Visiting Bearns (Eadfearth)

[Olympia]

Queen Olympia and twenty of her guards had rode north, to the Germanian capital of Bearns. Two of her guards were carrying a new banner, the one of Macedonia. No longer would they wave the Spartan banner. She and her company rode up to the gates and she looked up at one of the guards. "I come from Macedonia, to visit Eadfearth." Olympia said in Celtic. The guard nodded and opened the doors to her and her group. As they rode threw the streets, some people looked at them, but then went about their business. Olympia smiled at some people, but she could tell not many knew who she was.

After a few minutes, Olympia reached what looked like the king's hall. She got off her horse, her men doing the same. She handed the reins to a small boy, who lead her horse to the stables. Olympia walked up some stairs and she opened the door into the throne room. She looked around, not seeing Eadfearth. She let out a sigh as she called one of the Germanian guards to her. "Could you please inform your King that her has visitors from Macedonia?" Olympia said softly as the guard nodded and went off to find Eadfearth. She smiled and looked around at the throne room, her hand running against one of the wooden pillars.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth sat in his room, in front of him were maps many of them. His desk was a mess, many of the maps we're crumpled or nearly, on his left he had small army figures. For a child or a peasant they would appear to be a toy, but to any strategist or King they each represented an army. The Germanian King counted, each figure. He attempted to predict each enemies movement, this could be helpful in the future but he did not know the minds of his enemies. Every human being was rather predictable. In frustration Eadfearth ran his hand roughly through his hair, while gritting his teeth. In a seconds time he stopped, and then grinned. "That could work..." He spoke quietly to himself as he now stroked his chin. "Sir!" A man knocked from outside his room. "Please, enter." The guard opened the door, but did not step forward. "You have visitors from Macedonia." He explained. His thoughts escaped him for the moment as he stood up. The guard grinned as he looked at his King. "Sir, Its good that you've finally shaved." The man half joked with his lord. "How long had it been?" Eadfearth smirked in response. He preferred it when his Soldiers spoke to him as friends. It made bonds, that would last even with battle. While this could bring many benefits it left Eadfearth prone to traitors. "During the war in Thrace I had not shaved, Nor in Macedonia. So many months." "Ah.. So maybe your guest will not recognize you." "Maybe so." Eadfearth doubted it, yes when he had first met Olympia he had a rather large beard but she was rather smart. Escaping from his room, before his personal guards could notice the large man walked away quickly. It was rather entertaining to have them quickly follow him.

Eadfearth in a matter of minutes stood before Olympia. Once making Eye contact he smiled. "It's nice to see you again." He spoke, bowing halfway. Though he knew much of her people's custom he did not know how they would greet each other. It differed greatly even among the Celtics. Some would shake hands, others would lightly place their foreheads against each other and some would hug. Eadfearth at the moment simply stood still.

[Olympia]

Olympia was still standing in the hall when she noticed someone walking into the hall. She turned to face them and when her eyes went to Eadfearth's, she smiled. When he bowed to her, she bowed her head in respect to him. "It's nice to see you too. Perhaps you will have to tell me how to greet the different Celtic tribes. It may come in handy not to insult them on accident." Olympia said with a warm smile on her face. He did look different, considering the last time she saw him was when he had a beard. He looked younger then she thought he was, she would have to ask him how old he was. "I decided that it may be best to visit my allies land, since you have seen mine." Olympia said with a smile as she looked at him. "Your land, Germania. It is so wild and un-tamed, which makes it beautiful. But, I am guessing that such a beautiful land has dangerous things?" Olympia asked, waiting to hear what he says.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth smiled lightly. He turned his head upward as if thinking. Abruptly in one quick movement, he moved forward and embraced Olympia lightly in his large arms. "For nearly all Celtic tribes a simple bow, or hand shake would work." He paused letting go of Olympia and taking a step back. Eadfearth smirked. " In at least the case of the Germanian's and Gael's a hug would work just fine. But if I were a woman I would not do so." He half joked, many men would take it the wrong way. Eadfearth would not, he simply wished to see her reaction. " We are not embarrassed by hugging another man. Unlike many of the Spartans.... we know where our material status lies. " He added the last part quietly. Many of the Greeks were boy lovers, and Eadfearth could simply not pass on the moment to insult them.
"Of course.... dangerous things like animals... But mostly dangerous people." He replied with a grin. Eadfearth liked to believe that the people, in Germania were made stronger than those in the Mediterranean. In Germania the weather was harsher, and they did not depend on technology.

[Olympia]

Olympia watched him as he moved forward and hugged her. She was slightly taken by surprised, but she smiled when he took a step back. "I will be sure to remember that." Olympia said as she looked at him, a smile on her face. "I don't want to be caught in a very awkward position." She said, watching him. She listened to him, nodding in agreement that the Spartans were embarrassed about hugging another man. "Well, most of the other Greek men have boy lovers. I personally find that disgusting. We don't have to worry about that in Macedonia. As far as my people are concerned, they aren't Greek, they are Macedonian." Olympia said with a smile on her face. She nodded as she listened to the dangers in his land. "But that is what makes a good soldier, all those dangers. I may need to send some raw recruits up here, so they get the right stuff when it comes to fighting. Of course, if you don't want me to send recruits up here, I won't." Olympia said, a smile on her face.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth listened quietly, and he slightly flinched at the thought of Greek Men loving each other. Yes he had used the term, but most of his life he had simply thought it to be a mere insult. "Why?" He asked mostly to himself. Actually it was something he rather not find out. " It is what makes good soldiers, and leaders." He grinned at her comment. " It would only do them good, I believe. In that case I don't see a reason in refusing your soldiers to train in Germania. It can make bonds between our people, hopefully they would learn from each other." He stopped to think, as he looked and counted her men. "Come let me show you your room." Eadfearth said turning around, as quietly spoke to a guard who fetched a small number of servants. They then showed Olympia's companions their room. As the King Of Germania he walked away expecting Olympia to follow. "Have you ever gone hunting in the wilderness?"

[Olympia]

"Excellent. I think that once my men are more trained and have experience in your wilderness, they will be able to face the Spartans and anyone who challenges us." Olympia said with a smile on her face. "Of course, lead the way." Olympia said as she followed him. She watched as her guards went with the servants to their rooms. There was no need to protect Olympia, since she was now safe and out of harms way. She began to follow Eadfearth, her eyes going to him when he asked her if she ever went hunting. "No, I have not. My father used to go north to go hunting, he promised to bring me after he returned from the war. But, he never returned. I would love the opportunity to go hunting, though." Olympia said, a smile on her face as she followed him.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth listened quietly as she spoke. He would not ask her about his father, Eadfearth luckily had his father return alive from every war and battle. In fact he was still alive and, due to age he over the power of the throne to Eadfearth. The King then smiled, it was as if she had read his mind. " I was just about to ask you, if you would like to go hunting." He spoke turning around a corner. "My brothers and I as children went hunting often, as my oldest brother aged we were given permission to hunt without supervision. There are five of us in total, though it is a rather small hunting party we are all still alive." Eadfearth stopped in front of a door. Maybe their days spent hunting together was the reason, his brothers did not mind allowing Eadfearth the youngest son becoming King. They had formed a rather close bond. That or they did not want the whole burden. His hand fumbled through a pocket as he looked for the key. His brown eyes lightened up as he grabbed it and opened the door. "Its nothing special, we do not live in much luxury." Eadfearth stepped aside keeping the door open. It was a simple room, it had a table, cabinet, closet, bed, and what not. The bed though was rather large and soft. "I can supply you with hunting supplies." He doubted she had brought any.

[Olympia]

Olympia smiled as she listened to him. He seemed to be close to his family and she was impressed that all though there was five of them, that they survived in the wilderness. When they got to the door, she watched as he fumbled through his pocket, obviously looking for a key. She smiled when he opened the door and she walked inside. "Sometimes it is good to get away from such luxuries." Olympia said as she sat down on the bed, looking at him. "That would be great. I wasn't expecting to go hunting, so I didn't bring anything." Olympia said. She was excited to go hunting with Eadfearth, since she never got to with her father and this was a chance for her to see how wild his land was.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth nodded his head in agreement. Though he had never really needed to get away from luxuries. Due to the fact he did not have much to begin with, but that was because he chose not to. He smiled, so he had made the right assumption after all. " Out of curiousity.... You might not of brought hunting clothes... but did you bring clothes that is at least suitable for hunting?" He asked. "Something that you can move quickly in, but at the same time not to loose." If it was to loose, her clothes could get caught on a branch, or make noise with the wind. Two things that couldn't happen when hunting. Eadfearth then moved quietly to lean against the wall. Somebody would have to bring up the topic. "Does all go well in Macedonia?" He asked, with a hint of discretion. Though there were no Spartans spy here, it made him feel better.

[Olympia]

Olympia was looking around the room curiously when she heard Eadfearth speak. She turned her head to look at him when he asked if she had brought something suitable for hunting. "Yes, I believe that one of my guards will be able to spare some cloths. Although, I am not sure if it is thick enough. Would you happen to have a fur coat or something for me to wear if it does get cold?" Olympia asked, watching Eadfearth. The last thing she wanted to sound like was a baby, but she would rather not freeze to death because she was not used to it. Macedonia did get cold, but not this cold. She was rather privileged to live in a country that nearly has the same temperature every year, but some of the winters could be harsh.

Olympia watched him as he leaned against the wall. After a few moments of silence, she heard him ask the question she knew that was coming. "Well, it is going alright, I suppose. My plan is beginning to work. First, the small villages will begin to rebel, which is already happening. Then, the smaller cities will start too. Finally, the new capital of Thessalonica, will rebel and we will be a new nation." Olympia said with a smile on her face. "I found it risky to have all the cities rebel at once, so I decided to use that plan, which seems to be working well. The Spartans have not made an aggressive move, yet, but our armies together will be ready to meet them. I am unsure of what the Athenians are doing, probably debating what to do, as philosophers would." Olympia said, sort of making fun of the Athenians. Her eyes went to Eadfearth, a warm smile on her face. "And how is Germania doing?" Olympia asked.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth smiled, as she mentioned the fur coats. It was only fall, and not that cold. But then again she lived on the Greek Peninsula, the sea brought warm winds. "Of course, I have many fur coats. Most of them, have been made by my. But... They would most likely not fit you." He pointed out the obvious. " I am sure thought, that one of my sisters may." Eadfearth gazed upward to the roof. The King let out a chuckle at the comment on the Athenians. "By the time, they make a decision the war will be over already." He added a bit to her jest. So the Spartans were to obviously try to calm down the rebellions. " They will most likely send small, forces to try to bring peace to the villages. I'd suggest prying of their numbers, by ambushing them. Once their forces decrease a bit, I would begin to rebel with the larger cities." It would be a rather simple tactic but would work for a while, till the Spartans figured out what was actually going on.

[Olympia]

Olympia smiled as she listened to him. "You never told me that you had sisters." Olympia said as she looked around the room again for a few moments, but her eyes went back to him when he spoke. "That is why they are weak. They don't act, they just sit there." Olympia said with a smile as she stood up and walked up to him. "That does sound like a good plan. As of now, they have not sent anyone, but my scouts do report that some of the Spartan forces are beginning to get closer to the Macedonian borders. I will have to send some raiding parties along the main roads and have them attack on site." Olympia said as she looked at him. "This rebellion would be no where without your help and I thank you for that." Olympia said, a smile on her face.

[Eadfearth]

Eadfearth noticed his mistake. " Er my sister." He corrected himself. Having four brothers made it odd to know he had only one sister. Sisters that he knew of, that is. " You never asked about my family." He pointed out. "But tell me about your family, Do you have any siblings?" Eadfearth was curious. He already knew that her father was dead, she had mentioned him not returning from war. But in the Celtic culture that was the ideal way to die. Of course, it was also quite impressive to not die in battle. There came pride in saying, you had survived so many fights. Eadfearth, now looked down to face Olympia. " No need to thank me." He replied. "It is after all, for a honorable cause. One that will benefit us all?" A grin was on his face, He began to wonder when the first large battle would begin. There was much preparation that needed to be done.

[Olympia]

Olympia smiled, but it went away when he asked her of her family. "No, I was an only child. As I have said before, my father died in battle. My mother could not get over it. She slowly withered away and a man saw this weakness in the royal family. He took power away from us and cast us out of Thessalonica. I took my mother to a village, where the people sympathized with us. My mother later died, taken by her own grief. After that, I sought out revenge. I went back to the city and I snuck into the palace threw corridors that I am sure that the fake king even knew about. I opened the door to his quarters, saying I was sent to him. When he came towards me, as if to kiss me, I pulled out my sword and stabbed him. That was the day that I reclaimed the throne of Macedonia." Olympia said, with a shrug of her shoulders. "So you could say that the last few years for me have been exciting ones." She said, with a laugh.

"Yes. I see great things in our future together." Olympia said, with a smile on her face. She too, began to wonder when there was going to be a full on confrentation with the Spartans. It would probably be when Macedonia actually declares it's independence. There is no way that the Spartans are going to let their largest land area go away without a fight. "The Spartans are not going to let Macedonia go so easily. They are going to be a tough enemy, probably one the toughest in the south. But, I am sure that we will be able to beat them." Olympia said, her eyes going to Eadfearth's.