Elainne Dunaway Payal's Fledgling Part III Ireland 1917 A.D. .......... ~~ Elainne ~~ As the man appeared before her like an apparition, she very nearly shook visibly. Then, when his eyes found hers, Elainne noted a rapid flushing sensation as blood soared into her cheeks. Despite her want to turn away; however, she met his eyes straight on. She might have been cautioned not to speak, but she did not intend to cower behind her mentor. She wanted to take it a step further, to press beyond her fear and offer an introduction... perhaps extend a hand. It would do much to lighten the mood if she could dispense with the hocus-pocus and move things into the realm of reality. His stunt with the shadows, thought, coupled with the prior words of warning from Payal prevented her from acting on her impulse. She did not want to lead either of the others to associate the term 'fledgling' with either 'fool' or 'coward.' <><><><><> <> "Yes....I found her. This is my new pupil....Elainne." She nods at you. "This Connaire." Then turning back to the Irish immortal: "Now that introductions are complete--" there is a hint of sarcasm in her voice-- "I have brought what you asked for. And in return, I need a favor." <><><><><> His eyes never left Elainne as Payal spoke. He read the emotions that played upon the shadowy features of the young woman. He tried to remember when he was that young, that naive.... that scared. The moment was fleeting and the memory very dim. He smiled ever so slightly. A pleasant smile, and he winked before turning to look at Payal and stepping around the table to pull out a seat. "... a favor?"" "A favor, she needs," he mused grimly as he looked around the room as if he were adressing an imaginary audience. He wheeled sharply to face her again. "How about absolution for destroying a holy place? Is that what you need? Would that be why you ask me for a favor?" He never sat down. He fixed her with a deadly serious glare. His tone was different now. His body betrayed no tension, but his attitude was dark and menacing. "I wanted information... and ye killed holy men and destroyed a holy place... and ye've riled the very F***ers I was trying to learn about. What in God's name was going on in that twisted mind of yours woman.... It was a damn holy place... protected... safe... that is the tradition... the rules... " "If'n I didn't need that information so badly, I'd cut yer head free right here and now," he hissed through clenched teeth. His voice never rose above that whispered hiss. "What's the price?" <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ She was not entirely certain, but she thought she had seen the man wink! Elainne peered at him for a bit afterward, trying to decide whether it was again the shadows playing tricks or whether it had been real. When the threats began, she tried melting into the background, hoping to remain uninvolved. Had she known Payal better -- or liked her more, perhaps -- she might have felt some sort of allegiance. But, as it were, she was glad she had been ordered to remain quiet. <><><><><> <> "Would you?" Payal asks. She looks unfazed, but shifts her stance slightly, turning her side towards Connaire, as if ready to draw a weapon. Then she shifts stances again, almost coyly, and smiles at him. Everything about her but her eyes and her voice are sensuous, seductive. Her eyes flash murder, and her voice is beautiful, but without a trace of human emotion. "Perhaps another time, Irishman." She reaches into her bag, and withdraws a heavy paper- wrapped bundle. "This is what you wanted." She holds it in her hands, not yet offering it to the other immortal, and watching him intently. "You didn't specify the means by which I should obtain it. Next time, be more specific, and perhaps I will try to accomodate you." She smiles silkily. "I desire passage for two, to India." <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the bag. How had she missed seeing that in their travels? She decided the bag must have been the reason why Payal had been so adamant that Elainne not touch her things. But, what could it be? Someone's head? She shuddered at the thought. If not that, though.... what? Moreover, she was finding the little interplay between the two elders quite intriguing. It was almost a dance between the two of them, tiptoing around until they ended on level ground. The threats left Elainne feeling electrically charged. She watched Payal, especially, with keen interest. Payal had just moments previously been noticeably frightened. Elainne was convinced of that. Yet now, Payal was displaying a very determined front. She revealed no hint of weakness, no sign of hesitancy. Despite reluctance to admit any sort of admiration for her mentor, Elainne was suitably impressed. <><><><><> /Connaire\ As she shifted her stance, Connaire simply waited. Years upon years of experience told him many things at moments like this. And he waited, knowing that this exact moment would be followed by another and each moment thereafter would follow in succession. Time had a linear flow, and it was his friend. A slight smile played at the corners of his lips as Payal performed her game of supposed intimidation. Move and countermove. She made like she would draw her weapon, but to Connaire, it looked more like a dance in the grand scheme of things. While she was not particularly young, she wasn't that old. But most importantly, she was impatient. All things would happen when and how they should. She held the bundle and took another jab. He stood there, silent and unmoving until she had finished with her show, and her price was named. "No lass," he mused softly, ignoring the bundle. "There willna' be a next time..." He looked at the fledgling and paused for the slightest of moments. And, if a glance could tell her something about a person, he offered her a window to his world. And the moment ended with a smile and the gaze was broken. He started for the door, offering the pair of them a shot at his back. He carried his blackthorn stick in his left hand. "Passage to India... Aye... Now that's rare," he continued with a chuckle as he left the room and took the night air. He inhaled deeply, looking upwards at the sky. Liam handed him a heavy canvas type jacket. He slipped it on as he walked. He bloofed his jacket once to ward off the chill air, turning up the collar. "I feel like a little music and some drink... Join me if'n ye wish. If'n not, so be it... You're choice." He started off leaving the two women standing at the cottage as he headed for a waiting car that would take him somewhere else. <><><><><> <> Payal turns to follow the Irishman with her gaze, eyes widened and nostrils flaring. She's clearly put off by his casual dismissal. Elainne sees anger in her eyes, warring with the cool composure that usually rules. She turns towards the fledgling and snaps "Come with me!", before following Connaire out the door. Staying a few paces behind him, she says to his back "Don't play games with me, Irishman! I brought you what you asked for! If you don't want it then tell me so and do not waste my time! I will throw it in the sea and find another way to India....or perhaps I will send it by mail to Buckingham Palace...." <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ So many things were happening, none of them expected.... She watched the goings on, all quick in their own right, as if in a trance. First, there was Payal, looming and demanding. Then, there was Connaire.... flippant, almost. She admired this man. She hated to think it so soon, but she even felt somewhat attracted to him. She pushed such thoughts aside, though. This was serious, and she need not be thinking about things of the heart when lives were at stake.... The quick glimpse Connaire gave her, though, served only to leave her insides feeling like molten lava. She was burning, so charged were her emotions just then. She watched the rage quelling in Payal, fascinated at how such an otherwise calm woman could suddenly become so riled. _This_ was the Payal she had suspected. This was the real woman.... strong, challenging, adamant that she get her own way. It reminded Elainne of a spoiled child. But, even Payal was suddenly exquisitely beautiful and divine in those moments. Such extreme degrees of emotion were coming from her that it was as if Elainne was seeing the woman for the first time. Be they angry.... merely toying with one another.... or more, Elainne was elated. She snapped to attention, though, when Payal ordered her to follow. No more fantasies. She was immediately somber, following as rapidly as possible. She did not want this man to get out of her sight so quickly. She supposed she must be like a school girl to him, so innocent and naive..... and young! She hated herself for her quick and ready feelings for this man. Men were not supposed to affect her this way. She was a scientist...a doctor, no less! Nevertheless, she could not deny the quivering in her stomach and the rapid flush at her cheeks that even a small glance from him brought on. Thus, she remained close at Payal's heels, much like a lap-dog following after its master. She resigned herself to her lot in life..... musing how rapidly peasants learned subservience to their rightful queen. <><><><><> He chuckled at the threat and continued for the car. Without looking back he spoke. "Ye surely can, but I doubt the boyos will ever let ye get that close Payal, my darling... But I understand yer point, we both know that information is important.... And that you have it, and I need it..." He stopped and cooly turned around at the open door of the waiting car. He fixed Payal with a stare. "But I can save you alot of time.... Dublin Castle is only a few hours away... The lads there would love to hear what ye have to say." He paused in an elder immortal dramatic sort of way, without ever seeming to recognize that he was doing it. "Of course ye'd have to kill them all to get away. Yer a wanted woman... Seems you were identified by an immortal... A young lad... One of the Boy's Club fledgling's... And now the Boy's Club has put yer name on a short list, lass, right up there with the blank spot they have left for mine if'n they ever figure it out...." "So, be my guest.... take it wherever.... or get in the car and relax a little. As I said, I want to hear some music and drink a wee dram or two before'n this night is out." <><><><><> <> Payal's lips curl back slightly-- for a moment, she almost looks as if she's going to snarl. Then she walks stiffly over to the car. "I can get out of Ireland without your help, Irishman, and you know it. Your assistance would simply make it....easier." She glances once at Elainne to make sure she is following, and then gets in the back seat of the automobile. "I have no intention of spending all evening listening to you drinking and telling stories. When I become bored, Elainne and I will leave...*with* the papers, and I will take my chances with your Boy's Club." She sits in the back of the car, glowering, arms folded over her chest, looking beautiful and irritated. <><><><><> *Ye wouldna' even get out of the Valley,* he thought darkly as he watched her slim figure getting into the car. He waited until both of the women had gotten into the car and he made some gestures to men seen and men unseen. Orders given and instructions sent, he ducked slighty and got into the passenger side in front. He turned himself around enough to look back at the woman, and kept one hand out of their sight. "Lass," he said with a level look at Payal. "We can go onto bantering like this until we are blue in the face... we can even draw steel and see who's better, but that willna' help either of us if'n we die." He then smiled warmly and nodded. "And dyin' would really ruin my night." He gestured to the driver and the car roared to life and the group set out. Another car pulled out from a dark hiding place along the road and followed them. Connaire was cast in the light from their headlamps. "So, with that in mind, let's put away the bull s*** and deal with each other as we'd like to be dealt with. I need those papers, and ye know why I need them. I can get you out of Ireland with papers if'n that is your price. My lads can put you on a steamer with a cabin passage around the horn... or through the canal. The horn is cheaper and easier to get passage for. The Canal will take a wee bit more work, but i can get it done... Ye might have to wait a day or two though." He looked at Elainne who had said nothing in some long time. Hesquinted slightly against the light from the car behind them as he looked into Elainne's eyes. "Lass, use that pretty voice of yours and tell me a bit about yerself." <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ She sat next to Payal in the car, dutifully silent still despite the fiery desire to join in. Only problem was... the two were discussing things of which she had no knowledge at all. She watched the two in fascination. Both were so equally direct, so determined, so.... powerful in their own right. Yet, their styles were vastly different. As Connaire's attention turned to her, she felt the flush rise yet again into her cheeks. At first, her throat felt parched, and she stammered a mere, "I... " before swallowing and starting again. Rapidly gaining back her composure, she leaned forward just a bit. Finally, she extended her hand in a more formal gesture. "I'm Doctor Elainne Dunaway, recently...," just a bit of a pause, "dead." Had it not been for how strange the sentence sounded to her ears, she might have been able to stay calm about it. As it were, the sound of the words in her ears caused her to blush yet again. Should he take her hand, her handshake will be firm, secure... almost like that of a man of her time. Collecting her thoughts again, she continued, "I've come from America... with the intention of aiding the troops in France." She felt much more comfortable approaching things from a business demeanor. It prevented the little quivering from stirring in her belly. "As you can likely see.... ," she allowed her attention to turn to Payal. "Plans have since changed." <><><><><> "Plans always do, lass... they always do. But being a doctor, now I know the times are changin'. Keep those noble intentions lass. We all walk down dark paths, but as long as ye remember where ye came from... then ye canna' be lead astray for long." He smiled. "Recently dead you say? Tell me about it... I canna' hardly remember the day I died for the first time," he lied. <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ This man was asking her to describe her death. She blanched unwittingly. She supposed the coming back to life was perhaps the most interesting part of the entire experience. The dying part, she could do with forgetting. Next, she shrugged. "There's little to say about it. I was at a train station in London awaiting my departure. I had just recently met a kind gentleman from the front. He left on a train, then the raid alarms began shrieking. Everyone ran for cover, but the bombs came too hard and too fast to avoid. "Next I felt fire searing my cheeks, pieces of concrete shattering over my head.... then I was awakening with a terrible cough, finding strangers over my head and peering down at me. The strangest of electrical sensations was coursing through my veins. It was bizarre, because I had not really known I was dead. It felt more like some distant and strange sleep -- with dreams, cloudy and vague -- and I recall a disappointed feeling after being tugged back from it. "Those feelings seem distant now. But, I've felt the same electrical sensation on many occasions since then. I notice it from you... from Payal...." She stopped short of mentioning Geoffrey. If the risk of being immortal was ultimately death, she did not need to drag his name into the discussion." Geoffrey? Whatever had happened to him? She hoped he was faring well. She regretted having left him as abruptly as she had. "I've been told this sensation is called 'The Quickening,' but I haven't the foggiest what it's purpose is. I do know there seem to be a lot more 'immortals' than I would have expected. How many would you guess there might be? And, can you tell me of your own death?" <><><><><> "As I said Lass, it was a very long time ago... and not a pleasant time.... Aye not compared to now...." "Then, you had to look a amn or a woman in the eye when you killed them on the battlefield... grizzly. When ye've faced a Northman in mortal combat amid a field of slain bodies, it really makes ye question why ye do these things." He paused again in dramatic repose. "The wonders and miracles of science have civilized warfare, so we can kill hundreds at a time, and never actually see them die. Bombs dropping from machines in the air.... destroying train stations...We've made it easy to kill." His eyes never left Elainne. "Killing should never be easy.... It is something we must do to survive... I never have and I never will enjoy it." <><><><><> <> "Oh, but you do it so very well," Payal says. "So when you are having peoples' kneecaps shot off, and killing bridegrooms on their wedding day to make a point, do you really agonize over each and every one? Ask a priest for absolution, perhaps, before you go do it again?" She smiles sweetly. <><><><><> He shifted his glance and chuckled. "Ahh Payal, ever the clever wit and sharp tongue.... I have never shot a kneecap that I know of, nor have I had to prove any points in the fashion you speak of... I am no Thuggee.... I think ye might have me mistaken for one of Churchill's lads in the Secret services... now there's a nasty lot of boyos when it comes to breakin' the kneecaps and other bones... Me, I just kill the bastards nice and quick, but I never kill a man unless he has done his way to deserve it." He paused. "And yes, I remember every one of them.... and it still hurts... That's how I know I am still human.... what's your excuse?" <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ She was a little disappointed in Connaire's reply. She really was curious how others had died..... she imagined each experience must be wholly different. But, the man sure created a definite air about himself..... Payal clearly disliked the man, but it was difficult to determine whether her dislike was due to his gender -- or due to something more. Then, it dawned on her. Payal had said something about her own death.... about some Muhammed sweeping into her country on a killing spree. Her fiancé had been killed that same day. She felt her heart sink. This man.... this noble-appearing man with all the airs of a king.... This man had done the very thing that had lead to the death of Payal's beloved. She recognized now the scorn with its source. She peered a little more intently at Connaire, listening to his words.... curious suddenly about the accent. Could he be.....? "So.... What were you like before your death, Connaire? What did you once do.....?" <><><><><> <> Payal's smile doesn't falter. "I need no excuse," she replies to Connaire. "That is the difference between us...not your imaginary high moral ground." <><><><><> He smirked at payal's rebuttal. She was dark and evil to her core. God only knew what twisted horror had brought this upon her, but Connaire knew that he really didn't want to learn any more about her. He shifted his attention back to Elainne and her last question. "A soldier.... not very unique among our kind. I'm afraid that most of us were warriors of some sort. You see, I have learned that this Immortality seems less than random in nature. And where this is conflict and strife in the world, our kind are born more quickly.... Our mortal lives are well within harm's reach... and destiny, or fate... or God's Will prevails and we die and become Immortal." "I am an old man Elainne, my dear... Old and tired.... I fight for a cause that keeps changing on me with every passing day. And on each passing day, I find that I am just a little slower to react... That is not good. But it is a cause I can not put aside..... I swore an oath when I was mortal, and many times reaffirmed it as an Immortal, and in that oath I swore to defend and protect Eire against all who would see her harmed, invaded, or conquered." He paused to glance out the front windshield to see where they were at in their travels. And then he looked back at her and smiled, but it was a sad, careworn smile. It was a smile that told an observant person that this man was weary with the years and burdened with responsibility. "I am the Síocháin `s Dóchas... The Guardian of Hope..." He took a deep breath and exhaled ina sigh, and then his soft smile was back, and there was a twinkle in his eyes again. "I am the Fiannan." <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ She gave this warrior a bit of an odd look, not at all recognizing his term. His words rolled from his tongue like honey over warm bread, and she longed to hear him tell more. "What is... a Fiannan?" <><><><><> He laughed dryly. "Hmmm.... well, *a* fiannan is the term that eventually became Fenian... and it is the term that those who believe they are soldiers for Ireland use to call themselves. The Fianna was an old group of warriors... long time ago.... before Christianity came to Ireland... They had sworn themselves to defend Ireland... or Eire, against all outsiders... They gave up their clans to join this group, They served the High King, and only the High King, and were loyal only to themselves and they had only their honor and their warrior's code to guide them...and it is said... man for man... they were the best warriors the world has ever known..." "A long time ago, lass.... The Fianna are no more." <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ She was beginning to warm to this man. He was matter-of-fact and seemed honest. That he gave off such tremendous airs left her wondering if he was even real. Payal was definitely real -- real insolent, real proud, and real impetuous. In the end, Elainne could not deny a certain respect for the woman who had endured for so long despite the men who would have killed her. She was trying to pay as much attention to the moment as possible, lest she lose such the memory of the precious scene to time. "Can you tell me of any others?" she continued to Connaire. "Any other immortals?" <><><><><> <> The vehicle is approaching a tavern at the outskirts of a medium-sized village, which looks like it is back in the general direction from which you came. Not quite the same road, and hopefully not the same village where Payal left the unfortunate Ian crumpled in the dirt. Sounds of singing and men drinking can be heard from the brightly-lit structure, while the rest of the village looks mostly dark and silent. Payal looks displeased. "I am not enamoured of Irish folk-singing, and I believe Elainne has had enough to drink tonight," she says, smiling tightly at the fledgling. "I would prefer to settle our business now." <><><><><> She was rude and impatient. He was having a conversation with the younger Immortal, and regardless of relative status or experience, common courtesy still applied. He didn't take kindly to her attitude, or her interuption. "Settling now?" He looked back at Payal and the years in his eyes are brought to bear upon her. His tonme was flat and cold, without affectation. "There is no ship sailing tonight to take you where you want to go... I have some lads checking into things already. They hear and anticipate. When I get word back, you will be informed.... My word is my honor, and it has been for more centuries than either of us care to remember back to... all that remains is for you to decide to give me those papers or take them to Alastair Stewart and his lot... If'n I get the papers, you get safe passage... deal concluded. Nothin' is final until I get those papers." He waited for the car to stop and he opened the door and stepped out. "I'm going to hear some music, sing a song or two... and drink a wee bit... The two of you are welcome to join me... but I willna' ask twice." He looked pointedly at Elainne. "We can talk more inside, if'n ye want or can." <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ She watched still as the interplay between the elders occurred before her. It was clear that her mentor had no intention of getting out of the car. Elainne was truly enjoying the company and hoped to reap some benefits of the Irishman -- perhaps learn some more about other immortals. Connaire's comment gave her pause, though. "We can talk more inside, if'n ye want or can," he had said. **If I can....** She certainly wanted to join him, but her predicament was that she had agreed to abide by Payal's rules. Although, she had her own mind as yet... and until the woman stole that from her, she would do as she pleased. A flicker of a smile crossed her lips. She was not quite sure why, but she felt she could trust this man. "I'd like that.... very much." She kept herself intentionally from looking to Payal for approval. She felt she knew the likely reply any such opening would receive. <><><><><> <> "You'll get your precious documents when I get our passage to India," Payal says. She turns her head and looks at Elainne. "Go ahead, Elainne," she says dryly. "Enjoy the....atmosphere." A sign of tolerance...or a reminder that she has the power to grant and withhold permission? She looks back straight ahead and affects disinterest in either Elainne or Connaire. <><><><><> He smiled slightly as she exerted a bit of courage to accept his invitation without leave from Payal. His smile faded again when Payal spoke to them both. She was a most unpleasant woman, and sadly lacking in any of the finer charms of company or good cheer. "Suit yerself woman," he said in dismissing tones. He offered a hand to help Elainne from the car and ignored Payal entirely. Once she stepped clear, he escorted her to the door of the pub, where the sounds and smells from within were beckoning. Music, laughter, song, food, and drink. There was a warm glow that spilled from the windows and the shadows within indicated there was a lively crowd. <><><><><> ~~ Elainne ~~ At Payal's words, the hair on the nape of Elainne's neck bristled. She could sense the displeasure in her mentor's tone. "Thank you...," she replied, hoping to impart into the words the proper intonation of combined nonchalance and respect. She turned briefly to peer at the sullen woman's silhouette, intending to attempt to persuade her to join. Upon seeing her rigid posture, Elainne nodded once to Payal then added a statement instead of her initially intended plea. "Please join us if you change your mind." Her words were sincere. While she was far from feeling any love for the woman, she respected her immensely, and she wanted no animosity with her. She next moved immediately to join Connaire, leaving little time for Payal to reply. The warmth and atmosphere of the inn assaulted her senses, but the entire air was refreshing. Things here were much lighter, less intimidating than they had been at the hotel. Once here, though, she felt entirely ill-at-ease... a stranger among strangers with a stranger as her companion. Payal, at least, was predictably sullen and morose. She had yet to decide how this man might act in larger company and without a confrontation brewing. <><><><><> He opened the door for her and allowed her entry. He wasted no time in stepping up beside her, and with a light touch just between her shoulder blades, he guided her through the maze of men and a few women towards the bar itself. Connaire patted a few of the men on the back as they acknowledged him, and he addressed a few others who weren't paying attention. The music played on. Two fiddles, a bodhran and a tin whistle. The band played a lively set of jigs and there was a loud buzz of conversation and clapping in time to fill every possible cranny of sound space in the room. Connaire tapped Elainne on the shoulder to indicate a pause in their path into the pub. He leaned out across the bar so that the keep would see him. "Donal, ye ole goat.... two pints of Stout... and get two more ready right after.... we'll be in the corner." Connaire then moved out in front of Elainne and led her towards a corner of the room, where there was a table. Two men stood quickly and wiped the water rings from the polished wood as Connaire approached. The table was obviously reserved. "Lads.... Ye're too kind," he offered jokingly. His face was bright again, and his smile was warm. He seemed in his element. Connaire pulled out one of the chairs and nodded for Elainne to sit in it. The band was just finishing the jigs, and almost immediately they set to in a hornpipe dance tune. And there were a few whoops and hollers as it began. The bar was very lively.