SESSION 13 RECAP

The Fulcairns return to the keep from their excursion to the Northeast. All are exhausted and, aside from Cathal, fall to rest. Cathal, incensed at what he sees as a personal failure, drowns his thoughts in training and work.

The next day, Reynhild sends word to her Rangers that they shall be reassigned to cover the loss of Brigid, and that she herself intends to leave the keep and take up Lwcan’s post in the Northeast.

Cathal calls a council meeting to brief everyone on what happened in the forest. Melehan is called in to explain who he is and what he can offer the Fulcairns. He reveals that Mara is his descendant, and thus a Fulcairn herself. The meeting adjourns and Reynhild, overcome by long-held insecurities and trying to best serve the people she loves, explains to Cathal that she plans to leave so she can take over Lwcan’s watch. Cathal is saddened by the news but does not try to stop her. He sits alone in the council chamber into the night.

The next day, each of them has an important conversation with Melehan. Cathal speaks with Melehan of his desires, eventually asking the wizard’s help in claiming the seat of Taeghas when Khorien abdicates. Reynhild attempts to gift the mage with a cairnhound, but Melehan gently refuses, and asks her what it is she truly wants from life. She mentions her plans to take over Lwcan’s watch, and Melehan tells her that he thinks she has not seen the last of the mad ranger. Melehan and Mara have a more familial conversation. Melehan removes the marks of power from Mara’s arms and tells her that he must travel back to the woods in the Northeast to raise lasting defenses against Ruobhe Manslayer.

Reynhild and Mara take a moment to have a personal conversation. Reynhild tells Mara she is considering leaving the keep. Mara implores Reynhild to stay, naming her sister, and stating her importance to the house as a whole. Mara’s heartfelt words assuage much of Reynhild’s insecurity. Reynhild chooses not to go into the Aelvinnwode after all.

In the evening, Reynhild finds Cathal in the council chamber and tells him she may not have to leave after all. Cathal speaks earnestly of his relief, and of his fear that attempting to force her to stay would have driven a wedge between them. He professes his love once again. Reynhild, still insecure about her worthiness of the Fulcairn name, confesses her true nature to Cathal, and gives him the journal of the woman whose life she stole. Cathal reads the marked entry, and embraces Reynhild, accepting her as family no matter her past.

The next day Cathal and Finn arrange for the new recruits to train against Mara, noting that their collective inexperience against battle-mages cost them too dearly in the Northeast. Melehan also requests that Cathal take the moment to train Mara against soldiers, as she will likely face real battles in the future.

Reynhild and Cathal have a brief conversation about the future of their relationship. Cathal wishes to marry her. Reynhild, though she struggles with the idea, asks that Cathal seek out another bride, for the good of the house, and keep her as a consort. Cathal does not welcome the idea, but tells Reynhild he will think on it.

Melehan leaves for the Aelvinnwode, and in a week’s time, folk begin to arrive for the Tournament of Wilder’s Gorge. Vulpina and Nyrion Duene arrive, keeping mostly to themselves. Gaelen Isilvere also deigns to offer his presence, stating that his daughter Corliss has also come, but the headstrong young woman is off on her own somewhere.

The last major guest to arrive is Fulgrim, Thane of the Yngvi and Cathal’s blood brother. Reynhild and Mara see Cathal at his most cheerful since his return from Rjurik. He and Fulgrim embrace, and Cathal excitedly introduces all of his friends. A messenger arrives from Harald Khorien with a message he wishes Cathal to read aloud at some point during the tournament, and a new staff for Mara.

The first day holds the contest for archery, for which the Ranger Asha takes the prize. At the feast that night, Cathal agrees to join the Fulgrim and his Rjurikans in their camp to drink the following night.

The next day sees competition in Pollaxe and Longspear. Dolan takes the prize for Pollaxe after a hard fought bout against one of the Duene’s men at arms. A knight from Brosien wins Longspear. That evening, Cathal and Dolan accompany Fulgrim back to his camp. Cathal drinks excessively and enjoys catching back up with his blood brother. Fulgrim convinces Cathal to enter the melee the following day.

On the third day, the contest for longsword on foot takes the bulk of the day. Fulgrim smashes his way through the competition and faces Corliss Isilvere, Count Gaelen’s daughter, in the final. Despite being a highly skilled fighter, Corliss is no match for Fulgrim, and the Rjurikan thane collects the prize for longsword. Cathal’s advisors look on with chagrin as their still impulsive lord takes the field for melee, now somewhat reluctant but unwilling to upset Fulgrim by backing out. The melee rages, with Lord Fulcairn and the Prince of Yngvi fighting shoulder to shoulder. The two of them get separated, and Cathal finds himself facing down Corliss Isilvere, now armed with a pair of blades and seeming much more adept in their use than the longsword. They fight back and forth across the yard, and Cathal attempts to yield graciously upon receiving a telling blow. Corliss refuses, and screams at him to fight. He obliges, and wins past her defenses to fell her with a stunning stroke to the head. Cathal and Fulgrim easily dispatch the remaining competition, but refuse the prize, instead granting it to a knight from Ghoere who was the last to fall.

That evening, a contest of musicians is held during the night’s feast. Men and women from across Anuire, even a few Rjurikan skalds and a famed Khinasi poet take part. Many fine songs and ballads are heard, but it is Tashairah al-Muhtadim, the Khinasi, who steals the hearts of all. Tashairah weaves among the tourney goers, charming all but one. Reynhild does not trust the poet’s honeyed words.

The joust begins on the fourth day. A surprisingly large number of knights and freeriders have come to try their lances. Among them is Sir Varyan Goeryne, friend to the Fulcairns, who asks Lady Reynhild’s favour before joining the lists. An infamous mystery knight, clad only in red armour and appropriately named The Red Knight, takes the field as well. The joust progresses over the next three days. On the last day, Sir Varyan and The Red Knight stand as the champions and face each other in the final. After a number of passes, the Red Knight’s lance slips and slays Varyan’s beloved horse, Temperance. The Red Knight himself is also unseated. While normally this would result in a forfeit for the Red Knight, and possible barring, Varyan refuses, and wishes for the contest to continue afoot. Sir Varyan and the Red Knight engage in a grueling contest of arms, hacking at each others’ shields for what seems like hours. The Red Knight, in the end, proves the more valiant, if not gallant, and lays Sir Varyan senseless in the mud of the lists. He takes his prize and leaves the Fulcairn lands with haste.

That evening, the nobles present hold a private feast, to be entertained by Tashairah. The Khinasi poet once again woos them all with her evocative lyrics, shining voice, and the haunting beauty of her skill with her curious stringed instrument. Corliss Isilvere joins her father for the feast and strikes as stunning a figure in a gown as she did a fearsome one in armour. The Duenes and Sir Varyan Goeryne also join the feast, along with any knights who deigned to stay after the Jousting was done.

Cathal attempts to win over Vulpina Duene, but sours the opportunity by quietly speaking out about her brother. The Duenes retire, as do Sir Varyan and Tashairah. Tashairah accompanies Sir Varyan to his chamber, and offers him succor for his wounds, both of body and mind. He refuses her advances, but agrees that she may stay with him as he sleeps. Cathal, Mara, and Reynhild remain with Gaelen and Corliss Isilvere in the feast hall until all eventually fall to their beds.