Another Meeting in Creatrach

[Olmys(#32384)] The night has departed and a new day dawned by the time the Bear Fianni have all been filled in the latest developments and informed of the Council meeting that has been called. Within the Hall of Fire several men of Laioghire stand on guard at the doors, dressed in armor and heavily armed. While outside many more stand at the gates barring enterance to any men, no matter their origins.

Looking older than his mere 18 years, Gregoir Laioghire sits upon the Ceann\'s seat, his eyes rimmed with dark circles and red from lack of sleep. The Ceann looks upon those gathered and gives a simple nod. \"Are we all here then?\" he asks.

Ciaran is sitting quietly beside his uncle, the only of his men that he has in attendance. Barseg\'s son will not be speaking on his behalf in this council. The Fian of Ranich didn\'t get more than a couple of hours of sleep, but that granted him a far fresher appearance than Gregoir at least. He spent most of the night in discussion with Caileann and stayed out of the rest of the affairs.

[Gabhran(#15443)]

Sitting with his eyes closed is the old man Kavanagh. Even with his eyes closed, it is clear that he wears a stern expression. Were it not for his crippled arm, he would surely have his arms crossed over his massive chest.

Caileann sits wordlessly at the table - not a Fian, he is apparently uncomfortable responding to the question with anything more than a curt nod. Occasionally he\'ll shift in his seat and glance around, as if looking to meet the face of another, but for the most part the grim old man just stares straight ahead, expression betraying little.

[Olmys(#32384)] \"I\'ve been told that you were all informed of the incidents which precipitated the calling of this Council,\" Gregoir says. Though obviously tired and more than a little apprehensive, the young Ceann\'s voice is determined and strong. \"If there any questions ask them now, before I have the guards bring in the Fian Maulduin.\" His eyes then begin to move over each man in attendance.

Ciaran remains silent and tries to keep his face as free of expression as his uncle, though his fingers do tap in a restless fashion on the surface of the table.

[Gabhran(#15443)]

The old man Kavanagh rises from his seat, towering over those who seated. He glares at the young Ceann.

\"I ain\'t gonna sit here and let a man like Maulduin dragged in here like some criminal. I\'ll bring him.\"

[Caileann(#20237)] At the mention of Fian Maulduin, Cailean\'s eyes dart to the guards. His mouth opens, and he clears his throat, a tell-tale sign, but whatever the words were, they die in his throat. A moment later, Kavanagh speaks, and Cailean will give a small, sharp nod - respect for age and honour perhaps - whatever he was thinking of saying appears to have been pushed to the side.

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir\'s fist comes down upon the table with a loud crash as he rises from his seat. \"You will not!\" he says towards Gabhran. \"Until this council decides otherwise, I am still Ceann of clan Bear, and I will give the orders. Take your seat Fian Kavanagh.\" A very slight trembling of his hands is the only sign of fear in the Ceann as he stares at the older fearsome Fian.

\"None of you have anything to say?\" he asks. \"My grandfather is responsible for the death of over a hundered of our clansmen and none of you have anything to say? Is this what clan Bear has come? Do we care only for our the well-being of our own holds and give not a fig for the clan as a whole?\" His voice grows angrier as he speaks and then with a shake of his head, almost in disgust he sits back down and waves a hand towards the guards at the door.

\"Bring in Fian Maulduin.\" he says.

Ciaran must have been deep in thought, because when Gregoir slams his fist down on the table the young man looks up sharply, startled. He watches Gregoir closely, listening to the rousing accusations. \"With respect, Ceann.. if what you said last night is true, none of us have much choice but to be cautious in everything we say and do at this point. The Bear may not survive this winter, let alone the troubles that face us come spring.\"

Gabhran turns his head slowly, fixing his hard stare at the two guards.

\"You move and I\'ll cut your nuts off.\"

Kavanagh\'s wheezing kicks in, adding to his menacing tone. When he is sure that the guards stand still for the moment, he turns to face Gregoir.

\"The way I see it, Ceann, you gone and accused a man of a heinous crime. A man who\'s gone and done more for the clan before you were even born. Hell, even before your mama was born. You sit there in that seat of honor because a bunch of Fians chose you over Kedhern, not because you earned it in battle or in deeds. Look at your face. Hardest thing that\'s ever hit those cheeks is some lass\'s lips.\"

He lets out a grunt and starts to head for the door. \"He is your grandpa. And my friend. I\'m goin\' to show y\'all how you treat your kin. If you want to stop me, you\'ll have to kill me, boy.\"

[Caileann(#20237)] \"I\'m not much pleased by the prospect of your guards dragging your grandpa in here either, Ceann... You have accused your kin, but until you have convicted him, he still has his honour. You slight that by his treatment, and you slight his injured leg - itself a mark of how long he has served Bear.\" It seems the uncle of Fian Ranich has found his voice at last, and as he sits back, folding his arms, it appears he is not quite done yet.

\"You should not call the Fians selfish either, if I may be so bold. As my nephew says, Bear is in a bad way, and now the Fians do not know if they can trust each other or their Ceann? It calls for caution.\"

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir\'s fingers dig into the arms of is chair as he reigns his temper in. \"Well said,\" he says then to Caileann and then turns to look upon Gabhran. \"More heinous than you know, Fian,\" he says.

\"Very well, a comprimise then. Instead of the guards I will allow you to send your man to retrieve my grandfahter,\" he says with a nod towards Cameron. \"Does that meet your need for propriety?\"

Ciaran grows quiet again, once more tapping his fingers upon the table as his gaze wanders to study a tapestry that so proudly displays the emblem of the Bear.

[Gabhran(#15443)]

\"No.\" Gabrhan Kavanagh states flatly.

\"But if you\'re so dead set on showin\' in front of everyone that you don\'t trust your Fian to go fetch his friend, then that\'s fine with me. Seems to me you\'re provin\' what Ciaran and Caileann are sayin\'s the truth.\" Gabrhan takes his seat and motions to Cameron.

\"Cameron. Go get Maulduin. Tell him to cover his eyes when he comes in here. Vultures go for the eyes first.\"

[Caileann(#20237)] \"Things do not look good, Ceann - save us some time perhaps and tell us how you intend to prove your claims? Winter sets in, and the Bears begin to eat each other. At this rate our real enemies will have naught to do come spring but pick at our bones\" Cailean says flatly. He\'ll briefly nudge his nephew with an elbow, a nod towards the drumming fingers before looking back to Gregoir.

[Olmys(#32384)] \"Vulture?\" Gregoir asks as he stares towards Gabhran. \"Is that what you think? That I want . . .\" he breaks off. \"Two holds border Redvyrne, Fian Kavanagh. Your own and that of Maulduin. Did you give leave for Kedhern to march his army through your lands? You need not answer I already know you did not, because I was there when they passed through Maulduin lands with my grandfather\'s blessings.\"

He then turns to Caileann and chuckles darkly. \"Proof? How can I prove any of it when you all are either enamored by grandfather\'s long \'service\' to the clan or are merely his puppets. Cinniede, Domhnaill, Tualith,\" he says eyeing each Fian in turn. \"I was there when my grandfather bought your votes for my claim as Ceann, but my knowledge does no good since you will deny my claims.\"

He rises from his chair then. \"Which is why I kept silent for as long as I did. I knew what claims would be leveled against me if I did, I know the extent of my grandfather\'s power and corruption. Well at least my conscience is clear. How many of you can make that claim?\"

The sound outside the doors announces that Maulduin will soon be entering. \"Since you all think him so innocent and honorable, he can be your Ceann. I want no part of any of you.\"

When his uncle nudges him, Ciaran looks over with a questioning expression. Upon realizing when Caileann is pointing out he ceases the fidgeting immediately with a faint look of chagrin on his face.

Gregoir makes another emotional speech and Ciaran slowly stands. \"Gregoir.. you have provided a circumstance where it is impossible for us to trust you. Either everything you say is true and you\'ve proven yourself excellent at convincing others of your feelings, myself included.. for my vote was -not- bought that day.\" The fian glances around with a challenging glare for the others, then looks back, \"Or.. You orchestrate all of this for your own motives of .. trying to remove your grandfather from power? I do not know.\"

\"I said before, the Bear needs someone that can bring the people together. That cannot be done without trust.\" He sits down again, his brows crunched together.

[Caileann(#20237)] \"If votes were bought and you were there and did nothing, it is not just your grandfather and those Fians who should be held accountable, Ceann. Do not sound so haughty, for if you were part of it, you share in the guilt.\" As he speaks, Cailean will lean in towards the table, tapping it hard with a finger to emphasize each of the last few words.

After this, he will lean back, though apparently not satisfied, because he adds \"Bring Fian Maulduin in, and let this begin. We should not have expected to leave Creatrach with so little arguing done.\"

[Gabhran(#15443)]

\"Ceann Gregoir, for a Maulduin, you act like bribin\' and buyin\' votes is somethin\' you never heard of \'round here. All of you.\" Gabrhan looks around the table with his one good eye and one cloudy eye. \"Bribin\' just means you\'re rich enough to BE a Ceann, so shut your mouths and bring the old hound dog in before he spawns another offspring.\"

The old Kavanagh glances at Gregoir again. \"And don\'t you be raisin\' your brows at bein\' called a vulture. In your family, that\'s what everyone calls each other around the supper table when they\'re bein\' friendly. I could have called you a Wulf. Now THAT be an insult.\"

Finnian> Finnian has partially disconnected.

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir turns to Caileann and gives a soft chuckle. \"When did I say I was not accountable?\" he asks. \"As any who were here last eve can tell you, I was ready to place myself in the dungeons for my part in all of this as well. I sit here ready to be removed as Ceann and for whatever other punishment this council deems appropriate for what I have done.\"

He then turns to Gabhran. \"Do the names Laioghire and Maulduin sound alike to you Fian Kavanagh? Ruadhri Maulduin is my mother\'s father and my grandfather, but I am no Maulduin. Nor do I have any wish for that hovel he calls his home. Laioghire has land enough land for my needs, more mayhap, if truth be told.\"

He gives a wave to the doors then. \"Bring him in,\" he says. \"Let us get this over with. I know I have brought all your suspicion on myself, but still it sickens me that you are all so blind to what Maulduin truely is.\"

The doors finally open and Cameron leads a red faced and highly agitated Ruadhri Maulduin into the hall. The old Fian limps as he makes his ways silently to one of the unoccupied chairs and then drops into it and glares silently at Gregoir.

[Brev(#30997)] As the door opens to admit Maulduin and his escort, a babble of voices can be heard. \"Lynch him! Traitor!\" \"No, it\'s the Ceann ye should-\" \"If that old dog\'s not safe, who\'s next?\" \"Wait! Grand-uncle is yet to choose an heir ...\"

The door slams shut, and the noise of the excited crowd gathering outside the Keep is mercifully muffled. It appears that the secret meeting of the Fianni is not quite as secret as one might hope. Out there in the courtyard, the rank-and-file are jumping to their own conclusions about their leaders\' seclusion.

[Caileann(#20237)] \"Well, now that everyone knows our doings, and the Bears are beginning to grumble against each other outside as well as in, perhaps we could get on with this sordid affair?\" Cailean\'s eyes momentarily flick over to his nephew, perhaps studying him, but only briefly. \"If we delay much further Ceann, there may be a riot.\"

Gabhran Kavanagh scowls at Gregoir, the deep set wrinkles of his darkly tanned face making his skin look like a tree bark, like the ents of lore.

\"You mouth off to your father like that? If that had been Brodie, I ..\"

The old man uncharacteristically trails off, not finishing his sentence. He presses his lips together and sits back, and looks at Maulduin.

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir just turns from Maulduin and sighs. \"Since I can not prove my claims, since Kedhern is dead as are his men, shall we just proceed with the vote? You know the accusations I leveled against my grandfather. How vote you all? As if I did not already know, guilty or not?\"

Ciaran hesitates, then says in a quiet voice. \"I think that Fian Mailduin more than requires the opportunity to speak. We only have your word to decide upon thus far, Gregoir.\"

[Brev(#30997)] No-one, afterwards, will be quite sure who started it. Men of Laoghaire, Maulduin, Kavanagh and Kedhern will all be blamed. Not Ranich, of course - everyone knows those craven earth-grubbers can\'t hold their own in a fight. Whatever the case, out in the distant courtyard fists are starting to fly - and in one or two cases more than fists. A hurled mug thuds against the Keep\'s stout outer doors, shattering with a crash, perhaps loudly enough to be heard even within the Hall of Fire.

Caileann nods his agreement, remarking \"If the council is to hold both of you in equal suspicion, it stands to reason that Maulduin\'s story be told. I for one would be interested to hear it, and these proceedings would be meaningless if they were not fair in their listening.\" If the crash is heard by the elder Ranich, he does not make it known - perhaps it was not loud enough, or perhaps he merely expected it.

[Gabhran(#15443)]

The ruckus outside seem not to disturb the old Kavanagh\'s thoughts, even when it grows loud enough to drown out his usual wheezing. He continues to look at his copper-headed friend.

\"How about it, you old stinkin\' hound dog? I don\'t know your grandson but I do know you. It won\'t take much for me an\' Cameron to go knockin\' heads until someone tells the truth. But I want to hear you say it. I think we all do.\"

[Olmys(#32384)] Maulduin with the help of his cane rises to his feet and glares at all those gathered now. \"Crimes?!\" he roars in a thunderous voice. \"You call saving the life of a friend a crime?\" he continues on in the same deafening voice, his face turning as red as the few remaining copper strands in his beard and hair.

\"Did I sacrifice the men in Redvyrne?\" he asks. \"Is that the question you all want answered?\" he turns then and looks at Gabharn. \"Aye, I did. This talk of hostages sickened me, we are Bears! We do not hand over our Fianni to anyone! No matter what they may have done!\"

His reddened face once more searches the room. \"Are any of you here actually fool enough to believe that the Wulf would have been appeased with hostages?\" he asks then. \"I gave them what they wanted, what none of /you/ had the balls to give them. There is an army in Forthunn and rebels to our north, if the Wulf were not appeased the Bear would have been caught between the three of them and crushed.\"

He gives a sharp nod and takes his seat. \"Aye, I sacrificed them. For the good of the clan and I would do it again.\"

Ciaran stares at Mauduin in silence, shocked yet again. He had never expected the old man to admit to such a thing. \"What honor is there in sacrificing our own to satisfy the thirst of an enemy?\" He asks in a thinly controlled voice, obviously holding back anger at hearing the accusations to be true.

[Caileann(#20237)] \"So it\'s true...\" The elder Ranich\'s normally impassive face gives way to a stunned expression as he says those words, shaking his head \"It was no trick of anyone but you - what of the honour of those men, Fian? And of yours, selling their lives to appease the Wulf?\"

Cailean will peer in disbelief across the table at the old man, for a moment merely gaping until his voice finds a hold again. \"Did you not tell me just last night when we drank together that you had no fear of the Wulf trying to march through Kavanagh or Maulduin lands? That they would not have been able to break through your brave men? Was it that, or was it because you had traded Kedhern\'s lives for their words of promise?\"

[Gabhran(#15443)]

\"And that\" Gabhran addresses Ciaran with his rumbling voice, \"is why you\'re a farmer, not a warrior. You live in a world without bribery and sacrifices. Must be nice.\"

He then looks at Maulduin. \"I\'d have done the same. Sacrificed Kedhern\'s men to save your sorry hide, I would have. But only because I know you couldn\'t have handled them Wulf on yer own. See, I could have. So next time, mind your own business and stick to what you do best. Spawnin\'.\"

For a moment, the old man\'s face loses its harshness.

\"There\'s just one more thing. Your grandson says you sic\'d them Kedhern boys onto Wulf and got my boy Brodie involved just so the Wulf would go after Kavanagh. Is THAT true?\"

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir remains silent, letting his grandfather speak for the nonce.

Maulduin does not rise this time, but his voice is just as thunderous as he points his cane in the direction of the two Ranich men. \"Have you lived under the rule of woman so long that you\'ve turned to one yourself?\" he demands. \"Lady Bear,\" he spits out the title with as much derision and disgust as he can manage. \"Was the worst thing that ever happened to this clan.

\"Aye, if Kavanagh and Maulduin were at full strength we could hold back the Wulf if need be,\" he says then focusing solely on Caileann. \"Though with our other problems, Stag and rebels, many of our men would have been called north to join whatever force is summoned to meet those threats. How many Bear would have died then? More than were slain at Redvyrne, that I promise you. I grieve for the loss of those men as much as any of you here, but it was a neccesary sacrifice. Unpleasant, but neccesary.\"

Finally he turns to Kavanagh and gives a snort. \"My grandson sees plots where none exist,\" he says. \"Aye, I gave leave for Kedhern to march his men through my lands, but nothing more. If his attempt to take Redvyrne had been successful . . .\" he shrugs. \"I hoped he\'d remember that and I would be rewarded for my actions, but I supplied him with no more.\" He then gives a shake of his head.

\"What would I gain by weaking you, Kavanagh?\" he asks. \"Lands? You\'ve got but a few years left to you and then your hold will pass down to your grandson, if I wanted your land I\'d just marry him to one of my daughters. I\'ve a few spare ones, you ken? Not to mention that weakening you, would make my own position along the border wearker.\"

Ciaran stands abruptly, driven to anger by Gabhran\'s words. \"You say that because you quarrel with your nieghbors and attack the Wulf, you are free to deceive and betray as you please? I may be a farmer, but my people fight just as fiercely when the goblins crawl out of their holes in the mountains.\"

His gaze goes back to Maulduin, the insults met with a deeper scowl. \"There is no honor in sacrifice! The stories of Arzhmael speak of our clan\'s founder -protecting- his people. He fought against the goblins and defended us from their attacks... as a bear defends it\'s terrority. Our namesake!\" Ciaran points up at one of the many banners, then says with disgust. \"There is no pride to be taken in this treachery and no excuses.\"

[Brev(#30997)] Within the Keep\'s stout walls, anger\'s barbs may take the form of reasoned words, but outside them the disturbance continues. Armsmen of the various Fianni release weeks of pent-up tension in a good old-fashioned brawl. In some places fists and mugs are the weapons of choice, though in others cold steel glints.

And then one burly, if slightly fuddled, grey-beard tries to take charge. Prompted mayhap by an anonymous cry of \"Where is the Fian?\", he charges up the steps to the Keep, dodging another mug, and shouts, \"In there! \'E\'s in there! We should make \'em release \'im.\" And he begins to thump on the doors with an axe-haft.

[Caileann(#20237)] \"Do not deign to insult the honour of Ranich, Fians though you may be\" Cailean forces out through gritted teeth. \"We know that each Bear\'s life has high value, and we do not throw them away lightly, even if they are not from our lands.\"

Cailean turns to face Maulduin solely, his expression flicking between anger and shock, and opens his mouth to speak when the crowd outside starts beating on the door causing his gaze to snap over to it. Rising, he will murmur \"I will take a place with the guards, as is my duty\" and will move away from the table a bit to stand with some of the Ceann\'s men.

[Gabhran(#15443)]

The gnarled oak tree of a man that is Gabrhan Kavanagh watches and listens to the other Fianni. He does not flinch when the door swells from the pounding on the other side. Slowly, he closes his eyes, as if in thought.

\"Well then.\"

He wheezes for a breath or two, eyes closed.

\"I say, this is what Farmer Fian meant by trust.\"

Slowly, he opens his eyes and first looks at Maulduin. \"You, you old hound dog. Your grandson accused you of doin somethin\' heinous. Well, sounds like he had good cause. He\'s a Ceann, he\'s \'sposed to be lookin\' out for the whole clan and challenge coots like you when he thinks someone\'s gone and done wrong. If you can forgive him, that\'s a start.\"

Gabrhan taps his chest. \"I need to believe what my lyin\' friend said about not wantin\' my lands and not trickin\' my son into disgrace.\"

He turns to Ciaran. \"You, Ciaran. You need to live by your words and put your trust in us all, even though we\'re all bunch of schemers, bribers and sacrificers.\"

Lastly, he turns to Gregoir.

\"And you. Well you\'ve shown you\'ve got spine in standin\' up to your grandpa when no one else did, like a true Ceann should. Now, show that you\'re a warrior, and tell them riotin\' knuckleheads to shut their traps so we could go on with the meeting and talk about the REAL threat to Bear.\"

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir frowns slightly his face showing sorrow and regret. \"Grandfather,\" he finally says. \"I - I didn\'t realize, I thought only . . .\" he frowns and shakes his head. \"Forgive me, I have done you an injustice.\"

He turns his eyes then towards Ciaran. \"You say there is no honor in sacrifice Fian Ranich?\" he asks. \"My father and two of my uncles gave their lives when I was but seven years old,\" he says. \"The orcs had streamed out of passes near our lands it was obvious they would over run us. My father told the majority of our men to see my mother and me safe to my grandfather and then he, my uncles and a handful of men went forward to meet the orcs so we could escape. They sacrificed themselves so that the rest of us might live. If you say there was no honor in that, then you know not what honor is Fian.\"

He turns then to his grandfather again. \"What Fian Maulduin did was not quite the same, but his intentions were. I was wrong to misjudge him.\"

Maulduin gives a dismissive wave of his cane. \"You are young, you have not the years to see things as I do. It\'ll come in time though and do not worry lad, I forgive you.\" He then motions towards the door with his cane where the banging still sounds loudly. \"Kavanagh is correct though, we might be wantin\' to do something about that soon.\"

Ciaran finds himself under attack and a logical part of him realizes he should have kept his mouth shut, but it\'s too late now and an angry need to defend himself is winning out. Gabhran is given an irritated look for the mock title, but he isn\'t about to mouth off to Kavanagh. Instead, he focuses his attention on Gregoir. \"Sending men to slaughter to cover up a greedy mistake is hardly the same as dying willingly in combat to save those you wish to protect!\"

[Brev(#30997)] The thumping at the door continues, punctuated by muffled words. \"Bring out the Fian! We want Maulduin.\" A different voice - harsher, deeper, cuts across. \"No! Kedhern, ye goat-arse!\" And then, for a moment at least, the thumping stops, replaced by grunting and scuffling, as that particular argument is settled.

Gabhran grunts as grandfather and grandson reach a truce. For now.

His attention next turns to Ciaran.

\"We can sit here and argue all day like a bunch of bitter old women about what it means to sacrifice. Kiern knows, I\'ve heard \'em all.\"

He lets a wheeze or two go by before continuing.

\"Fian Ciaran, I don\'t give a rat\'s tail if you think the sky is yaller and babies come from trees. I just wanna know if you\'re willing to compromise like the rest of us.\"

[Olmys(#32384)] Maulduin opens his mouth to speak, however, it is Gregoir\'s words that come first. \"Those men,\" he begins, \"were sworn not only to Kedhern, but also to Clan Bear. Sworn to give their lives for the protection of the Bear and its interests. Which is exactly what they did. I will not go so far as to say that I approve of my grandfather\'s actions, but he did not attempt to cover up his deeds when asked about them. So, I can only believe that what he did, was in his mind at least, best for the clan.\"

The yells outside then have all of Gregoir\'s attention. \"Enough of this arguing. I say the matter is settled, and unless someone here wishes to try and remove me as Ceann, the matter is settled. Now we must deal with the men outside.\" He pushes himself from his chair and as he stands he glances towards Gabharn.

\"When this is over Kavanagh I will give you the oppurtunity to try and hit my face with something harder than a set a lips.\"

[<#32384>] Maulduin chuckles softly and leans towards Gabharn. \"The boy may need to learn a bit about leadership, but he\'s got balls the size of boulders.\"

Ranich looks between Kavanagh and the Ceann, anger still obvious on his face. The pounding on the door is a good reinforcement to illustrate the point that the men are trying to get across to the farmer. He doesn\'t sit down again, but brooks no further argument, letting out an audible sigh of frustration. He lifts up his staff to prop against his shoulder as he makes for the door. He can take his frustration out on the rabble outside.

[Maulduin(#32384)] \"Hold, Ranich!\" Gregoir bellows. \"You walk out that door alone and they\'ll tear you apart,\" he continues. \"We are the leaders of Clan Bear. If we wish to quell this riot and make sure it does not erupt again before the day is over then we must show them that the Fianni are one.\"

[Brev(#30997)] From outside the door comes the thud of something heavy, followed by a choked-off cry. Then a brief, shocked silence. \"Ye killed him!\" an exclamation rises, answered by a protesting, \"Did not. Damn fool fell.\" Soon the silence is swallowed in a cacophony of shouting.

Gabhran grunts, still seated. \"Then best find him a wife who can sew britches big enough to keep it inside.\"

He then adds quietly, \"Just don\'t let his head get as big.\"

The words \"like my Brodie\" need not be spoken.

Ciaran stops at Gregoir\'s words, letting his hand drop from reaching to open the door. Gabhran is regarded for a moment, but the farmer lets his gaze move on. \"As you say, Ceann..\" Ranich is still prickly over the meeting, but waits now, fingering the staff.

[Olmys(#32384)] Gregoir moves to take down one of the great swords which adorn the walls of the Hall of Fire. Taking hold of the hilt with both hands he holds the length of the enormous sword out before him. The five foot blade along with his long arms give him a reach of over eight feet as he points the end of the sword towards the doors. \"All of you come stand behind me,\" he says to the seated Fianni.

Then to the door guards he looks. \"When they are in position open the doors.\"

[Brev(#30997)] Outside in the courtyard, the Bear armsmen display their understanding of clan unity. Chaos reigns as little knots of men eddy this way and that, each one fighting for \'his\' Fian. At the foot of the steps a single body lies unmoving, an axe still clutched in his broad hand, his grey head twisted at an impossible angle. On the steps themselves are a gaggle of men, arms raised as they pound on the doors with fists and blades.

When the door is yanked suddenly open, the foremost tumbles down at Gregoir\'s feet, his sword-arm outflung for balance. Down below, in the echoing courtyard, there is a sudden hush.

[Olmys(#32384)] His arms tremble slightly with the effort of holding the enormous great sword extended before him, but Gregoir\'s voice does not falter. \"HOLD!\" he roars to those outside the doors as he takes a step back from the fallen man before him.

\"Look and see. None of your Fianni have been harmed, nor shall they be. The leaders of clan Bear stand united before you. Though if any of you wish to quench your thirst for blood then come. Otherwise, disperse and let us celebrate our new found unity.\"