Hugh looks at him innocently. "Is something wrong? I was just saying something about a book I read before I came here, it was an Ignem tractatus called the Fires of Rebirth."
[failed Guile roll]
"You dare profane my halls with the words of our great enemy, after we have taken you in, fed you, broken bread with you? I, Éinri Mac Cillíni Mich Dáire Boircech declare wizard war upon ye, Hugh of Merinita, from the second rising of a full moon hence until such time as one of us no longer draws breath!" Immediately afterwards A woman stand up from another portion of the table "I, Gráinne Inghean Uaitéar, declare wizard war upon ye, Hugh of Merinita, from the second rising of a full moon hence until such time as one of us no longer draws breath!" Fionna leans over and whispers to you "I'm sure all 6 will get around to making the same declaration, now might be a good time to leave. Would you like for me to escort you out?"
Éogan i flabbergasted. He turns to the lady next to him and asks in a whisper, «what was that about? I did not hear the insult.»
Hugh rises, the color drained from his face, and nods, following Fionna out.
The woman next to Eogan shrugs "Wizard business, I guess"
Fionna leads you out of the fortress as the light gets dim "Will you be okay outside overnight? I suppose you must, it is how you arrived. Travel south from here to Doire, then west to Tír Chonaill. In the blacksmith's shop of tir Chonaill you will find one Finegan O'Donnell, tell him what happened here, including your recognition phrase, and you will receive what aid as can be rendered to ye."
Éogan shrugs, «I have not seen them that quick to anger before».
She grins "The covenant is pledges to defend Hibernia. The English they do not take too seriously, and the foreign mages they are uncertain about, but Diedne, that they not only oppose, but actively hate."
«I know that, but Hugh ... what does he have to do with Diedne? Did he say something I did not hear?»
I goofed- I was responding as Fionna as if Hugh had asked her, the woman next to you would have simply shrugged and taken another drink of mead.
Hugh bows to Fionna. "Thank you, I hope you won't be in trouble for escorting me out here. If you need a favor, I owe you one."
He will rejoin the fox and follow Fionna's directions, travelling in bear form again.
Éinri summons Éogan after Hugh has left. "That man is a great enemy to all of Ireland, follow him and see where he goes from here, report back before the moon grows full for the second time and you will be greatly rewarded."
Éogan was standing up, about to follow Fionna, when Éinri interrupts him. «Euh ,,, ok?» he stutters, «I must have missed something he said. Will you tell me why you were so quick to anger?»
"He declared himself Diedne, our enemy, in a way he thought we would not understand. I need you to follow him, to find where our enemies hide."
«Oh ... will you tell me what the secret word is, so that I can recognise them if I meet more enemies on my way? Or do you just send me bling into their den?» Éogan asks with tongue in cheek.
"This one was fires of rebirth, it is reference to an ancient Deidne ritual of human sacrifice, I don't know all the details, but I do know it is used by some acolytes of the Diedne as a form of recognition. Do not use it to try and fit in unless you are sure of whom you are saying it to, preferably not even then. I'd hate for you to make someone to decide you should be hunted as a servant of the Diedne when you are yourself hunting them."
«Fires of Rebirth, the book he mentioned? Very well, I shall remember that. Thank you for the advice.» Marcus says, and hurries off, after Fionna and Hugh. Should he try to tail Hugh? Or had he better join him undercover? He contemplates the options, as he leaves. Maybe he has lost him already?
You arrive at the exit in time to see a bear some distance to the south walking away.
He looks around, is Fionna still there?
Fionna is standing at the entrance, just turning to go back inside.
«That bear!?» he exclaims, «Fionna, was that Hugh? Do you know where he is heading?»