Ghis (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"Alrigh', love... I'll try, but only after th'baby's here an' you're taken care of." Brogan turned to face her. "I don' want anyone worryin' over me when there are more important things t'do."

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia let out a long sigh, knowing that her husband was stubborn enough that he would never seek out the help that he wanted and needed. Their baby was incredibly important, but so was Brogan's mental health. If she had to seek out Val and have him forced into repairing his sight, she most certainly would. He probably knew that too.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan spoke no more on the matter after that, and within another few months, more Erygonians arrived until they surrounded the entire town with their camps, and when Ruben came to report this, everyone around Brogan and Julia thought their King was about to have a heart attack. He nearly collapsed, but managed to lean heavily on a chair til he could sit down. Valentina hurried to his side, but found it was simply shock and stress, nothing more. She immediately had him taken to his room to lay down while Ruben went to join his cousins and brother to figure out what they were going to do. By now, Julia was about six months along and Vincenzo was estimating that she'd give birth likely a couple weeks early again as the baby was so large, but not big enough for them to guess it was twins.

 

[heartofcourage]

Julia let Val attend to Brogan as she moved through the halls of the keep to find her children and their cousins. It seemed that they were all trying to figure out what was going on outside the keep walls as the camps sprang up around them.

"Kell. Why are they here?" She asked the only person who might have an understanding of what was happening around them.

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's like I told Rho..." He answered softly as he gazed out the window at the smoke curling up beyond the walls from a camp. "One of their most revered Shamans, Tidannon, had a vision that Scotland was their Promised Land. They've come to take it, because they believe that those who do not serve Hellemachus cannot be allowed to hold it, nor can it be shared with them. They're called the Teo for a reason, their true name is 'Galma'ateo' which means 'chaos-bringers'. They wreak havoc on the non-believers despite the fact that Hellemachus is indeed a Lunasian God, but because he is not the highest in the Lunar mind, the Lunars and Lunasians are still their enemies... they call Lunasians 'Chloe-lovers' and hate them more than anyone except the Lunar tribesmen themselves. They won't stop until they've felled and at least taken from the flesh of every Lunar and Lunasian here. They are cannibals to honor their God... it's just too bad that they're really actually very good people... as loving and kind as the Lunars... it's been so long since they had level-headed leader who wasn't either a zealot or a heretical monster who thought himself a God."

 

[heartofcourage]

"How do we convince them that there is no need for war?" Julia asked the wolf that had become like her son. "There has to be a way."

Annie stepped up to her mother's side, wrapping her in a comforting hug. "Ma, let's get you somewhere safe in case a battle does break out. Sam and Rho have agreed to watch you."

"Annie love, I don't need to be taken somewhere safe. We need to work through this with our enemies." Julia insisted.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Let me go out and speak to them," Kell turned to her. "I was born Teo, they'll listen, at least for a moment. That's all I need." He knew that they couldn't hold out for too much longer before the Erygonians starved them out. Food would run low soon with the town surrounded. "Maybe I can negotiate a short truce with them until we figure out what to do."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I would appreciate it if you would." Julia said softly, knowing that they were more than likely to listen to Kell then anyone else.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then I will." Kell nodded and turned to make his way out. Kate, who was at the stables, saw him passing nearly an hour later, headed for the gates with Kreston and Ruben on either side of him. He was going out without armor, without weapons, and without anyone else at his side. Kate heard the whispering of the people he passed, talking about how he had told the Queen he'd go out to negotiate seeing as he'd been born an Erygonian like the ones they faced.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate watched Kell pass and heard the rumors that followed him in his wake. She threw her curry brush to the ground and raced after him.

"Kell! Wait." She called, finally catching up with the small group as they made it to the gates. "You can't go out there alone without a weapon."

 

[KieranSoares]

"If I go with a weapon, they'll kill me on sight, Kate," Kell told her softly, stopping the men from opening the gate for a moment. "And there is no one whose life I would dare risk by taking with me. I have a small chance, and if I fail, I don't want to take anyone else down with me."

"Kate... now's not the time to be stubborn," Kreston added quietly, taking her arm.

 

[heartofcourage]

"If you fail, you'll die." Kate said, her voice filled with true anguish. "Kell...you can't."

She glanced up at her uncle as he took her arm and told her that now wasn't the time to be stubborn. She wanted to tell him that he was wrong, but she kept her tongue. Still, she would fret every moment that Kell was outside the keep's walls.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hey, now..." Kell gave her a gentle smile, stepping forward to touch her cheek. "Just wish me luck. From you, I'm sure to get it." With a kiss to her opposite cheek, he kept his smile for her until the gates closed behind him.

"Come on, love, we can watch over him from the top of the gate," Kreston let her go and made his way up to the threshold where archers were lined up. As long as Kell was in range, they could protect him, but not when he went too far.

 

[heartofcourage]

Even though Kate was a knight in her own right, she was still terrified as Kell gave her that gentle smile and kissed her cheek. She wanted to beg him not to go, but he was gone with a smile on her face before she could form the words. She followed Kreston up to the top of the gate, her green eyes watching every single movement that Kell took.

"Don't let him get hurt, Uncle Kreston." Kate murmured, the entire family knowing the feelings that she held for Kell.

 

[KieranSoares]

"If things turn for the worse, there are centaurs and cavalry men gathering at the gate to charge out and rescue him," Kreston assured her softly.

Kell approached the main camp with his hands raised in peaceful surrender, and from her vantage, Kate could see the Erygonians come out with bows and spears, but they seemed to welcome him when they realized that he too was Erygonian. He disappeared from sight and he was gone for nearly two hours. Kreston grew more and more nervous until finally he murmured, "Kate... I'll let you ride out to get him with a centaur. Take your Claymore, but hold it out in its sheath where they can see it."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kate didn't have to be told twice as she hurried off the wall and retrieved her claymore. She did was she was told as she mounted on her horse, holding the blade out away from her body and still sheathed as her small group made their way towards where Kell had disappeared.

 

[KieranSoares]

The centaur Dalton, whom Kate knew had fought with her parents years ago, sent her out with his finest and fastest warrior, a black-haired, chestnut-coated officer by the name of Marcus. He trotted directly beside her with his spear held out and covered by a thick canvas tied at the tip with a white flag tacked to it to show their peaceful intentions.

The Erygonian who met them snarled viciously, a broad-headed spear in his hands and bone and leather armor covering his scarred and black-furred body. "Giuu ip lu cavi'iga!" he motioned to Kate's horse and the centaur spoke softly, "He knows it's a war charger. You'll have to send your horse back." He helped her down off the horse, and quickly two more Erygonians took their weapons from them, attaching them to the horse's saddle before sending it back to the gates.

A new, much taller werepanther dressed in dark robes approached, clearly a leader by how the others bowed to him. "Another two visitors? What is it you want now?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"My lord, I am Lady Katherine of Inverness. I have come to help Sir Kell of Wick in any way that he needs me." She said, her voice soft and shaking a little. "I have only peaceful intentions. Inverness is my home and it is my hope that it can become your home as well."

 

[KieranSoares]

The panther seemed surprised by her words of welcome, but he quickly schooled his expression. "Sir Kell is speaking with our High Shaman. The father of the one your young brothers killed, mind you." It was clear that the Erygonian people were incredibly bitter and sad about losing such a beloved spiritual leader. "You may come as we know who you are, but the horse-man may not."

Marcus stepped back with a bow, knowing he had to leave for her safety. Once he was gone, the Shaman before her motioned for her to follow. "The Lord High Shaman is Tidus Corel. To your people, he is an Emperor, the leader of all the Shamans and all of the Teo Erygonians," he explained as they went. He brought her to a large tent of hides and stepped inside where she saw an ancient werewolf whose fur was white with age, sitting across from Kell with a teapot and cups between them. The old wolf looked up and spoke with a slow, very well-considered tone and soft words that only came from age and wisdom, "Lady Katherine... I've been expecting you. I was wondering when you'd finally come to see me yourself if your father did not."

"Kate, what are you doing?" Kell rose with a look of panic, but Tidus lifted his hand.

"Peace, Young Kell. We wish no danger upon her if she comes wishing none upon us. Now please, both of you, sit and enjoy the tea. We are equals here and I understand your concerns."

 

[heartofcourage]

"My lord, I am afraid that the news of your camps has dampened my father's spirits considerably." Kate said honestly, wanting them to know that she was there for peace and she would give them the answers that their sought out of respect. "But please, you have to understand that he only wishes for peace. He has young sons and there is another baby on the way."

Kate took a seat beside Kell, glancing at him briefly before she turned back towards the Shaman. "Sir, we do not want to fight with your tribe. We would like to extend a place for you to settle down among our people where you can be safe."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My dear girl, I do not want to fight either... but my people are no longer fighting for land or our God..."

"Then why?" Kell asked softly.

"They fight for my son... more specifically, for his wife and young son, for their peace of mind. They aim to destroy the Ghis who took Tidannon from them... My people loved him so. He may have seemed harsh to you, Lady Katherine, and your people. But he was a fine man and a good son... but I would rather end this war in his memory than continue it. But, I cannot control my people. I am indeed their leader, but I can't tell them not to fight for what they believe."

"Sir... the reason I came out here was to seek a truce. At least temporarily. The Ghis are good people. They only killed Tidannon because they thought it would bring them peace and make the Erygonians leave them be."

"Did they.../"

"Yes, sir. The young boys who killed him were Brogan Ghis' sons. I spoke to them, and they told me they were doing it for their mother because she has a child on the way, and they didn't want her to have to deal with any more worry or sadness."

"... I may be able to buy you some time, but it will ultimately be the people's decision whether or not to continue. How long will it be until the Queen has her child?"

"Early spring, sir."

"Then I will give you until mid-spring. From there, we shall see what my people wish. I do not want to be your enemy... but my loyalty is to the Galma'ateo... I wish you the very best, and do give the Queen my sincerest wishes for her health and that of her child."

Kell bowed his head low then. It wasn't a peace treaty, but it was a break of a few months.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My lord...my little brother, Rho...he lost his arm in that battle." She said softly, hoping that perhaps that news would do something to soothe the people who wanted blood. "I know that it does not make up for the loss of your son but he will be effected for the rest of his life. As will his twin brother always be effected. Your people are not the only ones that are mourning something in this fight."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I am quite aware... Tidannon's brother Morimm was the one responsible for that. He lost his mind when he saw Tidannon fall... I'm afraid he's still not quite sane, he's even killed his own kind in his rage... we had to lock him away for our own safety."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know it doesn't make this situation any better, but if there is anything that I can do to help your people, I hope that you will let me know." Kate offered, hoping that he took her up on her offer of help for whatever they needed.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I will confer with my fellow Shamans and my most trusted leaders among the people. But be at peace for now. We pull back so that you may leave to hunt and gather and do what you must, but keep your people safely away from the south, that is where we shall be. I expect only that you pass word on to your allies."

Kell rose then, bowing once more. "Thank you, sir..."