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Post by King Adam Aberdeen I on Aug 5, 2010 19:59:58 GMT -6
Robin Gets into a Fight Robin MacGregor: The day was bright and beautiful, at least to a five year old it was. There was not much he understood past that his father, didn't like him much and the mother that adored him, was locked up. He had been taught to say sorry for doing something wrong, maybe standing in the corner for punishement or doing lines, like he saw at school would fix the problem. So why couldn't his Mommy and Uncle Mark say sorry and be let go?
He didn't understand it. His father, who had always been a cross man, seemed as if he had eaten a bag of lemons; he was sour, bitterly sour and even more menacing then before though he was quickly learning to stand up for himself and those he loved. He tried not to show his confusion, tried not to show emotion at the plays and puppet shows that showed his Mother ad Mister Iain getting the axe, something that often sent him into his Aunt Shyvonne arms. Why didn't her method of closing his eyes and imaging something else work anymore? He didn't understand it....that was the bane of his life, he just didn't get it and no one would explain it to him. He missed his Mother; he missed school, and days that seemed to make sense amongst all this chaos and misunderstanding. If this was what it was like to be an adult, he didn't want to be one.
Wasn't there a story about a boy who learned to fly and went to a magical island and lived as a little boy forever and always had fun? He wanted such a thing but he also did not want to leave his family. It was during one of these think sessions that Aunt Shyvonne had found him and presented him with a new toy, a leather ball that she promised he could play with anytime he wanted, especially now, out in the courtyard as long as he kept in view of the window where he could see her watching from time to time. In such a small and mindless looking object he could forget his troubles if for a few hours kicking the ball around, being that boy in Neverland, always to have fun.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: Aodhan and Davina, though older than most here, and trained in the paths of regency, were still children, and the joys of youth called them to play. The Ebony Prince spent much of his time in training, whether with sword or literature, or law. But his grooming for the future now a sideline. Davina, though much younger than her brother enjoy his swinging the jumprope for her. Smiles from them both, and the others that played with them, would offer a sense of peacefulness amongst the aura of the trial.Thaddeus and August Robertson: It was one of the cousins, a Robertson lad of some 9 summers or so and his little band of lost boys that also inhabited the courtyard, many children were out in the summer sun, running off energy , from being inside the last few days because of summer storms. Across the way, the royal children, Adam and Bess's Ebony Prince and Ivory Princess played with Kendrew and Lilianna's children under the watchful eyes of a Nanny. Thaddeus and August Robertson, roamed the courtyard looking for mischief, and it was Robin’s ball that crossed their paths... scooping it up... Thad, who was older by some four years, than the youngster that kicked and followed the ball... held it aloft… overhead out of reach… "I have a new ball Auggie." he teased the younger boy... showing his younger brother his new acquisition.Robin MacGregor: He had found a girl willing to play with him, her name was Rosie, and she had been sitting in the shadows watching him as he kicked his ball one day, ran after it, only to kick it the other way again, he had done this a couple times before he noticed the firey red-haired little girl watching him, and he had held out the ball in offering. The smile he received made him wonder if this was what was called courting, he wasn't ready for a wife yet, but the bright smile of the little girl had made him puff out his chest and return the smile and after a short introduction of "Robin" and "Rosie", they had taken to playing, kicking the ball back and forth between the two of them.
Even the giggling laughter of the little girl made him grin and he assumed, this was how Uncle Mark felt about Aunt Shyvonne. A few times he had seen them, late at night playing chess and when she laughed, Uncle Mark seemed to come alive in a way he never could describe, this wasn't love he was sure but maybe, just maybe....this was how it sorta started out. His little mind working scenario's he nearly missed the ball being kicked in his direction by Rosie and the top of his foot just caught the ball and sent it sailing in the air before plopping and bouncing before rolling to the feet of Thad Robertson.
"Hey!" He shouted and took off on a jog to catch up to the ball that Thad now held over his head. "That's my ball!" He spit out in true MacGregor pride.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: Aodhan, ever the valiant, shifted his eyes toward the three boys, causing the rope to miss its rhythm… and his sister’s foot caught it… “Aodhan…?” then she saw what her brother was interested in. Thaddeus and August Robertson: "Finders keepers loosers weepers…" the older boy chimed as he moved to and fro keeping the ball from its rightfull owner. "Catch Auggie." the ball was tossed to his younger brother by some 2 years, still older and bigger than Robin. Now the ball settled in Auggie's hands only to be held aloft again teasing the MacGregor boy… "Hey Thad... ain't that... the Witch's kid..?" Augie’s dirty blond hair was slicked back and oiled above his expensive clothes... yet dark eyes held the look of a malcontent... as he lowered the ball… almost offering it to Robin then jerking it away tossing it back to Thad. Now a circle of kids begin to join them, mostly older boys and a few curious girls as onlookers... Iain Robertson: From the dungeon, Iain could make out only familiar voices from the small high window… and he struggled to see what was happening above. Even tilting the bedframe upon its side and climbing atop it… And once there, he was still short of seeing out the window. With only strength of arms, he pulled himself up to witness his son against two older boys… and he snarled.Robin MacGregor: "You are loser's, now give me my ball back!" There were no manners with these boys, of this Robin was completely certain, as he jumped to catch the ball only to miss it as it passed to August. Growling, his fists balled at his sides. "Give.me.my.ball.back." He punctuated each word until August asked if he was the witch's kid. It did not take a genius to know who he was talking about as the witch and after seeing the puppet shows portraying his mother as a witch, it did not escape him just who they were implying. "My mother isn't a witch! What's your problem! Just give me my ball back!" Thaddeus and August Robertson: "Oh look Auggie, the little baby is going to cry !!” Thad moved now holding the ball out laughing each time the younger boy reached for it only to pluck it away. Thad was a bully, plain and simple, he was big for his age and enjoyed physically tormenting others... usually smaller weaker others... most often his targets were his cousins Alexander and Duncan... such wimps... who always cried and ran to their mother when he pinched or punched them; it was Auggie who enjoyed tormenting others with words... already this morning they had sent Alex and Duncan running for their mother’s skirts when they pretended to cut off his fathers head with an axe telling the younger boys they were going to be poor orphans… Indeed Thad and Auggie were motherless but their father… Theadore Robertson, did have an eye on the soon to be widowed Keliana…
Thad knew this as a secret... that he held close to him... something he had seen late at night… "She is too a witch and she's going to Die... with her Lover… they both are... and you'll be an orphan... just like Alex and Duncan... perhaps you will go to the city workhouse... maybe a farmer will adopt you ?” The boy spat out caustically.Robin MacGregor: "I'm not going to cry. Give it back!" Robin continued to chant as he weaved back and forth to catch the ball that was often held out to him only to be jerked away. He had often seen Thad and August teasing other boys and knew they were not likely to back down. They were cruel and they enjoyed it. Finally, he had enough of trying to catch the ball and stood defensive with his hands at his sides.
Never once had his mother ever displayed herself above being a regal woman. He knew she had displayed nothing but pride for the MacGregor clan, she acted better then any woman he had known at the castle and he had heard the castle guards whispering about the latest tirade between lord and ladies though he was not sure what exactly they were talking about, he was sure his mother was not party to it. "You better shut up about my mother!" He warned with a growl. Thaddeus and August Robertson: "Or What?" Auggie grinned the slick grin of a snake oil salesman... "You will do what little boy... run tell mommy....? Oh no. wait, you cannot cause she is locked up…" he cackled as they circled Robin, his booted foot making contact with the back of Robin's knee to take the boy off his feet… "Your mother is a witch and a whore and she is going to get the axe... or worse... be burned at the stake…" he crowed as Thad tossed him the ball... it now bounced back and forth hand to hand before Robins face… "You and you whole pathetic family need to go back to your own lands… you all stink of pigs !!”Robin MacGregor: His fists still balled at his sides were shaking with rage as the boys began to circle around him, still calling chants and jibs at his mother, each one igniting more rage seething beneath his skin until he was kicked at the shin and fell. His knees stung as they hit the dirt, his eyes watering as dust was kicked up into face by his falling hands and knees, but he hardly felt it with the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He didn't think… he simply acted, propelling himself up from the ground as Thad and Auggie now tossed the ball back and forth between them. He went for Auggie, not because he was younger or slightly smaller than his brother, but because he was the one jaunting about his mother… and his body connected with August, his shoulder into the boy’s stomach as he propelled them back to the ground he had just jumped up from… and straddling the boy’s waist, began to pommel the boy’s face with his fists, chanting… "Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up!!!!" Rosie who had been watching horrified ran from the courtyard to get a grown up.Iain Robertson: Having lowered himself, due to weakened arms, he could only listen, until Robin’s voice… Again, he pulled himself up and watched as long as his arms would allow.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: “Tis a clan squabble aga’n…” she chimed, her brother nodding. Adam and Bess had tried to teach their children responsibility, fair judgement, and what was right and wrong… But it was Dmitrii, Aodhan’s sword trainer, teachings that would influence the boy in this particular instance.
Dmitrii, always in the mix of things, would relay stories of old that would influence Aodhan’s decisions to protect the helpless. And in this instance, Aodhan, using Dmitrii’s teachings, did not intervene, as the boy was holding his own…Thaddeus and August Robertson: Shocked.. Auggie fell beneath the younger boy's onslaught, the same shock, that a younger boy fought back, allowed Robin to get in several punches, before Thad had him by the scruff of the neck pulling him off his sibling. Suddenly Thad punched Robin, in the eye, sending him flailing backward… then followed... to jump atop him; a complete reversal of the scene of Robin pinning Auggie earlier… Auggie however got to his feet and begin to kick at the younger boy, as if he were the leather ball that now rolled away. Around them children chanted… “Fight fight fight fight…” as the Brothers Robertson and the MacGregor boy rolled and tumbled throwing punches like seasoned fighters.Shyvonne MacGregor: It was Robin calling 'shut up about my mother' that caught her attention and she leaned over the window to peer down, but Robin was out of sight. Lifting off the window seat, she threw her book down and hurried out the door. Rosie’s face was all ready tear stricken, her eyes red and puffy as she pointed a finger at the door barely able to stammer anything before Shyvonne hand was passing over the little girl’s head and she was flying through the door with Rosie close behind. "Stop it!" Shyvonne yelled in a high authority ridden voice as she slid to a stop outside the ring of children that had gathered around the two boys now beating her nephew upon the ground. Shoving through the crowd, she pulled Thad off Robin and shoved August back before pulling Robin from the ground and into her arms. "You boys are in a lot of trouble." She hissed as she wrapped her arms around Robin as she pulled him back from still trying to fight back.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: The Ebony Prince and his sister stood behind the gathered crowd and as the Prince started to move in to aid the MacGregor lad, the Lady Shyvonne appeared out of nowhere. Meanwhile, Davina was moving other children away from the squabble. “Yae should bae ashamed o’yerselves… we are one people… nay separate clans… these boys are bullies… naew get back…” she was chastitizing each one as small petite hands pushed the larger kids back.Thaddeus and August Robertson: "Momma's boy." Thad called out as he was shoved aside... and then Auggie smirked, blood running down his face. "Saved by a woman… baabby!!” he chimed in both boy's walking off with a swagger. Some of the other children following them as if they were young godlings... while the others dispersed chattering about the excitement...Shyvonne MacGregor: Rosie had skirted around the crowd and collected the fallen ball. Silently she followed Shyvonne inside as she dragged Robin by the arm until they were safely inside and out of earshot of others. "Oh your mother is going to kill me." she hissed as she draped at the cuts and scraps along Robin face while bruises were just beginning to take shape and form. "What were you thinking!" She chastised him, as Leigha appeared with a bottle and cloth, and Shyvonne stopped for a moment utterly amazed and grateful to the woman who attended her every need. The cork was taken from the bottle and a fair amount of witch hazel, foul smelling liquid it was, was poured on the cloth and then pressed onto Robin rapidly blackening and puffing eye. "Fighting should ALWAYS be a last resort Robin, or walking away, did you even think of that." Iain Robertson: Having lowered himself again, he now heard Lady Shyvonne’s intervention… and the words that followed. A tear came to his eye as he climbed down, knowing that Robin was truly cared for… and that Chloe’s admission, should they be found guilty, that Shyvonne would take Robin and care for him.
He stood and righted the bedframe, fixing the straw mattress right; he sat upon it, his face falling into his hands. “What have I done…??” Robin MacGregor: Robin was still seething as he was pulled up by his Aunt. He was grateful really to be saved from a beating but that didn't stop him from wanting to fight back and punch the words right out of the boys’ vocabularies. "They were insulting my mother!" Robin hissed back at his Aunt and instantly regretted it as she glared at him before pressing the foul smelling cloth to his eye which was closed and swelling. Ultimately she was right, but with stubborn MacGregor pride, he wasn't going to admit it.Shyvonne MacGregor: "I'll admit, you did admirably well against two boys larger then you but next time, walk away Robin. They are just words." Shyvonne retorted with a sigh as she wiped a new rag soaked with witch hazel against his cuts and bruises. "That doesn't mean your not in trouble either mister. Go up to the room with Leigha and I'll have dinner brought to you. For now, your grounded." and her face fixed as she pointed to the stairs. "I'll talk to Thad and August father about their behavior, your not completely to blame but next time Robin, you must use your wits. It's our wits that make us Robin, not our fists." And she jerked her head in dismissal of him as she cleaned up and headed off to find Teddy Robertson to have a talk with him about his sons.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: The Lady Shyvonne had saved the day, but the bullies mocked the MacGregors still… Aodhan’s dark eyes narrowed and he left going the opposite way. Around the outside of the courtyard, as the two bullies exited thru the gate, Aodhan stood just outside. Thaddeus and August Robertson: “Oh look Auggie... tis the Ebony Prince… where’s yer Papa, tryin' tae decide whose arse tae wipe?” he chanted, teasing and trying to agitate Aodhan.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: Davina had followed Aodhan, never to be outdone, she was hot on his heels. And as she approached she heard the bullies. “Yae are mean… no less than the Carver…” Carver MacDonald was now considered an evil icon… an adjective in language form. Aodhan pulled at Davina’s dress pulling her behind him. “Be mae lookout my sister, whilst I speak tae these two…” and he smirked a wicked grin…one similar to his Father’s.
Davina took her position, just as Aodhan grabbed the two by their shirts and slammed them against the wall of the courtyard. “Yae know who Ah bae… but dae yae know wot Ah could do tae yae?” He smirked again as the two boys felt the strength in his arms as they stood on tiptoes under his grasp. “Ah tried tae stay outta local affairs… baet yae pick on people lesser than yaerselves… and there shall bae no more… Ah promise naew, a’fore God that if’n Ah hear o’trouble yae make, nae only Ah coom back tae deal with ya, the Griffin’s wrath shall bae thrust upon those that bore yae… and yae speak o’ this tae anyone… Ah shall coom in the dark one night when yae nay know when, and Ah swear yae shall nae speak e’r again…” The dark eyes, now narrowed, could have offered idle threats, but the boys under his grasp could know no difference. All they could do was nod… for their faces displayed true fear of the moment.
This was not his Father’s diplomacy, nor his Mother’s passive aggression, but Dmitrii’s influence… or maybe the influence of the tales of a landless knight roaming the land to help those less fortunate… or the aggressiveness of the White Hound of Scotland… Whatever the influence, Aodhan took it upon himself to help… in any form he could use…
Davina looked back and stuck out her tongue… and gave a wicked smile… “Ya think he trains every day in the tiltyard for nothing?” and behind him, a sister who would face danger to aid her brother.Thaddeus and August Robertson: It was the first time in many years of their young lives that the two boys cried… tears streaked their faces; for fear now set in. A fear they were not used to feeling. And when the larger boy let go of them… they ran toward the woods, not their homes, to hide their shame. And as they ran into the streets toward the woods, others would tease them as they had teased others.Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: To their lack of attention, Davina and Aodhan now stood before witnesses… the cheers and applause from young hands. And the dark skin of Aodhan darkened, with a blush… and Davina stood proud of her brother. “Long live the Griffin… Long live the Griffin…” erupted in voices of the children as the pair passed others on their way to play… the crowd of children following them. Adults would see what the result was, but would be bewildered to know what brought about such revelry… and no child would speak a word to questioning adults… only responding to their parents or caregivers that it was a game they played.
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Post by King Adam Aberdeen I on Aug 5, 2010 21:07:46 GMT -6
This is: Part 1 [/size] Roric Campbell II: The funny thing about being made a look out once as a child is it is a quality that sticks with you as you grow. Roric was neither little child nor full grown man, but on the verge of the years between these things. Twelve was tadamount to ancient in the world of children. He had two sisters and a new younger brother. Before he remembered a time when it was only himself and Kiley. While the great bru-haha came and went, while the Prince set things to right he grinned seeing the glow of it. Aodhan was his close to his age. In many ways they'd grown up together still despite the amount of odd miles formed when the Campbell family moved to Drynoch to attend their own future.
Aodhan would still make headway across the Valley with the WeaponMaster under the guise of additional lessons while the older men would smoke a pipe together at days end. What did this leave the boys to do but show off to one another growing skills? Roric was so envious of Aodhan's double sword technique, yet Aodhan himself had commented that the Campbell's history of being ancient spearmen, and then pike carries, was a training hallmark that built his friend's incredible upper body strength surely. His sword arm wasn't weak. His father taught him you could do far more with a pole arm if you were strong enough. A thrust of middling ranges, a high to low swipe. It made him a force of reckoning in the tilt yard with a lance! His sword was already meant for a boy two years older but he was strong enough for it now. It was a sign since Kyleakin of respondsbility to wield a real sword. Naturally, of course, his father said it had no place in Struan as a symbol of vanity which left the likes of him with only a dirk in his boot. "Say Aod! Tha' was right done. Ye showed 'em without liftin a finger! If ye had tae they'd be cryin' fer their mothers." A few children in the parting collective laughed as the show being over, they went back to their own activities. "N'ye, m'lady princess and sister, such help givin." He bowed to them. Shouldn't Kiley be..well..sure. But even though he was 12 and she was 8, sometimes a few years meant little. They had their own trials to surmount together. Campbell's pity kids.
Davina and Aodhan Aberdeen: "Wasn't he amazin'! Oh father would be proud..well..fer most o' it, and thank ye..kiiind sir." The little princess dipped into a curtsy. Among the talk of bonds to be formed, what bonds were made here? New enemies, new friends? Aodhan tried to swallow up his blush as it wasn't very....'heroic' and he hated it occasionally showed even on his darkened face. He was convinced it was his mother's fault, for her pale skin showed things so plainly. Was there a layer of white under his brown? A child could think so.
Kylie Campbell: Maturity seemed something bred into most clan children at a young age; obviously not the two that had taken up taunting young Robertson though. As for the Campbell and Aberdeen children though, they seemed to have it in spades and yet still had the ability to be children at other times. During the argument itself Kylie had spent her time observing quietly, though wanting to give each of those boys a stern tongue lashing of her own(she'd learned well from the women in her family, of course), and then aided the Nanny in ushering the other children inside. Glenna had been upset by the yelling and arguing, and Morgan was fussing, and the woman was so that distracted that... well, when Kylie decided to duck back outside to go find Roric, there was nobody to stop her. It wasn't hard to find him either! Follow the trail of children still outside, and sure enough there he was...and where he was? Well there was Davina and... Aodhan. Kylie stood behind her brother, watching raptly as the Prince put the fear of God into each one, and it was only when Roric spoke and the cheering came through that Kylie realized... oops she'd been doing it again! Och, Ky stop that before he notices you making moon eyes at him like some silly girl who stares at Roric! Cheeks turned scarlet and she quickly looked down with a laugh, "All I did Roric was observe, but thank you."
Davina Aberdeen: "Ky!" Davina was five years old but so close to six. Not unlike poor Robin who was picked on so terribly. When you were the Princess, she realized, there certain things people did overmuch and others they didn't do at all. Oh sure, she'd been the brunt of a joke but how far it went was so lax by comparison to what the boys did. People treated you like a pair of new white gloves when you were a Princess! She enjoyed delicacy, but she wasn't going to grow up to be one of those 'empty heads' her tutor kept telling her about. Oh the Chamberlain wished her head was already a bit lighter, but that just wouldn't happen. She was a proper lady yes... but so was Ky, no? Ky would one day be one of her Maids of Honor, together they'd go to balls, parties, dances, and have lessons again! "Is it nay good tha' at least we've one another a lot o' days aye? N' sae many children, dun think this many children e'er gather at court, but I dun know, just only learned tae count tae hundred on paper n' can nay count a person past fifteen, tis..tae borin." She hugged Kiley, little nose twitching like a bunny. "Hey, yer face, why be it red? Ye dun take sick did ye...the fightin' didn't... affend yer comistution?" A hand to her heart, she led her friend just aside the boys.
Kylie Campbell and Roric Campbell II: Most days Kylie felt the same way. It was disheartening how different some expected girls to be from boys. Though Kylie was still apt to romp around in the mud more often than not, some felt it necessary to treat her like a doll. Irritating was not the word. She wasn't necessarily prone to violence, but there were days- like today- where she wanted to pound a few faces. She tried to be a proper lady though when the time called for it. "Och, some days Davina I think the world be falling apart! Nay even able to be civil to one another..."
Of course, Roric and Aodhan were already falling into conversation and considering their sisters...well like they were girls. Even for brothers it never failed to baffle them how confusing the opposite sex could be, and at such a young age! Roric had easily noticed his sister's blush, "Nay worry about tha' blush of hers. Ky tends ta get embarassed when ye catch her with her head in the clouds!" Oh, that earned him quite the glare from Kylie. Hugging Davina back, glad to be moved away from the boys. Almost comically both eyes widened, "Davina...what is a comistution? Be sounding horrible! My face be all rosy cause I was starin' at Aodhan like a nitwit again..." She sighed dramatically, as if it were the end of the world.
Aodhan and Davina Aberdeen: The Prince had a reputation even larger than his height. Still, he was a boy with the want to have friends, to romp about, to make sport about the country, with little more than a care for the exact hour the nurse would expect him back again. Wrapping an arm around Roric he smacked his shoulder thrice (as he'd seen the Men of Court do) while him and Roric moved away to discuss 'boy's business.' Davina gasped as Roric just flat out put his sister on display "Roric Campbell, you stop makin' Kiley feel put off or I'll tell yer mother!" The small girl waved her finger at the big boy as if that would have an impact. Aodhan muttered to his fellow, "She be daein' tha, our mothers do tha, wot do you think the finger bit means?" Davina was gone then to commiserate with her fellow feminine being. "It's awful isn't it! Just awful! Some of the other clan children be nay this way, but the older boys n' girls ... that's where they learn it from, the young ones." Oh so sure, oh so ancient. Not really. She fumbled for more descriptive words but after all… she was still five. "They tease the Argyll children too, merci-less-ly. The Colliers are awful nice though, they always have sweets in their pockets. There are lots of nice Robertson children tae, not like Auggie and Theo, ooooo.....I wanted to...throw my slipper! It upset my comistution. You know, Ky, I think a comistution makes you change color or… or get angry or ... ye know, fluttery like? What e'er it is, it must be either in the head or in the bosoms, because me nurse n' ladies beforever holding theirs when they say somethin upsets it, e'en mine! Do you think they can see our comistutions? Maybe tha's why they make us sit under shade when we want tae play. Your comistution changes when ye make moon eyes at my brother? I think boys make girls moon eye sick sometimes… they look at Roric funny."
The Campbell Children: "Don't be of any use ta threaten him, Davina. Even adult boys do nay seem ta understand." Kylie glared hard again at Roric who laughed, whispering back to Aodhan, "Think it jus' makes 'em feel important. Ma be doing it often ta Da, but never see him cower." His own hand imitated that of Aodhan's to his friends back, and then then got all into "boy" conversation. Kylie couldn't understand how you could spend so long talking about a piece of metal. At times it sounded like they could marry their swords. Boys. "Do calm down Davina. Nay see any shade around to rest your comistution." This comistution business sounded most dreadful yet the explanation made total sense! Wasn't her Mother always getting' red in the face when angry or placing hand against chest when upset? Oh dear...oh dear... "Course they do! Never see 'em getting all moon-eyed and fluttery though. Wonder if boys have a comistution? Maybe only we do..." Kylie's mind easily switched back to the matter of the children though. A shake of dark head was given with a long, drawn out sigh, "Some days the adults act worse than us children and they be wonderin' why we can't get along! Just the other day I saw some grown Robertson man taunting a MacGregor man like they were Auggie and Theo's age. Women be nay better... we need ta change things Davina! I don't want ta grow up and be like them."
The Aberdeen Children: "Really Ky? Tha's a shame! Ye know Mama does it tae Da n' sometimes he sighs, n' throws up his hands and does what she wants. Does it only work on some days, like... maybe Monday?" Aye, Monday. In class, she learned that was named it next Monday aye? Aodhan watched them go off while him and Roric sat down to compare boot dirks. Oh what bully things they were! They'd played with his wooden collection ever since he met Roric a few years ago, but now they had real man's weapons! Could cut steak with it, whittle wood with it, go off to war. Dirks! "Girls are sae strange. We each gots two sisters, and even though Muri's only two… ye know she makes nay sense either. Why two? How come ye can nay rub a belly n' make it a male? Old warlocks dae in stories, but tha's for kids. Ror, wot was Kyleakin like? Ah wanted tae gae but Ah've got way more than one guard tae get by. Were ye a messanger boy, a squire? Oh did ye hold a flag... did ye get anyone?" He put his weight over his knees and looked serious, for that was what old veterans did. For all his maturity, they still copied what was a hero to them.
Seeing her finger was long since of no use for the male persuasion, she used it instead to flick her hair. That worked! A bit aways one of the boys watched her do it and got the 'moon eye sickness'. Being teased, he quickly got over it. They did not know of it though, they had serious lady matters to discuss! "Adult boys n' girls can be bad tae, but no one e'er puts them in a corner, or tells them nay marzipan. Maybe their nannies didn't help their comistutions with shade… or... carrots." Vegetables were so important. She ate hers all up but Aodhan always picked at them. It was why her hair was so glossy, and her skin so pretty, and her comistution straight. Did it wrinkle? "Yes yes, I must calm down. Say look, there is a bench, let's sit on it? Maybe the maids can bring us real ladies fans, the big woven ones, then we won't get too hot. Comistutions get too hot you know. While just the other day Miss Lady Beth got o'erheated n' fainted in the hallway. I think she went intae a fit because someone called her a terrible name. No one tells grown ups tae stop bad words either! Yer right Ky! When I am big, n' a bigger Princess people listen tae, ye will be with my ladies! ye n' I will make it right! We won't let it happen. No. We won't let 'em take someone's ball or pull someone's hair or use terrible words! We'll grow up proper. Like Ma says. She says sometimes she wasn't sae proper though." Speaking of things to do, she thought of poor Robin, "Say,we should give Robin a new ball, n' a set o' the wood pins tae knock o'er with it, and new paints as a present, n' we'll play with him. N' if they make fun of him..well..." Her offended comistution might just allow her to throw a slipper or act like Murieall... God for… for..what was it she thought… For...bidden? Yes, God Forbidden. Murieall was not very lady like.
The Campbell Children: Kylie blinked a few times, thinking on this Monday matter, and nodded as if positive, "That just might work! Monday sounds like a good day ta try. We'll both do it and maybe that'll make it work too. Sometimes it seems ta work for Ma, but then Da smiles and kisses her, and suddenly she be all...moon-eyed sick." Little head shook as if this were the most dreadful thing. How even adult women seemed to fall prey to such a powerful illness was...well intimidating! Kylie didn't want to be makin' moon-eyes at Aodhan still when she was an adult. No, instead she wanted him ta make them at her. That was an image that brought a grin...Aodhan makin' moon-eyes and her just tossing her pretty hair like she'd seen some older girls do!
Roric on the other hand had forgotten about the girls, for the most part anyways. Sometimes their yammering couldn't be shut out no matter how hard one tried girls. "They be very strange, Aod. Can nay understand it either. Well, I know tha' don't work any. When Glenna be upset and a-cryin' loud-like sometimes I rub her belly ta calm her down, and she still be a girl..." Though Aod was right! Even Glenna at her age didn't make sense. Good thing he'd gotten a brother this time around. "It be...excitin' and dangerous, Aodhan. I do nay know how ta describe it. I got ta deliver messages and hold the banner! All tha' fighting going on around meh and...there I be in the middle. Wish ye could 'ave been at my side!" Of course, to one so young it was terribly exciting and dangerous even though he was mainly safe the whole time.
Kylie was happy to lead Davina over to the bench. "Breathe slowly, tha' is what Ma says when Glenna gets upset. It should help your comistution. We can't be lettin' those boys from earlier bother it. Nay like it be of any help to! We'll just 'ave ta show them like you said." Aye, that was a brilliant idea. Davina, for being younger, was oh-so-wise. Kylie was of the opinion that she'd make a wonderful Princess when bigger. Her friend would change this hateful world with her smiles and intelligence! "Lets befriend Robertson. We can be best of friends and even make Roric and Aodhan play with us. They dare ta make fun of us well... we'll sick our brothers on 'em or or... well, I heard once that Ma threw an apple at some ladies bottom. We can do tha'!"
The Aberdeen Children: "Oh yes yes! Tha' isn't lady like but it's really funny aye?" She giggled as she asked the maids to bring them straw fans. It was done, so Aodhan would look up as Roric talked wondering why now the girls were a'fanning themselves on a bench like he saw the other ladies do in the gardens or the towns. Sometimes they made their eyes look odd under or over the things. Maybe all girls knew secrets boys didn't. It wasn't fair when men had to do all the fighting! Well...some women fought...but still! "We can throw our slippers n...shake our fans, walk off just like we see them dae in court! Ooh we can tell them how mad our comistutions be in French!" For that would be precisely what a household of perfect French as insituted by Inveryne, as continued under the Chamberlain was for, no? "Aye, tha's wot we'll dae. Ye are sae smart Ky, eight must mean ye be sae. I wish I was eight."
Erstwhile the boys were in a fantasy under war banners.. Aodhan got moon eyes but they went normal again. Girls were bizzare with that. "Why, Roric, I would be there iffn Ah could really! N' ye know Ah will one day! Ah will lead the men, n' ye know..m'brother Gabriel will get bigger, n' Morgan tae n' they'll come along, n' sae will ye! Aye..we shall be men with fine horses. Ah'll give ye one from my stable from Uncle Eamonn! We'll gae all o'er. Scotland, n' Ireland where Uncle Jack the Admiral be.. .we'll dae it all m'friend, promise?" So he offered his black hand to shake, thankful they were colorblind. "Let's make sure tha' Robin comes tae, he seemed right bully ta teach auggie n' theo wot for, Mum would have boxed m'ears if I did tha', all our mums would, but he needs a big brother like sorts m'thinks aye?"
The Campbell Children: Kylie's own giggles mingled with those of Davina's, and drifted to draw confused glances from the boys. Roric especially gave a shake of his head. "Tha' be explainin' why it's left ta us men ta fight." Ahh, look how easily they referred to themselves as men instead of boys these days. "Nay only are they confusin', but a wee bit o' sunlight seems ta make 'em tired. Fannin' themselves like some high-and-mighty ladies."
Kylie was happy to accept the fans though, offering one to Davina, and expertly held hers just like she saw the other ladies do. "Ah, that be right Davina! We'll make those boys run cryin' ta their Mothers. Though I might be needin' some more lessons in French. Ma tries ta teach me it, she lived in France for awhile, except some of it be really hard." Dreadful if she couldn't learn a language that her friend could. They had to learn everything together! Otherwise the world would fall apart, no? That was how it felt anyways. "Do ye think we'll be considered improper if we throw apples at their bottoms? I mean our Mothers aren't always proper...and they're considered ta be proper ladies." Kylie so hoped they would be deemed proper by others. She wondered if the boys could ever understand all the weight put on a woman's shoulders, but of course the boys were busy with their own.
Roric gave a hearty pat to Aodhan's shoulders, "Aye, tha' he did. Rather like that Robertson fellow. Think he be willin' ta train with us sometime? Ye 'ave ta start trainin' us men young, so my Da says, that way we'll be fit ta ride under your banner one day Aod. Make ye a King who can be proud of his warriors!"
The Aberdeen Children: "Ah think tha' I should give Robin my old wooden double swords, ye think he' dlike it? Ye can dae a lot with them ya know, n' those boys wouldn't touch him again if he was armed. Well its wood but ye can nay have real steel at five. Ya have to be older." For as we know eleven and twelve were positively ancient.
How the boys judged them for their sunshine, their fans. Well, they were insituting proper policy over on that bench! "Och, ne'er. You know mama is a proper lady now, but Aod told me she used tae go to war like a man does, and sail a ship like a man does and she can sure shoot an arrow! I dun wanna man a ship or do man things, but I'd sure like to be good with a bow! Some ladies go on hunts… I just want tae be able to shoot well. Maybe shoot Aodhan's rear when he be dumb. I'll teach him nay tae make ye moon eye sick." The terrible illness made women daft it did! Why, even her mother moon eyed her father, she told Ky, and often! Mom could make dad go moon eyed as well with but a single word. Did Moon Eyes give you power? Seemed adults had too much of that. They'd grow up proper and use it right!
Aodhan gave a sagely nod to Roric, as they agreed. "He's five, Robin, but that's a good age to start. He probably has lots of schoolin already being a clansmen's boy. We won't let him hear about those bad puppet shows either, ye know... Davina is right about one thing. Tis wrong what they do, not just with Robin but with all the fun they have at another's expense. I think they are nay sae cruel to me, out of fear." Fear of his station... and fear his flesh caused some. Not so much in Turas Lan, yet… elsewhere.
The Campbell Children: Poor Robin's own was locked in the dungeon. If they found the woman guilty well... she'd be killed! Poor boy. Kylie couldn't imagine the boys discussing any real weighty matter, and so could only imagine they, as girls, were discussing the weightier topics. "Aye, the Lady Asad-Aziem mans a ship. Though I don't want to do man things like tha' it does sound exciting...doesn't it? Ah, Davina, sometimes I do nay know what I want ta be when I grow up. I just be knowin' tha' I want to make a difference..." That was what she wanted to do! Giggling at the image of Davina shooting Aodhan in the rear, she put a hand over her mouth, "Oh, would you? Or just shoot me in the rear? Tha' will make me stop doing it!"
Roric, with such a weighty thought on his mind, gave a good glare in the direction of the girls as brows scrunched up, "Listen to 'em laughin' with not a care in the world. I bet Robin would be likin' ta laugh like tha' or play like us. Ah, Aod, why must people be so cruel ta the boy? He's hurtin' and all those people can be doin' is makin' games. Ye are right though. They do nay ta you or me out of fear, but some days I be wishin' they would so I could give 'em what for."
The Aberdeen Children: "Oh Ky, I could never!" She laughed so free that Aodhan was right annoyed with the way things were around here they couldn't be serious. Didn't the nurses always say serious for serious, play for play? These were serious times. "But I will tell ye a secret, want to know?" She held up her fan as she'd seen some of the other grown ladies do for it sure made a grand shelter against spies. Boys always spied! Never minded their own affairs while all they really talked about were plates of metal, banged themselves up, or did silly things like that. "Aodhan makes moon eyes at the Govenor o' Ireland's daughter Seanna. Why, they 'ave an arrangement!" It was the big to-do among the older girls from fourteen to seventeen, whom they were being paired with. Who was being courted, who had permission, or whose father was wise enough to elect someone for their daughter to court, or even marry! Some fathers knew best but fathers started out as boys… so… some girls rightly had hissies. "But they can't say yeah or nay tae it until they are a good n' proper age. Ma says a good n' proper age is sixteen, though if they were tae be mature, they may say sae at fifteen. Sometimes dae says seventeen. Have ye gots an arrangement Kiley, where they say wot boy is best? Ah dun want tae grow up n' get one yet… wot if we get boys like wot tried to hurt Robin, or like tha' MacKinnon wot eats his nose stuffs. Ewwww!" She shivered, a horror! "Ah just want to change things tae, but sometimes...sneak a bit o' grown folk things. Like the pretty dresses, or… the jewelry… or the best pieces o' marzipan or chicken. Or the way they curtsy without practice! Dae ye think my curtsy is okay?"
Aodhan waved a hand off at that silly flip flop talk over there, "When I am king I want tae change it sae tha' the women stay put again, see why? I dun thing ma would let me though, she says some people are just different, n' different isn't bad sae much as people won't become used to it quick. Dae says tha' if people were all the same we'd be bored. I shall be a King, n' ye shall be my best man! Robin shall be one tae, for he is quite smart. He’ll get bigger like us. He needs our help. I hope tha'.." he whispered, "I snuck in past the jailer once tae see where they kept 'im. I asked father why they must be there, ' tis hard for a man but surely no place for a lady, we wouldn't put our ladies there." Let anyone try, he'd kick their arse from here to London town! "Father says tha' sometimes… the way our heart feels is nay wot we must dae, n' our head must be used. It must be quite hard tae dae it. They look sae worn, m'mother and father. What of yours, Roric? E'ery grown folk likes like one of those stage people lately. Don't you hate it?"
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Post by King Adam Aberdeen I on Aug 5, 2010 21:09:02 GMT -6
Part 2 The Flynn Children: T'would be an odd sight that would greet the eyes of the Bracadale's sentries. From o'er the horizon came a quartet of ships, with the mark of war showing clearly upon three of them. In number, they were a carrack, two caravels...and a galleon. The carrack and caravels clustered around the galleon, as though they might protect the enormous warship. Even in their state. There were mast rent asunder, sails that had been torn by the passage of cannonballs, and here and there gaped a whole in their side. But what would truly catch the sentries' eye? The flag that they flew. They flew the uncrowned harp of Ireland... beneath the personal banner of the Lord-Governor and his Lady wife. The came cautiously into port. One ship - a humble merchant - would skirt too close to the Irish ships. An' near have a warning shot put across its bow. The Irish were not usually a jump lot. Even when mauled. What the devil was going on? When at last the Irish vessels came to their berths, the poor Harbor Master was near accosted by Commodore O'Cleary -- one of Jack's most experienced captains. "I come upon an urgent quest! Ye will waist nae time in tellin' me true. Where is Her Majesty, the Queen?" Upon the deck of the great galleon, an armed honor guard - near fifty strong - was forming. At its core? Seanna soothed her young brother Seadon and sister Sealia.... but, more distressingly, the Lady Maragurite Flynn wasn't with her children. Where was she?
The Campbell Children: Secrets were generally called such for a reason. Yet the one Davina revealed didn't really seem as though one. Except for the part where she confirmed Aodhan and Seanna's arrangement. Of course, it made sense. Kylie had been envious of Seanna for some time now. The closeness between Aodhan and her, they had known each for a long time, and it was only inevitable that they be arranged then eventually married. It was one reason why she worked so hard to not make moon-eyes at the Prince. Next to Seanna...well there was not a chance. Such a pretty girl was she. Sighing forlornly, Kylie nodded, "I suppose that would be most horrid ta marry a boy like tha'. Did nay I tell you tha' I asked my parents about an arrangement? They told me ta wait until I was older. Suppose tha' be like your Da tellin' them they must wait until they be sixteen or seventeen ta decide. We be to young ta know what we want now." Indeed, though they giggled and laughed it wasn't all flippery talk! The boys just didn't understand. "They be glarin' at us again like we're ninnies. We don't have fluff in our heads!" Indeed they didn't, but the boys didn't know that.
Roric could understand all of what Aodhan was saying. "Aye, your Da be a wise man and King. It would be borin' fer sure. Though I wish some people be so...jus' so the world nay always turnin' topsy-turvy." When Aodhan talked of adults and puttin' on like on a stage though his face fell... "I know what ye mean...tha' be my parents. Been fightin' since afore Struan and... don't be tellin' please...it scares me. I pray ta God they make up soon, Aod." Aye, that Roric did.
Kylie was of the same mind. The child had serious thoughts on her mind, and was about to respond to Davina when... adults whispering, guards runnin' out and hollerin' orders, and Struan come to life brought a distraction for all. What was going on? Kylie darted up from the bench, straining on tiptoes to see, and saw the flag on broken mast in the distance... "Oh dear, Davina, tha' be the Irish flag! What has happened now..." As if there weren't enough things going wrong. Roric shot to his feet as fast and ran to his sister's side, "It'll be alright, Ky. Our parents will see ta tha'..."
The Aberdeen Children: Inwardly she felt so sad for poor Kylie, she understood some 'moon eyes' meant you got a heart pal..palpa...what were they now… paletpations… which meant your stomach would flip, which meant you were in love. If that is so, then her father was sick, sick, sick. Her mother was sick sick sick. The Campbells were sick sick sick. Didn't the stage plays say that Iain of the Robertsons loved Chloestrain? Some sickness must not get cured with the right person… that must have been why they fought now, right? Well, there were still other matches, though Gabriel was far tooo young for such a mature friend like Kylie. Bah. Couldn't they adopt another brother, as they had adopted Esme? Yet… no one would hear of it after what happened to her poor elder sister in the fountain. Mama couldn't battle again after that, and some said she drew her anger ever more inside, which was why her joy was so true now. They were stupid if they thought Mama didn't have a temper though. By Golly! "They are boys, Ky, they just have beans for brains aye. Ye will make a good arrangement by the time ye be ten I bet, n' make good friends, and then have a pretty white horse tae ride on yer weddin' day. Sometimes men can nay be as smart as they think n' we are nay fools!" The crux of it all was just that. So many adults said the women were just that. Needed to be dolled, coddled. All talk came to a quick end when Kiley shot up, when Struan came to life. Oh fye being so short. "Aod, can ye see the Irish flags, lift me please, oh please!"
He never told her no… well, not often. Aodhan lifted up his sister to run over as it was instinct when the world went a little mad. Before another moment came that could change everything he'd said to Roric… "They will. I do nay know all about how the grown folk behave in love and arguin, but if they love one another true, they always work through it. Tha's wot mom and Da say. They argue tae. Once I remembered they argued sae much they would nay touch one another for what seemed a month. Twas scary. But they come together again. Makes the world right side up. Ah hope they dae tha', work it out. Ah dun want tae see a beheadin." For all the talk of wore, the gore of execution was...a nightmare. He'd snuck to see what became of traitors once, he'd seen the man he knew to be his grandfather's head on a pike... Now, it was for another circumstance boys and girls gathered. Standing on the bench, he lifted Davina to see the mast in distant Bracadale. "Well, iffn it be Irish flags Ky, well… tha' means maybe the Govenor's come,and Seanna! Surely tha' is good… right Aodhan? Mama likes Uncle Jack's wife, Aunt Maugerite. Your mama will like her too, Kiley! We'll have another playfellow… and she can tell us about Ireland. Oh I want to go but they say we have to wait to go on such pro..pro.." Aodhan filled it in, "Progressus," "Tha' one, until we're older…"
Bracadale Harbor Master: "the Queen is in Struan, at the Castle Dun Darroch, ye will need tae ride to get to her...we will have your party escorted tae her at once… It looks.. .a matter. Where are the Govenor, where is the Lady Flynn?" The Harbor Master asked, looking over toward the Captain of the Guard for confirmation of all those come down the gang plank… yet nothing of these presences were shown. Only children at the heart of such great worry the Irish were as skiddish as pool cats! "Come on, what is it?" He leaned in as to receive the news in secret. Secret. More of them to come, more to be on the road!
Aodhan Aberdeen: Kiley leaned into her brother with a sigh, nodding that he was right. Their parents would see to it. Aodhan smiled, trying to find a good in it. Maybe Davina was right. She had a way of... seeing things. In this bond she would always see things he would miss. "Come everyone, lets gae tell the Queen, surely she'll let us all come along!"
The Commodore and Flynn Company: The Commodore would refuse to divulge his secrets, saying only, "Tha' news I 'ave is fer the ears of the Queen herself an' nae others." However, some news had surely come with the arrival of Duchess Evalgine O'Casthasaigh and her man, Sir Faolan O'Conner. It had been news of a last great campaign launched by the Lord-Governor of Ireland against the exiled English that still refused to see that Ireland - once and now forever - belonged to the Irish. But they had lacked the recent developments. Of how the Lord-Governor driving the English before him as he marched 12,000 men toward Dublin. Or of how the English, under the Duke of Surrey, had landed in Ulster and now besieged Dunluce itself. Or of how, on hearing the news, Jack was at this very moment driving 9,000 men - three quarters of his army - back to Dunluce to lift the siege. But soon enough, this news would be brought to the Queen's own ears. For Seanna, and her small band of loyal retainers, made for Castle Dun Darroch.
The Campbell Children: In times as these, childish matters are forgotten. Though Roric paid every bit of attention to Aodhan's advice, hoping his friend was right, Kylie put the matter of comistutions and moon-eyed sickness aside. Standing as they were they could see the Irish flag, but if the Irish had come...why not advanced warning? For a child of eight she didn't pretend to know everything except in this matter having heard the adults talk enough... well usually people sent word. Hadn't Da done the same prior to their arrival in Struan? Also was the oddity of how the ships...looked... "Oh, I hope all is well. Aye, let us go tell our parents and hope they will allow us to go..." Kylie dashed off toward the castle, grabbing at Davina's hand to encourage her to hurry along too- for in this who wanted to walk like ladies?
Roric waited behind to walk with Aodhan. "Well, at least the day perked up eh? You get ta make some moon-eyes at Seanna now." Ah, light-hearted friendly teasing to ease the mood as they moved along the hall to find the Queen.
The Aberdeen Children & Beathag: "Oh hush yer maw, Roric. All the girls what make moon-eyes at you? Ooh... sir Campbell... oh you'll be a sir one day. Ooh I want to maaaary him. I heard ye kissed a girl." He teased running ahead to make Roric come catch him, making smoochy faces before darting out of sight. Davina lifted her skirts to skitter quickly after Ky (Ky's legs were longer after all, being she was eight. Oh she hoped at six she'd get some too!) until she hitched up her dress a'full for an out and out run. Children could find misery looming in one breath of air - but wasn't it nature to seek the joy of it first? New playfellows, talk of other lands. Such business to have with friend or cousin! That would be how Beathag would hear of the Bracadale party before even the messenger who rode so quick as to near break the ankle of his horse could report. Just as he bowed, breathless... her son was close to saying, "Mother, mother we… oh..pardon us..." Running after Roric wasn't very seemly as he cleared his throat, caught his breath and bowed. "Yer majesty…" Davina took longer to remember herself as she wailed out "THERE BE SHIPS MAMA, WITH IRISH FLAGS! CAN WE SEE, CAN KILEY N' RORIC GAE!" Only for the messenger to blink. Seeing there were guests she whispered to Kiley, "Oops.." Before gulping in ghusts of air to curtsey "Yer majesty, m'queen mother." Beathag laughed, a rich hearty sound as she stood from the seat to receive all the guests that had come to what served as her audience chambers: "The party is on the road now from Bracadale, your majesty. if it is your pleasure tae meet them half way." She nodded to the messenger it was. He left, leaving her with the party of swift eyes. "Sae, who needs messangers when ah've ye?"
CaptainJackFlynn: Even now, Seanna her party were upon the road. Perhaps having only glimpsed the messenger's departure. Seanna and her siblings rode along in a carriage, accompanied by a small escort of rider's dispatched by Bracadale's Captain of the Guard. But for the skittish Irish? They deemed that insufficient: fifty men drawn from the galleon's company of marines marched behind the carriage. The Commodore himself, however, was riding astride a borrowed war horse. When the messenger came back, he would relay the Queen's message. "'Er Majesty an' 'er party shall be meeting ya 'alf way," the messenger said. The Commodore would not, before relaying the message to his men. Within the carriage, Lizebette - the nanny to the Flynn's children - was engaged in a difficult task: giving Seanna a peptalk on how to adequately represent the Irish Crown on this journey. Was it an easy thing for a child to hear? When at last the Scottish guides were dead certain that they were half-way between Bracadale and Struan, the carriage was pulled off the road for the reunion to be held in the shade of an old tree.
The Aberdeen Children, The Campbells, and Beathag: "We're sorry to intrude, Mama…" the messenger was gone. As soon as it happened the most regal woman in their world was only the mother. To Aodhan, it would always be his favorite title. "Tis just tha' we saw the flags from afar." The Queen walked around the group of four with a finger to her chin, unknowing a tender moment in one place was a moment's brutal loss for another. "All the way from Bracadale aye? Must be quite the vessel…" "Ah think tis a gaellon, mama." "Oh? have yer fellows an opinion.."
Davina laughed the sweetest chime of bells while holding Kiley's hand, who curtsied while saying she had little opinion to offer, she knew nothing on boats! Lifting her chin, Beathag smiled, "When there is nay open court nor officers thus, ye may please ye queen best with a lifed 'ead, n' a smile. It pleases yer Queen tae take ye all about. Ah would tha' the young men have the task o' seein' m'carriage readied, can ye, sirs? N'ah would like it reported ye hitched her own saddles as tae ride beside, fer we need guardians." It was important to Beathag that Aodhan not only practice his skills, but to understand the importance of self-sufficency. His own hands were more reliable than any servants. "Ye may each ride with her arms at yer sides, as it is such an occasion." Aodhan bowed, trying to be mature...yet he would embrace his mother. Moments Beathag cherised, for so rarely in the open did he do it anymore. "N' ye, ladies… will ye extend the invitation tae the Lady Campbell tha' m'carriage awaits n' she may ride with us? Try tae curtsy, m' smile pleasently... show her yer best from yer lessons."
The Flynn Party: What would the Queen's party make of it, when at last they came within sight of where Seanna and her brother and sister were at 'play' in the shade? It was all that she and Lizebette could do to keep the younger children occupied with games of patty-cake, 'I spy,' and stories of old. But even in all of this, there was a cluster of guards a small distance away, to give the children as much 'normalcy' as they could have. As Seanna played, one of the guards would come up to Seanna and murmur, "M'lady, the Queen's party approaches." Seanna's smile flattered only a little, before she nodded and got up. She walked with the guard to where she could be seen, waving to the party. But even at this distance? Bess would know something was amiss. Where was the laughter of her blood.
The Campbell Children and Liliana: Kylie and Roric were quiet, though Kylie more than Roric for... well boats were a topic to be discussed! The order regarding carriage was the real kicker though for him. At that moment it felt as though he were already one of Aodhan's men. Holding back the whoop of joy until out in the hall, Roric would follow after to help ready the carriage and of course prepare their own mounts. And they got to wear their swords? Oh happy day!
Kylie on the other hand was both joyous and a bit maudlin if only due to the fact that Seanna had arrived. She found the girl enjoyable and was pleased for more playmaters, but it made her comistution act up to say the least. Giving a large smile to the Queen followed by curtsy, she murmured politely, "Aye, your majesty, we will do so." A tug was given to Davina's hand before Kylie led her off to find her Mother this time! Liliana was easily found too, all one had to do was follow the loud cries of a baby. Morgan was being woke from a nap, and he was not pleased to say the least. "Oh, Nettie, it is hopeless. I swear my son is more a child of the moon than I thought. He hates being up in the morning hours. Once he calms down you can take Glenna and him down to the courtyard...Well, hello there ladies." Liliana dipped into curtsy for both sure to bring about giggles. "What brings you both here today?" She placed a kiss to a cheek on each little face, noting their proper curtsies and smiles, "The Queen wishes us to tell you that her carriage awaits and you may ride with us." Liliana quirked a brow, "Just where do we ride to? Though, of course, I shall go." The question directed at Davina for Kylie had forgotten that detail as she ushered both girls along now to meet the Queen and take part in the ride.
The Aberdeen Children and Beathag: The arrangements were made in self-important turns of humor as each representative of the Queen's command attempted to do their best at behaving in a fashion befitting those with regal news to share. The girls could not quite recall exactly where they were to ride because Struan was enough for any mind to remember.
Aodhan had called it "Braca..Bra-ca-.." something, yet it was all Davina could do to cease herself such embarrasment as to insult her poor nature. Of the Aberdeen children, she harkened to the far by-gone grace of her grandmothers. Beautiful dark auburn hair would be tamed by a golden ribbon she procured from one of her maidens by stopping at her room upon the way. One to Kylie was given for each to look their best. To Davina, Kylie was already the best sort of lady a princess could ever have. "We will be vera good, Lady Campbell, we dun want tae upset our comistituions, right Kylie?" That would be business for another time as Davina steadied herself to be the pinacle of royal grace, while Aodhan would be a soldier of the Griffin.
When the women came to the carriage, why, young men assisted them in before mounting! Sisters too! The way was paved with sunshine and blue skies enough to infect Davina with constant smiles of excitement. It would be Aodhan though narrowed his eyes when their approachwas close enough to make out the person from odd shapes. "I dun nay see Uncle... the Govenor..." he told one of his guards, who sent another to ride ahead to see if such was true. "The Prince is right… it is only the Govenor's children. Their Graces are not there, the Govenor and his wife... tis only what appears to be a company to guard the children, and a nurse your highess."
He looked at Roric with eyes subsiding to the seriousness only he was capable of. His mother's long bouts of silence when he was, too, a loquacious child. "Tell my mother right away, will you take Roric and I there… sir?" "Your Highness… of course." In the carriage Beathag peered round from discussing things with Liliana to seeing formation broken, led by a guard, Aodhan, Roric, and one behind them. "They've gone on ahead, could nay wait Ah see, ah just hope he has a care. Nay tha' Ah wish m'son tae grow anymore, but he is quite tae big tae take down the poor Govenor sae in his affections. Jack is nay a young man."
Seanna Flynn: It would be Aod who would be the first to know that something was well and truly amiss. That all was not as right as the idyllic day made it appear. Seanna would shield her eyes, watching as Aod, Roric, and their accompanying guards and drew closer to them. Seanna would smile and start walking to meet them, smiling and waiving all the while. But no sooner had Aod reined his horse to a stop, than the young girl was racing toward him. She would call, "Aod"! And smile. Another wave. But as she came closer, Aod could see her smile flatter. Once twice. And then completely break. By the time Aod had dismounted? The poor girl had thrown her arms around him, holding her close. As she very quietly, very softly, wept, she could only bear to say, "Its terrible, Aod!"
The Campbell Children and Liliana: "It seems to be so. What do ye think it means Aodhan?" Roric leaned close to Aodhan, both mounts close, as his friends statement was confirmed. Dark head was given a shake, wondering what this all meant, and then rode forward when approval was given. While they rode forward Kylie peeked her head out, Liliana laughing at Bess's words, "Boys cannot be tamed. You put them on a horse and give them a little power, and they'll be off before you can blink." Yet neither boy was off for good reasons. Dismounting quickly, Roric gave a wave to the children and noted how Seanna fled into Aodhan's arms. It was hard to miss her failing smile or not hear the sound of her weeping... "What has happened..." Inside the carriage, as it drew close, Kylie and Davina watched baffled as Aodhan rubbed Seanna's back as if soothing her.
The Aberdeen Children and Beathag: "Ah dun know, Roric, but I dun like it." His accent thickened in his thought process to the same tone, timbre, and delivery as his mothers. The advantage of years worth of English speaking was that his accent was not the peat bogher vocal chords proved to be. 'I dun like it' was the statement that forged a reign by way of how delivery was done. If it wasn't liked and within power to do so, it was abolished. So he set his mind to abolishing whatever wrong thing took Seanna's parents presence away from the gathering. What made her not look her best? As he approached her, his eyes asked her questions before he found his arms closing around. "Sea..Sea wot be wrong, tell me n' Roric, aye? Wot's wrong Seanna..please?" He wrapped her in all the strength he possessed, eyes going dark. The way she cried, a storm came with her. He didn't like storms. Davina didn't like what she saw beyond the window; laughter ceased as tiny face twisted up in confusion. Reaching for her mother's skirts, she tugged them. "Aye, n' iffn he hadn't a guard m'son would be half way round the world, n' m'husband chasin me as Ah'd chase Aod n' box his ears.... wot is it Davi.. Mama is speakin with the Lady Campbell"
Stupid grown ups! Even her mama could be 'silly' sometimes… she who always took her thoughts just the right way, could have a failure now and again. "Mama, Seanna's cryin' n' Aod's holdin her, tha's nay right for a visit?" Instead of scolding her to mind manners, Beathag tilted her head. The child's tone was enough without words to make her head begin to turn. Further instruction was shown when Davina climbed up to show her just the sight in question. "Nay...Davina, tis nay. Liliana... dae ye see Maugerite, or Jack anywhere? ah dun nay...driver..stop...Ah said HAULT" The first knock with no effect, a swift bang with her full force drove the carriage wheel's to end their journey still some yards before the tree. Instead of waiting for a hand, she opened the door herself, threw her skirts over her arm, and stepped down.
Seanna Flynn: Seanna, by the time of Bess' arrival, was doing her best to regain her composure. Was she thinking quietly on the words that her father had said to her? Before Maggie had come into their family, Jack had largely been Seanna's onlycaretaker. Despite the influence of Lizebette and other ladies-in-waiting (and because of influence from her auntie), Seanna had been raised of something of a tomboy. Her father had routinely taught her the importance of bravery when you were scared and a level head when you were in charge. As she was now. While Seanna reached up to wipe away the tears, she had some control. She meet her gaze, before saying, "Oh, Aod.... its terrible..." She took a breath. "Tha' Anglish came a few days back an' ... an' attached Dunluce, Aod." She stuttered a bit at 'Dunluce'. For Mairi, it had been an obsession. For Jack? At first, it had been a pretty prize. But now? For him...for him and Seanna and Maggie and Sealia and Seadon.... Dunluce was "home". "They came an' attacked. They were shootin' cannons an' everything! Mum...." Seanna, for the briefest of moments, looked fit to burst into tears. She regained her composure. "Mum stayed behind....ta be wit' the soldiers an' tha' refugees....." It would be Marguerite's absence that would let Bess know just how dire the situation was. Jack would have fought a hundred score men just to see his family safe. That Maggie wasn't here? Meant that the attack had come when Jack was either dead...or, more likely, away from Dunluce.
The Aberdeen Children and Beathag: Aodhan couldn't take his hands off of Seanna's shoulders as she talked about what had come down on Dunlace. "No!" he hissed, like a serpent ready to bite it’s prey. Suffice to say he was not immune to his family's hallmark emotions either. Passionate thought swirled in green eyes before the only sign he would not throw something came in his exhale. "Tha's awful, Seanna. Do nay worry, my mother will make it right aye? She's the Queen, n' Da is the King, n' they won't stand fer it!" exclaimed the boy, "Look there's Mama come now, we will tell her at once won't we, Roric?" He looked at Seanna's twin brother and sister. What would happen if Turas Lan were to fall again, to the likes of Gabriel and Murieall while they were away? Poor Lizbette looked so overwhelmed that it was a wonder she could curtsy the closer the queen came. She had been the only woman among the Marines on the ship, the only woman for three children taken from the home that never seemed to settle for them. Being Irish was a curse ,aye! Being Irish meant that the legacy of war becoming a mystery in Scotland was an every-day occurrence in Ireland. "Liliana they are nay here..." The Queen whispered, her hand becoming clutched as Davina held to it, and to Kiley's other.
Seanna Flynn: Before Seanna saw to attending the queen, she had more pressing matters to attend to. Name the welfare of her younger siblings, so very near Davina's age. As she turned to go, she would pause. Then her cheeks were flamed. Aod was not the only one to have such high running emotions. "Ye look sae dashing, Aod," Seanna said. Then she gave a peck to Aod's cheek. Poor Aod! The very words that he had said to Roric had just been said -- to him. Seanna then flashed him one last smile, before going to her twin brother and sister. She talked with them in the words they understood, telling that they had to be have because Auntie was here now. How odd. She seemed so very grown up. Perhaps she had to be. Even the marines and Lizebette answered her commands with 'Yes, milady' and 'No, milady.' Once Sealia and Seadon had been seen too, Seanna when back to Aod's side. "I am ready."
Beathag Aberdeen: Beathag's heart pushed upward inside of her throat enough to strangle the air she breathed; it grew too thin, too fast. A feeling of foreboding was an acquaintance she never wished to visit with again coming to call as every step across the field to the tree seemed a step closer with something none of them would want to hear. Growing brave, Davina let go of her mother's hand, so in the nature of her advancement Kyley wasn't far behind her while making sure none of them got beyond a mother's sight. Very carefully, she lifted her skirts to maneuver the patch of high grass before appearing before the company constituting of her son, his friend, and a little girl who looked as if she'd aged a decade while growing no bigger. "Yer majesty, mother, The Lady Flynn has somewot tae tell ye," the presentation of the youth as more than her niece meant that maudlin cloud had settled over Aodhan. The matter was grave indeed. Being a champion of children, the Queen turned around with intention to rest on a nearby log, for the advantage of being eye level with Seanna. Finding helpful things to do, Kiley was the first to move over to Lizbette to ask how she might help. Being eight years old, she had a wealth of knowledge on the subject of entertaining young siblings. Davina, too, posed the same offer. "Aye, then let it be said then. Ah'm very concerned tae nay see yer parents, nor word o' yer arrival before it happened. Ireland tae Skye, tis still close, yet many miles fer one sae young."
Seanna Flynn: Seanna would curtsey to the Queen.... usually, Bess would be met with an excited shout of 'Aunti!' from the young girl before Seanna wrapped her arms around Bess. But now this was the time of being 'grown up'. Seanna demurely looked down, rapidly blinking her eyes. Only an Aunt could see she was fighting back the brimming tears. When Seanna looked up, to meet Bess' eyes, the tears were gone. For now. A breath taken, "Yer majesty, I - I come ta beseech tha aide of tha Griffin..." Seanna straightened, just a touch, "M'd ... m'lord father e'en now makes war against the renegades that remain holed up in tha Pale...." As he had done, for the past month. "Such a task sees 'im called away... While 'e has been gone...." A deep breath taken, "Dunluce 'as come undersiege!" She spat it out, as though it were fit to choke her. So bitter the words to be said. The tears threatened. Or perhaps even ran down her cheeks, "M'lady mother 'as....'as tried to parlay wit' them... but tha man commandin' tha renegades 'as nothin' but blood on 'is mind. When it first began.... m'mum sent me an' Sealia an' Seadon away." All of the children had begged their mother to come away. But heavy was the head that wore the crown. Even in the last month of her pregnancy, Maggie had reluctantly stayed. To give heart to both the garrison that protected the castle and to those that had fled to it for safety ahead of the English. "M'mum is still within tha' walls... wit' the soliders an' those tha' came ta seek safety there." Poor girl. She was forced to give voice to difficult words. "I dunno 'ow long Dunluce can stand, majesty... 'er how long it shall take m'da to come 'elp." The girl moved close, taking one of Bess' hands. Saying nothing. Because the look that she gave Bess, Said it all.
The Aberdeen Children and Beathag: The world was so silent in the midst of a tale of suffering; the ears of a child tried not to pry yet it was nature to be wide open to all things. As she played with the smallest Flynn's, Davina did her best to keep the tears locked away while looking to Kiley now for inspiration. At eight, Kiley seemed so sure of how to behave in a time like this. Roric listened with wide ears; before his eyes went Mary-Rebecca, his mother. The last time he ever felt her warmth... in this vision he could not even recall the sound of her voice anymore. Of Roric the Elder, before saying he would go off to make a better fortune only to have his coin appear on their doorstep, for not even his body could he have sent back. It turned again to Dumfries before the burning, to fear thick enough to eat for supper. Aodhan listened; he saw the red flames of Turas Lan touch the sky as high as the Northern Star. His mother's arms around him went. They had said farewell to the old King of Scotland before God bid him rest his body in ever-night. He smelled the acrid smoke, remembered the blood dried under the fingertips of his parents. He saw the cities he had lived crumble, and remembered the stories of his war-torn birth. Beathag listened to nothing but Seanna force herself to be a woman with the weight of the island in the sea on her back.
As the girl took her hand, she found herself pulled forward. Two steady shoulders in a sea of confusion kept her aloft now. Green eyes seemed to have the wisdom of all: a child of war, a sister of warriors, a warrior queen, a wife, and a mother. All things she was and always would be. She had touched the shores of all three states of woman before the Gods blessed her a new mothering time. Seanna would be enfolded in her arms, her back, rubbed. With no words, only a look, it was conveyed they would be moving on now back to Dun Darroch, back to Struan. "Ah will ride with the Lady Flynn n' her nurse, her brother n' sister within the Flynn carriage on the way back. Ye all may assemble yerselves as ye see fit." Seanna's hand found it was not without Beathag's now. "Come, let us settle the body, n' make accounts tae settle Ireland, ye n' I. Such a brave young girl." She whispered as they walked
Seanna Flynn: Seanna craved Beathag's hand more than anything, for it was an anchor when all seemed adrift. She had not her father's laughter for comfort, nor her mother's arms. But she had her aunti's hand.... and was that not as good as both? But when Seanna heard her auntie's compliment? Seanna looked up -- and did something she had not before. She positively beamed. It meant much, coming from her auntie. Seanna paused, hugging Bess. And whispered back, "Thank ye, Auntie." However, there would be another pause. Seanna would look about, before spying Aodhan, "Aodhan! Will ye nae ride wit' us?" There was a bit of a blush on Seanna's cheeks, "I shall feel safer if ye dae!"
Beathag Aberdeen: She pulled her in to her body to shelter her from all else as the girl's smile formed, it meant the world would not fall apart beyond all hope. "My child, ye needn't thank yer Auntie fer tha'. There's been wrong done, twill be set right, n' yer parents shall be pleased tae know tha' such a young girl behave as a young woman on this day. "
Before Aodhan could form a thought to object, he had already given his positive affirmation to the idea with a bow, "Sae long as Roric will be fine with ridin' along the outside as official, than Ah shall sit with ye, m'lady." Both boys communicated in glances. What a skill to learn, so early an age to perfect it. One day, would they use it in battle? Between the two carriages bodies would fill each as the reunion would be longer yet. Beahag considered what Struan was becoming: royal court, place of reckoning, now it would hold a war room. Her mind was filled withall the maudlin things she never told a child but debated with her husband.
Violent pictures of the Robertson Chieftain had been cleaned up, showing him dead by Carver MacDonald. His effigy was hung in the rafters, no doubt in retalion to what the old man himself had allowed said of those he deemed 'lesser' than him. She would see to it Struan was made fit for the children to roam freely so that no child so such horrors as to doubt their family name, no matter what it was, for the world of adult disagreeance should not be with children. As Seanna's flight proved, as poor Robin's struggle to not fight his fellow peers showed, it touched too deeply. Already her mind...it churned! Fingers combed through the hair of Irish children as the inner claw raked across the world's map. She still did war, you see, in times like this. Never to confront it again but always to remember the instinct to pick up arms. No, it would be done another way...by God. She, and Adam, had ways.
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