Clan McCallister.

[poohlive]

They met the lady at the edge of the woods. She stood there, tall and proud. She was waiting them, glancing up at the sky beyond them. For a moment something flickered in her eyes, and then it was gone. If something was up there, it wasn't anymore.

"I am glad you came. What happened?"

Gavin fell from his horse, trying to stand, but couldn't. The poison slipped deeper within him, he could barely control his muscles.

"Ahhh, I knew they would try poison. Quick, drink this."

It looked like purple juice. Grape, but the scent was rotten and bruised. Wine that had gone bad on the vine. He drank it, the sickly sweet taste creeping into his sense. For a moment the world spun uncontrollably, and then it shot back to focus. The poison riddling his body was gone, and a warm tingly sensation took over. He was back.

"aye, they tried everything, like you said. An assasin, Gin, one of my cousins former allies. I didn't think he would turn traitor. But he has. Your sister..."

The druid hissed, "She is not my sister. She is an abomination."

Gavin noticed the resemblance for the first time. He saw it in the eyes, face. Even their hair was similar... a shiny web of ravn colored straw. It was beautiful, they both were. He couldn't help but admire it.

"No doubt they are now asking for allies. You can not defeat the war without aid."

Gavin shook his head, "No, once the scottish clans know of her deceit, how she murdered my cousin, no one would side with them. They will cut her off, and let us go in to revenge."

"Who said anything about the scottich clans. Milord..."

She held out a small container. Gavin furrowed his brows as he looked at it. He had seen it before, it usually held important documents. Things that were better left to King's, and Lord's and Laird's, royalty and those in power. He took it from her, opening it up, and taking the piece of paper out.

"Oh my God..." His jaw dropped. The English... The McAllister's had joined forces with the English. No wonder. Heat boiled through him again. No wonder they did not fear him or his clan. With the english at their side, they could do anything.

"Take copies of this," The druidess spoke to him, whispering in his ear, persuasice and sweet. Her voice was like a hummingbird, it stung deep inside him. Part of him hated her voice, part of him wanted to scream and run as soon as she spoke to him, but another part would not allow it. She spoke too much truth. No one had yet spoke the truth to him, and even sour, the truth was better than the sweetest lie on the sweetest lips.

"Send them to all the clans, including King James. Let them know where the loyalty of McAllister really lies. No one will then deny who's side they are on, or your terms for revenge. You have the proof in your hands of all their lies, of all their deceits. With this one piece of paper, you can single Handedly destroy the McAllister Clan."

Could it be true? Everything she said was the truth so far, it was too good not to believe. He looked at it, as if it had somehow turned to gold inside his hands.

"What about the english, though?"

"If all of the scot's unite against McAllister and her deceit, surely they will do so against the English. Believe me, King James has been waiting for an opportunity like this for years. You will not only win the war against your traitor clan, but also against the English. You will be a hero, Gavin. You will become legend."

Hero? Legend? Could he? Could this all be real? Could he really make this happen?

With a sly grin spreading on his face, he knew he had to try, for his cousin if nothing else.

"We must hurry. No doubt they will already try to rally the clans. Make copies of this, show it to everyone. I will take the original to the King myself, show him the lies. Then, we will declare war on the McAllister's, and take them all out."

The druidess stood in the shadows, a smile on her face. It was all coming together.

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna made her way up to the room where the English lass and Beth were staying. Knocking on the door she called out letting Beth know that it was her. Once she opend the door Brinna went in and sat down across from Beth in one of the other chairs.

Beth i have a request ta make of ye.. I know ye doona wish ta return home, for fear o' being found out, but i need yer help. I wish fer ye ta travil with the messangers that Ian is gathering for me, and carrie them to our allies. The McIllioch's, and the St. Clairs have a blood bond, and will join forces, and the Douglas yer Father are allies with the McIllioch as well as us and will come ta our aid. I need ye ta go along incase another decides ta disuade our allies away from us. If ye go then they will help us... Ye have an hour ta think about it lass afore the messangers Ian has gathered are ready ta go.

Brinna stood wishing that she didnt have to ask Beth to do this but it was the only way to be certin their allies would join them. Moving down the stairs Brinna made her way to the inner bally to speak with Angus about Armor and a good sword for Beth incase she decided to go. Hail Angus ... I needs speak with ye about some armor fer Beth...

 

[Screech]

Angus looked up from his forge, the heat causing him to sweat. Brinna had approached with a request for arms and armour for Beth. Angus nodded. "Aye, I thank i have jus the thing fer yeh handmaiden. I'll get it for yeh"

Angus strode off into the back of his smithy and rummaged through a crate of various arms and armour. After a short while, he returned to Brinna, the sad look on his face even more evident than before.

"This will suit Beth." Angus passed over a rather basic looking dagger with an unusually long blade, and a shirt of chainmail. "Tha dagger was one o me first creations. Light, but sharp. An' that mail, well, jus say I found it an' repaired it"

Angus put a hand on Brinna's shoulder, and gazed intently into her eyes. "Are yeh sure this is the only course of action left to yeh? Ah have as much taste fe war as the next clansman, but ah donne wan' te see you, or yeh sister hurt"

 

[Mistress Silver]

My peaceful sleep is invaded by images of Gavin and my sister. Both of them are laughing at me and I myself am tied to a wooden post. The very man that I am attempting to save from the vile clutches of the monster beside him throws a torch onto the platform. The wood surrounding me is quickly engulfed by the angry element. As the flames near my skin I am hopeless to do anything, my magic sealed by my very hands, I start to cry.

"Gavin, please! Open ye'r eyes! See her for what she really is!" I plead with the warrior.

My sister's laughter drips with venom, "He knows my words to be the truth! Oh, how long have I waited to finally kill you!"

I watch in horror as she removes her clothes and moves to Gavin. Embracing him, she slides her tongue into his mouth deeply as she starts to remove his clothing.

"Stop!" I scream at the two of them.

I feel a sudden jolt of magic link me to Gavin's consciousness. He is now with me, within my dream.

"Wash ye'r 'ands 'o me!" I scream at him. "Tha truth! 'Ear it for what it is an' na what ye want ta hear!"

 

[poohlive]

Gavin furrowed his brow at he looked at the woman before him. An altar, and on top of it is Fearchera. She is going to be burned at the stake. The wood piled up at her feet. There are people below, dancing around it as if it were some sort of pagan symbol.

He was on top of the pillar with her, staring at her. She was screaming though, and he looked back to where she screamed.

There, stood himself.... Gavin. Gavin was laughing with the rest. He was beside Fearchera's sister, who was kissing him, loving him. He remember those sweet and nauseating words, and imagined that is just how she kissed. Sweet kisses that made you want to puke, made you want to never kiss her again.

Gavin looked down at Fearchera. Fire danced around them both. It seemed miraculous it didn't touch him. Powerless, as if the flames were an illusion to him. Not to her though, she was being burned alive.


The real Gavin, he reached down with a dagger, and cut at the ropes.

"Come on," He said, lifting her up, "We need to get you out of here. And fast."

He leaped onto a horse that... until that very moment was not there, and rode off.

"Are you all right, milady?" He asked, pulling the hair from her eyes. She looked worse for the wear, but not horrible. There were not burns across her body, black and charred. Rather, she looked like she was a child who had just stood too close to the fire.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

Pacing now as I try to figure out what to do, M'Lady had asked of me something that I was fearing to do. It had been several years since I had been home, if home was what I honestly wanted to call it. Walking from one end of the room to the other as I worked on my feelings, the fear and the knowledge that no matter what I decided this would be a huge step on my part.

Looking at the English Lady in the bed, I wished she had made it home safe with her missive. Why had they attacked her and the guards, had they for some reason wanted to keep her here to make it look like we had attacked them. No, that could not be for they wouldn't have known that Fearcharia would see them and safe the Lady from death.

"What am I to do?" I ask the room about me, knowing that there is but only one answer to my question. Several years ago I had come here for safe haven and it had been given to me. No one but the Lady Brianna had known why, or from where I had come from. She had given me a home and a place of safety, there was no question as to what I should do.

I had to go home, to talk to my father, I knew our chances for success would be better to gain our allies it would come down to me speaking on M'Ladies behalf. To those she had formed alligences with, knowing that they would know where I had gone to all those long years ago.

Breathing deeply once more looking to the Lady laying quietly asleep in the bed, before turning to go and find M'Lady. Stopping at my chambers long enough to grab the one item I still had of my past, my father's ring, the one that he had given to me so long ago. Slipping it upon my finger, taking one last look about the room before closing the door behind me. Thinking the sound of the door closing sounded so final.

Finding M'Lady with Angus saying quickly before I have the chance to change my mind. "I am ready M'Lady." Looking at Angus once quickly, unbeknowest to him, he had held my thoughts on more then one occassion. But I knew he had feelings for our Lady so had never spoken a word to anyone about how I felt. That had been until Lord Gavin had come along, now all was confusion and I was to go home to my father so none of it mattered.

 

[Mistress Silver]

"Are you all right, milady?" I am still staring at Gavin in wonder and confusion.

Questions rip through my head at a terrifying speed and the urge to ask them is almost overwhelming. One surfaces and I ask it because it is the only answer that I wish to know.

"Why 'ave ye taken me from a demise constructed by ye'r own 'ate?" My voice is soft and raw, made such by smoke inhalation. My black streaked face is pinched with trama and my eyes are large and over alert.

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna nodded looking over the armor, and the wepon that Angus had given her for Beth. They would serve her well if she decided to go Both were made well and would hold up against most anything thrown her way, not only would they help disguse her as one o the lad's, and protect her, but twould also help disguse her as a lowly page. If anyone attacked they would look ta the others first.

Listining to Angus's words Brinna looked up from the item's, and locked her eyes with his, she could see that he was studing her intenly as he waited for an awncer. Aye Angus i ha done every thin i can think of ta prevent it, but it seems their be no other corse left us. If i thought turning myself over ta the McNil would prevent a war and save our clan then i would do so, but it will na. Would that there were another way but we must do what needs done ta protect the clan. Brinna said.

Still holding the armor and wepon in her arms she paused watching Angus as he worked, and smiled as she remembered all the times she had run, and hid from her father trying to keep him from going to war by making him come and find her, while she hid in the smithy with Angus and his father to keep her company. Hearing a sound Brinna turned hearing Beth say that she was ready.

Brinna motioned for her to come the rest of the way in and showed her the armor and her new wepon.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

Feeling my eyes mist I turn away before anyone can see them, Lady Brianna was as close to me as my own sister had been. I didn't know how to tell her how important I thought her to be, or how much I respected and loved her. Saying a quick Thank you to both of them I take the armor and weapon making a quick exit out the door and back into the keep. Not looking at anyone as I quickly donn the armor over my own tunic and leggings. Pulling my long hair up and into a tight braid stuffing it until the edge of the armor hoping to hide the length from sight.

Taking the small dagger into my hand, weighing it while I handle it looking it over. "This is a nice blade Angus, you truly are a Master of Metal." Saying this with a small smile looking at two of the people I had come to know as family. "It is time and if we are to make the first point of our journey we best head out now. Or we will be caught at a bad place to hold up for the night. Take care M'Lady and Master Angus may the Gods watch over both of you."

Turning to make a quick exit, finding the men had already gathered at the smithy, awaiting my arrival. Looking about me at the place I have called my home for so long, wishing that war would not come to such a beautiful place and that someday I might return. Giving my horse a small kick we move out the gates on our way to the place of my birthing.

I wondered if the Lady Fearcharia would be ok, as well as the English Lady, the families and friends that I was leaving behind. Hoping that war would not come to them before I made it to our clans allies. My thoughts swing to home the place of my birth, I had not spoken to my father since he had sent me away.

 

[poohlive]

They needed someplace safe, someplace...

And, as if they had simply turned a corner, the lonely wandering road emerged into a secluded meadow. Gavin stopped the noble steed in a clearing, getting off blankets to wrap up the druidess in.

he gave a small smile as he took out water and began wiping away the charred marks, "I never wanted to kill you. I never thought you were involved. Fearchera..."

Gavin bit his lower lip, looking at the lovely woman below him, weak and drained from her own ordeal.

"I just wanted to know what happened to my brother. No one would give me a straight answer. The only person even willing to speak with me was..."

A cold shiver overtook the meadow, as if some dark cloud had passed them, overtaking the sun beating down. He tried not to speak of it, hoping it would pass. Cold wind swirled around them.

"... she has a deceptively sweet voice. I don't know, I think she's been planning this for a long time, getting all the pieces together. She may have been the one behind the killing... I think that now. I truly do. But, I can't do anything. Not with the talisman. It... it hurts. It hurts to keep it on, but I think... I fear that if someone tries to take it off, it'll kill me. She dug herself in so deep, if someone tried to take it out, it'll take me out with it."

Gavin felt like some stupid child, that had gone way over his head. He was speaking of magic and artifacts for druids as if he knew anything about them. He did not, but Fearchera did, and so did her sister.

"She wants me to do so many things. Go to war, ally with King James, even try to get the english with our alliance. She wants total chaos, everyone against each other. She has been waiting for someone to start the great war for years... and... she finally found someone.

"I'm just a general, Fearchera. I'm just a warrior. I have no right in the main halls, I have no right making decisions in the courts while others go off to fight. I do not know of politics, I know of the field, and blood. This is... I don't know what to do. She keeps whispering in my ear, and I do the things she asks so she will stop whispering. I just do what she tells me... "

 

[Mistress Silver]

"Answers . . ." I murmur softly. "Tis all any 'o us want."

I quiet myself as he wipes my face clean. His hands are gentle with me, at odds with the way he is able to wield a sword. Is this the real Gavin? A warrior confessing of all his naivety? Why have I never seen him so . . . gentle? Did he feel an obligation to hide it as a warrior?

Whatever the answer, this side of him has only served to steel my determination. I will wisp him away from my sister, for such a person to be left in my sister's hands would be a dire sin against the Gods and Goddesses.

I am suddenly aware of what this is, a dream. However, I know that this man, is Gavin. Feeling the dream start to fade as my consciousness slowly awakes I act quickly.

"If answers ye seek, answers ye will get. Run, ye must travel ta me grove. It will be 'ard, very 'ard ta resist her, but ye must. If ye can make it ta me grove then I can free ye from me sister an' give ye tha answers ye seek so badly." Around us, the background starts to grow whiter. Details become blurred as the world turns white.

"Come ta me, warrior. I will be waiting!"

With a start I awake, breathless and unharmed. I am fully awake, the groggy stage absent of its duty. One thought repeats within my mind, Gavin and my grove.

Quickly, I bath, dress, and run. Run the entire travel to my grove.

 

[poohlive]

Gavin was in the middle of making his fourth copy of the note. Three had already gone out, with the daming proof of the true sinister plot behind the McAllister clan. Top scouts who had fast horses sprinted for them as soon as the paper had been sealed. The druidess made the seals herself, enchanting them so as to make sure they came to their mark. Gavin didn't trust her as she spoke whispered words over the curled parchment. A sickening shiver went up his spine.

Reminded him of those sour grapes.

As Gavin did as he was told, repeating his message for aid and support as he decided to go for war, a part of him came back. It was as if it had left for awhile, stepped out to get some breath air, and returned to him. Gavin could feel it, a part of him, screaming, yelling, suprressed by the talisman now afire on his breast.

He had to leave... no.

The thought was so strong he actually put down the quill, turning around to look for his sword. He stopped though, wondering why he would want to leave. Battle was coming, he needed to lead his people. They would need a general now.

That thought wouldn't leave him though. The grove, Answers in the grove... It kept repeating. He couldn't stop it, as much as he wanted to get it out of his head.

The talisman grew hotter, as the voice great fainter.

The druidess walked up to him, swishing her hips as she did, using all her feminity to hold Gavin's gaze.

"What is wrong, milord?"

Gavin tried to stare into her eyes, but they were a universe. He could no longer stare at them then the night sky and all its brilliance. Too compact for such a thing. He lowered his head to the ground.

"The grove," He said, the words repeating, repeating.

"There is nothing but death there, my sweet. you know that, don't you?"

A strong sense of Gavin. The New Gavin knew just that. He knew it exactly. This new Gavin that had just moved in, smooth, bold, confident. Everything Gavin thought a political leader should be. All the confidence of a general, with the power of bold decisions and right attitude of no regrets. New Gavin agreed with the druidess, and tried to push the thought away.

But... the grove. Weak and despirited. The old Gavin still struggled, still fought for it. The same Gavin that wanted nothing more than to be on the battlefield, and struggle for those who could not fight for themselves. To call to arms all the bravery and solicitace a general could not. Old Gavin who knew of the old code, and followed it to a T. He knew this was wrong, all of it.

But, with the talisman pulsing around him, pushing him away, New Gavin only surged with strength. It took him a moment of thought before he looked at his new mistress, his new druidess.

"Are we prepared?"

She nodded, laughter trickling in her eyes," Once the last letter is sealed, we can begin."

Gavin signed his name, and gave it to her, "That is all you need. We are ready."

"Good, let us ride to the king ourselves. It will give us more power."

King James, he could help them legitimize their claim on McAllister. Ride north, and be there in a day or two.

No, West. The Grove is West. Go west, We must go...

"North," Gavin said, as a shiver ran up his spine, "Quick. Let us ride."

In a flash of horses and cloaks, they were gone.

The grove still shook his thoughts.

 

[Screech]

Angus stood in his doorway, watching Beth and the soldiers ride out of the keep as fast as they could. He sighed, remembering the day that the young lady had first arrived into the service of the McCallisters. "God speed Beth. God speed".

Turning, he stepped back inside his smithy and faced Brinna. His Lady, whom he was sworn to serve. He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "If war be th' way, then I'll be at yer back. Yeh can be countin' on tha, Bri"

Memories swept through Angus' mind. Memories of when Brinna had snuck into the smithy, hiding from her father for various reasons. Even then he had stood up for her, protected her, even though he was just a boy at the time. Some things never change

 

[RoneLith]

As soon as the pulse hit his ears Gin was running towards the King's castle. His speed and determination had never been so strong, he would not fail his Mistress. The people of this land relied too heavily on horses and were to weak themselves to travel great distances in short period's of time but not Gin. He would run for nearly the full time to make it to the castle. He would never sleep and catch up on those who needed it, horses grew tired plus for short distences he could sprint faster than any horse could run. He would beat those that meant to destroy his Mistress, of this he was sure. That would be the easy part, the harder part would be getting the King to belive him. He was a blur of black shadow running across the feild barely seen by those around and dissmissed as a trick of the light. He had practiced running a great speeds for long periods of time in his homeland, now it was time to put his training to the test.

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna watched Beth and the other's leave worrie for Beth and the clan plane upon her face. Feeling Anugs's hand on her sholder Brinna relaxed against him. Aye Angus tis glad i am ta have ye at my side. Ye ha always been there fer me, ye are truly one of my manny strengths. Brinna said shaking her head as she looked back at him and smiled Sleep well Angus Ta morrow looks ta be another long day. The best i can do is prepare our people, and pray the gods, and goddesses hear us. She said before moving off into the keep.

 

[Mistress Silver]

I step into my grove and discover that the kelpie had not carried out my orders for them man sat hunkered down at the large oak. His face is one of steely determination. The kelpie is no where to be seen and I wonder what has conspired.

"Why 're ye still 'ere? I told tha 'orse ta take ye back ta ye'r keep." My eyes carefully study the man.

"Ride that creature? You are insane." He comments dryly.

"Than be prepared ta meet tha cousin 'o tha laird ye 'r men killed," I snap breathlessly.

I move to the great oak and shoo him off to another part of the grove. I clip a branch of oak and a small vine of mistletoe. Sitting comfortably on the ground I pray to the Gods and Goddesses above and spin threads of magic that will find Gavin and aid him with the resistance of my sister.

"Come ta me, warrior, I will shelter ye from that which ye cannot defend yourself against . . ." I murmur softly. Reverently. Powerfully. "Break free."

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

The guards and I rode fast and hard for the first day and night after us leaving, my only thoughts were to get to our allies before anyone else did. Hoping that the war that was coming wouldn't reach them before we did. It was hard to keep the guards from treating me different then they would anyone else, since they knew who I was and where we were going. All kept a close watch on me to the point that I felt like I was some Lady being escorted home.

Laughing without mirth to that thought, oh yes my father was going to love to see his daughter riding through his gates with an escort. Baring bad news and thoughts of possiable war. My feelings hadn't changed in all these years and I still feared riding into his keep. It had been to long and the closer we got the more dread hit upon me, keeping me quiet and pulling more into myself. I wished Lady Brianna or Lady Fearcharia were with me, then I wouldn't have to face the past all on my own.

Stopping only long enough to eat and rest the horses before heading out again. Making sure to leave nothing of our passing behind, as we rode through several villages along the way I noticed that people were friendly. Looking to be well care for, which was different for my father. What had changed since I left I wondered.

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna arose the next day moving thru the keep helping make preperations needed, Going over everything... making sure that there would be plenty of food for everyone in the event of a sege. As well as doing her best to help calm her people's fears as they came to the keep.

Later in the evening Brinna moved to the practice fields, and watched as Ian trained the men and villagers for war. Had it really come down to this she wondered. At least they had been able to have a few years of peace sence her fathers death. Brinna wished whole heartedly that they need not go to war, but new that wish's didnt come true.

Her thougts truning to Beth Brinna hoped that she was alright and that everything would be alright with her and her father. Brinna felt guilty for having to send her home.. Knowing that it was the hardest thing she would have to do in all the world. Picking up her bow she moved to the Archery feild helping Orian train the Archers.. While Ian continued to work with the Swordsmen.

 

[poohlive]

With the piece of paper in his hands, getting a meeting with King James took no time at all. They were ushered in, hurredly, as if the very thought of war would being about plagues and disasters. The guards spoke little, looking antsy for their endeavors.

The druidess had not come with Gavin though. She chose to stay behind. Gavin had a bitter thought of her behind all the action, pulling all the strings. Whichever way this thing spun, she could not be blamed for anything. A shadow on the wall, easy to see, but impossible to touch.

But, that small bitter part was swallowed up by the talisman, and he spoke no more about it.

"The grove," He said, staring off into space. When he spoke, it was as if sorrow filled his own voice, yearning to escape.

"I don't understand," The King looked up from the letter. Gavin straightened himself, shaking the thoughts of the grove from his mind. He couldn't though, not completely. It was like trying to rid yourself of of your skin. It clung to you, dug in deep, and refused to let go.

"The english. Lady McAllister and her clan are aligning themselves with the english, my lord. They are trying to use this time of peace to control all of the scottich lands."

James gave a gruff, but his eyes scanned the parchment in front of him carefully, "How did you come by this?"

"An English representative. She was racing back with it to her homelands. My group took them out, fearing them to be enemies. They ran for their lives, my lord. When we realized they were on a peace mission, we were deeply regretful, until we understood what their true plans were."

"What in the world is Brianna up to. Where is your cousin? He should..."

"Dead, my lord. Assasinated by Brianna's new gullet boy. A man named Gin. He used to be my cousin's trusted assasin. He was betrayed. My lord, we were all betrayed by their treachery."

Her words. The druidess's words coming at him through the talisman. That echoed in his brain forever, forcing it out of him. The only sound in his whole mind, except for a tiny squeak at the back. It kept whispering of promies in the grove. So much could be helped. Just go to the grove, just go... get help.

Find answers.

"... find answers."

It was Gavin's turn to looked confused, "My lord?"

"It is brave to find all these answers. I am sorry to see Brianna sweep so low. She will no doubt call for aid."

As he said that, a page came to adress the lord. Indeed, there have been requests to join up with the Mcallister clan. Blood oath's that she was calling in.

King JAmes only shook his head, "I did not believe she would go so far. Ok. Then you will have your war, Gavin. Seek your revenge. No one will aid you again the McAllister's though. I will not join in your quest for civil war, but I promise you no others will help the McAllister's either. It is your feud alone, deal with it as you will. If the English do team up with McAllister's though, we will all join forces to deal with them. We will take them both out, McAllister and english as enemies to the proud heritage. That is my decree."

Gavin winced, but nodded. He had wanted allies, but this would be the next best thing. No help at all, from either side. It would be their battle alone. Honor against honor.

"Thank you my lord," He bowed deep before leaving.

"Sir... sir, we did as you asked."

Outside of the castle keeps, his group of men stood around him. Four of his best men now, two that had come back from their rounds with other clans, and two others sent out on a secret mission within McAllister's keeps.

They had a woman with her, deep in cloak. A woman he had asked to bring to him. One he knew that had followed him to McAllister's keep. It seemed too much a coincidence she was there just before everything happened. He wanted to question her.

The druidess did not care one way or another. Her plan was forming, she was happy for Gavin to have little side quests to keep him occupied. So long as her plans were not interfered.

So, far, they were not...

The grove. Please, just go, learn the truth. Please

"You, are the seamstress, are you not? She who followed my cousin and me into the keep? Why did you follow us? Are you part of the conspiracy as well?"

As ordered, his two men did not harm her, simply asked to join. They protected her, as well as made sure she did not run away. She was being detained, not a prisoner of war... yet, nor a free woman. Her answers would decide that.

Gavin looked into her honest and careful eyes.

 

[Screech]

Angus had spent most of the day working on arms and armour for the clansmen. Most pieces were rushed, as he could not be concerned with artistry, just mass production. However, now that the sun was setting, he stood on the ramparts, gazing out at the rolling grasslands.

His thaughts kept wandering to the two ladies of the keep. The first, Brinna, commanded respect and authority. She was beutiful, but a highborne. Always she tried to do her best for her clan. She had plenty of charisma, as well as strength and wisdom. The other was Fearchera. Physically smaller than her sister, she was gifted with a fiery personality that she kept in check most days. She wasn't as publicly visable as Brinna, but carried her own sence of power and puride wherever she went.

War was most certainly coming. Now, on the ramparts, and gazing into the setting sun, Angus wondered just how the outcome would affect these two people that he respected...

...that he loved

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan stood glaring at the man before her. To say she was shocked and surprised to be standing before him, would have been an understatement. She had been sitting quietly minding her own business when these two men suddenly appeared if front of her.

She had asked them what they wanted, and surprised that after all her time here she was suddenly being approached by someone. Megan had met on the Lady of the Keep, her sister and the woman Beth, now all of a sudden two men were interested in her. They told her that Lord Gavin wished to speak with her. So she had gotten up and followed them, soon however she was tied, gagged and her head covered with a cloth.

Struggling wasn't an option for soon she was gripped in a tight hug and lifted to a horse, and a man flung himself up behind her. She was worried, she had not been in the arms of a man besides when her father would hug her, and now she sat in front of one. All kinds of thoughts filled her head as she wondered what her kidnappers were planning on doing.

When the first night of travel ended with no one touching her, she knew that Lord Gavin really must have been behind this, for he surely would have been the only one able to order these men not to touch her. As they traveled they eventually allowed her more freedom. She used her time to clean in the rivers, enjoy meals and even sometimes converse with her captors, however they still refused to tell her what the man wanted.

Megan was not a hard tempered woman, actually she was quite calm and rarely lost her temper. So when she noticed no one from the keep was looking forward, she felt a little sting to her chest, "So I swear loyalty and get none back." She sighed and hung her shoulders, "once more I lose a family." She cooperated with the men and soon she was given a cloak to wear as they entered the city.

Now standing before her was Lord Gavin, she glared at him, "I followed you because my father and mother and sister and brothers died of a disease, I needed a job... and that is the truth, now if you'll let me go, I would be very glad, seems I need a new job."

She pulled the cloak around her and turned to leave, the guards surrounded her and refused to let her pass, "Lord Gavin, I have done nothing to you or yours, and I only want to live my little life, what do you want of me?"

 

[poohlive]

Gavin cocked his head to one side, curious at the woman. It was a long trek from her home, following Gavin and his cousin far and wide to the castle keep here with King James, and then down to the McAllisters. A long way indeed for a job. Seamstress work was not demanding on the populace, usually set aside for old women who's backs were too sore for anything else, but anyone with a decent talent could make a living in any large city.

She had chosen to follow them, so far... so long. So trusting.

The grove. She wants to go to the grove

Gavin gave a sigh, "I am sorry. I see assasins everywhere as of late. My cousin was killed not two days ago, and so far two people have tried to take my own life."

That's not true, there was only one. Gin had tried to kill him off, poison him with one of those dirty dart tricks. The druidess saved him. The other attempt... one that fueled the war deep inside him, was uncertain. Either Fearchera had tried to kill him, with her lies and deception (a large part of Gavin thought this was true, and the talisman grew warm with that thought) or Fearchera's sister was trying to kill him by sending him off on this suicide quest (a smaller part of Gavin refused to let this thought go, no matter how ludicrous it sounded).

It all came back to the grove, so many answers lay there.

"If you say you have nothing to do with any of this, I will believe you. I will keep you safe, even. War is upon us, milady. There is no stopping it now. It comes like storm clouds raging across the sky. You must take shelter. If you wish to stay with me, I will do all in my power to keep you safe, even give you a job. If not, I will have my men escort you wherever you wish to go."

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

The gates loomed before us, seeing the guards on the battlements, arms drawn and at the ready if need be. Though we carried the McCallister's banners we recieve strange looks from the men. Men I had known since birth, had my leaving changed so much that they would forget me? I knew not, but that I must speak with my father.

Dismounting quickly in the court yard, "where is my father I must have audience with him now. It is of grave importance, that I speak to him." It had been to long I found that I wanted to lower my eyes to all those I spoke to, from all my years being a Ladies Maid for Lady Brianna. As one guard steps forward, his eyes taking in my garments, searching for something I knew not what. "He is in the main hall awaiting you Lady Beth, word has come that you would come." Surprize fills my eyes, and I begin to feel the dread in my bones, as my guards are disarmed and taken into custody before my eyes. "Come with me my Lady," The slur and smirk from the guard warns me that things indeed had changed. Something bad was going to happen and fear shot through me.

Lifting my head proudly I follow the man before me into the main hall, my guards being escorted in behind us by force. None to gently I am pushed into the main hall to face the man whom I had run from so long ago. Feeling the anger build as I stand before him.. "You?... Where is Father?"

Now I understood the looks and the treatment, the feeling of dread all of it made sense to me. Other then where my father was, and why this man was sitting in my father's place.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan considered his statement, true she did need a job, until she was able to truly explain why she had followed his men. "I'll stay with you and your people. I am an excellent seamstress and I can cook also, and I also can help the injured, so perhaps this won't be a bad thing." She thought longer then stated, "besides, I believe you have said more words to me in the space of seconds then were ever spoken to me at the keep."

She pushed her unruly mass of curls from her face and looked up at him. Megan watched as he gave orders and told people what to do, she wondered how he would feel if he knew the truth about her. The lies she had told were necessary for her to become one with the keep. When he had left unexpectedly, Megan had wondered where he had gone and how she would find him. After the initial shock of being kidnapped had disappeared she knew that once again the fates were with her.

Now, she was within his clan, a place where she had wanted to be in the beginning. She had used the excuse of work, because she had heard the McNeil's were moving towards McAllisters for the upcoming nuptials. When she had received the missive that it was time to make herself known to the McNeils she had quickly left her home and would have made presented herself to them, but she wasn't able to.

The attack on her mother's men had been swift and Megan had only barely escaped energy herself. When she had come across the group of McNeils, she couldn't believe how close they had been to them, that if they had traveled one day faster, her mother would still be alive to prove who she was. Now she only had a few belongings that proved the story she knew she would someday have to tell. For now she would keep that part of her life hidden.

"Whatever it is my Lord, I'll serve you. I serve the one that protects me and shelters me, and if I feel I am being neglected, I will leave. I trust no one, for I have learned that to trust is something only fools do. My mother was a fool, as was my father. So as I said before, you have my loyalty now, and I'll travel with your clan."

 

[LadyFairy]

That evening when Brinna went into the keep after practice for the evening meal she had one of the servents see if they could find Megan so that she could speak with her, because they would need her skill with the needle, and the injured when the time came.

When the servent returned telling Brinna that Megan could not be found Brinna ordered a search of the keep for the lass hoping that she hadnt gotten lost or worse taken....