Eairsidh
Tia watches their campfire flicker, feeling her father's concern without needing to look. They sit at their own fire, the soldiers keeping a respectful distance. Tia is far more uncomfortable with Ben's presence than anything else, grateful for her father placing himself between them as the man stands guard nearby and keeps a close eye on them. She does what she can, despite her exhaustion, to conceal her discomfort. Tia was becoming increasingly frustrated by this reflexive fear but Ben is hardly paying enough attention notice. His mind is spinning instead with this new knowledge of his father's background. Relief washes over his face as Martin approaches the encampment, quickly followed by confusion at the sight of their captives. Martin addresses a few of the soldiers and they get to work preparing to take charge of the captives, three of them grabbing a device from their belongings. Euan watches as his kin are each given a torc and instructed to don them.
Recruits. |
We're escorting them to th' capital for assessment. 'is one… |
This is yer cousin. |
They both size each other up awkwardly.
Ben recognizes his father's exhaustion then, drained from interacting with his brother. Martin pauses to consider, scratching at his balding scalp.
I'm gunna give you another chance, Ben, but you best not miff it up! |
I'm putting uh… |
Euan |
Euan... |
I'm putting Euan under yer watch. He's gunna be thrown into the capital real soon, same as that Minx girl, and I think it best he gets started being in better company. Luxis knows what he's used to… |
Euan finds himself frowning at the prospect already but his expression changes once he lays eyes on Tia. Martin pauses, seeming to reconsider, but his fatigue gets the better of him.
Yer also watching over his Grace and the girl tonight. |
Am turning in early. |
Martin squints at each of them again before handing Euan's rope off to Ben. He also hands Ben one of the devices and a matching ring before leading his horse away. Ben turns to Euan then, offering him the device. Euan eyes the item with suspicion and doesn't take it.
Euan snickers again, finding himself amused by his wholly laughable cousin, but he takes the torc. He turns it over in his hands, examining it. It looks ordinary but he can feel traces of magic woven into it, the metal almost humming to the touch. Euan glances at his kin, wearing the devices and sitting casually around the fire. With reluctance, he fits it around the base of his neck.
Is yer da always like 'is, or did I jus' piss him aff? |
Ben snorts at Euan's inquiry. Once the ring is secure, Euan feels the coolness of the
metal creep through his skin and sink into his bones. Euan tries to remove the jewelry but it seems melded to his skin.
metal creep through his skin and sink into his bones. Euan tries to remove the jewelry but it seems melded to his skin.
An' where am I gonnae run aff tae? (And where am I going to run off to?) |
Clan willny take me back. An' I dinnae want t' anyway! (Clan won't take me back and I don't want to anyway!) |
You're taking this well... I think. |
Euan shrugs and rubs at his wrists
Whits fur ye'll no' go by ye
(whatever is meant to happen to you will happen to you) |
When he looks back up at Ben, he is met with a confused and openly judgmental expression.
Clan or not... |
You're going to serve the kingdom. Your form makes you more elusive than most, so, I'll warn you once. |
The torc will activate if you use magic, any kind of magic. Or… |
If you get too far away. Test it too much and it'll kill you. |
Ben shrugs and approaches the Minx's campfire. Euan trails after him and a grin spreads on his face as he spots Tia again. Ben steps between them when he notices.
You do anything to the Duke or his daughter, I will kill you. |
Euan makes a show of appraising his cousin again and chuckles to himself before leaning to look past Ben to Tia. Tia tenses up and frowns at him impulsively.
Tia blinks hearing his statement and her face reddens as he grins at her. Unsure of what to do with the unfamiliar attention, she stares hard into the fire, refusing to acknowledge him despite her embarrassment. Allen puffs up and glowers at Euan but the boy is undeterred by the whole interaction, seeming more amused than anything else.
I'm sorry, your Grace. |
The General has doubled me up tonight. I'm responsible for all three of you, I'm afraid. |
Allen is clearly uncomfortable with this, with both Ben and Euan
I suppose you're not giving me a choice. |
But I know Martin can be... difficult to please. |
Was he always like that? |
A crabbit old shite? |
If he's anythin' like ma da I bet he wis! |
I knew Martin well, when we were your age. |
Your father and I trained, travelled and fought alongside each other and the king, back when he was still "Prince Ambrose". We were quite the trio! |
Despite the intense interest of the two boys, Tia finds herself tuning out of the conversation and beginning to doze off. Allen pauses, placing a hand on her shoulder and rousing her.
Tia gives him a grateful nod and settles into her tent nearby, the mutterings of their continued conversation lulling her to sleep.
So... |
Ye cannae drop a bomb like 'at an' stop. I want t' hear mair aboot ma uncle... uhhh, Martin? Ma da never mentioned 'im! |
I have no right to request anything from you but... |
But my father won't talk about his family. I... don't have anyone else to ask. |
Allen isn't surprised Martin never told his son about his origins. He was always a very private, stubborn man and went through great pains to escape all traces of his past. Allen observes Ben's demure behavior and, despite his resentment for the boy, he sees just that. A boy who wants to understand his father. Allen looses a long sigh.
His smile is infectious, both boys' faces lighting up. Allen clears his voice before he begins his tale. As he speaks he is clearly enjoying himself, both boys listening intently.
Martin has always been a passionate man in everything he does! When he arrived at the capital this passion took the form of unwavering anger and a sharp tongue, mostly directed at his father. He was embittered by betrayal and sworn to vengeance. He was committed to becoming stronger, and he certainly did, but along the way he found a new family and purpose. He found an avenue for his passion which built into something greater: the kingdom itself! But Martin never let go of his anger or commitment to revenge. Now he is endlessly loyal to the kingdom which made him into the warrior he is today, which made him strong enough to carry his ambition through to the end! |
It isn't common knowledge |
But the kingdom has an... agreement with the bandit clans of the Tenebrous Chain. Dark racial magic has always been rare. So the kingdom has made an effort to collect and preserve bloodlines with these abilities. |
Outside those mountains, the southern valley and a few noble families, it's almost non-existent in humans. |
Clans like yours are native to the Chain and dark magic runs strong in your blood. These rare forms surface more frequently when the clans are left to themselves. I'm assuming you have dark magic? |
Then you're a fine example. |
Those inheriting Azowyr's Step were believed to have been completely eradicated! Your ancestors were the easiest for the Dark King to find and eliminate, travelling through his shadow plane. |
Euan's is left stupefied, his face blanking and his eyes sliding vacantly into the fire. He had heard stories of the Dark King's Vengeance , it was an important folktale to his people who were among his victims, but learning he may be the only shadow stepper left is chilling. Euan finally understood why he had never encountered another human within Azowyr's Plane.
But I'm getting off topic. |
To maximize the number of dark casters being born, the kingdom has made a special exception for the bandit clans. As long as they offer the best of these casters to the kingdom, the rest of them are permitted to evade service. |
Such a thing was unprecedented to his knowledge. As Ben mulls this over, Allen can see Euan connecting dots he'd never questioned before.
Am a bribe! |
Never ken I wis so valuable. |
Martin was the eldest son of the MacFheargus clan's chief but it was his own father who offered him up to the kingdom. |
Though he didn't take it nearly as well as you are. |
Martin swore vengeance and, once he had the opportunity, he killed his father himself. |
Och! |
He's ma uncle Eairdsidh! I always wondered aboot 'at. |
Allen watches Martin's tent for a long duration, relieved not to see the man storming out in a fit. He turns back to the boys once he's satisfied, both of them put off and confused by his reaction.
I would avoid using that name in his company. |
I've seen him shred men apart in "duels" just for uttering that to him. There's a reason those of us who know it know better than to use it! |
Martin, |
Prefers to be known for his strength and his accomplishments, not for where he came from. |
Despite being a "crabbit old shite" |
You won't find a more loyal, honorable man. |
I know that. |
But it's still haunting how much I don't know about my own family. |
Ben blinks at Euan, astonished he would make such an offer while still being held prisoner. His cousins in the capital weren't by any means kind or accommodating.
Alright. |
Maybe I can... tell you about the capital? |
Allen listens silently, surprised by his own enjoyment of the almost heartwarming exchange. As the boys continue chattering, Ben trying to give Euan an idea of the path ahead of him, Allen can't help but worry for how his daughter will tackle these same hurdles. He knew better than anyone the monster awaiting them. The city, the nobles, the war. All of it ready to pick each of them apart and swallow what remains.
Comments