? Somewhere east. Not sure what any sane man would be doing up in these parts, though. Looking for something ... or someone ..." He twists the folded sling between his hands as he ponders, watching Finnian the meanwhile.
Finnian nods quietly at Brev's observation of men. "Argan was where I was. It be south a ways, down by Creatrach." Tavish moves to step further into the alcove and out of the wind. Now that he isn't moving the cold air is stealing away body heat. "Hmm.." He's thoughtful, "Perhaps I be returning from a trip north last fall and be caught by winter.."
[Brev(#30997)] Brev considers that. "Except that no-one coming back from the north - from anywhere, come to that - would pass through these parts if they didn't have to. There /are/ ruins somewhere north of Mathain, I heard Da's cousin talking about it, but they were overrun with goblins." He scowls, then returns to the matter in hand. "So lets see ... what pushed you this far off course? Come to that," he pauses, chuckling, "what are you - merchant? Might help if we didn't contradict each other's stories /too/ much."
"What be the news of the Bear? Might help if I be knowin' what's going on down there." Finnian asks, folding his arms now to tuck his hands beneath them for warmth. "And maybe I be avoiding a big army of Stag to be heading this close to the mountains?" Perhaps the long winter has dulled Tavish's keen mind.
[Brev(#30997)] Brev tilts an eyebrow up. "So there /is/ an army of Stag? Where?" Gone is the amusement of earlier.
Perhaps to cover the sudden interest, he goes on, "Bear has a new Ceann - but Carac could fill you in on that as well as I, given he was around to witness it." His lips twitch. "Since then, nothing. Or nothing that has reached my ears, at any rate," he amends, shrugging. "Ranich has sent a handful of men north at my urging, and here we are. If Kavanagh's raising an army - and it would not surprise me in the least - he's not sent the call banner out yet."
Tavish quickly shakes his head, "No, I don't be knowing. But neither will your Fian, eh?" He nods along with the news of a new Ceann. "He did be mentioning the Ceann to me, aye. There be more here with you? You be wanting them to stumble onto Carac?" He asks, concern showing on his face as he twists to look out over the landscape. "Why be Kavanagh raising an army? To get the Ceann seat back? Did Brody have a brother?"
[Brev(#30997)] Brev flicks Finnian a sharp glance. "A scout sent west would verify the truth of that claim soon enough," he answers. "Best not be making it unless you have evidence to back it up. Other things could set your path astray - storms, or wolves ..." His shoulders tense as he perhaps remembers their own near-encounter with Caerdh's wildlife.
The other question brings on a sharp bark of laughter. "Hardly. I defy any to sneak up on the Hawk in their own lands. But this isn't Hawk land. We're at the border, maybe, but the ownership of these parts might be debated." He smiles thinly. "I have as much right to be here as any. And /here/ is where the goblins should be halted, before they cause damage further south. Perhaps I care about that, just a little." For a moment his gaze is challenging.
He neglects to answer the question about Kavanagh.
"Aye.. I don't be doubting your claim Brev." Finnian responds with a quiet smile that seems genuine. "A merchant then, pushed away by wolves that got lost in the snow. I do be a poor sot to be traveling alone so foolishly. It be a good thing I didn't know about the rumors of Hawk in the area or I be truly too scared to take another step alone." He grins. "And my old friend Brev, it be good fortune to run into him and perhaps he can be letting me join him and his new friends that are touring his lands?"
[Brev(#30997)] Brev lets out a snort at that. "Perhaps. If his old friend just happens to be handy with a spear and a knife." He winks. "Don't be laying it on too thick, though. They're not my men, they're Ranich's. Oh, Ciaran would love a puppet up here, but until he offers support in the form of something more tangible than a few words it's not going to happen. Thank Kiern!"
He pulls his cloak tight around him, seemingly feeling the chill, then adds "If you can bad-mouth the Hawk, that will probably go down well. The fellow supposedly in charge - Ciaran's uncle - has pretty strong opinions on them. I reckon he must have lost someone close."
"Aye.. not too thick." Finnian nods, shifting as another cold gust blows over them. "The uncle, eh? I be keeping that in mind. Do you be wanting me to come back with you now, or stumble on your group later? It be less suspicious if we don't be coming back together, aye?"
Tavish looks around at the snowy stretches again, "I told you I be from Redvyrne, right? Bear lands, they be harsh. Makes a man understand why they be so proud of what they hold."
[Brev(#30997)] Brev chuckles softly. "Or why half of them spend their time raiding the Wulf and their neighbours rather than eke out a living from what they've got?" He glances round at the rocky slopes. "Here - or places like here - is where I grew up. Amongst the rocks and the mountain slopes. There's little enough here save a few mines, but it's home. Better than your open plains or those damn Laeg bogs. Took weeks for my boots to dry out after those."
He grins and moves on. "You're right, it might be best if we don't return together. We're camped a few hours journey that way," and he indicates with a jerk of the head. "See you later, then?" He lifts a hand in farewell, slips out of the space between teh boulders and, with a wary glance at the empty landscape, is on his way.
[Brev(#30997)] As he leaves, he halts just once. "If men have a right to be proud of what they hold, then the Hawk have more right than any. Think on that."
Finnian chuckles and nods. "The bogs I be agreeing with you on.. The plains.. Mmm, they be another matter. Be seeing you later, Brev." He says with a wave as the man travels off.
[Brev(#30997)] Should Finnian happen to gaze up the slope, he might see a patch of lighter grey amidst white of the snow and the dark jumble of scattered boulders. Just another rock? Yet what rock moves? The person, or whatever else it may be, slides behind a jagged outcrop of granite, and is gone from view.
Finnian narrows his gaze as the movement catches his eye. Orcs? The man frowns deeply, then begins a slow and cautious change of direction towards some larger boulders that might provide cover should there be any assault. He glances up frequently, his dark eyes struggling to see more.
[Brev(#30997)] At first there is little to see. The man's keen ears might, however, catch the sound of rustling cloth and the soft crunch of snow as the watcher, whoever it may be, shifts position. Then the outline of the boulder changes slightly as the hidden one peers round it. Finnian will get a glimpse of a grey hood ...
Then comes a sudden chuckle, and a soft burst of speech, in a light tenor. "Now, who's hunting who, I wonder?"
Finnian freezes as he hears the sounds, his fingers tight on the spear. The movement has his free hand reaching to his belt to light on his knife. At the sound of the voice breaking the tense encounter, Tavish chuckles and relaxes, letting out a held breath in a small cloud of white condisation. "Brev.. You be taking a year or two off my life." He says with a wry grin, lowering the spear.
[Brev(#30997)] Once the spear is lowered, the figure shows itself, at least for long enough for Finnian to confirm his identification. Brev holds his sling in his right hand, but no other weapon. "Wasn't sure it was you," is the nearest to apology he gives. "'Sides, never know who might be watching." He scans the horizon warily, then jerks his head "Up here." As Finnian draws closer he will find a niche between two boulders - anyone standing there will not easily be seen. "So ... what news from Carac?"
Finnian steps up a bit closer, but his movement isn't threatening. He moves his hand away from his knife and seems to be taking Brev's suggestion of staying out of sight to heart. "News? Bah.. nothing. They all be getting drunk daily." There's an edge of irritation in his voice. "Do you be coming back? Did you learn of Brody?" Tavish pokes the spear down into the snow to stand on it's own, then leans against the boulder.
[Brev(#30997)] Brev snorts at the first words, but the final question brings a scowl and a shake of the head. "Nothing yet. At least, I've gleaned nothing from watching and listening. Can't ask too many questions, that would draw attention. So ..." he too leans back against a boulder, absently folding the sling in his hands, "now I'm the dutiful retainer of a Bear Fian. Figured Carac might find me more useful that way. It has its perks - spent the winter holed up comfortably, with food and ale to spare." He grins.
There's a flash of disappointment on Finn's face when there is no new word of Brody. Then, as the younger man goes on, he gazes at Brev with a curious expression on his face. "You be swearing yourself to a Fian, as a retainer, while you still be working for Carac?" He asks, a brow lifting. "Which Fian? And why do you be way up here skulking in the feet of the moutains?"
[Brev(#30997)] Brev arches a brow in return, holding Finnian's gaze in silence for a moment. He is leather-clad, and other than the grey cloak (probably practical as much as anything else) bears little sign of clan affiliation. Finnian might note, however, that he looks rather neater than before, and the unkempt hair that had always hidden his features is carefully held back at the nape of his neck, leaving his face plain to see.
After a while he grins. "Ranich. Ciaran is the fellow's name. Young, impressionable - he's learning, though, more's the pity. I was able to influence him a bit at first, not so much now. And up here? I'm hunting goblins, what else?" This time the grin is wider.
Finnian nods quietly, and at first his face is expressionless, but after a moment a grin breaks his features. "So.. Last fall you be accusing -me- of being a spy, but you be the one that's fooling people." He chuckles softly, shaking his head. "That be irony, I do be thinking." He rubs at his chin, where a few days growth of beard darkens his tan skin.
[Brev(#30997)] Brev lifts one shoulder in a shrug. "Tell people a little, and they generally just hear what they want to hear. Most folk fool themselves." He looks entirely without guilt at this statement. "Besides - it was you who suggested I should use the family ties." He smirks. "And it fit in nicely. Barseg's son is expected to have an interest in the north, folk would wonder. Who knows, in time I might even be able to raise up a bit of support, actually do Carac some good."
He leaves it at that, but adds after a moment, "Sure you don't fancy playing the Bear again?"
Finnian tilts his head, watching the younger man with the same curious interest, the hint of a smirk on his face. "Anything be better than sitting around and watching men piss themselves. I came out huntin' to be getting a break. I was a scout before. I don't be liking sitting around for long hours, makes a man restless. The Hawk.. I know they be your friends, but.. " Tavish shakes his head. "I don't be one of them and being free of their eyes for a few days be a welcome relief. Carac wanted to send some with me. I don't think he be seeing the point of my needin' to be away."
[Brev(#30997)] Brev snorts. "They're men like any other," is his own answer. "Hawk, Bear, Wulf or Stag, doesn't make much difference in the end. Go back far enough and you'd probably find each one of us has the blood of all clans flowing through his veins. I never did understand why folk try to fool themselves otherwise."
He falls silent, regarding the other man thoughtfully. "So ... lets see. You're an old friend of mine, from ... where was it you said you'd been? Somewhere east. Not sure what any sane man would be doing up in these parts, though. Looking for something ... or someone ..." He twists the folded sling between his hands as he ponders, watching Finnian the meanwhile.
Finnian nods quietly at Brev's observation of men. "Argan was where I was. It be south a ways, down by Creatrach." Tavish moves to step further into the alcove and out of the wind. Now that he isn't moving the cold air is stealing away body heat. "Hmm.." He's thoughtful, "Perhaps I be returning from a trip north last fall and be caught by winter.."
[Brev(#30997)] Brev considers that. "Except that no-one coming back from the north - from anywhere, come to that - would pass through these parts if they didn't have to. There /are/ ruins somewhere north of Mathain, I heard Da's cousin talking about it, but they were overrun with goblins." He scowls, then returns to the matter in hand. "So lets see ... what pushed you this far off course? Come to that," he pauses, chuckling, "what are you - merchant? Might help if we didn't contradict each other's stories /too/ much."
"What be the news of the Bear? Might help if I be knowin' what's going on down there." Finnian asks, folding his arms now to tuck his hands beneath them for warmth. "And maybe I be avoiding a big army of Stag to be heading this close to the mountains?" Perhaps the long winter has dulled Tavish's keen mind.
[Brev(#30997)] Brev tilts an eyebrow up. "So there /is/ an army of Stag? Where?" Gone is the amusement of earlier.
Perhaps to cover the sudden interest, he goes on, "Bear has a new Ceann - but Carac could fill you in on that as well as I, given he was around to witness it." His lips twitch. "Since then, nothing. Or nothing that has reached my ears, at any rate," he amends, shrugging. "Ranich has sent a handful of men north at my urging, and here we are. If Kavanagh's raising an army - and it would not surprise me in the least - he's not sent the call banner out yet."
Tavish quickly shakes his head, "No, I don't be knowing. But neither will your Fian, eh?" He nods along with the news of a new Ceann. "He did be mentioning the Ceann to me, aye. There be more here with you? You be wanting them to stumble onto Carac?" He asks, concern showing on his face as he twists to look out over the landscape. "Why be Kavanagh raising an army? To get the Ceann seat back? Did Brody have a brother?"
[Brev(#30997)] Brev flicks Finnian a sharp glance. "A scout sent west would verify the truth of that claim soon enough," he answers. "Best not be making it unless you have evidence to back it up. Other things could set your path astray - storms, or wolves ..." His shoulders tense as he perhaps remembers their own near-encounter with Caerdh's wildlife.
The other question brings on a sharp bark of laughter. "Hardly. I defy any to sneak up on the Hawk in their own lands. But this isn't Hawk land. We're at the border, maybe, but the ownership of these parts might be debated." He smiles thinly. "I have as much right to be here as any. And /here/ is where the goblins should be halted, before they cause damage further south. Perhaps I care about that, just a little." For a moment his gaze is challenging.
He neglects to answer the question about Kavanagh.
"Aye.. I don't be doubting your claim Brev." Finnian responds with a quiet smile that seems genuine. "A merchant then, pushed away by wolves that got lost in the snow. I do be a poor sot to be traveling alone so foolishly. It be a good thing I didn't know about the rumors of Hawk in the area or I be truly too scared to take another step alone." He grins. "And my old friend Brev, it be good fortune to run into him and perhaps he can be letting me join him and his new friends that are touring his lands?"
[Brev(#30997)] Brev lets out a snort at that. "Perhaps. If his old friend just happens to be handy with a spear and a knife." He winks. "Don't be laying it on too thick, though. They're not my men, they're Ranich's. Oh, Ciaran would love a puppet up here, but until he offers support in the form of something more tangible than a few words it's not going to happen. Thank Kiern!"
He pulls his cloak tight around him, seemingly feeling the chill, then adds "If you can bad-mouth the Hawk, that will probably go down well. The fellow supposedly in charge - Ciaran's uncle - has pretty strong opinions on them. I reckon he must have lost someone close."
"Aye.. not too thick." Finnian nods, shifting as another cold gust blows over them. "The uncle, eh? I be keeping that in mind. Do you be wanting me to come back with you now, or stumble on your group later? It be less suspicious if we don't be coming back together, aye?"
Tavish looks around at the snowy stretches again, "I told you I be from Redvyrne, right? Bear lands, they be harsh. Makes a man understand why they be so proud of what they hold."
[Brev(#30997)] Brev chuckles softly. "Or why half of them spend their time raiding the Wulf and their neighbours rather than eke out a living from what they've got?" He glances round at the rocky slopes. "Here - or places like here - is where I grew up. Amongst the rocks and the mountain slopes. There's little enough here save a few mines, but it's home. Better than your open plains or those damn Laeg bogs. Took weeks for my boots to dry out after those."
He grins and moves on. "You're right, it might be best if we don't return together. We're camped a few hours journey that way," and he indicates with a jerk of the head. "See you later, then?" He lifts a hand in farewell, slips out of the space between teh boulders and, with a wary glance at the empty landscape, is on his way.
[Brev(#30997)] As he leaves, he halts just once. "If men have a right to be proud of what they hold, then the Hawk have more right than any. Think on that."
Finnian chuckles and nods. "The bogs I be agreeing with you on.. The plains.. Mmm, they be another matter. Be seeing you later, Brev." He says with a wave as the man travels off.
Players: Finnian, Brev
Located in: Dunlending
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