Dubhaine Family/Brigdha/Roleplays/2012/September

10th August

"M'Lady, please reconsider. The drought may have passed but there are still reports of tigers near the coastal settlements," even though chatalain Iraen was a good fifteen years younger than Brigdha, she fussed and clucked like a mother hen.

"Don't worry Iraen, Warden-Commander Ruidhri has posted a watch at every mile-castle and watering-hole along the highway. I'll be as safe on the road as in my own bed."

"Aye, that you will ma'am," her companion Bedhwyr gave a wolfish grin as he patted the heavy archers' sword hanging at his hip, "as safe as when the Bloody Knives marched to Glinmar and back."

"Probably best not to dwell too much on that Bedhwyr. The Elven folk are our allies now, and I doubt our King would take much comfort in such tales either. Though I'll admit I sometimes miss those days, the thrum of the bow-string and the swift cut of the blade..."

"Well if the two of you are quite set on this madness," Iraen took a deep breath and forced a smile, "remember not to tarry to long on the road. I've arranged a banquet in Oporto to celebrate our new-found friendship with Caligus and it would be a shame if the guest of honour arrived in a casket."

With which she turned imperiously on her heel and disappeared into the warren of corridors connecting the private appartments with the fort complex.

"You know Bedhwyr, sometimes it doesn't surprise me at all that my sister left with barely a word. How she put up with Iraen as her squire I'll never know."

"Oh I think you do my dear. If ever two women were of a similar temper it was they, and have you never noticed the resemblance?"

"I think Moira would have mentioned something, don't you?" Brigdha's brow furrowed as she considered her own question. The Dubhaine's had always been a matriarchy, and marriage was an institution for which they had little time - so why would Moira have kept Iraen a secret if she were her daughter? She never had any difficulty acknowledging Rhidhana.

"Perhaps she wished to preserve the father's honour? You know how touchy many men can be about the fruits of their liaisons, and it's not like Moira would ever admit her feelings publicly."

"Oh wait, I see where this is going," the Margravine crossed her arms and gave Bedhwyr a withering look.

"Do you?"

"Yes, you want me to acknoweldge that damn welp of yours, don't you?"

"Well Naevan is your bloody son Brigdha, and anyone who's seen the two of you together can tell you dote on him. Why are you so determined to keep him a secret?"

"Because I'm a Dubhaine you insufferable, adorable so-and-so. Yes I love the little sod, and Balance be damned if anyone ever tries to harm him, but what kind of life can he expect bearing the weight of our heritage? I'd much rather he inherited your freedoms than my obligations."

"Freedoms? You have noticed we now serve a King? What freedom can there be for any of us?"

"A damn sight more than crushed beneath King Jor's heel. Not all Kings are despots, and I hear good reports of this Traemlin. When we reach Fontan I will speak with him, and then we will see the man not the office."

"Aye, well you still ought to bloody recognise Naevan. Go on, have the courage your mother showed with Cathal and admit a boy can be a Dubhaine..."