2022.08.07: Sub Tara Keep Part 3

Sub Tara Keep Part 3
The Finale for the Battle.
IC Date	2022.08.07
IC Time	ic time.
Players	Kennard, Isla,Sean, Tinlin-Co-ST, Finn, Harrow, Kohana-ST COMBAT, Daffyd
Location	Dublin, Ireland - Sub Tara
Prp/Tp	The Cursed Cow
Spheres	Fianna - Gaian
Theme Song	Loved by the Sun

The Cliaths and their one Wendigo ally fights from above !

One of the catapults out in the distance suddenly looses, with a sound like a swiftly advancing storm. As the arm reaches the apex a tainted flaming boulder releases from the arm towards the castle. As it flies it spits and cracks, sending out shards of shrapnel in all directions. A piece falls amongst the fomor below, killing one dead instantly.

With an almighty explosion, like lightning striking close by, it hits a tower of Silver Tara, launching stones and shrapnel all across the rampart wall and the courtyard inside. And then another catapult fires! It hits the ballroom in the courtyard.

And somewhere out among the battefield, Isla and Sean are fighting to bring the enemies down. Sean had hit the lead spiral in the chest with Isla's javelin. The teamwork struck an impact blow! But Blightbringer spins on heel once he sees the fiery red head coming his way with her packmate right behind her. He jumps up on the catapult again, and waits for the Red Bull Minotaur to sweep his next pass. The Fianna packs are among the Fomori and Spirals now, trying to win taking down those weapons of war!

The Red Bull's horns has speared bodies on each end, not really caring which faction. He has both worn as trophy dead. And when he rides past to mow down the Fianna, the Leader Spiral jumps on his back! >THAT A-WAY!< He's pointing at Bellona, and the Crinos reaches forward to drag a horn to see to his left, and puts him in the path of RED! The two go charging toward her. One Crinos bashed into the left flank of the Bull as he tromps through, and another from behind gets his SWIFT kick in the face, as he bucks once, and in that last UP and DOoWn motion, the javelin with the red gem spots a glow. Oh yeah, it's going to go off. Whether by Fianna magic, spirits, or maybe something secret no one will ever know how... but as it charges, there is a sudden FLASH of bright red light across the field, spitting outward like a crimson frozen dash of time. Everything freezes.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Fiery Bellona rolls Dexterity + Brawl vs 5 for 7 successes. 1 2 3 +5 +7 +7 +9 +10 +10 +10 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Fiery Bellona rolls Strength + 1 + 6 vs 6 for 7 successes. 1 1 3 4 5 5 5 +6 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 +8 9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinlin rolls 7 vs 6 for 2 successes. 1 2 3 3 +9 +9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Fiery Bellona says, "Add 5 to that - I have a fetish"

<---======##======[ Item Steel Bracelet of Potence: 055586 ]======##======---> Gnosis:.................8 Level:..................5 Magic Type:........Fetish Owner:......Fiery Bellona Reference:.....WW2300/170 Type:...........39/Fetish Effect:............Emulates Potence 5 Name:.......Steel Bracelet of Potence Updated:....20220724-2009 by SassyCat Created:20220724-1137 by Equipment Manager <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Across the field of battle, the great Fir spirit, He Who Walks has great roots and branches rising from the very earth itself. Each thrashes and rips apart a fomori.

From spores planted from his branches open and spawn short but powerful knights of green that take the field.

Fiery Bellona growls as she charges, if she does not have her javalin, she's DAMN WELL going to spear the spiral herself. As she near him, her claws are out, and she RRRIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPPPSSSSSSS into his tough hide! Blood and goo spew out of the spiral, he's absolutely a nasty SOB and she's not going to let him live much longer. Her rage boiling over, she slashes him good before Sean can get to him. >> DIE YOU SCUM! << Blood has splattered all over her, with the mud and rain soaking her fur to her skin.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Wits + Alertness vs 7 for 1 successes. 1 3 4 6 +7 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Dexterity + Brawl vs 5 for 3 successes. 1 1 2 3 3 +5 +5 +7 8 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinlin rolls 6 (6 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes. 1 2 2 2 +6 6 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Strength + 2 + 1 vs 6 for 6 successes. 2 2 2 2 2 3 +6 +7 +7 +7 +9 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinlin rolls 7 (7 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes. 3 3 3 4 5 +10 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Sean goes all in. It's fight or die. He's a Theurge packed with an Ahroun. He launches himself forward, leaping through the air to close the distance, both sets of claws digging in as he attacks without mercy. (4 agg)

He Who Walks Besides moves across the battlefield quickly, as if the earth were his surf. He sends Fir tree roots that push up from the ground beneath the running bull in just the right spot within that battlefield. It takes down fomori flat to the ground to be entangled. And it also entangles the Red Bull as the vines erupt the earth! Sweeping dirt upward, and a series of roots claw upward to THWAP and grab around the Bull's back hoof and then another in tandem with the red beam of light.

The Fianna spirit renders it completely immobile, pinning it down into the earth now to sink the Bull's legs in up to its back hips. The nostrils of the beast flares, like it may blow another flow of hot fire, but it's caught! And Blightbringer is purely blinded as Fiery Bellon and Broken Claw rend him into pieces!

The Bull begins to sink, and so does any Fianna riding or standing now on top of it to bring the Spiral down. There's blood splattering across the field!

One Crinos based into the flank of the Minotaur and then another, the Fianna are now swarming it to work together to bring it down.

From behind up on the hill, The Hand of the King and his packs, are now taking down the last of the catapults, as one more lets loose a last launch up at the rampart walls. It's going straight for the Highlanders!

They run to safety in the distance.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Fiery Bellona rolls Dexterity + Brawl vs 5 for 6 successes. 1 2 3 4 +5 +5 +6 +8 +9 +9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Tinlin says, "its immobile thanks to the roots" <

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Fiery Bellona rolls 1 vs 5 for 1 successes. +6 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============-------------

<OOC> Fiery Bellona says, "I forgot my specality for brawl is natural weapons - so rerolled that 10 on the hit"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Fiery Bellona rolls Strength + 1 + 6 vs 6 for 6 successes. 1 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 +6 +7 +7 +7 +8 +9 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Fiery Bellona says, "So - 6+5=11"

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Dexterity + Brawl + 1 vs 5 for 5 successes. 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 +5 +7 +7 +7 +8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Strength + 4 vs 6 for 5 successes. 1 2 2 3 4 4 5 +6 +7 +7 +8 +8 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Dexterity + Brawl + 1 vs 5 for 7 successes. 1 2 3 3 +5 +5 +5 +5 +6 +7 +8 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Strength + 6 vs 6 for 2 successes. 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 4 4 5 +6 +6 9 10 10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinlin rolls 7 (7 dice) vs 6 for 0 successes. 2 2 4 5 5 5 5 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinlin rolls 7 (7 dice) vs 6 for 5 successes. 2 3 +6 +8 +9 +10 +10 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Sean assists Isla with the Minotaur as they are RIGHT there. Sean is done with this. He really is. He's ready to end it. He doesn't have quite the power of some on the field, but he has the will. The drive. He launches himself off toward the bull and he pounces, his massive crinos form ripping a huge gash in the thing's belly and tearing into vital organs. (5 agg)

Somewhere out in the rain-sodden darkness a horn call can be heard, but not a pure, clean horn such as the Fianna would use. This one sounds growly and rough, it itches at the edge of hearing and seems to push darkness into the vision of all who hear it. Two long blasts of the horn, and the remaining tainted army around the castle begins to howl and retreat, the mass seeming to flow stickily back up towards the great catapults that for some reason fell silent.

He Who Walks Besides goes after them. NO ONE SURVIVES, as he buries their legs into the ground, and the Fianna packs run right through the fomori, tackling them, and slicing them with their claws.

The battle horn is dropped, and only a few stragglers remain who were near the top of the Keep. Instead of climbing back down, they finish the climb upwards. There's one fomori now standing up leering at Ken and swinging back one claw, and then the other, ready to rumble with him! The Highlanders make swift in killing it dead!

Fiery Bellona takes her sharpened claws, dripping with blood and ooze and slices deeply into the Minotaur. That bull has no chance with the fight that is being taken to it, and she TTEEEEAAARRRSSS the head CLEAN OFF it's body. With a long howl, she holds the head by the horns as her trophy! >> DEATH TO THE WYRM!!! KILL THEM ALL!!!!! << As only an ahroun would. >> WE FEAST TONIGHT! GLORIOUS VICTORY!!! << The rain pouring on them, the blood is streaking down her body and drips from the head.

Somewhere out in the rain-sodden darkness a horn call can be heard, but not a pure, clean horn such as the Fianna would use. This one sounds growly and rough, it itches at the edge of hearing and seems to push darkness into the vision of all who hear it. Two long blasts of the horn, and the remaining tainted army around the castle begins to howl and retreat, the mass seeming to flow stickily back up towards the great catapults that for some reason fell silent.

The battle raging below appears that the Fianna are now winning! The battle is now near over! They've overtaken the catapults. One crashes down, another, and then the Hand of the King is howling in the distance >STRIKE THE STRAGGLERS IN THE FIELD!<

He Who Walks Besides goes after them. NO ONE SURVIVES, as the Fir spirit buries their legs into the ground, and the Fianna packs run right through the fomori, tackling them, and slicing them with their claws.

The battle horn is dropped, and only a few stragglers remain who were near the top of the Keep. Instead of climbing back down, they finish the climb upwards. There's one fomori now standing up leering at Ken and swinging back one claw, and then the other, ready to rumble with him! The Highlanders make swift in killing it dead!

One last howl of victory goes up, upon seeing Fiery Bellona now standing with the head of the Minotaur Bull! It's HUGE! And grotesque with the blood dripping out from the bottom of it. Another howl resounds, and then another! Voices are lifting to announce the end of the battle! All hear it from above on the upper wall ramparts. It's over.

With a victorious howl, Wrath of Morrigu calls out >>Highlanders! Converge and find our Elders!<< He rapidly makes his way down to the field and calling for Fiery Bellona and Broken Claw! It's like playing Marco Polo! He's got the greatsword strapped to his back and loping on all fours.

Fiery Bellona grabs her javelin and takes out any straglers near her. She picks up trophies of the battle horn and any other weapons for ceremonial use later. The rain is cleaning off some of the blood and mud from her, but with each other hit and spray of blood, it just goes right back. If she could be any happier, there is no way to tell because GLORIOUS BATTLE is her lifeblood. >> DO NOT LEAVE THE WYRM ALIVE! TAKE THEIR HEADS AND END THEIR SUFFERING! << As the cliaths they came with are making it onto the field of battle she howls to them to join the fray. >> PLENTY MORE FOR YOU TO GET! MAKE IT COUNT! <<

Singer-of_Lore looks around from the ramparts, taking in the dead, those of the foe and all too many of the tribe. He sighs, at least they died as is proper snarling and rending the forces of the enemy. In his mind he is already composing works that honor those here for this great battle, marking memories in his head of notable individuals so that they may be recognized for their bravery and courage. Nodding his head as he surveys the carnage he speaks softly, "It is well, we have fought and triumphed for mother Gaia. Now I must remember to plant a seed of the fir at each of my next three performance places.". he makes his way down to the field to join his people, participating in the clean up of the shattered foe.

Any scragglers left on the field are rooted down. If they move at all, with decapitated limbs, they aren't going to get very far. Rain continues to pour down from the dark sky above. And thunder rumbles now in the distance. The lightning is moving off to the east now, and into the hills.

>>FLANK! MOW THEM DOWN!<< Wrath calls at Fiery Bellona's order! He too is revelling! He unslings the greatsword and begins swinging it with wanton abandon! He's cleaving and snarling and breaks out into his song again!

Oh, hold your tongue my bonnie wee lass

Never let this parting grieve thee

When heather cows grow oxen bows

Bonnie lassie I'll come see ye

Having followed Wrath-of-Morrigu down, Spring-Heeled Jack lopes along in his War Form - howling and roaring in pride at the battle well-won. No singing at the moment, but he does move to the flank as ordered - ready to claw and tear at anything that would dare stand opposed.

A number of Fianna packs are converging into clumps as they walk the field, looking for any signs of life. They pick up any wounded of their own, and those garou begin to head for the Keep. Unfortunately, during a battle like this, there are casualties of war.

A Fianna Theurge lets loose a howl of recognition for a fallen pack member. And another howl emerges from the Hand of the King, >East of the Field is clear!< It won't take long to finish now, and the Hand and his pack runs by to find Fiery Bellona.

Fiery Bellona loses one Willpower Fiery Bellona loses one Magical Essence

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Fiery Bellona rolls Charisma + Rituals vs 5 for 3 successes. 1 1 2 3 3 +5 +8 +8 9 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The Hand gives orders to the garou around him of lower rank, >Start gathering the dead in piles. We need to cleanse this land before the taint spreads any further with all this rain.<

He turns to look at Fiery Bellona and gruffs, >>The King and his pack went to take care of the bane in Midlothorien. He's going after where this may have started. If you and your people from the States want to assist with cleansing, and healing, I would not say no. But we'll take the future investigation from here. And once it's done, justice is served, the King will send word to you.<< <OOC> Tinlin says, "3!" <OOC> Tinlin says, "Sean gave me his pose to help with the ritual too. He's giving 5 gnosis to share."

Fiery Bellona hands the head over to Broken Claw to manage, and then she summons an object. It is a wood carving of a stag, and she crushes it. >> GAIA HEAR ME! I SACRIFICE THIS CARVING OF STAG MADE BY MY GRANDFATHER FOR YOU! BRING ABOUT PURIFYING SHOWERS FROM THE SKY! CLEANSE THE TAINT THE WYRM HAS BROUGHT US! << As the others are coming around she says, >> JOIN ME IN THE RAIN DANCE FOR THE RITE OF THE OPENED SKY! << She begins to show the dance to everyone, and as if this was a dance club, she is working to get them all to RIVER DANCE!! Well, maybe a little more close to a country line dance, as she is not a river dancer, it still has it's cultural signs within it. High kicks and stomps, it is truly something to celebrate as they will all soon begin to feel a change in the feeling from the rain as it begins to cleanse. Everyone taking part and adding in will aid in this, which will also heal some wounds.

<OOC> Fiery Bellona says, "this is the Level 4 Rite - Rite of the Opened Sky. It is a cleansing rite as well, so you all can join in. It just covers a larger area."

>>Converge on Fiery Bellona!!<< Wrath of Morrigu calls out. He limbers the sword back across his back. He watches her and slowly picks up the dance with her. He's a dancer! There's lots of sizzling, everyone's covered in tainted goo!

The Sub Tara garou are making it clear, that once this work is done, they can all go home. BUT NOT UNTIL AFTER THE COOL RIVER DANCE! Politics! No sense in keeping guests during a snaffoo they should have seen all along. The Hand of the King, will assist Isla in her ritual, and his pack, and the other packs join in to bring the rain. And they will move and howl to call it forth! They form two lines across the mud and grassy field. Stomping, and shifting mid crinos to glabro to form down the line, is a sight to see!

Sean takes the head. But he's not a dancer. But goddammit when Isla calls for rain, he turns into some weird almagamation of Michael Jackson, Fred Astaire and Shakira. There are flinging hands, and twirls and a twerk or two or ten and a few light little turns and twists and some more twerks. Hips don't lie, ya'll. Bring on that mufuckin' rain, BITCHES!

You lose one Gnosis You lose one Gnosis

You lose one Gnosis

StormBreaker loses one Magical Essence StormBreaker loses one Magical Essence

StormBreaker loses one Magical Essence

While not infused with the gnostic energy of his allies, Spring-Heeled Jack does his part, dancing in assistance of the Cleansing. No idle hands in this war.

It takes a good fifteen minutes of dancing to complete this rite - EVEN with all present participating. The rain has a LOT to cleanse, and soon enough, it tapers off. Gaia blessing them all and if you look up, over there. Yeah, right there above the Keep? You see it? It's a RAINBOW. Yes, ending in the direction of where all the Kinfolk have been huddled away. Fiery Bellona howls again, >> Let the clean up begin! Take our trophies with us. Highlanders, Broken Claw - with me to go check on the kinfolk. We will get out kin and head out to safer ground while the home packs finish up here. Any that have earned a Rite of Wounding, it will be performed when we get to the Madden house. << After giving her direction to them, she will find the Hand of the King and make her offer of thanks and to come back later for any assistance they may need. She give them one of the trophies she has collected, keeping the head for a special occasion of course.

StormBreaker a howl joins out with a crack of thunder. The Wendigo proves to be a strong ally not just in combat but in ritual as well.

>>The kinfolk were ordered down into the Crypt.<< Wrath calls out to Fiery Bellona. >>Highlanders! Let's go!<< Wrath of Morrigu orders and leads the way for Fiery Bellona. He knows this place like the back of his hand.

Once more the many packs reform in huddles, many of them stop to thank Fiery Bellona, some even sing her praises about the Minotaur take down! And they thank Broken Claw, the Highlanders, and the mighty and courageable Fianna that accompanied them. Finn gets a slap on the back, and Kohana gets grinned at by the Hand of the King. Harold Madden whistles over to Ken on the field, he too is being sent home with them. There's kinfolk of their own to tend.

Singer-of_Lore seems dazed,but he isn't he is taking as much in as he can, the chaos, the triumphs, the tragedies, the heartbreaks, and storing it all away for future reference.

The howl from Sping-Heeled Jack is exuberant and joyous, mixing in and out of the howls of the others. It is a time to celebrate, to revel in the victory earned for Gaia. <<The Kin should be safe.>> He chuffs out, blinking a moment. There's a pause, the man pointing out the arc of color in the sky. <<Beautiful!>>

There's just enough light in the sky to see clearly, as the clouds break open. Some of the garou across the field shout, "Hey look!" And many notice the rainbow over the Keep. "It's an omen," someone shouts back!

END BATTLE

BACK TO DUBLIN MADDEN HOUSE

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Sean rolls Stamina + Medicine vs 6 for 1 successes. 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 +7 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Sean finally makes his way over to Tinlin and he takes hold of her arm and looks her over. "You okay?" he asks, but he doesn't even wait for an answer before he lays his other hand over the wound. Gentle and careful. There is a warmth that radiates out from his hand that Tinlin will feel and when the hand comes away, it's much better than before. He's tapped, though. And needs a minute.

Whatever superficial wound Tinlin had on her left arm, from the explosion in the ballroom, it is now gone.

A whoosh of wind envelops her, and a pile of red flaming curls falls around her shoulders, as Isla reappears.

Tinlin is standing next to Lady Mauve, Ken's mother. Their ballgowns have been ruined, but she does nod back to Sean, "Thank you. I think I'm fine now. I feel much better since we walked out into the rain."

Lady Mauve is next, getting checked out for wounds, or any abrasians. "I'm so glad that is over! I need a shot of brandy."

Isla is a bit drained, but at least she is without the mud and blood anymore. "I think we all deserve a bottle after all of that. You read my mind, Lady Madden." She has her dress again, but it has seen better days. "Does any of ye need a Rite of Wounding before we get too settled?"

Once Sean's done, Ken looks Tinlin over himself. He pulls her into a soggy hug. He looks back to Isla, "Finn and Daffyd, front and center." Kennard calls and gives Tiana a kiss on the forehead. He moves over to stand with his mates.

Finn looks tired, having shifted back down to his breed form. His tartan is barely intact - thankfully it's nine yards of fabric. He has it wrapped to protect his modesty, and to keep a bit warm. A smile to Tinlin, then he looks to Sean and steps forward.

Harold disappears for a few minutes and comes back with, several bottles. None of them have labels. He grins and waits. He heard something about Rites of Wounding. He stands with Mauve, who is trying to appear regal as well. He takes one of the bottles though and pops the seal and the cork. She takes a swig, almost making a face. She looks at the bottle and then back to Harold with a little grin.

Daffyd sighs as he hears his name and moves over to to Kennard. Daffyd has shifted back to homid at some point., "Yes cousin? You needed something?", he is tired it is obvious.

Tinlin hugs soggy Ken, and squeezes him to her side a moment longer than necessary. She's relieved he's alive. And then she smiles right at Finn. SO happy he's alive. Then she looks to Daffyd, elated, he's alive. And so forth, Harrow! And Sean, and Isla, and at last Kohana. She sighs, and gives a bow of her head to Kohana, the Wendigo who helped the Fianna.

Lady Mauve is ushering her staff to find her a bottle of brandy, and whiskey. The staff will be bringing in glasses shortly, and passing them all around.

To Daffyd and Finn, "Show your wounds." He steps to the side and bows to Isla, "They fought well and have the wounds to show for it." He tells her. Kennard, is completely unscratched, not even a broken nail.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Isla rolls Charisma + Rituals vs 4 for 6 successes. 1 1 +4 +5 +5 +6 +7 +8 8 9 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Daffyd nods and points to a gash left along his ribcage.

A stranger in a strange land, the only concern for the Wendigo is his charge. He agrees to keep Tinlin safe and so with the batte behind hum he goes to check on her.

The wounds on Finn are easy to see, a slam of a shadowy tentacle caught him along the right ribcage. The burn is angry, and easily spotted. "Daffyd fought as impressive as I've seen." A grin over to the other Fianna.

Isla takes a bag full ash out from her satchel she had brought with her. Taking a bit of the liquor brought out, she pours some of it into the ash to just make it wet. "In celebration of yer first wound from battle, we mark this with honor. With ash, he coat the wound to leave ye a scar as it heals. Always remember this day. Ye fought bravely in the face of danger. Ye fought with Honor. Never forget why we fought the Wyrm, or stop fighting. We have yer back and we are proud of ye. Ye are strong and ye will continue on in GLORIOUS BATTLE until Gaia calls ye home." She carefully rubs the ash in, trying not to make things worse as this is mostly ceremonial. The liquor within at least makes it sort of sanitizing? This is how it was done for Isla and how her family taught her. She applies it to Daffyd and then to Finn. "Ye will heal and have a story to tell the rest of yer lives."

Tinlin hugs Kohana silently in the background and then lets go. She watches the rite of wounding and looks on with a certain amount of pride for each garou.

Daffyd stands proudly as the rite is performed, barely wincing as the liquer hits the raw wound.

With the ritual completed, Harold steps forward. He hands Isla, then Finn and Daffyd a bottle. There is no label, it looks like bourbon or scotch. There is a cork and wax seal with the Madden crest on it. It's not new, but it's not super old either.

"Each time a Madden patriarch is born, there is a barrel of Scotch set to the side. When that Patriarch passes, the barrel is bottled, cask strength." He gestures, "These are from me pa's cask. He lived 54 years, before he returned to Gaia." He pops the cork on the one in his hand, pouring glasses all around.

"To the Sept of Enduring Spirit. To Duchess Isla for listening to these young warriors and helping them follow their convictions. To the fallen brothers and sisters, may we remember you this Samhain, that you may feast with us once again. To our brave friend, Kohana Stormbreaker, for helping watch over them. You and your family are always welcome where our crest hangs." He smiles a bit, "To my son, the most stubborn Madden to have been born in a hundred years. He has a heart as big as this house, Courage that borders on foolishness, his mother's fire and his father's dull wits." He chuckles, "All of you, I cannae be more proud to stand here with you. May I live long enough to hear your songs song from across the Ocean. To your health and good fortune." He drinks.

Harold rests a hand on his son's shoulder. He looks at Ken, "I don't know if we'll hear back from the Ard Ry himself, or the Hand of the King next. But I was reassured that a message will be coming to myself, and one to Fiery Bellona, once the Ard Ry settles this matter with the Spirals, and looking into the trouble with the Fae in Midlothorien to see if there's any connection. I do not think we'll need to wait very long, once the King sees that Bane your Corax saw out on the farmlands. But everyone is welcome to get cleaned up, rest here, and share our hospitality until you travel back to your home Sept. It's best we not meddle in the affairs of the Fair Folk, anyhow. We have other people in Court that handle that for the Ry."

The sting of the ash is easily enough ignored in favor of the honor and glory of the rite. Fin offers a nod to Isla, one of thanks and respect. "Thank you, Fiery Bellona-rhya." He offers over, grinning to the others. There's a grin as Kennard is recognized, and the showing of tradition for the drinks. He does not wolf it down, instead waiting for the toast before raising his glass and then sipping it.

Isla is honored by the bottle given. "We shall enjoy these bottles, with honor. We shall all get some rest, food, drink, and be ready to return home. To us all, to family, and to Stag. May we all be blessed!" She makes her toast and waits to see if any other wish to add in. She gives a respect ful nod to Harold, and then to each of the other Garou.

Ken grins at his description. "To Duchess Isla, for believing in us. May we continue to make her proud as our Elder." He offers his own addition.

Tinlin adds to this, "Hear! Hear! I agree. We're so happy to have you with us now, Elder Isla. You do so much for us now, and we love you for it." She lifts her glass to drink.

CONCLUSION LETTER: ONE WEEK LATER

>>A formal letter arrives via courier. It is stamped and sealed in red wax, with the Helm of a Knight. A letter arrives addressed to Fiery Bellona, and one for Wrath of Morrigu.<<

To our Allied and Esteemed Fion,

I have been given leave to advocate forward a letter to Clan Madden, and to the greatly admired Fiery Bellona, on behalf of the Hand of the Fion King, and of the Steward of our own Queen overseeing trial of the offended and the grieved parties since the Incursion of Sub Tara.

The assailant parties involved with the recent incursion have swiftly been taken into our Steward's custody, and have been found guilty of collaborating with the Wyrm. A quick trial revealed that Countess Ilona Elrel was the spearhead of the dark collaboration, and in doing so, involved her son Naelun Elrel, along with his wife. Their sentence for justice includes a means that involves removing and stripping all titles, claims of property, and imprisonment.

During the trial, it was revealed that Count Elaith Elrel was bespelled by his wife, and a curse was placed upon his house to enact oblivion on his former relationship with Gweneth Tinsdale, and the birth of his daughter, Tiana'lin Tinsdale. I am pleased to report to you that, Tiana's family's honor has been restored in revelation to the amount of suffering her family has endured at the fault of Ilona's actions. Her birthright and title is hereby recognized by this Court at the Well of Stars, to be Count Elaith's Elrel's daughter, Lady of Midlothorien, Tiana'lin Elrel if she so chooses. In the interim, until all is settled, the Steward will be fulfilling the Count's duties until the rest of his memories have returned.

As to Farm Bonnie Rosemount, the Court has decided to return the property to Lady Tiana, and in holding to Clan Madden as a birthright landholding of the Tuatha de Fionn, to assist in further healing the land. The Fion, along with our aide, have removed the Bane Blight that was poisoning the farms of the Tuatha, and families are now being allowed to return. The former relationship we once had between our two people have been restored. It is my honor to tell you that the family curse has ended, and in doing so, it has been my priviledge to see this Quest now completed.

Faithfully in All That is Truth,

Mr. A.

>>Stamped with the Sigil of the Red Knights<<