Forward planning

Fearachas

The thunderous fall mists to the south of this tiny valley hidden between the undulating folds of the surrounding hills. Life flourishes flowers, foliage and trees bursting forth to flood the ground with a rich malachite sea of colours. To the west of this hollow, a small Dunlending village squats, a model of pastoral serenity. Some thirty-over stone buildings with thatched roofs nestle in the centre of golden fields. Rising majestically about the village grounds are the Caerdh woods, hiding the village from view of most. From here, all that can be seen of the outside world are the Misty Mountains to the East and the distant stronghold of the Bears to the south.
A faint trail runs from the base of the waterfall, meadering through the fields and into the middle of the village.

Obvious exits:
Cottage leads to Cottage.
South leads to Waterfall <>.

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Dunland Time and Weather Forecast
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Real Time is: Fri Feb 06 15:14:12 2009
IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: dense
IC Moon is: Waning crescent
IC time is: Dawn
IC date is: Sterday, Day 19 of February in the year 3046.
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[Finnian(#23897)] Winter blankets the lands of Dunland in snow and ice, frigid winds and cold nights. In some places, this time of year is a lean time, where food is scarce and bellies are empty. This isn't the case in the domain of Ranich. Donnchad had spent years perfecting how to squeeze food out of every inch of available soil and more than enough harvest was stuffed into the granaries in the fall to keep the people happy through the snowy months. Perhaps the meals grow dull after a while, but food is on the table.

Ciaran focused everyone on repairs and indoor tasks as soon as the group returned from the Gathering in Creatrach, but after a few weeks he disappeared for long days busy with some hidden task. Sometimes he drug Caileann along as well. When gone, he left his brother in charge, a younger man that was crippled by some accident in his youth, but watchful and diligent despite his limited mobility.

As the weather grew more dangerous, tasks decreased and people spent more time with their families. Today, however, is a markedly warm day. The sun is shining down and thick clumps of snow are falling from roofs and trees as the warmth from above dislodges their tenuous holds. Ciaran is stepping out of his home, carrying his infant son with a smile on his face as he surveys the weather. "A wonderful day to stretch our legs!" The Fian says cheerfully to others that are equally exploring the unseasonably nice day.

Breveg emerges from one of the outbuildings, sawdust in his hair and a few wood shavings gathered in the folds of his tunic, for the cloak flung carelessly over his shoulders remains open. He blinks in the sudden stream of sunlight, but when his eyes have adjusted he turns his steps in Ciaran's direction. "Fian," he greets the man politely, inclining his head. "We've finished that last set of crates you asked for, and I've set the lads to working on some spares. It will keep them from idleness, at the least." The corners of his mouth pull up. "I had wondered ..." He lets the words trail off.

Caileann has been taking advantage of the day to clear the dead branches from the trees around his home and splitting them, assisted by some of the older boys in the village. When he hears Ciaran tromp by, child in arms, he'll send them home and, resting his axe on his shoulder, will head off towards his Fian's voice, calling out as he draws near.

"Fian. Giving my young grand-nephew his excercise, I see?" Breveg gets the usual nod of the head, though it doesn't seem to be as curt or formal as it once was. "And it looks like Breveg has been keeping busy too. A good use of a good day for all."

[Finnian(#23897)] Ciaran grins at Breveg's words, nodding. "Wonderful! Take a day off.. You've done a great job, Breveg, exceedingly helpful for our village." His uncles draws his attention next, and the Fian chuckles. "Perhaps giving his mother a bit of a break. Cavan has discovered that the louder he yells, the more attention he might get." The infant is not even half a year old yet, but healthy and bright eyed as he takes in the bright world outside from his father's arms. Ciaran looks back towards Breveg, "What were you wondering about?"

Breveg eyes the bundle in Ciaran's arms warily, as though it were some wild animal that might turn on its handler. He looks up to nod at Caileann with the same politeness he had shown to the Fian, if a little less deference, then looks back to Ciaran. "There were a couple of issues I wished to raise with you, Fian. Regarding goblins - and the Hawk. Which would you prefer to hear first?" He tilts his head as though listening to the drip of the snow.

[Caileann(#20237)] "Excellent. If he remembers that as he grows, maybe he'll be able to shout down the other Fians someday - I have no doubt the Maulduins and Kavanaghs learn it at a young age too." He'll give the child an approving nod, as if to congratulate him on his ability to drive his parents to near madness day, noon, and night.

Breveg's words bring an abrupt change of mood, however - if Caileann's reaction to the word 'goblins' can be described as sour, what would one call the furrowing of brows when the Hawk are mentioned? It's a momentary thing, though - the man will put on a straight face and say nothing as he waits for Ciaran's reaction, dropping his axe from his shoulder to lean on it and making the pretension of looking at his youngest kin.

[Finnian(#23897)] Ciaran is grinning at Caileann's words, but the smile fades at Brev's choice of topic. His tone grows serious. "The goblins are the most immediate threat.. what are your thoughts upon them?" The Fian asks, his gaze focused on the retainer.

Breveg clearly notes the fading of the smile, for he sighs. "I apologise to burden you with the topic, Fian - and you, Caileann," his gaze slips sideways to include the older man, "but ... spring is coming, and while men may wait, the goblins will not." His voice hardens. "I wish to go north. I had already said as much to Laoghaire, offered to serve their with Bear's army. If and when Kavanagh will send one, who knows. It's not /his/ lands under threat." A sharp edge creeps into his voice, though it is carefully reigned back as he continues.

"I do not think we should wait for the goblins to breach Ranich's borders. I know the lands to the north, as well as any man can. Give me a dozen men - or as many as you can spare," here his lips twist wryly, as though he wished to ask for a much larger number, "and we will thin the ranks of the goblins as we may. Trap their patrols, mislead their scouts, block their path ..." The offer appears to be sincere.

Caileann grunts at the thought, rubbing his beard idly with a hand as his mind wanders. "Will a dozen even be enough? IT doesn't do to underestimate the goblinkin. We should consider too that they may have their hands full with the rebels to our north... If the two can throw themselves at each other, so much the better for us." The man will shrug, casting his gaze over to the young Fian. "What do you think, Ciaran? I talk much, but it isn't my decision in the end."

[Finnian(#23897)] Ciaran listens quietly, his only movement to shift his hold on Cavan up against his shoulder as the baby begins to fuss. "Aye, spring is near. The goblins will soon grow restless and crawl from their holes." He grows silent again, mulling over the suggestion in his mind. "My concern is giving up too many men for this. Normally we wait for the goblins to come to us. It is easier to spare a handful of scouts and grab up weapons when the call to arms is needed." A small hand reaches up to grab at Ciaran's short beard. "What are your thoughts on the Hawk, Breveg?"

Breveg lets his gaze shift to Caileann. "No. A dozen will not be enough - yet it will achieve rather more than none." He lets the right side of his mouth pull up in a half-smile. "As to the Hawk ... with no farmsteads of their own, they have no reason to engage the goblins at present. Unless someone gives them one."

His attention shifts to Ciaran, and if he notes the babe's distraction he gives no sign. "Fian, Laoghaire spoke to me on the hunting trip, hinted that he would be willing to give territory to the Hawk in exchange for their allegiance, but that he did not believe the move would be supported by the Fianni. I told him that Ranich wished no enemies at its border, though allies would be another matter." He shrugs, then remarks reflectively, "Who can say what he will choose to offer them, or if they would break faith? I had wondered," here he hesitates, "if the Fian wished to approach the Hawk directly."

[Caileann(#20237)] "My ears must deceive me... Surely you did not say that the Ceann wished to give lands to those rebels. Any offer other than life if they lay down arms, or swift and merciful death if they do not would be too much for them. If the goblins *did* slaughter the lot of them, what would be the pity other than the fact that we did not repay them for the destruction that they wrought?"

The older man's face is tightly drawn and cloudy now as he hocks a gobbet of spit on the ground to signify his thoughts on the matter. "The Hawk deserve little of our mercy, and less of our land. Gregoir cannot have forgotten history so easily."

[Finnian(#23897)] Ciaran draws his brows together, his lips pressing together as Caileann shares his angry view towards the rebels. "Gregoir is younger than I, and I was only twelve at the time of the last rebellion, Uncle." The Fian answers in a level tone. His gaze moves to Breveg, "I would not approach the Hawk under any circumstance without speaking with the Ceann, first. We do not even know for certain that they are there and consorting with rebels is a hefty crime, no matter the intention."

The Fian winces as the baby tugs at the hair on his chin, but shows little distraction from the topic. "Let the Hawk come to us. In the meantime, perhaps a small group to scout can serve a dual purpose. You can flush out the goblins and keeps your eyes open for the rebels at the same time. It wouldn't hurt to see if they are really there and what they are doing, but .. if they are, I do not want our people to initiate -any- form of contact."

Ciaran looks to Caileann, "Uncle, I would like you to go. You can gather.. no more than twenty. The spring planting will be here soon. You know who is usually the most restless for such tasks each year.."

Breveg arches a brow at Caileann's vehemence. "The goblins have no reason to slaughter the lot of them. The goblins seek food and supplies, neither of which I would imagine these rebels have. I believe the Ceann's intent was to form a buffer zone at empty lands at Bear's northern border, that the goblins might find what they sought without going to the trouble of pushing south into Ranich." Is there a flicker of amusement in his tone?

He nods dutifully to Ciaran's words. "As you wish, Fian. I hardly imagine that the son of the man who killed their last leader would be welcome in the Hawk's midst, in any case." He laughs bitterly at that, then looks back to Caileann. "I hope you have no objection to wearing a grey cloak. That's not allegiance, purely survival. There's no forest, precious little grass - all that's up there is rocks. We need to blend in with those if we're to escape notice."

Caileann's expression makes his annoyance at the thought of the Hawk getting land for any reason quite obvious, but when Ciaran speaks, he'll give a nod. "As you wish, Fian. I will try to find a good mix of men who would be up for the task but patient and discreet enough for it. As Breveg points out, a loud and hasty company will make for a visible target."

He appears to mull over the issue of cloaks for a moment before he grunts and offers a slight shrugging of his shoulders. "I do as is necessary. If it involves grey cloaks... So be it. Loyalty is not always a question of garment."

[Finnian(#23897)] "I will leave it to you both to plan things." Ciaran says as he reached up to carefully pry the infant's fingers from his beard. The Fian glances between them, considering for a moment, "Caileann will have the final say on anything that is to be decided. I know your familiarity for the region will be invaluable, Breveg, though. We are lucky to have you with us."

Lastly, he asks, "Is there any other business?"

"True," Breveg concedes to Caileann, inclining his head in that direction. Then, perhaps to placate the older man, he offers quietly, "I look forward to working with you. I have heard much of your experience and skill. Combine that with my knowledge of the land, and we will make our mark. I know where there are scree slopes that might be set rolling, old mineworkings that could be collapsed ..." He smiles thinly.

At Ciaran's question, he asks blandly, "Were the crates satisfactory. Are there enough of them for your purposes?"

Caileann responds as is usual for him - a nod of the head. This time, however, there's a wan smile, and the way his fingers curl around the haft of his woodworking axe as he lifts it to his shoulder again seems to indicate that any misgivings are currently taking a back seat to the thought of killing goblinkin. "It will be quite a nice change of hunting venue. I have no other business, Fian, save for attending to this woodwork before we assemble this party."

[Finnian(#23897)] Ciaran seems to ignore Brev's bland town. "Aye, just fine." He glances to his uncle again, then smiles. "I will leave you both to your preparations then. Enjoy the day." The Fian's good mood is creeping back, and he turns to continue his walk.

"And you." Breveg inclines his head to Ciaran as he leaves, then looks to Caileann. "We'll need foodstuffs and other supplies - shall I see what I can do about those while you are choosing your men?" His gaze slips towards the building that had presumably been his destination earlier.

[Caileann(#20237)] "Strikes me as a good idea. If you know of any men who would be well-suited for it as well, think on it - we will pare down the list until we have some of the best suited for the task. Willingness shouldn't be a factor... Noise however... Well, I'm sure you know how that is." The old man shrugs, mind wandering for a moment. "It will be good to catch them before they get their noses too far in."

Breveg nods to that. "Perhaps one or two. I would choose those who can move silently over those who are more concerned with spilling blood than the lives of their kin they risk in doing so." His lip curls. "Aye. I hope we can reduce their numbers enough that Ranich is not worth their while."

He turns his gaze northwards, and murmurs absently, "And it will be good to head north to meet them. After Mathain fell ..." he shrugs and trails off, his gaze sliding groundward and away from Caileann, "I always said I would go back. Perhaps I did not think it would take quite so long."

[Caileann(#20237)] "It is true, years have a way of slipping sideways by when we turn our gaze off them for a minute. That is why old men are loathe to forget the past - so we can hold on some time longer." He shakes his head slowly for a moment, looking up to the north, where somewhere, the Hawk are said to be hiding unseen. "I do not know what the Ceann is getting at with these talks, but it will not set will with many of us I am already uneasy at the thought of a Bear Ceann considering dealing with them."

Breveg shrugs at that. "I was but a child at the time of the Hawk rebellion. I do not understand why they acted so, nor dispute that they forfeit Mathain by their actions - I only know that Bear alone could not hold it, and much ill came from that failure." His features darken, and his own gaze remains firmly locked on the ground at his feet. "Mathain has been too long unoccupied."

He shakes his head, as though to dispel the gloom. "But enough of that. These Hawk are not our concern, and the goblins are. Now if you'll excuse me, there's a few things I should attend to." He nods to Caileann, and then heads on his way, ducking through one of the low doorways and out of sight.