Visiting Ireland (Terion)

[Octavia]

Queen Octavia rode with thirty of her guards across the rugged landscape of Ireland. Her own white horse was trotting as two of the guards in front of her held the banner of Celtiberia. Since Terion had visited her land, she had decided to visit his. She and her men were wearing thicker clothes then what they would normally wear in their land, since it was colder here. Much colder. Octavia was wearing a scarlet colored robe, that had fur around the edges. She had the hood up, to protect her face from the blistering cold breeze.

Octavia raised her hand as her men found a spot to camp for the night. It was a long journey to the capital of the Gaels, and they were nearly there. But they learned the hard way of what can happen if you stay out past night. Five of her men have died on this trip. Five! Never before had that many of her men died from the cold before, mostly because they were never used to it. They had bought warmer clothes at a town, but it was to late for those five men. They still had to bury their bodies, and right beside the lake, on top of the hill, would be a good spot.

Octavia got off her horse and tethered it to a near-by tree, her men doing the same, but to other trees. They picked up the five men's bodies and they walked to the top of the hill, where a few of her guards were digging the holes. She looked at the men's bodies as they were set down on the ground. She walked over to one of them, kneeling down on the ground next to him. She ran her hands across his face, closing his eyes that were still open. She nodded as she stood back up and her guards laid the dead in the hole. Octavia tore one of the banners off of the pole and she laid it over them, as a last respect. At least giving their souls the satisfaction of although they died of the cold, they died for their country. Her men then filled the hole, piling rocks at the head, showing where they were buried.

Octavia's guards went back to make camp as Octavia herself looked down at the graves before she looked at the lake. Her eyes looked across it before she made her way back down to where her men had already set up tents and made a couple fires. She walked over to one of the fires, extending her hands out to warm them up. Everyone was silent, showing their respect to the dead. Octavia looked up when she thought she heard something, but she then moved her attention back to warming her hands.

[Terion, King of Ireland]

It was not an odd thing to believe that whenever a new presence was on the shores of Ireland, her kind was going to know about it. Terion was alerted that a woman riding with about thirty men had come ashore, disembarking from a single ship that came from the South. Terion had immediately assembled a company to go and ride to meet the strangers. Terion had a hunch that the woman rider was Octavia of Celtiberia. He didn’t understand how she could be in his country because she was supposedly fighting a war. It didn’t matter. Terion would still ride to meet her. However, Dublin was a good deal away from where Octavia was last seen. It would be a day or so before they found her. Ireland was a vast island and it was not uncommon for people to get lost. That was a dangerous thing in Ireland, especially this year because of Ireland’s harsh winter. The Irish were used to enduring the cold of the North and of their own island, but that winter had been rough for them.

Terion and his soldiers had been riding for a good deal of time before they finally came upon what Terion saw as Octavia’s company. It was becoming nightfall when they rode up upon them. It must have been slightly intimidating to have around one hundred heavily armed soldiers riding right into camp because that was exactly when Terion and his soldiers did. Terion wasn’t worried about impressing anyone; he just liked a full company wherever he went. Terion dismounted his horse after some of the commotion calmed down and the men realized who was standing before them. Terion walked towards Octavia, running his hands through his shirt a bit. Terion was wearing a simple kilt and brown shirt. He did not look all that fashionable; he just looked like a commoner, which was what Terion wanted. Terion bowed his head to Octavia, “Welcome to Ireland.” Terion said in a heavy Irish accent. “You have caught us in a bad winter. I can tell by your burial mounds,” Terion said, pointing to the place beside the lake that he saw coming in, “That a few of your men have been taken by it. Forgive me for now warning you.” Terion concluded.

[Octavia]

As Octavia and her men moved about the camp, getting things ready for the long and cold night, they all heard the same thing. The sound of hooves hitting in the ground. When the company of about one hundred heavily armed men, they grabbed their spears and got down into a fight position. Octavia watched as a man jumped off a horse and walked towards her, but she only recognized him when he got close enough to her. "Stand down." Octavia said as her guards relaxed and put their spears back against the tents and watched the newcomers into their camp.

Octavia bowed her head when he did and she listened to what he said. "Thank you, Terion. It is a lovely country, minus the harsh cold. I guess you just get used to it, us being further south, we aren't as used to the cold." Octavia said as she nodded her head. "Yes, it would seem that the winter's embrace stole the lives of five of my men. It is alright. I should have known their would be a difference in weather, but I didn't know how much. Their spirits will be at peace, hopefully." Octavia said softly as she turned her head to look at the graves for a few moments before she looked back at him. "I'm surprised you found us. But it is good that you did, otherwise I am sure we would be lost." Octavia said, a smile on her face. Of course, she wouldn't admit that they were already lost, since the morning fog the day before was so thick, they had no clue where they were going.

[Terion, King of Ireland]

Terion looked once more up at the graves that Octavia and her people had created for the deceased Celts. Apparently her people could not take the cold of Ireland. This had not been one of there worst winters but it certainly hadn’t been one of the better ones. Terion moved his hands to his hops, placing his right hand on his sword, resting it on the handle for a moment as he looked back around. “It is a beautiful country. I enjoy her winters, no matter how harsh. We have become quite adapted to them and so usually they do not cause any problems for my people.” Terion paused, “We can rest here for the night, but you didn’t exactly pick the best place to wait out the night winds.” Terion said with a smirk and then looked around, “Too far are any suitable grounds to get too before nightfall so we will have to stay here. Tell your men to get together for warmth. They will be a wind tonight.” Terion looked up at the sky and smiled, “A harsh one from off the ocean so it will be cold.” Terion noted.

Terion turned around and walked over to his horse, which was being hitched up to the tree with Octavia’s by one of his men. Terion reached into the horse’s saddle pack and retrieved a large flannel blanket along with smaller wool one. He then walked over to Octavia and showed them to her. These will keep you warm, I guarantee it.” Terion said with a smile, “My people have used this sort of material to create clothes and blankets for ages. If we didn’t have this then we would suffer the same fate as your people have here.” Terion said calmly. “Don’t worry about getting fires going. The wind will take them out.” Terion said warningly and then walked over to Octavia, “So find you a partner for the night.” Terion concluded. He turned his head a looked at the sun that was going down on the hills. He sighed. It would dark soon and the temperature would drop. It wouldn’t snow, but it would be cold, at least for Octavia and her men.