The Phantom's Arrival

[mairi]

Pride of Eireann: Mairi was sitting on the docks of TurasLan, within close
proximity to the Cruel Mistress. Jack was waiting for her there, but she
sought peace on her own tonight, and after their nearly supernatural
experience, he had let her to
Pride of Eireann: it. She'd then had a visit from Robb, the nephew of
Emerald Paladin James McKeown, and wore now on her index finger the ring of
the Emerald Paladins. She was assured, in truth, that Ulster would be once
more. Staring out at the
Pride of Eireann: quiet sea, Mairi herself was illuminated by a lantern,
feet hanging over the dock. She had the sense that that curious seal was
still about, but that said animal was looking upon her with approval. She
thought back on the days of
Pride of Eireann: true and gone patriots now--mainly Sean, James, and
Collin, and placed her hand over her heart. She looked and felt like the
Ceannfort again; illuminated by the lantern, her hand revealed the heart of
her Claddagh tattoo on her left
Pride of Eireann: hand, vibrantly done in woad colored ink. Her dress was
vibrant--a deep scarlet, and she wore a rather traditional veil pinned to her
hair, but flipped back so that it stayed with her fiery tendrils. Mairi
looked at long last
Pride of Eireann: radiant and healthy once more. She was not yet showing,
but the Ceannfort of Ulster carried a child now, and was a few pounds heavier
than when she'd arrived in the gracious land of Skye. She did not feel quite
at home here--home
Pride of Eireann: was the presently occupied Dunluce Castle--but she felt
safe, and welcome in a land presently undergoing a Gaelic Renaissance. The
exiled leader was seen as a positive contribution; an addition to the
community. Still, she remained
Pride of Eireann: an outcast, sharing her innermost thoughts tonight with
the sea alone now that she had made peace with it for stealing away her love.
(d)
Emerald Urn: -=The 'phantom' was a tale of particular interest in this
Renaissance. Supposidly there was rumor of an Irishmen seeking vengence on
the merchants of occupied Ireland by stealing thier trade goods. Surviving
witnesses rant on about
Emerald Urn: how the spirit demanded the fruits of Ireland returned to where
they belonged, but surely this was rubbish. The story of a ghost defeating
small platoons of men to rob them was very far fetched, even for the
strongest believers. All
Emerald Urn: of these fantasies fed at the dreams of children and never
struck reality, until today. The docks were peaceful for most of the night
until the shouts of a few men-at-arms from the main road were heard
throughout the night, "IT'S
Emerald Urn: THE PHANTOM! CATCH HIM BEFORE HE GETS AWAY!" At first the
shouts did not seems they were coming from any sort of direction, but after a
few moments, the sound of gaurds became louder, they were getting closer to
the dock. Above
Emerald Urn: Mairi in a series of ropes and primitive crane devices sat a
hooded and cloaked figure breathing heavily. She was so quite he paid her no
notice, and instead watched the gaurds every move.=-
Pride of Eireann: Startled, the Ceannfort stood, making ready to head back
to the Mistress for safety. It wasn't often there was trouble here, and at
first she thought they might be referring to her, as she was known as
something of a legend now, at
Pride of Eireann: least back home in Ulster. Bloody Mairi, the English had
taken to calling her, and she enjoyed that reputation. Presently, however,
standing and fighting was less of an option. Though she didn't show, Mairi
was with child, and could
Pride of Eireann: take few risks, especially so close to water's edge. She
was quick to pull a dagger from the folds of that crimson dress, determined
that any blood spilt this night would not be her own. She glanced back toward
the ship before
Pride of Eireann: picking up the lantern, holding it before her face. "Show
yerself, else yer head will take a tip from yer body," she gestured with the
knife, towards the land to which the dock connected. Feeling that protective
presence in the sea
Pride of Eireann: vanish, she looked at the lantern and knew: it
extinguished. (d)
Emerald Urn: -=The Phantom was quite, quiter than he thought he would have
been, as he slipped off the crane and landed gingerly behind her. He had
hunted people for months now, and knows the walk of a pregnant woman, even if
they are not far
Emerald Urn: along. His wife taught him that, along with his more spiritual
beliefs. He was fast, for he didn't want to hurt the woman, and wrapped his
cloak around her face, merely as a distraction to disarm her with his bracers
by slamming his
Emerald Urn: forearms over her blade, and twisting his form to bend her
arms unnaturally to make sure she let loose of the blade. Once it was in his
possesion he grinned triumphantly and examined his find. He recognized it...
and his face went
Emerald Urn: pale... he was fortunate that his hood was a typical bowman's
hood, and was part of his tunic. He was not sure he wanted her to see him.=-
Pride of Eireann: She was more fierce and furious than most of his prey. It
took great effots to make her drop the blade onto the dock. Muffled screams
were released--though barely audible, one could hear a dog bounding towards
them in the distance,
Pride of Eireann: and Mairi's wide green eyes searched for the animal in
that direction. She twisted and squirmed, determined that this fool had
marked the wrong woman. He would pay with his life. "Fekkin' Anglish swine!"
she muttered as best she
Pride of Eireann: could, assuming that's who likely had attacked her. She
was at a disadvantage with her light having gone out, and her emerald eyes
took some time to adjust to the absence of light. She stamped on the ground,
even, not finding the
Pride of Eireann: knife but making noise to bring Dog closer to her. It was
not long before the animal was upon her attacker, jumping towards his leg
with teeth bared. (d)
Pride of Eireann: The canine was large in form, appearing as a Great Dane
might--not the mangy Murphy, the wolfhound kept by Mairi's brother Carrick.
Emerald Urn: He had not expected the dog at all and was sent forward from
the force of the attack into one of the poles, stunning him a bit. He was so
distracted he let his gaurd down and now the back of his shin had a rather
nasty gash as the
Emerald Urn: dog did it's job jerking it's head violently to and fro tearing
the flesh from his leg. He frowned and shouted as he moved to stab the dog,
only to find he dropped the knife. His hands moved to his legs, wet with his
own blood. "Get
Emerald Urn: 'em off of me!" His Irish accent cutting through the air.=-
Pride of Eireann: Finding her way free, Mairi did what she could to distance
herself from her attacker, then grabbed the knife before pondering the
request. Her eyes drifted towards the Mistress. "Dog! Here." She pointed the
knife at the man with
Pride of Eireann: considerable threat as Dog pranced to her side, tail still
stiff and alert, ready to attack. He did not sit at her side as he normally
would, he wanted permission for more. "Give me one good reason why I
shouldn't let me dog maul ye
Pride of Eireann: til me husband comes down an' makes good on me first
promise!" That was a giveaway too, for anyone that knew Mairi. Pregnancy was
the only thing that had previously ever kept the Ceannfort from carrying out
such threats herself. "I
Pride of Eireann: only spare ye now because of how ye make yer words,
Irishman, but ye watch yerself round me...ye've picked the wrong victim." (d)
Emerald Urn: -=He sneered, "Ha! Tae hell I did! If the men at Dunluce 'eard
that I found Mairi of Ulster, than they would be singin' a right fine tune in
meh honor..." He contemplated running, but his leg was now torn to shreds.
After a moment
Emerald Urn: of silence, he decided to speak once more. "Besides... jus'
because I'm Anglish, it donnae make me any less of an Irishmen..." That was
something he had said to Mairi when she debated making him a general to save
Sara. Got rest her
Emerald Urn: soul.=-
Emerald Urn: *God
Pride of Eireann: "All the men at Dunluce are Anglish...fer the time.....who
the fek are ye?" She hadn't lost her fire, that was for certain. His latter
words made her pause, and raise a brow. "State yer name an' I'll consider
sparin' yer life," she
Pride of Eireann: told him. She got the feeling he was buying time, but he
knew who she was. Many here did, because she was kept here for safety until
Dunluce was retaken. It had been her goal these past months, her obsession,
and judgting by the
Pride of Eireann: flags hoisted on the Mistress, the Temptress, and the
familiar Lagan, Ulster had a fleet again. Had he watched her long enough, he
would have seen her with her child and her husband, who had taken Seanna back
to the ship. He might
Pride of Eireann: also have observed her with young Robb, who she'd called
kin and treated as a son. Dog remained ready. (d)
Emerald Urn: -=He was quite for the longest time, letting her words sink in.
"I am the Phantom..." He could not say his name, he could not because he was
scared. That night... that horrible night Dunluce was besieged. He had taken
an arrow and
Emerald Urn: was thrown from the ramparts into the stables down below. It
was Victor and his mercinaries that bought some of Mairi's most loyal knights
time to retrieve him and pull him to the safety of the cove for a get-a-way
boat. Victor was
Emerald Urn: lost that evening, and his fine ship taken. Which is still in
Dunluce's harbor. Now being used by the Duke of Dunluce. Victor gave Mairi
his sword... and he rememberd that. "Mairi... ye are blind if ye think the
commonfolk of
Emerald Urn: Dunluce are Anglish... they are Irish, and damned near slaves
ever since the besiegement... ye better 'ave better respect fer yer people...
or else they won't be there when ye get Dunluce back..."=-
Pride of Eireann: There was no phantom to her--there were memories, heroes
she'd left behind. Even if he was who she vaguely suspected, she would do
better to kill him. She had left Collin technically Ceannfort, when she
should have stayed and fought
Pride of Eireann: and died. "I know all about who lives there... aye, I
camped in nearby Dunsevrick for months after it happened." There was more, of
course--Carrick was there, and Declan as well. Jack had recently gone to meet
with them. There were
Pride of Eireann: indeed people on her side, and after the big mess, Declan
remained the Archbishop of Dunluce and had been funding efforts for a
rebellion ever since. With the formalities of items in Skye, everything was
in place. She wouldn't let a
Pride of Eireann: ghost from her past ruin it, especially if he retained
knowledge of Greek Fire. "Ye bend to yer knee, then, state yer real name an'
recognize me as Ceannfort." That was not something she would have typically
said to anyone. The last
Pride of Eireann: several men who'd sworn to her had done it without being
asked, which she of course preferred. She wanted the name. "Ye are perhaps at
best the ghost of a better man, but I was the one roaming about fer all those
months--who do ye
Pride of Eireann: think ensured their three generals were slaughtered?
Bloody Mairi, that's who." And she had kept the medallions to prove it, in
Collin's memory. (d)
Emerald Urn: -=He grinned, and stood with wobbly legs. "I cannae recognize
ye as Ceannfort... the title belongs to someone else. Ye 'anded yer rights
over. An' frankly according to the rites of the clans, that decision cannae
be undone lest the
Emerald Urn: Ceannfort gives the title away once more. Of course... if ye
want it... I 'ave no more use fer it." He still kept the hood over his head.
The sound of his blood dipping on the dock was subtle. "An' ye were mistaken
tae think there
Emerald Urn: were only three..."=-
Pride of Eireann: "Show yer face." The old Mairi might have spoken of
treason...but the old Mairi had also taken an Englishman to her bed and had
lost the love of half her country. The Mairi present was she in her truest
form. Her nostrils actually
Pride of Eireann: flared at the insult. "The title is mine, an' recognized
in this land by a very powerful army...an' three well armed ships behind ye
carryin' yer banner." Perhaps this man preferred to be run down by both
Bloody Mairi AND Mad
Pride of Eireann: Jack? The hurt she had been releasing into the depths of
the solemn sea now returned. Were she not with child, she would have stepped
forward to reveal his identity by force, but she would not risk it now. She
thought to call for
Pride of Eireann: Jack, but if this truly was Collin, she feared for his
life. Jack had heard the rumors about Seanna being Collin's child--he
believed her word, he knew, and believed she had Sean's gentle grey
eyes...but he was defensive, and could
Pride of Eireann: do something hastily. "Ye've one more chance to show
yerself an' state yer name, else I leave ye to the mercy of me dog an' me
husband. Mad Jack's reputation is well earned, an' should be well noted,
should ye wish to live." She did
Pride of Eireann: not have long now--some of the men would be along to fetch
her soon if she wasn't back, but she wanted to win this on her own terms. (d)
Emerald Urn: -=His form was still, as it would seem he held his breath, and
gently moves his hands to his hood, pulling it down. "I am the Ceannfort of
Ulster, Phantom to most, Hero to few, I am both alive an' dead, General
Collin O'Donnell with
Emerald Urn: an army in Ireland that makes the Pope chyt himself... yer
fleet is visible whereas mine is not... Father to two, Father to Ireland... I
have come here for goods in which meh people need, an' I will not be leavin'
without them." His
Emerald Urn: face was like that of stone, his emerald hues scanning her
features.=-
Pride of Eireann: Mairi's eyes widened in fright as she looked upon him. "It
cannot be... yer dead." Dog barked as he sensed Mairi's tension, then her
eyes would go to his leg. She could send him to Aislin, or heal him herself.
"Ye will relinquish
Pride of Eireann: the title," she said. One could always win it back, and
she as certainly at the advantage. "Else ye could be mauled to death an' fall
in the sea; no one would have to know." Her eyes went again to the Mistress.
If anyone else found
Pride of Eireann: out someone was going about calling themselves Ceannfort
regardless of the circumstance, many blades would be drawn. (d)
Emerald Urn: -=He growled, "Feh, ye can 'ave yer fookin' title... I have no
need to it." He waved his hand about dismissively. "An' yer right Mairi... I
am dead..." He narrowed his gaze on her, and then moved to walk past her on
the docks. He
Emerald Urn: had already been seen by the gaurds, and chances are she would
just report him to the authorities of the area anyway. That's how Mairi was,
her duty often times clouded her loyalty. Either way, this was going to be a
long night
Emerald Urn: ahead and already it had one to many nasty surprises. "By the
way... it's good tae see ye remarried so soon... Victor would 'ave wanted
that."=-
Pride of Eireann: She had skimped on the details with Jack. She hadn't left
Victor out--or even Collin for that matter--when detailing her previous life
to him, but he hadn't known the details and hadn't asked. "Ye've no reason to
discuss him. Sean
Pride of Eireann: would have wanted it, an' that matters most. An' Ulster
needs a capable admiral." She would not justify her feelings or her decisions
to this man--she was right--Ulster needed a stable and dependable Ceannfort,
something she was
Pride of Eireann: certainly incapable of being without someone to keep her
in check. Ulster also needed an admiral not fond of leaving without return,
and Mairi was confident that she'd found that in Jack also. She had, besides,
only very recently
Pride of Eireann: made Jack consort. It was well past Beltaine when she made
that decision, but she had not been ready previously. Was she even ready now,
for any of this? She need only look to the emerald heart tattooed upon her
hand, complemented
Pride of Eireann: by the ring of the Paladins on her index finger. "It is
the way things are. And how, by the way, is your rogue an' child?" She was
still holding the knife, now that the matter of title was settled. "As fer
supplies, ye may fill the
Pride of Eireann: Lagan an' take it back. Sean's man O'Leary is captain of
the Lagan now an ye'll find him to be loyal. The Duchess of Skye will be most
cooperative in offering any supplies ye need. She's under the impression that
some of us Ulster
Pride of Eireann: folk bring a certain amount of respectability to her land,
aye? Ye won't be disruptin' that while yer here." (d)
Emerald Urn: -=This infuriated him "O' Really?! The true hero of Dunluce,
the one that saved half of Ireland's army was not Collin O'Donnell like most
believe, it was Victor... whom gave his life so that we may escape and
regroup..." He shook
Emerald Urn: his head, "I am not goin' tae be 'ere... I am goin' back tae
Ireland... I have my own job I need tae take care of. As fer meh family... I
donnae think ye an' I should get involved in such topics, what with popular
belief bein' that
Emerald Urn: I cheated on meh rogue with the Ceannfort, then abandoned poor
Seanna to bastardship... I think after all that, what news of my family is no
business of yers."=-
Pride of Eireann: "If that's how ye see it. Ye an' I will never be eye to
eye on everything, but ye shouldn't be so thick headed...realize, then, that
Ireland divided shall never be at peace, an' so long as yer against me, why
should we bother
Pride of Eireann: tryin'? We need to work together, Collin. Fergive me
surprise, I didn't know ye were...och, we're all ghosts." At last Dog was at
ease. She wasn't threatening him with the knife, but she still had questions.
"Why did ye wish to harm
Pride of Eireann: me?" She wanted to know the truth, before she so much as
thought about inviting him to an audience with the Duchess and Duke, or to
see Seanna and Jack. She was a defensive woman, and would let no such strife
near her family if she
Pride of Eireann: could help it. (d)
Emerald Urn: -=He sighed, "I never said I was against ye Mairi... sadly like
a fool sheep with a drunken shepard I would still do as ye ask of the Irish
army... I didn't wish tae 'arm ye... I was trying to disarm ye. I could tell
that yer
Emerald Urn: stomach ache with child... I just needed ye tae stop yellin' so
that I can get away." He had no interest in meeting anyone Mairi thought was
important, he really could care less. "Look, just pretend we didnae meet
today... I will
Emerald Urn: continue my work as the Phantom, and soon yer army will be
ready fer yer return, and finally... Collin O'Donnell will be dead, an' ye
not 'ave tae worry aboot a thing..." He was bitter, and nothing could change
that, "I cannae
Emerald Urn: forgive ye... I 'ave nothing except me honor... honor that
everyday is stained with the rumors an' lies..."=-
Pride of Eireann: She would appreciate the head start--the chance to explain
Collin again to Jack, so she wasn't too keen on the two of them meeting at
first anyway. Collin and Sean had never gotten along well. There had been a
lot of yelling, a lot
Pride of Eireann: of it, and Jack was less shy about using fists than Sean
had been, especially when it came to Mairi's honor. "I'll set right the
rumors that injured ye," she promised. "Yerself an' anyone whoever met me
Sean can take one look into
Pride of Eireann: me baby's eyes an' know...she's an O'Neill, an' her heart
so young belongs already to the sea," she confessed, with some regret. She
always wanted to keep Seanna safe, but the sea alone meant trouble for
Mairi's heart. "Yer leg
Pride of Eireann: must be tended to. Will ye wait here while I retrieve me
healer's pouch?" She still used the same one, from Solurius so long ago, when
she had met Sean. Mairi offered Collin a knowing look. She had words but she
was afraid to say
Pride of Eireann: them: at different points, we never forgave each other for
loving other people. It would be of no use now. Her love and her loyalty were
tattooed on her hand and in her heart, and above even that rested her passion
to see Ulster set
Pride of Eireann: right again. She felt panicked and trapped by her own
thought, and despite mournful eyes, she did not let on. "An' please don't
tell anyone I'm with child. There's already a price on Seanna's head... if it
is I'm killed, I don't
Pride of Eireann: want me babe dragged from me womb." It would be like the
English to do so. (s)
Pride of Eireann: (D)
Emerald Urn: -=He shook his head. "Nay... jus' ferget the wound... and go
aboot yer evenin.' I will not tarry aboot in this place any longer than I
need tae." He had lost his passions for her long ago. Jealousy no longer
burned inside him. Only
Emerald Urn: his need to fight for freedom. That and he had this odd feeling
that this was just the last place in the world he wanted to be in. "Good luck
tae ye Mairi... it's good tae see ye 'ave not forgotten the cause... an' of
course... I
Emerald Urn: will keep yer baby a secret... jus' pretend I donnae exist, an'
ye an' I will 'ave no problems."=-
Pride of Eireann: "Aye...but ye be prepared, an' ye should meet up with
Carrick an' Declan when yer back in Dunluce. We've been coordinatin' with
them, so mind what they're doin' aye? It was good to see ye, a cara..." She
half waved with the hand
Pride of Eireann: holding the knife, but she didn't re-sheath the weapon.
She had been correct in that they needed to be on equal footing. How would
she explain to the people that she had fed them a lie about her own daughter?
How could she appear so
Pride of Eireann: fallible, and expect all those still wanting Sean to
reappear at her side to respect Jack? It was easy enough to convince people
like Bess, who had known Jack previously, but what of less understanding
allies? She feared failure,
Pride of Eireann: but knew that was no reason to fail her people. "Be good
to the people of this land...they've done no wrong, an' think on my offer of
the Lagan." (d)
Emerald Urn: -=His bitterness did not swoon, "I wish I could agree with
ye... but it would just 'ave been easier if ye turned out being a random
woman than ye... I will not lie... there were times I contomplated
challengin' ye tae the death for
Emerald Urn: the title of Ceannfort... but decided that God 'as a different
plan. I wonnae be needin' yer boat. Especially Sean's right 'and man.
Countries and Castles are operated and distroyed by armies. Boats are limited
tae the nation of the
Emerald Urn: sea." And with that he bowed then began walking toward where he
had a rowboat that would take him out to the Corellias, a galley of many guns
with an escort party.=-
Pride of Eireann: She would be weak in the near future, being with child,
and he knew it. She would be easy to challenge physically, but the fertile
and beloved representation of terrible and beautiful Ireland that she always
had been. She watched
Pride of Eireann: him leave, contemplating such a challenge as an empty
threat among a common goal. She had made no promises, and could not keep this
meeting from a select few of her own counsel. When she arrived in Ulster once
more, swollen with
Pride of Eireann: child, healthy, willing to heal what had been divided,
loyalty would invariably remain with her. Squatting down, she scooped up some
water and washed the blood off of Dog's face. "Aye, we're goin' home to Da,"
she told him, and at a
Pride of Eireann: quick pace, walked towards the Mistress with knife still
unsheathed. (D)