Posted July 17, 2021, 12:04 a.m. by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) (James Sinclair)
Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse
Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse
Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻(snip)
Mike looked and his eyes went wide. Seamus looked and did the same. Mike stepped forward, took it in both hands, and slowly slid the blade out of the sheathe. He turned slowly, showing the naked Damascus steel to the family and onlookers. He looked at Seamus, slid the sheath back on, slung it onto his back, and then looked at the two smiths. He walked forward, put a hand on each of their shoulders, and said “I have no words at all. You have outdone yourselves. I’ll carry it with pride, and I’ll do everything I can to not let you down.” He then looked at Cuyler, Hekla, Runa, Ragna, Seamus… and finally Revna and Tara.“I don’t know what I’m doing… but I promise to do it the best way I know how. The only way I know how… loud, direct, and honest.” He looked back at all of them.
“Okay, moments passed. Lets go to work.” and he grinned.
Mike
There was a loud resounding clash of blade on shield as the gathered clan roared in approval and then they dispersed, some to stay and some to make the last transport over to McKenzie Manor. Helka turned after getting off the com, “That was Kirsten and Devlin…we have to go, now. She said the crowd is getting big and the two halves of the McKenzies are getting heated. The Edmans are still out of sight, but she said she would love to see Seamus beamed in right in front of them all and scare them to death.” She looked around and nodded to Tara, they’d discussed this. “Alright Runa, Ragna you two are comin’ with your Da, uncle, and I on the shuttle. We’re making an entrance. When we get inside, Ragna, you go straight to Seamus, Oddvar will go with you. No one will touch you, the girls will make sure of it. And you two,” she kissed Revna and Mike both on the cheek, “Tara has special transport coordinates for you, so you’ll blend in and not be noticed.” Then Helka was shooing them all on their way, and a minute later the shuttle took off.
Helka
Seamus picked Ragna up, shield and all, and kissed her. “I love you more than my life… you know that, right? But I gotta go teach the children to play nice.” He winked at her and then kissed her again.
Ragna kissed him and then nodded. “I know. I love you Seamus, more than there are stars in the heavens, but if you get hurt I’ll never forgive you.” She kissed him once more and then stepped back when he let her go.
He set her down and then turned and bolted for the transporter. “Lad, drop me right in the middle of the crowds. Use the vids coming in from the Edmans over there to get the point.” The McKenzie Marshall’s blade came free of it’s scabbard and her stepped onto the PaDD. He looked at Ragna and smiled. “I’ll be fine. There’s only five hundred of ‘em on each side. And I had breakfast this morning.” and he laughed. He then looked at the rest of his family. “Don’t wait too long. I’d hate to start the party without ya!” and he disappeared in a swirl of lights.
Once he was gone Ragna turned into Runa and whispered, “Now I know how Revna felt.” And then Runa ran her to the shuttle, they had to move.
Mike took Revna’s hand and, throwing the cloak over the new McKenzie -Edman Blade, led her to the transporter. “Gran… we’ll be ready. Do your thing. This ends now.” He shot a look at Cuyler and Oddvar and nodded once.
The two older men just nodded before stepping into the shuttle with Helka, the pilot taking off before the hatch was completely closed. Helka moved towards her daughters, a determined look on her face…
The McKenzie Estate had seen battles. It had seen war. It had seen celebrations, weddings, executions, occupations, and all manner of activity…
Few compared to this.
Hundreds… nay, thousands of people occupied the grounds. Most were there for a wedding. Some were there to ensure the clan was well represented. Some were there to get drunk. Some were there to watch the beginnings of new era…
Some were there to ensure an end to history.
Two groups. McKenzies both, split down the middle. Screams… insults… curses and hatred spewing back and forth. Chanting. Mocking. Gestures and threats. As the two sides stepped closer, slowly, there was suddenly a swirl of lights there was the Marshall.
Seamus McKenzie stood tall, his blade bare and set easily in his hand. His kilt fluttered slightly as the wind blew, and his sudden appearance shocked the crowd into silence. Seamus looked from one side - friends and loyal McKenzies - to the other… a few hundred led by a group of well dressed and well groomed folk who looked with disdain as the Marshall appeared.
“Well now…” Seamus bellowed. “What have we here? Few soddy c%#ts lookin’ to spoil my wedding day? Tsk-tsk-tsk…” and he shook his head. “Nae… that’ll be quite enough from all of ye!” He looked at the cousins, suits and dresses impeccably tailored and not a tartan amongst them. “Now, then… Ya been belly-achin’ enough for years. Why don’t ya just spill it, den? What d’ya want?”
A figure appeared from the group, flanked by Victoria McKenzie on one side and Argyle McKenzie on the other… Hamish McKenzie. He looked quite dapper: his perfect, suit immaculate, and a predator’s smile as his teeth flashed at Seamus. Seamus lifted his blade at their approach and pointed it directly at Argyle. “Step once more and you’ll lose your legs.” he said flatly. The three figures stopped and Hamish shook his head. “Such manners, Marshall.” and he chuckled. “Hopefully the next one in that position has the sense to recognize their betters.” But he did look at at Argyle and subtly jerked his head. The man glared at Seamus but moved back. Hamish then smiled at Seamus.
Unnoticed by the cousins and the assembled loyal a ripple of disgust went through the gathered Edmans. They had all met Seamus, even if just briefly, and lived on his land (well McKenzie land, but Seamus’ homestead) for almost a month. They had lived a breathed life and clan with Seamus and Ragna for the last month, and to that last of them they would stand with him. Even the children among them seemed to understand these three people were insulting Seamus and didn’t like them. A small nod from Devlin on one side, near the cousins, and a matching one from Kirsten on the other and the Edmans slowly began to fill the ranks of the gathered clan. Devlin and Kirsten on each side of the walkway. One warrior for every maiden in the crowd. They were quiet and subtle and no one, unless you knew to look, would notice.
“Audience with Lady Tara.... now, Marshall. There is much to discuss.”
Seamus
A shuttle appeared, elegant, sleek, and quiet. The breeze kicked up a little, the only indication of the arrival until its shadow cast across the gathered and it set down quietly. The hatch opened and out stepped three women. To the right, an older woman, golden blonde hair softly greying with eyes that knew far too much. A gown of wine red satin, trimmed with cobalt blue silk embroidery, turtle broaches holding a blue velvet cloak to her shoulders, a sword at her side, shield at her back and a crown, priceless and enough to make every cousin drool on her head.
To the left was a woman, she moved and it invoked images of passion and delight, black gown, rich purple apron dress, turtle broaches with the images of the Norns, a sword at her side, shield at her back and a fur capelet and deep cowl. No one could see her face, but as the head turned, those who found themselves in what should have been her gaze knew she saw far too much. This was the clan Völva, or shaman.
In between them was a vision. Helka had been busy during the short trip. Ragna stood between them, wearing the exact same earth browns and forest greens as the first day Seamus saw her. But the clothes were richer, finer quality. The turtle broaches with Amalie Edman’s crest shone pulling attention to them, the beads and jewels attaching the two broaches flashed in the light. On her back was her sword. Not the one she gave Seamus, her husband, but the one he gave her naming her his wife and her shield. Her hair, knee length white blonde, had been styled in some convoluted fashion that kept it out of her way but made it look like Siff’s golden hair. And a circlet of silver, with tear drop gems sat on her head. Helka made sure there was no doubt Ragna was a princess and her daughter. Ragna’s gaze landed on Seamus and didn’t move. Don’t look for them, don’t look left or right, look only at Seamus or Tara if you must. Don’t let them have your attention. Oddvar had told her before they landed.
Behind the three women two MASSIVE men appeared. Twins, one carrying a large double headed ax and the other a war hammer. Dark brown pants, black leather boots. Oddvar wore a blue shirt and a torc showing his position as Klanvart. Cuyler wore a red shirt and blue cape, just like Mike, with his old Chief’s torc on his neck. “Aye Marshall McKenzie,” Cuyler’s voice rang out with all the authority as his position and years of experience, and all the elegance and honor and respect he knew to give, “If it would please you to let Chieftess Tara McKenzie know, Chief Cuyler Edman and his family has come to pay their respects.”
The Edmans
A strong yet feminine voice responded “Thats Chief, not Chieftess. No need for changing the title simply because I am the superior sex.” and she smiled at Cuyker and Helka, Oddvar and the daughters. Tara stood on the top steps of the manor front stairs. She was dressed in an ankle length tartan dress with a dark green bodice. Her hair was piled exquisitely on top of her head and held in place by a strand of pearls on a silver thread. Her face was severe, and the storms in her eyes could be felt.
Cuyler bowed from across the walkway, “You speak truth Lady McKenzie.”
“I welcome the Chief and Lady of the Edman Clan. Truly such an occasion is one for celebration, not the brandishing of weapons Marshall. Please… tell me why the sunlight shines off your blade today?”
Seamus didn’t take his eyes off the cousins, but said “Lady Tara, Hami-” and he was cut off as Hamish spoke over him. “Lady Tara, I and a few other of your children and grandchildren wish to discuss a matter of some importance with you… in private. Shall we retire to manor and you can share a bottle or two from the cellar while we talk.” He started to walk past Seamus when the Marshall blade appeared as if by magic in front of him, blocking his path with the flat of the blade.
Tara smiled and said “Apparently the Clan Marshall has an issue with you inviting yourself and your… kin… into my home and to the holdings of my cellar. So why don’t you say your peace here? I have nothing to hide from out Clan… do you?”
Hamish gritted his teeth but smiled like a shark and said “I only wished to help you retain some of your dignity at the end of your illustrious time as Chieftain, Grandmother. But so be it.” He turned and addressed the crowd, not seeing that it had grown more than a little recently.
“McKenzies! As you are all aware Lady Tara has refused to name a legitimate successor!” he yelled across the crowd. “She pines for a bastard! The only child of a drunk! A wife beater! A child abuser! And a filthy murderer!!” A rumble of discontent came from the direction of his group, and his words were met by sneers and hisses from Tara’s supporters.
The Edmans around Mike and Revna stired, not in anger, but in small glances, nods, hand gestures of support for Mike. To remind him of who he was and not what this b@^#&%# would make him.
“We have begged… pleaded… implored her to help us move the Clan forward! To help us regain some of the McKenzie fortune that she squanders on her own desires and material wants!” More cries against Tara sounded, and the other side began to yell back.
“We have come here today- my siblings, my family, and our loyal McKenzies- to demand that Lady Tara not use the marriage of Seamus to the Viking temptress… the woman who led my dear cousin Argyle into a physical altercation with the Marshall by trying to seduce him in the Marshall’s own home!… to not let Lady Tara use this farce of a wedding as a way to sell the Clan off to the Edmans for her own gain!!!”
Both sides erupted and started screaming at each other. Seamus started yelling and pushing people from both sides back as the lines between the two groups grew ever closer.
Ragna knew it would come to something like that. She didn’t expect them to play that card so soon. As the crowd began to encompass Seamus, Ragna felt two hands, her mother and her sister, on her back, steading her. And then she heard her chieftess’ voice, her oldest sister, Revna’s voice rise above the storm…
Mike took Revna’s hand and held it tight, the hood of his cloak pulled up to cover his face. “Dont let your family tale the bait. Stand down… we got this. Make sure they hold their tongues and blades. This is their trap! Don’t let them walk into it!” He gestured to Cuyler, hoping he could see him, telling him to stay put.
The McKenzies
Revna squeezed his hand, “They won’t. Trust them and trust me. They are angry but they won’t misstep.” Cuyler met Mike’s gaze. They would hold for him. Revna was watching the chaos insue and she met her mother’s gaze across the yard and then Tara’s and nodded once. Revna’s voice rose above the crowd, but blended with the shouts and yelling. “JENTER, EN ADVARSEL! (Maidens, ONE warning!)” And then there was a sudden deafening crash as over a two hundred blades, warriors and maidens, met the metal rimmed edges of shields. As if Thor had just struck the earth with Mjollnir. Then the three women And then there was an erie silence filled with waiting, daring, and loyalty to Tara. The entirety of the Edman clan watching her, waiting for her word.
Edman Clan
As the crowd fell into stunned silence, Tara inclined her head to the Edmans slowly before turning back to Hamish. “I’m sorry, Hamish… what was that? I’m afraid I got distracted. Couldn’t remember if I took the scones out of the oven.” She leaned forward and stage-whispered with her hand to the side of her mouth “Don’t worry… I did!” and she gave him an wholly exaggerated wink before returning to her proper stance. The exchange brought snickers and small laughs from her supporters. “Now… what were we talking about? Ah yes… my incompetence. No really… do continue. I’m most intrigued.” she said with a smile… a smile that was more akin to a she-wolf as they find a lost sheep all alone.
Hamish glared at her and then said “Lady Tara McKenzie! By all rights and honor me and mine demand Reconciliation! It is time for a new Chief!”
Tara’s eyes became emerald flame. “You dare make such a demand? Today? We are supposed to be celebrating a wedding, Hamish McKenzie! You make such a demand before allow-“ “ENOUGH! STOP YOUR BABBLING, OLD WOMAN!” Hamish bellowed. Tara’s mouth opened and then shut, and she looked at himnwith wide eyes. “Reconciliation… the demand has been made.Will you accept and name your successor here and now? Or does this become the end of the Clan? And you know damn well we can do it.” Hamish fixed Tara with a glare that could melt steel. Tara took a step back and her mouth opened and closed in slight shock before she recovered and composed herself.
“Reconciliation… never did I believe you would steep this far down to gain power, you selfish boy.” She looked out across the crowd. For a moment, she said nothing. Finally she looked back at Hamish.
“I will accept on three conditions. First… you remove all your protections from Argyle. He pays for what he did to Ragna.” Argyle sputtered and pushed up to Hamish. “Surely you can’t begin to entertai-“ “What is your second term?” Argyle looked at him wide eyed, but no sound came from his open mouth. “Second is Seamus and his bride get their wedding and are allowed to stay on all the land he currently maibtains.” Hamish grinned and said “And the third?” Tara looked at the crowd and then said “Michael McKenzie is given a stipend for life. I failed him… the clan should not.” and a single tear fell down her face.
Hamish was silent for a long moment before saying “I agree to the first two terms. Argyle will get no more assistance from any of us as of this moment.” Argyle’s eyes went wide and he said “You… you… you can’t do this!” Hamish looked back and said “Remove him.” and soon Argyle was being dragged towards the main gate. “The Marshall and his blonde toy can stay on the land for the next three years. After that, they must pay rent. But the third? Oh no… no no no… that pariah will never receive anything from this clan. Take it or leave it, Tara. Name your successor. And remember… they cannot hold a current clan office and must have a legitimate claim to the seat. No Seamus, in other words.” and he grinned. There were four people who could take the seat. And the other three would simply name Hamish Chief anyway. There was no way he could not become Che-
“I name Michael Angus McKenzie Chief of Clan McKenzie!” Tara said loudly and defiantly. Hamish looked at her and then shook his head. “You senile old bag… you know the rules!!! The one you name must be here! Now! Now there is only one real option for you so stop wasting time and name-“
“I ACCEPT.” boomed a voice over the crowd. Two figures, one man and one woman, moved through the crowd. As they got near Seamus, the man took off his hood…
Michael Angus McKenzie stood tall as he walked with his wife up the steps to Tara. “Hey, Gran. Good to see you.” and he kissed her cheek. “I like your hair.” Tara grinned. “Not now, we are quashing an insurrection, dear boy.” “Oh right… sorry.” and he looked at Hamish. “Before I begin…” and he turned to Revna.
“Excuse me my love… could you be a dear and put some very angry and able shieldmaidens right along the front of that line right there?” and he pointed to the divide between McKenzies and whatever the other side was rapidly devolving into.
Lord Michael McKenzie
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