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Sorcha Ceàrdach

"Something has to be done before they kill us all."

0 · 448 views · located in 500 BCE Scotland

a character in “Road to Ruin”, as played by AvengerSpirit

Description

Name: Sorcha (SIR-ka) Ceàrdach

Age: roughly 19 springs

Gender: female

Tribe: Cantae

Location: see rp summary

Parents: Enya – mother, deceased. Alaois – father, works with metal (iron).

Class: Crafting

Magick: Ability to manipulate metal is the main aspect of her magick, almost all things she does involves it in someway. Like the priests of her village she can also call a “flame” into her hand that doesn’t hurt her. Uses it to see by and has been working on other ways asides of the metal to be able to use it.

Appearance: Sorcha stands at about five foot five inches tall. She is slender and barely has any fat on her bones. Any of her bones would normally be able to be seen protruding from the skin because she doesn’t always get enough to eat, but her clothes cover the areas, like pelvic and clavicle. She has long light red hair that she wears braided and then wrapped on the back of her head. Has one small braid on each side of her head as well as a few on the back that hang loose down to the middle of her back. She has a blue fabric cloth that she covers her hair with save for the dangling braids. Sorcha has bright green eyes and a delicate face. Wears a dark blue wool dress that is plain with no trimming on it; long sleeve. Has a leather belt with silver buckle on her waist, is not tight and hangs loosely. Has a tool kit and dagger on it. Has a pair of leather boots that go to mid-calf that she ties with leather string. Also has leather bracers on both arms. Formal dress wear is different.

Image

Weapons: Bow and arrow, quiver, dagger.

BIO: Sorcha was born in the early spring not long after the winter snow had begun to fade. Her mother survived her birth, but by the time she was two, the woman had died in childbirth with her brother. The young babe didn’t survive and the young girl was left to the charges of her father who was a metal crafter. He worked with a few others to make the weapons as well as shields and helmets, but he specialized in created the decretive patterns on them. He also made most of the village’s jewelry that as made of metal. Sorcha learned this skill young and decided that instead of marrying like the other girls in her tribe that she would continue on learning her father’s trade and be more valuable that way. However like every other tribesperson, she learned the skill of music at an early age and had a talent for playing as well as dancing. Her singing while not the best was still treasured in the tribe because she was one of the only sopranos. She is one of the main entertainers for celebrations especially for their religious holidays despite their Druid priests not liking women having power within the religious structure. Another reason she refused to get married was because she could perform magick, the same kind that only the Druid priests should have been able to, and she didn’t want to have to hide it from more people. While some magick was able to be done by most everyone, the kind that she could do and did in secret was strictly forbidden and punishable by death and since females weren’t allowed to become priestesses in her tribe she had to keep her secret from even her father. When news came about the invaders from the other lands, she received news from a Banshee that if she didn’t go to the invaders the death of her own tribe would ensue. After the sacrificing of people to try and find what was most precious to the tribe, she knew she had to leave. She planned to try and met the invaders from across the channel (Ireland) before they arrived to destroy her tribe along with countless others in between. Little did she know what the gods had planned and lengths that her people would go to appease the gods they believed they had angered.

Other: She is the one they have to sacrifice to save their tribe, but she is also the only one who can save it without dying.

So begins...

Sorcha Ceàrdach's Story

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Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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The second sacrifice had taken place only a few days prior and much of the village was still in distraught. Two people murdered for no reason other than the High Priest said the gods proclaimed it so. Sorcha shook her head to clear the thoughts from her mind. I shouldn’t think badly of them. They are in charge for a reason, but that dream I had... A Banshee does not come for no reason… Again she stopped herself from the path her mind was wandering.

Sitting down on the ground she pulled out a box from its hiding place and opened the lid. Inside was a torc she had been working on for herself. Her father didn’t allow her to take the good materials they used to make profit from, but she was allowed the scraps. Most people wouldn’t have been able to use them, but her gifts allowed her the ability to forge them back together without heat, but with magick. She couldn’t tell anyone this, so she worked on it in secret.

Which was why she was up early after the dream that she had had awoken her from a deep sleep. She was wrapped in her fur cloak shivering because she knew better then to start the fire. It would wake her father and it wouldn’t matter because soon the rest of the tribe would be waking up. Pulling the unfinished torc from the box she examined what was left to complete.

The shape was finely molded and fit perfectly around her neck. The designs on the ends were what she had yet to finish simply because she had yet to pick an animal to craft. There were many animals that she liked but she wanted something that the rest of the tribe didn’t have. “Who says it has to be an animal?” She asked herself before she glanced around the dark room before pulling a flame of magick into her hand. She stared at it for a few seconds before she put her hand over the flat metal on the ends and started shaping it. It was iron not gold, but smoothed down and polished it gleamed nicely not quite like silver, but it didn’t have the same dark tint of iron that she was accustomed to with swords.

As the groves started to form within the metal, the young woman noticed the first rays of light peaking through. She frowned to herself as she allowed the flame to fall and she put the torc back up. She had to get around to normal chores and make sure breakfast was ready by the time her father woke up which wouldn’t be much longer.

By the time breakfast was over, her father was moving to his shop to get the next set of weapons churned out. The two of them were busy making everything in preparation of the invading tribe. Sorcha had more pressing issues to worry about, but she wasn’t sure who she could trust. She doubted anyone would believe her if she said a messenger of death had come to her in a dream. The gods were only supposed to talk to the priests. She was just a smith.

“Papa, I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon.” Her father nodded to her and she headed out of the building. She wasn’t sure what she was going to do, but she had to do something. When she needed a place to think she always went to where her mother and little brother were buried. It helped calm her down. She didn’t remember her mother, but she liked to think she would have loved the woman and her mother would have loved her. The other women in the tribe may have done what they could in helping her father to raise her, but it still wasn’t the same as having her own mother to turn to for guidance.

Glancing around the area to see who was up as it was nearing midmorning now, she saw people she knew all her life. And in their faces she could see the lines of stress, worry, and fear. This doesn’t belong here. I understand the outside threats, but the tribe is supposed to band together not destroy its own. Something has to be done. Soon.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach Character Portrait: Cailean MacIosaig
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Cailean could not sleep the entire night so before sun up he left his house. everyone else was asleep so he just slipped out unnoticed. when he was on the outskirts of the village he dropped down to his knees and started to change. He had an ability to change his form into that of any animal. He turned into a pitch black raven and took off into the air.

Cailean loved changing forms into that of a bird because he could soar through the sky and have some time to think about things. Cailean decided to land and take some time to train. He loved this meadow right next to a small waterfall where he could focus. He landed and took out his swords and started training.

After a bit of time had passed and the sun was starting to come up he finished his training and went under the waterfall to wash all the sweat off his body. He again took the form of a crow and started flying towards the village. on his way back he saw one of the girls from his village in the cemetery. He swooped down and landed on the tombstone of his parents and watched the girl. it seemed like she was just visiting some of her relatives.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Cadeyrn walked through the Tribe village, his pace brisk, his mind occupied and his heart heavy as he thought about the Sacrifices and the prophetic message of the invaders. The Champion didn't believe the offerings would protect the Tribe, only the warrior class would, so while the druids killed innocents in hopes that their blood would sate the Gods and protect them from the would-be invaders, Cadeyrn and the Warriors prepared for the inevitable.

If the Cantae were to were to be taken, they would not go quietly.

Cadeyrn slowed his pace as he neared The Village Smith's home. The warrior began to approach the entryway to the home until he noticed the flames rising from the Forge at the shop, which meant either Sorcha or her father was laboring in the shop.
He changed direction towards the Forge, but did not see Sorcha, but he did see her father, which meant the young woman was either running an errand or exploring.
The Smith turned around, and nodded at Cadeyrn.
"The blades will be ready by nightfall, and I'll have another few started in the morning", the blacksmith said before setting down his hammer.
"That is good news, I'll let the Chieftain know", Cadeyrn said, viewing the Smiths usual expert work. "But I came regarding your daughter".

The Smith grunted, "She wandered off, what do you need from her?".

"When she comes back, would you have her meet me at the Old Oak? I wish to speak with her".

The Smith was quiet for a moment.

"And just what are you're intentions for my daughter, Champion?"

"I swear upon my Title that my intentions for Sorcha are pure, I just need to speak in private with her." Cadeyrn explained.

The smith grunted again before turning back to the Forge, striking a hot blade with his hammer.

"Very well, I'll pass the message along". The smith grumbled before going back to work on the blade, his hammer now making a repetitive sound as it striked the glowing iron.

Without a word, Cadeyrn strode out of the shop and headed to the Old Oak, the largest tree on the Tribal lands that overlooked a lake that drained out into the Great Water at the edge of the land. The Champion chose a small boulder near the tree, there he sat, drew his long sword and picked a Whetstone from his satchel and began sharpening the blade as he waited for his friend to arrive.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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The looks she saw in the people she knew all her life worried her. It bothered her on a level she was sure that it shouldn’t bother her, but it did and that was what mattered the most. Sitting down in front of the markers for her mother and brother’s grave, she sighed.

“Mother, I do not know what to do. I am conflicted and confused. The priests are meant to lead us to a wonderful afterlife, but instead they are sending us to an early grave. We expect invaders, but never before something like this. I had vision in a dream last night. A banshee came to me and told me to go to the invaders. It is not the sacrificing that will stop them, but me. I do not understand. Please help me.”

Sorcha stared at the markers wondering what they could really tell her. She felt the wind in her hair and glanced up at the sky. It was a beautiful day, but the contrast that was seen in the tribe marred the beauty.

Go home.

Hearing the words she glanced around, but there was no one else around. Turning back to the graves, she smiled as she pressed a hand to each of them and said a silent prayer. “Thank you.” She whispered as she stood up with a smile on her face.

Heading back to the house was an easy task. Her father never asked where she had been and when she had it was usually to get supplies or food, or like now having been visiting the dead. She found her father sweating away in their shared Forge. He had to expand the area once she was old enough to work on her own, but the look on his face when she saw her gave her pause.

Oh please no. The High Priest couldn’t have made another claim as to the next sacrifice already… could he? She repressed a gulp.

“The Champion was here looking for you earlier.”

Sorcha paused. Normally they found each other outside of the Forge. While her father loved her dearly and understood she didn’t plan on marrying any time soon, she still found moments like now in his voice was he was being the overbearing and protective father.

“Did he say what for?”

“No, other than he wanted a moment of privacy. There is nothing going on between you?”

“No, sir. He is just my friend as he has always been.” She replied having to repeat a conversation she had done many times before. She knew the rumors that had gone around a few years prior, but she kept the thoughts from her mind. “Did he say where to meet him?”

“The Old Oak.”

Sorcha nodded her head. She had known where to go, but she wanted to make sure and of course give her father a chance to say anything else that came to mind. “May I take some time to speak with him?”

The old man glanced over at her as he stopped his work for the first time. He nodded, mumbled under his breath about returning quickly as they had a lot to do, and then went back to work.

Nodding back to her father, the young woman left the Forge and headed for the Old Oak. She’d been so many times before especially to meet with Caderyn she was sure she could sleepwalk there.

Once she could see his form on the boulder she smiled. Some things never changed. “Father said you wished to speak with me?” She smiled at him now that she was sure she had his attention. She stood a few feet away watching him with his knife. She had one similar that he had made her hidden away. She carried one her father made as a gift everywhere, but she knew she couldn’t let anyone else know someone other than family had given her something, a male even and she hadn’t married him. She would have rolled her eyes at the thought, but she didn’t want the male in front of her to see her thoughts were wandering already.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Cadeyrn had been sitting for some time on the boulder and had forgotten that he was sharpening his blade, instead he was staring out across the lake, barely even aware of the chill in the morning air.

Father said you wished to speak with me?, came a familiar voice from behind him, pulling him out of his reverie.
He turned, seeing the tall, willowy young woman standing just a few paces away wearing a smile on her face, the slight gusts of the wind pulling her red hair behind her.

Cadeyrn returned the warm smile.

"Aye, you weren't home though", the warrior said, gesturing at Sorcha to come sit next to him. "I think you're father said you decided to run off with another man...something about finally deciding to get married", he jested, his smile turning into a playful grin.
Cadeyrn's mood sobered as he remembered the subject he needed to talk to his long-time friend about.
"Sorcha", he said softly, as if treading carefully with his next words. "I think we both know that these sacrifices are in vain. The Gods aren't going to protect us", he explained, staring at the ground.
The Chieftain has already decided that our Warriors, myself included, are to meet the invaders at the edge of the Great Water, and attack them head on."
He finally looked up and met her gaze.

"I think he knows we will not be able to stop them. I think he is planning on buying the Tribe enough time to flee before the invaders cross the foothills".
Cadeyrn let that last sentence hang in the air for a moment.
" If they defeat us, they will hunt down the rest of the Tribe, and an army of warriors moves faster than an army of young and old. Before they arrive, I'm going to leave some food and clothing in a satchel here at the Old Oak, I want you to take them and head into the Wild lands", he finished, keeping her gaze.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Sorcha’s smile only widened when he turned to face her and he thoughtfully returned her gesture. Crossing the rest of the distance between them she came and sat down beside of him, but enough room between just in case someone happened to come by. The last thing she wanted to do was start another rumor about her and Caderyn.

“As if I would.” She replied the smile on her face only widening. But as she watched his expression change, she stopped herself knowing this wasn’t one of their light hearted meetings. His mind looked as conflicted as her own did.

The Gods aren’t going to protect us. The words rattled around in her brain for a few seconds. It wasn’t that she doubted the gods’ powers. She believed in them whole heartedly, it was the priests’ ways of going about things that she didn’t believe in. She allowed him to continue as she listened. While she didn’t want him to go to battle because he might die, she knew the thoughts weren’t welcomed in her mind. He was Champion. He had to go fight as did the rest of the warriors. To defend the tribe from peril.

“How do you know you will not defeat them?” She blurted out before she could stop herself. She had every faith in the warrior’s ability to protect the tribe. They wouldn’t still be alive and thriving if it wasn’t for the warriors. So to think that the Chieftain didn’t believe his own people could survive… She shook her head as he continued.

By the time he was done speaking, Sorcha was shaking her head with a look mixed of disbelief, horror, fear, worry, and admiration. He trusted her with something she knew someone else was bettered suited to do.

“I will not run like a coward. I will fight if it comes down to it. I will and you know it. Running is not in my nature that gods blessed me with.” She jumped to her feet and started pacing back and forth in front of the boulder.

This is why mother sent me home. My dream… but is it possible? How can I save the tribe when an entire band of warriors cannot? I do not understand, but the gods they know everything. The banshee proclaimed do this or you all die...

Finally she stopped moving and turned back to her friend. “Caderyn, I have known you since I was able to first remember. You have always been there for me,” she took a deep breath as she fought to tell him. It was blasphemy against the priests for anyone other than them to have had a vision, but she knew what she saw and heard.

“Last night a banshee came to me in my dreams. It told me that unless I met the invaders before they reached the tribe everyone would die.” She looked up at him, worry written clearly in her expression. She knew it wasn’t likely he was going to turn her in, not when he was openingly disagreeing with the High Priest’s orders to slay people to appease the gods. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t worried about his reaction.

He wanted her to run away with the rest of the tribe and hide from the invaders while all of their able bodied warriors were murdered in battle. She didn’t see the logic of it, nor did she see the logic of sitting around waiting either to die by the invading tribe’s hand or to be sacrificed to the gods by the priests.

“I’m going.” Sorcha said at last as she looked him in the eyes, her breath caught in her throat as she waited to see the reaction of her friend.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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“I will not run like a coward. I will fight if it comes down to it. I will and you know it. Running is not in my nature that gods blessed me with.” Sorcha exclaimed, jumping to her feet and pacing.
Cadeyrn had to repress a sigh. Yes he knew Sorcha's courageous nature, and accompanied with her stubbornness that could outlast the rocks on the Coast, she was a force to be reckoned with.
He looked up to argue his point with his friend, but the reply never had the chance to leave his mouth.
“Caderyn, I have known you since I was able to first remember. You have always been there for me,”, she said softly, emotion evident on her face. Cadeyrn continued to hold his reply, it was clear Sorcha was not through.
“Last night a banshee came to me in my dreams. It told me that unless I met the invaders before they reached the tribe everyone would die.”, Sorcha's statement came out in a rush.

Cadeyrn choked on his words, trying to get a grasp on what the Blacksmith's daughter had just said.
Banshee. Messenger of death.
Cadeyrn was baffled. Females were not to be come druids, but a simple rule never kept Spirits and Gods from communicating with anyone. But even then, Druids never received a vision from a Banshee, unless it was their time to pass.
The Champion knew there was not anything wrong with his friend's mind, but as to why the Banshee spoke to her and not the Druids, he did not know.
Perhaps the Gods have lost faith in our Leaders. Perhaps they have chosen someone else. Cadeyrn thought to himself, as far fetched as it was, looking at Sorcha, he found no doubt in his heart.

“I’m going.”, Sorcha whispered, as if the words were choking her.
Cadeyrn felt like a knife was being driven into his chest, but at the same time he knew what he had to do, and after a few moments, he found his words.

"Then I believe I'll need to pack my things". The Champion said with confidence, even knowing that leaving as a Champion in a time of war would mean not only losing his title, one that many warriors would die for but also never being able to return to his homeland. If there will be a home to return to a small voice in his mind whispered, but he quickly struck it down.

"Meet me back here at dusk, we'll depart under the cover of night.", with that The warrior gave his friend a long, tight embrace before making his way back to the village.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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The unspoken thoughts written across the Champion’s face said everything. He was shocked. No less than she had been after waking drenched in sweat, heart racing, and truly fearful of the future. Looking at the face of her companion, Sorcha knew that he didn’t like her idea. He was probably as against hers as she was of his.

What she didn’t expect were the words that came out of his mouth. She had expected him to protest. Tell her she was wrong, mistaken. He was going with her. With her. It was impossible for her to hide the shock from her face. Did he understand what he was doing? Of course, he did. He was more than seven seasons older than her and knew this world better than she, but still he was willing to throw away his high rank to go with her, a widowed smith’s daughter who refused to marry.

“You must n-” Her words were cut off as Caderyn hugged her. She returned the embrace knowing it was likely to be one of the last moments of pure emotions she was able to feel. She couldn’t let him ruin himself. Having him die while a worse physical condition than being alive, dying as a warrior was a better afterlife than dying as a betrayer to his tribe. She wouldn’t condemn his soul to such a life.

Sorcha watched the man walk back towards their tribe; her green eyes fighting back the tears she knew were threatening to fall. She had to leave before dusk. I came here to see a friend, told to hide while others died for me, and then tell of my dream only to condemn a good man to misery. Mother, this could not have been what you meant for me.

She shook her head as one of her front braids crossed her face. She grabbed it and pushed it back still staring at the same path where Caderyn had walked. The same path she would have to go as well. Taking a deep breath, the young woman fought to gather her nerves back together.

Taking a detour on the way back to the Forge, Sorcha stopped off back by her family’s graves. She prayed once more, finding herself seeking more guidance from her mother and the gods then even when she asked and begged not to have to marry young. She wanted to survive the process of motherhood and not leave children behind as her mother had done. Not that she faulted the woman, but she wanted to be around to watch them grow old.

Leaving the cemetery, she heard the news of a guest in the tribe. One they had had before. The other tribes must know of the foreign invaders as well. We are not the first tribe to be in their paths, but we are one of the firsts and likely one of the strongest contenders to stand against them. If we can bring other tribes to our aid… Maybe this is what the gods meant when they sent the death messenger to me. I must go, but I can not drag Caderyn into this as well. I can not.

It didn’t take long once she was back into the central area of the tribe to locate the outsider. He was standing by his horse. While she couldn’t remember his name, she knew his face. He had been well received prior. Everyone else was shunning him. This is wasn’t proper guest host relations. No wonder the gods were punishing them. Even strangers deserved some measure of respect.

Because she was a female it became a bit trickier to approach him, but given the fact she would be leaving the tribe soon anyway, she didn’t see the damage it could do. She smiled lightly as she walked over to him.

“I do hope you have been greeted and seen to what it is you desire from us?” She asked. While not the best manner of speaking the terms of why he was there, she tended to be the kind of person that didn’t beat around the bush. Her tribe was falling apart and the threat of the invaders… she didn’t want an outsider to see the depth of destruction should Cantae survive they would fall prey to other tribes in the area if too much was seen.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Adair stifled a yawn and held out the rest of the apple for Donn to chomp on. Lacking sleep was something he was used to on a daily basis as he traveled alone. Sleep could actually be fatal depending on where and when you decided to pursue it as he was reminded earlier in the day. On the other side of the coin, attacking a sleeping man could be a bad idea as well, as the man had learned.

Sleep was one of the furthest things on his mind as he observed the people milling about the village. Adair's previous visit to Cantae had not been too long ago, yet the experience was quite different this time around. Children didn't run up to him laughing as they ran through the streets, this time around being held close by their elders and hurried through the area. Women didn't wear the smiles they previously had either, and the men eyed him and the weapons on his person suspiciously. Donn seemed to sense the tension in the village as well, shaking out his shaggy head more often than usual and butting his head against Adair's shoulder. The brown, barrel-chested horse was more of a large pony, with big intelligent eyes that took in almost as much as Adair's.

Though, even as much as Adair was avoided, one figure that passed through the center of the village seemed to repel the people at a much greater rate. The Druid walked through the area as Adair watched on with interest. People split from his path, avoided his eye, and even went as far as to hush themselves as he drew near. It's as the Chieftain had said, Adair thought, watching the curious Druid as he continued on his way. The village was afraid of its own kind, and reasonably so. No one wants to chance being another sacrifice. The Druid spotted Adair and his eyes narrowed as he studied the newcomer in his village. Resisting the urge to drop a hand to the hilt of his Falcata that now sat buckled to his waist, Adair simply nodded in the Druids direction and watched him continue on his way.

“I do hope you have been greeted and seen to what it is you desire from us?” The voice brought him from his own thoughts and Adair turned toward it's owner. The woman's red hair caught his eye immediately, falling about her with a few braids throughout the locks. He remembered the hair from his previous visit for some reason, but not the woman.

"I have," He answered the woman. "Your Chieftain has been most gracious, and no one has yet to try burying an axe in my head, no one from here anyway... But I guess the day is still young now isn't it?" He paused as he studied the rims of her eyes. His vision revealed them to be slightly puffed and a slight shade redder than the normal set of a person. Adair had no idea what could cause this other than crying or suppressing the tears. Perhaps the invasion is taking more of a mental toll on her than others... "Don't worry, I won't be here long, just passing through. I'll be leaving once the sun begins to set." He turned once more to rub Donn's large nose, "Just giving the softie here a rest before we continue on."

Donn snorted scornfully and tossed his head at Adair's comment.

Characters Present

Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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The stranger’s gaze seemed to be focused elsewhere and Sorcha turned her gaze until she saw the back of the High Priest. She shook her head with a heavy sigh as she watched until he was out of sight and then turned back towards the male.

She inclined her head as his words. “It is wise to pass through here quickly. Normally strangers are invited to stay a while and there are feasts and celebrations, but not now. I suppose you know of the invaders that are supposed to be coming from across the channel?”

Maybe she wasn’t supposed to say so much, maybe because she was a woman. But she knew in other tribes the women were not as suppressed, so lightly her actions nor her words would cause too much alarm. “We will be one of the first tribes they encounter and we plan to stop them.” She couldn’t reveal too much about what was going on, not to a stranger, but it was easy to see that the tribe was not as it once was.

Sorcha didn’t know how much the Chieftain had told the man, so she feared to say too much. Digging into her pocket she pulled out a treat the tribe made for their own horses. She glanced at the male, her face a question. When he didn’t say anything she stuck her hand out and offered the treat to the horse.

“If I may be as so blunt to ask what you are here for? There is not much we can offer now. Oh, where are my manners. My name is Sorcha Ceàrdach.” Her last name gave away her job, smith, one of their many names for it. She took the byname upon taking her father’s occupation.

“If you need a place to rest I can offer my own. It is not much but seeing as you are not going to get much in the way of hospitality it is better than standing here lacking sleep. I can put your horse to stable as well if you like.” Her father would be upset she hadn’t come right back to work, but he would understand given the circumstances. Of course bringing the stranger to their home could be seen as grounds to sacrifice them. Sorcha didn’t want her father hurt because of her, but she couldn’t allow the gods to go displeased because of earthly matters.

The young woman turned towards her own dwelling, the smoke coming from the Forge always told her where to find her home and then glanced back at the stranger. He would either follow or he wouldn’t. She had business to attend to and his presence made no difference. She headed towards home with a heavy heart. Today would be her last in the tribe.

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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“It is wise to pass through here quickly. Normally strangers are invited to stay a while and there are feasts and celebrations, but not now. I suppose you know of the invaders that are supposed to be coming from across the channel?”

Adair nodded and gave a shrug of indifference at the mention of the invaders. His tribe had received a bird only a day ago, telling of the threat that was sweeping the lands across the channel and bringing war to their lands soon. He knew every word of that message, crudely written in a hurried hand from one of the coastal tribes across the land. Tribes had invaded before, but none he could remember made his father's face grow as sullen as the accounts this tribe had surrounding it.

“We will be one of the first tribes they encounter and we plan to stop them.”

But how is the question? Adair thought. Cantae's warrior's were amongst the strongest in the land, but this new tribe was unknown and from the information in the message, had already obliterated tribes easily rivaling in strength any this one village could muster. Adair had made a trip across the channel years ago. The warriors there fought in a few varied styles, but had significant strength from what he saw. Cantae was strong as well, Adair recalled. But their people were scared, the village fractured by the sacrifices that were going on. He saw it on the Chieftain's face when they spoke and heard it in his voice. The sacrifices wouldn't help. It wouldn't save any of them. And Adair knew better then to bring the matter up in simple conversation.

As the woman fed Donn a treat, Adair smiled to himself as he caught the horse's big intelligent brown eyes. See? They seemed to say. This is what life is about, good treats and less fuss. But their gaze was broken as the woman continued on in the conversation. “If I may be as so blunt to ask what you are here for? There is not much we can offer now. Oh, where are my manners. My name is Sorcha Ceàrdach.”

Ceàrdach? That name struck a chord in his memory. Her father was Alaois Adair believed. But before he could voice the thought, Sorcha spoke again. “If you need a place to rest I can offer my own. It is not much but seeing as you are not going to get much in the way of hospitality it is better than standing here lacking sleep. I can put your horse to stable as well if you like.”

"Adair Cormac," Adair answered her. "And a place to rest in peace would be greatly appreciated, thank you." Tsking to Donn, Adair began to follow her through the village. "As I stated before, I am just passing through on my trip South. From here I am headed West for more information. Stopping by here was to speak to your Chieftain to let him know our tribe is not in the dark about the recent events. That, and revisit old memories." While he didn't lie to her, he only told her what he thought relevant enough to her question, withholding that he was a deciding factor on Tiern's actions towards these new threats plaguing their lands.

"You are Alaois's daughter if I'm not mistaken? The smith?" He asked as they walked. His father had mentioned the name after returning from his last visit to Cantae. His father owned a sword crafted by Cantae's smith and still preferred it over a much more ornately crafted one he received as a wedding gift from another tribe. "My father wields a blade forged by Alaois's hands. It's one of his favorites."

Trying to make idle chat came easy to Adair, and he tended to get sidetracked once in a while. Donn's head nudged his shoulder once more as they walked, bringing his thoughts back to his task once again.

"Forgive me for asking so suddenly," Adair said with a bit of hesitation, "but you don't sound convinced of your village's assurance in stopping the invaders. May I ask why that is?"

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Sorcha turned back and looked at the male as he introduced himself. She nodded her head, his name finally clicking in her mind. She knew where he was from now and why she remembered him. There had been a large trade of weapons, furs and other items between the tribes. There had been a great feast and a lot of dancing. Most of which she and a few other girls did with one or two males. The young woman didn’t like to brag on anything except her work, but she knew it to be fact she was one of the best dancers in the tribe. While not the mostly musically gifted, she still had a nice voice and could play the instruments well. But she preferred as to her it took more skill.

“If you head west will you not be putting yourself in more danger by getting closer to these invaders?” The gears in her mind started running at the thought of having a traveling companion even one from outside of the tribe. He was heading that way already. I will not have to endanger Caderyn. I will have to find a way to brooch the subject with him, but not in public or where anyone can over hear.

Beginning to open her mouth to speak again, Adair continued as she stopped to listen to him. They were nearing her home now which was attached to the Forge, but each had a separate entrance. When asked of her father, she nodded her head.

“Yes, I am Alaois’ daughter.” The words of the man’s father’s sword brought a smile to her face. It probably came from the trade she remembered seeing Adair at. “Aye, though if I could but see it I could tell you whether it was my father’s work or my own.” She could tell the differences even when most people couldn’t. Sometimes even her father couldn’t tell the difference. But she knew most of her skills came from something she couldn’t reveal to anyone not even the Champion.

“I crafted the sword for our current Champion and he still wields it even though I tell him I have made better since.” She stopped as she listened to his question and glanced back towards the hub of the tribe and then glanced at the ground before looking back up.

“It is not that I do not have faith in our warriors. I have great faith in them, but this rifting between the people, between our religious sect and everyone else is causing alarm, fear, hatred. The first person the High Priest sacrificed was a new born believing that babies were the greatest valued thing in this tribe. When that did not work, he moved on just recently to a tanner. Though I could not see how that would be most valued, it shows he is not going to stop. Next it will be warriors, my father or I, women with child, older children, our elders, the Champion, the Chieftain. It will never end. Something else must be done.” Sorcha knew she was saying too much, but if she wanted to travel with this man west, he needed to understand without knowing the full truth.

“Our ways of life here are slightly different than most. You can see we have female warriors, but that is as high as we go. We can not be Druids and magick is forbidden by anyone other than the priests. I think they fear it. Cantae will fall either to the invaders or to itself. It is my belief that all of the tribes will not stand to these people, but if we combined strengths and allies even for this one thing then our great land could survive this encounter and any other if only we banded together.

I know you probably do not give much stock to a smith, but I believe my point is valid. Being able to speak to other tribe leaders could mean the difference between life and death for many tribes not just my own. Because if Cantae falls almost everything else will too until they reach the most northern tips or begin to head south. Though I have not heard of anyone south being much of a contender as of late. Of course I am not as well versed in the ways of outsiders as you are.”

Sorcha stopped when they reached the door to her home. “Allow me to take your horse and then get you something to eat and a place to sleep.” It didn’t take long to move to the horse to the stable, untackle him, brush him out and then give him food. He seemed pleased. Animals were always happy just to have the basics of life. Why can not people by the same way? She returned to where she left Adair.

“Follow me.” She led him into the house and brought him over to where the beds were. It was a one room. Two beds on opposite sides of the walls with wools covers blocking them off from the rest of the room. A small kitchen area was set on one side and a few pieces of wood furniture to hold clothes. It lacked a feminine touch even with Sorcha present. She never had a mother to show her how a house must look and she was fine with the bareness. On the other side was a door that lead to the Forge.

The red head lead him to one of the beds and pulled the curtain a side. She grabbed the clothes off the bed and moved out of the way. “This is where you can sleep. It is not much but it is the best I can. Please let me know if you need anything, food, drink, and what time you would like to leave so your horse can be ready to travel.” She inclined her head as she moved away and took the clothes to a leather bag. She rolled them and then stuffed them inside of the bag. It was the start of her travel bag. One she would have to have ready by the time Adair was leaving and before Caderyn knew what she had planned.

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Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach Character Portrait: Cailean MacIosaig
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The warrior in front of Cadeyrn was young and from his excitement of the coming battle, rather brash.
The fires of war will forge him into a man soon enough. he thought to himself as he took the young warrior's arm in an embrace.

''i have been training non stop since i heard the news of the attack and i am ready to protect this village." The Tribesman said with confidence. "They are no match for our might."

Cadeyrn forced a smile." Indeed, we will kill many of them". He said with his own forced enthusiasm.
"I must be off. Continue training for now, for the day will come when we need every able-body warrior we can muster." The Champion said before turning and continuing on his way to his dwelling.


Upon arriving in his small home, Cadeyrn immediately began packing dried meat, bread and vegetables into a smaller satchel, then he placed a long sleeve tunic and wool leggings for cold weather into a large sack, along with tools needed to repair damage to his equipment.
After arranging the large sack and satchel on his bedding, he grabbed a a few leather and cloth pouches. One had a flint and tender in it for starting a fire, another had herbs that could combat a fever and illness, and the last one had another mixture of herbs that slow bleeding and reduce pain when applied to an injury.
After laying the pouches next to the sack and satchel, he moved over to an area of the hut where he kept his battle gear. There, Cadeyrn equipped his belt, which had a large horizontal oval piece that protected his lower stomach and another long piece that ran from his left hip, across his chest and connected at his right shoulder, there he sheathed his dirk. The piece continued over his right shoulder, across his back and connected at his left hip which is where he would sheathe his long sword.
Next he pulled out a pair of leather boots insulated with rabbit fur and a pair of finger less leather gloves.
At the other side of the room, he already had his large oak and iron shield leaning against the wall, along with his Lancea long spear resting behind it. He would leave them there until time to leave.
After making a mental note to fill his water skin after leaving the village, he began to inspect his blade for any damage or blunt areas on the blade, and after being satisfied that he was keeping his promise to Sorcha about taking care of the blade, he sheathed it on his back strap.

All there is left to do is wait, he thought to himself. Dusk would be arriving in a few hours. Gods guide our path.

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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“If you head west will you not be putting yourself in more danger by getting closer to these invaders?”

Adair almost let another smile cross his face as he watched Sorcha immediately sink into thought after voicing her concern for his safety. Or what at least appeared to be concern. He had spent most of his adult life now discerning the meanings behind sentences spoken and the reactions of the afterthought, and this seemed more curiosity than concern to him. Whatever her reasons were, they were none of Adair's concern, and he let it go with a bit of a shrug instead.

"Hm," he said, feigning a bit of disinterest, "I guess it will. I guess the information will be a bit better the closer I get though, so maybe it will be worth it." And besides, he thought to himself, I won't have to get nearly as close as most people would...

He listened on intently as she spoke her feelings about the recent events in Cantae concerning the invaders. He was glad, at that moment, that neither of his brothers had accompanied him south. Hearing of the sacrifices left a raw taste in his mouth, and he was known to have easily the coolest head of the three siblings. It made no sense to him, the sacrificing of anyone. The Gods created humans, and gave breath to every life that was born into their world. Why would they allow an infant to be born, just to have it killed off soon after? And if that was what would sate their lust, why would more be required afterward? And why not just sacrifice one of the so called 'Holy' men? A man sworn to serve the Gods should be worth more than a common man, even one born higher. His eldest brother would have forced the druids to justify themselves through combat if he were here. To prove his ideals were correct.... Again, Adair was thankful he was on this mission alone so far.

Thankfully, Sorcha returned his thoughts to the invaders and away from the pointless sacrificing by diverting the conversation to the topic of standing against the invaders. He had spoken with the Chieftain on this topic already. From the information Adair already possessed, Cantae would definitely fall short in dealing with the invaders. Unless of course, aid was rallied to their side in assistance. Tiern might not be equal in strength alone to Cantae, but every warrior among the tribe was a seasoned swordsman, and even more valuable, was the tactical prowess his father could bring to the fight. Bran or the 'raven' as he was called was able to see many outcomes before they ever occurred or took place on the field of battle. And his eyes were currently walking beside Sorcha and Donn.

They arrived at her house and went around to the stable to house Adair's horse. After Donn was seen to, and looking more smug than ever, Sorcha led him into the house and to a place beside a bed. She grabbed up a few clothes of the bed and stepped aside. “This is where you can sleep. It is not much but it is the best I can. Please let me know if you need anything, food, drink, and what time you would like to leave so your horse can be ready to travel.” He raised an eyebrow at the bag she rolled the clothes up into instead of putting them away.

"I shouldn't be asleep too long, but thank you." He sat on the bed and looked up at her as he let the pieces fall into place. Her inquiry of lingering close to the invaders, packing a bag, the too intelligent talk concerning her doubts about the village to an outsider....

"Just don't try and steal Donn when you leave wherever you're going." He said casually "He'll throw you off..."

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach Character Portrait: Gavina Muir
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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.

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Sorcha watched the emotions slowly playing across Adair’s face. He seemed much like the majority of the tribe. They hated the sacrifices. Everyone was afraid they or someone they loved would be next and with great cause. No one was deemed safe. The High Priest even now was supposed to be talking with the gods to find another person who was most valued to the tribe.

It didn’t take much to realize that the man beside her was one of high intellect. He was smart which was probably why he was sent to deal with the tribes. She found it easy to talk to him, while not as easy as speaking to Caderyn she found conversation pleasant. There were just some things that one could not tell a stranger that she could tell a life long friend.

Once at the house and everything attended to, the young woman watched Adair before nodding her head. She would have to watch him for when he was leaving then. If he didn’t need to be awoken then he was likely just to slip out unnoticed which wasn’t what she wanted to happen.

When the conversation turned to her and leaving she glanced back towards the door to the Forge afraid for her father to overhear. She shook her head once she was sure she was safe. “I had no intentions unless I was riding with you.” She hoped that it alone said what she wanted. She wanted to go with him when he left.

But she had to give him time to think it over. “I have work to do. I will get you something to eat before you leave.” With that said, she headed into the Forge to tell her father about the guest and avoided answering as many questions about what Caderyn wanted as she could.

While she worked, she went about getting as many tools as she would need to do her job properly, but without taking up much weight or space in her bag. It wouldn’t be long before she was able to leave the tribe. Sorcha pulled the box with the almost completed torc out and set it with the tools. She would finish it even if it was the last real project she worked on because she was murdered for the idea that she could make a difference in this conflict.

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Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach Character Portrait: Eoin Fionnlaigh
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All I need is for you to gather everyone you can to see what you have to say near the center of the village, this will have a reason.", the big man said.
Cadeyrn nodded, waiting for him to continue.

"Let you people know of what has been discovered and speak of finding the small camp they were using to observe the you..
I will watch from the back and keep my eyes on anyone who looks to be leaving or highly suspicious. This man will have a rather oft look about him, rather more like myself. So when you see me head for someone who will be of most suspect then that will be your signal to act as well."


He wishes to flush the scout out., the Champion thought to himself.

The man handed an insignia to the Cantae Warrior."Keep this, I already know the image and if you must reveal it to force a response.", he rumbled, confirming Cadeyrn's thoughts.
The warrior nodded at the much larger man, and with that the stranger did the best he could to disappear into the village.

Cadeyrn went back into his home and looked to the right wall where a hook had been attached to the wood. On the hook was a Mustering horn made from bronze and a large bull's horn, used to rally the village for important announcements and to call upon aid during battle. The Champion took the horn along with the severed head into the center of the village. Once there he sucked in a deep breath and placed the horn to his lips.
Blowing into the horn created a noise so loud, everyone in the village would hear it and immediately head for the center.
After just a couple of minutes, Cadeyrn was confident that everyone had arrived, and so he began to speak.
"Cantae!", he yelled, opening the bag in his hands "I bring disturbing news. There is someone here who seeks to do us harm!", with that, he dumped the head out of the bag, understandably bringing gasps of surprise and disgust from the villagers as well as the sound of weapons being drawn by the warriors .
"We found a small camp just to the west of the village. We killed the ones there, but there is one among us bearing this!", Cadeyrn raised the insignia, making sure it was visible.
"They are Scouts for the invaders!", he finished, buying himself enough time to find the Blonde Giant in the crowd, his eyes locking on the man to see if he had spotted anyone suspicious. He hoped Sorcha was present, as this was a sign they may need to leave the Tribe lands earlier than planned.

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach
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Sorcha had only been in the Forge for a few minutes working when the horn sounded. Her brows furrowed together and she glanced to her father. He shrugged at her, but she knew the look. They had a lot of work to get done. They both couldn’t leave, so the daughter set her tools down and headed back towards the center of the tribe.

She stayed at the back of the group so she could make a quick getaway once everything was over with, but when she saw it was Caderyn, she felt her chest clench. Something was very wrong. She imagined he had been packing to destroy his entire life including afterlife, but not this. Her green eyes widened at the sight of the head and her heart pounded in her chest.

Listening to her friend’s words only caused her fears to become fact. She avoided meeting his gaze and sank further back into the shadows. Before he was even done, she turned back towards the Forge. She told her father what was going on and that he would be better suited to be there than she would. She would continue to work, even if it was a lie.

Once her father was gone, Sorcha went back into the house and straight to Adair. She placed a hand on his shoulder lightly as she leaned down. She knew he was likely awake, but she didn’t want to startle him nonetheless.

“You must leave now. I am sorry, but they have caught scouts outside the tribe. It is not safe anymore.” She backed away and grabbed her bag that she had packed with the clothes. She went into the workshop and grabbed her tools as well as the torc and then put them in the bag as well as food. Glancing back over at Adair, she wondered if he would allow her to go willingly or not.

She already had her dagger and portable bag that held metal fragments in them on her, but she grabbed her bow and quiver before she stopped and slung the back over her shoulders and then went for her cloak.

“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.” She knew her words probably didn’t make any sense, but she had tried to sum up her story as best as she could in the short amount of time.

Sorcha stood in the middle of her home holding her breath. She didn’t know the stranger well enough to know what he would say, but he was smart. He had figured out what she was planning, just from watching her and piecing clues together. Most people in the tribe wouldn’t have been able to do so. She just hoped he said yes so she could spare Caderyn.

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach Character Portrait: Gavina Muir
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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."

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Character Portrait: Adair Cormac Character Portrait: Cadeyrn Caileanach Character Portrait: Sorcha Ceàrdach Character Portrait: Gavina Muir
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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.