O'Deaghaidh Family/Chapter 3 Na Ridire

These are actual role-plays.

Chapter 3, Na Ridire

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh Part 1

On the outskirts of region of Tahgalez, a small band of pilgrims heading for Sotrebar was stopping for a rest. Even though the lands of Heen were fairly safe, the Heenite patrols couldn't be everywhere at once and some bandits and thieves have learned of the patrols and how they move. As the only armed pilgrims was handing out water an arrow struck him in the stomach, the other pilgrims ducked and began to panic. A small band of raiders ran up to the small resting place of the pilgrims all of the armed with a small sword, a few of them armed with bows. The leader of the raiders stepped forward as if to say something.

"My name is Anderson Hawkins, hand over all your goods and nobody else will get hurt."

A woman from the group of pilgrims screamed out in panic "We have nothing!"

"I'll tell you one more time, hand over your goods." Hawkins said in a more sinister voice.

The pilgrims didn't respond.

"Kill the men, tie up the women and children, we could use the slaves." Hawkins gave his orders to his men standing behind him.

Meanwhile:

"Aye I see the raiders sir, looks like they've killed the only armed pilgrim they have." McVenner said as the entire group of Na Ridire were all on their stomachs looking at the action at the bottom of a large sand dune. The Na Ridire were special forces hand selected by Concobhar, they all wore tartans but they were made to blend in with the desert sands. They wore face wraps to conceal their identity's, but anyone could tell by their accents they were Celts.

Seamus McVenner was the most experienced of Na Ridire and was their Captain, he was born in Abington like most Celts over the age of twenty three. His hair was black and he seemed to always have a five o'clock shadow, he was tall and wiry as well, though he fought so hard he would make a Daimon think twice at taking a chance fighting him. Not mush else was known about him except that he is twenty four years old.

"Oi, Riley! Got yer bow?" McVenner said to Riley.

"Aye Cap" Riley replied.

Timothy Riley was the youngest of all the Na Ridire, joined the army the day he turned eighteen and one year later at nineteen he was in the special forces. Blonde hair and a clean face, some of the other soldiers considered him the little brother of Na Ridire because of his young features. Young and ambitious Riley was dangerous, not just to his enemies but to his fellow soldiers because of this ambition.

"I don' see the Con." Wolfe said looking back at McVenner.

James Wolfe has served in the Heenite army for over three years and when he turned twenty five he decided to join the special forces. With a thick stock of red flowing hair but a clean freckled face, many of the men called him Ginger. Which always made him angry but that was the life of a red head.

"Shut up." McColl hissed.

Henry McColl knew the lands of Heen like the back of his hand. His dark hair and long shaggy dark beard gave this man even more character than he already had. This man could sneak into a royal palace on high alert if he wanted to, his skills were incredibly valuable. McColl was originally selected as the captain of Na Ridire but he refused without giving a reason why. Concobhar never questioned simply because his track record, McColl served in the Heenite army for two years and in the special forces for ten, not to mention that he signed up when he was sixteen.

"Lets go already!" Greene said with an angry impatience.

Cormack Greene was forced into the Heenite Army by the local judge, it was that or ten years in prison. Greene was a raider for most of his young life, he survived the Undead invasion of Heen but his family didn't. Life was ugly to Greene, his appearance was even uglier. With a shaved head and stubble on his face, his scars and gang tattoos were all noticeable. This man was in Na Ridire because his local knowledge of the local raiding groups and bandits.

"Don' make us kill you Greene." McAfee said pulling Greene to the ground.

Aron McAfee was a marksman with a bow and crossbow, he also made his own style of bows. He claimed that he learned to make them when he was a slave to the Vikings of Norland. McAfee was calm but was incredibly sensitive when it came to helping people, he is usually the first one to hand out his rations to poor peasants. Many men call him Saint Afee because of these actions and his long curly blonde hair.

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh Part 2

"You boys all act the same." O'Sullivan said rolling her eyes.

Julia O'Sullivan was the only woman in Na Ridire, her father was a local noble and he pulled strings to get her in this unit. Normally women are encouraged to stay away from the battlefield and army life for many reasons, and if they're beautiful like Julia, even more reasons. Greene gave her trouble all the time, he loved brunettes especially ones with green eyes. She was treated with respect by a few of the older men in the unit but still didn't get what she deserved. Concobhar allowed her in Na Ridire because of her skills with field medication and wound treatment, she wasn't particularly skilled in fighting but she was incredibly valuable to Na Ridire.

"Listen to the Lass, she knows best." Rea said patting Julia on the back.

Marcus Rea was the the funny guy in Na Ridire, always coming up with a joke in the worst times. Rea was starting to bald but actually was very handsome even with his hair loss, he was thirty one years old and incredibly good at hand to hand combat. Twelve years serving the front lines of the Heenite army will teach a man everything he needs to know.

"Always kissing up now aren't you Rea?" Kelly smiled.

Sean Kelly always carried Bag Pipes with him, except in combat, he was the one keeping everyone entertained with music. Only twenty one years old but deadly with most weapons, he was the model soldier with short brown cropped hair.

Oisin O'Keefe didn't speak much, something about him was off, he wasn't crazy but he was dealing with problems none could understand. Paranoia, depression, anxiety and guilt was an everyday thing with this man. Oisin was the oldest person in Na Ridire at the age of thirty five, he was also the best shot with a bow. Oisin is also bald, most people believe it was pulled out by him in a fit of anxiety.

"I see him." O'Keefe said to the company, everyone began to creep down the sand dune.

Meanwhile back where the pilgrims were:

"Better let them go Hawkins." Concobhar said approaching Pilgrims resting place. "We've been hunting you for awhile now."

"And who the hell are you?" Hawkins said with an arrogant tone.

"We are the Knights of the Order." Concobhar said with a smirk.

"We?" Hawkins said confused.

Concobhar pointed behind Hawkins, Hawkins turned around to see all his men dead and Na Ridire with bows drawn on him.

"Surrender." Concobhar said walking towards Hawkins.

Hawkins complied and dropped his weapons, Rea and Greene grabbed him by his arms. Concobhar removed his dirk from his belt and grabbed Hawkins by his mouth, he began to carve "K O" into his forehead. Hawkins screamed in pain, but Greene punched him in the stomach to stop his resistance.

"This K O let's all Knights of the Order know that you've been dealt with and that if you return to a life of crime, that you are to be killed on sight." Concobhar said putting his dirk back on his belt. "Now get out of here."

Hawkins ran off holding his forehead.

"These lands are now protected by the Knight of the Order, tell the others we're here to protect faithful."

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)

Roleplay from Marzo Zond

The night was long and the daylight of Heen had yet to break. It had been a long trek for Marzo and his Phoenix Crusaders. The countless hordes of undead in the outer badlands had kept his trusty lads quite busy. It was after the initial blood oath ceremony taken last week in Duke Evan's garden, he had set off at double pace to join the first wave of undead cleansing operations in Kording and taken them out to Watto and Tor and back. Seven days since had seemed like a lifetime already. They were in need of some well deserved R and R. But first things first, there was some guild business to attend to...

Marzo came up to what seemed to be an old well worn out warehouse of some kind where it was rumored he would find Concobhar. Though it was not even dawn yet, the place buzzed with energy as scribes and soldiers jostled about preparing for the day’s operations. Marzo stepped through the doorway of the old military barracks and saw all sorts of men and women stop and stare at him. A few moments silence as Marzo scanned the place thoroughly from top to bottom and took note of every face staring at him. A banner hanging from the rafters proclaimed "Knights of the Order."

"Ha-ha, well, well! It may not seem like much, but it's got real down to earth charm I'll give you that!", Marzo said with a hearty laugh in his voice. He removed his dusty riding gloves and handed them to Captain Madred.

“G’day lads (and lasses), where might I find ol’comrades Conbobhar and Cuchulain?” “…Sorry for the delay. It’s been a long night and I’d like to report in and present my troops before my men hit the pub house here in a bit.”

“And who might you be then, buddy?”, called out a junior scribe with freckles and a boyish face.

“Buddy? Ha. It's Paladin Marzo, at your service and don’t you forget it! Now be a good lad and show me where your boss is right quick. I’ve got some roads to patrol and some artifacts to find, and I don’t like wasting time.”

Marzo Zond Baron of Watto

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh

"Sir, someone is here to see you, I think he is important." McVenner said quietly to Concobhar.

"Alright thanks." Concobhar got up and walked out the door into the main room of the barracks.

Marzo seemed to be putting a young junior scribe in his place, but only in a way Marzo can. Concobhar laughed and bumped his hand against McVenner's arm, McVenner seemed to see what was happening but he didn't laugh.

"Baron Zond my friend, shouldn't you be killing bandits and raiders and not shattering this poor boy's happy thoughts?" Concobhar said approaching. "Boy, get back to work." The junior scribe ran off into one of the back rooms. "Well this is it, not much but hey, it's free to sleep here. Pick yourself a bunk and grab yourself a uniform in the back, I've already filled out the papers so you're a Paladin now. So, Cuchulain isn't in but he left report on a relic that we think we've located." Concobhar handed Marzo a paper that said "The Hip Bone of Liam."

"If you're interested you can go looking for it, I'm too busy to go myself, I have a lead on a group of bandits operating outside of Hcallow." Concobhar realized he wasn't allowing Marzo a single word. "Uh, sorry, got any questions?"

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh

"We can't have this happen again, we wasted our time out there." Concobhar snarled while talking to Greene.

"You can't expect all our information to be solid, we're talking to brigands and thieves." Greene tried to defend his sources. "You didn't let me look further into it."

"You mean I didn't let you walk around the pubs long enough by yourself! You would be rotting in the Reeds Dungeon if it wasn't for me, I'm the only reason you're not a prisoner." Concobhar stopped and looked Greene directly in the eyes.

"Boss..."

"Don't call me boss, it's sir. This is a military order and your will treat it as one." Concobhar turned away and walked off.

The rest of Na Ridire walked past and Greene received a particularly harsh gaze from McVenner. O'Keefe was the last to walk by and Greene looked at him with a look of anger.

"I swear it, I'm going to kill that bastard." Greene hissed and walked off.

O'Keefe simply ignored the comment, almost as if he didn't actually hear the severity of what was stated.

Up at the front McColl was leading the way back to Tahgalez when suddenly he stopped and crouched to the ground signaling to Na Ridire to do the same. Everyone dropped and Concobhar scurried over to McColl.

"What is it?" Concobhar asked.

"Camp fire." McColl said with a whisper.

"Go take a look."

McColl vanished into the darkness, Concobhar was known for being stealthy but nowhere near the skill McColl had. After five minutes had passed McColl returned.

"It's a bandit camp, they have a girl, things are going to get ugly quick if we don't do something now."

"Alright, did you find their sentries?" Concobhar said while looking off into the distance.

"I've taken care of it." McColl said with a smile.

"Alright, lead the way."

Na Ridire began to move off towards the camp, they moved so quietly it was if they weren't moving at all. Concobhar could see the girl, she was tied to a cart, some of the bandits were laughing and making crude jokes about her. Na Ridire moved into position, McColl and McVenner were next to each other, they signaled for everyone to wait. McVenner used his sword to cut into one of the tents that was set up, once it was big enough McVenner and McColl slipped into the opening. Nothing could be heard after that, Concobhar knew what to wait for though. After about two minutes the tent went up in flames, the bandits all rushed to the tent but were cut down by arrows and bolts, they had no clue what was happening. Concobhar charged into the camp and took a bandit head on, the bandit unsheathed his sword and swung at Concobhar and missed. Concobhar countered with a stab to the stomach dropping the bandit to the ground.

Aron McAfee had made his way into the camp and was by the fire, he had his bow out and was shooting the fleeing bandits. One of the bandits with plenty of courage charged McAfee with an axe while jumping over the fire. McAfee reacted quickly by firing his bow at the bandit but he only hit him in the shoulder knocking the bandit back. The bandit responded by kicking hot embers at McAfee. Red hot embers hit McAfee in the face, screaming in pain he fell to the ground holding his face. As the bandit walked towards McAfee to kill him he was struck with another arrow in the chest killing him instantly, his body slumped to the ground. O'Keefe had made that shot, it was the last one needed.

O'Sullivan ran up to McAfee and reached for her bandages. "Aron, you're going to have to let me see your eyes love." Aron continued to scream in pain.

Concobhar was over seeing the situation, he had a wounded man and a girl who had passed out during the excitement and all the bandits were dead. It was just another day being a Knight of the Order.

"Patch up McAfee, get one of these carts and load him and the girl onto it, we need to get back to Tahgalez."

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh

"Sir, McAfee is awake." O'Sullivan said walking into the back room of the barracks.

Concobhar put down the paperwork he was sorting through. "What's his status?"

"Well, he's going to be back on his feet within the day, but he is blind in his left eye and the scarring on his face is really bad."

"I'll go talk to him." Concobhar said walking out of the back room and heading into the barracks, McAfee was sitting up on his bunk and he had bandages covering his eye and the lower part of his face. Concobhar walked over to McAfee and sat next to him.

"If you want, I can fill out the proper paperwork and send you home for good." Concobhar said not really knowing what to say to comfort McAfee.

"I'm not giving up, I can still fight, I can still see." McAfee said trying to be positive.

"Alright then, I want you to rest up though, you're on leave for the next week. You're from Tahgalez right?"

"Aye I am sir."

"Then go home for the week and spend time with you wife."

"I'm unmarried sir, my parents live here."

"Then go home to your parents." Concobhar said patting McAfee on the back and walking away.

The girl was on a bunk on the other side of the barrack, she was awake but sitting quietly. Concobhar made his way over to her.

"Where are you from lass?"

The girl looked up and quietly said. "Tahgalez."

"You got family?"

"No. I lived with a merchant, I worked for him but the bandits..."

"You need a place to stay?"

"Yes I do."

"Well, you can stay here as long as you want, just help keep the place clean."

"Thank you."

Concobhar began to walk away "Oh wait, what's your name?"

"Siva."

"Siva? That's a nice name." Concobhar said with a smile but suddenly he heard commotion coming from the back room.

"Sir!"

Concobhar went running into the back room to see a filthy man with long untamed hair holding O'Sullivan hostage with a blade to her throat.

"Let her go!" Concobhar demanded, McColl and McVenner were already in the room with blades drawn.

"Concobhar, make your men stand down!" The filthy man demanded.

"How do you know my name?" Concobhar asked in a demanding tone.

"You don't recognize me?" The filthy man asked.

Concobhar looked closely at the man, it had been over twelve years since he had seen this man.

"Malachy?"

"It's good to see you brother." Malachy hissed.

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh

"McColl, McVenner, stand down! Malachy let Julia go...." Concobhar said calmly.

Malachy let O'Sullivan go and pushed her forward, she stumbled into McColl's arms where she stayed for a few moments, she seemed to be in shock.

"Sit down, lets talk." Concobhar said motioning to the chair near Malachy.

Malachy slowly sat in the chair and began to speak.

"The resistance is about to fall."

Concobhar seemed emotionless. "I thought you were dead."

"That's what we wanted Springdale to think."

"Why?"

"To make them think they're winning, so they become more bold and expose weak points they usually wouldn't. We're about to begin the next phase of our attacks."

Concobhar interrupted "I'm guessing that's why you're here now."

"Yes, we need weapons, armor and the Claymore of Kings."

Concobhar suddenly became enraged. "No! The Claymore of Kings belongs here! Besides, we lost it."

"What do you mean you lost it?"

"A lot has happened since you've been away, we can't give you anything anyways."

"Typical Concobhar, you're of no help as usual." Malachy scoffed.

"We've got enough problems here in Heen, I can't give away weapons and armor that we need."

"I know you're lying to me, like you did when we were kids." Malachy said walking off.

McColl began to step in the way of Malachy.

"Let him go." Concobhar said looking at the ground. "Just let him go."

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)

Roleplay from Marzo Zond

"Capn' Madred, where are we?"

"...uh it appears our scouts had the map upside down...Sir. We went west instead of east. ...We're in Kording, it seems..."

"What!? Great Zonds, we're supposed to be in Naraka, on our way to Reeds! We must seek out the artifact that Concobhar and the KO are wating for an update on!"

"...uhhh oops, sir? I guess this has been a bad week for us?"

"No excuses Madred, the Phoenix Crusaders never have a bad day or a bad week. We make due. And turn it to our advantage. Fire the scouts, you get up there and take the point! Do I have to do everything myself around here?"

Just then, a message runner dashes over and hands out the latest rally reports.

"What's this?" Marzo squints at the reports. "... Oh great. -Alright lads, 45 degrees south! We're taking on some beasts for our breakfast this morning!", Marzo hollered out to his troops, "Capn' Madred, you know what to do, point us true!"

Marzo Zond Baron of Watto

Roleplay from Concobhar O'Deaghaidh

In the haze of battle, so many things can happen, in an instance lives change. Concobhar was surveying the aftermath of the battle and he didn't see any humans, turning around he noticed McColl approaching. Dried blood had hardened on his forehead and some of his long black greasy hair was mashed into it. Concobhar knew by his face something bad had happened.

"Sir, McVenner is dead." McColl said in sighing.

Concobhar said nothing for a moment then he found some words. "Let us take his body to Tahgalez."

"Rea took blow to the head, it's fairly bad but I think he'll make it." McColl finished reporting.

"Well, get everyone loaded up and tie the horses to the cart, captain."

"Sir, I don't want to be captain." McColl replied in a less than confident tone.

"You don't really have a choice." Concobhar said walking past McColl.

McColl stood still staring at the ground weighing in the current state of affairs, biting his lip and looking up to the sky he turned around and followed Concobhar back. Now Concobhar was walking past the cart, McVenner's body still looked like it had life to it, his eyes were closed so it looked as if he was sleeping. O'Sullivan was kneeling next to his body and she was pulling some sort of long cloth over his body, then a sound he hadn't heard in ages pieced his ear drums. The sound of bagpipes, the tune was slow and mournful, it reminded Concobhar of his father. So many years ago Concobhar and Malachy stood together at their father's funeral, so many years ago in the haze of battle, something happened, in an instant, his life changed.

Concobhar looked to the east, he saw Sean Kelly playing the bag pipes. Looking back at O'Sullivan, she covered McVenner's head and looked up at Concobhar, she had tears in her eyes. She sighed and ran her hand through her hair, Concobhar didn't know what to say to her, so he tried his best.

"This is the life of a warrior, he died well."

Concobhar O'Deaghaidh (Knight of Watto)