De-Throning England

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

In Spring of 1329, the Mo’r Triath, Lord Adam Aberdeen began his major campaign, the Invasion of England; a landmark in the history of the destructive military might of Skye. All of Skye, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland was under his control, and the invasion of England was an attempt to force King Edward III to dethrone. Having gathered nearly 100,000 soldiers from Skye and Scotland, 10,000 freedom fighters from Ireland and Wales, as well as forces lent from allied countries, the Mo’r Triath assigned General Maahes Asad-Aziem as commander and ordered him to enter England at the head of the largest army ever seen on Britain soil.

It was General Maahes’ orders to invade every city, town, and village, proclaiming liberty to all who join the Celtic cause… and destroying every one that lends fealty to King Edward. The Celtic expansion of the Gaelic Nations had begun. The intent was to unite all the Nations under one rule with the eventually of democracy for all.

Meanwhile, the High Admiral of the Griffin Fleet, commanded all shipping lanes and ports of the Isles for the Mo’r Triath. There were Gryphon flags at every port. The huge English fleet now flew the black and gold and were under the Lord Admiral’s command.[/color][/size]

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

"Lady" was the lesser, "Ambassador" had once been prevalent, "Countess" was for station, "Master" for rank, and "Madame" the closest her household could ever come to an affectionate denoting. "Baroness" (at least in this section of the world) was still a new twist to an old, exalted peerage.

"Baroness, Baroness!"

That was a herald to which St. Laurence was still quite unaccustomed to in this country. "Lady" was the lesser, "Ambassador" had once been prevalent, "Countess" was for station, "Master" for rank, and "Madame" the closest her household could ever come to an affectionate denoting. "Baroness" (at least in this section of the world) was still a new twist to an old, exalted peerage. She turned to the source of the sound with a cool, placid face. Bromheilde, her lady's companion, was fretting. This was unusual for the Bavarian, even more so when one considered utter calm the staple of the Laurence house. "What is it, Bromheilde? You need to contain yourself, whatever is the matter we shan't go running about as uncivlized now shall we?" It was said with indifference, civility's aplumb. The Golden Age of the Celts was upon them, and so a Golden Age for the last wild bastians of Europe to prove themselves. Oddly ahead of the times, it suited the progression of the lady's fashions, attitude, and thoughts paramount exquisite, though Bromheilde came with a test for even the most iced socialite.

In an English that would suprise an entire household knowing her resource to be limited, Bromheilde opened her emphatic arms to deliver the news of her lady's homeland:

"The Mo'r Triath, he is going 100,000 strong through England, he will force the king to give up his throne, he has command of ships, he....he is going to go to.."

"London, Bromheilde. That is where is Majesty is seated. In the capital."

"But, you go to England during time of."

"War? Oh that is of no nevermind, Bromheilde. When are the English not at quarrel over something? It makes our vistation far more urgent. The War will do us a favor in unearthing certain subjects but we must make haste lest a battle prove troublesome. Also we shall be acquiring our lands."

"But..but you.."

"Are English. Quite. I have two things that are of service to me now. The first being, I am upon the right side of the fence. It has been years since I have worked for the English throne. For two, I am half-English in blood, my mother was from Irish soil. So, there is little to worry over. In fact the change bodes quite well."

"How.."

"Will I endure, how will we get there? With humility and grace, and by private vessel to the closest English port. You didn't think I would have us drive by carriage across killing fields? Mercy no. I'd prefer unsullied country, thank you. Despite the venture England towards mid-spring is quite a delightful sight."

Bromheilde retained her silence and cover again, baffled. Baroness St. Laurence resumed her work within her large multi-leveled study. The Mor'Triath would require some information and subterfuge, and she required the same to carry out the order's Great Work. Danger? It was a card in hand beside Genius, Challenge, and Triumph.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

The underlying reasons for success of Skye were its military superiority and political influence upon the free world. The superiority of the Skye cavalry emphasized the full force. The truth was that the Skye army benefited from the active or passive complicity of the masses of the English population. The social structure of the English in which lower levels were increasingly being crushed by a minority of the rich and powerful, explained the success of the Skye invasion.

IMMEDIATELY after his return to Turas Lan from York, Lord Adam determined to make that city a military camp, and issued orders accordingly. "The city o’ York," these orders read, "being exclusively required for warlike purposes, will at once be vacated by all except the armies of the Gaelic Nations and such civilian employees as may be retained by the proper department of government." The chief quartermaster was instructed to take possession of buildings of all kinds, and of all staple articles. The chief engineer was to investigate the city for a more constricted line of defense, and designate such buildings as should be destroyed to make room for his operations. The remaining buildings would be set apart for different military uses, and under the direction of the quartermaster the troops were to be permitted to pull down buildings and use the materials for constructing shanties and bivouacs.

General Maahes, commander of Skye forces in England issued the following statement to the citizens of York:

“To the Citizens of York, The Mo’r Triath instructs me to say to you that you must all leave York; that as many of you as want to go south can do so, and that all can take with them their movable property, servants included, if they want to go, but that no force is to be used, but transportation shall be deemed as your responsibility; and that as many as want to join our cause, he will furnish transportation for persons and property as far as Hadrian’s Wall, from whence it is expected Lord Balian will assist in carrying it on. It is required that all things contemplated by this notice will be carried into execution as soon as possible. Carry this notice to all cities… Know that each one shall have the same alternative…”

Under the Mo’r Triath's orders General Maahes thoroughly destroyed York, save its mere dwelling-houses and churches. The destruction was by fire purposely applied to buildings, and permitted to spread, as was expected, from house to house until the defenseless city was almost entirely reduced to ashes. No efforts were made to prevent the spread of the inferno, and scarcely any structure was designedly spared. Only about 40 buildings escaped this ruthless burning, among them many churches, which in those days generally stood apart from other buildings.

Afterwards, Maahes marched on, creating a charred avenue over 40 miles wide through the heavily protected country, seizing all provisions, pillaging, plundering and burning. There was no force suitably available to obstruct his onward course. He had simply to accomplish the military feat of marching through England.

Months into the campaign, Maahes’ worn-out soldiers had now been riding and fighting night and day, but before night again arrived, he attacked the English lines behind their barricades and walls, again having them surrendering. During the night, Maahes sought the infantry, which he did not venture to forsake during the campaign.

The period of Maahes' advance was toward London was in five columns. Bitter fighting would ensue the closer he got to London. By now, the enemy had been falsely informed by their officers that Skye took no prisoners, which caused them to fight with desperation and to run very dangerous gauntlets to escape capture, which frequently accounted for the large number of killed. In every rout of their cavalry, and in the many fights that ensued, they continued to flee, refusing to surrender, notwithstanding the demands of his army in close pursuit. Consequently no alternative was left but to attack them to prevent escape.

Vigorous fighting continued in the vicinity of London, threatening the King’s force only avenue of escape, and a Skye fleet of twenty vessels was reported off the coast. These carried supplies for Maahes' men, who were subsisting mainly on what they could forage and finding it inadequate. The English Generals saw that defeat was inevitable, and entertained reasonable fears that delay would render escape impossible. Soon, the Fleet guns would begin to pound English walls.

In his report of the march to London, General Maahes declared that he had destroyed the English strongholds for more than 100 miles, and had foraged the region of country 30 miles on either side of a line from York to London, as also the vegetables, cattle, hogs, sheep and poultry, and carried away more than 1,000 horses, as well as a countless number of slaves. "I estimate the damage done to the England and its military resources at levels far exceeding our estimates, of which has inured to our advantage, and the remainder is simply waste and destruction.”

After admitting that this may seem a hard species of warfare, Adam comforted himself with the reflection that it brought the sad realities of war, home to those who supported centuries of Scot rape, pillage, and destruction. Thus condoning all the outrages committed by an unrestrained English army for centuries.

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

Night had fallen upon the camps and for the first time in almost 3 years Maahes found himself back to where it all began. In Skye he had made his home with his wife, their children at his side, but upon Avarian soil he lived in the camps under the comfort of rich heavily dyed fabric. The war against Osteria had been a 2 year campaign just as it seemed this would be. However, the speed of this victory had been foreseen. Maahes had promised his wife he would return soon, and this man was not one that broke promises.

With the day now over, and the evening hours spilling out over the sleeping army he could not help but feel his heart in turmoil. ‘Something had changed.’ Where was the resistance? This English army fell over too easy, and perhaps they were simply worn from the war. Yet their numbers were legendary, how could this be so simple? He needed to speak to Adam. Perhaps the Mo’r Triath felt the same, but deep down he knew somewhere it had all changed.

When the call of nightly tasks came Lord General would find a page and pull him by the drag of his tunic, “Do me a favor boy.” He barked at the son of the Baker in whom he held much trust, and the son would nod as anything the General wished would be done. “Come inside.” Very few were ever able to step foot inside the private tent of the Beast, but what kind of worry would he place upon his men if he let his fear be known. “Sit, and write this.” He sat the boy down at the table where the paper was ready and the pen set waiting.

“To the Duke..er..Mo-r Tr-…Adam, to Adam.” Lord was he ever going to get those new titles down? Hard enough to speak English now wasn’t it? “Tell him this has been too easy, you tell him to watch his back, and to write home have the men there double their count. Tell him to tell Lord Marshal to watch the shores. I fear they will be attacked while we are here. Tell him that it is only a feeling, and I have no proof. ” Maahes spoke to ease the worry upon the son of Skye, and as the boy’s hand moved as fast as he could he gave a nod. “But it is better to be safe.” The page added with a smile that quickly faded as he spoke out of turn. However the large hand of the Beast came down upon the shoulder of the smaller frame. “Yes it is better to be safe.”

Once the letter was finished it was closed and pressed with the seal of his name—a tribal lion head with a mane of fire; typical huh? When the page turned to face the Beast he had eager eyes to carry out anything else the Lord wanted. However, Maahes’s next request didn’t come with a bark, but a small smile, warm words, and a light in his eyes.

“Will you write another to my wife? Tell her I love her, and I’ll be home soon….” A softening on the face, that quickly changed as he realized it was clear. “Tell anyone about this letter I’ll kill you.” He quickly barked and the boy gave a nod starting upon the work.

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

From Skye:

"I love you, and I will be home soon."


The penmanship was not his hand, the signature was and she touched lovingly against the letters that made his name. She was perhaps one of very few who knew he could not write in the English language. He had been gone two longs months now. Ever day Eppie searched the horizon for his return, every day disappointment crossed her face as day slowly turned into night. She knew this would be no easy campaign even if the English Army had been defeated many times by Skye and was weak, tired, with war. She had to do something while he was away, besides care for their children and working the lands, she had taken the nighttime as a learning process, seeing as sleep was hard to find when he was not beside her. She was not a woman sickly in love, she was a woman irrevocably in love. No one would ever understand, ever know how a desert born beast of the arena had changed the heart of a pirate by giving her his own. Anyone who had known the woman before she met Maahes Asad Aziem, would see just a glimpse of a change but most believed that she had been captured by some magic, or some blackmail that made her a wife and mother. These rumors were false. No one would understand the truth.

His letter had reached her at the right time. The children were told of his love for them, how he would be home soon, to spend time with them and to play with them. It was with sweet smiles they fell asleep that night. Ra was the last to fall asleep late into the night, the son of his father, the little babe hardly found rest without his fathers scent there but she had found a way around that, wearing one of Maahes tunics, she sang the babe to sleep with the melody of the sweet river of Egypt so well known to his parents. He found easier sleep from the smells of his father upon the clothing and she found comfort in wearing fabrics that smelled like him. Curling behind the desk within their room, she set ink to paper and began to pin a response as the nights song continued out the open window. Words written in a long slender scroll of her hand were in Arabic, so he did not need a page to read the letter to him. Months lessons now paid off from heart to hand into parchment, to husband.

My Dearest Heart and Husband,
How long the days seem and yet the nights are pure torture. You are greatly missed, greatly prayed for. How these two months have passed in agony, always awaiting your return. Spring fields have been sowed and planted. We are to have a good harvest when the time comes and I only pray you are here to see it, of people who work hard because of the pride and respect they hold for their Lord and Lady. I hear well wishes from the village constantly for your safe return. You are well loved by not only your family, but by your people and I pray also, this brings you pride to carry on.

Your family is well and misses you. Our silent beautiful muse princess looks for your return every day. Our sea prince has taken a liking to the guards of the home and has been learning to be like the great General. Your worry of love from the prince should be well placed away. He may be resistant still to show it publicly but his actions speak louder then words. When he falls, he does not cry, simply sets his chin and gets up to fit on. He does not complain from bruises and cuts and when asked why, he simply states that he is like his papa. Our little sun God prince is well too. He babbles constantly and is often found to be staring, listening intently for his father. He has been remiss to sleep at night unless there is a shirt of father is worn with your scent.

Your wife, misses you terribly my husband. In my respects, there is nothing much to tell but tending to the fields and the children at your request. Awaiting your return with batted breath and hoping upon hope that your campaign goes well, hoping in sin, that it will end soon that you might be home with us, with me.

I leave this letter finished with the promise that at your first breath, I will fulfill your long wanted request. Let this also be something that strengthens your heart and brings you home.

Ever faithful, ever loving, always and only yours.
Ealora.

Sitting back, she heaved a sigh, rubbed at her eyes before the letter was folded, hot wax poured onto the folds before the emblem was pressed down, sealing the letter closed. An emblem she had made in his absence of their "coat of arms" and sign of their home. An Egyptian scrolled Lion head. Rising from the desk, she moved out into the hall and out to the guards who stood post at the door. There was only one man she would trust in to see this letter to her husband and though he had been ordered to her side, the four others Maahes had hired all most a year ago when her pregnancy made it difficult to protect herself, were still here.

"Devan.."she spoke quietly, tired.

The man of his name, turned at the sound of her voice and bowed, as if she were royalty. She rather found it quite humorous and even now, she could not stop the itch of her lips upward in a press of a small smile.

"My Lady?" He asked quietly as he rose from his bow.

"Please, see this letter to my husband...in England." She held the folded and pressed letter out to him.

Devan paused, slowly he took the letter but upon his face he wore his protest.

"Please, I trust this to no one else but you."

Devan's fingers tightened upon the letter as he gently plucked it from her fingertips. The protest died upon his face as he bowed low again, paused and then rose.

"It shall be done, my lady.." He spoke just as quietly as before he turned to melt into night.

Her letter was upon its way and she only prayed, it reached its true destination.

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

How would it feel to stand on English soil as the Gaelic rape of the land commenced? Quite droll, considering the residual feeling substantiated to a hint of sadness at seeing the relics of precious English culture that would fall to ruin. The good thing about stone was, there was plenty of it. Thatch was proven to make better kindling than roof, and albeit churned in smoke, it would present a better canvas. The Baroness was not an apathetic nor insensitive woman. She was a logic driven realist and terribly pragmatic in regards to the entire affair.

England, April, 1329

That was how her mind recorded the intervals, later inserting precise date and hour of occurence when word was learned of. On the outskirts of a zone of conflict, she had literally watched the burning of York with a tistane in hand and no word to be heard. Bromheilde was visibly altered for the worse - pale flesh bore drops of cold sweat that slinked down to mix with the tears pouring from her eyes. The haneous truth was that the companion made a better source of classic mourning than did the woman of London birth. Nothing of value was in York. No associates, no links to investigate on a woe-begotten intrigue chain that found her standing amay as the bastian of Beauwolf and piety of early Kings caught like a tinderbox.

"The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away." She murmured, craddling the cup of what not in the hands of who and where, "We shall have to move in a quicker pace. With our things ahead of us to beat the Mo'r Triath and his Lion to London, we shall abandon the carriage and take horses. Rose Fielding House will remain standing for I'd wager even the Duke would like a table to plot the course of his great empire on? He will find no loyalty among the benefiting class, that is for certain." Entertain, what, pray, while a war raged? War Rooms. Officers. What have you amidst a place below the streets where all that glittered was indeed gold. His Lordship may subjucate the obvious of England, but there were worlds within worlds crafted so the garish in figure could not derive the essence of form.

"You will keep your head while others lose it. This bodes well with any plan to enact. Have you told the Mo'r Triath what to preserve, for his benefit?" Voltaire took the hand of Madame Death to be kept by Master Finality, their backs turned to the stunning display of fire columns eating York to nothing. "Otherwise it shall make our factions difficult." A true tactician, as Steward he would fathom it better to mind intact holdings than vaporized ones, and their work would require an intact location. "The cypers lead us to London. It has been a long while since we have entered the Proxy." What pray you, was a proxy? All fine children who have their supper learn a thing or two before bed time! "We will be able to see the merging of the Orders, what has or has not taken hold..."

"and the bastians of Gottschalkian influence. Quite. By now Alendral will have educated the Mo'r Ouskselo on the importance of these matters, so what remains is to afford the Mo'r Triath and chosen company of alternatives to bode well with what he knows not about English life or of the shadows that lay ready to snatch his enterprise.." Claramae could finish anything he'd begun, of course. Placing a hand against his ward's back he turned to York and found for an instant understanding of Bromheilde's plight. "Do you not feel even a little sorrowed at the end of the era wherein you were born..were upheld?" Claramae paused to consider this. Did she?

How would it feel to stand on English soil as the Gaelic rape of the land commenced? Quite droll, considering the residual feeling substantiated to a hint of sadness at seeing the relics of precious English culture that would fall to ruin. The good thing about stone was, there was plenty of it. Thatch was proven to make better kindling than roof, and albeit churned in smoke, it would present a better canvas. The Baroness was not an apathetic nor insensitive woman. She was a logic driven realist and terribly pragmatic in regards to the entire affair.

"Loyalty will see lineage, tradition, and substance remain intact. My coffers shall be unto the Lord's coffers, my hand unto his hand given. In all frankness, sir, the fondness of memory lapsed quite long ago when she lapsed in life. Let us carry on."

'She' was the beauty, the wild rose that all of England fancied but St. Laurence cultivated to be rampant on his pristine lawns. 'She' was beautiful, cultured, priveleged, and a fine keeper of any a noble's heart. Liadan lived on only in the memory of the girl-child affection dubbed 'Aisling'.

A dream, where her front name was of vision born in May.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Beathag could not more prevent a difference of opinion than a person could tell the wind to stop blowing. Like the air was bound to move around there would be members of the citzenry, both common and uncommon, who would view the taking of England as some Scottish patriotic fantasy gone awry. A subjucated England one day would be the rising monster the next, wouldn't it? What of the causes, and those who held them up? What questions were to be asked?



Bess: "Everyone tells meh this is a bad idea but be short on ideas how tae make it work, as this WASN'T my idea, Master Sorschal, Sae."

Alendral:"Well, right. You see, the reason nobody has any ideas how to make it work is because it's a bad idea."

Bess: Tha' is redundent, Master Sorschal.

Alendral: "Merely emphasizing the saliant point. "But if you want my two cents on it, the way I would change the plan is: Not attempting to invade and dominate England."Kind of big, you know."


Bess: That can not be undone, Master sorschal. Your two cents are taken and noted. I am the emblem of m'husband's rule when he is not here, what is done can nay be undone, but what lays ahead to be done, can be found amid men in each nation nay ruined by greed to do the right thing. Tha' is what I seek to find. Now, have ye ideas on tha' we may get somewhere.

Alex:Oh I could suggest a number of murders and intrigue that would help solidify your position, you just won't like any of them.And on a personal note, you're going to find out very fast that every nation is tarnished by greed, and there's nothing that brings them out like a good, old fashioned power struggle."


Bess: Ye are preachin' tae the choir, and there are still those tha' are not spoiled. Marred perhaps, but nay wholly ruined. And if I had no stomach for intrigue, why would I have had a hand in yer inception. I recognize tha' you have a skill, it is o' use, and there are far more elements than Ahdam or m'self will fathom.

Alendral"With respect, Bess. I've never met anyone short of the Inqusition that has 'stomach' for what we do."

Bess: "Mayhaps it's having been in the hands o' an inquisitor tha' makes m'stomach a bit more ram-rod for this.

Alendral: "Well, right. You see, the reason nobody has any ideas how to make it work is because it's a bad idea."


Bess: "Mayhaps it's having been in the hands o' an inquisitor tha' makes m'stomach a bit more ram-rod for this.

Alendral:Let me put it this way Bess. Put yourself in my place. Imagine plotting the fall and domination of Skye itself. Ask yourself if you would be able to stomach that--even if you disagree with its rule, if you could engineer the death of its countrymen, the hardship its people will endure, the chaos. Would you? Because, bluntly...? I don't think you could."

Bess: "Wot can be endured, Master spy and wot has been endured may seem o' little nevermind tae yerself, but this is the dawning of a strange age. An age where e'en ye for all your brilliance shall have tae be reimagine all ye know. Ah imagine your place is hard, n' terrible...n' lonely and the victory seems slight as none will offer ye praise. But ye do nay live in that world where your merits gae unrecognized nor ae ye left tae be alone, if ye but take tha. Master Sorschal, ye needn't have me imagine. but look around you. ah have ordered the heads n' limbs removed from mah own countrymen, n' have killed them myself, as you have done, and forgive me will no doubt witness as England falls. For tha', I do bare my apology. But, long 'ave ah struggled o'er wot ends justfiy wot means, if Ahdam holdin all o' this would be any better than Maubrey. I love m'husband, but the world is nay sae black n' white as abseloutes o' good nor evil. If it were sae, we wouldn't be speaking tae one another right now. Nor would ye be lauded or respected in my sight, nor I yours. This world....risen from ashes, has promise . N' for better or worse Ah'm irrevocably tied tae tha' promise. Ah imagine, in yer posistion there is tha' same, irrevocable promise..come wot may. Wot gives us right tae dae as our tormentors have done, n' while we may practice mercy, does it soften any less the blow? If one has heart, will it bleed, or dae we cut off our hearts entirely, n' look with our heads. M'head tells me tha' Ah must quickly aid Adam in reigning this vast world or it will spin out o' control, in' tae many depend upon him....now m'self, for tha'. Wot was not wanted, is nay the issue now..It is given wot Turas Lan n' Skye has had tae others. N' by wot mean is this done, n' at wot cost? Wot allies will prove false, if any, wot other crowns will look with envy, and will the cycle go on again? ::a gentle sigh, laden with a heavy weight put down for a while, for it was only thought. She slid the coronet from her head and held it, "Symbols or no, Sorschal, the world is heavy with things. But nothin' will change if there is no forward motion. N yes, I would." (d)

Alendral: "... Very stirring Bess, very... on the mark. I'll not deny you have an insight into what people wish for deep down or hear. " ::He let his expression become inscrutable, drawing up on a mask protectively in reaction to the attempt to dig so deep, with words full of subtle dry wit:: "But ordering the death of countrymen is different from dismantling everything home stands for, Bess. That's what I do. That's what I endure, and it's invariably from the heart of experience I speak from when I tell you what you feel like you've already heard. This will be long, complex, it will tax you and this country and everyone in it, and it may yet you see the Villian. I don't tell you this out of some impassioned sense of injustice or some longing to an ideal divorced from reality, I say to you this as a man who's entire craft is seeing Power undone. So when I say it, it damn well has a meaning of its own--I don't want rescogintion, a medal, or a bloody title, but I want that understood. So you ask me, what to do and I'll tell you; Get me and my Noviates hands, very, very bloody, or else sacrifice legion of good, loyal men, which is precisely what I intend to do. That's the reason I tell you how badly I disapprove of this course of action Duchess... because quite frankly, when I'm done... trust me, you'll have objections."

Bess: ::She considered the course of action a long while against what he had said before saying.:: "Be it wish or merely a stirrin' bit of word, Master sorschal, this is what is tae be. There will be hands that are gaein tae be soaked in blood same as those who will be nay. Then objections are had. Ah have them now, and in fact allow a grea tmatter of expressive liberty borderin' on bein' called fool, or naeive, or whatever else one wishes tae insinuate." ::She lifts up his reports, bound, nearby:: "But fer while knowin little o' the world ye endure I read enough in the truth ye send. What I will *tell* you to dae is this. Stay alive. Ye come to counsel me on these matters when Ah'm tae read tha' ye are sending a woman with ye, whom has some extravagant history, outward? ::she was speaking of Claramae, and a leveling of playing field. Necissity versus a disguisting want to let it fall. Necessity verses sheer want. Coping. Replanning, remaneuvering:: Based on the reports ye have written me ah was tae decree nay. A hard, firm nae. But it is tae late, sae we must rethink what seperates us, or either by an over-reached hand with no foundation or the firmaments shaking underneath, we will both be fallin. ::she leaned across the table::Tomorrow, ye will come with me tae blue castle, tae parliment. ye will see the fate of it all play out in democracy, n' if ye wish a hand in it? Become a parlimentarian, a scribe, an ambassador, wot e'er way ye see fit but nay before ye are presented the entirity o' the story for battle n' livin. Fool or no, tha' is precious little in consideration tae a lack o' tools in either o' our hands dun ye agree? :: she put on top of that documents from other nations and pushed to him the content of which to read fr preperation With that, he could learn to hold up the foundations of their new world or he could use it to bury her.:: Trust. Master Sorschal. We are both earning it, is that so? ::blonde brow arched slightly as she but waited. Rail against the mountains and scream into the north wind all you liked, she would take it. Aye, she ventured to say it was even deserved but among the disenters she would turn their minds with action. Protests went quite far, it spurned her to even greater measures than she already pondered taking.:


Alendral: "She sends outward in the name of this Isle to ensure and sees to end a legacy that would see Skye burned before it. One of the perils of having a master Spy in your house beyond repute, Duchess. The woman knows how to get her way." ::Saying very little else on the matter and busying himself with the armful of documents.:: "And I would be remiss in my duties if I did not play the part of a Naysmith from time to time. Such is the nature of our arrangement, but at least I do not do so yelling at the top of lungs and comitting borderline treason." subtle way of saying I know full well what Eamonn did, an aside. "But if the Duchess wishes me to attend, I shall attend. On the subject of trust, though, I hope that you understand why I take such pains to remain brutally honest with you--after all, if you can't trust your own Spymaster... well...?" he smiled thinly, emphasizing the point, before her final statement earned a raise of his brow, apparently weighing the question very carefully--then again, for a man who had neary died several times by the weight of such a word, he could be forgiven for being cautious, and so only said neutrally. "It would be presumptious to speak of the depth of your trust in me, Duchess."

Bess: "If i didn't trust ye to any measure, anything remotely English would be 'pon the cuttin block." That was a blunt truth, indeed. Not only did she allow him remain, but he was often in proximity to people that violated any intimate appreciation of space. His intrigues were housed in a row in the fair city, and lord know how many common civil laws he broke on an hourly basis, all nearly pardoned. This was a man whom would make both Maahes and Eamonn revolt in spades - but then again - hadn't all of such men enjoyed literal marshal law to exact the wishes of the soverign in the means deemed necessary? If she were a fool, than what did this make them? At least he made his point without the advent of his hand, though she did not succumb to thinking this when he made mention of yelling. It wasn't a mystery that she and Eamonn often clashed on matters of policy. A talk for another day, she measured the length of his thin smile before pointint outward. "Presumptious but nay out o' place. If ye did not believe in the crux of our ideas ye would nay be here or ye would have tried to kill us if it interefered with some o'er agenda. Indeed, ye run quite an agenda o' yer own." Click of boot heel was signature, though they were lowered, softer in tread as the burned pattern silks of blue softly swirled. "It's a good excersise for me really. Sharpens m'mind. Damn pity ye aren't as fascianted by the political a Claramae is, I would nay be at lack for a good pair o' eyes in the government seat." She didn't blame him for avoiding it though. Of all the blessed occupations, the woman seemed to it as bred as anything else. (d)

Alendral: "Not my own. It may be difficult to see, but the matters we tend to concern Skye as much as anyone. Strictly speaking, they became Skye's agenda when the madmen hired the likes of Krause and Kryptmann in the first place." he countered. "It isn't that I'm not fascinated by politics, Bess. I've seen the value of them. The difference is Claramae can both flourish and find a way to settle her desires according to the rules. My flirtation with politics left a bad taste in my mouth, and my tendency to resolve obstacles is... well." A pause. "No. No. I don't think I could last long in such a position. I'm of more value here." he didn't bother explaining why to her, perhaps the fear of what might happen when he was left to his own devices. The one advantage of being both a tool and a weapon is you got to rely on someone else to be your moral compass--when you scarcely trusted your own, the idea of losing that was distinctly terrifying. "Still, if it's a pair of eyes you need, I'm fairly certain you can ask her to take such a place. Wouldn't be the first time she's balanced two positions."

Bess "She has been takin' such a place, for Avaria, then on our behalf due tae the alliance, and loyalty running as thick with her I've arranged for her tae be suitably paid for past troubles and regulary salaried. Given her venture abroad, I am increasing the pay on behalf orders to guard Adam and Maahes from what they are incapable of lookin' at." At least she was generous with the use of people's time. "Nay, I believe ye. Just because they are nay before the masses does nay mean they will nay dae us harm. Such is why ye are here in the first place." She watched him gatherup the papers, consider the idea of handling this papers in a diplomatic or government sense and erbuking the idea. "We are fortunate, tae have the likes o' ye, Master Sorschal, fools tha' we are here." She was almost to the point of grinning (d)

Alendral: "Maahes is a good enough Soldier, just not suited for policy." he shrugged milldy again and passed her a glance at the final jest, not quite smiling but clearly amused by teh sentiment. "Only fair. gives you right cause for calling me the fool if my end of it goes pear shaped, I suppose." the last he'd say on the subject, he'd slip away to review the papers she offered him and plot from the angle of an 'Ambassador', strange as the concept felt to him to be pretending to be a role in the country he worked for, as well as having no ulterior motive other than to participate and perhaps bring up concerns in official capacity--precisely what he wanteda nd precisely what she gave him... Hmm. Clever little Duchess, isn't she?


Indeed.

At a supper once, Beathag had said to a gathering of women they were on the threshold of a brave, new world. It would be foolhearty not to tremble at the rising fear though not to wear a guise in which nothing wavered? Once, a woman broken open wih a raw exposure to years of supressed feelings would have been unable to do that. One would have swayed in the intensity of her love or felt the intense, direct wrath of her hatred. A man like Sorschal in the old world would have had to enjoy an extreme intimacy to speak even in the harsh professionalism used, where as only blood would have been able to have the truth of opion. The brave? Well, they spok eat their own risk.

Not in this world.

Beathag wasn't a fool. She'd been born in the old order, and an unusual life in the crux of it. Now, to become an emblem of this new world would further require an even grander change. The day after she'd spoken with Alendral, she drew up paper, quill, and began to write. Notes were tucked into a leather folio, and a scribe selected to follow her hence.

"Come, m'friend, we gae off tae seek the day, tae seek the change. Ye will pen for me the work I and the court dae, wot is decided, wot is nay. Our first order o' business shall be tae see tha' all o' the Mo'r Triath's rulings are sealed n' placed in the square. The heralds will voice them. Ah know they've gone quiet, I'd rather them speak on somethin' useful."

Needless to say the scribe found himself..shocked. There had been little use of them, or the heralds, or even the government officials whom had not yet recovered. But he understood that he was to be but one of many called forward to reinvigorate a sleeping dragon. If Adam were to be the might of Skye abroad, then his strength would be upheld and perpetuated by the Mo'r Oukselo, his wife. If people were to look to skye, they would see a strength and system to emulate in the traditions of the other Celts for places that were hollow of national pride, order, or anything but English function.

"All of the rulings of the court in matters o' legality and business, all o' those tha' have been spoken of as money, or patronage, and others shall be be announced untae the people. Usin' the printer's method, we shall make and bind the writings of the government and the Mo'r Triath tae be kept by our fellow Gaelic statesmen. Summon up men and women skilled in each law of each land, let them be among the first tae hold this in their hands. Find us the old advisors n' law keepers, the embissary n' the old keeper o' certain lands . They shall look 'pon the laws o' their people n' those o' wot they are citizens of now and see it, learn it, see it offends nay their native customs sae long as it does nay supress the forward progress made in things tha' better life, the laws o' women, children, elders n' poorfolk, and those things tha' give responsiblity and cautions untae the nobles. Tis m'knowledge many of them are aware o' Adam's writ through his speeches, but ye will give the word untae people who have it none. Though we give it tae them by pressed ink, they must also have text transcribed by hand."

"It is tradition, my lady..and scribes are nay our printers?"

"Aye, vera good." Beathag was pleased with this one, marvelous much.

"And the reviewing of laws, so they have chance to read what is spoken of, and give it to their people in their own words, and lift up their own tradition to look at."

"Aye.."She grinned, "Wot is yer name?"

"Brecon, m'lady. Brecon ap Gwilliam. Wales,by way of Ireland, m'lady. I came over late last summer, before Ulster's fall."

"Well Brecon, we shall have long tae converse n' become fast friends. Come, we shall put all this to the pen, and give it forth to many."

{ For Beathag's installations for the Renaissance, see Gaelic Renaissance, to be continued there! }

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

The missive was given to Adam as he watched Aodhan play spar with his friends. The lad grew up so fast. As he looked at the seal, he smiled… It was from Maahes. Eagerly, he broke the seal and opened the missive.

<< “To the Duke..er..Mo-r Tr-…Adam, to Adam.” Lord was he ever going to get those new titles down? Hard enough to speak English now wasn’t it? “Tell him this has been too easy, you tell him to watch his back, and to write home have the men there double their count. Tell him to tell Lord Marshal to watch the shores. I fear they will be attacked while we are here. Tell him that it is only a feeling, and I have no proof." >>

Adam could not help but chuckle. Undoubtedly, the Lion could never get the titles correct, but did he actually care… not with this man… He was just glad to have the right man leading the Griffin Army. By now, Adam had made his way to Edinburgh and established a temporary government foundation for England should Maahes be successful and make it all the way to London. Now back in Turas Lan he read the missive that would give him sight of Maahes’ consternation.

Summoning Lord Marshal Balian Windsor and Lord Admiral Jack Flynn, he informed the men to make arrangements for increased hostile activities or reprisals. This too, was included in a misive to Lord Eamonn in Eohmark. At their suggestions, he refused to gather all the English people and quarantine them… it was not the people he feared but an army… He did not wish to quarantine innocent people just because of their ancestry… it was their loyalty that he desired, not their fear of him. But he knew he would have some unrest due to the sacking of York. In the end, he would ask for increased security for Skye and authorize Maahes to take London.

In the beginning, Skye drove deep into English territory from York. General Maahes had divided the 100,000 men force into three columns, one southwest toward Glouchester, one to the southeast along the coast to Norwich, and he, in command took the center column down thru the center, dividing England into three parts.

The Glouchester column drove as far south as Bath and turned westward toward Penzance... while the Norwich column was stalemated at Ipswich by the King’s 30th Foot Regiment. Maahes drove south, meeting slight resistance until he met the King’s 15th Cavalry and 25th Foot at the plains just north of the River Thames...

In three days of fighting, Maahes, in command of the center Skye column, slowly retreated northward, from the River Thames, appearing unwilling to fight. Soon he was pursued by the Cavalry, followed by the King’s Regiment.

In a secret missive to the Norwich column, Maahes had them retreat west. The Commander of the 30th Foot seeing the Skye forces withdraw, headed south toward London. Once the 30th Foot headed south, the Skye right column, then turned south and east toward Canterbury. Still Maahes retreated north, drawing English forces from fortified castles to chase him.

Believing Maahes to be cornered at the River Trent, The English King ordered all forces north to destroy the Skye forces.

Maahes had formed his men into battle lines for the impending assault, and reassured them that the prongs of the Bull would soon close around the head.

A dawn that fateful morn, the 30th Foot started moving across open ground, while sending the Cavalry around the flank of the Skye forces. But the 15th Cavalry was met by Skye’s Norwich column, decimating the English as they crossed the river downstream.

The Skye army moved quickly and silently across the high-grass plain, and then, using the English’s own artillery, blasted them at near point-blank range.

Thousands of the demoralized and confused English soldiers were routed, with many being driven into the river to drown or shot down by archery barrages. Now it was Skye’s turn to chase... as they chased after the fleeing enemy.

The rest of the King's once-proud army had disintegrated into chaos. From the moment of the first charge, the battle was a slaughter, with fewer than expected Skye losses.

Meanwhile, the Glouchester column had reached Penzance who surrendered without a fight... and was moving east toward London at a fast rate. The Norwich column was now moving south by west toward London... and Maahes was moving due south right toward the English capital. This meant that the famed city would soon be surrounded by Skye forces within days.

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

In his life he had seen many places, many cities, and many faces. However, London had served to even surprise him. It was the very heart of Spring, the lives seemed so happy and fulfilled even through the ache of war, as they knew all would prevail. Their lives would not be turned upside down, and their King would not let them fall. It amazed him that even in the poverty run streets they still had hope in a monster. Did they not see the harmful actions that had been done? Did they know of the poor? These rich highly decorated necks never turned to look behind them, only to the happier times before them. Not all were given such cushions to sit upon, or handed the gold to provide for their spoiled brats.


Though the city was beautiful, and he could even rival the streets of Cairo with the busy lives here. Was this what home was like? This was no doubt what he would have faced if he had been able to live a normal life in the desert lands of his home. It was easy to forget the poor, who struggled to pay their taxes in streets as busy as a hive of bees. Hell even he had trouble finding where his eye left off. Did Adam really plan to take all of this? Or were there plans for politics? A peaceful trade perhaps? Pshh..this was the English right?

Sitting atop his horse he looked out over London from atop the hillside, waiting—watching for any sign of his Lord, and for any proof that this was where he should move in next. For now he would move into the streets where poverty driven families lost everything, and raise an underground voice to fight against their King.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

The Taking of London

Spring 1329, General Maahes Asad-Aziem concentrated his forces to besiege the city of London, leaving the rest of his armies in a defensive position. The final bastion of English force lie just inside the city walls.

The English Army was commanded by General John Northrupt and consisted of 8 infantry battalions, 21 cavalry squadrons, 10 field cannon, and 10 trebuchets, and 5 main ballistae. The army was deployed with the right wing with 7 squadrons and 1 battalion, the center with 7 battalions and the artillery, and the left wing with 8 squadrons and a reserve of 6 squadrons in the center of the position. At last, the city of London proper was defended by 500 archers.

The Army of the Gaelic Nations was deployed with the right wing having some 24 cavalry squadrons made of Skye, Scot, Castilian, Italian, and Germanic regiments. The center had from right to left: in first line, 5 Skye battalion, 5 Castilian battalions, and 2 Italian battalions… in the second line, he had the Irish battalion and 3 Welch battalions; in the third line, or reserve, he had 5 Skye battalions, 2 German regiments, and a Welch regiment. The left wing was composed of 16 cavalry squadrons from Skye, one Welch and one Castilian. At last the Skye had 20 field guns deployed in the centre in an advantageous position. In total, Maahes had some 190,000 men divided in 16 infantry battalions and some 40 cavalry squadrons.

In the morning, before Beltane, the Skye guns, situated 10 meters above the English position, opened fire against on them with remarkable efficiency. The rounds struck the walls, negating the archer threats. People inside the city began to work fervently on protecting life and property, dousing fires as often as they erupted.

In the center, the Skye infantry launched the first unsuccessful assault on the English entrenchment. This was to be there first unsuccessful attack… and their last.

The next move took place on the left Skye wing when the Welch cavalry and the support of the 2 Castilian infantry companies, attacked the English, taking them by surprise and even though superior in number, the English retreated in disorder... many surrendering before making it to the city.

In order to support his right wing, Maahes, with his reserve, launched a furious counter attacked on the left flank of the English cavalry with riotous success.

Meantime, on the center position the Skye infantry launch a new successful assault against the English entrenchment that was well defended but fled for their life abandoning the battlefield, returning to the city.

Manhandled by the accurate fire of the Skye rifled-cannon, the cavalry of the English left wing did not resist very much the advance of the Gaelic Nation’s Army and fled for safety to the only bridge toward the city.

On the center, the Skye infantry took advantage of the situation and destroy the resistance of the English infantry taking their guns and thousands of prisoners as well as the supply wagons.

The last resistance was made by General Northrupt and his infantry… making a frontal assault into the bull-shaped formation of the Gaelic Nation Army… but were decimated during the confrontation.

The English Army of London was annihilated, losing 13,200 dead, 6,000 wounded, 3,400 prisoners, of which 400 were officers, and probably some 500 wounded and deserters. It is said that Maahes found only 1,600 men, mostly horsemen of the English Army, 2 days after the battle, roaming about the countryside, but who later converted to Skye, with sworn fealty to the Lion of Skye. The Skye victory was total… losing only 3,200 dead, 8,000 wounded, 1,500 missing, presumed dead. London, now belonged to General Maahes and the Army of the Gaelic Nations.

Maahes, rode into the city a triumphant victor… and later as he stood next to the English throne, ordered the imprisonment of the English King and his court in Newgate prison.

Then, in the City’s Market Square, before thousands of people of England… rich and poor… he burned the throne of the English Kings, proclaiming England as a Duchy of the new Gaelic Nations. Immediately after doing so, he appointed three men and two women as English Representatives to the Gaelic Council of the Mo’r Triath.

News of Maahes victory spread rapidly thru all the land. Word reaching Adam by special messenger… “The English are defeated… I stand before all England on your behalf…” he writes…Adam would leave Turas Lan and head straight for London… followed by 20 of his Golden Talons.

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Spring 1329

``I would never think less of you, Beathag. I understand your concerns, and even felt them at one point in my life. You and Adam now have a large responsibility on your shoulders. It is my personal opinion for what I am about next, but England, will remain England if it so choses. By taken away their king, I fear, that Adam is doing just as England tried to do to not only Skye, but the Isle of Eire and Scotland. I think, and would strongly advise, that to say Adam leave England to England and focus his time and attention on nations that welcome him. You do not hold a poisoned snake unless it is dead. Cast the snake from your hands and from your sight, lest it bite you and poison you as well.`` Aman-ud-Din said, in all seriousness, his accent thick even as his voice lowered so only Beathag could hear him. ``If there is anyone who can clearer reach Adam's mind, it is you, Beathag. See that he does not become the very thing he sought to defeat. He stands upon the edge of a knife, Beathag...and is in danger of falling.``

-Lord Advisor to the Mo'r Oukselo-

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Mo’r Triath’s Occupation of England

Days later, the Gryphon and the Lion would stand before the people of London and shake hands. A new day had dawned in the history of the Gaelic Nation.

The Mo’r Triath’s occupation troops proceeded rapidly with disarmament, demilitarization, and eradication of monarchy influence from English life. The instituted the Principles to Govern the Treatment of England. Meanwhile, Skye officials, some from the allied armies, participated as members of a Tribunal in what is now known as the Glasgow Trials. This Tribunal tried 25 major leaders of the English monarchy on crimes against humanity in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. They sentenced 8 to death, imprisoned 12, and acquitted 5. A Gaelic Constabulary was immediately established and began supervising English civil affairs, working increasingly through local agencies with reliable staffs and established a Duchy Sheriff with enough men to support the laws.

The foreign ministers of the Gaelic Nations and all allied countries met in Glasgow and took the exceptional step of issuing an offer of friendship and cooperation to the English, but installed the Principles To Govern The Treatment of England.

In a monumental leap of cooperation, the Gaelic Nations and her Allies developed a document that read:

Be known to all members of the Occupational Force, the Peoples of England, and those subjugated by that Country, that so far as is practicable, there shall be uniformity of treatment of the English population throughout England. The purposes of the occupation of England by which the Duchy be installed and managed are:

I. The complete disarmament and demilitarization of England and the elimination or control of all English industry that could be used for military production. To these ends:

(a) All English land and naval forces with all their organizations, staffs, and institutions shall be completely and finally abolished in such manner as permanently to prevent the revival or reorganization of the English Military as it was formally organized;

(b) All arms, ammunition and implements of war and all facilities for their production shall be held at the disposal of the Gaelic Nations or destroyed.

(c) To convince the English people that they have suffered a total military defeat and that they cannot escape responsibility for what they have brought upon themselves, since their own ruthless warfare and the fanatical resistance have destroyed English economy and made chaos and suffering inevitable.

(d) To destroy the Monarchy to ensure that they are not revived in any form, and to prevent all anti-Gaelic activity or propaganda.

(e) To prepare for the eventual reconstruction of English political life on a democratic basis and for eventual peaceful cooperation in international life by England.

II. All English laws which provided the basis of the Monarchy-established discriminations on grounds of race, creed, or political opinion shall be abolished. No such discriminations, whether legal, administrative or otherwise, shall be tolerated.

III. War criminals and those who have participated in planning or carrying out Monarchial enterprises involving or resulting in atrocities or war crimes shall be arrested and brought to judgment. Leaders, influential supporters and high officials of the Monarchy and any other persons dangerous to the occupation or its objectives shall be arrested and interned.

IV. All members of the Monarchy who have been more than nominal participants in its activities and all other persons hostile to Gaelic National purposes shall be removed from public and semi-public office, and from positions of responsibility in important private undertakings. Such persons shall be replaced by persons who, by their political and moral qualities, are deemed capable of assisting in developing genuine democratic institutions in England.

V. English education shall be so controlled as completely to eliminate Monarchial doctrines and to make possible the successful development of democratic ideas.

VI. The judicial system will be reorganized in accordance with the principles of democracy, of justice under law, and of equal rights for all citizens without distinction of race, nationality or religion.

VII. The administration in England should be directed towards the decentralization of the political structure and the development of local responsibility. To this end:

(a) Local self-government shall be restored throughout England and the freed Gaelic Nations on democratic principles and in particular through elective councils as rapidly as is consistent with military security and the purposes of military occupation;

(b) All democratic political parties with rights of assembly and of public discussion shall be allowed and encouraged throughout England and the Gaelic Nations;

(c) Representative and elective principles shall be introduced into regional and provincial administration as rapidly as may be justified by the successful application of these principles in local self-government;

(d) For the time being, no central English Government shall be established. Notwithstanding this, however, certain essential central English administrative departments, headed by State Lords, shall be established, particularly in the fields of finance, transport, communications, foreign trade and industry. Such departments will act under the direction of the Mo’r Triath.

VIII. Subject to the necessity for maintaining military security, freedom of speech, and religion shall be permitted, and religious institutions shall be respected. Subject likewise to the maintenance of military security, the formation of free trade unions shall be permitted.

In order to restore the Economy of England and to resurrect the livelihood of the English people, I do so order that:

IX. In order to eliminate England's war potential, the production of implements of war and battle-worthy ships shall be prohibited and prevented. Production of items that are directly necessary to a war economy shall be rigidly controlled and restricted to England's approved post-war peacetime needs.

X. At the earliest practicable date, the English economy shall be decentralized for the purpose of eliminating the present excessive concentration of economic power as exemplified in particular by cartels, syndicates, trusts and other arrangements.

XI. In organizing the English Economy, primary emphasis shall be given to the development of agriculture and peaceful domestic industries.

XII. During the period of occupation, England shall be treated as a single economic unit under the auspices of the Gaelic Nations. To this end, common policies shall be established in regard to:

(a) Mining and industrial production and its allocation;

(b) Agriculture, forestry and fishing;

(c) Wages, prices and rationing;

(d) Import and export programs for England as a whole;

(e) Currency and banking, central taxation and customs;

(f) Reparation and removal of war potential;

(g) Transportation and communications.

In applying these policies account shall be taken, where appropriate, of varying local conditions.

XIII. Skye controls shall be imposed upon the English economy but only to the extent necessary:

(a) To carry out programs of disarmament, demilitarization, of reparations, and of approved exports and imports.

(b) To assure the production and maintenance of goods and services required to meet the needs of the occupying forces and displaced persons in England and essential to maintain in English average living standards not exceeding the average Gaelic Nation’s standards of living.

(c) To ensure, in the manner determined by the Mo’r Traith, the equitable distribution of essential merchandise as to produce a balanced economy throughout the Gaelic Nations and reduce the need for imports.

(d) To control all English economic and financial transactions including exports and imports, with the aim of preventing England from developing a war potential and of achieving the other objectives mentioned above.

(e) To control all German public or private scientific bodies research and experimental institutions, laboratories, et cetera connected with economic activities.

XIV. In the imposition and maintenance of economic controls established by the Gaelic Nations council, English administrative organizations shall be created and those English authorities shall be required to the fullest extent practicable to proclaim and assume administration of such controls. Thus it should be brought home to the English people that the responsibility for the administration of such controls and any breakdown in these controls will rest with themselves. Any controls which may run counter to the objectives of occupation will be prohibited.

XV. Measures that shall be promptly taken by the English authorities and held accountable for are:

(a) To erect emergency repair of housing and essential food supplies prior to winter season.

(b) To effect essential repair of businesses and homes;

(c) To maximize agricultural output; and to enlarge food and export production;

XVI. Appropriate steps shall be taken by the Gaelic Nations Council to exercise control and the power of disposition over English-owned external assets not already under the control of the Gaelic Nations which have taken part in the war against England.

It is not the intent of the Mo’r Triath, the Gaelic Nations, nor the Allied Countries, to wish ill harm to the English peoples. The desire is that all the peoples of the isles live together in peace and harmony and to prevent the resurgence of the Monarchy that plunged the English people down a path of death and destruction.

Signed this 3rd day of Beltane, 1329… the 2nd year of the Griffin,
Adam Aberdeen
Mo'r Triath 'dair nan Gaidhlig Cinneach
- High Lord o' the Gaelic Nations

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Shortly after issuing the Principles To Govern The Treatment of England, Adam, Maahes, and a group of soldiers, along with the 20 Gold Talons, entered the King’s Palace.

In the room that once was guarded heavily, Adam alone entered the King’s Privy Coffers. In this room, behind once sealed doors, were gold and jewels from many other countries; more wealth than any one man could imagine to hold. Adam cursed and looked to Maahes standing at the door. “Gen’ral, This shall bae confiscated... d’vided amongst the Gaelic Nations, an’ issued tae relieve war debts. Plus 1 in five tae gae t’ward the needy peoples of London.” Then Adam stormed from the room, mumbling… “If’n Ah could, Ah’d kill tha’ bastard maeself… Lets his people suffer whilst he lives a life o’luxury.”

In fact, Lord Maubrey had profited from the spoils of his undertakings… that is where much of the King’s coffers came from, hence why the English King held no rein on his former Advisor. “Maahes…” he yelled as he walked toward the door… “Find every one o’ the King’s treasuries and bust it open… use it faer the people o’ his country… and if yae find any ha’ been sent tae the Church, Ah wanna Knaew…” then he exited the area, his anger definitely visible.

Any scribe, any accountant, anyone who could count, could see that war debts often crumbled the country, victor or loser… Adam had worried about this very much… but now, his concerns were lessening.

Though popular with the commoner and merchants, Adam was unliked by many English nobles and clergy... those who profited from the disadvantaged... Now Adam was hitting closer to home for many of them...

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

The camps had come and gone so many times that the resurrection of their structure had become second hand. Flags of Griffin colors rose from the peeks of the tents as the night moved in and the daily parchments rolled in upon the backs of horses. “News sir, of honors the event has come forth with many promises.” Maahes read over the list, and smiled knowing full well all the knights did deserve such honorable titles..well all but Nic. He felt the man a coward for running upon English soil to save the fiery haired vixen that was his sister-in-law. However, he would have done just the same if his wife was in trouble, but then again Ealora wasn’t one to get caught very often. Even now he had to question a few of his knights wondering if perhaps under their heavy armor rest that soft little body he had come to love. He missed her the most in moments like this, were the night came to an end, and the battle was over.

The toothless grin of the Harold waited for his dismissal, and Maahes turned dark eyes to the man who looked well weathered and worn, “Nice to know they’re keeping those cushions warm at feast tonight.” A heavy hand came to pat the backside of the horse and send the man on his way.

“Anything of trouble, Sir?”

“No, just honors. A few knew Knights, Prince, and a Princess..” From the paper Maahes rose his dark eyes to the man, and they both exchanged looks. There had been a sigh rise through the Beast as he looked over the town of London with a shrug.

“Are you not happy, Sir?” The knight asked with careful eyes to his lord, “Does the honors not please you?”

“No, it has nothing to do with it, but soon we’ll see them here hmm? All of you deserve trophies, works of art for your loyalty--payment. Your day will come, God will reward you for your loyalty.” For a moment they were silent, watching the crowd waiting for the Duke to arrive.

“Talk has also traveled that many doubt us being here, they say the Lord Duke has lost his mind, that he is hungry with power.”

Maahes would stand before the gathered troops watching as they all shifted in the streets. “I’d like to be face to face with said voices.” Maahes spoke as he cracked his knuckles and looked out over the men and women gathered in the streets. “There are so many young dirty faces, children without privilege or a chance; would you deny them the a better life? This is for the best. These lands were ruled by a tyrant, who sat on his throne feasting while his people starved. You are werey I get this, as am I but we will not leave. Not until it is finished. We stand behind our country no matter the cost. If you are tired and weak then I will release you….with honors back home. In your place you will send me your sons. The war is over, but the cleanup has just begun.” The Beast was a man of very little words; his passion was known for the people, but never was it spoken. It was a good change, and a heartfelt welcome to hear their troubles considered.

“Bring me the men who doubt our victory, I’ll break their faces in.”

“And if it is the Duchess, M’lord? Would you do the same to her?” The knight spoke in jest mounting is horse.

“Not until my wife and I are old and grey. When she can bear me no more sons..Then perhaps I will tempt fate.” Maahes laughed lightly curling his lip with the idea and raising a darn brow to his companion, knowing full well what would happen to his manhood. “Have you seen her throw that axe?”

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

Spring 1329 - Learning of England

"M'lady Mo'r Oukselo, have you heard the news come out of Glasgow? They've tried them, and sentenced some, and are extending a hand to England." Brecon pushed his way with little care through the doors of the woman's personal study. Kendrew didn't admonish him, nor the guards delay him. If he had spent this much time in her company, it was because he was allowed. Sweat was like paste on his skin. He'd ridden clear out from the West of the Island in under a handful of hours to make personal delivery, for there were a great lot of scribes and heralds there, emassing. "Here be the governance on England, m'lady." Had the man not been commisioned for his writing, he would have been used for his speed as a messanger.

Behind a stack of papers and just to the corner of her book of governance, the Mo'r Ourkselo peered over to see the emphatic insistance for her attention. With no more than a reach of hand, she accepted the papers, "How did they come sae fast," she began, finding a hasted, " I sent, an Irishman..to Glasgow, mam. One o' the trained local printsmen, he's gone there to start a guild. He sent his first handwritten copy by messanger bird." By bird? The purchase of a hawk or falcon in these times would be expensive, and in Glasgow, of all places? "Yer a wizard, Brecon." The Christian man crossed himself as he laughed, "Nay, M'or Oukselo, just determined. Look you on all the points that are highlighted, here...and here." A scribe's eye made it easy to read, for he pointed out to her where things were stated and at the next for simplified conclusion. He stated his intentions. He gave to England, far more than they'd ever given unto their own people. Far more than England would ever give to Scotland, Ireland, or Wales.

"This will take a great lot tae mantain. Generous, magnamous, n' rather pragmatic e'en for Adam, but it will still take much to maintain. Here, we must make the guildsmen, tradesmen, envoys, military, and institutions aware. We are nay England, but if opportunity presents itself, ye may well see a certain lot o' English immigration." A trickle here and there. A person. She had two English embissaries at blue-castle, and with them, a smattering of Anglo-Celts or full bloodied English due to the former frequency of cross marriage for treaties and gain. But the common English man, woman, or child may become fixture. With London on her knees, Turas Lan was London. Turas Lan was Edinburgh to many. It was a city of strcture, stablity, and peace.

"Here is wot we shall dae, Brecon. Sir Campbell?" The Lord Guardian turned from his place at the door. Kendrew had listened all the while, but this was nothing new. He was privy to the business of his sovereigns because of his proximity. " 'Ave the messangers gae out please, within the next three hours draw as many tae blue castle as ye can tha' have cause tae be there, n' make it known by the coming first day after the Chrisitian Sabbath we will be assembling daily. Ah'm callin the meetings on the necessity o' seein all things in place. First, we shall gae o'er the English governance with court, sae have them come to me here. All persons o' import from the court tae the courtiers should increase their vigilance n' guard. One ne'er knows who may retaliate." Kendrew found this pleasing to hear, interjecting, "Your personal guard will increase by two additional men, m'lady. You are the Mo'r Triath's wife. We will take nay chance with you, nor the others. Ye have my word."

"Good. Ah dun nay expect it, but we'd be fool tae sleep on it. In the parliment we will make the same suggestion, after which we will continue on the works. A talk on the importance o' our home, n' the necessity tae build our plans n' policy steadily. We must account for everythin, every trade, every opportunity, e'ery idea n' e'ry practical or impractical suggestion. The Lord Advisor has counseled me, n' Ah am ready."

-.-.-

"The Mo'r Triath has taken apart tha' Ainglish throne, tried those guilty o' crimes against the Nations, n' offered peace n' friendship tae England by way o' this." All who came were shown the documentation, where it was read through in a matter that made it all for everyone to understand. Some found it unnecessary to know these things, why should they? "N' yer posistion ye may find yerself questioned, ye can chose tae answer or nay, but at least ye head will nay be filled with second-rate talk. Ah will nay have you all hearin' from only the street. Now some may still be sensitive to the subject, and ye may find on you rlands already those o' mixed heritages, or in your fields. Their families will no doubt seek sanctuary. Sae it falls on us to make sure we know where they come from and tha' here, we stand on firm soil. In a few hours Blue Castle shal convene parliment, where we shall begin tae examine our reforms, ideas, and logistics fer our home. Ah bid you come, make your voice known, or listen, should it please you." Gone from the political foray for so long, some wondered if Adam's allowance of her slipping to the background would hinder her emergence in the foreground. The grace, aptitude, and clear intelligence with how this was done was a change from how some said information lacked before, or was never had. All of the close court persons from ladies in waiting to occupations to military would now have the same information, and then next was the government seat.

For those who could not come to the castle, messangers were sent to provinces and estate to relay the happenings before and aft. Her voice on the marble floor of the place echoed with lively merit. Relying not on her ability with oratory nor calling on a feminine ability to draw emotion, she spoke with them as they'd spoken with her, as if the wide area were a round table. She told them how the Lord Advisor would also be available for these and other preceedings. There were embissaries forming that were not only for foreign use, but domestic. Liasons between families and provinces could make use of these people, whom she asked to be from different regions and families for different insights. She spoke with them on plans for education, economics, the institution of stronger guild-structures within mercantile and military traditions, and communications. This was key, for while other ideas were written down and notes tallied to survey remaning resources and projection plans, communications recieved an ultimate bolstering of importance. They were so spread out, they said, and rural, that even a man and horse could not cover all the miles. Using Glasgow as an example, she spoke on the reinvigoration of hawking and falconry. A great many locally still retained their birds. Some had mews, and others were able to construct them in the outlying areas that had not been badly hit, closer to the north or out to the west.

"Then we will begin at once the assembly o' communicating by bird for all purposes militant, government and otherwise. In the end o' the sevenday, let us bring forward mew keepers, falconers, and hawkers, n' those willin to be trained. A guild shall be formed within the city, seats in the major areas, n' we shall make such a thing for we have resources tae dae so."

She turned to Kendrew, who stood at her immediate right, "Please see tha' if Eamonn is here locally, n' Aislin, they are told immediately please." There was thought in this. Albeit the only personal one in the mixture - the hurt in a man's voice when ignorance was always with him. This would be remedied, by making doubly sure even things he had no care of, at least he had access to. Things that were of care, she would make sure to reinterate herself.

In the emptiness of Blue Castle, the Changeling revisited where the old Chamberlain had spoken with her of mermaids, north stars, and tales so that she could pen these happenings for Adam. All was there...with the personal before it:


M'Anam Cara - (My Soul Mate)

Sitting in a room where the Chamberlain sang to use of old legends makes me think that as children, we had no idea we would become part of a legend. I once 'eard of personal legends from an old man who sat with me on the deck of the Duchess on the coast of Espania. He told me that we are all apart of a story that is greater than the vastness of all the thoughts we may ever touch. In that, where does the legend begin? When I asked him he told me when you are already knowing of it, you have only just begun it.

So then, we have only just really begun, haven't we?

You have in your hands all of the political workings of your home. I have long thought on my face and figure, but realize it isn't even just with the merchant's logic and old clan wife custom that bids me find way to do these things. It is that I know have a ruler's mind. When did I get it? The moment I realized it was there. Doubt is a destroyer; it cripples confidence until we are so riddled with inability we are dead long before a final blow strikes. I want you to know, I do not doubt you my love. What I have doubted is the vastness of a thought greater than could ever be known coming to life. What I doubt are the people in your hands, not the person holding them. This is important for me to say.

Remember when we spoke and talked of how thin lines were? I want to remind you of this not because you are your father, but that you have in your possession what he sought to gain. Look at it not for the good you would do or the evil he seeks to do, but at merely what is: You are the Mo'r Triath of an entire known world. Let us embrace ambition with pragmatism, practicality, and a quick grasp to ensure that what is yours, my lord, remains so. I vow to uphold the sanctity of our home. It shall ne'er again be stretched so think the back of men break before our very windows. When you return, you shall see many more rebuilding notions complete, systems in place, and my prayer is you shall find pride in she tha' is your wife.

I will take pride in you in knowing that while you stand on unsteady terrain, you shall not doubt yourself. Give not anything away of your principle being, for they shall attempt to rape it from you with bare hands. Do what can be done and come home to me, to your people. For as vast the world and inclusive as all is, Skye, is your home. These, are your people. Nay, your family, and they require you at the head of your table when your business is at an end. I, your wife and their lady keep your hearth bright and the door always open.

Instill in them the sense of change, and they must, like the newly liberated nations, wrestle with what this means on their own. I shall make you a place of refuge and resource, and you shall show them the way. Remember, my husband, that you can not hold up the entirity of the sun and moon. You are not the sky tha' all passes about and through. You have been at once more than a man for you are greater than most. I, too, am greater than many women but am still a woman. You are still a man, and no one does things on their own. Most of all I bid you remember that, for it is too easy to feel alone. To become alone. Alienate no one that is your comerade. Stay close with Maahes. Look you for Claramae. Unburden to them in ways that you can and let them have influence where it is needed.

Did you ever think I would pay you such words, or have learned to write n' such English? M'speech is still terrible, but the pen is kind.


In all things, I love you. First and foremost. I love you.

Beathag

[Lady Aislin Creed of Eohmark]

Lady Aislin Creed and Lord Eamonn were still within the city walls. They had traveled home for a small bit of time, then returned to the city for the festivals. Aislin still continued her duties, while Eamonn took care of the children and continued his own, less dangerous ones. The war of home, was over for them, even as it rained on in England. Aislin knew, because when Adam and Bess had left the city, Aislin had remained in charge for that small period of time and had to be informed about every thing that had been going on. As Princess, she had to become more political and understand it better then others. Eamonn was good at war, Aislin was good at logics.

A messenger had come in the early evening to request Aislin come to the Mo'r Oukselo, for there was urgent news. Not a moment was wasted, as Aislin moved towards the castle and once inside, was asked to be shown to Beathag. Upon her arrival, she waited for Bess to speak and hand her the document that she was to look over and read. As the head of all things that applied to Medicine, she tried to think beyond the box, as to why she would need to understand this and be a part of it, save the fact of her being the Princess and next in line to take over until Aodhan was of age.

Looking at all aspects of it, Aislin understood what this could mean. It would be a lot to take in and to ponder on. Aislin saw potential and chaos on both aspects. There had been much war between the English and citizens here in Skye. Would Skye open their arms to them should they merge? From a medical aspect, Aislin could learn what the English had been doing for their methods of healing and add it to their own criteria if it was good enough, or even better.

The Princess and Lady of Eohmark could not speak for the Prince and Lord of Eohmark, but she would speak to him and no matter what his choice was, she would go and make her voice heard if needed. Aislin was not someone to speak on such matters all the time, but this could be a step worth taking for the Infirmary and that, she would speak on behalf. ``Ah shall be there, Bess.`` And Aislin would. There where things she wanted to gain from this, even if it was a movement, she had no say in at all.

[Lord Eamonn of Eohmark]

Having the ability to be home and tending to duties that were not quite as harsh on his family was something that an active military man like Eamonn took whenever he could so get it. He was not only the brother of the Lady Beathag, but she had changed him with the honourable task of looking after the people of Skye as well as his own home of Eohmark. With the war upon the home front finally ended, Eamonn could turn his attention to more local situations. The Lord Marshal had been residing in the city of Turas Lan for a few days, now, time enough to enjoy some of the festivals with his family—Aislin convincing him to even partake in some of the events. Eamonn enjoyed the time that he had to be with his family, his wife and children after having been deprived of it due to his duty and servitude to Skye Isle. However, despite the fact that they were here to enjoy themselves, Eamonn knew that there were still issues to attend to, though Eamonn had little say in the matters because he was less than educated in.

Eamonn was a man of military mindset, and on the diplomatic field, it was not always the ideal solution. However, it would have been nice—in his personal opinion—if things were. Talk was cheap, and while people spoke of peace, that time gave them to do whatever they wanted and a chance to manipulate it. Sometimes, people needed a good slap in the face, but battles and times had to be chosen. As the messenger came to visit both he and his wife, Eamonn nodded and along with his wife, made his way to the Blue Castle. For the most part, Eamonn had a mind to put into practice the advice that his wife had given, and thus far it was working to relieve unneeded tension. Too long had he the habit of taking too much upon his shoulders, so use to sparing others and taking the load himself. However, if he continued to do that Eamonn was sure to collapse under it and because of another’s foolishness, he could end up leaving his wife a widow and his children without a father. Eamonn did not want that, not in the slightest.

Moving behind his wife in the high stride, Eamonn entered the room Beathag had been occupying and reached for the document, taking the scrolls and keeping it in his hand. He did not open it, there was no point in doing so; Eamonn could not read the characters of letters. Standing tall behind his wife, Aislin, hazel eyes watched his sister, and even though he hated politics and talk of it because it was nothing but idle conversation, Eamonn would go as a way to represent the moving forces of cavalry and the military. ``We both shall be there, Bess.`` Eamonn added to Aislin’s words placing a hand upon his wife’s shoulder. Leaning in close to her, while others spoke, Eamonn whispered in her ear. ``Later…I will have need of you to read to me what this scroll says…`` Too proud to openly admit his handicap to others save those close to him, but Eamonn felt it was none of their businesses anyway. Straightening, Eamonn glanced down at the rolled parchment, containing information about Adam and his forces’ latest achievements in England.

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

“I will see that it is done, Duke.” Damn..he thought inwardly, as he really needed to work on that title. Mor..something. Looking about the room, he knew he would needs his wife, and would make the journey home soon to get her. It would be a nice vacation for them..and yes, the aftermath of a war was nothing they weren’t used to. Hell, if it hadn’t been for the battles they would have a normal relationship, and it was very well known this couple didn’t thrive on normal.


Much work was to be done..

[Master Claramae St. Laurence]

The courtier came to make ties in this upside down monarchy where Edward was no longer the reigning sovereign.When the servant had come to the door expressing that a member of the baronial class sought to give allegiance and aid to the Mo'r Triath and his company,

an emeraldine clad woman was the last on the list.

Scribes shuttered at the righteous anger of the Mo'r Triath. Attendants cowered. Old servants, new servants. All servants could find comparison between the angered half-Scott and the full bloodied English King. A ruler was a ruler. Alas! The native and foreign born could be prone to the same mistakes. What good could come was whole heartedly embraced, a favorite of the people. Heroism was the stuff of epic poetry however, and disdain for the peerage might hold better for rhetoric than practicality. The Lady, in her journey through the countryside had heard of the alienation and condemnation experienced by those of rank. It was assumed their proximity to gain brought about instant guilt! Others did not know if they would express fealty to a man who had come to "liberate" them from their folly by taking apart their culture while others worried over disinheritance of heirs, the end of alliances, the fall of the entire noble class itself. If England was now a Duchy, who would be her Arch-Duke? What of the Magna Carta, would the Mo'r Triath be held accountable and subject to counsel? "If you would learn anything from me," she bid young escort on the spring day that had her wait for a chance to see the displeasure of the Mo'r Triath up close, "It will be the privilege, responsibility, and worries of your station otherwise denied you, and how to navigate this world. If you take care, it becomes your tool. Ignorant utterly, it is the tool to your ruin. Tradition has its place."


The air tasted of the fear and ranked of trepidation. Odor of rose oil and pomander of lilac encased in golden orb at the hip encased the Lady in appeal. She, and the retinue, were dressed with taste. What time had fallen on England seemed to apply not on them! Tasteful emerald so dark it bordered near black. On her person, there were the placing of ruby in her arched cap, the lining of white pearl. Ermine kept what was left of the damp in the stone away from the white shoulder; on youth's arm she appeared as youth's privlege. Cast-aside glances were thrown out in anguish, in anger. Was she going to be the first of the peerage to abandon all that was English for an alliance with the Scottish barbarian? "Whom shall I say comes tae see him," the servant said, and would always remember the shock of the native english chamber maid when the elder male, slightly behind his lady and the youth, said,

"Baroness St. Laurence, on behalf of the deceased Baron St. Laurence.."

"Tha' cant be! The Baroness has been dead long these years, oh good lady tha' she was, e'en Irish! And the Baron, God rest him," the chamber maid crossed herself, "That he should die in a time as this! At least he didn't live to see the day...but, but whom should come. Don't you tell that man anything!" She forgot her place entire and went to throw herselves at the feet of the audience seekers. Voltaire stepped forward to keep the woman from touching the hems of Claramae's gown, leaving her only to grasp at the dust from her shoes. "The Baron, Sir, was a good man n' sent me here when he had no more use for me! Dun nay sully the name by taking in league with heathens! He wouldn't have wanted it, the King adored 'im so.."


Never one to offer acceptance of hysterics of any sort, before their annoucement could reach the ears of the former Duke or his right-hand General, Claramae let herself be seen from behind Voltare. "You are a chamber-maid, turning over pots of refuse when you should be garbed and in service to a lady of quality. God adores loyalty, Maroveen, but thy foolishness needs remedy. Baron Laurence sufferend the same malady, little good it did him. Rise." She looked on the woman no more. Still, action spoke as loud as the words that rung in Maroveen's ears. The castle was in an uproar, her livlihood at stake, and when she should be questioning she remained as meek as the day that her station had been abused by the same King whom she said adored the same man whom in his grief let it happen. Could it be, walking away from her now was the living link between her chance at future and the glory of the past? "Lady Claramae, Lady Claramae Aisling..little Aisling.." Doing as she was conditioned, she rose in order to go after the woman, but finding that guards made her stop. A moment of logic struggled for a foothold in a mind turned so long to falsehoods, that the truth infront of her face dispated. She turned, tears in her eyes, to see after another room.

The vision didn't answer behind her, the future lay ahead of her.

Maroveen was proof that lives changed at the snap of regal fingers. It was best to know what fingers held fast to life. She had loved the Baron, and in the wake of the Baroness' death would have made him a fine wife had not his grief been encouraged and he to blame his wife's death on anything to do with her ancestral background. Maroveen, like Liadan, had come from Ireland as a child and was practically English in all aspects save for the slight tinge of Gaul on her tongue. Maroveen had been Liadan's lesser, a gentry member. Like her father, Maroveen suffered from the malady that had driven the young woman away from his guidance and her love. If they would not see what had killed the beautiful Liadan, then Claramae would gaze at it with wide-open gaze and conquer it.

-.-.-

"Mo'r Triath, General." The courtier came to make ties in this upside down monarchy where Edward was no longer the reigning sovereign. when the servant had come to the door expressing that a member of the baronial class sought to give allegiance and aid to the Mo'r Triath and his company, an emeraldine clad woman was the last on the list. Years saw this work well to advantage and as with all traditions, what worked should be upheld to the fullest extent. "I have come to make my allegiance with you on behalf of House St. Laurence, as Baroness St Laurence. It is an old member of the barony, respected." Voltaire reached out a hand to Adam after the party had all risen from their respective bows, a document stating that very fact. "I have also come to offer my coffers to your cause, furthermore, to lend myself as an ear among those who either out of anger or outright defiance will never come forward to your call without coaxing." From inside of her own person, she passed him letters that had the seal of the M'or Oukselo, "Your wife bid me give you these, and says to tell each of you her greetings and expresses you should take utmost care. She believes, along with the Lord Advisor, that counsel familiar would bode you well. On that note I offer you an unsolicted but necessary piece of advice my lord - change comes not with resistance. Alienate the peerage and you seal your fate. They are after all the only resourced individuals you have, if they are not already doomed to die. Find your friends among them, right the wrongs of the former rule, and quickly. Is there anything you would wish to know, Mo'r Triath or you, General?" She lowered herself once more, then rose. Maahes would be his right hand. Fierce, terrible. God-like wrath on behalf of his justice. Claramae would be the left voice of logic in his ear and shadow keeper.

Reaction was not anticipated for any but the obvious. Voltaire leaned over to the younger companion, so well groomed was he, were they both, that one was not able to tell what they were looking at. Their presence was subdued against the radiant lady, which was entirely the point. The other in their company was as much a secret to be kept as were the secrets that could get the General and Mo'r Triath headless.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Claramae St Laurence: Ask a question and receive no answer - no, it was not uncustomary. On the contrary, the Lady St. Laurence was used to bouts of quiet before one spoke. But, then again, what could one really say to offers and counsel in ways that seemed either in polite passing or the pin-prick on a finger, where you never saw it until the blood began to seep? "My Lord, if I disturb you, it can be prudent to return at another time." From the peak of her cap unto the soles of her shoes there was nothing out of place. Neither hair, nor hands, nor expression went unwasted. It was surely the strangest way to convey anything to the Mo'r Triath, but he did not live in a likely age now did he? Not often were the diminished given chance to return akin to Alexander the Great with a veritable empire in the pockets.

Adam Aberdeen: Adam was not in is usual attire... he now wore a plain white shirt, the sleeves ruffled a bit, and black leather trousers... The meeting impromptu but necessary, or so she said. "Tis nay a disturbance M'Lady... MAe apologies for my being improperly attired..."

Claramae St Laurence: "It is your land, M'lord, to be in as you would seek fit to entreat of custom." Ah, now there was the rub! It was his lot of land wasn't it? Now how did the magnanimous gentleman, the iron-fisted militant, the humanist man do such a thing in a world that deemed him lesser? "But, that deviates. How is it that I might service you - there is much to do, as I have seen at the courts you hold and those who congress in the halls here, and why the nation itself is quite the hive that moves hither and yon."

Adam Aberdeen: Adam offers her that charming smile... "M'Lady... this is naet mae land.... tis the English... Ah bae nae less the tool of the people ruling this land..." he chuckles softly... "Mae land is a small piece of Turas Lan, where mae belov'd wife and family lives..." he pauses and then walks to the window, trading the chair for standing.... One glance to her then he peers out the window... “Tis a beautiful country... when it daes nae rain aye?" Then as she offers her service.... he turns and looks at her..... "Wot is it that yu wish of me?”

Claramae St Laurence: "You are modest, my lord. Thy humility is honored but the truth exceeds your bent. If you seek to be a tool of these people then you shall have a short reign." The Baroness offered allegiance and the concurrent born of one land, loyal to another offered the displaced leader political necessity. Given the tone of voice in which he spoke, he sounded as foreign to the English as a that rare gem known as a sunny spring day. The beauty of the country was not lost on her. Claramae appreciated the aesthetic by waxing philosophic in poetic composition, but not before a regent, "Aye my lord, it is an old charm." His humility and humanity were fine traits, but, "What I wish of you is to be fully given the tools to your surroundings, for you are not the tool my lord. Despite thy honorable course of thought, this is your land for the time being. You are its steward. Your ideas have made you a literal empire of nations. Call it what you will, states, employing the democratic assembly is a keen maneuver… yet, Mo'r Triath, you did not come to England in a bent of modesty and offerage. It is my place, sir, to give your mind a place where it might rest, to stand with you, to hear and see for you in ways both in plain sight and beyond it. It is also to see that you in turn, leave to your beloved piece of land and waiting family as gallantly as you came." [/color]

Adam Aberdeen: He listened as he looked out the window... void of expression, he took a brief glance over his shoulder to her. "You sound pessimistic M'Lady..." this time with no accent, except that of a learned Englishman... even possibly one of the Church... or a noble family. "I find your candor intriguing..." then he turned to gaze upon her. "Know this M'Lady... I wish not to prolong my stay in England, no more than those wish me to leave... but I feel much is needed here to do... to alter a change from only a lower and a royal class to that of a thriving middle... and to encourage a rule by the people... not a sovereign who wishes to destroy a country and its people because he feels them inferior..." then he looked back out the window. He was not ignoring her... she was smaller than he... and beautiful... and they were alone in the room... With a huff, he looked down at a band of people yearning to eat then he saw men wearing the black and gold delving out foodstores... and he smiled. "That is what I wish for all England...." as he points downward.

Claramae St Laurence: "My lord you are very ideal, a sound speaker. You have mastered rhetoric, theory, argument and persuasion. I dare say it is marks of your rearing to have ascertained this position all of your life. Another mark shall determine how you'd wish to speak. If your Scotts takes effort than double it, or you will present the people a portrait of conquest by a native son. In either sense, in order to foster your idealism you will need a hidden rod of iron to utilize when necessary. Have you elected your emissaries among the classes, or sought out the earls from each shire, the baronial class below them, the counts, above, etcetera? You will need to find among the old peerage the desirous of change lest the old school will hire a hand to smote you out. You should also learn to walk about your city. Aye, for now, it is yours. You must appear strong, firm, and then exert your reason thereafter." After the business was addressed she went toward a more personal opinion, "No, my lord. I am neither. I am in complete earnest and pragmatic at all times." The man in the black and gold to him represented a victory at hand for the common man, to her, it represented a man who would come to be crushed under a wheel. "With your new way comes a old custom. It is said to do as Romans when in Rome. So you should host a decisively English gathering for the very English people." Direct. But forward. Exact. But not uncouth. If a hair moved out of place among the brown on her head than God himself would shutter and realize an error. [/color]

Adam Aberdeen: From the window, he spun slowly, course hands pushed the sleeves high upon his arm. Choosing a plush chair, he sat and leaned upon the arm, looking at her. "M'Lady, I have a charge for you... nay, more of a challenge... With all my knowledge, and those of my advisors, I have none among them knowing of what yu speak... Would yu accept a position as my advisor... an ambassador to Skye from England?" Blunt, soft, and to the point. It was true, he had the best military minds around... some decent political minds.... but none that seemed as experienced in what he needed as this woman. "I, M'Lady, am at yer command..." he winks, out of sorts of his previous demeanor.

Claramae St Laurence: A challenge? Oh in this New World Order perhaps but tradition would have many things remain the same thus the lady would excell at this venture with risen house banners in exchange for 'flying colors'. "Accepted, sir.:" Not a single quip or qualm and certainly no refusal, Claramae St. Laurence would be given a posistion that would put her precisely where God had favored her to be; at the steering column of government. "Again, my lord, it is the other way around, though I appreciate your bent ear to my words, of course. If it please you, respite from the royal chambers might be sought at Rose Fielding House. We would be e'er honored to host the Mo'r Triath whenever he seeks to pleasure us with his visit." Rose Fielding House was the source of all that was St. Laurence. He winked, her eyes? They didn't seem to blink nor was it evident of a need to breathe. Wasn't the woman in a structured gown?

Adam Aberdeen: A simple chuckle followed her words... Rising he moved toward her. "I shall have my meager belongings moved immediately... and I wish to thank you..." he smirks... "I know full well, you have ulterior motives than my well being... I pray, tell me the truth... what brought yu to me?"

Claramae St Laurence: "The well-being of sovereign and country. In all things, that surmounts to the pinacle of the answer. If you seek such furtherance of knowledge, I shall convey it in missive, in further conversation." He came toward her while it was Claramae's mind that reached out to him with a logic unparallel to man or woman. It was sharp as a razor, keen as a well placed aim. "Subsequently, my business also decreed on my father's death that I should come home to put our estate in order, his legacy, now mine." A dalliance with the Mo'r Triath was not the fabled momentary interlude she had suspected with King Edward nor the long discourse of her whereabourts or the rejection of a case again involving the Queen and her french lover, Mortimer. [/color]

Adam Aberdeen: Yet again he smirked... "I cannot see myself as a sovereign... tis the hardest thing to deal with M'Lady... " Oh she was an intelligent lot... moreso than he... There was much more invisible, than visible, about this woman... "Then as Mo'r Traith, and current leader of this land, I deem it best in reassuring your lands shall not be confiscated... but I must be careful, as not to seem prejudiced..." he clasps his hands together , then slides them to his waistline. "In 2 days time, I am hearing cases as to deeds and titles... I feel it best to hear yer case as well... " he looked at her, his sea-green eyes hoping to se something in her eyes...

Claramae St Laurence: "Of course, my lord. Observance of custom would decree that fealty is sworn before witness to the lord in this matter, a sense of beneficial feudalism. I shall come with the requisite documents." What did he seek to see? Mirth, inquisitive thought process, sadness, a pulse? Claramae was not the common man's perception of human. She was quite skilled at be it from rearing or what the years came to bare of showing nothing but a calm impassiveness to suggest neither one thing nor the other. "My Lord, you look studious." Ah, he saw something - a blink. It was a genuine question where if he were able to distern that he had a moment to ask what he wanted to an extent it was best taken. "It is a good practice to have, especially among we English peerage, though you yourself were born of the same. But that does not seem to be what you are looking for?" [/color]

Adam Aberdeen: "M'Lady... do not take this in err... but you are different than most women I know... more direct, more emotionless, an eerie calm that most people do not display... I feel there is more to you than meets the eye..." he cants his head. "Do not get me wrong... I need someone like you..." then he turned for the window once again... "Someone that can coldly advise me the best way to deal with the nobles here without appearing too strict... or too indifferent for nobility..." One glance over his shoulder... "This job does have one disadvantage... it could cause grief to many... and possibly even a retaliatory act or two..." he chuckled... Knowing full well with Maubrey alive and the King imprisoned, there were some out there that would be rewarded should they end the reign of the Mo’r Triath and free their English Lords...

Claramae St Laurence: "We are more than the sum of our present parts, sir." Yes, there was a vast deal more to Claramae St. Laurence than first impressions. Albeit, impeccable, of course. For example, "Securing a legacy in England ensures survival in Ireland. If you should ever wish sir, I am fluent in Irish-Gaelic." Because the woman was half-Irish somewhere between the natural London accent and the staunchness of manner. Vittergaust's English rose with Irish color. The perfect weapon. "A disadvantage, indeed. One we must strive to make the burden of all but vanish. Twould not bode well if the Mo'r Triath hath no homecoming. Rose Fielding House will be far better for you than the royal bedchamber, to which even the most knowing of servant or well minded courtier may have had access. No need for you to sleep among daggers other than those that guard you."[/color][/font]

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Adam and three of his most trusted Gold Talons roomed upon one floor of the Rose Fielding House; the remained of the Talons rotated shifts around the House and roomed elsewhere. It was here in his much smaller domain that he penned a letter to his beloved wife.

M'Anam Cara,
I do hope this letter finds thee well. I so much miss the three of you… kiss the children for me… Sometimes it is hardest to miss all of yu, as I lay awake looking at the ceiling. But fear not, as this is not a waste of effort, as we have accomplished much in the past month… The Occupation is going well, save the few trouble makers, which is quickly handled by Maahes’ soldiers.

Speaking of the Lion, he is well, and such a general, any army would gladly have. I have granted him leave to visit Turas Lan several times… I do hope he gives yu my warmest regards when he comes… You should have the copies of all the decrees I have issued here and I am assured you will archive them as necessary.

As I read yer most precious letter, I seem to sense a bit of disparage in yer writings. I do remember the thin line you spoke of many times… and I dare not lead so much astray…

Lady Claramae St Laurence came and visited me today… she is an odd sort… noble, and strong I deem… but something is beneath that outward armour she wears so dignified. Her words were harsh in a way, but still… I do not know what to make of her… but I have asked her to become the Ambassador to Skye for England. And once I have decided upon lands and titles, I shall secure her land and deem it in her name. That way, there shall be no quarrel as to who owns it… and she will be by my side here as we lay the foundation we seek. I still believe keeping my friends close… and mine enemies closer… either way, I do hope she shall not sabotage my efforts and will be with us in our efforts of the Gaelic Nations.

Maahes has spoken of bringing his family here to London… I sense it would be beneficial for them to come and assist in helping the people. The English King has brought his people to such poverty and disease… Our resupply ships from Turas Lan have been diverted to points south… I have diverted them to sail thru Gibraltar and seek trade in the Middle Sea… Not only to Italy, but to Alexandria in Egypt. I have also sent word to sail north to the Scandinavian Lands of our forefathers… to seek trade with them… and even to the Germanics…

So do not despair should the ships be months at sea… and even better, I have commissioned 25 English ships, stripped of weapons and many many volunteers swearing fealty to sail for the Gryphon… Their pay meager, but more than the English King paid them.

And so I ramble on… I do wish yu were here to advise and comfort me... please accept my apology…

I do miss yu sooo…,
With all my love everlasting,
Adam…

Then he smiled and folded the dry parchment… sealing the letter with the seal of the Gryphon. Risign from the table, he walks out to the door and hands the letter to the Guard. “Tae t’ Mo’r Okesula immediately… waste naet, use a falconer…”

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes,
but in having new eyes.--Unknown

-------------------

Dark eyes fell upon Claramae as she spoke; taking lean then his body against a table Maahes eyed her with much regard. Always had she been such a mystery, always had she been the fruit of so much destruction. Claramae was like a poised a polished weapon, and that was clearly written upon her face. They had met once in Avaria, again upon the streets of Skye, but now in England? Forgive him for his quick judgment and brash attention, but he had a nation to protect. The whispers of enemies on the rise, born from shadows and walking the night could only make him wonder. Did she ever sleep?

“So you have come because Bess wishes it?” With his lean on the table the structure cried out from the weight, but Maahes would only cross bare arms against his chest, “Or is there another meaning, of something to gain?” He had heard talk of this house she spoke of, but like many things he needed to be further educated. Though his time had changed him much, there was still and would always be that wonder—worry.

Listening to her words, he passed a look to Adam eyes asking if he wished her gone, but the Lord seemed to be listening. She was a spy was she not? Wasn’t that the shadows they spoke of both body and mind? Listless names but very dominate faces? Claramae and her kind were an absolute enigma. Inwardly the Beast worried, for he could win a match of fist, but of the mind? She could easily work her way in, should there be false meaning.

Outside he heard his name, pressing from the table he gave a nod to Adam, and then to the lady giving them a moment to speak. However,….he would be posting a guard at the door.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Out and About

As events in England illustrate, occupation of a country confront both opportunities and obstacles in their pursuit of self-governing nation-building. On the one hand, military conquest appears to be a promising moment for the indiscriminate transformation of political, social, and economic foundations. During the initial post- surrender period, the victor often enjoys both a geopolitical opportunity and a unity of purpose to rebuild a shattered nation; in some cases, military action itself is justified by the promise of postwar reconstruction or regime change.

Occupation forces also deal with specific challenges that may require broad and ambitious interventions ranging from economic stabilization to refugee relief, a task made easier by hierarchical military control and limited opposition to occupation initiatives.

As occupations wear on, however, obstacles to nation-building become more apparent. As the initial glow of victory wears off, enthusiasm for the comprehensive overhaul of a government may give way to a more immediate concern for the efficient remedy of existing structures. Moreover, even when occupation forces enjoy complete control over the formal instruments of power, they still depend on variously endowed local interests and institutions for the implementation of programs and policies. Obstacles ranging from language and educational barriers to foot-dragging and more overt forms of resistance can undermine occupation initiatives. For these reasons, occupations ultimately confront lingering elements of the ancient regime.

One of the initial objectives of the English was to passively rebel against the occupation forces. Though they were skeptical towards given or inherited truths that the Mo’r Triath proclaimed. Adam would then stand before them and profess that people should use reason and logic to seek answers instead of blindly accepting and embracing what the King, Nobility, and the Church, previously deemed or presented as truth.

Adam saw education as a necessary tool to overcome ignorance, fear, and superstition to reach an open-minded and democratic society. He believed that misery and oppression existed due to ignorance and superstition. And in that belief, he began purging and eliminating those elements through reason; hoping to demonstrate the way for a better and more peaceful society.

Adam felt that reason was wrought from human nature, and often in opposition to the doctrines of the King, Church, and even their own society in which they lived. He, as Mo’r Triath, and even as a conqueror of nations, felt it was his duty to raise awareness, further the education of, and to question, certain systems of belief, proposed by the various powers that be.

Was this a bite too large?? There was a malady of politics that had strangled both his countries of birth. Scotland and England… at each others’ throat for centuries… and now they were one, under the auspices of the Gaelic Nations. Was there a cure for this malady of politics? England and Scotland were not the only ones who suffered from the malady of politics; but Adam would not invade them. But he would stand against them for the safety of the Gaelic Nations.

Adam felt assured, that IF, he could get the Gaelic Nations solidly united, and educate them toward democracy, or self-rule, they could learn, and then teach others. Looking out his meager window at the Rose Fielding House, he felt satisfied yet alone. With a glance at the black and gold robes of the Mo’r Triath, he smirked. Dressing in his brown leather trousers, white shirt and brown jerkin, he brushed his fingers thru his dark hair and strapped on his dagger… no sword, just a dagger.

As he exited the Rose Fielding House, he told his Talon to stay… “Ah shall wander around this grand city upon my own accord… Ah want tae mingle about those that live here… be it poverty or wealth…” then he smiled “Inform General Maahes that Ah bae on the out and about…” and the he stepped off the porch and disappeared into the crowd.

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

Slightly graphic at the end. You have been warned.


Maahes: It seemed to rain more often then not upon the Celtic isle so kept with it's affairs, but perhaps it was the tears of the valley to once again watch as the family left. Maahes would not be within the caravan with his family, but upon the back of his own horse as any good General would do. Nora would read to the children under the covered carriage, and it seemed Eppie would be the only one into the story at hand. Issa the son of the sea watched outside the window as the General spoke to one of the men at arms that escorted them to England. He was excited to go, hearing the rumors they would be with his father on the front. He had always wondered what a day in the life of the General initialed. The light drizzle of rain beat upon the roof of the carriage, but he watched the way it fell over the man's armor--did he feel it? There wasn't a sign upon Maahes's skin he was cold, even in the lighter fitting leather that stopped over his biceps. No, the rain bothered him very little, and perhaps his imagination held tricks but was that steam that rose from the heat of his skin as the cold rain hit? Maahes felt the warm tingle of familiarity pull upon him and he turned to catch the eye of the little Prince still listening to the reports the knight had to offer, and smiled. A little break in the boy's face would let his lips rise in a return gesture of a grin. The knight would still his words long enough to recapture the General's attention, but inwardly he felt ashamed. This was a side of the Beast none knew, but could only watch. He loved his family, no matter how strange at times they seemed.

Ealora: She would miss the rain of the Celtic isles, just another type of good weather she had always said and she hummed to the baby seemingly in time with the drum of it on the roof of the Caravan. She had wanted to ride beside her husband, give Egypt who was now hitched to the caravan, trotting along seemingly happy anyways, but she hadn't wanted to leave Nora to care for the children. It would not bode well to ride into England while her housekeeper tended her children as she should of done. Did the English people do this? She didn't know, this was more then just a trip, going where they were needed, this was an adventure and as Maahes has said, a sort of honeymoon for them. This was what she had dreamed of, visiting foreign lands with her family, always the adventurer heart that beat in her breast, a trait of her father. The caravan was spacious, enough for the family to stretch out if need be but she hated carriages as it was, even this one and she sighed as she wiggled and rolled to pull the stiffness from her back. Ra stirred from his slumber, babbling his discontent at being awoken for only a few seconds before settling his head at her chest once more.

Nora: "My lady...have them stop and you can go ride alongside Maahes.." Nora spoke as she paused in the story long enough to watch Ealora's discontentment.

Ealora:"No no, its fine.."Ealora hummed as she settled back again. Nora's head dipped knowingly, she didn't need to say any more but her old wrinkled hand hit the side of the caravan and it lurched to a stop.

Nora:"Go..." Nora's soft voice spoke as she turned her attention to Ealora again.

Ealora:Ealora grinned as she shifted Ra to the basket he had been sleeping in since the start of the trip. Thank you, she mouthed before reaching over to kiss Eppie and Issa cheek "Be good for your grammy Nora.." She spoke before climbing from the caravan, Egypt was unhitched from the side, the reigns shifted before she was mounting in one fluid motion. Her face tipped up briefly to the gentle rain before she was maneuvering the horse around to join Maahes side.

Maahes:The knight would come to silence his words upon the arrival of the Lady, and pulled upon his horses's reigns to fall behind them. It would be then Maahes would pass a glance over the bridge of his nose to his wife, but in turn smirk "It has taken you a lot longer to be out of that carriage then I had thought." He teased knowing full well she hated to ride unless it was upon her ship or her horse. "We were just talking of how easier this trip would be if your ship was ready, but he is afraid the mechanics have yet to fix the rig?" Did he have that right? Had she known of it being hit? Turning a look over his shoulder to the carriage where the children laughed..for now. "It is a three day journey..would take us one if we went by sea." Oh, look at him doing math! The men around them would chuckle at their Lord, having always been fond of his wife, and her hatred for the ride.

Knight:"Are you sad to be leaving your home again Lady Asad?" One of the men in arms asked, a kind face familiar as he had been Maahes's companion for the better of a year. "Or does it excite you to finally be granted way into our General's tasks? We have all seen how he has missed you. The first week we had to drink him to sleep, threatened to make a pillow of your likeness m'lady." The man teased.

Maahes:and Maahes's face turned a little pink, "That's enough." He ordered in a low voice.

Ealora: She found him smirking at her as she joined his side. He knew her perhaps to well. While some would worry if their spouse knew them at all, Maahes knew her inside and out. It was one of the things many people would not see about them. A good match because of their bloodline yes, but the deep bound in which they shared? It was not well known, only a few glimpsed it, but hardly understood it. Quite and romantic moments stolen in the dead of night when no one was around, that was their thing, not because they could not show their love in front of others but they both preferred it to be private. "Well I felt guilty at first leaving Nora with the kids, but she just insisted and who am I to argue her?"She teased, she was not willing to argue with the old woman?! How unfair since she was always willing to fight with him, but that was them, the storm. Her head tilted just so as a slender brow arched upward. He had learned the terminology of a ship? Her ship to be exact...and when had it been hit. She hummed a note of understanding but she wasn't about to ask about it considering it was her ship, she should of known and unfamiliar people were around them. She had finally learned to be weary of strangers, even if they were men of Maahes. Her lips curled into a grin, he was doing math! How proud of him she was in his role at General, none would know how much this meant, except for her. Celadon eyes fell to the one speaking to her. Lady, she would never get used to the new title afforded to her, no matter how much Maahes joked she was a Queen. She had to laugh when Maahes went pink for his tan skin, he must of been really embarrassed! "It excites me, always an adventurer at heart, like my father, I think I would of gone stir crazy, more then I went crazy with the absence of my husband were I unable to travel anymore. It was the heart of a lion that captured and changed the heart of a pirate, but to soon people forget that the heart of a pirate never changes in love for adventure, that part of me is as untamable as the sea and wind itself.." She kept the mans eye as she spoke. "The General may of been homesick for me but he is still a strong and wise man. It shows great respect that you tease him, for if it was anyone else, you would of lost your head all ready." Was she teasing? The grin on her lips would say so but only Maahes would be able to distinguish that it was hard truth in the form of a tease. "We move into a brave new frontier gentleman, where your sword is sheltered away for the kindness of your hands, how could I not be excited over that?" Did any of them know of her past? It clung to her as much as her golden olive skinned complexion, there was no changing the past but it would always cling to her, it would always loom darkly and the rest of her life would be spent in seeing her the dark deeds of her past changed to good deeds of the future.

Knight: "Ah, we do our fair share of teasing, for when he first came to us M'lady, he spoke very little and sat alone, but this was long before you even landed in Skye, but..I fear you are mistaken. It is not he who captured your heart, but you who grabbed his own." The knight chuckled deeply, "We thought him shy, hired whores or encouraged the women who threw themselves at his feet."

Maahes:"She does not want to hear this." He barked, and the man quickly sealed his lips, "I am not shy, I just had no desire for a whore's body..only her hands." He gave a dark look to the man who only smiled.

Knight:"Our Beast liked to have his back rub it seemed. The beautiful faces were always so confused to find him asleep under their hands."

Maahes:This was no doubt part of the playful banter passed between men, especially men who spent much time together. "I am sorry, fool my virtue was held higher then your own." Maahes returned the tease, and dared them laugh at that.

Ealora: "It is perhaps a bit of both.."She reasoned with the Knight on his argument that it was she who captured Maahes heart. Her lips continued to crack into a grin as she listened and she finally let out a laugh as Maahes barked and the tales quieted. "Oh ho, don't be so sure of that my husband, I think I'd like to know every little detail.." She winked in his direction before shaking her hair to the feel of rain that had collected in her hair slide down her neck. Tales of her exploits were perhaps far less pure then his own but she had never lied to him when he asked how many she had been with, only one but that did not mean she was not a horrible tease back in the day. "Oh he still likes it, though I doubt any woman made him purr as I do.." How red would the beast turn now to have her teasing openly like this about what was private about them? but it was all in good fun and really, no more then they were all ready talking about. "You know I always wondered where you learned some of your....tricks.." She continued to purr. Quick Maahes, change the subject! She let out a laugh with the thought. Instead of waiting for Maahes to change the subject, she wasn't tired of embarrassing her husband, no there was still much she wished to see private that it changed back to the knight. "Seems he may have you there Sir Knight, can you honestly say you have loved only one woman with the same fire and passion? Or is it the credo of battle hardened men to love many women while their time is still upon this world? Once a famous writer said, tis better to have loved and to have lost, then to never have loved at all. Think you he was speaking of many or one? To love one person with a fire and passion not born of this world is what most can only dream of. Do you know why? Because to have passion and love such as that, makes other dreams of this world seem less impossible, more real then anything else in this life, say a hand or an apple, to believe in things you can not see, nor touch, only feel...dreams come alive, to want others to feel as you do becomes the cause, the world would be a better place if more people believed in such things, but...it would put you out of a job, wouldn't it?" The corner of her mouth typed up into a grin as her eyes briefly left the road to the knight then swung back only to pass the road to look at her husband and hold his gaze. "Most people know this kind of love, or have a glimpse of it, do you not respect your General? Would you not lay your life on the line for him or in any task he would set for you? This is love..this is respect and love, which he has earned, which all of you set your heights to, nobility is not a birthright gentleman, has not the General taught us this? It is defined by ones actions. From what he was to what he has become now. He is as high as a king in the respect and love of his people. So yes, his virtue is higher then yours." She babbled and knew it, lips thinned as she pressed them together. Shut up Ealora.

Knight:The knight would laugh then, kindness set well inside his eyes.

Maahes:Maahes only kept the highest of virtue around him, Ealora would have no fear of these men. Maahes knew them inside and out.

Knight: "Oh I have no doubt, though there was a lady who kept the Lord upon his toes. We heard her cries clear out into the barracks. So there would be your answer to another question, no I have not loved only one so fiercely .I save myself for that little minx, pray what was her name, Maahes? We thought for sure you would marry her, though she was a bit crazy, did her twins ever come out looking like you." the Knight would find himself pulled from the horse by the large massive hand of the Beast. Quickly the entire caravan came to a halt as Maahes had the man pinned in the mud below them.

Maahes:"Say it again!" He growled pressing the man's face into the puddle, "Say it." From the windows of the carriage the children watched with wide eyes, and even the horses knew to become clear of the fight. An animal behind amber eyes they burned with a fire of pure rage. "You EVER call her that again, I'll gut you inside out!!" Inches from the man's face he hissed his words and it appeared from behind curled lips fangs would fall--this was how angry he had become. The men around them all grew silent as he released the knight and turned to look back at his children who held wide eyes. Passing then to Ealora's horse he took the bridle into his hand, "Get back into the carriage with our children." He hissed in a quiet voice, before raising his eyes to hold her gaze.

Ealora:"Maahes stop!" she called as she swung from the saddle only to hold onto Egypt reigns as the horse cried out in fright and bucked upward. She would not interfere in pulling the man from the mud but she could command in her own stern way. Celadon eyes passed to where the children watched then back to Maahes. "Maahes the kids!" She hissed as he removed himself from the man. She sighed as he took the reigns from her, ordering her back into the caravan. SHE hadn't started this conversation with Tommy, the knight did, why was she being punished? "When will you learn to control your temper.." She whispered as she released the reigns and moved towards the caravan. Climbing in, Issa and Eppie were all ready moving towards her, arms opened to pull her children in as she cooed softly. "It's all right, Daddy is just upset...but not at you.." Her head dipped to kiss a golden head and a dark one as she hugged them close, fingers pressed and soothed into little backs as Nora turned a confused and weary look to Ealora. Ealora smiled warmly to the old woman, she knew what Nora was thinking, was the Lord going to hit her in front of everyone? Nora still believed Maahes had beat her before, though that truly was not the case. Nora would never learn that Maahes would never consciously hurt her, he would die, either by his own hand or Ealora's. "Did you know...that grandpa was born of the lands we're going to.."She whispered down to the kids. Issa and Eppie heads lifted in unison which made Ealora grin even further but it was Issa who spoke.

Issa:"Really?" He asked in a small voice still tinged with fright.

Ealora:Ealora's hand lifted to stroke through the dark strands of his hair."Mmmhmm" She mused in a hum before launching into a tale of their grandpa and the grandmother they would never know. Soon heads were lulling against her breast as her own head fell to the back of the carriage and celadon eyes passed to the window.

Maahes: He gave his wife a dark look thankful she scolded him in the quiet voice, as he would have exploded if she would have humiliated him in front of his men. Walking her horse back to the carriage he started them again but in a swifter motion, and it would not be long before they were within the city limits of the great city of Glasgow their stop for the night. No tavern would be the place for his children, he would dare not let them rest their heads in the beds of an Inn, but a bed n breakfast seemed to do the trick. Just outside the edge of the city the small little cottage would be home for the night, and it was here the carriage would find it's trip at it's end for the night. The dark night had fallen, and candles lit the rooms as Maahes carried the heaviest of the children--Issa inside with Nora having Eppie, and the baby left babbling in his mother's arms. The men would leave then to find their own comfort for nights, and would not even look back at the rustic cabin in which their General would stay. They were simply too afraid. A bath was drawn by one of the servants taken to each room waiting for any to partake, and as the children were settled Maahes would wash. The double copper tubs steamed with hot water, and called his name. Perhaps this would have been a great honeymoon cottage to a couple who could not afford such a living as they, but Maahes loved the feel of home it provided.

Serft:The serf would press back the door to the undressed General and moved as if it were no deal at all. Perhaps he had stayed here before, "A nightmeal, M'lord for you and the Mrs." She smiled placing the tray down between the two tubs and wondered if the wife would even come. Rumors spread had even here of the woman..she was a fierce subject, and she dare not linger her eyes tonight.

Ealora: The tire eyed children were carried inside, but it was as if the cottage gave them a second wind, especially with their baths out of the way, they ran amuck as if this were home, Eppie chasing Issa cause he had her doll, but the little girl didn't seem to mind, really it was the chase and Nora was having a fit as she tried to run after the children, through the sitting room, around the kitchens, back out to the sitting room then down the hall to the bedrooms she followed after them.

Nora: "Och you will make me keel over! Stop runnin' Ealora!"

Ealora:Ealora only grinned as she bounced the baby against her hip as the two came running into the room again, her free arm went out to grab Issa with a fake growl as her head dipped and she play bit and nibbbled. "rawwrrr.the panther has you now, what shall I do with two tasty children and my belly rumbling. Quick to escape me you must flee to bed!" She teased as she released him, Ra was handed off to Nora as twin squeals left the children and they both ran down the hall again. Nora passed a look to Ealora that was clear, these are YOUR children. Ealora let out a laugh as she moved down the hall to tuck the kids into bed followed shortly by Nora. What should of been a quiet goodnight soon turned to shrill laughter as Ealora voice rose, filtering down the hall if muffled. "ow, mew wips r stuck ta yew tummy!" Nora's laughter even rang out over the hall.

Nora:"och let me help you my lady! Oh she is stuck, oh...there!"

Ealora:The little cottage finally settled into a silence after a few minutes. Ealora appeared only a few minutes following the silence, a hand passing through her hair as it had been let down from the braid it had been in for the journey. "So...are you done stewing now or would you like to stick another mans face in the mud?" A slender brow rose as she chastised him, like she had room to talk with her own temper but she had never pushed someone's face into the mud and held it there all over a comment that had meant to be a joke.

Maahes: The sounds of the children playing eased him, and he closed his eyes enjoying the feel of the hot water. "I'm finished." He spoke not once opening his eyes, but motioning to the tub beside him, "Your water is getting cold." He would sit up then letting the tip of his glass fall back to his lips as he took another drink of the strong spirit there within the mug. Leaning back again the Beast looked her over, and tried to force a smile. "It is the moon, it grows fat and so do I." Though his meaning was very clearly not his body, if anything Maahes had lost that weight he put on over the winter. The battle had started he could almost not fit into his belt, and now was forced to use the smallest setting. "My temper was controlled, as I felt myself breaking his spine just as I did my brother. No one calls Tommy crazy, no one." He spoke so sure of his action looking then to the ceiling and the candles that hung from the ceiling by their chain hold. "And he call her a minx?" A deep breath escaped him by force and he would take another drink of the alcohol.

Ealora: "No, that was all you.."She replied simply as she removed her dress and climbed into the second tub. The water was inviting, it wasn't so much that he had lost his temper, that she could deal with, it was that he had lost it in front of the kids. Her hair was pulled up, forced into a bun held there by her hand as she settled into the tub before it was released to hang over the back of the cooper tub, brushing against the floor. "It was a joke Maahes, you nearly broke that man's spine over a joke? You think on that a second before you try to give me any explanations of what people can and can not call Tommy..and before your temper rises at me for scolding you about it, you remember the look on your children's faces when you did it. Tell me that is something you don't mind seeing over and over again. For the first time I think ever, your children were afraid of you.." She eyed him taking another drink of the spirits before she let out a sigh and let her gaze roll away from him to the ceiling. She couldn't do it, drink, she was to afraid it would go to her milk and make their infant son sick but lord how she missed it, just one night where alcohol could make her forget everything, but she still couldn't do it. A hand lifted from the edge of the tub to press at the bridge of her nose. "You are a General Maahes, your men respect you to much to call someone something without it being a joke and now they will think twice about even joking with you and you make me seem a liar when I sit there and spout praise over what you have become and the hardship it took you to get there. Men will begin to think you gained your respect by putting fear into people. Respect should be won out of good deeds, not fear of death, loyalty is won out of love and the sweat you break when working beside your men...your people..I do not say these things to anger you, I say them to caution you, so you may think before this happens again, or you do something you will regret later."

Maahes: "No..he knows. He knows, of all men he knows. All of my men know that, that woman means very much. I will not justify what was done today. I will have to get used to having my children on this trip. It will be a hard change. I at the same do not want to be said about her and I. I do not want him saying things like those babies are mine. What would they think of me? My children are young, and know no better but someday. It makes her sound like a whore, and I would break even your neck if you called her that." He spoke very seriously about the subject reaching out soap upon the foot rest there and started to run it over his body. "My men respect me because I keep their families safe, I bring them home, I expect the same. She is my family, more so then those men that came to our lands. You don't! Say thinks like that, that is my rule. I do the same for you, I have done the same for you. I killed him, I killed your brother, and I'd kill any who stood between us. It goes the same for her." His dreads fell around his face as he let his head fall to run the water over his back washing away the suds, and it would be then he would start to message the cleansing oil through his scalp as he continued to clean away the cold rain.

Ealora:She let out a sighing groan as a hand ran over her face, she really didn't want to argue about this but it was there lingering in the air even if she shut her mouth and let it die, it would still linger on the air. "Yes he knows, which is why it was a joke, I'm not going to argue this point with you all night Maahes, I sincerely doubt your men will ever joke with you about Tommy ever again because of tonight and honestly, I don't blame them. But when the day comes when your men are laughing at a joke and you approach and they go silent, don't even think of feeling hurt, you brought it on yourself. My main point here is you need to control your temper, and if men or even women want to joke about me, well let them, you have no need to protect me from jokes of who I was or who I am, because I have learned to laugh myself. Now if their not joking, by all means, bash faces in to prove a point that no one talks of someone you care about that way but somewhere in there Maahes, you have to learn to laugh."Her face twisted at the mention of her brother, her hand tightened on the edge of the tub. "Don't...talk about Caleb...I have accepted he was never going to stop until I was dead, accepted you had to kill him...even when I begged you not to...I knew you had to, but you have no right to use that against me, yes your men respect you because you keep them safe and their families, but because you care they respect you, all respect is not because of battle and swords. I'm not saying he was right to joke about such a thing, the whole point of this was your temper, your children may understand in time but they don't now, all I am asking is you try, to control your temper and remember your children on this trip." Her hand raised to wipe a tear from her cheek. Caleb had gone as dark as a person could but he was still family and while their relationship had always been sketchy and filled with fights, he had in between been her brother, protector, jokester, family. It was those memories she chose to cling to, painful as it was in mention of his name. Shifting up in the tub, she reached for a second bar of soap and began to cleanse her body.

Maahes:"You have me mistaken perhaps for Issa's father. I would not let someone joke about you. Asking me not to do that, would be like asking me to not love you. What kind of man would I be if I did not defend you? How do you expect that? Ealora I.." He whipped his hair back to clear his face to look at her, and caught sight of that tear and stilled his lips. "Baby.." He purred in a quiet voice reaching out to close the distance between them, and let his hand brush over her shoulder. "Don't cry, I'm sorry, you are right." How quick one little tear brushed away all his anger, and made him feel like a fool. He mad her cry, and there for let her down. "I'll tell him tomorrow I am sorry, and make it a point to make him feel better, ok?" He coo'd gently snaking his hand around the back of her neck and forcing her to lean against the side of the tub so he could kiss her temple. "No tears." Lord he was such a whipped little boy when it came to her. "That man was no longer the brother you loved, but a monster. He would have never stopped.."

Ealora:His words were like a slap in the face and it showed on her face. He was just sticking his foot far into his mouth tonight wasn't he! Still the shock lessened on her face with his further words about protecting her because he loved her. It was sweet and endearing and she couldn't help but let the anger that had risen ebb away. She leaned into him with a sigh as he ushered her to him and kissed her temple. How victorious she could of felt for winning with a simple tear but this was not a game in which she was trying to win, there was no victory in these for it was real pain. She knew what he said was true, but looking past who her brother was to the man he had become was hard, for the simple fact was because she had made him, she made him the monster that he was. The ending of his life might of been Maahes, she could clearly remember, still hear the snap of Caleb neck in Maahes's hands, but the blame was hers. "No, I don't want you to apologize, I am not saying you were wrong Maahes, but you could of handled it with words, not fists. Do not apologize. If anything, let me talk to him." What? She wanted to talk to the man? This was out of character but in truth, Ealora could handle the situation better then Maahes could right? In the other hand, would it lessen Maahes in their eyes if she talked to the knight in Maahes stead? If he said no, she would not push and she would not go behind his back with it, but she preferred it, the knight needed to apologize, not Maahes, but she...at least would make the knight see it without lessening his respect for his General. Lids slid closed as she let out a sigh. "I know that Maahes, you did what you had to, I don't blame you for it, I blame myself, I made him the way he was..if I hadn't.."she stopped, what ifs could kill a person if they let it, hadn't she said this to him only one night ago. "He would still be alive is all. That's all.."Her head tipped back, lids opened to take him in. Kiss me silly, make me forget all about this..Celadon eyes begged up at him.

Maahes: "No..this is something I will need to do, and this leads me to another subject we need to cover." He met her eyes, those eyes that begged to be kissed but she would have to wait, "There is another reason I wish to bring you with me. The English King had many treasures, they are worth much. Adam wishes me to divide them up, and I need you to help me. You managed your ship,your crew got paid, they never starved. Think of England as a big ship. There are thousands of poor families and the economy needs someone like you. Many in Skye cannot leave yet, Claramae and her team have their hands full." Was part one, "This job will keep you busy and away from the men. I will not have to fight them away from you. When we get there, you will see how their women dress, they cover all of their body, even their hands. It will be nice to not worry of another trying to force his way in on you." His fingers came to brush through her hair, watching as the ends brushed the floor. Mmmm. "Perhaps you will even wear your hair up like them?" Lord what was with him tonight?? "Take it down only for me?"

Ealora: "All right.."She agreed, not because she was tired of arguing but because it was something he needed to do and she knew it. She became a piddling mess in his arms as much as he did when she cried. Her head dipped as he spoke, he wasn't going to kiss her, not yet and she let her head rest at his shoulder as she listened. She could not help but let out a laugh, think of England as a big ship, yeah that wasn't going to happen but he was right, she had sense to know the value of the items. See it was good to have an ex pirate wife! She couldn't wrap her mind around what the value would be without seeing the items but all ready her mind was working around shifting the figures of what could come from them for the people. She groaned but grinned all the same as he spoke of it keeping her away from the men. "Honestly Maahes, not every man that comes near me wants me.." Well not all of them but could they not both count the number of men who had tried and they were all less then a year ago. She couldn't understand it, she wasn't anything less then herself, when she was single never had nearly been as many as there had been in the last year, was it that she was unobtainable? She just couldn't wrap her mind around it, didn't understand it. "I'll only say I'll see how they dress because I decide to do the same..that's all I will promise." They covered their entire bodies? Why? This didn't make sense to her either. Where they ashamed of their bodies? Ha! Maahes knew better then to think Ealora had any shame in her body but the question remained and she as always, begged an answer. She was indeed going to have a lot to do, between managing the valuables and learning why the people were the way they were to how they dressed was definitely something that tugged at the woman's mind. She grinned though as he ran his hand through her hair, purring about her wearing it up and only taking it down for him. "Oh would you find some secret pleasure in that? In that none would see the length of my hair but you?" She purred in return as her head rose from his shoulder, lips brushing at the edge of his jaw.

Maahes:"You can not tell me..that men do not desire you. Your eyes..your hair..your lips." He purred against her, "You are the desire of every man." He whispered against her flesh running his hand from her shoulder down her arm dipping bellow the water, but his eyes would raise then to look over the room. A realization set in, and his eyes lit up with the thought. "This reminds me of our marriage night." The old abbey held this same rustic feel, they had shared a bath together..the fire was lit, and he married her both in body and spirit. However, as he went silent he questioned only one thing from that night--their marriage was legal to them, to that island, but here it was not documented. Deep down it could be questioned and they had no proof. "Do you think of the night as often as I?"

Ealora:"No I can not say men do not desire me, history of the past year would be the judge, I am saying, ALL men do not desire me. The Duke doesn't desire me, Sir Kendrew does not desire me...even Alen, does not desire me. Does that not tell you not all men desire me..but men can desire me all they like, I desire only one, you." She hummed against his flesh as he purred against hers. As he stopped, she blinked. Lord they had been so close to just having at it in the tub or on the floor. What made him stop? She didn't have long to wait in knowing and her lips curled into a grin as her gaze left him to move about the room. It did remind her of the abbey. Lord did that night seem a lifetime away, even on the run, they had gleaned some peace in that night. A small ray of hope, and the building of a whole new dream for Ealora. More then Maahes ever knew, how that night had changed her life forever. Her head turned back to him, dipping her forehead met his neck as her fingers traced a pattern across his jaw. "I think about it every day..it is never far from my mind."

Maahes:"Do you ever regret it?" He whispered closing his eyes, "I mean..do you ever wish we had a traditional wedding?" The water was growing cold and he was starting to envy this copper wall between them. Raising up out of the tub he stepped out onto the rug and wrapped the towel over his body to start to dry. Always so open with his wife, he cared very little if she got an eye full--hell he was hers anyway. "Maybe when we get back home we'll have another wedding, make Bess write up the papers." He moved across the floor as he felt himself feel much better from the warm water, but in his hands he held her towel. He held her towel over the small fire to warm it, and to dry. It was his favorite way of course! "Eppie can throw her flowers, Issa can hold our rings." Ooooooh that thought made his jaw tighten as he thought of that man making her remove her rings. There was a rise in his temper again, but as he leaned against the hearth the thoughts were quick to fade.

Ealora:Her fingers felt the move in his jaw as he spoke and she soaked up the words into her mind. Her head lifting from his shoulder to catch the sight of his face, needing to see if he was serious. She was silent for a long time, watching him as he rose from the tub to dry and it was only then she began to feel the cool water, it made her skin prickle. It was indeed cold now. A faint smile pulled at her lips as he spoke, though she wondered if he had gone mad. He loved to see people united in love, but hated weddings and now he was suggesting they do it too? Still it would be in front of everyone, she knew very well in that moment it worried him, that there was no proof to their marriage even if they both firmly believed God heard their vows and they were married. She watched him move to the fire to dry and warm the towel for her, he loved to pamper her but as he spoke of Issa and their rings, his jaw tightened and she did not have to imagine what he was thinking. "No Maahes, I do not regret it.."She finally spoke to break the silence and hopefully, break him from his thoughts of Husani. "Do you remember when I was in Paradise Point, when I was tried?"Stupid question but there it was. She wasn't expecting an answer, she was questioning to get to a point. "There was a time I was placed in the square, well for three days and one night, a woman came, she wanted to take my ring, even chained, I fought tooth and nail to keep it, Jean Claude showed up...and the woman just gave up, well that's not the point, the point is, you weren't there to hear it, but I told Jean Claude that we had married twice...once in the abbey, of which the necklace I wore was very special to me, as much as my ring because it was the first time we spoke our vows to God, the second being on that island. My words then are no less true as they are now. I would marry you a hundred times over...if there was anything that has changed, it is my love for you...it has grown to a point where words can not describe.." She shifted in the tub and slowly rose, the warm water had eased sore muscles from the cramped space of the carriage but the cold water had made them sore all over again. "My love for you Maahes, will never die, never lessen no matter what. I will marry you, again, in front of the whole of Skye, to prove it. I know what weighs on your mind, you worry because there is no documents of our marriage, that some might not see it as legal? Then my answer is this, let us have another wedding when we return to skye and indeed have Bess draw up the papers. Eppie can throw her flowers and Issa can hold our rings, for our two children who are not of both of our bodies, this can be their ceremony as well. That if they did not feel truly as one family, this will make us such."

Maahes: "Perhaps then we can make it legal for both Eppie and Issa to have my name? If issa would wish it?" He turned then closing the distance between them and wrapping her warm towel around her. "You and I have come a long way My Queen. It will bring me great pleasure to know none can take that, not that I would give so easy." He let the towel fall over her body guiding it with his hands to dry her, and would help her from the water. Her husband would then wrap her into his arms pressing her against the warmth of his bare skin. "You are the most perfect woman, so strong..Have I told you today how much I love you?" No, hell and he didn't even show it very well. "In England you will be at my side and we will make it right.." He had to bend his entire body to kiss her, short thing she was but the downward pull was worth it as he captured her lips breaking only to turn and try and find her night clothes. "Tomorrow if the rain passes you will ride with me?"

Ealora: "Not perhaps, we will. An if Issa wishes it. You should talk to him tomorrow about it. It should come from you, so that he knows you care about him...that you love him, that you want to be his father.." The grin pulled at her lips, how easily he accepted Issa as his own, it was just a legal issue of name, Issa was his son and she knew Maahes would fight tooth and nail to prove it to any who doubted. He had never brought Benjamin Brad into the picture, well...he had earlier but he had never held it over her head as he could have, that Issa was born our of wedlock, that she had at one time been a whore, even if only to one man. He never would, did he realize just how much this meant to her? How much it made her love him more. "As you wish, so shall it be done my King, whatever would make you happy, I would gladly do, even marrying you a third time." Lord this was going to be a raining joke for years to come, how they had married three times to prove their love but could any couple say the same? Could any couple compare their love to Maahes and Ealora? She was egotistical in this, that none loved as deeply as they did. Her arms wrapped about his neck as he lifted her from the tub like one of Eppie rag doll, bull. "No actually, you haven't said it at all today. Say it.."She teased then commanded with a grin upon her lips. She was beyond perfect but if she tried arguing that with him, she would loose, that she all ready knew. Her chin tipped up as he kissed her, her hand wove behind his dreads to his head to pull his lips in deeper to her own. His kiss was always like a rare and fine wine, she savored the taste of him, it was always like the first time. Claiming each other as she had claimed him in front of the whore. As his lips left her own and he searched for her night clothes, she had to grin. She didn't wear night clothes except with company or in winter, did he forget all ready having been gone so long? "Of course, you did not even have to ask.." She purred against his throat as she curled into him. "An I didn't bring any nightclothes.."How well she knew him. "I wish to sleep next to my husband, skin to skin, heart and soul to heart and soul.."

Maahes: A grin crossed his lips touching where his body could not, her soul. He would stand there then, closing his hands together but keeping the distance between them for now, watching as the fire lit up her body. How could he forget? As he came to sit upon the edge of the bed he let his hand brush his chest chasing away the chill of the realization.."Ealora.." His raspy voice was low almost a whisper, "I love you." Amber eyes wouldn't dare leave her, and the moment of peace between them would get him through the darker times coming as always before. He had started to motion for her, but what kind of Gentleman would he be then? By god he had been working hard on it now for two years! Standing again he wrapped himself around her, heavy massive arms coming to capture her and the palms of his hands cupping her body. "This is our honeymoon..but if we get married again do we take another? Is that the tradition?" Did they ever do anything traditional? Slowly he let his lips fall to her neck, but of course not stopping there. No he would kiss a trail down her body until the Beast was upon one knee before her, and the rich golden brown eyes opened to find hers again, "You will marry me?" Broken English never the best at night when his thoughts all came together and the days wear crossed over his flesh, but as the palms of his hands brushed the flesh of her hips he urged her to answer.

Ealora:There was her smile, she had missed it in the months without him. Never had she realized how much she missed it until it was shining down upon her with the curl of his lips and the sparkle of amber eyes. Slowly she wrapped the towel around her body to chase away the chill as he moved to the bed, celadon eyes swiveled while her body stayed posed by the fire as he sat on the edge of the bed. The calling of her name had her pushing her thoughts away, always were they of him, shifting through months of moments of them together. How far they had come indeed. From the moment they had met in Alexandria, to now. Two paths that had been so far apart now woven so perfectly together that it was one. Her lips curled into a grin to hear those three words. He never needed to say it every day for her to know he loved her, she did enjoy hearing it but he did little things to show his love, even if he didn't think so. Holding her at night, running his hands through her hair, warming her towel by the fire before wrapping it around her, allowing her freedom where others would of burdened her down with the true duties of a wife. THAT was true love. He started to motion for her, she turned to meet him then stopped as he moved towards her again. Wrapped within his arms, she gave a moan of contentment. She let out a laugh at his question, not meaning any disrespect for him but she seemed to answer his thoughts for words. "When have we ever followed tradition?" She mused with a slender brow rising upward as he kissed his way down until he was kneeling upon a knee. Was he really...her cheeks flamed to life, not in embarrassment. This was the most endearing thing he had ever words to her? They had never questioned getting married so he had never asked, they had simply done it....twice. This would be one of her favorite memories in years to come, would brighten the dark times and push back the shadows of them. "I love you Maahes.." she uttered in a soft breath as his hands brushed her hips.

Maahes: Arms would come to snake around her legs hugging her tightly to him, "You will be my wife hmm?" He teased, but then pressed a kiss to where his lips fell the flat of her stomach, "You are too small..soon we will make you round again." Pulling on the edges of the towel he forced it away, not wanting her to cover anything and loved it when she felt exposed. She had no shame, as he very well knew this from the beach! Lord how he should have thrown her in jail for public indecency, but that had been the night before. His lips would brush then south falling in warm heated kisses to where her own heat rose. "Do not be shy." He urged her to open up to him, not that he needed much and kissed where lips were not intended but felt so right. "Perhaps we make a baby tonight." Was his question though he didn't question if she wanted to, but more felt he should ask if she felt up to it. He could go on here and leave it at that..little tricks that today revealed themselves. How did that feel?

Ealora: She let out a chuckle as she wiggled in an off balance as his arms wrapped around her legs and hugged her close, her fingers brushing through his dreads as her head dipped to take in the sight of him. How very cute! "I will be your wife. Will you be my husband?" She teased in return. She let out another laugh as he kissed the flat plain of her stomach and called her to skinny. Better then being to fat! She didn't put up a fight as he pulled the towel away and let it fall to the ground. He knew her to well, knew very well she wasn't going to protest. Would anyone think he was a man worshiping a goddess the way she seemed so golden in the fire light and him upon his knees kissing a trail down her stomach. A gasping sigh passed her lips as he kissed the sacred area between her legs. "Mmmm, that sounds like a wonderful idea to me.."She hummed as her hand moved over his head, fingers tightened within his dreads to pull his face away from her. Was she stopping him, no was the answer as she slid down, her hand finding his shoulder to steady herself as she straddled his lap, one leg on either side of him while her free hand moved between their bodies to find the heated tool of his body. How shamed and blushed other would be to know they touched each other in such ways with no embarrassment? How many could say they did the same? She loved her husband in many ways, enjoyed the sounds of him when she did, there were even times it was pleasure enough to hear him then receive any of her own. She had once wondered where he had learned to pleasure her body, today she had gotten her answer but did it matter? Not at all, she did not judge his past, as he did not judge hers. It made it easier to love each other in ways words could not speak, though there were perhaps ways they were still unaware of, that they could learn together. "Say it again?" She purred against his lips, wanting him to say he loved her, as fingers stroked against him.

Maahes: A deep purr left his lips as she pulled upon him, and joined her body within his own. However, when she teased that purr turned into a growl as closed eyes opened, "Don't tease me." The full moon was drawing close within the next week it would find them again at the crossroad, but for now this was all her husband. It had felt like an eternity since the last time they were intimate, as in Red Wall all he could bring himself to do was hold her, she was so tired. He held and kissed her even as she slept brushing his hands against her body just to let her know he was there. His head would fall back as he heaved a heavy breath, his chest rising and falling with a small arch, "Ealora.." His arms tightened and every muscle hardened with his motion. "I love you..I love you." He cried out, capturing his lips into her own and forcing her forward onto his lap. He hated to be teased, but that was part of it right? "Mmm." How warm her body felt against him, captured there in arms that refused to release her. He felt so loved he could cry, felt so complete with her near that no amount of his past could ever change this. If he had not gone through the hard times how could he love her so much. "Don't tease me..please. I'll hurt you." He whispered then against her lips before he kissed her with all the passion he saved for moments like this. No tonight he was going to love her, every bit of her, with every inch of him.

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

Maahes: Finally the sun on the celtic morning crept into the window as it rose in the distance. The lion would stir in sleep that fell away like a curtain pulling over his body he kicked away the covers. Naked..warm..and happy, how could he..A hand fell upon his wife..Oh yeah. Amber eyes were delivered to the morning as lids fell away from them to take in the sight of the golden sun warming her back. This was her halo, for only God could smile upon an angel as this. The children were still asleep, dreading perhaps as he the continuation of their travel. The warmth of his hand followed the line of the bedding to raise over the bend in her hips, and the dips in her body. Wake up..wake up..wake up ..I miss you.



Ealora:A night filled with passion where night melded slowly into day and she could not even remember falling exhaustedly but very happily asleep were the best nights. To be within her husbands arms was one of the best moments, nightmares seemed to recede to a place where they could not touch her when she was within his arms. The covers shifted as he kicked them away to reveal the naked body next to him but for the Celtic sun beating down through the window upon her body and his hands upon her, she did not feel the breeze that caressed the cottage. She hummed in a moan as his hand caressed the bend of her hip, arched upward as she lay upon her side in the normal position of a nightly routine. Slowly she came to realize that the sun was up and the kids were not screaming or playing in the halls with Nora calling after them. Was it possible? As sleep drained away, she came to remember they were not at home for one and Maahes was awake before her! Her hip jerked as she slowly rolled to her backside, her hand reappearing from under the pillow as behind closed lids it raised to find his face and run against his cheek and sleepy eyes slowly found his face. "Mmm Good Morning...since when do you wake before me? Or the kids for that matter.."



Maahes: For a good long moment he watched her, the scent of their slumber still covering him, and the warmth of her heart a loving feeling against his palm. "I am sorry I should not have woke you." He kissed her cheek with his nuzzle, "but I missed you." Maahes's whisper remained, teasing against her skin. "You wish to go back to sleep?" On his cue with the rise of the sun, Ra could be heard giving his cry as he wished to be picked up..changed..and fed. "Today I talk to Issa..I am nervous..I did not sleep well." Rolling onto his back he let out a small laugh, "Someone kept me awake, wanting more." He teased then with a smile, her smile as he found her eyes again. "Tonight she will not have much husband, I will crash hard."



Ealora:"Never be sorry for waking me, I am rather enjoying it, especially since you say you missed me." A grin curled her lips as she wiggled against the bed, stretching like a Cheshire cat before relaxing again. "No, no more sleep, I've turned into a lazy housewife, or will if I continue to sleep more." As he rolled to his back, so did she roll to throw her leg over his hip, her lips teasing at the curve of his cheek and chin. She could hear Ra fussing, but the baby was actually good for another ten minutes before he demanded in a stronger yell, just like his papa to be tended to. "Do not be nervous, think of Issa, like you, he is in many ways, Maahes you never show your love easily nor say it easily but you show it in many ways that speak louder then words. Issa is the same way. Why do you think he idolizes you so? Wishes to be General someday like you.." Still her lips teased at the curves of his face. "Someone kept you awake wanting more? How funny, I had the same insatiable husband teasing me into a frenzy all night long. "Mmm, I am sure your wife can rouse you out of any crash..wouldn't want to leave her lonely all night would you?" Lips that had teased his skin found his own and pulled them into a deep kiss before Ra's scream grew louder in the familiar demand that he would wait no longer and she rolled from the bed, curling the sheet around her.



Maahes: "You started it..the teasing." He grinned going to reach out for her but capturing in it only the air. "Both of my boys will be General's like their father, but I will have your head if Eppie grows to be a pirate like you." He spoke as he rose to pull upon his pants. "Not my baby girl. No she will be an Artisan, or a Scholar. I'll not have her running wild chasing after men and waiting for a good man to come along." A slap to her behind as he passed would have him turning into the hall where Nora brought a frazzled looking sleepy Ra; whose mop of curls stuck up. Maahes laughed then taking the baby who then in turn looked over his father's shoulder at his mother--wanting.

Ealora: "Oh no my husband, I seem to remember a particular purring Egyptian lion saying we make baby tonight?" She turned to wiggle her eyebrows at him as she watched him reach for her only to catch air! Ha! This time she was quicker! Her nose wrinkled, giving her an odd yet funny look to her face"Maahes, don't be a jerk" She cooed about him taking her head if Eppie became a pirate. Eppie would never be a pirate, she was to sweet for that. She let out a yelp as he caught her behind in a swat, her hand found his and for a moment it seemed as if she were going to twist his arm but then held his hand up to her lips, brushing lips against his knuckles before turning his hand over to brush silken lips against his palm before nibbling his skin lightly and releasing as he struggled into his pants and out the door. The sheet was draped over her body as if a toga of the Greek Isles of old and she meet Nora and Ra behind his shoulder. Little celadon eyes found her own and she grinned as she wiggled Ra from his father into her arms. "Hello my little prince, you must of tossed and turned, just like your daddy..."She cooed down to the baby as her free hand smoothed the mop of his dark curls down over his head. "Nora, perhaps something light for breakfast? We have a long way to go.."Ealora's eyes found the woman's and for a moment Nora looked confused. Let him wake the kids..She mouthed to the woman and Nora's head quickly nodded.

Nora:"oh right, yes yes, I'll go see if I can whip something quick and easy up.." And down the hall into the living area the old woman moved.

Ealora:Bouncing the baby against her stomach to quiet him, Ealora turned a grin to Maahes before motioning her head to where the kids were sleeping as she disappeared back into the room with Ra. Never did she mind that she had to rise for her son to be fed. This was a bond that Maahes nor Nora or any other could ever touch of her and her son. When she watched him suckle against her but his tiny eyes always on her face. "That's a good boy.." She always whispered in what seemed to be a sweet song down to him. His tiny fingers always wrapped around her own. There was no rocking chair in this cottage and so she sat on the edge of the bed and rocking in the same fashion as she would of at home. Ra seemed mystified by her face, by her eyes and her hair. What was he thinking, she always wondered when he looked at her like that. Did he understand the word Mommy/Mother? Did he truly remember the sound of her voice hearing it day in and out for nine months within her body? Did he feel the love she had for him? What was that little mind thinking...

Maahes:"Nora..this is bed and breakfast, you take the morning off the keeper here makes it." He glared at the woman daring her to question him, but inwardly he worried of what they would cook. He wasn't about to suffer through another gravy meal due to his religious views. "Just..maybe check to make sure it is good?" He grinned to the woman placing a kiss upon her cheek. "I wake the little ones now yes?" Yes, Maahes go go. Down the hall he went where the children both slept together and the sun started to peek over their bedding. Their Princess was awake, her eyes watching the Beast as he moved and her giggles shook the entire bed as she dove under the covers. "Run all you want." He reached out for the child tickling her under the bed, and Sea King would sigh--clearly not ready to wake. "Knights are up before the sun, boy." Maahes boomed reaching out to squeeze the boy's knee under the covers making a duck sound to invasive his jest. Issa giggled, and Eppie would bound down the hall ready to see England--leaving the pair alone. "You will ride with me today?" He asked as he sat upon the side of the bed. "Be my eyes, and watch for savages?" Maahes's voice was quiet, as it was not meant to be heard by the rest, but inwardly he worried of his choice of words knowing he himself had been called that a number of times.

Nora: "You eat anything other then what I make? ha!" The old woman retorted but she grinned at Maahes like a son. For that was exactly what he and Ealora were like in her old weather beaten gray eyes and their children, her grandchildren. Her grin widened at the kiss to her cheek. "That's what I thought.."she mused with a laugh before she was shuffling down the hall leaving him to wake the kids.


Issa: Issa was like his mother in many ways,. His one physical attribute of her was celadon eyes to match her own. Ones that had seen a great many things for a five year old. His hair was a dark ebony brown, like the bark of an old oak tree, like his fathers, not that his mother would ever tell him that but he could see. With eyes still wonderlust of a child still saw much that had him questioning things he had not before. He had learned, from Shaden and Nic, the love they had given him, gave him strength enough to trust Ealora and Maahes when they had taken him away, but it was more then that, more then he had told, he remembered her...Mommy..No children ever remembered their births and most of it, he did not but he remembered her, those eyes, the sound of her voice as she sang to him, the curve of her face as the tears as they fell down her cheek. He loved his Mommy like no other and still, he was recluse when it came to loving her husband and only the third father type figure he had ever known. If Mommy could leave him once, couldn't Maahes do the same? The sigh he emitted was not what the General thought. He wished to have that same relationship with the man as he did with Eppie, but he didn't know how. He...was scared. He giggled with the squeeze, the duck sound coming from such a large man before he wiggled against the bed, tossing the covers back to look the General in the eye. "Mommy says, gowing kids need ther west...its what gives us ow enrwy" So matter of factly as Eppie bounded from the room, more excited about the trip to England then he was. Yet he would be happy once he got there, he didn't like the journey, reminded him to much of being taken from paradise point, so many carriages that seemed like wooden boxes, slits for windows, no daylight. He didn't want to go back into one of those boxes. A sense of pride stole over him as Maahes asked him to ride with him and be his eyes and ears. Did this mean the big man liked him? Trusted him? His head bounced as he nodded vigorously that he would but his bottom lip was pulled into his mouth as he worried over the savages. "What if sav...sav..what if day come to get us? Would you let dem take me away cause I am not yew wittle boy?" A honest and sincere question, Mommy would fight for him because he was hers, her blood, but what held him to Maahes? Such was the questions of a little boy burdened with so many unanswered questions.



Maahes: What had he thought of him? The question stung harshly the insides of his chest, and it would take him a moment to allow the thought to pass. For a moment he was quiet, the smile pulling back on his lips, “Do you really think I would let anyone take you?” His upper body was still bare, exposed for the child to see the massive build of the General, and truth would find it’s ways to the next statement. “Nothing can get you out of these.” He spoke with a curl of his arm, biceps bulging and the lines well defined. “If I love you, you go nowhere, and I love you so you stay.” He spoke very matter of factly pulling the son from the bed to make their way down to breakfast. No one would question the word love leaving such a man, as it was known he did not say it very often. As the day passed, Maahes would deal with a very upset Eppie who would be staying behind, but with promises of her turn when the time was right. He needed to speak to Issa, alone man-to-man. The ride was set a bit slower pace with the sun shining and the scenery so beautiful. It would be hard to let it all go by so fast. “It is a new day,” He spoke to the boy who was securely placed before him, and would be able to hold the horn of the saddle for support, “It is prayers answered to God that you are here, Issa. Your mother wept for many days to know you were safe; happy tears. It pleases her to know you are safe and will forever be loved. Do you understand that we are a family now? When I married your mother, I promised to love her, I promised to love everything about her, and I do. I love your mother, boy, with my entire soul. I love you just the same, and though I will love you with or without it I would like to make it legal. I would like for you to think of..” He searched for the right word, searching how to make this sound right. “I would like you to consider becoming of my name, Issa..” Letting amber eyes fall from the road he watched the son of the sea, reading him for hope, and all the men around him pulled back to allow the pair privacy; even those in the carriage could not hear, but Nora watched with a knowing smile, taking hold of Ealora’s hand. Did she see this?


Issa: The truth of the matter was, Issa had great respect for his mommy's husband, it was the boy didn't know what Maahes thought of him. He always seemed to be so stern, except with Eppie, except with Mommy, Except with baby Ra...Though sometimes the boy could gage the General joking in a booming voice, he wasn't certain. His little face twisted with the General's words. It was not that he didn't trust what the General told him, but it seemed such an odd promise to make and he voiced this in a small voice as the General pulled him into a hug. "My oder mommy and daddy did..when dat bwond woman came, day jes whad down, day cwied wed an jus' wet da bwond woman take me..." Issa of course was talking about the people who had raised him when Ealora had given him up at birth and the blonde woman, well Ealora knew who that was. Climbing up into the General's arms, tiny hands wrapped around the broad neck as he was swept from the bed and they both headed down the hall for breakfast.

"Pwomise?" A tiny voice asked before they could reach the family situated around the table.

Issa barely was able to keep in his chair and eat as Ealora instructed, he was to excited about riding with the General, being out of the carriage and in open air! That was another thing familiar with the sea prince, he loved the outdoors, just like his Mommy. Even Issa tried to tell Eppie that her turn would come. Honestly the little boy didn't understand Eppie upset, he never spent time with the General, she always did. Sibling rivalry had begun in the Asad Aziem home. Issa hummed, the Egyptian tune of the river as he sat before the horse, bouncing as if wanting the horse to go faster but he stilled as Maahes began to speak to him. Little eyes that saw much, even if he didn't understand it all, saw the other horses fall back. Had he done something wrong? He listened with one brow pointed downward, his face twisted in confusion, in thought.

"Yew wove mommy wike I do?"

Even as Maahes spoke of making it legal, for Issa to consider taking his name, the little boy sat as if confused till his face slid, the confusion and frustration at not understand it all seemed to come together like a puzzle missing a singular piece now found.

"Mommy says yew dun say yew wove anoder pewson unwes yew mean it." The small five year old stated matter of factly himself before his face drew again to one of deep concentration. "Otay..."He finally said as he resumed his bounce within the saddle, his face had taken on a new light and the little boy grinned like never before. He owned the world in that minute.

Ealora: Ealora held and cooed with Eppie. The little girl had thrown quite a fit to find out Issa would be riding with Maahes but even Ealora had tried to explain to the little girl that this did not mean her Daddy loved her less, they just had boy things to talk about, like they had girl things to talk about. This seemed to work and Eppie eyes lit up as Ealora talked about buying her new clothes once they were in England, even planning that if any ladies were present, as they were inclined to be in any nation, that Eppie would be allowed to spend time with them, as long as they did not mind. Ealora had a grand image in her head of the woman Eppie would become. She had not been lying the other night, Eppie would never be a pirate, she was to sweet for that, to pure, to ladylike for that. The little girl was drawn to pretty dresses and jewelry. Ealora had never liked dresses and jewels. She always dreamed of the open air and water when she was a child.

Eppie was finally appeased, drawing on a board even as the carriage swayed and rocked. Nora's hand caught Ealora's and her head turned to smile at the old woman. Sliding Eppie to her own seat, she switched places with the woman to look out the window as Issa leaned back against Maahes. She hadn't heard what was said, probably could not even if she had been watching but the look on Issa face said it all. Ealora grinned, radiant and shining like her sons.

"It's a new day..."She spoke in a whispering sigh to Nora as she settled back in her seat. "and it is beautiful.."

[Lord General Maahes Asad-Aziem]

“Does this mean you go alone?” A voice fell in behind Adam’s as the Duke started his trek out onto the streets, “I’m heading that way myself.” Maahes spoke closing the belt of his sword around his hip, and let his dark eyes fall upon the shadow of his wife’s son. Issa the boy from the sea who stood no higher then the Beast’s thigh hid well behind his soon-to-be father. Sea green eyes watched the Mo’r Triath as if he had never seen anything as such. Maahes did well to instruct him upon who wore what colors, and how the ranks were divided..it did not take a fool to realize this was as high as it gets. Adam carried himself with humble nobility, and that was something Issa was being able to pick out.

“We’re going to take food to the poor!” The little boy chimed, but Maahes narrowed his eyes upon the son and the boy quickly fell behind. “They are not poor, boy, they are just without.” The General would correct him just as if he was a soldier, and the child gave a small nod.

Clearly written across the brow of the Beast was the long nights travel as they had not been in England long, but time was something they could not allow to slip away so easy. With Ealora busy in the castle, and Nora their keeper settling the others, Maahes took the little down time to help around town. However, never in his life had he ever expected one city to be so full of faces—bright smiling faces even in the midst of change. It gave him a sense of peace to know that of all nations this one would adapt just as strongly.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Adam stopped briefly and looked to Maahes and Issa… his calloused hand falling to the boy’s shoulder. “Ah gae alone, lest yae wit mae…” he teased the Lion. Looking to Issa and his proclamation of support to the needy… “Well dun Lad… But many are poor… they live in poverty due to many greedy people taking what lil they ‘ave…” looking to Maahes. “Yae shall make many ‘appy with yaer gifts…”

His sea-green eyes veer up to the Lion followed by a smile. “Coom mae friend, walk with mae…” Then the trio began to walk down the streets. Left and right, people would look to them and whisper, others would walk to them, bow respectfully, and offer greetings, others bowed low informing them of their appreciation.

It was not long after they had ventured into the city that a crowd was gathering around them. Weeks ago, Adam might be leery of a gathering, but it seemed as if the people in general wanted change; weary of the King’s way of life and the oppression it promised. From the crowd, people began to want him to speak… and one old man offered a crate to stand upon…

Adam smiled and stepped upon the crate. Instead of the Gaelic brogue, he began to speak in clear King’s English… Would it surprise Maahes the change in speech of the Mo’r Triath? Probably not, since he had heard Adam speak before an audience.

“Hear me oh people of London… Spread wide the news of better days… As the Gaelic Nations take big strides towards its desire to become the next powerhouse of democracy, unifying the hearts and minds of the people as one nation with one common destiny takes on a whole new meaning, especially in the face of increasing change and uncertainty. But ours is a story of triumph in the face of great odds, and as a nation we have confidently risen to the challenge… and is smoothly on our way to realizing our dreams and ambitions. Our vision is crystal clear. We intend the Gaelic Nations to be the country that will take center stage; a nation that will dazzle with a renewed energy. Far beyond just being an economic powerhouse and a mercantile hub, we will be able to welcome the world to a nation teeming with vibrant cultures, world-class arts, leisure and entertainment, and sporting events. To breathe life into these hopes and dreams, we need to consolidate our capabilities to support the required development, and the mission of gathering our resources as a nation has taken on a greater urgency than ever. Be known that we invite all the isles of Britannia and the Hebrides be as one Nation… one family… one nation. I am not here as a conqueror, but as a liberator… not as a subjugator, but as a man of freedom… to live life as one wishes… not based upon bloodline nor religious siding. We shall grow… Give me time and we shall reap the benefits…”

Then Adam steps off the crate in a midst of clapping, cheering, and huzzahs… in the background, there would always be those leery of such talk… and those that disagreed with those views… Adam was smiling as people clapped his shoulder as he passed by… he just looked at Maahes and Issa… then as they passed from the Square, people sat along the wall… those that needed much… and Adam motioned Issa to offer them food… Adam soon began to discuss the travesties they have endured with those that lived it.

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

London. It was still a city of beauty despite the troubles laid upon the streets. The truth of the matter, the kids were elated. This was an entirely different playground then before and yet their leash only extended so far where their mother was concerned. Issa hung on Maahes as if she were glued to his hip. It meant more to Ealora then anyone would truly know. For once Issa was not afraid of the General, her husband. Perhaps he had just needed some security in the way of Maahes offering up his last name to the boy.

They were staying within the camps and while Maahes seemed rather upset over his family sleeping on the ground, there was no distress. The kids found it quite fun and the beast could not complain with his wife next to him on the furs he kept. Yet there was little time to enjoy the camp nor look around. There was a job to be done. Issa went with Maahes, every day like clockwork after a short breakfast while Eppie went with her to the castle. Eppie did not seem to like the idea of Issa being able to go with Maahes, until she met the ladies of the castle who positively thought Eppie an angel with her golden curls and bright blue eyes. Even Ealora could not refuse the doe eyed look of their daughter when she seemed to beg to go with the ladies. She had enough to do in prizing the items of the castle for sale as it was, she loved her daughter dearly, but readily agreed to let the ladies take her off to play with them. No, Eppie would never be a pirate like her mother, more like a lady like her Aunt Shaden.

For days she worked on the items in the castle; paintings, vases, tapestries, cutlery and other unimaginable pieces. A few space rooms were used to separate the items. Some of them she was sending back to Skye to the Duchess and to Eirian, she was sure Eirian would appreciate the fine art, the relics so to speak of England despite the trials England had put them through, art was to be treasured, not destroyed because of war of men. The rest was to be routed out and fair if not excessive payment brought in. Once the money was obtained, it could be divided in several factions. What a job she had taken on! There was a girl within the castle; Vivian, who had been helping her divide the belongings into the spare rooms as well as document them on paper for the Duke and Duchess, and another copy for the General of which she wrote in the Arabic of his homeland, so he did not have to have someone read it off to him. The girl along with Nora was a godsend. Her chestnut hair and gray blue eyes reminded her of her father, while she ached for her fathers kind words, even if they shifted from past to present. She had grown accustomed to having him around and London, being his homeland made the homesickness for him even worse.

It was midday, the sun was shining outside the window of the study she was using to do her paperwork. Ealora sighed as she set the pen door and leaned back within the chair just as Vivian appeared in the doorway. Ealora's head lifted as she grinned at the woman.

"How do you always find me when I need a break?" She teased the woman.

Vivian returned the smile as she carried the tray of tea to the desk. Ealora only ever took a sip or two of tea but she always brought her a full pot.

"All work and no play?" She teased Ealora in return.

A hand was ruffled through her hair as she lifted off her seat to move to the window and look out over the gardens. She was not a garden keeping woman but the gardens of the castle were quite splendid. Coupled with the fact Eppie was being chased by the ladies, laughing and smiling as she seemed the prized pet of such fine ladies.

"All work and no play." Ealora repeated after a moment of silence. Turning away from the window, she regarded Vivian with a look of deep thought.

"Vivian...do the people...not like me? For what I am doing here?" She finally asked after a moment.

Vivian looked quite shocked and taken back, but she did not slink back as she fixed Ealora a cup of tea and brought it over to her, using the time to put her words right.

"It is not that you are disliked, granted the poor and the hungry will be quite delighted to be afforded things they have long been denied but you..." Vivian paused as her lips pressed together for a moment before she let out a sigh. "You just dress differently, it's acceptable of your men because men do as they please..Did you not adapt to your isle home when you lived there? Perhaps if you adapted here.." The girl stopped as her hands folded softly in front of her.

Ealora's eyes held the girls as she spoke, accepting the cup with a movement of her lips in thank you of no sound. She held the warm cup between her fingers as lips pressed upon one another in thought. Maahes and her had talked about her learning the English...the London fashion of clothing, perhaps trying it out. How....excited he seemed to get in thinking her within the stuffy clothing, hair up, only worn down for him. It was perhaps a new thrill, something that would belong to only him of her, but of course he knew full well, everything of her belonged with him. Yet she found a particular sense of glee in bringing him such excitement as well.

"You're right Vivian...Do you think..perhaps, you can help me? Find some clothing, but with some decorum, I do not want people to think I am using the money here to pay for my own fancies."

Vivian seemed to come to life with Ealora's words. The tea cup was plucked from her fingers and set on the window seal.

"Come with me, there is a dress I have...it will be perfect for you.."

The woman pulled Ealora along and together they disappeared upstairs. It was an hour or more latter when the pair were seen again, the ladies coming in from the Gardens, gasped in surprise. Ealora was dressed within one of the fine elegant dresses of their style, spring flowers were embroidered along the bodice that was held in and pushed out by the corset Vivian had pushed her into and her hair swept up into an elegant bun. Even Eppie seemed wide eyed as she ran to her mother and tugged upon the puffy champagne colored skirts. The little girl looked wide eyed but smiling as brightly as an angel as Ealora's head turned downward to look upon her, her hearing lost upon the babbling ladies of how elegant and refined Ealora looked, like an exotic bird whose's feathers had just become another color. It was perhaps a compliment put in the wrong way, had Ealora really been listening, she might of been slightly offended but it was the pleasure on her daughters face at seeing mommy so elegantly displayed that captured her attention.

"Does Mommy look like one of your dolls?"She whispered in tease only to let out a laugh as the little girl, also brightly clothed by the ladies hands, nodded vigorously. For a few moments the pair listened to the gaggle of women before Ealora excused them, without further explanation of excuse me before the pair disappeared back inside the castle only to find their way onto the streets.

How fortunate the pair were to come upon the speech the Duke spoke over the people. It had been no secret Ealora did not approve of the campaign to invade England. She still did not approve but she would do as Maahes had asked of her, for the people who were starving, those who were poor with hardly any clothes upon their backs. It was a fine speech to be sure, one family, one nation. It was a lovely thought, as long as the people were left to worship where they saw fit, that they would never be under thump, then her lips would remained closed on the matter.

"Look Eppie, there is Daddy and Issa with the Duke."Ealora encouraged the little girl in a gentle voice. She was pleased Issa was taking such an interest in Maahes and the Duke but she worried of what Issa would obtain from such sightings, of the people, of the Duke, a small mind never grasped things so easily. Still, it made her wonder all the more, what this experience would mean for their children in the future. What type of people would they become? and would she ever live past the dark deeds of her past.

[King Adam Aberdeen I]

Adam, Maahes, and Issa made the daily trek into the city of London everyday. With each trek, they found new issues to discuss and challenges to meet. One day Adam looked at Maahes… “Such a fine city mae General… but it ‘as been laid tae waste by worse than war… Greed and disconcern faer the people bae killing them…” He looked to the fine palaces, cathedrals, and guildhalls, then looked upon the shanty living accommodations the people had, and shook his head.

London, was a maze of twisting streets and lanes…. most of the houses were half-timbered, whitewashed with lime. The threat of fire was constant… Adam and the Tribunal passed laws to make sure that all householders had fire-fighting equipment on hand and new houses to use slate for roofing rather than the more risky straw.

Despite being the largest city in England, one can walk across London in twenty minutes or so. Most of it lay inside the stone city wall originally built by the Romans. Before the Mor Triath invaded the city, the wall’s large gates were locked and guarded at night. Outside the wall was a moat and beyond that were fields. Now that he was in charge, he opened the gates and allowed people free access… Though London was still largely confined within the walls of the Roman city, and with space in such short supply that Adam began to open land for enterprising souls at near one-third the original cost. As time passed, suburbs began to develop outside the gates, particularly towards Westminster, the royal palace. The prime real estate in London was the Strand, where many rich landowners built homes. Lawyers settled at the Temple and along Fleet Street. Confiscated real estate from London’s prisonned nobles were turned over to the people thru a lottery, lots often purchased at one-tenth the original price. The Holborn River was navigable by boats, and the Occupational government hired local labor to build docks and piers.

Along the Thames, barges transported grain, timber and stone while ships from overseas imported goods such as wine and silk and exported English wool and cloth. Shops along the sides of the main shopping streets opened at the front to sell goods directly to passers-by. These streets also had market stalls down the middle. Whole streets were devoted to one trade or craft –The city had become one of the trading and manufacturing capitals of Europe, producing everything from woolen cloth to weapons – a huge factory sucking in workers. It was Adam’s intent to make sure employment would increase with a large portion going to the worker’s pockets instead of the nobles or guild members. Traders, peasants, beggars, thieves, herders and livestock all jostled through the busy city streets. Women began to work in many different trades, some historically dedicated for men.

Adam had disbanded the merchant guilds and decreed they would be re-established under the Gryphon guilds of Skye. He knew the London guilds effectively ran the city and controlled commerce; each having its own hall and their own coat of arms. Enraging many people of the guilds when he closed the Guildhall, where representatives of the various guilds met in common. Soon Skye’s own membership would control the Guildhall… thus easing some of the resentment.

There were many churches and monasteries. St Paul’s Cathedral, with its towering wooden steeple, was the city’s main landmark. Religious buildings of all sorts began to be erected with the decree of religious freedom. Most schools were run by the church… three grammar schools were attached to London churches, with more schools attached to parish churches. Most children received some education, whether from their parents, in school or with their masters if they were apprentices. This would soon change also, as Adam sought education for all. Taking some of the money from land purchases, he reinvested it into public schools, free from the clergy’s influence.

Disease was a constant threat, particularly because sanitation was so rudimentary. Londoners did care about hygiene, but the system to ensure it was virtually void. Toilet waste usually went into cesspits – the solid residue was taken away by night-soil men to be used as manure. Rubbish was collected by ‘rakyers’ (rakers) and taken to ‘lay-stalls’ outside the city. City authorities had built pipes to bring in fresh water, but even those were deteriorating. Upon one of his journeys thru the city, he was able to appoint a Londoner as a City Waste Manager and ensured he had the authority to make changes and enforce sanitation procedures decreed by Skye’s medical personnel. London would soon be subjected to Skye’s influx of medical personnel and the road to sanitary living would begin.

Over the past weeks, and into the months to come, Adam, Maahes, Ealora, and other Skye resources would invade England… not as a military force but as a team, working together to build a nation… to take what had been built and made it better… to enhance the very lifestyles of the people.

All this had made Adam and his Court a very popular, and welcomed, asset to all of England, but also, it had made him some enemies. People who were pleased with their wealth, land, and titles.

England was not the only place where forward movement was being made, but in Wales, Ireland, and the very heart of Scotland. The Mo’r Triath 'dair nan Gaidhlig Cinneach was a popular sovereign… but underneath that popularity was a faction working to eliminate the man named Adam Aberdeen.

[Chief Baliff Ealora]

Maahes:The day had been long, but the events passed quickly. Soon England would be left again, and Skye would be a welcome sight. Adam and He had spent the entire day in the streets, working through the matters at hand. Unfortunately Maahes was forced to leave Issa behind, but as he started up the stairs of their little home away from home he was greeted with nothing but smiles and warm hugs. Nora always stood at the door with their youngest waiting if Ealora could not, as there were days he would finish first. Ra's little arms waved for his father, and the first signs of a smile crept over the ever growing sun prince. Deep rich laughter left from his chest as he felt his heart warm with the new development-- He held such a grin just as the sun, and just as bright. "So big..every day." He spoke to the infant as he took him into his arms, and the baby was quick to rest his head against the Beast's shoulder living in moment his father was close. "Ealora is not home?" Nora would shake her head leading the two older children inside, "No..M'lord, not yet." Maahes would turn to the castle that sat down the street, and wondered if she was close to being finished. However, the gentle feel of Ra's soft curls was quick to have him close his eyes and inhale the baby's scent. "I have missed you, my son." A whisper then to the baby's ear as already Ra was not far from falling.

Ealora:The days always seemed long in England and though she felt a sense of pride in helping the Duke by sorting through artifacts; paintings, vases, tapestries and such in order to procure the money needed to see the people right. She missed home. London was full of life, just back home but it was not Skye. Just as Skye would never be Alexander, or Egypt. Each place was special with its own scents and signs of life and love. At least they had found a home to reside in for their time there, no more hard ground of the camps, though she didn't mind it, she had indeed become spoiled with a down mattress and there was something in the clothing that made her feel, well, like a woman. Though it wasn't easy to work in heavy and layered skirts, she was getting the hang of it. The only thing she disliked of working long and stressful hours in the castle and around the city every once in a while, was that she was away from family, Issa with Maahes, Eppie with her and Ra at home with Nora unless it was needed for both little children to stay with her to allow their parents a better work day. It had been another long day, she would not need to stay until the night as she had many times before but Maahes still managed to beat her home as his laughter seemed to radiate from the walls of the house as night descended across the city. Her hair was always pinned up nowadays, in truth it made it much easier to cool off but it was also the fashion of the city. Forest green skirts swayed as she leaned against the doorframe, her arms clasped behind her back as she watched their son in his fathers arms. Getting so big, and she was missing it. Her hand lifted as Nora mouth opened, a silent signal of her finger to her lips before the woman grinned. "I'll be going to see cook about supper.."She chimed while the children giggled as mommy seemed intent on sneaking up on daddy. Ealora had seen some of the poor in the city employed with them, to help Nora out, cleaning the house and seeing to dinner though she left Nora to oversee it all. The woman was on cloud nine in having people she could lord over herself. Fingers lingered over Maahes shoulder as she leaned up on her toes to whisper within his ear. "Boo"

Maahes:Though he let on well he did not hear her coming, the swish of her skirts gave her away. "You scare my son." He teased though Ra showed very little sign of moving and was even snoring over his father's shoulder. "And then we have a problem." He grinned turning to capture her lips within his own, and his hand supporting the back of their child. "You come home too late." He would start then as he straightened, and dark eyes narrowed upon her. "I do not wish you to continue your work if you feel distant from our family, but.." His free hand came to capture her hip squeezing gently. "It does make me feel very proud..and it makes me want you all over again." A small kiss then to her temple as the children rushed to meet their mother.

Ealora:The smile crept over her lips, he heard her coming, she knew it by his response. She knew him to well, then again, he knew her just as well. "Hmm, he scares as easily as his father.."She teased as the baby snored, yep just like his papa! Her fingers settled against his shoulder as the other rose to brush the curls of their sons hair away from his face. The baby moaned but settled with the scent of his mother enough to lull him back to slumber after the very brief wake up. Her head turned, lips capturing his own even as he claimed them and she hummed in a soft note of contentment. A smile curled over her lips at their 'problem' as Issa and Eppie joined them, hugging their mothers skirts in hello. She paused to give them each a hug and a kiss. "Where you good for Nanna Nora?" She mused and received a set of identical nods and grins. "Go wash up for supper.." She urged them before her attention was drawn back to him. "There is always sacrifice for the greater good, I will get more time with them when we return home for a visit. When will that be do you think?" The leaf pin within her hair, holding it up, shined briefly as she turned to meet the squeeze of her hip. "Soon we will need to braid his hair as we do yours.."She mused absently as she stroked the curls of their sons hair away from his face again. "I will cut back my hours so that I am home sooner, but I do enjoy what I am doing here."

Maahes: He rocked back and forth with his steps to ease their son deeper into his rest, "Home soon. By the end of the week. Adam says he will ride with us so it will be a homecoming for us all." He smiled, but fell silent listening to her speak of their son, and the matter of his hair. However he would be quick to shake his head, and then adjusted their son into the cradle of his arms. "He is not old enough. It will be years before he is ready for Anulia. It is her who started my own, would it please you to have her do the same? But...we will wait." His hand rose to his own thick locks and rubbed the back of his neck, "They are heavy, they hurt, and I wish him to wear armor." A confession he would only ever admit to her. Closing the distance between them he touched her elbow to still her steps, and it was clear he was examining the contents that held up her hair. Up her spine his fingers trailed to capture that leaf, and he would pull it free allowing her hair to tumble back to as he liked. "You are home, Habibi..you let your hair down." He smiled then and pulled her against him in a warm gentle hug.

Ealora: "I look forward to it then and it will be a welcome for the three of us, and the children, to go home together." Her head fell to his arm, swaying with him as he rocked their son. "I was teasing you my love.."She mused with a grin before her head turned to watch his face as he spoke. "If he wishes it,it would please me. An he will armor when he is ready, not to young, that is all I ask.." She rose to press a kiss against his cheek before she was moving towards the dining room only to still as he touched at her elbow. She let out a sigh, lids sliding closed as his hand trailed up her spine to the pin. Gods above if he didn't stop they would never make it to dinner. She felt the pin slid from her hair, felt the weight of it tumble downward without assistance to keep it up and grinned as she hummed in a soft note again as she embraced him into her arms. "I'll tell you a secret, I love when you take my hair down when I or you come home, which is why I leave it up until you do."She purred against his ear. Her hair rose as brush against his braids, musing over what he had said about them being heavy and hurting. "Maahes..you know I love you, no matter what, yes I love your braids as well, but if it pains you to have them, if you ever wished to rid yourself of them, I would not object, I love man you are, not your hair. So, are you hungry?"Just like them to shift the subject eventually to food!

Maahes:"You would love me without any hair for you to pull? Or to hit you in the face when we make love? Or what of Eppie? She would be upset if she could not tie ribbons on the end." He grinned with a small bit of laughter rising form his chest. "You would miss it." He cupped her backside as they walked in, the night now complete with dinner set upon the table and the happy chirps of the children laughing. However, it would be here he found himself quieting long enough to take in the sight. How many dirty faced children tonight still went without? Even with the giving and all the work so many still went without. If only he could find the room and time to devote to each little dirty faced smile that met him in the streets. "I would like to live here." He broke after the silence fell away, and all at the dinner table turned their attention to him with brows rose.

Ealora: "I would find other things to pull on to annoy you, and I would not miss being hit in the face when we make love, that hurts sometimes you know.."Through her speaking through she grinned. "Eppie would find someone else's hair to braid." She tipped up to capture his lips with her own"I would miss them, but I would still love you" she mused before nipping at them briefly before she was meeting him step for step. Dinner was always an occasion, never the same twice as the children's day was never the same each passing day, their imaginations ran wild and dinner was a time for them to tell stories or try to as Ealora and Nora urged them both to eat some before continuing with their story. More food ended up on the table and their faces and clothing then in their tummy, thank the gods Nora had the mind that she gave them full plates so they at least got what they needed before the table and little bodies were seemingly painted with food. Ra sat on her lap, happy to play with the food that fell on the table. Lord she was going to have a time with them later when it was bath time! She did not miss Maahes quietness at the dinner table but it wasn't like her to put him on the spot in front of the kids, he always told her in the end what was bothering him. At least dessert was quiet, the best part according to Eppie and Issa but the silence was broken by Maahes words. Four faces turned his way with raised brows but it was Ealora who looked surprised, not confused. "Live here in London? Permanently?"

Maahes:"Yes.." He answered slowly, clearly not expecting this reaction. "It is nice here, many new things. Lives that need us..you do not wish it? You want to see home soon?" He asked Eppie who gave a quick nod of her head, and he smiled , "Have you heard we visit soon?" Both of them grinned, and went back to their dinner. "Would you not wish it, wife?" He asked her finished with his plate and allowing one of the serfs to take it. "You would have much to do here, and not such a large home to maintain. You will have many people here who need of you, and the education is best. Would you not wish it?" He pressed his chair back to lean back, letting his hands fall to his lap folding as he watched her--waiting for her reaction.

Ealora: She licked at her lips as she shifted Ra within her lap to sit back within her chair. Briefly her eyes left his to find their children still staring at him. Happy they were visiting Skye again, content as it were with his answer. Perhaps it was easily to move around when you were children, everything was always a new adventure. She was happy enough to see them content and not upset by the desires of their father. For a long while she was quiet, if it was anyone but Maahes, they might think she was ignoring the questions but Maahes knew her well enough to know that she was thinking. "I would not...not wish it Maahes.."She finally stated softly, sighing as she shifted the baby on her lap and slowly began to bounce him. "Honestly, I had never entertained the idea. I never thought you would want to leave Red Wall behind, but the truth of the matter is, the people there are settled, my father and brother wrote that they are doing well, so my worries really do not lie there. I only think of the people in Skye, Shaden, Nic, Anulia, Danae. We would only be a days trip by sea I know.."She pressed her lips together for a moment. For once she was not so centered on her thoughts to form eloquent words. "I would not be displeased with it, if that is what you wish, then I would be happy to live here. Our home is where our family is Maahes, doesn't matter what land we settle on."

Maahes: He would have to think upon the matter, as he felt his heart pulling him here, but his heart was in fact his family--and his family would miss Skye. Maahes felt himself swimming only to keep his head above water, but not to get out. The war had been a quick and easy victory but the battle was half over. His heart didn't feel dark, or jaded. It felt full, needing a break. The joust would do them well, but with his shoulder still on the mend his participation would be limited. "Get my children in the bath Nora, Ealora, put Ra in his bed, then meet me outside." He gave his orders and Nora gave a nod moving from the table with ease, and Maahes made his way out into the English garden--a happy retreat he had come to love, and as the night started to fall it eased well into his heart. Though they had many homes around them, out here he felt himself alone.

Ealora:They both were going to have to think on the matter. It wasn't one that either of them could make lightly but Maahes never posed something lightly and without some thought to it. A slender brow arched upward at the command but she smiled to the kids as Nora wiped their faces and ushered them from the table. Slowly she followed while the staff cleared the table taking plates and unfinished food back to the kitchens. "Just a moment...what wasn't eaten, please pack it up and take it into town, there are others who could use what we could not eat and I don't wish people to starve when they don't have to." She paused to relay her orders before following Nora and the children upstairs to put Ra down to sleep before she was moving out into the night. She couldn't deny that she loved London, it was different, from Skye, from Egypt. No place was ever the same and she could not deny what he had said, they were indeed needed here. Home, was where the heart was and her heart was with Maahes and their kids, she had meant what she said, it didn't matter what land they settled on. Her hand slowly slid across his shoulder and down his back as she cupped his waist and lay her head against his arm. "You always like to throw me for loops. Why is that?" She was teasing of course, a good sign, she never teased when mad and how could she be mad over something he wanted? She couldn't, she always promised not to deny him anything and within her power, she never would.

Maahes: With the sun setting over the horizon he felt himself pulled to the vision before him, and only when she spoke did he notice her there. However it was a warm feeling the realize he was in her arms. "I do not wish to throw you anywhere you do not want to be, but the more I think of Red Wall the more I wish to stay here. There has been too much happen there, I feel it is cursed. I am not sure if I wish it or not to return. I keep the memory of the destruction in my mind..of my son..my wife..it makes me sick to think of my home." His hands curled around her hips and he rocked gently with her. "You do not like it here? Would you make me a home here just the same?" He pouted rocking with her, but allowing his pout to fall into a kiss against her neck. The warm skin of his lips brushing the cool tender flesh of her neck, and he would turn her own magic against her. With each warm kiss he tightened his hold upon her. "I do not mean to throw you for loops..I would just throw you on the ground if you wish?" HA! Take that hair flip!