eachdraidh | [Quest] Video (To Seelie, Hermione-Net, Rin's Networks, & Alyosha-Net) Trouble at the Pool of Souls

[If Diarmuid counts them all, he has something like half a dozen different communication devices. He stares at them in distaste. He should not have to go to so much trouble to contact those he cares about safely, but this madness is what the courts have forced on them. One-by-one, he sends the same short video message over each device. First his locket, then the brooch Hermione enchanted for him, next the necklace Rin enchanted for him, and then the compass network Rin made for those most trusted by Alyosha. Finally, he looks at the ring that is keyed to the commanders of the Red Hand. He could send the message to John and Javik through it as well, but he has a feeling they will probably see it in one of the other ways as well. The only device he doesn't consider using is the mirror given to him by Faolan. The spymaster is the one who gave him the quest after all, and Faolan has already told him all he knows.

It is a lot of work, but Diarmuid needs information, and he has never been one who does things by half measures.

He is sorry to those who get the message more than once, though...]

Greetings everyone. I know right now the focus of many of us must be battle preparations, but it has been brought to my attention that something strange is going on at the Pool of Souls. This place is a place of peace and healing and cannot be allowed to be defiled. As such, I am asking anyone who sees this and knows anything about the area--be it rumors you have heard or travels you have made there--to share that information with me. I do not want to go into this unprepared for there are many dangerous groups who play this game with us, and I have no wish to become their prey.

[The possibility that this disturbance is being caused by an Unseelie has crossed Diarmuid's mind, but he finds it a lot more likely an outside group like the Cult of the Fox is involved. If not the Cult of the Fox, it is just as likely to be one of the other cults that have sprung up since the Void started moving so much closer.]

No piece of information is too small, so please don't hesitate to share. I look forward to hearing from you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I've no information to offer, but I can have our people look into it quietly. In the meantime, it sounds like you could use someone to stand beside you in the shield wall.

( She's coming along. No ifs, ands or buts. )

[Fortunately for Diarmuid's continued survival, he has no thoughts at all of denying her.]

I would love more than anything to have you there. I was going to contact you, in fact.

( He is a wiser man than many! )

I can do no other than stand beside you in battle, or hunt when you catch wind of prey. Have you greater detail to give as to what we may face?

If not, I will simply have to wear my full set of armour. I've not been able to wear it in some time.

( From the sound of it, she's greatly hoping she has the opportunity. )

[Thankfully.]

Not much. The original batch of information I was given was just that someone or a group of someones was causing enough of a disturbance at the pool that the dryads and naiads that live there are very upset. Talking to others, I have gotten a little more information on the layout of the area, but that is about it. Fortunately, my king will be joining us as well and he has spent time there. He will be of great help to us.

[A warm smile crosses his face.]

Wear your armor. I will be wearing mine as well. We do not know what we will be facing and it is best to be prepared.

[Besides, he very much wishes to see her in it.]

Your King, hm? ( Her eyebrows shoot up, and she smirks a little at him. ) Most interesting. I'll be sure to polish my armour before I put it on.

( And before it inevitably ends up being caked with blood and muck. )

The more you tell me, the more this sounds like a hunting party. I'll bring a spear along for good-measure.

( The only king she knows well-enough is Horik, and, well. She hadn't cared overmuch just what impression he'd had of her. )

I will see you then—and Diarmuid? You are missing an important article of clothing; and I'm holding it hostage. Either you'll need to come fetch it yourself, or you cede it to my possession.

( She couldn't hang up without teasing him a bit. )

[Diarmuid chuckles softly.]

Our relationship is an interesting one. Remind me to tell you about it sometime. He is a servant like I am and is actually from the same war as I am. That we have come as far as we have still amazes me some days. Has the story of Gilgamesh made its way to your people?

[It was a story that never made it to Diarmuid's people, but he does know it now thanks to the Grail, and of course, knowing the man himself.]

Since I fully intend to find whatever is causing the problem, a hunt would be a good way to describe what we will be doing.

[He pauses when she teases him, since it comes so out of the blue. However, aside from a slight reddening of his cheeks, he bounces back quickly.]

How do you know I didn't leave it there on purpose?

( Now there is a name she has heard before! Not before she'd become the wife of a jarl, but afterward, when she had dealt with merchants on a daily basis, heard their stories, learned from their counterparts in a far-flung land, yes. It thrills her a little to be able to recognise it, and she lights up accordingly with pride. )

It has indeed. His deeds were writ in epic poetry similar to those told by my people. They were many, and great. And he is like you, and here?

( But surely, this is a dream. He'd lived and died millennia before she'd even been born, had he not? This world and its magic will never cease to amaze her. )

If you did, then it is mine. And you will need to return and claim it from me.

[That look of pride cannot help but make him smile in pride as well. While the story might not have made it to Diarmuid's people, it is good to know it make it to hers.]

He is. One of his titles is 'The King of Heroes' because he was the first Heroic Spirit recorded and many would say the greatest as well.

[A soft laugh slips from his mouth.]

Of course, as you know those tales change over time. Parts of what you heard are very true and others are not. No matter what happens, though, just keep in mind deep down he is a good man. He is just different from the rest of us because of how he lived.

[Very different sometimes...]

Don't worry. I have every intention of returning for it. And soon.

Greater than you? I am admittedly biased, but I would gauge the truth of that for myself. Men like you are rare.

( Which is why she enjoys his company as much as she does, and bears such affection toward him. How could she not? He is wonderful. Giving and kind, yet strong and wise. Would that Björn were here to benefit from his influence rather than Ragnar's. )

I will do as you ask. Don't begrudge me, though, if I find it difficult to imagine anyone being greater than you. To me, it simply isn't possible. There is no one like you among my people. Who are but reflections of the time in which we've lived, too. And yet. You and I are from the same era, aren't we?

( She smiles with quiet pride, which shifts into a suggestive grin. )

You aim to capture my holding, do you?

[Her compliments bring a proud, though still slightly embarrassed look to his face. Diarmuid will never get used to such open compliments. Especially from those he cares about so much.]

You are too kind to me. I would say his greatness and mine differ, so that it is not really fair to compare them. However, please, make your own judgments and let me know. I have to admit I am curious to know what you end up thinking.

[He nods at her words.]

We are, but people are individuals, each one shaped not only by their time or their location in the world, but also by the events they face in life. For the most part, I lived a blessed childhood and that really helped shape who I am. If Aengus had not taken me in, I shudder to think how much different I would be.

[Diarmuid doesn't even want to think about what kind of man he would have become if he had been raised by Donn instead.]

I do not know if I would say capture.

[A wide grin crosses his face.]

But I surely would not mind joining you there on a more permanent basis.

[Quest] Video (To Seelie, Hermione-Net, Rin's Networks, & Alyosha-Net) Trouble at the Pool of Souls

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