An apology ... and a solution

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.

Darkness hides all but the bass song of the falls to the south and the few pinpricks of candlelight from villagers still up late at night.

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: Mon Feb 23 14:37:29 2009

IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: moderate

IC Moon is: Full

IC time is: Before Dawn

IC date is: Sunday, Day 9 of April in the year 3046.

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Morning has broken over Dunland grey though the looming clouds may be, the moist air carries with it the promise of spring. The breeze brings with it the scent of good tilled earth and the soft twittering of birdsong.

Through the village, with scant heed for the peace of his surroundings, walks Brev. Since the strangers were taken into custody, he has kept well away, instead busying himself with arranging new supplies for a return journey up north, though whether that will ever happen, who knows? Perhaps he suspects that Ciaran would prefer him away from the \'hostages\'.

Now, however, he pauses by the door of Ciaran\'s brother\'s house, to enquire in a soft tenor, \"The woman - the one who was under guard. Is she in there now?\"

[Verge(#32426)]

Sitting on an old wooden stool by the side of a window in the kitchen of the Fian\'s brother\'s household, Verge gazes blindly in the direction of the wall, sometimes turning towards the window at the sound of birds singing and chirping. She simply runs a hand through her now clean and soft black hair, idly waiting for the Fian\'s brother to announce that she can be let free again. The sudden knocking on the front door causes the young woman to lean forward slightly, to see whose voice may be coming to stop by the house.

A burly-looking man armed with a dagger hanging from his belt saunters over to answer the door, offering Brev a slight frown upon his inquiry. \"Aye.. she is.\" Recognizing Breveg as being the individual Ciarian had allowed to visit the prisoners, the guard then steps aside, calling out Verge\'s name. Upon his beckoning, the young Bear woman quickly rises and makes her way over to the entrance, at a slow pace. \"Breveg? What do ye want from me now?\" Verge is obviously not in the best of moods right now, knowing Brev had allowed her to be taken away without any intervention.

Breveg leans against the door-frame and waits. At Verge\'s greeting, he raises an eyebrow, the motion accompanied by a soft snort. \"From you? Nothing. I came to offer ... an apology.\" The words are spoken grudgingly, but spoken they are. \"The Fian is,\" he hesitate, shifting position so that the door-frame creaks, \"preoccupied. He\'s not usually like this. I have told him that I do not believe you are Hawk, nor a threat. In time he will listen.\" That final assessment is offered uncertainly.

[Verge(#32426)]

The guard will continue to watch over the pair, standing by a wall near the door within earshot. Verge takes a step closer to the doorway, an expression of surprise sweeping over her features as she tilts her head slightly. \"Oh? An apology? Whatever made ye decide to tell me that?\" She pauses, crossing her arms. \"Well, not to say ye shouldn\'t be sorry. I wasn\'t even involved with your group, but the Fian ordered me to be taken hostage anyway.\" A nod is given after Brev\'s explanation regarding the Fian. \"Oh.. well, I didn\'t know ye tried to convince him otherwise. But what\'s taken \'im so long? He can\'t seriously think I\'ve come to spy on \'is village?\" A smile appears across her lips at this statement. \"Honestly, I wouldn\'t have made myself so obvious if I\'d come here to do that. But have ye had the chance to see him since yesterday, by any chance?\"

Breveg sighs at that first question. \"It was I who brought you here. I who suggested you come to Ranich. Usually its folk are welcoming to strangers - they were to me.\" He shrugs, his leather jerkin shifting slightly. \"I am sorry. Maybe you\'d have been better off marching up to Mathain.\" The words are said with a smirk to the guard, apparently a joke, but one more accustomed to listening to speech than most might pick up a raggedness to his voice.

The other question brings on a shake of the head, dark curls rustling softly at his shoulders. \"No, I haven\'t seen the Fian. He\'s closeted with his uncle. Debating what to do with the Hawk leader, I\'d imagine. You\'d hardly need to be a spy to work out that much.\" He pauses thoughtfully, then enquires, \"Want a breath of fresh air? He did say you and the smith would be allowed out under guard - I can do that.\"

[Verge(#32426)]

Verge frowns slightly at Breveg\'s mocking suggestion about her travelling up to northern Dunland. The woman remains silent and unmoving, casting her eyes downward, until the hunter invites her outside. \"You can? Well, of course. I\'ve been stuck inside all day.\" Without any hesitation, Verge slips her way out through the doorway, taking in the Springtime scents and aromas. A slight smile returns to her lips, and she turns halfway back to Brev. \"The smith?\" The cheery expression on her face is quick to fade, as she begins discussing such matters again. \"Is he the other man who had been taken prisoner?\" An eyebrow is arched. \"So he\'s a Hawk, then? And he was travelling with /your/ group? How was he found out?\" Verge seems awfully curious for someone who wants nothing to do with Brev\'s companions.

Unthinkingly, a corner of Breveg\'s mouth starts to lift in response to the smile, but then he catches himself and replaces it with a faint frown. \"How was he found out?\" That question is answered with a chuckle. \"Walked up to the Fian and declared himself, as bold as brass. At which point Ciaran ordered him seized and his companions too ... which unfortunately seemed to include you.\"

He hesitates, then suggests, \"I\'ll show you a little of the village - the bits that aren\'t worth spying on.\" His tone is dry. He reaches for the woman\'s arm (if permitted), scowling darkly back at the guard as though daring him to comment. Even without sunshine the air is mild, and the southerly breeze brings with it a hint of spray from the falls whose muted roar may be heard away in the distance. While walking, Breveg keeps up a low-voiced stream of comment. \"There\'s a house ten paces to your left ... a hundred yards back the way we came is the smithy. Usually you\'ll smell it.\" He seems to be choosing a path that avoids other people.

[Verge(#32426)]

The woman makes no resistance when the Brev takes hold of her arm, although her eyes help her expression turn into one of uncertainty. She makes no comment on it, and merely follows his lead as they stroll through the village. \"Oh, yeah, I noticed it,\" she says of the scent from the smithy. Once they\'ve made their way far enough from the Fian\'s brother\'s house, Verge gently tugs her arm away from Brev\'s grip. \"I don\'t want anyone to.. get the idea that somethin\' may be wrong with me. Don\'t want anyone talkin\' about me.\" This is said in the most polite tone possible, not wanting to offend her companion. \"I guess that must be the bakery over there,\" Verge reverts to the previous subject, facing up ahead in the direction of a small cottage with the smell of freshly baked pastries coming from it. She strolls along peacefully, keeping her tone relaxed. \"So.. you haven\'t yet told me -why- exactly you came here with the others. I hope you don\'t mind me asking.\" Verge\'s curiousity as to the background of the man has returned, it seems.

Breveg lets out a snort at Verge\'s explanation - but he also lets his hand drop back to his side, and maintains a socially acceptable distance. \"And you don\'t think walking around bumping into things might just do that?\" His tone is acid. \"I\'m /trying/ to give you a map so that next time you won\'t need a guide. And I haven\'t mentioned your ..uh, your eyes. Figured if it bothered you that much there was no need.\"

He walks in silence for a little, then his hand shoots out to tap gently at the woman\'s arm. \"No further. We\'re almost at the edge of the village.\" He adds, swiftly, \"We\'re facing west, and the path curves round to the southwest to meet the forest.\"

Seemingly admiring the view over the fields - from which the scent of new-dug earth is strong - he leans over to murmur very softly in Verge\'s ear. \"If you want, I can try to smuggle you out under cover of dark. I owe you that much. But it might be better to wait a little. Likely Fian Ciaran will release you anyway once he\'s decided what to do with the Hawk leader, perhaps he\'ll send the smith back up to Mathain with some message for the Hawk. I\'d recommend you go with him.\" The question of his own background seems to have been completely forgotten.

[Verge(#32426)]

The rosey shade to Verge\'s cheeks gains intensity in color at Brev\'s comments. Nothing is said in return, although she does try to make her gaze appear a bit less irregular, peering off to the side as if she were viewing the scenery. She comes to a stop at the man\'s tap, and nods during the brief description of their surroundings. Breveg\'s whispering comes a bit unexpected, but nonetheless she tries to make it appear as if she is admiring the wildlife and the singing of birds in a nearby tree. \"I..\" There is a pause while she attempts to estimate the trustworthiness of the man. \"Could you? I\'d prefer if I could be on my way before tomorrow - what if this is my only chance?\" Another light breeze blows in from the north. \"It shouldn\'t be too long until nightfall. It\'s getting a bit cooler now.\"

At that Breveg shakes his head, the breeze whipping a few stray strands against his face. \"It\'ll be a while longer till dark. And I cannot promise it will be tonight. The Fian may arrange duties for me elsewhere - I /am/ supposed to serve him, you know.\" His tone is dry. \"Which means,\" the amusement fades, replaced by cold calm, \"that I will not be able to guide you through the forest. I need to be here to see this matter to its conclusion. So you will need to hide, knowing that Ranich\'s men search for you. Do you still wish to try it?\"

[Verge(#32426)]

\"Oh.. alright,\" Verge nods, her eyes shifting their gaze to land in Breveg\'s direction. \"Yes, I think it may be best. Even if I have to wait another day.\" Her hair blows freely in the wind, and she lifts a hand to brush aside any stray strands bothering her face. \"I\'ve found my own way through the forests before without any trouble I can manage it. Last time on my way here, though, was an exception, I guess.\" She painfully brings back the memory of stumbling out of the forest to have Brev meet her. \"But if it\'s not possible.. when do you think this\'ll all be over? Within a week\'s time?\"

The silence that follows that question is answer in itself. Then Breveg murmurs, \"I hope so. Can\'t see that it does the Fian any good to keep Carac pent up here - he\'ll end up with both the Hawk and the other Fianni on his back. Whatever he\'s going to do, he needs to do it swiftly.\"

There is a change in his tone as he adds hastily, \"Time we were heading back. Folk are starting to look at us ... all right, turn round and walk back - remember to turn left at the corner just past the bakery. Scowl if you can, and push me off if I get too close. They\'ll just assume I offended your maidenly modesty.\" The snort that follows Breveg\'s words makes his opinion of \'maidenly modesty\' quite plain.

---

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Dunland Time and Weather Forecast

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Real Time is: Tue Feb 24 23:39:30 2009

IC weather is: Wind: - Clouds: clear

IC Moon is: Last quarter

IC time is: Early Morning

IC date is: Highday, Day 14 of April in the year 3046.

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Spring has finally come to Ranich, and with the earlier dawns an earlier rising for most of its folk, as they prepare for the planting. This morn is a fine one, though cool, and already the village is coming alive as men head out to the fields and women feed chickens or fetch water. From one house the aroma of new-baked bread drifts gently out.

Breveg passes that dwelling without a pause, his steps taking him toward that central, larger house that belongs to Ciaran and his family. Almost there, he stops a neighbour to enquire quietly, \"Do you know when the Fian usually rises? I\'d been hoping for a word, and I appreciate he\'s busy this time of year ...\" Even without suspicious Hawk visitors (over the last few days the presence of those has stopped being a topic of conversation for most, after all there\'s more important things to be getting on with).

[Ciaran(#23897)] The villager informs Breveg that the Fian is likely still in his home and goes on to joke about how the man hasn\'t gotten a full night\'s sleep since his son was born, so fussy is the infant. Though, as if summoned by request, Ciaran Ranich steps out of his home in a purposeful stride and gives a cursory glance around even as he\'s reaching the dirt path. \"Breveg.. Good morning.\" He offers, pausing mid-step and giving the man a nod.

The corners of Breveg\'s mouth twitch, and he comments, \"Then one must wonder why folk consider it worth having them.\" Certainly he is showing no signs of disturbed sleep his dark locks are tied neatly back and his clothing fresh.

At Ciaran\'s greeting, his head snaps round and he is quick to offer, \"And a fair one it is - Fian, may I have a word?\" He steps up to the other man as though ready to follow.

[Ciaran(#23897)] \"Of course, Breveg.\" Maybe there are some bags under his eyes, but Ciaran gives his retainer a cheerful enough smile. \"Do you mind walking as we do so? I need to go check a western field this morning and be sure it\'s ready.\" The fian seems to be in a better mood this morning.

\"Aye, Fian.\" Dutifully he falls into step. His own features are preoccupied, without an answering smile. \"It\'s about that woman you took prisoner along with the Hawk rebels. Fian, I tried to tell you earlier, but you were ... preoccupied.\" He grimaces. \"She wasn\'t with them, and as far as I know she\'s no Hawk. Will you not free her?\"

[Ciaran(#23897)] \"How do you know this? She could be someone they purposely kept seperated to fool us.. In case things didn\'t go as planned for them when they came here.\" Ciaran answers, striking out in a westward direction at an easy pace. \"Why is she here if she is not with the Hawk?\"

Breveg shrugs, matching Ciaran\'s pace. \"I don\'t /know/, only trust ... aye, I\'ve been wrong before.\" He favours his Fian with a sour smile. \"But she\'s here because I told her she\'d find a welcome. Met her out on the main road,\" he jerks his head south and east toward the forests, \"looking for somewhere to trade furs. I feel responsible for her mistreatment. I thought Ranich\'s folk showed hospitality to travellers - they did to me, after all.\"?

[Ciaran(#23897)] \"What would you do were you in my position, Breveg? Do I dare risk the safety of the entire community because one woman may have been shuffled in with the wrong crowd? I do not think she is being mistreated.\" The fian speaks in a discussing fashion instead of a decisive one. He looks over at the retainer to hear the man\'s opinion.

Breveg focuses his gaze on the road ahead - since when has his opinion ever counted in this place? Levelly he responds, \"I would consider also the reputation of the community. Seizing travellers who pass its borders does not bode well for future trade.\" He pauses a moment, then goes on, \"You\'ll be sending a messenger to Creatrach with word of Olmys - he could take her with him? That way you could still watch her, without keeping her pent up like one of the cattle. Somewhere her family waiting for their daughter to come home. I think she mentioned a father ...\" The words trail off and his brows furrow thoughtfully as he tries to recall what, if anything, Verge did actually say.

Jaw setting, he adds, unable to keep the note of anger from creeping in, \"I would at least /talk/ to her.\"

[Ciaran(#23897)] \"Okay. I will talk with her then. I have been distracted, and if you think she is not with the other group, I\'ll see what she has to say and extend more proper hospitality.\" Ciaran says quietly, agreeably. \"But while I do care about the reputation of the village, I place safety higher. That is why we stored the food.. that is why I will not take chances with this Carac. I haven\'t decided if I will send a message to Gregoir yet or not. It\'s a complicated situation.\"

That, if nothing else, causes Breveg to glance round at his superior, brows furrowing once more. \"Fian - word will out soon, if it hasn\'t already. Folk will talk to their neighbours in the next valley and such, it\'s not as though you issued a curfew. If you keep Olmys here in Ranich, we\'ll have both the Hawk and the other Fianni marching on us. Whatever decision you make, I trust you will make it swiftly.\" The words have a troubled air about them.

[Ciaran(#23897)] \"Yes, I know.\" Ciaran answers mildly, nodding in agreement. He pauses as they reach a field, using a hand to shield his eyes as he gazes out over the tilled soil. \"What would you see done, Breveg? You hold the most claim to the lands south of Mathain. Does the son of Barseg wish to have the Hawk as neighbors?\"

Breveg too pauses, but where Ciaran\'s gaze turns west Breveg\'s turns northward, towards the smudged rows of peaks marching toward the horizon. \"Fian, I have told you before that it is armies and not bloodlines that make claims,\" he remarks, mildly. \"But were it in my power ...\" he halts as though thinking, \"I would have an end to clan squabbles, and a northern border sealed tight against the goblins. If that meant using the Hawk to do it, I\'d try to find some way to bind them to it. Oaths to Kiern clearly don\'t work, so I\'d seek other methods.\" He shrugs, and then looks back to Ciaran, his lips twisted wryly. \"But I am fortunate enough not to have to make such decisions. Did you have any particular duties for me today, Fian?\"

Ciaran is still studiously looking over the field, but when he turns finally to look back at Breveg, his face is serious. \"No matter what decision is made, there will be trouble. But.. your opinion is important, and I thank you for it. I will consider what you have said.\" He\'s thoughtful for a long moment, then shakes his head. \"I have a lot to see to today. Why don\'t you question the woman yourself one more time, and if she seems unassociated with the Hawk, tell them she is to be released from guard. I\'ll trust your opinion on it, Breveg. I need to walk this field, was there anything else?\"

\"Aye, Fian.\" The words are simply spoken, and for once Breveg manages to keep the cynicism out of his voice, by not quite looking Ciaran in the eye. \"I\'ll see to the matter of the woman - and there were some repairs needed to one of the barns that was damaged by the winter storms. Oh, and I\'ve assembled supplies should you wish to send a small group northward again once the planting\'s done.\" That information given, he turns away, wishing Ciaran merely, \"Good day.\"

[Ciaran(#23897)] \"Good day, Breveg.\" Ciaran says in response, watching the man with a curious expression. Then the fian turns back to the field and climbs over the fence to begin walking out over the distended soil.