Road to the Valley of Stars

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

- The evening prior to leaving at the city gates...-


Beathag: "Steady the lines! Dun let tha' horse run to fast mate..." "Wait for me! " What sort of things will we find in the district tonight, mah pet.." The words of the travelers were many and colorful as they passed in and out of the gates leading in to the city of Turas Lan. By whatever direction they came, each one carried a piece of a personal fable to complete or disregard in the purpose one was off to fufill. Games of cards, dice, and chance could fill a man's pocket or empty them. Perhaps they sought a drink and a woman on the knee. Some came to do business to be made into fine merchants while others came only for a chance to take a bit of streets paved in gold for good intentions. Beathag had crossed up the stairs of the Northern Gate to watch the steady flow of traffic continue into the hour of dusk, for soon she and her ladies would make a trip down the same roads out into the valley to see the Lady Artisan and her new child. (d)

Liliana: A change of residence and a new life. That was what Liliana's young mind was trying to wrap around. Such a large change had brought a sense of peace to her life and permanent smile to her lips. Days were spent following and learning her duties as well as the lay of the castle. So far she'd managed not to get lost, but knew that wouldn't always be the case! Now though she was coming back from a brief, very brief, trip to the markets to grab some personal articles. The hood of the gray cloak she wore over the simple blue gown was left down, black hair flowing loose, and her head would move about as she took in those around her. So much noise in the city tonight! Chocolate eyes would pass over a small child, huddled behind the skirts of her mother, and a smile would pass in her direction as she maneuvered toward her destination. (d)

Beathag: Liliana found that with her new posistion she was treated with the same respect that the Lady D'vorak was afforded as an intimate confidant to the Lady of the Isles. She found that as she learned of the nature of routine from the servants that her needs, opinions, or wishes carried weight that would manifest into completed task. The lord and lady's chambers she was allowed to, the Duchess' solarium. Jelenah showed her where the lady's gowns were kept, and told her the story of when she had learned to lace the leather amor and vanbraces that kept her safe in battle. All three of them spoke on the occasions when it was necessary for them to perform such a task as arranging the lady's hair in some artful array that was beyond even her skilled fingers. There were places to visit, people, appointments, and duties that they she bore witness too. It was no wonder Jelenah said that this simple convention followed an unsimplified woman! Her husband allowed her the work most left to fellow males, ruling equally and seeing over matters of government together. There were even times when the weakness of the Highlander was evident in voice or in the stiffness of a limp. (d)

Liliana: Oddly enough to be in such a position here was different from the last time. Perhaps it was due to the Lady and Lord, and the people of Skye in general. Liliana had come to like life in Turas Lan and working in the castle. Of course, she still had things she wanted to do and those would come later. Now she dodged a bear of a man who almost knocked into her as he carried on with the woman at his side. Shaking her head, laughter passing her lips, she'd call out,"Keep your eyes on the road, sir! Might step on a child with that behavior!" and then would continue as the man didn't even turn around. Not that she'd expected him to with the way the woman was whispering in his ear. Suchshocking behavior in the streets! (d)


Beathag: "Now, my delicious little strawberry, I'ma buy you a fine wine ..now how shall I drink it, eh? Pour it o'er ye.." The woman went on to giggle how the man had enough spirits for one night as they barely made it beyond the village road down to the capital, but if he was to pay what was the harm? She looked over her shoulder to Liliana and gave an apologetic shrug as he collected a firm handful of her backside. Squeeling, the pair laughed, disappearing into the crowds. "The city has many a boisterous soul, aye?" Beathag turned her eye down to her newest companion with a smile. Most women would not be able to look on such things, but then again this gentle woman had more scars than the hide of an angry bull and hands with strength. She was an over dressed plow horse, she'd say, and the city was the large field she ambled through on a daily basis. (d)

Liliana: That look from the woman when the man grabbed her rear caused heat to invade Liliana's cheeks and she'd look away just as that familiar voice came to her ears. Smile spreading, chocolate eyes would lock on Beathag, and she'd give a nod,"Indeed it does. I think it's something in the air." Liliana could remember such behavior at the tavern she'd worked at, but now seeing that made her a bit uncomfortable. Part jealousy and part fright, demons that lurked within that she tried to ignore, and she did just that now. (d)

Beathag: " Aye, a good dram of ale, mead, whiskey. Mayhaps a wine. Perhaps Ah've spent too long n' the work of men but it does nothing to sway me either way." Relatable people faired the best with the Duchess. Like Beathag and Jelenah, Liliana too had experienced life as a hand within the bar or tavern. Underneath the swinging dress hems of crushed emerald velvet lurked cuffed ankle boots of black leather that had been rocked by the rhythm of the sea, the feel ofa horse in full gallop. "How did you find ye trip to the markets m'dear?" The guard whom had followed Liliana smiled before assuming his evening's post along the wall, leaving both women under a watchful eye.

Liliana: "The trip was quite uneventful. I think that is good," Laughing softly, she'd look around her and then at Beathag as the woman came to stand by her. "I did notice that the city is quite lively this evening. What brings you out and about, Your Grace?" Liliana liked that the Duchess didn't behave as the others of status she had meant. One could feel like they were talking with a normal citizen of no rank or title. So far she could not think of a time where she was made to feel uncomfortable in the woman's presence. (d)

Beathag: "Tis a good night to view the Northern Gate, n' soon the preperations will be complete so tha' we may follow in Lady Jelenah's hoofstep n' make way tae the Lady Artisan's home, n' see the new life she has brought forth intae the world. The chambermaids from what I hear have packed for us excessively well n' o'ermuch but I've found tis to be expected. Apparently they be believin n' 4 dresses tae pick from fer e'ery occasion." (d)

Liliana: "I am most anxious to view the Lady's new addition. Children are such a miracle of life." Liliana was excited for the trip. The last time she had been there the Lady Artisan had been quite beautiful and well into her pregnancy. Listening to Beathag describe the amount to be packed her eyes would widened and a shake of her head would be given, ebony hair swaying about her shoulders,"That is indeed much. Is there any way that I can help prepare?" Liliana did not want to shirk any of her responsibilities. Priority for her, at present, was to do a good job and to prove that she deserved such a position. Then she'd worry about anything else. (d)

Beathag: "Ye can keep me company n' giggle with me o'er how many trunks go intae the wagon." She gave a wry grin before ushering Liliana closer. "Maybe we may look more proper iffn we stand together. The only thing I care o' bein' packed well is the trunk o' gifts for the Artisan and the babe, though if her mother's hands have done as the rumors say, and Sir Caden has bequeathed them gifts the child is spoiled and nay e'en a fortnight old yet." (d)

Liliana: "I am sure we will be doing much giggling. We should fear the wagon not moving once it is loaded." Humor shined in her chocolate eyes and she'd step closer to Beathag. Talk of the child being spoiled brought a widening of her smileand she'd murmur,"That is the way it should be though. I remember being spoiled rotten by my Father, but that was many years ago." Between her Father and Beth she'd been cocooned with love. Spoiling had come in the form of gifts from his trips or things made by her sister. (d)

Beathag: "Aye, n' m'self the same. M'stepfather, uncles, n' family showered much 'pon the children of the house n' there was no doubt we were their treasures. Sae it is with this new generation of life. Twixt being the daughter o' the Avarian King, Lady Eirian, and a circle o' beloved heart kin the child shall have more things than she e'er could fathom what to do with, more people to love her than can e'er be devised. But ye are right. Tha' is how it should always be." (d)

Liliana: "It sounds like your childhood was filled with much love, Your Grace." Smiling warmly at the woman, she wondered what had brought Beathag from that time to where she was now. So many things had been heard about the Duchess, none that Liliana could find any fault with, that made her curiousity arise. To have lead such a fascinating life, one of happiness and sorrow and love, was something she could not even imagine. Her own life had been teemed with tragedy that, in weaker moments, overshadowed all happiness. "I hear that the child has already stolen many a heart." (d)

Beathag: "Aye," she let the voice grow softer in a moment's reflection, "M'home n' my time as a child was a happy one. There are instances in life o' course but it was ne'er a question o' love, a home, a warm hearth, n' fine people around it. In Aberdeen, I lived among many generations o' the old n' the young." Many things could be spoken of the Duchess. Many wild, stories of a woman with axe in hand, others of a heart overburdened grown sick under strain,but neverof her convictions faultering. She had known happiness, love gained and lost, endured countless tales of tragedy to arise her own Scottish legend from the ash of it all. "The babe's mother is called Lady o' the Stars among other things. Angel o' the twilight, the constant moon n' stars on earth. I imagine there shall be stories writ o' her beauty n' the beauty she will give to her children, n tha' the children's children shall carry. Each woman o' the court is a beauty o' her own way. Golden, auburn, red, jet heads it matters nay. Eirian's quality is tha she seems somethin too...pure, too beautiful fer this world, as if she is a gift o' some sort." She pointed over towards the Herald's Row where banners hung in the evening breeze, "See three o' those there? The houses o' those insginia commisioned the Artisan to do such. They say tha' since she has refashioned the sign o' their house with her string they have grown lucky. So it begins e'en with a child the moment it is born. I am certain tis true they fall in love with her upon first sight. I've heard she has starbusts of blue in her eyes, wot e'er tha' means, yet it sounds lovely" (d)

Liliana: Such words spoken about the Lady Artisan fascinated Liliana. She had heard words whispered of the woman being an entity not of this world. After having seen her just that once she could understand why and as Beathag spoke sheunderstood more. "Do they really believe such can bring luck to their houses?" She had once believed that a bracelet, one from her Father, had been lucky...until the day she'd been taken from that tavern and now it was hard to just simply believe in something. Hearing of the child's eyes brought a slight rounding of her lips before they smoothed back into a smile,"It does sound lovely." (d)

Beathag: "Ah've had the honor o' knowin' the Lady for several years now, these seven years when she was perhaps eighteen, goin' towards her ninteenth year. It seems as time goes by her beauty only increases n' when she is my age m'thinks she will reach the truest height of it. They may well beh right, she has great success at wot she applies herself tae, she made a ramshackle inn into the delight o' eryone upon our old home island. She was commisioned for many a work since her arrival here sae there may be some truth to it somewhere." Beathag was pagan, and to here Christians uttering of luck from a woman who wove their strings sounded not so far fetched when the Fair Folk were as real to her as the ocean was to the naked eye. (d)

Liliana: "It does sound like she is blessed in some way..." Liliana was not sure how much she believed when it came to faith or luck. Such things had been made to be questioned lately. Though she did believe that someone, or something, had been watching over her the night she'd been washed up here. To have lived through what she had was a sign of something. "I wish that it was easy to believe like some here do. I did once, but...life does not make it easy to justdo so at times." A smile would be given, a brief flash of shadows in the depths of chocolates eyes, as she'd look up at the sky overhead for a moment. (d)

Beathag: "Nay. Life's about challenges anyhow n' nothin' is e'er as simple as it appears right off, at least for a great many things. But just like life took ye faith, somewot will come along to put it right again." She could be speaking the stuff of an elder woman to a younger to placate her with hapenny wisdom, but it was in utter earnest she said what she did. Things do come along that restore your faith. If not, after the death of her daughter Edme she would have hollowed and her beloved son would have had half a mother, and Adam half a wife. (d)

Liliana: Looking back at Beathag, listening closely to the words, her head would cant slightly to the left. For some reason she believed the woman. It was not like when her sister would have stated soothing words to soothe her. No, this wasdifferent somehow. One corner of her mouth would lift. There was much truth to everything that was said. "I guess that life cannot be easy or we would not learn from it, or become stronger..." (d)

Bethag: "We would take everythin' for granted if there were no mountain tae climb before coming to a gentler place, so ye are right." She felt that in this conversation she was coming to know Liliana and felt that Jelenah had made a correct, wise choice in making her the third member of their little party. As the night fell further on, the cart holding the trunks of feminine attire and gifts made way toward the gates. A secure doubled tarp was tied down over it should it happen to mist, rain, or other elements come in contact with the possesions of the court. "Ah, the processional," she teased as the cart made way toward the road to go before them so that all would be ready for their arrival (d)

Liliana: "Indeed we would. Nothing would have meaning or as much of an effect on us otherwise." Liliana's eyes would turn to the cart as the noise reached her ears and a brow would lift. It seemed that the loading had begun. Laughing softly,she'd murmur,"I feel such pity for those poor horses." It was nice to be able to talk to Beathag like this. In all honesty, this was the most she'd really spoke of anything deep and it was not much. She was not one to burden otherswith personal issues. No point in bringing down others with unhappy thoughts or the like. The aim in her life was to always bring a smile to faces, especially if they were down themselves. (d)

Bethag: "Tha' is the key. For all to have meaning....good gods on high," she muttered as the horses were being hitched to their tacking, "wot did the animals do to have to pull tha' load o' shyte" Gruff language was smoothed by a chortle asshe breathed in. It was good to be spoken to and she was pleased to find talking with Liliana to be this easy. No matter how Jelenah would always be close to her, the good woman was soon to become a wife. Her little heart sister would no longer reside in the castle and would be sorely missed, but at least Liliana would be there so a new connection could be made while the old was cherished. "Mm..the journey will probably be by carriage in light o' yestereve's great storm. Alas, our pretty heads may get rain on'em if we ride a horse, though perhaps with all they are lugging now Caldonhan can afford to be spared my heavy arse for twenty miles." (d)

Liliana: "It seems that the poor beasts are to be punished for such nonsense as the number of dresses to be changed. Perhaps we should make the chambermaids carry the trunks for a change?" Winking at Beathag, laughter would once again pass her lips as she watched the cart disappear into the distance. "To be coddled and protected from a bit of rain seems quite amusing, does it not?" Liliana was not one to worry about a little rain hurting her. Indeed the joy of being on the horseback would completely negate any concern of her hair getting a little damp.(d)

Beathag: "Aye, especially when m'hands are sae chapped it does nay e'en matter if I wear gloves. Oh my, rain! It's Skye, we be Scottish. What is a maelstrom but a summer's shower?" She found a partner in crime in the gests to showcase their humor, "Mayhaps we shall shun the carriage all taegether. Iffn you are not for bein' wet tis not as if I care. I've lived in the Highlands all m'life. I've sailed boats. Water from the heavens is nothin' o'er grand." Besides, in her opinion while carriages served some use in exceptionally inclimate weather or when one was ill or injured, the wheels could break on passes horses easily could surpass, hours lost as it was either fixed or the whole lot abandoned anyhow. She'd rather sit with split skirts in full stride atop her beloved Caldonhan, draft bred warhorse extrodinaire. She rolled her eyes upward before letting the lids flutter down. "Ah but tis part o' his Grace's wish to have his wild Highland blossom kept in one piece, but with such a contingent as we travel with..more metal than man I swear, twill be fine." The company of men was not disuaded, thank Gods, for aside from Kendrew's constant eye other soliders were not far away at any given time. (d)


Liliana: Grinning wide, liking the spirit in the Duchess, she'd murmur,"I will wear my most comfortable skirts for being seated astride a horse. I do not fear a little rain. I used to dance in it as a child." Liliana could recall being told to come in before she caught her death many times and the thought brought a light into her chocolate eyes. The idea of preparing to sit a horse when they'd be expected to ride in a carriage brought a sense of excitement traveling

[Queen Beathag Aberdeen]

- The Journey Itself-



Beathag: The Duchess and her newest companion, Mistress Liliana Marishka, discussed how it was unfair that the horses be punished with the packed burden of the chambermaids overzealous ideals that the ladies of the court ought to have four choices for every occasion of the day. Thus it was that a cart filled with a wardrobe for the women's stay accompanied gifts for the new arrival of the Artisan's baby girl. "Much better than the carriage, aye?" On horseback the pair of women rode despite the fear of rain on their heads. What was rain if you grew up in it but water you drank or bathed in fallen from a cloud? What was mud or dirt to the hard working? Aodhan, too, was happy to ride with hismother's arms firm around him as she pointed out a bird or tree. Turas Lan became smaller at the back of them and ultimately shrunk until it was no more (d)

Balian: Thunder hooves harold the coming of the white cloaked knight riding up the back trail. There were few of Turas Lan that didn't know the look of the white knight on his approach. He was a pillar of a man, deep toned and brute like fit for battle at all times. Icy blues that gleamed in the failing light and dimmed at dawn and carried a wisdom of a man who had lived three lifetimes. His demeanor spoke more then even the deep tone of the veteran soldier of the crusades. He was unmoved, fearless of most things and all men but driven to be the man that he is by those few fears that he did have and the biggest thing that scared him was not being there when he was needed. His eyes narrowed slightly under the thin white fabric of his hood, catching sight of the two in the distance and trying to focus in while he continued on, gaining that necessary ground between them. [d]

Beathag: Caldonhan's hoofs provided sure footing on the current cobblestones. Miles from now the stone would give way to packed earth of the natural sort that had been roads as long as men could walk them. Aodhan was soon resting quietly against her, muttering as the rhythm of the ride. "M'sweet boy. Close ye eyes now. We 'ave a long while yet." The light of afternoon was surrending to the flame of sunset streaking intense orange across the Celtic sky. Openfields would in time, too, become woodland hills but with the vigilant eyes of the White Knight and Sir Kendrew,Bess felt secure. Paired with that was the knowledge of her own ability; still trained, still honed, still sharp. Old habits died hard, and as such a quiver of arrows was fixed to one side of the saddle while a sword was tucked under the other. It was not that she sought to use them so much as to never be without them should need arise. (d)

Balian: Vigilant was one way to put such behavior in a man but for men like them devotion took hold more then self preservation. He road right past the small gathering, lifting a hard left fist up to salute in passing before spurred heels wrapped gently back into the flanks of the piebald stallion to carry him further ahead of them with those icy blues drifting along the landscape to study each line and cut in the trail ahead. It was a beautiful day for the ride and the scenery unfolding before them proved well to the tales he had heard of the lands beauty even more so. But he knew that beauty could just as easily be deceiving to the untrained and unprepared soldier. He road, further and further ahead to scout out the next bend in the trail before hauling back the reigns to circle back around. [d]

Kendrew: "So far, so good," Kendrew muttered from his posistion a few yards on the rise above Balian. He would lead his stallion down the sloping trail to join the White Knight. "I dare say we might actually ride in uneventful. Gads, wot e'er will we do with ourselves." His sense of humor had returned in the absence of trials to oversee and demons to conqueror. "I see in your future, sir knight, a kiss from thy lady love?" He chuckled a deep chuckle before staying the horse to wait for their feminine charges. While Balian was soon to be wed, it was a well known fact Kendrew of Dumfrieshire gently spurned the advances thus far of many a suitable woman. Was he picky? Perhaps. It wasonly that he wished not to spend his time with an idiot, no matter how pretty she was. He was a simple man of simple tastes, and alas, he's sooner pick his wife from a farm than from a court gathering (d)

Balian: Balian nodded once to Sir Kendrew's comment. The fellow knight had quickly gained Balians respect and even more so his trust the very first time the two spilt blood together to rescue the Duchess once before. "Aye.. good thing for her Grace and the child.. but all this Peace may make me old, eh?" He grinned back at Kendrew when he spoke of Jelenah and a light blush had come to the roughian knights cheeks, his brow slightly arched and for the smallest moment he found his eyes drifting toward the skies with thoughts of his love before he snapped back to attention to eye the land once more. "Mm.. Tis a fine future this. .. .I could hope for nothing more. ...She is everything I am not and I love her more then the night loves the glow of the moon." [d]

Kendrew: "Zounds. Love makes a poet o' ye. Will you not take up a lute n' play us a song then? Isn't there supposed to be some passage about her eyes n her hair, n' blah blah..blather n' such?" He rode away lest Balian reach out to swat his arm. Swats between men were more like punches that left marks for a fortnight long. He respected the man clad in white: his sword, his quickness, his conviction. Looking over his shoulder to Lord Aodhan and his mother, Her Grace. "M'thinks e'en her Grace gets bored but shh, if the Duke hears such he will rue the day such words ever uttered lest it give her ideas. The peace is good for me yet it dulls the blade. Alas. battle men grew too accustomed to the sound of still ringing to e'er forget it. My peace is done and a real bout would nay be so bad. I've kicked th earses o' our fellows enough in training to last me a lifetime." The cobblestones gave way to the packed earth and the air became filled with the scent of moist trees. It was almost as if the people on such land lived in peace with nature, not conquered it. To conquer the land would unveil the goodness in the sweet and leave no room for foreboding to hide. For good or bane, it served it's purposes (d)

Balian: He laughed and shook his head. Kendrew reminded him much of himself not so many years ago and there was a time when he would have been on the delivering side of that very same jest. He did round back toward the Duchess and Aodhan with another nod toward Kendrew. "I know what you mean of this, a little excitement now and then keeps the blood warm and my arm steady." He had enough blood for three lifetimes though rarely did he speak of such things. To many men turned such tales into whining or trials of boasting and Balian was neither the types then again those that knew the knight already knew that much about him. Once they returned to the group he bowed his head toward the Duchess. "Your Grace." [d]

Vincere: There was a sound up ahead of the group, a break in the treeline as a man was yelping. His horse moved quickly, running from another shadow whom chased him on foot. They were crossing an open field, and the horsemen was coming horseman* was coming straight toward the travelling group with his weapon drawn, but his attention was focused behind him as the shadow took a knee. He was far back from the horseman, an impossible shot to make for any ordinary marksman. Just as the man came into plain sight of the group, he yelled.. but something from way back whistled behind him, and blood came from his mouth as he gargled. ``GET OUTTA TH-...`` He slumped forward on his horse, a bolt sticking out from the back of his head. There was a signature upon the fletchers of that bolt, which looked a lot like the Talon make from Avaria. --Shortly after the man fell from his horse, Lieutenant Vincere came into view. He was a short, stocky man that had seen more battle than any three knights combined, and still had no claim to nobility. He removed his cowl, nodding to the group with a two finger salute. ``Top o' the evenin'..`` he checked the body and pulled him off the horse. ``Bloody rangers... always assuming distance helps them get away..`` -- Vincere would look oddly familiar to the Duchess, as he was feared by many of the Southern clans.(d)

Kendrew: Before a look of anything familiar could be established an evident alarm spread through the party. Any breech in the treeline drew the formation of riders closer around the wards they were meant to protect: The Duchess, Aodhan, and Lilian. He should have never said anything of peace for God always enjoyed proving a moment bitterly ironic in paraellel between quiet and violence. "Be at the ready!" he yelled back, grumbling, " There are too many blasted trees around here for m'liking at a time like this.." Just as he put his hand to the pommel of his sword the half-sentence of the man fell in comparison to the exceptional shot of the crossbolt that crunched into the back of his head. Vincere's greeting was met with evident distrust as he arched his eyebrow to Balian before viewing the man farther.

Beathag: Aodhan held tighter to his mother's arm as she captured the reigns in one hand and her son with the other. Never one to settle for the back of an issue..she skirted as close as she could to the front before Kendrew's sword made it impossible for her to go any farther. Squinting her eyes at the solider she said, "What are ye huntin' out here, man, what the hell is goin' on." Blunt. Straightforward. Purely Bess (d)

Balian: Thick gloved hand slapped down against the black woven hilt of the nameless sword, drawing cool charcoal shaded steel up from his hip to his guard while the piebald stallion trotted forward just in time to watch the bolt strike claim the life of the ranger. His brow lift and the horse slowed back to hault while the shadowed figure moved into light and words started to get exchanged. He licked the front of his pearly whites and shot a glance back toward Kendrew and then the man baring the mark of the Talon of Avaria. His shoulders rolled back and his head tilt just enough to study the fallen ranger for the briefest moment. [d]

Vincere: ``Name's lieutenant Michael Vincere of His Majesty's Special Military Quarter. I have been hunting watchers..`` He said, licking his lips. He didn't look the Duchess in the eye; he was a soldier, trained to kill.. not follow mannerisms of a court. His fingerless gloved hand yanked the bolt from the back of the Ranger's head, and he tossed it aside. ``Damned fools who think they can walk onto this land and harm the soon-to-be Apollius Family. -- Everyone is ok, for now.`` He licked his lips again, standing up to look to the group. The light from above shown a large shadow over his eye, a scar he wore like a medal.. just like the others that claimed a past on his body. ``I was with a unit given to me by a Sir.. um.. Caden, I think. Bloody weird name.. but they were killed in the woods. These ..watchers use Ranger tactics, poison tipped arrows.. those Skye soldiers did not stand a chance. I'm the last of that unit.`` He looked down the road. ``That way.. it's crawling with these guys.. I suggest you follow me if you plan on making it to there alive.. I have a unit brushing this forward area right now.`` He didn't wait for an answer, Talons never did. He instead, kicked the body off to the side and pulled himself atop the horse and pulled the animal about. ``Quickest way is through the woods.. bit bloody in there, but I know for sure they have been cleared.. this guy was the last of 'em.``(d)"

Kendrew: "It seems our swords n' weapons will be drawin' blood soon enough, Balian. We hunt again." The provinces of poisons, tactics, secrecy, and the like weren't the provence of regular soliders. Like Avaria had their Talons, the variants of the island's order were so named for the white or gold tipped grouse claw talon pins that marked them as members. All such members would remain by their charges, and command forces who would remain as an outer ring to their own protective efforts. He sighed in knowing this, for the men Caden would have given vincere may have perhaps been excellent trackers, the finest swordsmen or archers, but he wouldn't have sacrificed any of his elite from the prime posistion of shadowing their ward. "Speak not ill of our dead. They gave their lives. M'lady..what would you have us do?"

Beathag: Beathag, first, had him lift the sword that blocked her so she could look better at Vincere. Then again a view of his head was what they received as he started on through the woods A route that was probably a might longer but if he spoke truth, what choice did they have. " Turn half o' our men around. The duke will need to know o' this. Lietenant!" she called over, "Show us the mark o' your Quarter and we will follow!" After Sleat, she knew that all of the Avarian Talons were marked (d)

Balian: "Aye." His sword spun forward, unleashing the familiar harmony of justice against the open breeze while he lift his blues back to the woods. It wasn't his first rodeo nor likely his last in this life. Elite Rangers might prove sporty. He nearly grinned at the thought. Nearly. The sword spun back once more with blind perfect percision driving it back into its sheath only to have his hand reach back over his shoulder to loose the short bow and a single arrow. The Piebald stallion was lead ahead to take its place directly ahead of the Duchess, his eyes searching the trees and shadows that licked the paths. "Cleared woods is it?" His brow lift while he slid the arrow back against the bow string. "Tis a big words these for us.. simple inexperienced types of Skye." [d]

Vincere: The Lieutenant stopped, sighing. He brought the horse back around and moved toward the Duchess and her younger. He pulled the cowl back until his shoulder was revealed, showing a flaming symbol that signified that he was hand picked by the King, a fellowship mark that very few had been selected for. People like Captain Eight Gazes, or Tommasina.. -- Vincere glanced toward Balian, chosing to reflect his bearing and just moved on. Often times, allowed the bold or complacent die first, because apparently they had some point to make. To Vincere, battle was battle, and the only goal was to kill or get killed. He scratched his nose and chuckled.. leading the group on.People of the Duchess's stature should recognize the murderer of one of the Southern Clan's main army -- the rumor was they were stopped by a single man who wore the symbol just like his..-- The woods were quiet, and almost immediately the group was surrounded by a bloody mess. Skye soldiers were pinned against trees by both spear or arrow. There were fewer Ranger bodies than that of Skye.. but the path would be shorter than they anticipated.(d)

Beathag: Aodhan's face was pushed into his mother's chest, "Dun nay look. Keep your eyes closed until I tell you too.." They walked through the final resting place at the end of a violent scene. One man was run through, the wound still spurting blood. His eyes remained open, mouth working in reflex as his body began to stiffen. Kendrew felt an anger boil underneath the exterior military expertise trained him to keep passive. "More than poisoned tipped arrows or spears. This display is a warnin'. Seems the Avarians have a shyte full o' trouble indeed on their island n' The Lady Artisan is coming into the thick of it. What say you Balian?" He talked low enough for only his collegue to hearas they would ascer tain the situation from a Skye perspective. Sides mattered little in such a war in so much as the crossfire could take down any caught in it. "We will need to have a conferin' with Sir Robertson." (d)

Balian: Now he would be humble? Interesting retort but who could blame him. From his experience it was the over confident and arrogant that died first and this one seemed to have enough of that for the whole gathering. But there was none of this allowed either. If he was feeling froggy, leap. His blues trailed back to the scene, once more his brow lift while his free hand drift down the brim of his long white cloak to part it back over his thigh and give light to the row of throwing knives against leather clad hips. "Aye." Spoken in the deep unforgetable tone. "This.. must not go without an answer.. .I will return and see these men a propper burial before nightfall.. And then see Sir Robertson. " The fact his country men laid in this slaughter angered him but the fact they laid here without word back to Skye just flat out pissed him off but none such would be spoken from the simple soldier, none so much just yet. [d]

Vincere: Why wouldn't he be humble? It was clear who came out alive in the end. Talons were arrogant and over confident because they could back it up. Vincere remained quiet, sliding from his horse at the first sign of movement. He motioned the group on through, diverting his attention to the surroundings. It had just been a crow, coming late for a snack of some sort.. but Vincere's place was here, and he'd have to move to get with the other unit. ``The path is just straight forward from this spot on. Hopefully, you boys are a bit more prepared than the others..`` He said, directing his glance to the two soldiers in the middle of a small session. ``I'm gonna move on to get with that other unit.. see if I can't find who the leader is, and bring him to the courts for punishment. Give Sir Caden my condolences..`` Vincere slapped his horse on the ass and it took off away from the group. He knelt to take a blade from one of the dead and proceed into the thick of the shadows.. alone.(d)