Trouble on the Horizon

Hawk rebels in the village, strange wandering vagabond woman, and now a group of vagrants seeking to be farmers?! Ciaran Ranich is not enjoying his induction into being Fian too much. The man seeks out the home that Carac is being held in, and after stepping inside he sends the guards out of the room so that he can speak with the rebel privately.

Ciaran doesn\'t look to be in a pleasant mood as he drags a couple of chairs over, pushing one out for Carac to sit in while he takes the other. \"I\'m running out of time to make a decision, so it seems I\'m in some need of some convincing.\" He states.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac moves to take one of the empty chairs and gives a simple shrug of his shoulders. \"And what is it you need convincing of, Fian?\" he asks. \"I came in peace only to tell you that the Hawk mean you no harm. We do not wish to fight with you or with any of the Bear clan. We only wish to rebuild Mathain and to live our lives in peace. In return we will once again take up the defense of the mountain passes.\"

He lifts a brow slightly. \"Which part of that are you having trouble with? I did not attempt to deceive you, but informed you immediately of my identity and my reasons for coming. I ask you for nothing, but to pass on the message I\'ve given you.\"

\"The part I have trouble with is the burning of Kierkgard. You talk of peace with your neighbors, but raised a riot and fire against those you disagreed with elsewhere. What happens when you aren\'t fond of some policy the Ceann of the Bear levies? What if you don\'t like how your neighbor to the south manages his food trade?\" Ciaran watches Carac carefully, \"Defending against the orcs is not a peaceful lifestyle. What will you do for food and supplies?\"

Hawk rebels in the village, strange wandering vagabond woman, and now a group of vagrants seeking to be farmers?! Ciaran Ranich is not enjoying his induction into being Fian too much. The man seeks out the home that Carac is being held in, and after stepping inside he sends the guards out of the room so that he can speak with the rebel privately.

Ciaran doesn\'t look to be in a pleasant mood as he drags a couple of chairs over, pushing one out for Carac to sit in while he takes the other. \"I\'m running out of time to make a decision, so it seems I\'m in some need of some convincing.\" He states.\'.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a simple shrug of his shoulders. \"I did not burn Kierkgard,\" he says simply. \"I mourn its loss and if Kiern does not take me before the matters with the Hawk are settled, I intend to be one of those who rebuilds the Holy City. I cared for those who lost everything in the fires and I led them to new lands in the north. I have done all I can to try and make up for my part in what happened in Kierkgard, when I have the oppurtunity I intend to do more.\'

He bats a lock of hair from his eyes and is silent for a moment. \"There is land north of Mathain. A valley where two rivers meet, the soil is good there and the rivers provide fish. We will get would food and supplies we need from there. The Hawk have always lived off the land, that will not change.\"

\"That is not what you spoke before, Carac. You blamed the Guardians and said that you were striking out against them.\" The fian responds calmly, but there is a narrowing of his brows. \"How am I to speak on your behalf to the Ceann if I cannot trust you myself?\" Ciaran folds his arms over his chest, his dark eyes never leaving the Hawk.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac raises a brow in question. \"What is different?\" he asks. \"You said your problem lie in the burning of Kierkgard, and I told you I did not burn Kierkgard. If the Guardians had simply allowed the people of the city to leave, there would have been no fires, there would have been no riots. Was I there? Yes, I was there, but I did not command anyone to fight nor did I light any torches. That is no different that what I claimed before and as true now as it was then.\"

Ciaran is quiet, mulling this over with a flat expression upon his face though he still watches the man. Finally he asks in a calmer manner. \"The people that came to the village, were they yours?\"

[Carac(#32384)] Carac gives a slight nod. \"They are Hawk if that is what you mean,\" he replies. \"Most likely looking for me, but they are not mine. The Hawk do not follow the same customs as the other clans, they do not bind themselves to Fianni as the people of the great clans do.\"

\"Why are you willing to settle in the harsh lands around Mathain and take on the responsibility of the orcs? What do you want in return?\" Ciaran asks next, his tone far more reasonable now. He still has his arms crossed over his chest, but it\'s more a matter of comfort.

[Carac(#32384)] \"That land,\" Carac says. \"Was given to the Hawk, but Mathain himself. It is part of who they are. The loss of that land and the destruction of the keep is a great wound to their pride and they only wish a chance to redeem themselves. I wish only for peace, so long as Hawks remain they will never rest until they hold Mathain once more.\"

Ciaran nods quietly, letting out a quiet sigh. \"It matters little to me who holds Mathain. My concern is for my own people and you know as well as any other that we lead fairly content lives here.\" The fian frowns, \"I have one more question for you.\"

[Carac(#32384)] Carac nods in reply. \"I only wish for you to continue to live in contentment. We have enough enemies we need not make more fighting over land that is currently held by no one.\" He then motions for the Fian to continue. \"Ask what you will, Fian. I will answer anything I am able.\"

Ciaran again, is nodding. \"I seek no enemies either, as I suspect is fairly obvious.\" He grows silent for a long span, then asks in a direct, unyielding tone. \"Is Breveg a spy for the Hawk?\"

[Carac(#32384)] Carac chuckles softly and shakes his head in reply. \"No Fian,\" he replies. \"You can put your mind at ease, Breveg is not a Hawk. Nor is he a spy for the Hawk.\" Now he folds his arms across his chest.

\"There is your answer. Now I have a question for you, Fian.\"

\"Ask it.\" Ciaran responds in a quiet tone, his brows pinching together faintly. His eyes trail to one of the small windows in the room, but only divert briefly before returning to the Hawk.

[Carac(#32384)] Carac\'s eyes meet the Fian\'s and he lifts a brow imploringly. \"What do you intend to do with me?\"

Ciaran smiles in amusement, standing now and smoothing his shirt. \"I intend to let you leave. I\'m going to send Breveg with you, if that is acceptable. He knows the lands and can bring messages. I\'m going to speak with the Ceann and see if bloodshed can be avoided.\" The fian lifts the chair to return it to it\'s place at the table.

\"There is no honor in fighting amongst ourselves when we both have mountains full of orcs at our backs. When our planting is done, I will put aside what seed is left and you can use it to rebuild your own farms.\"

[Carac(#32384)] Carac raises a brow slightly at this and then nods. \"Speak with your Ceann before making any promises,\" he says then. \"I would not have you make an enemy of him for my sake. Do what you think is best for your people, Fian.\" He rises from his chair as well and glances once towards the door.

\"So I can go then?\" he asks. \"And my companion? The smith?\"

\"Let me speak with the guards first. But yes, you are both free to leave when you wish.\" Ciaran looks at Carac for a long, weighing moment, then turns to depart the small home without further words.