Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"We know y'worry," Kitty answered as she hugged her tight. "Everythin'll be alright, ye'll see. Always is, somehow."

As the day finally got going, Julia arrived at the palisade to hear and see that the Erygonians had vanished. Their fires were still going, but they and all their camps had disappeared into the morning mist without a sound.

One Lunar from the castle mused that it was an old Erygonian tactic that played on the stupidity and hubris of arrogant humans. It might've worked at an English lord's estate, the nobility there being self-obsessed with their own power. But here, he said, it would not work. Many believed him, and the few who didn't were convinced to his way when an Erygonian was spotted on the edge of the forest keeping watch on them. When he realized he'd been seen, he bolted away. By now most of the populace was walking around armed, but continued working as per usual except for those who worked outside in the lumbercamp and fields. Most farmers and lumberjacks took up guard duty.

The Erygonians soon made their first move, and a wall of shields came out from the forest, right up to the gate, and one lit the gate on fire. Immediately, a cauldron of water was brought up and dumped down the gate before damage could be done, and the cauldron was dropped on the shield group. It was so heavy that many fell and the group was obliterated with javelins and arrows.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia watched closely as her troops took care of the oncoming force. She was proud that the people of Inverness were going about their regular lives, but as their queen she still worried about them. She contemplated what to do as her men regrouped and finally she turned towards Ruben with a determined look upon her face.

"If a second wave comes, I want you to ring the bell in town. Every person not fighting will remain inside as no to be injured in case they have archers." Julia told him, trusting her nephew to do as she bid. "Leon, Eli, and Seamus will be put in charge of counting heads to make sure nonobjective has gone missing."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Will do," Ruben nodded. "But I expect the same of you," he reminded her before going to sort out the men who were coming on duty. Kreston had come to the wall, as had Dazu. Dazu had been outfitted with guardplates, but no chest- or back-plates were large enough to fit him, he preferred not to have them anyway.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia made her way to Kreston and Dazu, smiling fondly at her brother-in-law. "It's always good to see you, Kreston." She said softly before she turned towards Dazu.

"And I am very happy to see that you have remained with us, Dazu. I can only hope that you find peace here in Inverness." She said just as softly as she reached out to place her hand on his shoulder, squeezing it firmly.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston smiled softly, "And you, dear Julia."

Dazu looked down at Julia with a kind grin. Even if he couldn't understand every word, he understood her tone and gentleness and nodded to her, "Already happy here," he answered confidently.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm glad to hear it." Julia said with a smile as she looked towards her brother-in-law. "And your son is an amazing young man. You should be very proud of him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I always have been. But he's not so young anymore," Kreston chuckled. "Makes me feel older than ever. Selena won't admit her age to anyone now."

Inside, Brogan finally sat up very slowly, and found he wasn't in pain, the only exception being the bite wound in his neck. His back was undamaged thanks to Valentina. He let out a long sigh, lifting his hand to rub his now-sightless eyes. He was terrified inside, but he wouldn't show it on the outside.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate looked up from her book of Greek as she watched her father sit up. She was quick to put the book down, taking his hand in hers and squeezing it tightly. She could see the concern and fear in his eyes, the stress of the situation taking its toll on him.

"What do you need, Da?" She asked him softly. "I can have Chessie fix you your favorite."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Nah love... I'm no' hungry." Brogan said softly, and as he lifted his head, she could see that his eyes still wouldn't focus. No one had to tell her that he'd gone blind, it was clear as day. "Can ya bring me m'sword, love...? I jus' don' feel righ' without it..." So vulnerable, he needed a security blanket.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate nodded and squeezed his hand once more. "Of course I will, Da." She said softly, kissing his cheek before she moved across the room to bring him his broadsword.

She had heard many times about how it had been a gift on his marriage to Ma. He took care of it just as he took care of each of his children. One day, it would go to Ciaran but Kate had always admired the shining blade.

"Here you go, Da." She placed his hand on the hilt, letting him feel the familiar weight which had been his companion for so many years.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan took firm hold of the leather-wrapped handle and let out a sigh of relief. He couldn't confidently use it now, but he needed it near. "Kate... What d'ya think o' this blade, love...? Y'used to look up at it all th'time when y'were little... had a li'l wooden sword once tha' ya insisted looked jus' like mine."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've always admired it, Da, but it's Ciaran's." Kate said honestly, her hand finding its way back to his as she squeezed it tightly again. "And I have faith that you aren't done using it just yet. Besides, you got another little one coming that you'll need to keep an eye on."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know, I know... but I decided I'm goin' t'give Ciaran somethin' 'e can use. M'bow an' my axe're goin' t'him, 'e's no' a warrior, 'e's a man o' nature. An' you... y'proved yer a fighter, love. So this blade'll be yours when I'm no' strong enough t'wield it anymore one day."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Many, many years from now, I hope." Kate commented as she leaned down and kissed his cheek, hugging him tightly. "I'll need you for a long time more."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I ain' goin' anywhere, love. I'm plannin' on seein' a lot o' grand kids and e'en some great-grandkids if I can."

He lifted his head to look at her, but he sighed and closed his eyes when he once again remembered he couldn't see her. "This'll soun' strange, lass... but what was yer Ma wearin' t'day? I always make it a point t'know, so I can tell 'er how beautiful 'er dress is..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The grey dress you have her at Chistmas and Gran's emerald pendant." Kate answered simply as she lay down and curled up next to her father, her head resting against his shoulder. "Annie told me that soon I'll have to find a husband. She said there's a lot of men that would fight for my hand. Is it wrong if I wanted to stay here in Inverness, unmarried?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' know how keen yer Ma would be... but I don' want ya t'shut yerself away from marriage and love. If ya find th'right man, I want ya t' pursue 'im." He turned his head toward her a bit, "But why d'ya ask tha'?"

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate let out a little sigh, not sure if she could talk with her father about the subject that was on her mind. "Da, I'll never find a man like you. If I marry, I'll be stuck with someone that won't let me be myself."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'don' need a man like me, love. Y'need yer own. Ne'er marry someone fer any reason but love. Ye'll find 'im." Brogan reached out to brush his fingers through her hair. "Don' close your heart, alright...? Fer my sake a' least."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll try, Da. I promise." Kate said softly, knowing that it would be hard to find the man that would give her the freedom that she enjoyed in Inverness.

 

[KieranSoares]

"'E might not be far..." Brogan finally laid back again, pulling Kate up against his chest.

It was several days before the Erygonians struck again, and this time it was very different. This time, they came in plain very just out of range of the bows, and they had five Lunars with them in ropes and chains. It was a family, made up of two small children, their parents, and their grandfather. The males were werewolves and the women were human.

"Inverness!" The Shaman Tidannon roared. "Give in to our command now, or watch friends die!" He drew a wicked iron scimitar, and went to the eldest of the family first.

The old white werewolf was fearless with a stoic expression, and he glared at Tidannon. "A eli pac beni e hume." Tidannon snarled at his words and struck him across the head with the pommel of his blade, causing the old wolf's family to cry out with fear for him. The old wolf fell, but managed to pick himself back up.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia stood next to her generals and advisors, looking out over the scene before them. She let out a sigh, her cloak blowing in the cold breeze that had picked up. Her mind was turning over every scenario that she could think of and it only left her with one choice.

"Ruben. Archers at the ready." She gave the command. "I want them all taken out. If they threaten a family then they have forfeit any mercy that we might have shown them."

 

[KieranSoares]

"They're too far away, Aunt Julia... the archers would have to leave the walls and get closer and risk their safety."

"I go," Dazu spoke quickly, and before anyone could say anything, Dazu stole Ruben's bow and leapt down off the wall. He bolted out to the field, the enemy's arrows thudding in the ground all around him, and he pulled off a shot that struck Tidannon in the hand. The Shaman roared with pain and dropped his blade, and Dazu bolted once more, toppling Tidannon over.

"Help him!" Ruben called to his quickest men. They could easily help the lion now that the enemy was distracted. Ten warriors hurried out and ripped into the small group, freeing the family. The family fled into Inverness' gates and Dazu covered the others' escape before coming running back with them.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Gabriel. See to the family, please." Julia called out to her other nephew, watching as Dazu slipped back into the gates before they were closed behind him. "Cole, I want to know how many there still are out in the woods."

 

[KieranSoares]

"On it." Cole nodded as he and Gabriel hurried off. Dazu came back to Julia's side, hoping she wasn't angry with such a rash action out of him.

"Let me lead dawn attack," Dazu said quietly. "Erygonians always easy at dawn."