Post by Lord Eamonn of Eohmark on Feb 9, 2008 12:24:57 GMT -6
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - It had been another long day and Eamonn was just returning to his home just a bit beyond the woodlands. Finbar walked beside him as he moved down the path before stepping off of it and into the memory marked pathway that would lead him to his home. The day was cool and eeriely calm, the feel that something was not right and it was as if the world knew such, but the mundane were still catching up and fitting pieces of the puzzle together. It made him suspicious but for the moment he shrugged it off and placed it to the back of his mind. The wool cloak was around his shoulders as he walked beside that tall and muscular stallion with a coat of dapple grey. The close they got to their home, the quieter the place became. Something was not right here and Eamonn and Finbar both now were convince that there was something amiss, but what exactly remained a mystery. However it soon all became apparent the closer they got to their home. Something was burning. And while smoke did seep from the vent upon their room that acted as a chimney, that was not strong enough to warn and excite both he and his horse, for that was a normal smell, especially in the wintry seasons such as this. Pausing just before the porch, he inhaled again, taking the scent of burning...pine. Oak.Trees...LOTS of trees! Eamonn Frowned, and hopping onto Finbar's back, he passed his house and dashed off into the woods, curious as to what was going on. Through the dense forest he road, Finbar clearing logs that had fallen over, and the smell of burning lumber was more apparent the further he went into the woods. Finally, he stopped, and in the distance saw smoke. The woods were burning! Frowning deeply, he wheeled Finbar back around and left the woods, moving by the house and back to the stable, where his men were getting ready to home. "The woods! They are lit aflame! Saddle up!" He commanded, and turned around to wait. Only small unit of men was he able to assemble at such quick notice, about thirty or so, and only a handful of them were still in their armour. The earth rumbled as the horses moved, pausing for a moment as Eamonn stopped at his house, swinging from Finbar and running as fast as he could toward the door, ignoring the slight limp he had. Eamonn pounded on the door."AISLIN!" There was no time, he needed to inform her quickly, he did not even have time to put on much other than a surcoat and chainmail, the basics.
Aislin Creed - The smell of the thick stew and meats Aislin had cooked filled their small home, leaving no room for any other aroma save for that of the delicious food that she had made her husband using the spices that he had brought home to her the night that had since past. Quiet, the stillness, it was something that Aislin was very much use to now a days after spending so much time within their home alone, with only Dileas to keep her company and sometimes Aman-ud-Din. She had grown fond of it and disliked it at the same time, wanting her husband to be with her more and more. She was never a clingy woman, but she jsut felt safer knowing he was there and should the babe come early, she would have someone to go and get help or to help her. Laying upon the bed with naught on save for a dull blue dress that left her shoulders mostly bare with clips upon the tops to keep the material together. One hand rested along her growing as she lay on her back, slightly upwards and smiled at the babe moving about, dancing for it's mother as she sung to it gently, her voice like that of a angel, though Aislin never viewed herself as such. Moments passed and that was when Dileas lifted his head from Aislin's upper thighs where it had been resting and looked to the door, then to the windows for a moment. His head rose back, stretching his neck as he inhaled deeply, heightened senses smelling some thing Aislin could not before he rose up to his paws and walked off the bed to head for the door. His head lowered and his hackles rose before he gave a growl, smelling the fire about outside. Slowly, he moved from the door to a window to try and stand upright so he could see out of it, just barely reaching it and inhaling again before he growled. Aislin's ocean eyes stayed on him and with difficulty, she moved to push her legs over the side of the bed and rocked herself from it, before reaching for her boots and pulling them on, making herself breathless. He alerted her that something was amiss, but what. Aislin moved to the window behind him and pulled the wooden shudders open, only to see a orange glow, that seemed to be crawling through the woods like some wave in the ocean. The smell of burning trees assulted her, making her nose wrinkle and just as she went to walk from the door, a banging made her pause, her heart started beating quickly until she hear dher husband's voice and rushed to the door as fast as her body would allow to open it. "Eamonn, what be happening?" her tone was calm, but confused.
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - Eamonn was about to break the door down in his haste to get his things on and stop this fire if it could be done before it reacted his home and his wife. He did not know how fast it was moving or how long it had been burning, but his questions were who might have started it, and how could it be stopped. Finally the door opened, and the face of his wife greeted him. Eamonn ran into the house and to the stand his chainmail was resting on. Eamonn slipped the tunic of bronzed chainmail on over his head, and pulled his gloves on quickly, speaking as he rushed about. "There is a fire in the woods. Stay here, if you smell smoke and see flames, you get out and make for Inverness town." He said, not caring about personal effects or his house. His wife and Dileas and his child were more important than material goods. He slipped the blue and white trimmed surcoat with the Inverness coat-of-arms on the chest. Belt with attached scabbard was looped around his waist and he turned to Aislin. Stepping over to his wife, he took her hand and kissed her lips quickly, bidding her farewell. Aislin had moved to open the door and stood aside, thankfully allowing her husband to rush in and head for his armor stand. Eyes widened slightly as he began to prepare, making her unsure what was going on. So many things ran through her head but she tried to hold her questions for her husband to answer the first one. Burning? She ahd saw but why. When he told her to stay there and then make for inverness if the fire started to head towards the home, she spoke gently, "Aye husband. Ah shall. Ah'll either head for ruffians, or to the castle. Look for me there." Still ocean eyes watched him as her hand remained on her stomach before she took the other and leaned forward, suited up for war it seemed and kissed her. Aislin kissed him back, moving a hand to his cheek as she did so qucikly, before he pulled back and moved around her to head for the door. She turned about, making skirts of blues twist with her form as she watched him move from the door, shutting it behind him. Quickly, her head turned and she went to the window to keep watch, making sure to be ready should the first sign of it moving towards her came. Eamonn nodded to his wife quickly, and with that last kiss, he walked out of the door and dashed over to his waiting stallion. Swinging up onto the horse's back, he nodded to his men and they were off. The spear was handed to him, an extra carried by one of his men, and with one gloved hand holding the reins, the unit of riders left and headed toward the woods. As the moved toward the fires, the smoke became thicker and denser, making one want to choke and gag on the potency of it. Blankets were bought to help pat out the the fire, as well as empty wooden buckets to throw dirt from the ground ontothe fire. Immediately they went to work, men leaping from the back of their horses and pulling out the blankets and buckets. Stabbing the end of the spear into the ground, he grabbed a blanket and beat the flames out, another man coming with a dirtand snow to help lessen the fire or at least change its direction. As they worked to control the fire, soot and ash was everywhere, raining down upon them. Branches cracked and began to crumble. "Look out!" He shouted as large limb came crashing down to the ground. Eamonn leaped out of the way and was narrowly missed by it. The roaring flames muted the sounds of horsesand foot falls that belonged to the men that startedthe fire. Suddenly, an arrow came soaring through the flames and slammed into the chest of one of the riders. He cried out and fell to the ground. Eamonn frowned as eyes shot over toward the dead rider."It's a trap!"
Aislin Creed - Aislin did not leave the place at the window, wanting to make sure to keep her eyes peeled as Dileas stood up by her side with his front paws on the cell and his had looking out into the woods as well. Ears moved about on his head, as he listened to every sound, trying to see if something was not right. The fire, did not seem to be rushing towards them, but the speed of such a naturous thing could not be calculated. Moments passed and still nothing. Aislin was debating on packing things, but what would she truly need to take? Moving from the window for a moment, she went to get her cloak and her fur, pulling them both around her just in case. Dileas tilted his head back to watch her before he looked forward and then leaned a bit out of the window, as if trying to see the other side since there was no window there. His growling made Aislin pause and come back to the window to see a orange glow just around the other side of the house. What was going on? Moving to the door, she hesitated opening it, not sure what would be waiting for her outside, but should she not look, she may never know. Opening it quickly, she stepped out onto the small porch area and headd around to the edge only to see the whole forest was being swallowed by flames from the other side and it was nealy there! "Dileas...come!" she said firmly before she waited for her companion to push from the window and join her. Aislin did not hesitate this time as she moved towards the path and started to head for inverness in the dark. A glance was given behind her to see the flames were nearly behind them home, but there was little she could do alone. She only hoped that it did not leap across the snow and grass to get their home. Nearly halfway down the path, she paused as she heard someone cough and quickly, her and Dileas moved off it to the wooded area and behind a bush. Lowering down with her legs squating her, Dilease sat down besides her and was quiet as a few men moved by sudenly, taking their steps with ease from where the fires had been. Their dress was unlike Aislin had seen before and their colors were not inverness. From her count, there were only ten perhaps, moving the horses slowly so they made no noise. One hand reached to Dileas' snout and tapped it twice, telling him to be silent and not growl.
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - Meanwhile, fire was roaring all around them as they battled, the small clan of Englishmen setting fires and traps around the forest to lure men out and to flush the people from their homes that lived in the outer rims of the city to better anillate the population. Drawing his sword out, another tree limb fell to the ground with a large crash, and sparks as well as debris went flying into the air. Eamonn swung the sword, cutting the English scout across the abdomen, blood flying into the smoke filled air. The man flew backward screaming in pain. Unseen arrows went flying, but the riders soon got wise to the attackers and while men distracted them, the more famed marksmen of his group took out their arrows and fired back, hitting more than their fair share of targets. The tip of the sword managed to slice through the chairmail, and while the wound itself was not terrible deep, it hurt like hell and the crushed and broken links of chain were lodged into his skin and muscle, which would have to be pried out. The skirmish in the woods did not last terrible wrong, but seeing as the fire was useless to stop and unable to be controlled, Eamonn ordered the men to fall back and head to the city. He had to get back to Aislin, hoping that the fire did not consume their home yet, and racing through the woods on Finbar, he headed back to their house to see that the fire was coming and would soon take over the house. Jumping off of Finbar, Eamonn opened the door and grabbed a bag, pulling out important things that they would need, disassembling the crib and tying it up. By the time he left the house, Eamonn had the crib, his armour, helm, a few of their clothes and as many blankets of fur that he could get his hands on. Eamonn packed them on top of Finbar carefully, and taking the reins, he walked beside the horse, who at the moment was a pack horse. Eamonn managed to grab their wedding clothes and another sword for her just in case. Ruffian's was the first place he would go to, knowing that was where she had said to meet her or the castle.
Aislin Creed - Aislin waitd with patience as the men passed, having that gut feeling that if they saw her, she would be endanger from them. Instead, as soon as they moved on past her, she waited within the bush for a few moments more, giving them the time to get ahead of her and making sure that no more would be coming. When none came, Aislin moved with Dileas by her side, staying near the trees incase she had to slip back into them if anyone else was heard. Dileas trotted ahead, making sure no one was ahead of them and following the scents of the men before making sure they headed away from where they had went. In the shadows of the night, Aislin slipped about until she got to the town. All seemed quiet and Aislin was not sure if it was a trick or not. Dileas moved first, moving out into the open area to head fro the ruffians and make sure no one would try to attack him. When he got the door, he waited for Aislin, who moved as fast as her body would allow her before she slipped through the doors and inside to find there was no one about. Her heart began to pound and she thought about calling out for gupert or noah. It was then that Dileas started to sniff about and moved towards the back area of the kitchen. Aislin headed after him before she heard a loud groan and picked up speed, moving through the doors to find Noah on the ground, shaking with foamy spit moving from his mouth. Gupet was over him trying to help him in a panic. Aislin moved quickly to them both. "What happened!" " I don't know! we were talking and he took a drink from the water bucket we brought from the well and then went into this state moments later!"Oncea eyes went to the spilled cup on the ground and instinct took over, as she got to the ground and to her knees, she pressed two fingers into the liquid before bringing it to her nose and inhaling it. Her nose wrinkled with the odd smell that came from it before she wiped her fingers onto her dress and moved to Noah to grab his head. "Poison..ye say the well water! There be men out there dressed oddly coming towards the town. The forest be on fire. "Eyes went to Noah as he died slowly, blood was moving from his mouth now and his eyes were wide. "Ah can nay save him gupert...we can nay let him suffer either.." gupert's eyes went wide and he looked like he was about to crumble." Close ye eyes my friend..look away.." she said and waited while she fought back her own bubbling emotions as she shifted, moving her hands to cup Noah's head and whispering for him to forgive her before she twisted his head at a odd angle, making the sound of bones crack within his skin and immediately he fell limp, eyes wide with fear and blood still moving from his mouth, but now in small bubbles. Two fingers moved to close his eyes before she looked to gupert. "We must leave...head for the horses and get to the castle. Ah can nay move very fast..ye must go to the stables, release the horses. Ah have a bad feeling in my gut. Ah am going to warn the guest within the tavern. Go!"
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - The English were coming, a second wave, but this time sending probes out to test the weakness of the city and how best to take them all by surprise. As he walked, taking the long path toward Ruffian's, he noticed a small band ahead of him. Eamonn frowned, and pulled his sword back out. His returning men had fallen upon the random English spies and slaughtered them, thankfully, bodies were now being drug away to be burned, dragged into the forest to burn with it. Urging the stallion to stay and be silent, he crept toward the three men, their backs to him as they obvious had not seen him. Suddenly, Eamonn sprang upon them, slicing one's throat and stabbing another through the face, while the other one was kicked back and them stabbed in the chest by that long sword. Eamonn scowled. He prayed that Aislin was safeand at Ruffians as she said, and she not fallen prey to these men to be captured. His heart lurched in his chest as he motione for Finbar to come and limped beside him, black soot smeared upon his skin and his surcoat stained with ash, soot, and blood. The wound upon his arm had been bleed, but now stopped, thankfully,butcoated the cloth around it and the chainmaille was well with blood. Finally he got to the tavern,and told Finbar to stay. Slowly he approached the inn and stepped inside, hazel eyes glancing around for his wife. Where was she?
Aislin Creed - Moving up the stiars was no easy task but somehow Aislin did it, going from room to room, knocking on the doors to make the guest come out and awake from their sleep. A few men opened their doors to ask what was going on and Aislin explained to them what she knew, making them shut the door and head back inside to dress and get ready. One male moved out a bit slower, his large frame doned with his clothing making him fully dressed. Aislin was heading back from the end of the hall when he asked her what was wrong. She went to speak to him, only to have his hand lash out, grab her upper arm and yank her into the room with him, slamming his hand over her mouth and pulling her into the dim room while his foot kicked out to slam the door behind him. Aislin's eys were slightly wide, shocked as the male held her tightly against his chest and only a second later did she notice the candles being lit and four other men inside with him, all dressed in the same colors she had seen before. In the corner, two other tendresses were tired up and gagged, meaning they had been here for some time. Their language, Aislin did not understand, but she stilled in the man's arms not wanting to make him angry and hurt her or the babe. Hands fought themselves not to go to her stomach and draw attention there, though it was hard to miss, perhaps in this light they would. The male holding her argued with the other whow as sitting on the bed, calmly looking over some parchments that were rolled out. His hand smelled funny, like sweat, dirt and something else and it was making her nausas. She thought to bite him, but she knew she would not make it to the door. Undoing all the horses stalls, so they could run free, Gupert returned to the tavern, seeing some men coming down stairs now dressed and ready though questions were asked. Gupert saw Eamonn and moved by him, speaking loud enough for all to hear. " I do not know what is going on. Noah died from poisoning in the well water we had. Aislin said there are men dressed in colors unlike scotland moving about and the forest is opn fire..that is all I know. " some men mumbled about who was Aislin and weird colors..not understanding. When Eamonn asked him where Aislin was, gupet looked to him." she should be upstairs telling all the guest.
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - Eamonn looked like hell, he felt like him, and soon Inverness would become a place of hell. People needed to get out and get out soon. When hazel eyes finally landed on Gupert, he frowned deeply. Noah was dead. Poisoned. They were here. It was unsure if they had left or not, but after what he had seen, Eamonn was not going to trust anyone at this point. Eamonn thanked Gupert for his words, and with his hand on the hilt of his sword, he waited. It had taken the man a while to get all the horses out, and knowing what Echo looked like, he brought her with him for Aislin. Too much time had passed. How long would it have taken for her to knock on all the doors and tell the guest to leave? Not this long. Eamonn frowned, and turned to Gupert. "Something is not right. She's been gone for much too long. Keep a sharp eye." He said, his voice hoarse and he coughed roughly, the smoke still bothering his lungs to the point it was taking him time getting use to the clean air. Heading up the steps quietly, Eamonn listened as he moved. Doors were left open as patrons packed and ran out of their rooms, but some were suspiciously closed. There was no sign of his wife anywhere, and he worried again, but anger also began to build up. Drawing his sword quietly, his steps were careful. He approached the closed doors silently, and leaned a bit to listen for voices, sounds of any kind. Mumbles. Eamonn frowned, and standing on the other side of the door,he knocked loudly, as if were Gupert. From where he stood against the wall, sword drawn, he could not be seen unless the person stepped out of the room. So, he waited, every muscle in his body tensing.
Aislin Creed - What ever it was they were talking about was making the man that was still holding her angry. He seemed inpatient and Aislin assumed he wanted to move from the room but the other male was telling him no or not yet. Another male was getting just as impatient. Aislin worried if they would start to fight or worse, turn their aggression onto her, the other woman or male that they had tied up. Aislin tried not to move, not wanting to draw attention to herself as she was still held within the arms of the larger male. More conversation kept low in a language she did not understand before a younger one moved from the table and headed towards the girl tender. Aislin's heart started to pound loudly in her chest, thinking they were speaking on killing them. When the male grabbed the woman, only to be scolded by the one on the bed, he snapped back and the man on the bed shook his head and looked back down to the parchment mumbling once more. the woman could not have been older then Aislin and was not overly pretty, being lower class and dressed in rags. Still, when the male pushed her to the floor and started to undo his breeches, Aislin started to breath heavy, knwoing then and there that he was about to rape the girl for his own fun while they waited. Her breath moved against the hand, making it sweaty and the foul smell on it increased. Aislin was fighting not passing out from it and torn as the girl was rolled over and fought back, even with her hands bound she tried to scream past the gag as he shoved her skirts up, ready to ravish her, only then she kicked out, getting too close to the male organs for the male's comfort. the one on the bed sneered and spoke quickly, making the male on top of her reach for something as he spoke. A dagger was pulled from where, Aislin did not know and as the woman struggled, it plunged it deep within her chest, making her pause in her struggle and body shake, eyes went wide in the dim light and Aislin herself, began to shake as well as how easily the man killed her. Just when she thought the worst was over, the male, did not stop in his actions. Shifting her skirts about, he continued to ravish her while her body shook and the life seeped from it, letting death take over. Aislin closed her eyes tightly as she heard his grunts and her breath became shakey. Emotions were not something she had before, but that was a disturbing image even for her to take. The male felt her shaking and mumbled something to her, but her eyes remained closed and her head fought his hand, trying to move it down and to the side making him pull it back up and start to fuss with her about it. the male that was tied in the corner began to whimper and fight his holds, not being able to take it either, but Aislin refused to open her eyes. the male, still grunted softly and spoke in a breathless tone that made Aislin shake even more before a loud knock moved on the door and the male holding her tensed. Both men on the bed seemed to ignore the one on the ground raping the now dead servant girl's body before the one not reading the parchment paper moved up to get the door, a sword was pulled from his side and held firmly. the male on the ground, came to his end, breathless and satisfied before he removed himself from the girl and gave a nod to the other male to answer the door. Pulling his breeches up, he stood and looked down at the dead body before pulling the dagger from it and wiping it clean. Looking to the girl, he mumbled something and spit upon her body before looking to the door as the other opened and then stepped out.
Aislin Creed - The smell of the thick stew and meats Aislin had cooked filled their small home, leaving no room for any other aroma save for that of the delicious food that she had made her husband using the spices that he had brought home to her the night that had since past. Quiet, the stillness, it was something that Aislin was very much use to now a days after spending so much time within their home alone, with only Dileas to keep her company and sometimes Aman-ud-Din. She had grown fond of it and disliked it at the same time, wanting her husband to be with her more and more. She was never a clingy woman, but she jsut felt safer knowing he was there and should the babe come early, she would have someone to go and get help or to help her. Laying upon the bed with naught on save for a dull blue dress that left her shoulders mostly bare with clips upon the tops to keep the material together. One hand rested along her growing as she lay on her back, slightly upwards and smiled at the babe moving about, dancing for it's mother as she sung to it gently, her voice like that of a angel, though Aislin never viewed herself as such. Moments passed and that was when Dileas lifted his head from Aislin's upper thighs where it had been resting and looked to the door, then to the windows for a moment. His head rose back, stretching his neck as he inhaled deeply, heightened senses smelling some thing Aislin could not before he rose up to his paws and walked off the bed to head for the door. His head lowered and his hackles rose before he gave a growl, smelling the fire about outside. Slowly, he moved from the door to a window to try and stand upright so he could see out of it, just barely reaching it and inhaling again before he growled. Aislin's ocean eyes stayed on him and with difficulty, she moved to push her legs over the side of the bed and rocked herself from it, before reaching for her boots and pulling them on, making herself breathless. He alerted her that something was amiss, but what. Aislin moved to the window behind him and pulled the wooden shudders open, only to see a orange glow, that seemed to be crawling through the woods like some wave in the ocean. The smell of burning trees assulted her, making her nose wrinkle and just as she went to walk from the door, a banging made her pause, her heart started beating quickly until she hear dher husband's voice and rushed to the door as fast as her body would allow to open it. "Eamonn, what be happening?" her tone was calm, but confused.
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - Eamonn was about to break the door down in his haste to get his things on and stop this fire if it could be done before it reacted his home and his wife. He did not know how fast it was moving or how long it had been burning, but his questions were who might have started it, and how could it be stopped. Finally the door opened, and the face of his wife greeted him. Eamonn ran into the house and to the stand his chainmail was resting on. Eamonn slipped the tunic of bronzed chainmail on over his head, and pulled his gloves on quickly, speaking as he rushed about. "There is a fire in the woods. Stay here, if you smell smoke and see flames, you get out and make for Inverness town." He said, not caring about personal effects or his house. His wife and Dileas and his child were more important than material goods. He slipped the blue and white trimmed surcoat with the Inverness coat-of-arms on the chest. Belt with attached scabbard was looped around his waist and he turned to Aislin. Stepping over to his wife, he took her hand and kissed her lips quickly, bidding her farewell. Aislin had moved to open the door and stood aside, thankfully allowing her husband to rush in and head for his armor stand. Eyes widened slightly as he began to prepare, making her unsure what was going on. So many things ran through her head but she tried to hold her questions for her husband to answer the first one. Burning? She ahd saw but why. When he told her to stay there and then make for inverness if the fire started to head towards the home, she spoke gently, "Aye husband. Ah shall. Ah'll either head for ruffians, or to the castle. Look for me there." Still ocean eyes watched him as her hand remained on her stomach before she took the other and leaned forward, suited up for war it seemed and kissed her. Aislin kissed him back, moving a hand to his cheek as she did so qucikly, before he pulled back and moved around her to head for the door. She turned about, making skirts of blues twist with her form as she watched him move from the door, shutting it behind him. Quickly, her head turned and she went to the window to keep watch, making sure to be ready should the first sign of it moving towards her came. Eamonn nodded to his wife quickly, and with that last kiss, he walked out of the door and dashed over to his waiting stallion. Swinging up onto the horse's back, he nodded to his men and they were off. The spear was handed to him, an extra carried by one of his men, and with one gloved hand holding the reins, the unit of riders left and headed toward the woods. As the moved toward the fires, the smoke became thicker and denser, making one want to choke and gag on the potency of it. Blankets were bought to help pat out the the fire, as well as empty wooden buckets to throw dirt from the ground ontothe fire. Immediately they went to work, men leaping from the back of their horses and pulling out the blankets and buckets. Stabbing the end of the spear into the ground, he grabbed a blanket and beat the flames out, another man coming with a dirtand snow to help lessen the fire or at least change its direction. As they worked to control the fire, soot and ash was everywhere, raining down upon them. Branches cracked and began to crumble. "Look out!" He shouted as large limb came crashing down to the ground. Eamonn leaped out of the way and was narrowly missed by it. The roaring flames muted the sounds of horsesand foot falls that belonged to the men that startedthe fire. Suddenly, an arrow came soaring through the flames and slammed into the chest of one of the riders. He cried out and fell to the ground. Eamonn frowned as eyes shot over toward the dead rider."It's a trap!"
Aislin Creed - Aislin did not leave the place at the window, wanting to make sure to keep her eyes peeled as Dileas stood up by her side with his front paws on the cell and his had looking out into the woods as well. Ears moved about on his head, as he listened to every sound, trying to see if something was not right. The fire, did not seem to be rushing towards them, but the speed of such a naturous thing could not be calculated. Moments passed and still nothing. Aislin was debating on packing things, but what would she truly need to take? Moving from the window for a moment, she went to get her cloak and her fur, pulling them both around her just in case. Dileas tilted his head back to watch her before he looked forward and then leaned a bit out of the window, as if trying to see the other side since there was no window there. His growling made Aislin pause and come back to the window to see a orange glow just around the other side of the house. What was going on? Moving to the door, she hesitated opening it, not sure what would be waiting for her outside, but should she not look, she may never know. Opening it quickly, she stepped out onto the small porch area and headd around to the edge only to see the whole forest was being swallowed by flames from the other side and it was nealy there! "Dileas...come!" she said firmly before she waited for her companion to push from the window and join her. Aislin did not hesitate this time as she moved towards the path and started to head for inverness in the dark. A glance was given behind her to see the flames were nearly behind them home, but there was little she could do alone. She only hoped that it did not leap across the snow and grass to get their home. Nearly halfway down the path, she paused as she heard someone cough and quickly, her and Dileas moved off it to the wooded area and behind a bush. Lowering down with her legs squating her, Dilease sat down besides her and was quiet as a few men moved by sudenly, taking their steps with ease from where the fires had been. Their dress was unlike Aislin had seen before and their colors were not inverness. From her count, there were only ten perhaps, moving the horses slowly so they made no noise. One hand reached to Dileas' snout and tapped it twice, telling him to be silent and not growl.
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - Meanwhile, fire was roaring all around them as they battled, the small clan of Englishmen setting fires and traps around the forest to lure men out and to flush the people from their homes that lived in the outer rims of the city to better anillate the population. Drawing his sword out, another tree limb fell to the ground with a large crash, and sparks as well as debris went flying into the air. Eamonn swung the sword, cutting the English scout across the abdomen, blood flying into the smoke filled air. The man flew backward screaming in pain. Unseen arrows went flying, but the riders soon got wise to the attackers and while men distracted them, the more famed marksmen of his group took out their arrows and fired back, hitting more than their fair share of targets. The tip of the sword managed to slice through the chairmail, and while the wound itself was not terrible deep, it hurt like hell and the crushed and broken links of chain were lodged into his skin and muscle, which would have to be pried out. The skirmish in the woods did not last terrible wrong, but seeing as the fire was useless to stop and unable to be controlled, Eamonn ordered the men to fall back and head to the city. He had to get back to Aislin, hoping that the fire did not consume their home yet, and racing through the woods on Finbar, he headed back to their house to see that the fire was coming and would soon take over the house. Jumping off of Finbar, Eamonn opened the door and grabbed a bag, pulling out important things that they would need, disassembling the crib and tying it up. By the time he left the house, Eamonn had the crib, his armour, helm, a few of their clothes and as many blankets of fur that he could get his hands on. Eamonn packed them on top of Finbar carefully, and taking the reins, he walked beside the horse, who at the moment was a pack horse. Eamonn managed to grab their wedding clothes and another sword for her just in case. Ruffian's was the first place he would go to, knowing that was where she had said to meet her or the castle.
Aislin Creed - Aislin waitd with patience as the men passed, having that gut feeling that if they saw her, she would be endanger from them. Instead, as soon as they moved on past her, she waited within the bush for a few moments more, giving them the time to get ahead of her and making sure that no more would be coming. When none came, Aislin moved with Dileas by her side, staying near the trees incase she had to slip back into them if anyone else was heard. Dileas trotted ahead, making sure no one was ahead of them and following the scents of the men before making sure they headed away from where they had went. In the shadows of the night, Aislin slipped about until she got to the town. All seemed quiet and Aislin was not sure if it was a trick or not. Dileas moved first, moving out into the open area to head fro the ruffians and make sure no one would try to attack him. When he got the door, he waited for Aislin, who moved as fast as her body would allow her before she slipped through the doors and inside to find there was no one about. Her heart began to pound and she thought about calling out for gupert or noah. It was then that Dileas started to sniff about and moved towards the back area of the kitchen. Aislin headed after him before she heard a loud groan and picked up speed, moving through the doors to find Noah on the ground, shaking with foamy spit moving from his mouth. Gupet was over him trying to help him in a panic. Aislin moved quickly to them both. "What happened!" " I don't know! we were talking and he took a drink from the water bucket we brought from the well and then went into this state moments later!"Oncea eyes went to the spilled cup on the ground and instinct took over, as she got to the ground and to her knees, she pressed two fingers into the liquid before bringing it to her nose and inhaling it. Her nose wrinkled with the odd smell that came from it before she wiped her fingers onto her dress and moved to Noah to grab his head. "Poison..ye say the well water! There be men out there dressed oddly coming towards the town. The forest be on fire. "Eyes went to Noah as he died slowly, blood was moving from his mouth now and his eyes were wide. "Ah can nay save him gupert...we can nay let him suffer either.." gupert's eyes went wide and he looked like he was about to crumble." Close ye eyes my friend..look away.." she said and waited while she fought back her own bubbling emotions as she shifted, moving her hands to cup Noah's head and whispering for him to forgive her before she twisted his head at a odd angle, making the sound of bones crack within his skin and immediately he fell limp, eyes wide with fear and blood still moving from his mouth, but now in small bubbles. Two fingers moved to close his eyes before she looked to gupert. "We must leave...head for the horses and get to the castle. Ah can nay move very fast..ye must go to the stables, release the horses. Ah have a bad feeling in my gut. Ah am going to warn the guest within the tavern. Go!"
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - The English were coming, a second wave, but this time sending probes out to test the weakness of the city and how best to take them all by surprise. As he walked, taking the long path toward Ruffian's, he noticed a small band ahead of him. Eamonn frowned, and pulled his sword back out. His returning men had fallen upon the random English spies and slaughtered them, thankfully, bodies were now being drug away to be burned, dragged into the forest to burn with it. Urging the stallion to stay and be silent, he crept toward the three men, their backs to him as they obvious had not seen him. Suddenly, Eamonn sprang upon them, slicing one's throat and stabbing another through the face, while the other one was kicked back and them stabbed in the chest by that long sword. Eamonn scowled. He prayed that Aislin was safeand at Ruffians as she said, and she not fallen prey to these men to be captured. His heart lurched in his chest as he motione for Finbar to come and limped beside him, black soot smeared upon his skin and his surcoat stained with ash, soot, and blood. The wound upon his arm had been bleed, but now stopped, thankfully,butcoated the cloth around it and the chainmaille was well with blood. Finally he got to the tavern,and told Finbar to stay. Slowly he approached the inn and stepped inside, hazel eyes glancing around for his wife. Where was she?
Aislin Creed - Moving up the stiars was no easy task but somehow Aislin did it, going from room to room, knocking on the doors to make the guest come out and awake from their sleep. A few men opened their doors to ask what was going on and Aislin explained to them what she knew, making them shut the door and head back inside to dress and get ready. One male moved out a bit slower, his large frame doned with his clothing making him fully dressed. Aislin was heading back from the end of the hall when he asked her what was wrong. She went to speak to him, only to have his hand lash out, grab her upper arm and yank her into the room with him, slamming his hand over her mouth and pulling her into the dim room while his foot kicked out to slam the door behind him. Aislin's eys were slightly wide, shocked as the male held her tightly against his chest and only a second later did she notice the candles being lit and four other men inside with him, all dressed in the same colors she had seen before. In the corner, two other tendresses were tired up and gagged, meaning they had been here for some time. Their language, Aislin did not understand, but she stilled in the man's arms not wanting to make him angry and hurt her or the babe. Hands fought themselves not to go to her stomach and draw attention there, though it was hard to miss, perhaps in this light they would. The male holding her argued with the other whow as sitting on the bed, calmly looking over some parchments that were rolled out. His hand smelled funny, like sweat, dirt and something else and it was making her nausas. She thought to bite him, but she knew she would not make it to the door. Undoing all the horses stalls, so they could run free, Gupert returned to the tavern, seeing some men coming down stairs now dressed and ready though questions were asked. Gupert saw Eamonn and moved by him, speaking loud enough for all to hear. " I do not know what is going on. Noah died from poisoning in the well water we had. Aislin said there are men dressed in colors unlike scotland moving about and the forest is opn fire..that is all I know. " some men mumbled about who was Aislin and weird colors..not understanding. When Eamonn asked him where Aislin was, gupet looked to him." she should be upstairs telling all the guest.
Sir Eamonn of Sevenwaters - Eamonn looked like hell, he felt like him, and soon Inverness would become a place of hell. People needed to get out and get out soon. When hazel eyes finally landed on Gupert, he frowned deeply. Noah was dead. Poisoned. They were here. It was unsure if they had left or not, but after what he had seen, Eamonn was not going to trust anyone at this point. Eamonn thanked Gupert for his words, and with his hand on the hilt of his sword, he waited. It had taken the man a while to get all the horses out, and knowing what Echo looked like, he brought her with him for Aislin. Too much time had passed. How long would it have taken for her to knock on all the doors and tell the guest to leave? Not this long. Eamonn frowned, and turned to Gupert. "Something is not right. She's been gone for much too long. Keep a sharp eye." He said, his voice hoarse and he coughed roughly, the smoke still bothering his lungs to the point it was taking him time getting use to the clean air. Heading up the steps quietly, Eamonn listened as he moved. Doors were left open as patrons packed and ran out of their rooms, but some were suspiciously closed. There was no sign of his wife anywhere, and he worried again, but anger also began to build up. Drawing his sword quietly, his steps were careful. He approached the closed doors silently, and leaned a bit to listen for voices, sounds of any kind. Mumbles. Eamonn frowned, and standing on the other side of the door,he knocked loudly, as if were Gupert. From where he stood against the wall, sword drawn, he could not be seen unless the person stepped out of the room. So, he waited, every muscle in his body tensing.
Aislin Creed - What ever it was they were talking about was making the man that was still holding her angry. He seemed inpatient and Aislin assumed he wanted to move from the room but the other male was telling him no or not yet. Another male was getting just as impatient. Aislin worried if they would start to fight or worse, turn their aggression onto her, the other woman or male that they had tied up. Aislin tried not to move, not wanting to draw attention to herself as she was still held within the arms of the larger male. More conversation kept low in a language she did not understand before a younger one moved from the table and headed towards the girl tender. Aislin's heart started to pound loudly in her chest, thinking they were speaking on killing them. When the male grabbed the woman, only to be scolded by the one on the bed, he snapped back and the man on the bed shook his head and looked back down to the parchment mumbling once more. the woman could not have been older then Aislin and was not overly pretty, being lower class and dressed in rags. Still, when the male pushed her to the floor and started to undo his breeches, Aislin started to breath heavy, knwoing then and there that he was about to rape the girl for his own fun while they waited. Her breath moved against the hand, making it sweaty and the foul smell on it increased. Aislin was fighting not passing out from it and torn as the girl was rolled over and fought back, even with her hands bound she tried to scream past the gag as he shoved her skirts up, ready to ravish her, only then she kicked out, getting too close to the male organs for the male's comfort. the one on the bed sneered and spoke quickly, making the male on top of her reach for something as he spoke. A dagger was pulled from where, Aislin did not know and as the woman struggled, it plunged it deep within her chest, making her pause in her struggle and body shake, eyes went wide in the dim light and Aislin herself, began to shake as well as how easily the man killed her. Just when she thought the worst was over, the male, did not stop in his actions. Shifting her skirts about, he continued to ravish her while her body shook and the life seeped from it, letting death take over. Aislin closed her eyes tightly as she heard his grunts and her breath became shakey. Emotions were not something she had before, but that was a disturbing image even for her to take. The male felt her shaking and mumbled something to her, but her eyes remained closed and her head fought his hand, trying to move it down and to the side making him pull it back up and start to fuss with her about it. the male that was tied in the corner began to whimper and fight his holds, not being able to take it either, but Aislin refused to open her eyes. the male, still grunted softly and spoke in a breathless tone that made Aislin shake even more before a loud knock moved on the door and the male holding her tensed. Both men on the bed seemed to ignore the one on the ground raping the now dead servant girl's body before the one not reading the parchment paper moved up to get the door, a sword was pulled from his side and held firmly. the male on the ground, came to his end, breathless and satisfied before he removed himself from the girl and gave a nod to the other male to answer the door. Pulling his breeches up, he stood and looked down at the dead body before pulling the dagger from it and wiping it clean. Looking to the girl, he mumbled something and spit upon her body before looking to the door as the other opened and then stepped out.
