magi seem to outnumber grogs in this group and they are generally traveling light. The exception is one magi whose wooden spoon seems to be used to summon a box and then return it to somewhere else, from which he takes various items as he needs them. He stands out not only for the enchanted spoon but because while most of the magi are in their 20's or early 30's he has a look about him that suggests he has had his longevity ritual decades ago.
When Bran is done telling his second story he asks, still in English, "I told you my name is Bran, what is yours?" [presumed] When they do not answer he continues in English but speaking slower and more carefully this time, attempting to minimize his heavy accent, "I told you my name is Bran, what are your names?" Then, a moment later, in Gaelic, "So, you let me tell you stories in a language none of you knows? You could have stopped me sooner."
"Aye, I could" the man responds in gaelic "But you assumed we were English, and I did not wish to disabuse you of the notion. In fact you would be hard pressed to find a language shared by the entire group, unless you happen to speak Latin."
"I know a phrase or two of Latin, picked up from Priests, but could hardly tell a story in that language. It is not a language bards are generally taught as our stories are for commoner and noble alike. So you consistently avoid the question of your name, should I read into this that you have something to hide and an unwillingness to deal honestly with me? Or is it merely an oversight with no offense meant?"
" We are in a country that is hostile to the presence of outsiders, you have come upon us uninvited and joined in our midst. Now you take offense that you are not in our confidence and use this as a reason to interrogate us, or I suppose I should say me, as the others are hardly involved. You may well assume we have something to hide, or whatever else you wish to assume but if you are going to be rude about it then I will ask you to leave ad continue your travels on your own. "
"I came as a friend, I have dealt openly and honestly with you, as unwise as it supposedly is I gave sorcerers my name, a spell was cast on me without my consent but, supposedly, not in the spirit of discord and yet asking for a name to know who I deal with is an interrogation! I do not know who did not want you here before now but you can now count me among them." and with that Bran begins walking faster than the group.
As you walk away you hear them converse in Latin.
"What was that about? Should we let him go or strike him down?"
"He is upset at our precautions and lack of trust, as if there were some equality in him being native while we are assumed to be intruders. I think it is safe to let him go. Bards are kind of important around here, and killing one is probably more trouble than it is worth. "
[is there a forest or hilly area here or are sight lines quite far?]
When out of sight Bran cuts off the road hoping Arnar sees this.
there are definitely hills- one would be hard pressed to find a portion of Ireland without them.
Arnar sees everything. He probably has not heard everything, seeing is what he does. As Bran cuts off, it is time for more adversity.¹ He tries to conjure up a severe wind blowing all the way down the valley, in the face of the intruders, but he does not manage much. It becomes a fizzly little breeze which they quickly walk through.
Arnar returns to the others and change into his normal clothes. «Sorry, this is not my day. Did you get anything out of them, Bran?»
¹ Just short of level 20 sigh well, L15
Bran took his time returning to the larger group as he did not want to be spotted doubling back. He headed off the road and hid on the far slope of hill to the north of the road until he had heard the group pass. Then returned to walk within sight of the road back the way he had come until he saw his compatriots.
âI got very little from them. Only one seems to speak Gaelic, they would not tell me their names, the one with the spoon is the one to watch for the others seem fairly green. He, on the other hand, seemed far older than his body gives a sense of. The spoon, I assume, is a talisman and it is how they are traveling so lightly, summoning what they need as they need it. I can only imagine most of their valuables are hidden somewhere to be summoned when they arrive at their destination.â
«That spoon would be a splendid Cathach for us, wouldn't it?»
âMayhap, but if it is his Talisman it might be quite difficult to protect, at least outside of an Aegis, with the effortlessness he seems to conjure items while using it he could likely just conjure his talisman to himself. [edit:] Not to mention it would be easily provable to be taking someoneâs magical power, which doesnât matter to us now but would definitely matter once weâve spoken the oath if we still held onto it.â
«You are probably right. It would be high stakes to play with in any event,» Arnar admits ruefully, «Now what?»
âOn the other hand, if we attack just as theyâre refreshing their parma for the night the [three/four] of us could probably steal that spoon.â
«Are you sure?» Arnar looks concerned. «That spoon bearer looks seriously experienced and must have some significant resistance from his arts. How do you propose to proceed?»
Returning from tailing the other group, Sionnach and Ronan came just in time to hear the discussion regarding the spoon. He is unsure as to what to do, it certainly sounds like a great risk but at the same time, it is a perfect opportunity to mess with them.
[Since Sionnach and Ronan took a backseat to the other group, I'm not sure if we should play out this other half of the story or just assume what they saw was just not eventful enough to narrate.]
The other group has traveled more Northwards, and is similarly composed, except that the "elder magus" is a woman. Without the interference they have made better time and are nearly as far from Wicklow as the first group. Also on the way back they spot a third group setting out in a more southerly direction.
"It seems they're rapidly multiplying," Sionnach reported regarding what he saw on his expedition. "Since we got one group under control already, they are probably what we should focus on. If you want to attack while their parma is down, we need to act quick and find where they keep that spoon. Arnar and I could go ahead and scout more thoroughly."
«You are right. We are never going to defeat three crowds of invaders. We can make some mayhem, but then we had better prepare one sting at a time and do it properly.» Arnar pauses to ponder, and adds, «Hmm. I am starting to wonder if they are really English, and if they are really together. Did you say there was one and only one mature magus in each group, Sionnach?»