Elendor
An Alliance?
It seems that more than a few have learned that Iolair Keep is where Carac and Tet'Nak have holed up...
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Dunland
Description: [Carac(#32384)] A soft rain falls down upon the land, turning the Old South Road into a mess of mud and puddles. The southern gates of the stout keep are firmly shut, barring all enterance in that direction. A pair of guards stand outside those gates, their cloaks pulled tightly about their bodies and hoods drawn up in attempt to keep some of the rain off.
From inside the Keep come the sounds of some type of celebration, the return of Carac and his hostage, as well as news of the recent meeting between Bear and Gariag's patrol giving the refugees a reason to celebrate, something they've lacked for some time.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Nearly two weeks ago, Tet'Nak departed, and where he went none knows. However, last night he returned, and with a dozen men. Each are armed unlike typical Dunlendings, with a mixture of chain, leather, and ring armor. The old man has introduced them as kin, and so they are accepted, but none are quick to speak to them, and they are not quick to speak to others.
Tet'Nak himself has been busy attempting to catch up on the recent events in Dunland, and how the freedom fighters have thrived without him almongst their ranks.
Meanwhile, a mile up the road, traveling south, is a band of nearly twenty warriors, bearing the colors of their clan, Stag. They are led by a man called Shadrack MacDuff, named after his famous grandfather, and Fian of Forthunn.
There is a lone man approaching the closed gate, ahead of the larger band that's approaching. He's soaked to the bone, his shirt so sodden that it nearly hangs to his knees and the rest of his person drenched. He stops when he is in speaking range to the guards. "A man told me of the people here.. I'd like to be joining." Finnian declares over the sound of the rain bouncing off of the leaves and grass.
He looks thin under the wet garments, and has some fading bruises on his cheek from what must have been a recent fight, the skin discolored to a darker brownish yellow.
[Carac(#32384)] His recent flight across Caerdh over and now back within the walls of Iolair, Carac sits upon an empty ale barrel and looks at the ragged band of refugees with his brows furrowed in thought. It is only the arrival of Tet'Nak and his warriors that pull the young man from his musings.
"Tet'Nak!" he calls and moves towards the older man. "Good to see you back," he greets. "Much has occured in your absence, and I was hoping for your counsel before making any desicions on our next moves."
Outside the southern gates one of the guards chuckles at the approaching man's words. "Joining?" he asks. "There's nothing here to join," he says with a snort. "We're no army or clan, just folk with no other place to go."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak nods slowly to Carac, appearing every day his age, at least for the moment. Travel perhaps wears on him. He leans back, taking a deep breath. "Good, good, I have heard rumors, but nothing more," he says, "Perhaps I shall hear what has happened from the man himself."
Shadrack's forces get closer, but they are not hidden, even amongst the rain that falls in a heavy downpour around them.
"Aye.. I have no other place to be going. Kierkgard burned, then I traveled to Creatrach to find safety there.. Ceann Brodie's guards had me beaten and cast from the keep for seeking nothing more than a bit of bread." Finnian lifts an arm to wipe rain water from his face. "The name's Finnian.. Finnian Tavish. I can work hard, and fight if needed. I've heard rumors.. "
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives Tet'Nak a small smile. "Another Bear Ceann is dead I hear," he says. "Gariag and some of his men caught him in Redvryne and put a few arrows in him." He pushes a rain soaked lock of hair from his eyes and then nods towards the main hall of the keep. "Also managed to get hold of a Fian's daughter, not sure what to do with her as yet, but I've a feeling she may prove valuable, as a hostage at the least." He frowns for a moment. "Yet, I think all of this is only serving to unite the clans against us, and this Keep will be a death trap if they come for us. We need to find a new place."
Almost as if on cue, the guards upon the northern wall give out a cry. "Warriors approaching from the north!"
Outside the southern gates the guards both nod in response to Tavish's words. "Same story everywhere," one replies. "You'll not find anything here, but more suffering and hunger," he continues. The cry from the north reaches them. "See what I mean?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak nods, "Indeed. Exposed to the world. We must consider moving from the keep soon." He pauses, "The Bear Ceann cannot stay alive long, eh?" He grins, "Shame about Draur. He has long been a faithful servant. I suppose we must lose good men in order to change Dunland for the better. Still, a shame." He pauses, "What of the Stag?" and then hears the cry, to which he stands immediately.
The warriors get closer, in sight, but it is plain they wave a white flag of truce. Their colors blue, of Stag, which has not entered the fighting at all, for the moment.
"Better to suffer and hunger out of the rain.. " Finnian says, frowning with some determination in his gaze. "Let me join your cause. At least then I be having a chance to fight back against the bastards that took everything I ever worked for! The fian's squeeze the people dry.. and now it be raining. Seems a sign to me that fighting back is the will of Kiern."
[Carac(#32384)] "Our cause is survival, nothing more," the guard says to Finnian. "There may be fighting, but only if we're forced into it. If you're looking for vengance, then you best go look somewhere else." A rope ladder is thrown down towards the guards so they can enter the keep without need of opening the gates. "Climb up if you like," he continues as he, himself begins to climb the ladder to the walls above. "Know, however, that we've ways of dealing with those who cause trouble ourselves, and unlike our Bear cousins, we don't leave them alive afterwards."
"Stag warriors!" the watcher on the northern wall cries out now. "Waving a flag of truce!"
Carac gives a soft chuckle to Tet'Nak. "Seems we're about to find out what the Stag are about," he says. "Shall we go see what they wish to offer?" he steps towards the stairs that lead to the top of the wall.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak nods to Carac. "Let us see. Something with coin, I would suppose." Tet'Nak waves to Carac, indicating the younger man should take the lead. Tet'Nak pulls up his hood over his head, and wraps his cloak about him, preparing to go out into the rain.
The Stag come within about thirty feet of the keep and stop. The man in front, riding a pony, dismounts. He has a thick, black beard, and a muscular frame. His baratone voice rings out, "I am Shadrack MacDuff. Fian of the Stag. I come bearing a message from Feent, Merchant-Prince of the Stag." There is a noticable scowl on the Fian's face as he speaks.
"Aye.. I understand.. No trouble." Finnian hurries over to the rope ladder to scramble up it himself. No one wants to be caught between a wall and an attacking body of soldiers. (At least so far as he knows). Once the straggler is atop the wall he turns to look around and his gaze settles on the group of Stags curiously.
[Carac(#32384)] It seems that most of those within the keep who own a bow, are now atop the walls, and watching this contigent of Stag warily. Though none make a move or say a word, as the await the arrival of Carac and Tet'Nak.
Carac stays slightly crouched once he reaches the top of the wall, giving as little target as possible to any archers who may be amongst the Stag warriors. "Greetings, MacDuff!" he calls down towards the Stag. "You can speak your message from there, or we can send a rope ladder down for you, but you and only you are all that will be allowed entrance."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak watches silently.
Shadrack nods his head, "Very well," the man says, "Feent offers Carac, son of I'racil, land, title, and coin for his alliegence. He proclaims all land considered under Bear control Carac's, once it is conquered. To Tet'Nak, Stag kinsmen, the Ceann offers control of Wulf lands, and Kierkgard Dun, what is left of it, for his own desires." The man sighs, "All that is required is fealty to the Stag Ceann and your support in his claim as Ard-Righ, King of Dunland."
Finnian watches all of this in silence, his gaze traveling frequently between the soldiers outside on the ground, and the men that have climbed up to the wall to address them. He leans over to ask softly of the guard, "Who be they?" He inclines his bearded chin towards Tet'Nak and Carac.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac pulls his cloak a bit tighter as the rain begins to come down a bit harder. "All of the lands controlled by the Bear and all the lands controlled by the Wulf?" he calls back questioningly. "Your Ceann offers a rich reward."
He turns momentarily towards Tet'Nak and grins slightly before turning back towards Shadrack.
"Return to your Ceann with this message, MacDuff," he calls down. "Tell him that we will consider his proposal, but only if he proves his sincerity. Tell him that once he has taken the lands of northern Caerdh along the Laeg border, and proven that he makes no secret alliances with Bear we will then give his offer more consideration."
The guard near Finnian gives a slight shrug. "Survivors like the rest of us," he replies. "Perhaps more, perhaps not. Though if you wish to know more of them, I'd suggest asking them. I'll not be the one speaking that which others may wish to remain unknown."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] MacDuff nods under the rain, "I doubt very much he shall act," he says, then looks over his shoulder, as if wondering what his words will cause amongst the men there. "We are of Forthunn," he admits, "Honorable Stag, every one. Feent, he is rich, from his father's coins." He turns and spits into the rain, "He lives in Bree!" He grumbles, "My father and grandfather both died in battle with goblins. Defending Dunland. He wishes to buy loyalty." The man pauses, "I make you my own offer, Carac and Tet'Nak, the Ghost who knew my father ... if we fight with you, will you liberate Dunland. Sweat. Bleed. Die if necessary!?!"
Finnian lifts his brows when the names are put to the two men by MacDuff, turning to look at the guard again with a smirk for his precautions. "Don't seem such a secret to me." He grows quiet then and looks back to the exchange between the leaders.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac keeps a wary eye on MacDuff as his brow wrinkles in thought. "I can make no promises as to how all this will end," he begins. "It is liberation that we strive for, but it may well end up with all of our heads upon the Keep walls of one Ceanni or another, but I for one will continue this fight until I have spent every drop of my life's blood."
He raises from his crouched position behind the wall to stand at his full height. "If your offer is true," he continues. "Then you and yours will be welcomed amongst our numbers, that is what I say."
He turns then to Tet'Nak. "What say you?" he asks. "Can we trust these?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak muses, "If he is Shadrack MacDuff, son of Telgar MacDuff, and grandson of his namesake, then I would think he a potential ally. They were follows of Asher. They were tough, strong me, not corruptable like most Stag."
Shadrack nods, "Kierkgard Dun is destroyed. Everyone knows you are all here. Sooner or later, one of the Fians, or Ceanns, will send a force that will destroy this place. I suggest that when they come they find only voices upon the wind." He squints, looking through the rain, "Accept my invitation to stay in Forthunn. For the moment, none shall know of our pact and your new locale."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac can't help but give a soft chuckle at the words from Tet'Nak. "Like most Stag?" he asks with a smile. "Were you not a Stag, my friend? You have now been offered lands and titles on two occasions, but you have declined both times. I would say there are more who beyond corruption than you think."
He then turns to MacDuff and frowns slightly. "We shall accept your offer," he says. "Sadly though, I do not believe our locale will remain secret for long. I would be a fool to believe there are not those who inform the Wulf an Bear of our every move. News of our departure may even reach Creatrach and Redvyrne before we reach Forthunn."
The guard that stands near Finnian gives a grunt at the words spoken atop the walls. "Ever been to Forthunn, Tavish?" he asks.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shrugs, "I don't accept things when I know they are empty promises. Offer my some coin, I might take it." He looks down again at the Stag that waits below. "Perhaps. Though, I doubt either of the clans will be rash to attack. Though sooner or later, we will need to deal with Feent himself. His coin can buy many men's hearts." Shadrack waves to the men, "We shall wait with you, perhaps you should begin the evacuation immediately. The rain makes good cover."
Tavish lifts his hand to wipe water from his eyes again, watching all of this with an expression of ignited interest. When the guard questions him on the new location he looks over, "Nay. But I will gladly be joining these men if I have a chance to help free our people from Ceanni control. When they be finished I'll introduce myself."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a grunt and nods towards MacDuff. "We shall begin immediately," he replies. He turns then to begin the descent from the walls, but before he goes down he turns to the archers upon the walls. "Keep your arrows trained on them until we are all away," he says. "There could still be treachery involved."
He then slips down to the courtyard and begins to issue orders. "Gariag and his men first followed by the women and children," he calls out. "Then the injured and old ones, the rest will go last to make up the rear guard."
"Open the northern gates!" is his last command.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak lets Carac's orders float through the keep. He has largely allowed Carac to led the people, himself only serving as an advisor of sorts. He looks out over the road, the Stag standing in the rain, waiting. He himself pulls his hood further of his face, which is already soaked, but says nothing as people start getting ready to move again.
Finnian sees his opportunity as orders are given and Carac begins descending. The lean man swiftly moves to approach Tet'Nak. If he isn't halted sooner the man will stop a non-threatening distance from the older man. "Sir.. The name be Tavish, Finnian Tavish. I wish to join the cause." He says, wiping drops of water from his eyes again. "Fianni took everything from me."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak looks over at the approaching man. He allows him to move as close as he wants. The old man does not look like he is surprised or concerned with the man's approach. "The cause, eh? The Fianni took everything from you, well, join the crowd." He waves toward the people below getting ready to move out. "They have taken much from many. Certainly, anyone that feels slighted, and is ready to spill the blood of those that keep trying to take from the people is welcome by me."
"I went to Creatrach after what little I had left be ruined in the fires. Brodie's men beat me, threw me out.. all I was looking for was a bit to eat. Starve the men as working for you, it don't seem right to me, sir. I got no love of the Ceanni or their men." Finnian speaks in a determined voice, "Give me something to eat other than berries and twigs and I be your man. I don't got much, but I don't ask for much either. I work hard.. fight hard."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak smiles. "There is some food inside. I would get to it before it is eaten up." He nods, slowly, "We do not eat well, but what we do have, we share equally. Carac eats not better than anyone else here." He cocks an eyebrow, "So, Finnian, was it? What is it you did before you lost everything?"
"Originally, I be from a farmstead.. shepherd work when I was a lad. Later I moved on to work for a Fian in Caerdh county, got some work as a scout. I had me a small place to live, a scrap of land. Fianni that I worked for was killed, then the new one took it all from me. Said he didn't be needing my work. Ceann wouldn't listen when I appealed to him for retribution." Finn scowls and shakes his head. "That was when I went to Kierkgard, and it wasn't long after the city was burned."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Kierkgard," Tet'Nak says, "Sorry about that, I cannot help myself in burning it down, or so it seems." He laughs slightly, which might seem surprising, "But in truth, it needed to be purged, even though, in truth, I did not burn it down. The rumormongers like to blame me, as it has always been." He turns, heading back down into the keep, "Come, let's get you something to eat. I think we can use the skills of a scout around here. Perhaps you can aid us on our journey north ..."
"Aye, I be glad to help. Thank you, sir." Finnian says, following him eagerly with the promise of a meal at hand. "I'll help in any way I can to strike back at the bastards."
From inside the Keep come the sounds of some type of celebration, the return of Carac and his hostage, as well as news of the recent meeting between Bear and Gariag's patrol giving the refugees a reason to celebrate, something they've lacked for some time.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Nearly two weeks ago, Tet'Nak departed, and where he went none knows. However, last night he returned, and with a dozen men. Each are armed unlike typical Dunlendings, with a mixture of chain, leather, and ring armor. The old man has introduced them as kin, and so they are accepted, but none are quick to speak to them, and they are not quick to speak to others.
Tet'Nak himself has been busy attempting to catch up on the recent events in Dunland, and how the freedom fighters have thrived without him almongst their ranks.
Meanwhile, a mile up the road, traveling south, is a band of nearly twenty warriors, bearing the colors of their clan, Stag. They are led by a man called Shadrack MacDuff, named after his famous grandfather, and Fian of Forthunn.
There is a lone man approaching the closed gate, ahead of the larger band that's approaching. He's soaked to the bone, his shirt so sodden that it nearly hangs to his knees and the rest of his person drenched. He stops when he is in speaking range to the guards. "A man told me of the people here.. I'd like to be joining." Finnian declares over the sound of the rain bouncing off of the leaves and grass.
He looks thin under the wet garments, and has some fading bruises on his cheek from what must have been a recent fight, the skin discolored to a darker brownish yellow.
[Carac(#32384)] His recent flight across Caerdh over and now back within the walls of Iolair, Carac sits upon an empty ale barrel and looks at the ragged band of refugees with his brows furrowed in thought. It is only the arrival of Tet'Nak and his warriors that pull the young man from his musings.
"Tet'Nak!" he calls and moves towards the older man. "Good to see you back," he greets. "Much has occured in your absence, and I was hoping for your counsel before making any desicions on our next moves."
Outside the southern gates one of the guards chuckles at the approaching man's words. "Joining?" he asks. "There's nothing here to join," he says with a snort. "We're no army or clan, just folk with no other place to go."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak nods slowly to Carac, appearing every day his age, at least for the moment. Travel perhaps wears on him. He leans back, taking a deep breath. "Good, good, I have heard rumors, but nothing more," he says, "Perhaps I shall hear what has happened from the man himself."
Shadrack's forces get closer, but they are not hidden, even amongst the rain that falls in a heavy downpour around them.
"Aye.. I have no other place to be going. Kierkgard burned, then I traveled to Creatrach to find safety there.. Ceann Brodie's guards had me beaten and cast from the keep for seeking nothing more than a bit of bread." Finnian lifts an arm to wipe rain water from his face. "The name's Finnian.. Finnian Tavish. I can work hard, and fight if needed. I've heard rumors.. "
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives Tet'Nak a small smile. "Another Bear Ceann is dead I hear," he says. "Gariag and some of his men caught him in Redvryne and put a few arrows in him." He pushes a rain soaked lock of hair from his eyes and then nods towards the main hall of the keep. "Also managed to get hold of a Fian's daughter, not sure what to do with her as yet, but I've a feeling she may prove valuable, as a hostage at the least." He frowns for a moment. "Yet, I think all of this is only serving to unite the clans against us, and this Keep will be a death trap if they come for us. We need to find a new place."
Almost as if on cue, the guards upon the northern wall give out a cry. "Warriors approaching from the north!"
Outside the southern gates the guards both nod in response to Tavish's words. "Same story everywhere," one replies. "You'll not find anything here, but more suffering and hunger," he continues. The cry from the north reaches them. "See what I mean?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak nods, "Indeed. Exposed to the world. We must consider moving from the keep soon." He pauses, "The Bear Ceann cannot stay alive long, eh?" He grins, "Shame about Draur. He has long been a faithful servant. I suppose we must lose good men in order to change Dunland for the better. Still, a shame." He pauses, "What of the Stag?" and then hears the cry, to which he stands immediately.
The warriors get closer, in sight, but it is plain they wave a white flag of truce. Their colors blue, of Stag, which has not entered the fighting at all, for the moment.
"Better to suffer and hunger out of the rain.. " Finnian says, frowning with some determination in his gaze. "Let me join your cause. At least then I be having a chance to fight back against the bastards that took everything I ever worked for! The fian's squeeze the people dry.. and now it be raining. Seems a sign to me that fighting back is the will of Kiern."
[Carac(#32384)] "Our cause is survival, nothing more," the guard says to Finnian. "There may be fighting, but only if we're forced into it. If you're looking for vengance, then you best go look somewhere else." A rope ladder is thrown down towards the guards so they can enter the keep without need of opening the gates. "Climb up if you like," he continues as he, himself begins to climb the ladder to the walls above. "Know, however, that we've ways of dealing with those who cause trouble ourselves, and unlike our Bear cousins, we don't leave them alive afterwards."
"Stag warriors!" the watcher on the northern wall cries out now. "Waving a flag of truce!"
Carac gives a soft chuckle to Tet'Nak. "Seems we're about to find out what the Stag are about," he says. "Shall we go see what they wish to offer?" he steps towards the stairs that lead to the top of the wall.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak nods to Carac. "Let us see. Something with coin, I would suppose." Tet'Nak waves to Carac, indicating the younger man should take the lead. Tet'Nak pulls up his hood over his head, and wraps his cloak about him, preparing to go out into the rain.
The Stag come within about thirty feet of the keep and stop. The man in front, riding a pony, dismounts. He has a thick, black beard, and a muscular frame. His baratone voice rings out, "I am Shadrack MacDuff. Fian of the Stag. I come bearing a message from Feent, Merchant-Prince of the Stag." There is a noticable scowl on the Fian's face as he speaks.
"Aye.. I understand.. No trouble." Finnian hurries over to the rope ladder to scramble up it himself. No one wants to be caught between a wall and an attacking body of soldiers. (At least so far as he knows). Once the straggler is atop the wall he turns to look around and his gaze settles on the group of Stags curiously.
[Carac(#32384)] It seems that most of those within the keep who own a bow, are now atop the walls, and watching this contigent of Stag warily. Though none make a move or say a word, as the await the arrival of Carac and Tet'Nak.
Carac stays slightly crouched once he reaches the top of the wall, giving as little target as possible to any archers who may be amongst the Stag warriors. "Greetings, MacDuff!" he calls down towards the Stag. "You can speak your message from there, or we can send a rope ladder down for you, but you and only you are all that will be allowed entrance."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak watches silently.
Shadrack nods his head, "Very well," the man says, "Feent offers Carac, son of I'racil, land, title, and coin for his alliegence. He proclaims all land considered under Bear control Carac's, once it is conquered. To Tet'Nak, Stag kinsmen, the Ceann offers control of Wulf lands, and Kierkgard Dun, what is left of it, for his own desires." The man sighs, "All that is required is fealty to the Stag Ceann and your support in his claim as Ard-Righ, King of Dunland."
Finnian watches all of this in silence, his gaze traveling frequently between the soldiers outside on the ground, and the men that have climbed up to the wall to address them. He leans over to ask softly of the guard, "Who be they?" He inclines his bearded chin towards Tet'Nak and Carac.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac pulls his cloak a bit tighter as the rain begins to come down a bit harder. "All of the lands controlled by the Bear and all the lands controlled by the Wulf?" he calls back questioningly. "Your Ceann offers a rich reward."
He turns momentarily towards Tet'Nak and grins slightly before turning back towards Shadrack.
"Return to your Ceann with this message, MacDuff," he calls down. "Tell him that we will consider his proposal, but only if he proves his sincerity. Tell him that once he has taken the lands of northern Caerdh along the Laeg border, and proven that he makes no secret alliances with Bear we will then give his offer more consideration."
The guard near Finnian gives a slight shrug. "Survivors like the rest of us," he replies. "Perhaps more, perhaps not. Though if you wish to know more of them, I'd suggest asking them. I'll not be the one speaking that which others may wish to remain unknown."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] MacDuff nods under the rain, "I doubt very much he shall act," he says, then looks over his shoulder, as if wondering what his words will cause amongst the men there. "We are of Forthunn," he admits, "Honorable Stag, every one. Feent, he is rich, from his father's coins." He turns and spits into the rain, "He lives in Bree!" He grumbles, "My father and grandfather both died in battle with goblins. Defending Dunland. He wishes to buy loyalty." The man pauses, "I make you my own offer, Carac and Tet'Nak, the Ghost who knew my father ... if we fight with you, will you liberate Dunland. Sweat. Bleed. Die if necessary!?!"
Finnian lifts his brows when the names are put to the two men by MacDuff, turning to look at the guard again with a smirk for his precautions. "Don't seem such a secret to me." He grows quiet then and looks back to the exchange between the leaders.
[Carac(#32384)] Carac keeps a wary eye on MacDuff as his brow wrinkles in thought. "I can make no promises as to how all this will end," he begins. "It is liberation that we strive for, but it may well end up with all of our heads upon the Keep walls of one Ceanni or another, but I for one will continue this fight until I have spent every drop of my life's blood."
He raises from his crouched position behind the wall to stand at his full height. "If your offer is true," he continues. "Then you and yours will be welcomed amongst our numbers, that is what I say."
He turns then to Tet'Nak. "What say you?" he asks. "Can we trust these?"
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak muses, "If he is Shadrack MacDuff, son of Telgar MacDuff, and grandson of his namesake, then I would think he a potential ally. They were follows of Asher. They were tough, strong me, not corruptable like most Stag."
Shadrack nods, "Kierkgard Dun is destroyed. Everyone knows you are all here. Sooner or later, one of the Fians, or Ceanns, will send a force that will destroy this place. I suggest that when they come they find only voices upon the wind." He squints, looking through the rain, "Accept my invitation to stay in Forthunn. For the moment, none shall know of our pact and your new locale."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac can't help but give a soft chuckle at the words from Tet'Nak. "Like most Stag?" he asks with a smile. "Were you not a Stag, my friend? You have now been offered lands and titles on two occasions, but you have declined both times. I would say there are more who beyond corruption than you think."
He then turns to MacDuff and frowns slightly. "We shall accept your offer," he says. "Sadly though, I do not believe our locale will remain secret for long. I would be a fool to believe there are not those who inform the Wulf an Bear of our every move. News of our departure may even reach Creatrach and Redvyrne before we reach Forthunn."
The guard that stands near Finnian gives a grunt at the words spoken atop the walls. "Ever been to Forthunn, Tavish?" he asks.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak shrugs, "I don't accept things when I know they are empty promises. Offer my some coin, I might take it." He looks down again at the Stag that waits below. "Perhaps. Though, I doubt either of the clans will be rash to attack. Though sooner or later, we will need to deal with Feent himself. His coin can buy many men's hearts." Shadrack waves to the men, "We shall wait with you, perhaps you should begin the evacuation immediately. The rain makes good cover."
Tavish lifts his hand to wipe water from his eyes again, watching all of this with an expression of ignited interest. When the guard questions him on the new location he looks over, "Nay. But I will gladly be joining these men if I have a chance to help free our people from Ceanni control. When they be finished I'll introduce myself."
[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a grunt and nods towards MacDuff. "We shall begin immediately," he replies. He turns then to begin the descent from the walls, but before he goes down he turns to the archers upon the walls. "Keep your arrows trained on them until we are all away," he says. "There could still be treachery involved."
He then slips down to the courtyard and begins to issue orders. "Gariag and his men first followed by the women and children," he calls out. "Then the injured and old ones, the rest will go last to make up the rear guard."
"Open the northern gates!" is his last command.
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak lets Carac's orders float through the keep. He has largely allowed Carac to led the people, himself only serving as an advisor of sorts. He looks out over the road, the Stag standing in the rain, waiting. He himself pulls his hood further of his face, which is already soaked, but says nothing as people start getting ready to move again.
Finnian sees his opportunity as orders are given and Carac begins descending. The lean man swiftly moves to approach Tet'Nak. If he isn't halted sooner the man will stop a non-threatening distance from the older man. "Sir.. The name be Tavish, Finnian Tavish. I wish to join the cause." He says, wiping drops of water from his eyes again. "Fianni took everything from me."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak looks over at the approaching man. He allows him to move as close as he wants. The old man does not look like he is surprised or concerned with the man's approach. "The cause, eh? The Fianni took everything from you, well, join the crowd." He waves toward the people below getting ready to move out. "They have taken much from many. Certainly, anyone that feels slighted, and is ready to spill the blood of those that keep trying to take from the people is welcome by me."
"I went to Creatrach after what little I had left be ruined in the fires. Brodie's men beat me, threw me out.. all I was looking for was a bit to eat. Starve the men as working for you, it don't seem right to me, sir. I got no love of the Ceanni or their men." Finnian speaks in a determined voice, "Give me something to eat other than berries and twigs and I be your man. I don't got much, but I don't ask for much either. I work hard.. fight hard."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] Tet'Nak smiles. "There is some food inside. I would get to it before it is eaten up." He nods, slowly, "We do not eat well, but what we do have, we share equally. Carac eats not better than anyone else here." He cocks an eyebrow, "So, Finnian, was it? What is it you did before you lost everything?"
"Originally, I be from a farmstead.. shepherd work when I was a lad. Later I moved on to work for a Fian in Caerdh county, got some work as a scout. I had me a small place to live, a scrap of land. Fianni that I worked for was killed, then the new one took it all from me. Said he didn't be needing my work. Ceann wouldn't listen when I appealed to him for retribution." Finn scowls and shakes his head. "That was when I went to Kierkgard, and it wasn't long after the city was burned."
[Tet'Nak(#6174)] "Kierkgard," Tet'Nak says, "Sorry about that, I cannot help myself in burning it down, or so it seems." He laughs slightly, which might seem surprising, "But in truth, it needed to be purged, even though, in truth, I did not burn it down. The rumormongers like to blame me, as it has always been." He turns, heading back down into the keep, "Come, let's get you something to eat. I think we can use the skills of a scout around here. Perhaps you can aid us on our journey north ..."
"Aye, I be glad to help. Thank you, sir." Finnian says, following him eagerly with the promise of a meal at hand. "I'll help in any way I can to strike back at the bastards."
Players: Carac, Tet'Nak, Finnian, Shadrack
Located in: Dunlending
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