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Post by laurenne on Jul 19, 2010 22:21:27 GMT -5
I absolutely loved it. I can't wait for the next update.
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VolleyErica3
Beta
Cabin Lass
Music = my life *points* the green guys name is Fredward ^_^
Posts: 174
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Post by VolleyErica3 on Jul 20, 2010 16:57:34 GMT -5
OH NO!! WHATS HE DOING?!?!?!
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Post by celticbear on Jul 20, 2010 19:10:21 GMT -5
Ghost, Great update, Whatever Plane Keith has come up with to save everybody please put that plan into motion soon. Boo Bad Devon for Kidnapping Keith's family, because that is exactly what he has done.
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Post by Ghost on Jul 25, 2010 13:56:23 GMT -5
*** Keith held the reins to the horse that pulled the players' wagon, leading the rest of the small troupe away from the village where they had just performed.
Neil had insisted that they wait before returning to Donegal, in order to avoid suspicion. While Keith understood his friend's reasoning, he himself was impatient to go back. They had eventually settled on a month-long lapse, during which Keith joined the band, and life for the players continued as normal.
Keith had kept mostly to himself, handling tasks for the minstrel players that would keep him in the background, where he would not attract attention or suspicion. He had even gone so far as to stay generally away from the other players—several of whom were old friends. The habit caused the others to think that time had changed him into an aloof, unfeeling sort of man. Only Neil knew that he did it for their safety.
A few days ago, Neil had assisted Keith in the implementation of his disguise.
Or, Keith thought to himself as he stepped around a rock in their path, what disguise they could muster. He assumed that Sir Devon's men would be looking for a shaggy-haired, bearded wanderer clad in ragged clothing. And so Keith had done everything to change his appearance to the opposite: he had chopped off the majority of his blonde hair and darkened it as much as possible, and he had shaved until his beard was nonexistent. To finish, he had taken one of the troupe's best costumes—it was not gaudy like most of the others, but it was well made, and it bore little evidence of use. The most important feature, in Keith's mind, was the cloak; its dark green fabric fell in a long sweep all the way to the wearer's boots, and the hood would shadow one's face almost completely.
Of course, if used in the wrong situation, the cloak and the costume would gain attention instead of reducing it. But the skills Keith had learned as a minstrel had all come back to him. His role as a player required him to be unnoticed—just another member of the audience or in the background—and it had come easily to him.
In the month that Keith had been working and traveling with Neil and the rest of Lord Derry's players, no one in County Tyrone had recognized him.
He heard a light footstep quickening toward him, and soon he found Neil walking beside him.
"How goes it?" the minstrel asked. "Are you tired of leading the horse yet?"
Keith shrugged and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily surprised at how short it now was.
Neil caught his reaction and said, "It will grow back, you know."
"I don't care about that."
Neil gave him a look that said otherwise.
"What I mean is that it is little price to pay for what I am about to do."
"What we are about to do."
"Neil," Keith sighed, "I already told you that this is my task, and mine alone."
"Begging your pardon, but you can't tell a man to let his close friend risk his life without any aid. I will not let you do this on your own."
"What of the other players?"
Neil crossed his arms and then said in his soft-spoken way, "What of them? As far as they know, we are merely returning to Derry to make the playing rounds there. It will not be our usual route, of course, but what does it matter where we begin or finish?"
Keith's cloak slipped over one of his shoulders as he laughed, the heartiest laugh he had allowed himself since the incident in Kells. "You are much more stubborn than I remember."
Neil smiled. "Time changes us all, in one way or another. Do you want to review the plan again?"
They must have done it a hundred times, refining it, trying to think of every possible situation that might arise. They discussed it almost every time they spoke to each other.
"Eh, why not? There is nothing better to do."
Thinking about the plan reminded Keith that he would soon see his family. It reminded him that even though it was dangerous to do so, he was finally on his way back into Derry. On his way back to his home. In Donegal.
*** Lord Derry had long since given up hope of Keith Harkin's return. At first, he had wondered what had been taking the messenger so long to return to Donegal.
But then Sir Devon had returned. He had been his usual self, grim and determined. But there was an undercurrent of something else in his manner of speaking and his actions that Damian did not quite like.
It did not take Sir Devon very long to approach his lord with the news that he had found and exiled the man who had been giving information to the English. But the young lord had been incredulous when his knight informed him that the spy was none other than Keith Harkin.
Even now, nearly a month since Devon and his men had returned to Donegal Castle, Damian still did not quite believe it. Of course, the messenger's complete and total absence from County Derry did much to corroborate the knight's story.
Of course, Sir Devon had, on his return to Derry, made it immediately known that anyone found to be remotely connected to Keith Harkin henceforth would be imprisoned indefinitely for treachery. As for the messenger himself…there was a price on his head. For all that anyone knew, Keith Harkin had been declared an outlaw and a traitor to the Irish lords.
But for some reason, Damian could not be completely convinced of the man's treachery.
It seemed to him that Ryan Kelly's departure for County Tyrone had only made Sir Devon more comfortable with his own position and power in Derry. Although he claimed to have dealt with the problem of the English contact, the knight insisted on preparing the castle for possible attacks.
From whom, Damian did not care to ask.
Sir Devon's presence had become inescapable, as traces of his presence were left all over the castle and its grounds. Damian had taken to wandering the least traveled corridors of the castle, using the quiet solitude to think and plan for whatever might come from the English.
It was not until one late afternoon that he finally took action.
The exile of Keith Harkin had not rested easily with him, and so he had finally sent out a guard—one of the men who had served him since birth, and had served his father before him—to inquire after the messenger's family.
The man had only just returned, finding Lord Derry in a cool, quiet corner of the keep. Keith Harkin's family was not at home, but he had gotten word from the wife's father, a peasant named George Donaldson.
"I have heard that name," Damian muttered. "He is one of the best peasants in the fields."
The guard continued to tell his lord that this man, George, had not seen or heard from his daughter and her children at all over the past month. He would have come sooner to Lord Derry, but Sir Devon had returned with the news that Keith Harkin and his associates were traitors.
The man had been ignored when he anonymously approached Lord Derry's men.
"He said that he did not know whom to trust, my lord," the soldier finished.
Damian nodded. "Thank you, Declan. That will be all."
Declan bowed, and left.
As the young lord watched him go, he muttered to himself, "I must remind him of his place before he does something completely blockheaded."
And with that, Lord Derry set out in search of Sir Devon.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 25, 2010 18:10:28 GMT -5
Ghost I love It. Please update soon. and Boo again to Sir Devon for making Keith an outlaw. I hope Keith runs him trough with or sword or better yet, let Damian do it. DOWN WITH THE TRAITOR SIR DEVON, HOORAY FOR OUR HERO'S KEITH AND NEIL.
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Post by laurenne on Jul 25, 2010 23:28:00 GMT -5
They're on their way, finally. I can't wait to find out what happens next. More soon, please.
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VolleyErica3
Beta
Cabin Lass
Music = my life *points* the green guys name is Fredward ^_^
Posts: 174
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Post by VolleyErica3 on Jul 26, 2010 13:05:04 GMT -5
DOWN WITH DEVON!!!!!!!!! more soon pleeeeeeeeeease?!
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meggielou
Fantastic Fan
The Ship's Cook
"Eat this, it helps." *hands chocolate* ~ Remus Lupin
Posts: 137
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Post by meggielou on Jul 26, 2010 19:25:32 GMT -5
*already read this but I love it too much SO I READ MORE!* Publish now, Ghosty.
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Post by celticbear on Jul 26, 2010 21:24:38 GMT -5
Okay Ghost as you can see, WE! Really Really want an UPDATE! So hurry up and update.
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Post by Ghost on Jul 30, 2010 13:18:58 GMT -5
*** A long month had passed since the two members of the castle guard had taken Shannon and her children to Donegal Castle.
In that time, they had not seen Sir Devon at all, on whose orders they had been brought here in the first place. Instead, Brennan was the man who brought their meals, who took them and guarded them on those occasions when they were permitted to the leave their chambers.
Shannon had soon noticed that they were only taken out to places where they would not easily be seen, and at times when other people would not be wandering about.
Now, as Shannon sat in the roughly cut window of their chamber in the late afternoon, she wondered when this imprisonment would end. It had been over two months since Keith left for his last assignment, and still there was no sign of him.
She prayed that he was safe.
A breeze from the sea blew against her, reminding her that the ocean was the only thing that could be seen from this room.
She sighed, resting her head against the cool rock. Patrick and Nicole were both sleeping, for the present. Brennan had brought them to the castle stables today, and both children had taken a strong liking to a majestic black horse called Storm. They had come back to their prison chamber thoroughly exhausted from the activity.
Shannon laid a hand on her stomach. She was fairly certain that Brennan had not yet realized her state, but if she stayed here much longer, it would soon be impossible to hide it. She did not want to think about what could arise from the discovery of her pregnancy.
She smiled as the memory of a few minutes before arose in her mind. They had returned from the stables, and Nicole was already asleep on the bed.
Patrick had looked at his mother and said, "Mommy, your belly is getting bigger."
Shannon had been surprised that he had noticed at all. "Yes, it is."
He turned his small, perplexed face toward her and asked, "Why?"
Now was as good a time as any, she supposed. Shannon lifted Patrick into her arms.
"Well, Mommy and Daddy are going to have another baby, so that you and Nicole will have a little brother or sister."
"Did Daddy go to get it?"
"No. He gave the baby to Mommy before he left, so that it would be safe." Shannon smiled at her own words. They were true, in a way.
"Oh." Patrick hesitated, and Shannon feared that he would ask how such a thing was possible. But instead, he only said, "When do me and Nickie get to meet it?"
"Not until Mommy's belly is twice as big as it is now, at least."
The child's eyes widened. "Twice as big?"
"Yes. The baby won't be ready to meet anyone until then."
Content with this answer, Patrick had wriggled out of her arms and gone to take his nap.
Shannon looked at her sleeping children, and laughed at her needless worry. They were so young; certain things were simply beyond their comprehension.
A soft knock came at the door.
Assuming that it was Brennan come to check on them, Shannon called quietly to come in. The door opened, and to her surprise, Sir Devon O'Boyle stood in the doorway. He wore no hauberk or visible weaponry, instead clad in the rich clothing of a noble.
Shannon started and then slid from her perch. She dropped into a curtsy, making her dress fold as much as possible.
"Good day, Sir Devon."
The knight ignored her show of respect and walked to the window.
"Doubtless the sunset is brilliant to see from here," he said. He turned back to sit by the small, crackling fire and added, "That is why I chose this room for you."
Shannon did not move. They both knew that had not been his real reason. Fear began to encircle her chest like an icy, iron fist. What did this man want?
No. She must not show her fear. She had to be strong now. For Keith's sake. Sir Devon gestured to the chair opposite his. "Please, sit."
She sat, and crossed her arms in an attempt to draw attention from her stomach. "How do you and the children fare?"
The children. Shannon had almost forgotten their presence in the room. Had they woken at the knight's entrance? No—they still slept. But they would surely wake soon, and Sir Devon had best be gone by then.
She wished the knight would come to the reason for his visit.
"I am sorry to have embroiled you in this mess, Shannon. It was your husband's choice, and now you must suffer for it."
What mess? What choice? What had Keith done?
"You see," Sir Devon said in as gentle a voice as he could manage, "Keith betrayed Lord Derry, and has since disappeared."
Shannon frowned as her heart began to thud in her chest. This was impossible.
"I had you and the children brought here for your own safety."
"From what? My husband?"
"Of course not. From anyone in Donegal or Derry who might wish ill to Keith and will exact it, by proxy, on you."
Shannon's frown deepened. She may be a peasant, but she was not stupid.
"You look troubled. Speak."
She struggled to keep her voice calm as she asked, "How has he betrayed his lord?"
"There is strong evidence to indicate that he is a contact for the English."
"A spy."
"Yes, a spy. He has been giving the English information about us for several years."
"That is impossible," Shannon said. She shifted in her chair, feeling the fire grow hotter. "There must be some mistake. Keith is the most loyal man to Lord Derry that I know. And I do not say that because he is my husband, but because it is true."
Sir Devon glared at her, all pretense of civility now gone. "He is undoubtedly the spy, Shannon. His conduct over the past few months has made that completely clear. And you, unfortunately, will have to remain in the castle for the foreseeable future. I have no doubt that your husband will attempt to return to Donegal, and it will be best if you and your children are kept out of the way. Unless you prove useful in some other way, of course."
Sir Devon's gaze slid over her figure, and she felt exposed under the languid, appraising glance. Her cheeks burned, and she prayed that her dress's folds were loose enough to cover the signs of the forthcoming child.
The knight's eyes lifted to meet hers, dark gaze against dark gaze. "How long has your husband been away?"
"Two months." She tried to keep her voice strong, but it trembled in her ears.
"Two months," the knight repeated softly. "But he was gone before that for another whole month, was he not?"
Shannon bit her tongue. The knight looked at her midsection again, and her heart lurched.
She instinctively put a hand to her stomach, and immediately wished that she had not.
His grin was self-satisfied, unbearable. "And how far along are you?"
There was no use in pretending now.
"About three months," Shannon whispered.
The knight raised an eyebrow. "That long? And tell me, do you blush from the shame of your actions or because of the fire's glow?"
She gripped the edge of her seat until she was sure her nails would chip the wood. "How dare you accuse me of such things, Sir Devon."
The knight leaned forward until his face was inches away from hers. "I can see the anger in your eyes, Shannon. I do not accuse you of anything. But this…turn of events…plays well into my hands, I assure you."
He leaned away from her and stood without another word. As he opened the door to leave, he added, "Perhaps you should not have given your husband so much…pleasure…before he left for his tasks. It would have saved you the forthcoming humiliation."
Sir Devon turned back to leave and found himself face to face with Lord Derry.
"We need to talk," the young lord said. "Now."
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Post by CelticLass91 on Jul 30, 2010 13:49:28 GMT -5
AH HA! I hope Lord Damian heard that cad devon!! But either way I love the update and can't wait for your next!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jul 30, 2010 16:18:40 GMT -5
It takes talent to really make someone despise a character in a work of fiction, but you hath succeeded. I loath Lord Devon with all entirety. Update soon Ghost, we must now how the future unravels!
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Post by celticbear on Jul 30, 2010 18:08:46 GMT -5
Ghost! Another great Update! OH I LOATH SIR DEVON. Please Update Soon I want to See Sir Devon get his just deserts either by Keith's hand or by Damians.
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Post by laurenne on Jul 30, 2010 23:04:48 GMT -5
What does Lord Derry want to say to Sir Devon? Update soon, please.
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VolleyErica3
Beta
Cabin Lass
Music = my life *points* the green guys name is Fredward ^_^
Posts: 174
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Post by VolleyErica3 on Jul 31, 2010 16:52:25 GMT -5
RAWR DEVON!!!! *hates him with a passion* YAY FOR LONG UPDATES more soon pleeeeeease!?!?!?!
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