01-07-2010, 05:00 PM
DaVinci sat at the head of the table as the cheers from the rest of his clan went up. There was little over a third of his blood kin there and yet he didn’t let this strike fear into his heart. He knew that once the world knew of the heir’s return that things would begin to turn little by little and once war was truly upon them the numbers would begin to even out. He didn’t believe that he would have any headway over his cousin but he would leave that to the ollamhs to discuss. He had lucked out, old Faethae had come with the remnants of the clan. She had admitted that most of the old ones had stayed behind not believing that this new blood that wasn’t from their land deserved his place in the way of things. The younger priestesses had stayed with Faethae, announcing that if they were to gain a place in the greater world they would have to learn to accept change. DaVinci had accepted this with a nod and agreement as he told them they would speak later.
Faethae had seemed interested in Zana and had questioned him on why Firefly hadn’t returned. He shook his head, not bringing to light the truth of his sister and her own heirs back home. If she wished to bring herself forward to be presented as the mother to his heir then she would, for now it seemed that Zana would take her place. He firmly told Faethae that they would speak on these matters later as Zana had begun to eye the woman with a flicker of awareness in her eyes before the woman bowed away and was gone.
The celebration continued and spread as the uagent was brought forth, the strong heady spirits of their people. Mead was normally served at gathering and it had been present in plenty but once the stronger works were presented the boasting and bragging began. Most of the woman moved out when the noise grew louder, some teasing warriors along with them, others issuing the youth of the halls out as they whined and pleaded to be allowed to stay. DaVinci couldn’t help but smile as he watched them go, so long ago it seemed that Firefly had been one of the youth of the clan. He shook his head as the first roar of a challenge was issues, his head turning back to the men on hand as it sank in just what would happen before the night was up.
With a slight nod and a flourish of his hand he sent the men into an uproar as space was cleared before his table as the two men squared off to prove their worth for a woman it seemed. DaVinci knew that many more would come after this, some over minor things, others over the right to a mateship and even to claim their name as a warrior. He knew that sooner or later one would denounce Zana’s title as a warrior as false and call her onto the floor to prove her worth. He wasn’t looking forward to the moment, for though few died in these bouts the men were drunk and Zana was a slight creature. A stroke that normally would just bring a shallow wound on another could very nearly kill her. To lose his sister and the presented mother of his heirs to be would not be a good omen at all.
Faethae had seemed interested in Zana and had questioned him on why Firefly hadn’t returned. He shook his head, not bringing to light the truth of his sister and her own heirs back home. If she wished to bring herself forward to be presented as the mother to his heir then she would, for now it seemed that Zana would take her place. He firmly told Faethae that they would speak on these matters later as Zana had begun to eye the woman with a flicker of awareness in her eyes before the woman bowed away and was gone.
The celebration continued and spread as the uagent was brought forth, the strong heady spirits of their people. Mead was normally served at gathering and it had been present in plenty but once the stronger works were presented the boasting and bragging began. Most of the woman moved out when the noise grew louder, some teasing warriors along with them, others issuing the youth of the halls out as they whined and pleaded to be allowed to stay. DaVinci couldn’t help but smile as he watched them go, so long ago it seemed that Firefly had been one of the youth of the clan. He shook his head as the first roar of a challenge was issues, his head turning back to the men on hand as it sank in just what would happen before the night was up.
With a slight nod and a flourish of his hand he sent the men into an uproar as space was cleared before his table as the two men squared off to prove their worth for a woman it seemed. DaVinci knew that many more would come after this, some over minor things, others over the right to a mateship and even to claim their name as a warrior. He knew that sooner or later one would denounce Zana’s title as a warrior as false and call her onto the floor to prove her worth. He wasn’t looking forward to the moment, for though few died in these bouts the men were drunk and Zana was a slight creature. A stroke that normally would just bring a shallow wound on another could very nearly kill her. To lose his sister and the presented mother of his heirs to be would not be a good omen at all.