Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Brogan's chest was nearly heaving by the time she stopped him, and he tried his hardest to relax and rest, but the pain in his head and his lungs was making it impossible for his muscles to be anything short of tense. Valentina soon returned, sitting Brogan up to have him drink some bitter liquid that caused the bear-like man to fall into a half-awake state in only minutes. It would deaden the pain and slow the poison down at least a bit, and give them more time.

"I need Durban..." Valentina sighed. "He'd know exactly what this was just by looking at him..." Knowing Julia had no idea who Durban was, Valentina explained. "Durban is Brogan's older brother, he's a highland nomad, and he left Inverness after he nearly died at the hands of their father. He returns every so often to trade and visit, but I'm afraid his next visit won't be til spring..."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Where does he live?” Julia asked softly, watching as Brogan tensed and twitched in his sleep, struggling to fight the poison that was taking over his body. “Valentina, where does he live?”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Like I said, he's a nomad of the highlands, but knowing him, he's a day's ride almost straight west out on Loch Fae." She rose, "I'll see if there are a few men who can go to find him. If not, I'll get him myself."

 

[heartofcourage]

“No. I’m going.” Julia said softly, her voice full of steel and conviction as she moved towards her wardrobe to grab the warm cloak that Ciaran had given her. “You need to stay and care for Brogan. You’re the only one that can help him right now.”

She leaned over the bed and pressed her lips to Brogan’s cheek, hoping that he knew that she was there. “I’ll return, love. Please hold on for me.”

With that, she turned from the room and hurried through the hallway. She could get away from the keep without drawing much attention and she was sure that she could find Durban before Brogan passed away.

 

[KieranSoares]

Before she could get too far, though, Valentina caught her. "Hold on... if you're going, go into my room, take my map and any of my weapons you can use, and don't leave without taking at least a few meals' worth of food with you. When you go out, take my horse, he's a war charger, he'll protect you."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia listened to all of the instructions that Valentina was laying out for her. She nodded and suddenly felt a little more frightened for what she was about to do. She left Valentina to gather the weapons that she’d been told to get. She armed herself with a dagger and a slender sword, one that she could actually weld and use. She also grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows. She wasn’t the best shot, but she could hold her own if danger approached.

In a small sack, she placed the map and she snuck into the kitchens to gather a few items that would serve as a good meal on the road. At the last minute, she made the decision to change her cloak. She didn’t want to draw attention to her wealth or position and she placed her cloak on Valentina’s bed before she slipped on the other woman’s plain brown woolen cloak. It was warm and serviceable, enough to get her by in the snowy weather.

At the stables, she quickly found the great war horse, thinking that he was way more than she could actually handle. He was gentle, however, nickering and snorting at her as she quickly saddled him and mounted before anyone took notice. She spared a glance back towards the keep as she made her way out of the yard, praying that Brogan pulled through this terrible incident.

 

[KieranSoares]

The horse, whose name had been displayed on his stable as 'Raul', raced through the snow like it wasn't even there, and despite his black coat and their dark colors, he was quick enough to get out and away from Inverness before they drew notice. He was a beautiful animal, and Julia could see him constantly checking all around them for any hint of a threat. He was a soldier of a horse, almost like Brogan in some ways.

Following the map with Raul's speed, they reached a small Loch just after nightfall and the great steed snorted, smelling smoke blown by the wind. In the distance, a glow of a campfire could be seen, illuminating a shape that, to Julia, looked like a bear skulking about a small tent. As they drew closer, she could see the form was indeed clad in dark, thick furs, but he was too agile to be a bear. It was a man in bear fur, with a bear head hood. The rest of his clothing was deerskin and hides and leather gloves and boots. He'd paused to look up as Raul thundered closer, the fire lighting up a heavily scarred, stone-hard face. Out from his small tent appeared a tiny woman who looked to be Brogan's age. She was wrapped in furs too, but they didn't hide her pregnant belly. At her side came a lovely little girl of five, and at her other side an older boy of ten or so.

"Durban..." She said softly, "Who is that...?" Her accent was surely Welsh, but with Scottish flair.

"I don' know, love. Keep back, aye?" He drew a battleaxe from his back and stood tall, ready to kill if need be. There was no doubt this was Brogan's brother. The man was a perfect, older reflection of the King of Inverness. "Halt where y'are, stranger," he growled, "Who are ya?" His accent was the same as Brogan's too.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Durban Ghis?" Julia Called towards the man as he stood tall and told her to stop. He was imposing but nothing she certainly couldn't handle from he time with Brogan. "I come in peace. I do not mean to upset you or your family."

Julia slipped off Raul's back, letting the warhorse walk a step or two behind her as she cautiously approached. "My name is Julia...Ghis. Brogan is my husband. Brogan is in danger and needs your expertise as a healer. He's been poisoned."

 

[KieranSoares]

"How can we know you're telling the truth...?" The woman asked quietly.

"She's exactly 'ow Brogan described in 'is letter," Durban spoke strongly. "An' she's got Val's charger an' cloak." He beckoned Julia closer with Raul, and he surprised her by wrapping her up in a warm hug. He was larger even than Brogan, but just as gentle. "It's late comin', darlin', but welcome t' th'family. I'm sorry I couldn' make the weddin', a blizzard kept us out 'ere for days. I know yer in a hurry fer Brogan, but 'e'd kill me if I didn' get y'warm b'fore we 'ead back. I need t'pack up a few things any'ow."

Durban turned to the woman beside him, "This 'ere's m'wife Marri. She's from yer neck o' th' woods, I b'lieve. Baonaille family." Julia knew the name Baonaille. Scottish sympathizers from the border between Wales and England, banished from both countries to the Scottish city of Dumfries when Julia was a little girl of only seven.

Marri now smiled to Julia, "I'm sorry for my suspicion, but it's not often people come looking for us for anything less than trying to duel Durban. These are our children Gabriel and Elise." She smiled down to her son and daughter who both looked tired, but politely said hello. Gabriel was bold like his father, while Elise was shy.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was stunned when Durban answered his wife’s comment by telling her that she was just how Brogan had described. Brogan had written to his brother about her? She certainly hadn’t been expecting that, but then she supposed that he shared a much better relationship with his family then she ever had with her own.

When she was beckoned closer, she followed without hesitation and let out a tiny squeak as she was wrapped in a warm, crushing hug. He was so much like his brother and had the warm personality of his mother. She was smiling as he welcomed her into the family, apologizing for missing the wedding in Inverness.

“It makes no matter now. You and your family must come and spend time in Inverness.” She said softly as she was introduced to her sister-in-law. “I am very pleased to meet you, Marri. And both of you as well, Gabriel and Elise.”

Julia couldn’t help but notice that Marri was heavily pregnant. She would insist that the family stay in the keep until the child was born. There was perhaps nothing more frightening then being out in the open with an infant on the way.

“Boar and his wife, Emma, have been with us for a while. Boar recently traveled back home. Emma is with child…not far behind you from the looks of it.” Julia said, trying to make small talk and failing miserably. She was scared and concerned and prayed again that Brogan was still alive. “I know your mother would love to see the four of you as well. Kitty loves having her family close.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Bah, Emma... we know 'er. Blasted woman fancies 'erself queen of all she bloody sees, and Boar's too much a lovestruck fool t' do a thing about it," Durban grunted as he packed everything away with his son's help. It didn't take long as the family didn't own much. Their greatest possessions were their six horses, being mounts and packhorses.

 

[heartofcourage]

“You already know Emma? How is that so?” Julia asked, curious as to how they had met Boar’s wife before Brogan.

The packing of the tent and possessions took place faster then she would have thought possible. Durban moved swiftly for a man of his size, much like Brogan and Boar. She wondered idly if there were any other Ghis brothers out there in the world…

Soon she was mounting Raul again, waiting for Durban to set their pace for their return back to the keep. She worried that she would find Brogan dead by the time that they returned, but she had to keep the faith that her strong husband was strong enough to hold out.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We were aroun' Inverlochly a while, we left b'cause o' her," Durban sighed as he helped his wife up onto her horse. His son rode alone, being old enough and experienced enough, and Durban had his daughter riding in front of him. They set off at a pace that wouldn't jar Marri about, but it was still relatively quick.

"I'm glad y'came t'me, Julia," Durban began, "but I'm surprised Val didn' point ya t'someone else o' our family first. I'm willin' t'bet Brogan ain' even though t'tell ya about th'rest o' th'family, 'e never thinks about it til they come up in conversation."

 

[heartofcourage]

“She does have a slightly irritating nature, but she is family and we should treat her as such.” Julia said softly as Durban confessed that the family had left Inverlochly because of Emma.

Once they had ridden for a while, she heard Durban address her about coming to her over someone else in the family. “She seemed confident that you would be the one that could save Brogan. I wouldn’t trust his life with just anyone.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Sure y'wouldn't. Hell, if you love him half as much as 'e tells me 'e loves you in 'is letters, I ain' surprised." Brogan didn't seem the sort of man to write about such a thing, but then again, love did strange things to people.

"Da," young Gabriel spoke up, and Durban looked over.

"What, lad?"

"Who are those people?" Gabriel pointed to the horizon, where riders with torches were galloping full-tilt at them.

"I don' know, but I ain' sure I want to..." Durban stopped the band and reached into his saddlebag, handing a dark glass bottle to Julia. "If they're dangerous an' attack us, I want ya t'run with tha'. I've got a second on me jus' in case and Marri 'as a third." With that, Marri placed her little girl on Julia's saddle with her. Gabriel was to follow as well if Julia had to run for it. It'd be easier to escape if needed if they were separated.

The riders didn't slow down, and in the torchlight, they could see the men drawing swords. "Split!" Durban growled. Marri turned one way and Julia was to turn another, while Durban would engage them head-on with his claymore.

 

[heartofcourage]

Again, Julia was stunned when he mentioned letters that Brogan had been sending to him. She had no idea that her husband even wrote to anyone in his family, let alone about her. It made her smile slightly as Gabriel spoke up and a group of men with torches could be seen in the distance. Her heart leapt into her throat, pounding frantically as Durban handed her a bottle and Marri placed Elise in her saddle.

“Stay safe.” She murmured as she tucked the glass bottle into the saddle bag and wrapped her arm around the little girl, holding her tightly as she turned the great war horse and kicked him into a full gallop. She could hear Gabriel riding just behind her and she knew that she needed to keep the children safe.

 

[KieranSoares]

The riders were drawn to Durban and Marri above all, but two of the seven followed fast on Julia's path. Raul was an incredibly fast horse and he easily outran them, but Gabriel's horse was built for stamina above speed, and just couldn't keep up. Gabriel decided for himself, and mid-stride, he swung over to Raul's back behind Julia and left his horse behind. He had to for his own sake and Julia's, because she just couldn't afford to slow up. Raul left the riders behind in the dust once he could go all-out.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia’s arm tightened around Elise’s waist as their speed increased once Gabriel had vaulted onto the back of Raul. The great war horse ate up the distance between them and safety as the men behind them were left in the dust. She felt bad that Gabriel had given up his horse, but she was impressed that the boy had thought so quickly about their survival.

 

[KieranSoares]

Their arrival near dawn back at Inverness was welcomed by warriors and Valentina. Wick had been driven away for a while to regroup, but Brogan was getting much worse. When Julia came in to see him, he was pale despite his weather-darkened skin and he was in a cold sweat and trembling violently. Valentina was doing all she could, but she needed the herbs.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia was surprised to not see Marri or Durban there. She would have hoped that they would have arrived before her, but she prayed that they were still alright. She allowed Gabriel to take his sister to their grandmother, knowing that they would calm her own nerves and give her something to do in the time that she was waiting for word about her son.

“Durban gave me this.” Julia said once she was in the room with Valentina, looking down at Brogan’s body as he shook beneath their blankets, his skin pale and coated in sweat. “I hope you know what to do with it.”

She passed the glass bottle to Valentina before she settled down at Brogan’s side, taking his large hand in hers and stroking the back of it gently. “I’m here, love. Please hold on for me.”

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan could just barely open his eyes and he looked over at his beloved wife with nothing short of pain and true fear in his eyes. She'd never seen her husband afraid of anything. Valentina worked quickly and mixed the herbs up with God knew what, and she had to force it down Brogan's throat because he was too weak to even swallow. After it, she made sure he drank plenty of water, and she let him alone to rest with Julia.

It wasn't too long before a man came in to report that Durban and Marri had arrived, but Durban was wounded int he shoulder and Marri had gone into labor from stress.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia didn’t like the look of fear in Brogan’s eyes. Her strong husband was afraid of nothing and she was going to make sure that he wasn’t afraid of this either. When Valentina left the room to tend to Marri as she fought through labor pains, Julia climbed into bed beside her husband and gently stroked her fingers through his hair.

“You’re going to be alright, love.” She whispered softly against his ear, making sure that he was comfortable. “We still have a lot of life to live with one another. Annie will be home soon and she’ll want to play with her Da. We still have a lot of rooms in this keep to fill with our own children as well.”

She pressed her lips against his cool cheek and hoped that her words were reaching him as he fought against the poison that was taking away his life piece by piece.

“Durban is here now too. With his family. Soon to be one more member born this evening.” She murmured, letting him know that if the fight got to be too much the keep and Inverness was in safe hands.

 

[KieranSoares]

He found sanctuary in her comforting, and slowly but surely, she could see his breathing go from the heaving strain to a light and normal rise and fall, and he found just enough strength to turn on his side and lay his head on his beloved's shoulder. It looked like she had succeeded. From here, it'd be the residual damage they had to worry about. But knowing Brogan, he'd make it.

Several hours later, Durban entered and sat down by Julia's side with a smile. His shoulder was patched up and he looked quite content. His brother was alive and Durban now had a third child to call his own. When Brogan opened his eyes, Durban smiled a bit wider as if knowing what his little brother was asking.

"Lil lad. 'Is name's Seamus. 'E an' the rest o' the bunch're all sleepin' now."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Seamus is a good, strong name.” Julia said softly with a smile, knowing that Brogan would have said the same if he was able. “Brogan and I would be very happy if you stayed here at the keep for a while, Durban. Marri needs her rest and I’m sure Kitty would love having the children around.”

She hoped that the older Ghis agreed for the sake of her husband. He needed his family around him right now, especially in this fight against Wick. Durban was a good man with a delightful family and they deserved the right to get to know their homeland without fear of retribution from the horrid father she was learning so much about.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha's real kind o' ya, love. Honestly, Marri wouldn' let me move th'kids around again too much fer a while any'ow. And we're thinkin' o' buildin' ourselves an' 'ome on th'edge of Inverness."

Durban cast his eyes to his younger brother, his brow furrowing, and he asked, "How was 'e poisoned...?"

"It was meant for Lady Julia," Valentina was the one who answered as sh entered, looked exhausted. "Poison in the ale, but whoever it was made a mistake because Lady Julia rarely drinks the ale. So Brogan took hers and poured her wine instead."

"In all honesty, I'm glad 'e did. No offense t'ya lass," Durban laid a huge hand on Julia's shoulder, "but tha' kind o' poison would'a been even nastier t'you. Yer jus' a little thing compared t'Brogan."