Gavina Muir's Story

The sun sat halfway on the rise within the bright blue skies. Gavina was already up, packing her things from the slumber. Glancing around she noticed a few were doing as she was, but two adults still lay upon the ground. Standing from her spot, long legs carried her to the couple. Hand canted and she kneeled down. A hand reached to caress the young woman's face, eyes darted to the male. A sigh and she stood, looking toward a male just older than she. " Padraig. Your assistance." Was all she could muster. Padraig parted from his own doings and wandered over. Looking down at the couple he raised a hand to her shoulder; comforting. " Check on the others." He stated lowly. She nodded with a nervous smile and did as he said.

Thankfully, no others had fallen to their illness. Numerous were sick, more than likely from lack of nutrition, but she could not confirm her suspicions. Food had lacked of recently. A few of the men worked to bury the deceased couple, arousing a small ceremony from the rest of the group. However, Gavina stood away from them, looking out in the direction they would continue in. She had heard of a large village that would hopefully take them in. She regretted parting from her own. Feeling responsible for the deaths of so many, chilled her to the core. A hand gently laid upon her shoulder again. A quick glance back and it was Padraig. " We must move on, Gavina.". She nodded with agreement and turned. Gathering her supplies upon her back, she joined head of the dwindling group next to Padraig to continue their trek.

Silence had fallen throughout since the ceremony. It was becoming harder and harder to continue on, but they were to far forward to go back. Plus, they all doubted being welcome back into the village was really an option. Gavina wondered so much of her mother and those they left behind. Despite allowing her to leave, she still missed them all. She would, till the moment she died and she knew it. Cantae was not but a day or two away from where they stood. She knew if they could just hold out till then, the rest of them would survive. She too felt not well, but nothing like most of the others. Meat was very little, but berries and other small items were readily available upon their path. She was thirsty, as she was sure the rest of them were. Padraig had found some not too far from camp the night before, but it would not last the rest of the day if not careful. So , she figured, going on without water for a little while longer would not hurt her. Their pace was slow. All but hers, it seemed. Padraig had secretly given Gavina most of the nutrients they had. She felt horrible and wished to share, but He demanded she kept it a secrete. He was convinced it would save her life and he had promised her Father he would take care of her.

At this point they had to take a break. Two of the young girls were complaining of weakness and were extremely thirsty. Pausing, she gave her own water to the two young girls. She feared Cantae would be too far for some.

I grow weak of this. She looked into the skies with sorrow-filled eyes. Why do you torture me so? Why...? Her thoughts faded as she realized Padraig was speaking. Eyes looked to him, focusing in mid sentence.

".. cannot move on, Niece. They must rest."

She took a moment but gathered the general idea of what he said. Eyes looked over to the two young women. One was laying on the ground with a snow-white face. The other held the sickling. Another sigh and she nodded to Padraig. " I must continue on. Someone must. We cannot be idle while everyone dies, Uncle. The Gods tire of our journey, I can see that. "
She looked up to the rest of the group. Most of them looked tired and very ill. Some were puking, while others laid upon the ground. " They grow weaker, but I cannot." She looked back to Padraig. " What are we to do?"

Padraig looked across their group with a concerned sigh, grabbed Gavina's arm and moved her away from the group. " They will not make the trip. We both must come to that conclusion. I cannot leave them to their demise. I shall stay with them. Give them water and food until they pass or the last few can travel. You continue on. Find Cantae. I will follow suit. I suspect a couple days before I depart for you. Do not argue either Niece. Do as I say..." He let go of her and picked up her bag, handing it to her. His eyes were serious.

She looked up at him, brows furrowed. Lips parted to protest until he said to not argue. Eyes looked back at the group. He was right. They would not last much longer in Life. All those lives, she felt were on her. She had brought them all to their death. Except her own. Looking back to him, she grabbed her bag, which felt slightly heavier. Opening the sack, she noticed a large ration of meat and water. Quickly looking up to him she went to speak again until he interrupted in a stern voice. " Go." Looking over Padraig's face she noticed strength and worry. A sigh and she realized, she must do as he said. It was best. A tear began to roll down her cheek. Nodding she pulled the sack up and upon her back. Turning around she lowered her head and began to walk.

A few of the group mates began yelling for her, but she continued on. Padraig stopped them and began explaining. However, he lied to them. She was going to get help for them. She was not. She was leaving them. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she headed closer to Cantae. She knew she would no longer see the others. But fear of traveling by herself and no longer seeing her Uncle overwhelmed her.

Why ....? She asked the Gods again.

Gavina grew tired of wandering alone. She knew which direction to head; it was the same for the last 3 weeks. Soon the sun began to fall deep down into the ground. It would take her but only a few more hours before she reached Cantae; she guessed. Feet paused, head turned, looking back at where she had traveled from all day. She worried so for her Uncle, Padraig. She worried too for the others, but knew they were lost to the world soon enough. A sigh and she decided, continuing on was the only option. She could not spare a moment for rest. Even at night, she had to go on. It was imperitive to reach a place for food and water. She had ran out of both but not too long ago. Her quickened pace caused her to drink more so.

It worried her to travel through the night, but she understood the necessity of the situation. She paused just for a moment to drop her bag then re situated her bow and quiver. Quiver was over her should, while bow was now in her hands. Just in case. Bag returned to her back and she continued to travel.

Eyes glanced up to the sky. Please guide me well to Cantae. Please do me that.. She pleaded.

The sun beat down upon her, forcing little droplets to run down her face. Water was officially out and had been gone for quite some time. Head was facing down, in a type of shame, thinking of those she left behind. Her Uncle had to be okay. She forced herself to believe this , which quickened her pace.

It was not but a few hours later she looked up and noticed the edge of a village. Due to her extreme thirst it took her a moment to realize where she was. Cantae her mind weakly suggested. She paused a moment, returning her bow over her shoulder. Sack returned to her back and again her feet carried her toward her destination.

Approaching the village, her eyes looked at all those within. For some reason they looked like a sad lot. It was very odd to her to think this village that was known for their celebrations and music, to have such looks upon their faces. Brows furrowed in confusion. Had she gone the wrong direction and happened across a different village? She knew how to travel and she could not have done this. A hand lifted to wipe away a small bead of sweat, wiping it then upon her clothing. Here and there she nodded her head to passersby, not getting a look in return. She also attempted to speak to a few, but again she was ignored. This completely confused her. She had traveled so far and for so long. Was this all she would get? Due to her travels, Gavina had not heard of the approaching doom. No words were whispered along the wind in her direction. To have this village act opposite from what she had heard. She felt a deep sorrow. Head lowered to stare upon the ground, but continued to walk. What am I to do now?

There seemed so many within this village, yet all attempted to stay away from her. Gavina simply could not understand why she was being treated this way. Eyes glanced down to her clothing, of which was quite dirty from weeks of travel. She sighed, Perhaps... thinking this was the reason. Her belly turned for a moment, sending a sudden jolt through her arm to cover it. She determined there had to be a place to eat. Right? Legs carried her frail frame throughout the village, attempting to find anything. Even if they were scraps upon the ground, she would take them up. She thought a moment of leaving the town to hunt and gather water, but she had no strength to do so.

Entering an area that looked of homes rather than shops, she began to knock on each door. Most did not open. Some she simply heard grumbles. Others they scared her off. None of these times did she have a chance to ask for food and water. Finally she came across what looked like a stable. She checked faintly if there was a way to enter, and in fact there was. Inside she noticed a horse of gorgeous wilds. However, she knew how some could react, so she quickly ran past him. Some water was found, set for the horses, and she drank wildly from it. Spilling the water over her clothes and some upon the ground. Although she was still hungry, she figured water was most important. Being as weak and tired as she was, Gavina found an empty stall. Plopping her stuff down just outside of the stall, she fell to her hands and knees. Crawling upon her dress to a thick stack of hay, she finally collapsed in exhaustion. A sigh and she gently closed her eyes. She had to rest. She needed strength.

Adair's eyes had barely closed when a horn sounded somewhere inside the village. His initial reaction was to leap out of the bed and find out what was going on immediately, but something told him to stay where he was. The sounds coming from the forge outside the house paused for a brief moment before resuming a bit quieter. The pause and continuation of work almost immediately after at the sound of the horn told him it couldn't have been a horn warning of attack. Lying back down in the bed, he forced his eyes closed once more as the sounds of people passing slowly by the house began.

Just beginning to drift off to sleep again, something caught his attention once more; the sounds coming from the forge had stopped again. A door was heard opening and soft footsteps made their way closer to him as he slitted his eyelids to get a glimpse of the approaching figure. Sorcha's bright hair caught his sight first once again and a slender hand reached out to settle on his shoulder as she bent to wake him. Opening his eyes the rest of the way, Adair studied her face and propped himself up on an elbow as she spoke.

“You must leave now. I am sorry, but they have caught scouts outside the tribe. It is not safe anymore.”

Scouts? The thought shoved its way forcefully into his mind as he tried to quickly discern what it meant. They couldn't be from the tribe invading from across the channel, could it? According to his information, they had only recently left to traverse the channel, even scouts would be hard pressed to make it this far already. Another tribe perhaps? He knew it couldn't be his own, they would have never been able to come this far south so quickly under the cover of night without himself. The village itself might be coming to the same conclusions he was as well, and they've had a bit more time to discern the facts as well. Any outsiders would be in question, himself included. Fleeing might cause more suspicion as well, but staying might delay him if he was held for questioning. And delay wasn't something he was willing to gamble on at this point.

Sorcha was grabbing stuff up and equipping herself before she left for a moment to return with a few more things. “May I go with you or not? There is something I must do and it is hard to explain on such short notice, but please allow me to accompany you on your journey. I have a conquest and I wish to save another’s life if he was to go, it would be condemned.”

"It's not like you'll abandon your conquest even if I said no," he said as he stood and finished readying himself to leave. "And since you've been more than hospitable, I can't let you run off on your own now can I?" To be truthful, he had already given the matter some thought once he saw the traveling bag. She would be another pair of ears and eyes along the trip, and she didn't look like she would slow him down too terribly. "Let's go." He strode from the house and back out to where Donn was stabled. "Do you have a horse you can take, or are you r--" He cut his sentence off before turning the corner to the stables when he heard the soft whinny from his horse as Donn heard them approaching. Someone was with him.

Rounding the corner with his hand on his dagger, Adair came upon Donn blinking easily in his direction before tossing his head and looking away. Following his intelligent horse's gaze, he spotted a cluster of hay with red hair falling about it. They hay materialized into a pale woman with hair a little darker than Sorcha's collapsed on the stable floor. She looked incredibly underfed, and the whinny let out from his companion definitely didn't sound like she had arrived in good shape. Looking back at Sorcha, the look on her face said these women were strangers. Cantae wasn't such a large village that a woman of this age would go unrecognized, even if just in passing, so Adair had to assume she was another outsider.

Warning bells blared in his head as he knelt slowly beside the woman. She could be an enemy hiding out, or at the very least hostile. But a look over to his saddle showed his claymore still in place, and his supplies untouched. Any enemy would have surely taken or tampered with either of the two. And by the look of her, she didn't look in too great of fighting shape. He knew he should just ready Donn and leave the woman to her own devices, but those devices didn't look as if they had treated her well so far.

Reaching under her head to support her, he tried to wake her as he sat her up. "Miss," he said softly, trying not to startle her, "please, this isn't a great place to rest."

He was going to let her come with him. He wasn’t going to try and stop her like most men would have. Not that it was particularly a man’s quest, but most felt it their jobs to do such perilous journeys alone. Making her she had everything and being careful to follow in the shadows to the stable, she didn’t want anyone to see her now. Worse they would go tell her father or Caderyn would catch her. She was doing this to spare him not hurt him more.

As the two of them made their way to the stables, Sorcha followed him inside. Watching his body language and the sight of him going for his weapon told her something was wrong. Another scout? She thought to herself, but once she could see as he could, she knew it couldn’t be true. Scouts wouldn’t look this close to death could they?

Coming to Adair’s side she bent down and looked through the woman’s bag. There wasn’t much present and certainly not enough to tell where she had come from. Frowning she glanced at the still frame. This was going to slow them down, but it might be enough to give them a distraction.

“I will go tell someone of her presence. They will keep her until she is well and question her if she is a scout. Likely she is not, but it will give us a chance to escape from here unnoticed. Take your horse and the supplies and head into the woods. I will meet you there shortly.”

Sorcha stripped off her bag, weapons, and cloak giving them to Adair. She had to trust that he wouldn’t run off with anything or leave her abandoned in the tribe. He seemed like a good character and she hoped she wasn’t wrong. The mysterious woman needed help she couldn’t give nor did she have time to try. Someone else in the tribe would be much more skilled than herself.

Leaving the stable, she headed for the house of the person she knew could be of the most help. The tribe still seemed in much uproar from the announcement of the scouts. In this chaos it was easy to go by unnoticed. She reached the house and relayed her message as quickly as she could. She said she had gone there to check the area for hiding places of scouts after the announcement and found the woman. It wouldn’t look good on her, but still she would get the care she needed unless of course the leaders decided it was better not to risk anything and just kill her, but her people had never been that way before.

They never used to sacrifice people either. She reprimanded herself, but her help did as she expected and went to help. The family were good people and they would help her out. Turning, she headed back towards her house so she could slip out of the tribe before anyone saw her, but a figure stopped her short. It was the High Priest watching the comings and goings with a critical eye.

The man caught sight of Sorcha and leveled his gaze on her. The young woman fought back at gulp as she nodded respectfully to her elder. Please just let me get by and do not speak to me.

“You are Alaois Ceàrdach’s daughter are you not?”

Sorcha nodded her head. “Aye, sir I am. This there something you need?” All she wanted to do was run away like a scared dog, but she didn’t want to give the man any reason to choose her for death now.

“No, there is nothing. Just merely wanted to make sure I remembered who you were.” Nodding her head, she excused herself as quickly and politely as she could before heading for the woods. Her heart was pounding in her chest and she knew she was probably already paler than normal. The man was death and she came face to face with him. And while she was alive now, she knew that fact may be shortened if she did not get out of the tribe soon.

Entering the woods, she headed for the area she hoped Adair had gone to. It was close to the stable, but also far enough in that no one would see him or his horse. Of course it wasn’t too far from where she was supposed to met Caderyn at the end of the day, but she hoped not to get caught and to be out of there before the Champion figured out what she had planed.

Gavina flinched lightly when she realized something was touching her. The lack of strength within did not allow her to do more than a gentle flinched. Eyes opened and after some time, was able to focus upon the male whom held her head. Lips smiled gently, as if saying she was alright. " My apologies, Sir. I'll leave immediately." Despite her words, she did not move an inch. Unfortunately, she thought she was. When she realized she did not, her heart sunk. Strength...I just.. even her thoughts failed, now focusing on a female who she just realized was there. Although Gavina did not hear the woman's words, she did see her walk away. Eyes turned back to the male and smile softly again. " My apologies, Sir. I'll leave immediately." she repeated. This time, she was able to lift her head from his hand, but simply fell back into his hand. Brows furrowed as if upset by this.

Gavina had all intentions to leave. It was not as if she planned to steal someones stable for lodging when she knew you should always pay for using someones facilities. She simply wanted to rest her weary bones, but it was not until she had done so that she realized how bad off she was. She simply just thought all she needed was rest, food and water, and she would be well enough to explain and ask for a place to live.

Faintly she began hearing horns in the back ground. It confused her completely. Was that sound for her? Had she done something wrong and did not remember doing so? Thinking of all the options, she began to feel fear warm her core. Whatever she had done, she did not do on purpose.

As the woman Adair was holding began to stir at his touch, Sorcha spoke up from behind him as she began to remover her gear, handing it to him. “I will go tell someone of her presence. They will keep her until she is well and question her if she is a scout. Likely she is not, but it will give us a chance to escape from here unnoticed. Take your horse and the supplies and head into the woods. I will meet you there shortly.”

As she disappeared from sight, Adair turned his attention back to the woman in his hands. She was saying something, but her voice was so weak and faint, her words were hard to discern. She was visibly straining to move, but aside from her head, her body refused to react. His thoughts raced as he assessed her condition. He was nowhere near the skill his mother possessed in healing arts and medicine, but he had picked up on a few things over the years. And pressing his hand lightly to the skin on her forehead, he found her to be only slightly warmer than she should have been. She didn't appear to be injure or hurt, even to his enhanced eyes. He figured exhaustion was the only thing wrong with her, possibly requiring a few hours of rest or so to continue on.

Adair thought about what Sorcha had said upon her exit; "...and question her if she is a scout..." If things were less tense in the village, that might be the only case. But he was barely welcomed into the village and was a known ally, as well as the son of another respected tribe leader. An unknown woman wouldn't receive the same respect and treatment. Remembering the look of the man Druid he spotted in the village center, Adair thought again to the turmoil bubbling below Cantae's surface. A woman from outside the village might serve as a viable sacrifice in his eyes... A scowl crossing Adair's face at the thought. He wasn't going to leave this woman to the village's new-found solution for ridding the lands of the invaders.

"Wait here a second," he said gently to the woman and laid her head slowly back to the hay. He stood and fitted Sorcha's gear on Donn as he tightened the saddle straps. The horse's eyes followed Adair around as he moved and seemed to be trying to bore into him. 'You're out of your mind aren't you?' They seemed to say. "Shut it..." Adair mumbled at him.

Finishing his preparations, he turned and grabbed Donn gently by the sides of the horse's head and looked straight into his eyes and whispered "Easy boy..." This earned him a rolling of the horse's eyes and what sounded like a derisive snort from the horse. Smiling at the notion, Adair turned back and knelt down to lift the woman as gently as he could up onto the horse. She was much lighter than he had imagined she would be, but still said a quiet thanks to the gods that Donn was not the same height as a full-sized horse. He leaned her a bit forward so she rested atop Donn's stout neck and turned him slowly out of the stable, leading him on foot.

Entering the woods, Adair led them a bit further than he probably should have, but found a better spot than previously available to stop. A large oak sat nearby overlooking a large lake a little ways from the village. He would have kept going, but Sorcha was without her gear and most likely on foot. Any further, and she would be a bit hard pressed to catch up easily.

Supporting the woman as he let her slide from the saddle, he caught her and nodded his head for Donn to kneel and rest. Another snort greeted him as he leaned the woman back to lean against his horse and retrieved a small vial from his saddle bags. The dark brown liquid inside was amazing, and one of his mother's specialties. It worked wonders and helped boost you up when you felt like you were about to collapse. A few drops was all it took, but any more than that might cause you to vomit uncontrollably. Not everything is perfect, he reflected. Pulling an apple as well, he used his dagger to cut off a decent piece and let two drops of the liquid fall on the surface. "Here," he held it to the woman, "eat this, it tastes horrible, but the apple will help a bit."

Donn's eyes were once again locked on Adair as the apple rested in his hand. Holding out the apple, he let Donn take it and chomp on it happily. Adair figured it was either the apple or Adair's hand his horse was going to bite and made the right choice. Coming back to his feet, Adair ran a hand through his hair. Sorcha really couldn't complain about the woman's presence, but he still thought he needed a better excuse than 'I felt like it' for bringing her.

Gavina moaned gently when the guy picked her up. No, it is alright. I can leave on my own accord. was murmured within her brain, but still she did not move on her own. Being placed across the horse, she was able to smile ever so slightly. The softness of his fur comforted her a moment, until she realized something. They are taking me to my death. What have I done? She was still confused between the woman rushing out, the horn, and the male. She was unsure of what the male was doing and where he was taking her. It did not matter, she would not be able to run.

Eyes slowly opened when the male slid her off the horse and propped her up against him. "Wait here a second," he told her. She thought about nodding, completely intending it, but it did not happen. Eyes glanced around at where she was. It looked like the middle of no where, by a tree. That was interesting. She was not going to die? Again, this confused her more so. Soon he returned with an apple and a vile. The vile looked odd and she did not want it near her. However, he put a few drops upon the piece and handed it to her. Eyes looked to Adair, looking at the kind of man he was. It took a moment, but for some reason she realized she could trust him. She took the apple piece and plopped it in her mouth, beginning to chew; albeit slowly. Brows furrowed, eyes squinted, and nose wrinkled at the taste. Her mouth even propped open a moment, as if about to puke it up, but she continued to chew. As quickly as she could, she mashed it up and swallowed it. A sigh and she leaned her head back on the horse. Eyes closed again.

A few moments later she moistened her lips with her tongue. Softly the woman spoke, " Thank you.". All that she could muster for the time being, she stayed still and silent again.

Eoin

The running wasn't helping things one bit.
Eoin was quickly gaining on the mans tail but every time he got within arms reach the smaller target would slip away. Either by ducking through someone's home or diving through a street venders stall. The cause of him taking the West gate out of the village was hampered by the guards as he approached and for that Eoin was thankful. But now he has been running after this one man for several minutes now and it would not be long before he got away.

Passing near through the center of the village again he was able to catch a thread of the mans cloak as he dove around a corner. However the three young women screaming at the top of their lungs was not that much of a help in itself and as he thought Eoin lost sight of the runner.

The man was frantic with breath, not only were the others of his group discovered and killed. But it seemed that he had someone on his own trail that was aware of his presence.
The man was quick and light on his feel though, the saving grace that had helped him survive so far and he was not about to let his feet fail him now. He ran for more then he thought he was worth, ducking guards and then bursting out another one of the gates doing his best to remain detached from whatever patrols the village might have. He ran for some time unaware if anything was following or even if anything was aware of him.

The beat of his shoes on the ground kicking up dust and sullen soil as the departing morning dew could no longer sustain itself in his tread. Patches of mud was caking on the sides of his legs and the ends of his cloak were now tattered from the attentions of Eoin's grasping hands.

It wasn't long before the man ripped through several bushes and entered a large clearing, many of the large oaks and fur trees around casting shade for him to breath in. He was far enough away from the village now and the safety of the forest was between him and that horrid place.. or so he thought.
The man was leaning against one of the oaks as he gripped his side to help ease the pain of the long run, labored breaths escaped every few seconds as he tried to reconstitute himself. It was the feeling of a sudden impact to his jaw that slammed him violently into reality. He rolled away from the tree to see the large form of Eoin breaking the treeline along with the rest of his outstretched arm. "You ran far.. but not far enough."

The man pulled a dirk from within his cloak as a sign of defense and readied himself while still backing away.

Eoin on the other hand had already taken enough of his problems at this point and charged the man with both hands outstretched. The fleeing scout was not able to get past his grasp as Eoin hefted him into the air with ease and wrenched the blade from his fingers. Setting his mind on trapping or incapacitating the man Eoin had a considerably bright and horrid idea at the same time. He pressed the man against one of the large oaks and flipped the blade in his hands, driving it deep into his left shoulder effectively pinning him to the tree like a fly to a board.
In response the lets out the most primal of screams, its sound cascades outward in a torrent of pain and anguish. With this sound it was assured that no one within this ear shout could ignore such pain.

Eoin stands there and stares the man down, as he dangles and is forced to come to terms with his current predicament.

When she had been unable to locate Adair or his horse, Sorcha followed her instincts and it lead her to the clearing of the Old Oak, the same meeting place she had with Caderyn later that evening. The first thing she noticed was that Adair had the mysterious woman with him.

Great. Now they will think me a liar. She just shook her head at the sight, but the presence of the woman only brought more troubling issues. Biting her lower lip slightly, the young woman looked at the two people, the horse and then thought of herself.

“We will be slowed down greatly if one of us has to walk.” She stated slowly as the gears in her mind started turning. While her family didn’t own one themselves, she knew where she could get one and wouldn’t be punished if she were caught. If I take his then he won’t be able to follow. Nodding to herself, she knew she was about to take a huge risk.

“I will be back. Go on without me. I will catch up.” She had to leave her traveling gear, weapons, and her bag with him. To be seen with them in the tribe would be dangerous. Without another word, she turned on her heels and started running back to the tribe luckily avoiding all of the mishap with the scout as well as seeing or being seen by Caderyn.

Heading back to the tribe, she went to the stable again and got the tack for one of the horses before sneaking it into the woods nearing the place where they allowed the horses to graze during the day. Getting the tack to the woods was one of the hardest parts she knew, but stealing the horse was going to be another matter. Well borrowing was more accurate. She planed on bringing it back. Granted that she survived the whole ordeal or not.

The grazing area held several horses from the tribe, but there was one she wanted in particular. Caderyn’s. As Champion he was granted a high status among the people and given things or had wealth to buy them. His standing never stopped the two of them from being friends and for that Sorcha was thankful.

Letting a low whistle out she caught the horse’s attention and drew the animal to her. Stealing glances around her, she made sure no one was looking and using the mane of the beast, lead it to the woods where she had hidden the riding gear. Once there she started putting the tact on as quickly as she could begging the horse not to make a sound so she could follow behind of Adair to save her tribe and more importantly make sure Caderyn didn’t condemn his soul.

Adair passed the time waiting for Sorcha by unrolling the map of the area out in the shade under the large oak. He didn't stray too far from Donn in case the woman leaning against his horse needed anything. A few hours worth of rest would have been preferred, but with the new commotion surrounding Cantae, Adair wanted to get on the move again as soon as possible and put as many miles between himself and the commotion as possible. There would be plenty of time on this trip for that sort of trouble, and any he was able to avoid thus far would only help out in the long run. He pressed the map corners into the dirt to keep them from rolling back up and further anchored them with stones while he studied the features described on the cloth.

His mind wandered back to Sorcha as he stared at the map. He still had no idea what her 'mission' was in coming with him. She had given him a slight explanation, sure, but the best word he could use for it would be vague. To be fair though, he hadn't exactly spilled the beans on everything surrounding his trip either. She seemed trustworthy enough though, and there was no reason to question her motives. Not yet at least. As long as they were heading in the same direction, there was no need to abandon each others' company. What surprised him was how easily she decided in asking to accompany him. For all she knew, he could be some brigand pretending to be who he said he was. Plenty of people from the north could look as he did. More people in the world pretending to be me... He laughed at the thought and shook his head. The world definitely didn't need any of that...

While his mind continued to wander, he thought of his newest acquaintance and turned his head to look at the woman leaning back against Donn. She was almost a complete mystery to him. And being the fact that information gathering and interpretation was his area of expertise, the woman naturally intrigued him. Adair had never been one to wonder at the unknown, so he focused on the facts in front of him. She was an outsider of Cantae just as he was, completely exhausted and with few to no provisions. How exhausted she was told him she had walked pretty far to get to Cantae, either that, or had a horse that was no longer with her, possibly abandoned or sold long ago. If that was the case, she could've come all the way from--

His thoughts were cut off abruptly as he pulled his gaze from the woman's face and in the direction of a scream a bit off in the distance. It wasn't too terribly close, but he could still hear it so not as far off as he would have liked it to be either. Adair rose to his feet and rolled the map up to stuff it back into the pouch on Donn's saddlebags. He took care to do it carefully, trying not to disturb the woman while she rested. A sound behind him caused him to turn and drop his hand to his dagger before realizing it was Sorcha. He saw her gaze immediately drop to the woman and the look that crossed her face wasn't exactly one of approval.

“We will be slowed down greatly if one of us has to walk.” Adair was about to say something on the matter when he stopped. A look crossed Sorcha's face that made him pause. He could see an idea forming in her head. “I will be back. Go on without me. I will catch up.”

And with that she turned and was gone again. He let out a sigh and knelt down to pat Donn on the nose as he spoke with the other woman. "Sorry about all this," he told her. "Looks like we're going to be moving again. Things are a little screwy in the village we just left and we need to head out again. How are you feeling?" A little color had returned to her face and she looked a little better after the medicine and little bite of the apple, but Adair knew, especially in medicine, that looks could be deceiving.

Gavina had opened her eyes and began staring at the sky. She could tell the strength had mostly returned to her body; at least well enough to walk on her own for some time. However, she did not wish to get up. Her mind wandered about the man she left behind with the ailing group. She had heard some of the words between the woman and this Adair whom graciously cared for her. It did not seem like good things were coming. She wished nothing more than for his survival, but she would not know. She would simply assume he was safe. It was best that way.

When Adair began to speak to her, she looked over at him. Her lips peeled off into a smile, then her head bobbed slightly into a nod. " I feel much better. I do appreciate your help." She leaned forward, her back leaving the horses side. Head now arched downward as her hand reached up to caress through her sweat cooled hair. Nose wrinkled as she knew she needed to bath. Head raised again and looked back to Adair. " I am sure I look horrid. " She stated randomly, simply wanting to let him know she was well aware. But she smiled. " I am well enough to travel when need be. I do hope I am not a burden. I have no where to go, but If I could travel with the two of you, I will promise to prove my worth." Gavina was well aware how unpleased Sorcha seemed, but she desired so much to not be alone again. She knew the two of them looked as if they had a plan; something important. She did not want to hinder that anymore than she had already.

She looked behind her and gently stroked the horses side. " Thank you to you too. " A quick smile and she looked around at where they were. It was pleasant, but not the barn she remembered being in. She seemed in one piece so it mattered not. All it mattered was she was safe, alive, and not alone.

It didn’t take too much time to load the tack onto the beast, but it seemed like more time than Sorcha would have liked. Looking at the surrounding area one final time, she said her silent good byes to the place where she grew up and to her father. She hated doing this to him, but she felt she had no choice. They would either die at the hands of their priests or the hands of the invaders.

Hoisting herself up into the saddle of the horse, she took the reins and started to slowly made her way through the woods. She wanted to try and make as little noise as possible, but still make good time to catch up with Adair. All of her supplies were with him and while she knew she was taking a risk in allowing him to keep her stuff, she couldn’t have made the risk of getting caught with it.

Slowly the woods opened up to where she could move a bit quicker. Instead of just going straight to the Old Oak, she skirted around the area not wanting to take any risks of any other tribe members being in the area after Adair and the other woman left.

Once she was far enough away to move onto the path she was sure the other horse had gone, she did so. Turning in her saddle, Sorcha looked back at the only home she’d ever known. Please forgive me, father. I did not mean to leave you to face another lose, but I could not stand idly by and allow more innocent people die. Nor will I disobey the call of the gods. Please Caderyn forgive me. I never wanted to hurt you in this, but I cannot allow you to forsake the tribe for my sake. You truly were the best person I ever knew. I only wish things had gone differently and you waited a few more years when I knew I would be ready.

Sorcha felt the tears slowly starting to fall down the corner of her eyes. She wiped them away with her sleeve before turning back to face the way she was heading into the unknown. She had to cut herself off from her emotions so she could keep going. Taking a deep breath, she moved the horse onward so she could catch up with the other two traveling companions.

"I can see that you are quick to trust, for all you know I could be one of them.. willing to sacrifice my own comrades for any purpose.. At Eoins words, Cadeyrn felt heat rising to his cheeks. It was true, he hadn't thought of the possibility of this man being one of the enemy.
"But I can understand your current problem.. and the need that you have. I was heading West either way, so following you or being on my own would serve the same purpose and besides. The village would not be a good place for me now, despite being of what assistance I already have been.", Eoin said.
Cadeyrn nodded and stood up from the rock.
"I'll be back. You should stay here, think of whether or not you wish to accompany me", Cadeyrn said.
"I need to go back to my home and gather my things and my horse at the stables. I'll meet you back here, along with Sorcha".
With that, the Champion took off at a steady trot towards the village.

First, he went by his home, grabbing both of his satchels and his shield, which he threw over his shoulder as he moved through the village, drawing some strange looks from some of the tribesmen and women who were probably wondering why their Champion was geared up for a journey.
Cadeyrn didn't care, for he knew they would never get the chance to ask him.
Once he reached the stables, he opened the large double doors and walked inside, moving down the aisle of wooden stalls until he reached his own horses stall.
"Alright Thunder, time to--", The Champion's voice caught in his throat as his mind tried to catch up with what his eyes were seeing.
His horse was gone.
Instantly, the Warrior dropped his things and put his face close to the ground, studying the loose dirt. His eyes caught small foot prints, probably a small man or a woman's feet leading into Thunder's stall, then walking out to the other end of the aisle, mixed in with the enormous hoof prints of his own horse.
Realization dawned in Cadeyrn's mind.
"Damn it all, Sorcha!", he exclaimed angrily.
Cadeyrn took another tribesmen horse, tacking it and riding it quickly out of the stables.

Once outside, he could clearly see his horses hoof prints in the dirt and where they had flattened the grass, leading off into the woods, but Cadeyrn remembered Eoin was still waiting for him at the rock, and so he set the horse at a dead gallop towards the Old Oak.

"Follow me, quickly", Cadeyrn said urgently, immediately jerking the reins around and heading back into the woods towards the village, hoping his dismounted friend could find him when he caught up to Sorcha

It didn't take the Champion long to find where Thunder had flattened grass and undergrowth, and soon he was on Sorcha's trail.
She should've known I would follow her whether she wanted me to or not, Cadeyrn thought to himself, hurt and anger whirling in his head. He knew he couldn't stay angry with his dear friend, but he would make sure she knew his displeasure.

The Woods opened up, and a few times Cadeyrn had to dismount to recheck the trail, soon discovering another less fresh set of tracks made by another, smaller horse. Now certain he could follow both tracks without dismounting, he took a look back to see if Eoin was following him before sending his own mount into a full gallop.

Only a couple of minutes of riding, The Champion saw a figure far ahead of him, but close enough for him to see the bright red hair gleaming in the midday sun.

"Sorcha!" He yelled as loud as he could. "Stay where you are!".

Adair let out a small laugh as the woman commented on her own appearance. Although she wore the wear and tear of travel much better than most, the signs were still quite evident and fatigue only added to her worn out visage. Yet even as he thought about it, he was more than intelligent enough to stay away from discussing the issue of a woman's appearance with her. I'd rather face the entire invading tribe alone than walk into that death trap, he thought to himself. He looked at Donn as the woman turned to pat him and give her thanks for being the rest for her back. The horse's intelligent eyes shot to him and Adair could have sworn the horse's head cocked to the side a bit as he looked toward him.

I like her, can I keep her and leave you here? The stare seemed to indicate, ears flipping back and forth in what Adair could only take as a mocking gesture. Catching himself before he answered the horse out loud, Adair thought it would be best not to have a conversation with his horse in front of someone he didn't yet really know.

They set off minutes later at a mediocre forced march. Adair let the woman sit atop Donn for the entire duration as he switched out between riding with her and trotting beside. At the pace, and with Adair switching back and forth, he knew the barrel-chested horse could continue on well into the night and possibly into the next morning. Eating up the terrain below them, Adair found himself trying to make conversation as they sat atop the swaying horse as it cantered forward easily. He introduced himself a little less formally that usual considering the circumstances, and commented on the terrain and explained a bit of what was going on.

"Apparently a man was found spying on the village. I'd imagine they're being a little more tense with any outsiders they come across inside the village." He continued as they swayed gently atop Donn. "It's a shame too, they were so friendly and inviting when I got there..." The sarcasm in his voice was evident, remembering how Sorcha alone with the chief were the only two to even have more than a few words with him the entire time in his short visit. "You looked a little more than threatening laying there in the stable, I didn't want to leave you there lest you be mistaken for one of the ferocious inv--"

Adair let his joke trail off unfinished as something caught his attention. He slowed Donn to a stop and listened. There it was again... There was a shout from a little ways off he could have sworn he heard and was assured of it when Donn's ears flicked back and forth and he turned his head trying to look behind them. Perhaps Sorcha has caught up...

It was the most likely thought, but wasn't the only possibility that came to mind. The terrain around them at the moment prevented him from seeing exactly where the threat had come from, but hid them from sight at the same time. He urged Donn back the way they had come for a bit and dismounted a little off from the path to keep the horse and remaining passenger out of sight. "Stay with Donn for a second," he told the woman as he unbuckled his Claymore and secured it on his back.

He slipped off back down the path into the trees the way they had come and soon enough was able to hear a voice. From the distance, he couldn't make out what was being said, but he could see them well enough and spotted Sorcha conversing with a man he recognized as Cantae's Champion. Sorcha turned from the Champion after saying something and started back toward Adair's direction. Letting out a high-pitched whistle Adair waited a few moments before he heard Donn's hooves walking back down the path. Turning back, he could see Sorcha stopped atop the horse she was on and decided to make himself known by stepping onto the path to walk up a bit more casually as Donn caught up and whinnied a greeting at the other horses.

"I don't believe the gods agree with people spitting at their name." He addressed the Champion as they spotted him. "Though the gods here and my gods seem to differ greatly in opinion."

Adair's eyebrow raised as the champion whirled his horse around and immediately sought out the comforting hilt of the sword strapped to his back. He could only smile at the movement, his own hand was resting on the dagger attached to his belt. If he had been an enemy, the dagger would have been in the air instead of in its sheath. But the champion seemed to grasp the situation faster than most as he relaxed a bit at Sorcha apologizing. Adair gave a shrug and waved the matter off as Donn finished the rest of the distance to him and butted his shoulder.

Cadeyrn introduced himself and spoke of himself and another man now becoming his new traveling companions. That didn't sit too well with him at the present moment. Adair had left his village early this morning and somehow had acquired three new companions with another on his way in less than an entire day. Things were beginning to get a little complicated where his mission was concerned. More people would only complicate things the closer he came to the invaders approaching from the West. Alone, the task was going to prove difficult enough, but with five people? He might as well turn Donn back toward his village and head home.

"I spoke with your father earlier Champion," Adair addressed the man still peering at him from atop his horse, "he didn't mention you were leaving anytime soon, with war brewing and all. Nor did Sorcha mention bringing along any more baggage than the supplies she has already entrusted me with. So you can see my hesitation when you mention not one, but two new members of this expedition West." Sorcha had jumped at the chance to accompany him when he mentioned he was heading West, but kept her reasons to herself. She was also not very pleased at seeing the other woman when she met them outside the village. And the Chief of Cantae would have sent his own men with Adair when the situation was explained to him if he had meant to send anyone at all.

The champion seemed to be Adair's main focus for the moment, but his eyes suddenly shot to Sorcha. "And a blacksmith's daughter decides to leave the safety of a village into the wilds with a stranger, heading toward more dangerous territory." There was something that was hanging between these two in front of him that they had yet to tell him, and Adair's purpose on this mission was finding out what was going on in the southern lands and how to stop the invaders. It seemed his mission was accelerating quicker than he expected.

Addressing Sorcha and Cadeyrn, he spoke again. "Basically what I'm getting at, is that nobody is becoming another traveling companion of mine until you both tell me what in the gods' name is going on here?" Adair paused for a moment to let them gather their thoughts. "I'll start things off with a bit of honesty. I'm Adair Cormac, nice to make your acquaintance champion. And this is..." He gesture to the woman with Donn but stopped as he realized he still didn't know the woman's name. He leaned over and whispered to her, "Sorry, I didn't catch your name..."

Caderyn had the exact reaction Sorcha had feared he would have when he saw Adair, but at least he hadn’t attacked. The man hadn’t made it to Champion at such a young age from rushing head long without thinking first. Glancing between the two men she could tell this wasn’t going to end well. If she didn’t know any better they appeared to be sizing each other up.

“Unfortunately, we will have to wait longer. I left my own companion behind when I gave chase to you,” Caderyn said directing it at Sorcha.

Oh, no, no, no. This is not good. It is bad enough I could not convince Caderyn not to come with me, but now he has to impose himself and another onto this group? I had no say in the other young woman coming as this is really his voyage. Caderyn should have asked permission for himself not told of himself and another. Who else is he bringing? Who has he told about my dream to get to come with him?

The light red haired woman listened to Adair speaking to Caderyn about his father. She kept quiet as she didn’t want the reproach to be addressed to her. Caderyn she knew was accused to it. She wasn’t. But she knew Adair’s words were still showing that the two had planed this without telling anyone which would lead to a lot of questions.

It didn’t take long for the foreigner to turn to her and as well as Sorcha tried to keep her composure it didn’t work. Her eyes widened slightly and her face paled. I know I am leaving my tribe, but how is it any safer now than out there? For having never been too far from her tribe’s boundaries and not knowing what it was really like outside, she wasn’t too sure that it couldn’t be worse than waiting for death. Could it? She was still a young, naïve woman who didn’t know the truth of the world around her.

Sorcha repressed a gulp as well as she could as she glanced over towards Caderyn. Should I tell him? Will he believe me unstable, a liar, or will he see the truth of my words without further questioning? She didn’t know Adair’s character well enough let alone the mysterious woman or the other traveler the Champion was bringing to know the answer to her question.

“First… well I am a blacksmith’s daughter, but I am a blacksmith in my own right. Please have the respect to treat me as such.” She gained some of her wits back unused to being chastised from other people other than her father for her actions. Though many of the tribe’s people especially the woman had helped out, she still really only received lectures from her father.

If there was one thing she couldn’t stand in the tribe was no women who were not warriors were treated. She was a woman who could survive out on her own due to her occupation and while she didn’t know everything the others did, she was still stable enough and well enough off to know when and where she deserved some respect from men especially and her job was something she took seriously. She was better than her father due to her secret ability, but she wasn’t going to say that to anyone out loud.

But now, she had to answer Adair’s question otherwise she feared he would not even allow her to continue with him. She had wanted to avoid all of this, but now she had no choice in the matter.

“I…” she started, suddenly hesitant and fearful again. She avoided looking at anything in particular, something she did when she was nervous and worried at trait she had yet to grow out of. “I am on a quest from the gods.” She said finally as quickly and as strongly as she could, avoiding any particular details about how this came about. She hoped Adair would accept this at face value and not ask any questions. She wasn’t sure if she could truthfully answer the man about all the details. At least not the same details she had given Caderyn mere hours ago.

Sorcha stole another quick glance at her friend before looking back to Adair. Now please tell Caderyn he is not allowed to come. She wished she had the nerve to say the words out load, but she didn’t have the heart to. Adair would decide how to handle the situation; she just hoped it didn’t involve any more questions on her part. And as much as she would rather see Caderyn back in the village and save him from eternal punishment, there was a safety net in having him come alone. It was selfish and wrong of her to want it, but really she wanted her friend with her because at the moment he was the only one who knew the whole truth and just what lay at her feet to do. Something she wasn’t sure she could actually do.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ruari just shook his head seeing the explanation his leader had jumped to first. While it was a likely reason, he wanted to believe they had simply gone too far. It was however, the further continuing words of his leader that had the man questioning the man’s sanity. He had never said anything prior and he had no intensions of speaking up as he rather liked living.

The specialist started to speak before another man joined them and he clamed his jaw shut. Most of his tribesmen needed to learn some manners. Too bad these foreign people couldn’t get the chance to do that, he thought bitterly to himself. He started to turn away from the conversation when he was called back.

He hated the talk about what was done with the women. His mother had been brought back from a foreign land and still people treated her like garbage some days even though she was married to a warrior and so far had produced two of the best warriors the tribe had seen in a while. Even though Ruari wasn’t as physically strong as the other, his specialist status made him someone important.

“Yes, sir.” He mumbled under his breath as he turned around and walked back to the main part of their base camp. He knew who he was going to gather; some of the more calm and rational ones, who wouldn’t just go around needlessly killing people. There were other, more powerful ways of subduing other people that lasted much longer than just fear and usually didn’t cause a rebellion.

Once he had a small group together about fifteen including himself and their gear was packed they headed out in the same direction as the scouts. He was sure they were going to come into contact with other, smaller tribes, but he wanted to use their recourses to their advantage and that meant getting them to crack without spilling too much blood. It was one reason he believed the sane part of Farquar trusted him so much with tasks that others should do. He wanted to bring something back to the camp that would prove this land had something to offer and didn’t need to be destroyed so thoroughly that they didn’t have something enduring to gain rather than momentary gain and leaving a path of fear and gain behind them.

Ruari’s face was set as he rode at the front of the group leading the way in the general direction of Cantae. They would get better directions the closer they got, but for now they had ground to cover and hopefully find something out about the scouts that were missing.

"Yes, she is on a quest from the Gods, a vision she was given". Cadeyrn continued where Sorcha left off.
"I told her I would accompany her and keep her safe on the journey", He continued, turning to Sorcha to narrow his eyes.
"Instead, she stole my horse and sought to leave me at the village, so I tracked her". Cadeyrn turned to Adair.
"I apologize for simply stating that I wWOULD be going, but it has become apparent that we are all on this road for separate reasons seeing as how Sorcha decided to keep her quest a secret from you. You do not have to accompany us on this journey, but I will not be turning back around and heading back to the village, in fact, the road you are travelling might be in the path of the advancing enemy who's scouts we caught in the village. You will need more than yourself, a weary traveler, and a Blacksmiths daughter to defend yourselves.
As if on cue, Eoin came pounding out of the underbrush.
"it seems my companion has arrived".