
label c00:

    scene 00 00
    with fade
    play sound wind loop
    "Old Woman" "Child!"
    "Old Woman" "Oh, where are you, my child? The winter cold bites and you should not stray long from the hearth!"
    "Who do I hear? Has my soul finally passed into the Otherworld? Am I at the borders of the Land of Promise?"
    scene c00 02
    with fade
    show leba neut at center with moveinleft
    "Old Woman" "Diadra, my child! Return to our home, before you get ill!"
    di "In a moment, Levarcham. The snow is so wonderous this morning."
    "Levarcham" "By the gods I worship, when did you become so disobedient?!"
    scene c00 01
    with fade
    play sound2 crow
    di "Look, a raven upon the fresh snow drinks the blood of the calf just flayed."
    di "..."
    di "I could love a man as beautiful as those three colors..."
    di "Black hair like a raven, deep red cheeks and skin as smooth and pure as a fresh winter fall..."
    "Levarcham" "Then good fortune is with you, for such a man exists. His name is Narsha, and he is a champion of Ulaid."
    "Levarcham" "But Narsha is not for you, my dear. You are promised to the King."
    scene c00 03
    with fade
    di "Promised to the King..."
    di "One I respect, but do not love."
    di "What if..."
    di "...I could somehow escape my destiny?"
    di "What if I could live for love? I think I shall be ill until the day I meet this Narsha, and he shall take me away with him."
    "Levarcham" "Banish such thoughts from your mind, Diadra, for no good will ever come of them."
    stop sound
    scene c00 04
    with fade
    play sound day loop
    "A mere dream? Or something more?"
    "A beautiful young woman, to be sure..."
    "But one I've never met nor recognize..."
    "Slowly, I will my eyes to open."
    scene c00 04a
    with fade
    pause
    scene c00 05
    with fade
    "I take a deep breath, gasping for air as though I had been drowning."
    "A blinding flash of light appears before my eyes but slowly, it fades into a pale gray sky arching above me."
    "My body aches. I was told that a soul returning to the Land of Promise felt no pain..."
    scene c00 06
    with fade
    "I stand on unsteady feet. I am in a wide grassy field and just beyond the ridge is the sound of crashing waves."
    "A chill wind blows around my naked body. Something is wrong. I should be dead, and yet..."
    stop sound
    play music act03 loop
    show forvf at left with moveinleft
    show forvm at right with moveinright
    "Male Warrior" "Well, what do we have here? Fresh meat!"
    mc "Forvorians!"
    "From the rise behind me, a group of Forvorians suddenly appear."
    scene c00 07
    play sound crack
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "Before I can understand what is happening around me, a Bananach strikes my face with a crude sword."
    mc "Arrrgh!!!"
    "Indescribable pain burns through my head and I know that my jaw has been cracked open from the blow."
    "Female Warrior" "Stupid as a goat, you are!"
    "Female Warrior" "This one's got nothing, but we could've added his head to our pile if you hadn't just wrecked it!"
    scene c00 08
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I collapse onto the ground. Blood streams onto the rough grass beneath me."
    "My mouth no longer works as it should. This is it. This is my true end."
    "I wish I had died standing with a weapon in my hand and not on my knees, helpless before my enemies."
    "And yet, something stirs inside of me. Something familiar but foreign at the same time..."
    scene c00 09
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Stranger" "Hrragghh! Come and get some, raider scum!"
    play sound block03
    "From my blurred vision, I see a man charge into the fray, wielding an ebony blade. He seems to be alone."
    play sound block04
    "The overwhelming odds do not deter him and the Forvorians hesitate at the ferocity of his attack."
    "Female Warrior" "It's just one of Scortha's pups! Slice him into ribbons!"
    scene c00 10
    play sound stab04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Female Warrior" "U-uggkk!"
    "One by one the stranger cuts down the Forvorians, slicing arm and throat where ever his opponent is careless enough to leave them exposed."
    "His attacks are a mix of skill, brute strength and intensity."
    "It's not hard for me to immediately recognize that he is a formidable warrior."
    scene c00 11
    with fade
    "I move to stand up. The pain in my face is strangely gone. The brave warrior reaches out his hand to me."
    "Stranger" "I know not who you are, but this is no place for a man to be without a weapon. Get up!"
    "This close, I see how young the warrior really is. He lacks the battlefield awareness to understand now was a poor time to have his attention diverted."
    "In a split second, I hope for the best but my instincts tell me the outcome is all but inevitable!"
    mc "Don't take your eyes off your~"
    scene c00 12
    play sound stabgore
    with hpunch
    "Stranger" "..."
    "The blade cracks into his ribs and through his heart. The blow is fatal."
    "My would-be savior looks down at the blade that has bloomed in his chest with disbelief. His lips move, but no words come out."
    "I have no time to hesitate. That blade will seek me next."
    scene c00 13
    with fade
    "A surge of warmth flows through my body. Is it born a survival instinct all living things possess?"
    "My face stops hurting. I have no time to think about the pain now."
    "There in the long grass, just within reach, something glints in the pale sunlight."
    "Could it be? Yes! It is!"
    "{i}Fragarach{/i}, the sword of my king, lies upon the ground."
    "I don't know who that brave youth was that gave his life for me, but I do know one thing..."
    scene c00 14
    with fade
    play music act05 loop
    "He will be avenged!"
    "I lift {i}Fragarach{/i} into the air and it acknowledges me, sending gusts of magick air into the sky."
    "It feels as light as a hollow reed and it sings as the wind blows around it."
    scene c00 15
    with fade
    "I charge at the enemy with a weapon that no foe can stand against."
    mc "FOR KING NUADA!!! FOR THE PEOPLE OF DANU!!!"
    "And silently, in my mind, I swear vengeance for the fallen youth that tried to save me..."
    scene c00 16
    play sound stabgore
    with vpunch
    mc "Harrgh!"
    "They think me reckless, but they soon learn their mistake."
    "No armor can deflect {i}Fragarach{/i} when wielded with righteous fury."
    scene c00 17
    play sound stabgore
    with hpunch
    "They try to surround me, but they would have better luck trying to hold back the ocean tide."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} moves as fast as the wind and cuts so cleanly that my foes do not even realize they've received a fatal blow."
    scene c00 18
    play sound stabgore
    with hpunch
    "I am a storm of death that will tolerate nothing standing against my blade."
    "The edge of the sword hums as it flies through the air to cut flesh, sinew and bone."
    stop music
    scene c00 19
    with fade
    play sound day loop
    "And then, it is over and silence returns to the meadow. Only the sound of the sea wind blows against my ears."
    "Forvorian blood drips from the Otherworld steel of my king's sword as I survey the carnage around me."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} cannot simply be wielded by any man, but somehow, I have been able to."
    scene c00 20 
    with fade
    "Returning from the blood haze of combat, I make my way to the youth."
    "As I thought, the blow was fatal. He lies peacefully on the grass and his wound has clotted over, most likely due to Forvorian poison on the blade."
    mc "Danu guide your soul back to the Otherworld, my friend. You died a good warrior's death..."
    "It is only then I realize I can talk. I rub my face and find it as smooth and unblemished."
    "Yet minutes ago my face had surely been broken. Am I going mad?"
    scene c00 06
    with fade
    show ferd fight at left with moveinleft
    show cu fight1 at right with moveinright
    "Short Warrior" "If you are a friend, then stay where you are. But if you are a foe, come at me!"
    "Blonde Warrior" "Well, you heard my friend's challenge! Which is it?"
    "I slowly stand up with my left palm outstretched."
    mc "I do not have a quarrel with you men and if you are a comrade of this brave warrior at my feet, then I owe you a debt that must be repaid."
    play sound unsheath01
    show cu neut at right
    show ferd talk at left
    "Blonde Warrior" "Then talk. And we will decide to either cut you down or share our hospitality with you."
    mc "My name is [mcname]. I am a leader of a battalion of Fir Bolg, loyal to King Nuada Silverarm."
    "Blonde Warrior" "Then you are a man of the Sidhe?"
    mc "I do not know what that means. I am of the Tuatha De Danann."
    "I kneel down to the body of the fallen young warrior."
    mc "He saved my life. Do you know his name and his people?"
    "Short Warrior" "He is my cousin, Narsha. A champion of the House of the Red Branch."
    "Narsha? Did I hear that correctly? What threads of fate are being woven about me?"
    "Blonde Warrior" "I am Ferdiad of Connuct and my companion here is Cu Hollun - the Hound of Ulaid."
    "I know nothing of these places. Something is not right."
    show ferd neut at left
    "Ferdiad looks around at the bodies strewn about the meadow."
    fd "Did you do this? These Forvorians have been torn apart!"
    mc "Half of the carnage is mine. Narsha did the rest."
    show cu talk at right
    ch "Then my cousin died as he should. Ferdiad, this man of the Sidhe is no enemy of ours."
    ch "We must bring my cousin's body back with us to Scortha's fortress."
    mc "Then I will help you."
    scene c00 21
    with fade
    play music gen09 loop
    "We take Narsha's body up a rocky slope as it begins to rain. Built on a stony peak is a fortress in the Forvorian style."
    ch "This is the home of our teacher, Scortha. It is where we train with her so that we may return to Celtica as accomplished warriors."
    fd "To train under Scortha is not a privilege any can receive. To make it to this fortress was a feat within itself."
    ch "The drawbridge is magickal and only those who can leap it are worthy enough to be trained."
    scene c00 22
    with fade
    "We enter the main gates and I am met by a striking woman wearing armor. This must be Scortha."
    "Her blonde hair spills over her shoulders but what catches my attention most are her eyes..."
    "They are piercing and take in the totality of me in an instant. This is no woman to be trifled with."
    "She looks down and a faint smile crosses her lips. It is only then I realize that I am naked."
    scene c00 23
    with fade
    show sco neut at center
    "Unperturbed, I explain the circumstances of Narsha's death, but I do not tell them about {i}Fragarach{/i}."
    sc "It sorrows me to see that one of my students has fallen. And yet, three warriors left this morning and three warriors return."
    sc "Tell me quickly, stranger... how did you get past the bridge of my fort?"
    mc "The druidic magicks cast over it were not hard to overcome. I learned such things as a child."
    sc "Your eyes..."
    sc "They have the ancient blood in them - you are a man of the Sidhe!"
    mc "That is the second time I have been called that and I am sure I don't know what it means."
    mc "But I apologize, my lady. My name is [mcname] and I am of the Tuatha De Danann."
    show sco neut at right with moveinright
    show cu neut at left with moveinleft
    ch "He says he does not know how he got here and claims his liege to be King Nuada Silverarm."
    sc "Nuada Silverarm has been dead for over a thousand years, slain by Balor of the Evil Eye and avenged by Lugh of the Long Arm on the field of Moy Tura."
    mc "Yes. I was there at that moment, but I remember nothing else until waking up on this isle."
    sc "..."
    sc "An intriguing mystery, but I fear this is a matter for a druid, of which there are none here."

    menu:

        "I need to get get back to Celtica, to see the new King at Tau-Ra.":
            jump c00a

        "Who are you people, that you have no druids?":
            jump c00b


label c00a:

    show sco talk at right
    sc "That... would not be possible."
    "The tone of her voice makes me apprehensive."
    scene c00 c
    with fade
    sc "Tau-Ra is forsaken, consumed in a poisonous mist that was released when Balor died. So say the tales."
    "I can sense that Scortha is not lying. And me being caught in Balor's dying miasma could explain why everything seems... wrong."
    mc "What of the Tuatha?"
    scene c00 d
    with fade
    sc "They ruled Celtica for a thousand years. Lugh of the Long Arm was crowned king and ruled from Bru-Na-Boyne. The Dagda succeeded him."
    "Then we won! I say a silent prayer of thanks to the goddess Danu that our sacrifice was not for nothing."
    mc "You talk as though the rule of the Tuatha is a thing of the past..."
    scene c00 e
    with fade
    ch "It is. The Milesians came from the Otherworld centuries ago, and found three young Tuatha kings squabbling over Celtica."
    scene c00 f
    with fade
    ch "The bards say the battles were hard and glorious, but in the end, the Milesians prevailed and the two peoples made a treaty."
    ch "The Milesians would take possession of the lands on the surface of Celtica, while the Tuatha retired to kingdoms under the earth."
    scene c00 g
    with fade
    ch "There are many Sidhes on Celtica that are entrances to the underground kingdoms of the Tuatha."
    ch "Those uninvited have great difficulty entering a Sidhe, if the Tuatha do not wish it so."
    "So that is why they call me a man of the Sidhe, although I have never set foot in one."
    mc "So who rules over the Tuatha now?"
    ch "There has been no High King since the treaty. Each Sidhe has its own ruler."
    scene c00 23
    with fade
    show sco neut at right 
    show cu neut at left 
    "I am silent for a long moment while I try to understand what I have just been told."
    mc "My home was... in Bru-Na-Boyne..."
    sc "Lord Aengus rules over that Sidhe now. He is wise and a good friend to those Milesians that are respectful to his people."
    mc "I... see. Then I shall need to go there and speak with Aengus. He is an old friend and comrade in arms."
    jump c00c

label c00b:

    show cu talk at left
    ch "We are the Milesians. We came from across the seas and settled upon Celtica and the surrounding lands."
    mc "What of the Tuatha De Danann? Are you saying I am part of a vanquished people?"
    ch "The rule of Celtica is now shared between our two peoples."
    scene c00 e
    with fade
    ch "When the Milesians came from the Otherworld to Celtica centuries ago, they found three Tuatha kings squabbling amongst themselves."
    scene c00 f
    with fade
    ch "The bards say the battles were hard and glorious, but in the end, the Milesians prevailed and the two peoples made a treaty."
    ch "The Milesians took possession of the lands on the surface of Celtica, while the Tuatha retired to kingdoms under the ground."
    scene c00 g
    with fade
    ch "There are many Sidhes on Celtica that are entrances to the underground kingdoms of the Tuatha."
    "So that is why they call me a man of the Sidhe, although I have never set foot in one."
    ch "The Tuatha are strong in their magicks, more so than us. But we Milesians defeated you by our strength and skill at arms." 
    "I leave that boast uncontested for now. There is too much I need to know."
    mc "So who rules over the Tuatha now?"
    ch "There has been no High King since the treaty. Each Sidhe has its own ruler."
    scene c00 23
    with fade
    show sco neut at right 
    show cu neut at left 
    "I am silent for a long moment while I try to understand what I have just been told."
    mc "My home was... in Bru-Na-Boyne..."
    sc "Lord Aengus rules over that Sidhe now. He is wise and a good friend to those Milesians that are respectful to his people."
    mc "Then I shall need to go there and speak with Aengus. He is an old friend and comrade in arms."
    jump c00c

label c00c:

    hide cu neut at left with moveoutleft
    show ferg talk at left with moveinleft
    "Strong Man" "Then you shall need to wait some days before the next ship arrives that is bound for Celtica."
    "Strong Man" "I am Fergus, son of Roy. I am the leader of the House of the Red Branch, come to check on Narsha and Cu Hollun's training. Cu Hollun is my foster son."
    fg "You have my thanks for telling us how Narsha died. It is the custom of our people that such witnesses relate the news directly to the King and his druid."
    "Fergus eyes me carefully, but he needn't question my sense of warrior's honor."
    mc "Then by the goddess Danu, I shall go to your king and tell him what I have told you although truth be told, I do not know the way."
    fg "Just ask any herder or farmer you meet, for all know of Aun Macha and the hall of King Concovir!"
    fg "Scortha, get this man some clothes! His balls must be getting cold in your drafty hall!"
    stop music
    scene c00 24
    with fade
    play sound fire02 loop
    "A pyre is built for Narsha by Fergus. Cu Hollun and Ferdiad solemnly light the stacks of wood around it."
    "The evening air is strong, but the fires catch and do not blow out."
    play music cin05 loop
    "In short order, the meadow is bathed in the bright glow of flames that lick into the darkening sky."
    "Narsha's body lies peacefully in the center, as though he were merely asleep."
    "I stand to the side and respectfully watch the proceedings."
    scene c00 25
    with fade
    ch "He was a good warrior and a generous friend. He died with his feet forward, facing the enemy."
    ch "The women of Celtica adored his handsome face and loved him for his courageous exploits."
    ch "Many a head of a fallen foe was brought to the House of the Red Branch as a trophy by his hand."
    "I wonder to myself about the young woman in my dream. If she is real and not merely a phantom, then she shall never meet Narsha in this life."
    scene c00 26
    with fade
    sc "Such is the life of a warrior. Unlike the Tuatha De Danann, we Sons and Daughters of Mil are fated to die."
    sc "But in the short time given to us, the glory we bring to our names and the deeds we accomplish is all."
    fd "Better to have the bards sing of a young fallen hero than to live a long life that is soon forgotten."
    sc "This is true for both of you and the reason you have come here to learn what I have to teach."
    sc "Nothing has changed. Tomorrow we will continue with your training."
    stop music
    stop sound
    scene c00 27
    with fade
    play sound battlemed loop
    "The next morning, I walk into the central courtyard of Scortha's fort. The sound of swords striking against each other rings through the cool and salty air."
    "There are about a dozen young warriors, all training in the warrior arts. Ferdiad I recognize immediately."
    show sco neut at right with moveinright
    show ferg neut at left with moveinleft
    sc "[mcname], you're just in time to watch my two most capable students training."
    fg "Those clothes fit you well, friend of the Sidhe."
    stop sound
    scene c00 28
    with fade
    fg "They belonged to Narsha. He would have wanted another warrior to have them, no doubt."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} hangs on my hip. The sword may just be the key to uniting the Tuatha De Danann."
    "If the story Scortha told me is true and the Tuatha are divided, it may be in part because the sword has somehow been lost for a thousand years while in my possession."
    "Lugh and The Dagda could hold the kingship by virtue of their standing, but others would need the authority imparted by the four great treasures."
    "It makes it all the more important that I return to Bru-Na-Boyne to understand the true state of my people. I made a promise to the dying King Nuada that must be kept."
    "I will protect the four treasures of the Tuatha De Danann."
    scene c00 29
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    play music town09 loop
    fd "What's the matter, beardless boy? That sword too heavy for you?"
    ch "Take back your insults!"
    fd "I talk only the truth, little Cu Hollun! Is it not you that carries my shield and spear when we go hunting?"
    scene c00 30
    play sound block03
    with hpunch
    "Ferdiad presses the attack, locking blades with Cu Hollun and pushing him back."
    fd "If you are the future of Ulaid, then Connuct need fear little!"
    "Ferdiad has the cocky attitude many braggarts possess, but it is clear he has the natural skill and talent to back up his boasting."
    "But Cu Hollun manages to hold his own. It's clear that Ferdiad is the more skilled warrior but both are impressive. Both would be worthy to enter King Nuada's personal guard."
    sc "That is enough! Come to me for this morning's instructions!"
    scene c00 27
    with fade
    show ferd neut at left with moveinleft
    show cu neut at right with moveinright
    sc "We are privileged to have a guest from the Sidhe. Show him what you have learned."
    sc "I want you to go through the warrior feats I have taught you, one by one. I shall call them out."
    ch "Yes, teacher Scortha!"
    scene c00 31
    with fade
    sc "The Ball Feat!"
    "The two young warriors begin, cheering each other on to exceed their own self-imposed limits."
    "They go through a range of exercises that show their physical prowess. It would seem the Milesians prize bodily skill quite highly."
    scene c00 32
    with fade
    play sound strike02
    sc "The Blade Feat, according to warrior's rules!"
    "From a range of positions, Cu Hollun throws various swords and knives with unwavering accuracy as if they were war darts."
    scene c00 33
    with fade
    sc "The Spear Feat!"
    "The two young warriors climb the shafts of planted spears and balance themselves on the sharpened tips."
    "These Milesians are a strange race I have yet to understand, but magick is subtly part of what they do when they focus their concentration."
    "It's like whispers from the Otherworld weave into moments of reality around them. I don't even think they are aware of it themselves."
    scene c00 34
    with fade
    sc "The Hero's Salmon Leap!"
    "Ferdiad and Cu Hollun launch themselves over a giant tree trunk many times their height. I'm thoroughly impressed."
    "A Tuatha skilled in druidic enchantments could replicate the feat with an incantation, but these warriors clear the jump without a word uttered."
    scene c00 35
    with fade
    "When the demonstration is over, Ferdiad approaches me."
    fd "Well? What do you think? Surely you are in awe of our prowess!"
    mc "I'm very impressed. You remind me of the Fir Bolg warriors that I fought beside."
    fd "The blood of the Fir Bolg runs strong through the warriors of Connuct, but we have surpassed our ancestors in every way!"
    fd "What say we have a little duel?"
    mc "Well, I'm not really~"
    fd "Oh, are you a coward? Afraid to face a true warrior? There's not a man of the Sidhe I have ever faced that has not died or yielded to me!"
    "I look to Scortha, but she merely smiles and raises her eyebrow, silently questioning what I will do next."
    scene c00 36
    with fade
    mc "Fine. With fists and feet."
    fd "That suits me well! Come at me!"
    "Ferdiad's biceps strain as he lets out a battle roar."

    menu:

        "{color=#0f0}Go easy on him":
            $ champ_i += 1
            jump c00d

        "Teach him a lesson":
            $ champ_i -= 1
            jump c00e

label c00d:

    $ renpy.notify("Integrity +1")
    "I stand before Ferdiad and do not move to attack. He takes it as a sign that I am fearful of him."
    scene c00 37
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    fd "How is this? No man has ever broken my grip!"
    "He wraps his forearm around my neck and squeezes."
    fd "Why do you smile? Are you simple? Or maybe my chokehold makes you dizzy?"
    scene c00 38
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "In one quick move, Ferdiad is on the ground with my legs around his neck and my grip pulling his arm back."
    mc "I cannot tell you how many times Lord Lugh placed me in exactly the position you are in."
    "I add pressure to the arm and Ferdiad flails. I am puzzled as to why he almost feels like a helpless babe in my grip."
    fd "Rrraagghh!"
    mc "I was a slow learner, but I eventually caught on."
    "I pull the arm back even more, but not enough to break bone."
    "Ferdiad grunts through gritted teeth but eventually..."
    fd "I yield! I yield, curse you!"
    scene c00 27
    with fade
    show ferd hurt at left with moveinleft
    show cu happ at right with moveinright
    "Cu Hollun laughs while Ferdiad's face flushes."
    sc "Pain is a good teacher, Ferdiad. Perhaps next time you will not underestimate an opponent you know nothing of."
    "Still, the fight shouldn't have been that easy. Am I somehow stronger than I was on the field of Moy Tura?"
    hide ferd hurt with moveoutleft
    hide cu happ with moveoutleft
    "I watch them as they leave the courtyard. Cu Hollun puts his arm around Ferdiad's shoulder. I can tell they are good friends."
    show sco neut at center with moveinright
    mc "Was I too harsh on the young man?"
    sc "Not at all. A blade needs to be hammered into shape while it is still hot."
    show sco coy at center
    sc "..."
    sc "Is it true you fought with Lugh of the Long Arm?"
    mc "I was often at his side... even at the moment when he slew Balor..."
    show sco neut at center
    sc "I have a matter I must attend to, you are free to roam my home as you will. My warriors will help you if you need something."
    mc "Thank you, my lady."
    stop music
    jump c00f 

label c00e:

    $ renpy.notify("Integrity -1")
    mc "Why don't you throw a fist at me? I want to see how hard a Connuct man can hit."
    fd "You're an arrogant one, aren't you? They all live to regret goading Ferdiad!"
    scene c00 39
    play sound punch
    "Ferdiad lunges forward with a swing of his right arm. If the blow connects, the weight of his body would make it a painful strike indeed."
    "But his footwork betrays him. The entire sequence of this fight plays out in my mind's eye."
    "First, I easily dodge the attack and parry him away, momentarily putting him off balance."
    scene c00 40
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    fd "HUNGH!"
    mc "You're wide open! A warrior never misses a chance like this!"
    "Second, I give a hard and precise strike with my knee, to ensure that I wind him through his leather breastplate."
    scene c00 41 
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "A hardy warrior like Ferdiad will recover quickly, so my follow-up must be quick."
    "Third, I turn my back to him and kick out with a straightened leg, like a stallion defending itself."
    "It's a solid hit to the face and a stupefied Ferdiad falls into the dirt."
    scene c00 27
    with fade
    show cu talk at right with moveinright
    ch "You've knocked him out of his senses!"
    mc "Hopefully, this will be a good lesson for him when he regains consciousness."
    show sco talk at left with moveinleft
    sc "You are a harsh man, [mcname]."
    mc "Do you disapprove, my lady? These are not children..."
    show sco happ at left
    sc "Indeed!"
    mc "I fought for a hundred years by the side of Lord Lugh and many other good people besides."
    mc "The battlefield is a merciless and unforgiving place."
    ch "Perhaps you can teach me some of what you know?"
    mc "Of course."
    show sco coy at left
    sc "..."
    sc "Is it true you fought with Lugh of the Long Arm?"
    mc "I was often at his side... until the moment when he slew Balor..."
    sc "We must talk more when there is time, [mcname]."
    show sco neut at left
    sc "But alas, I have a matter I must attend to. You are free to roam my home as you will. One of my students will assist if you need something."
    mc "Thank you, my lady."
    hide sco neut at left with moveoutleft
    stop music
    jump c00f 

label c00f:

    scene c00 06
    with fade
    play sound forest loop
    "I take a walk in the meadows around Scortha's fort and I am soon deep in thought."
    "The idea that I have somehow slept for over a thousand years is preposterous to me."
    "But when I look into the sky at night, I can see it is early spring. At the very least, almost a year has passed since Balor's death in the summer."
    "Several more disturbing theories also come to mind."
    "I could have died at Moy Tura and I am in some kind of purgatory that is not The Land of Promise in the Otherworld."
    "Or this could all be some wicked druidic illusion cast on me by my enemies."
    "Or perhaps Balor's death released a wild druidic power that threw me into a world that is a reflection of my own."
    "Or Balor's death somehow really did send me into a thousand year slumber, but that would not explain how I woke and why I am not in Celtica..."
    show cu neut at center with moveinleft
    ch "[mcname]!"
    ch "I thought that was you from a distance. What are you doing here?"
    mc "I wanted to be alone with my thoughts, but I have many questions and no answers."
    ch "Come with me. There's something I want to show you."
    scene c00 41a
    with fade
    play music gen02 loop
    play sound waves loop
    "Cu Hollun leads me down to the shoreline and bounds onto some rocks that are lapped by the evening tide. He stretches his hand out to the sea."
    ch "Out there, over the horizon, are the shores of Celtica. I come here often to remind myself that I will return when I have mastered Scortha's arts."
    mc "It's a calming sight."
    ch "The isle of Skee Anach is often raided by Forvorian pirates. Scortha also has many disputes with the other tribes and clans of Caledon."
    ch "There are few other places where a warrior can get as much combat as here. Narsha and I both knew the dangers when we came here."
    stop sound
    mc "Did you decide yourself to make this journey? Or was it Narsha?"
    ch "The truth is, I was sent here by the father of the girl that I am wooing. He will not accept me if I am not a fully accomplished warrior."
    ch "The skill of Scortha is legendary, so it did not take much for Narsha to accompany me. I met Ferdiad when I arrived here and we've been training together for months."
    mc "It must be tough."
    ch "There is nothing I would not do to win the hand of my fair Evera. My uncle, the king of Ulaid, suggested many women I could marry, but I will only have Evera."
    ch "She is in possession of all the gifts of womanhood. A more beautiful woman you have never seen."
    ch "What about you? Do you have a woman, [mcname]?"

    menu:

        "Many women have loved me in my life...":
            jump c00g

        "{color=#0f0}There is a special woman in my heart, a daughter of The Dagda" if br_luv:
            $ champ_i += 1
            jump c00h
        
        "I took the woman of my good friend and was pleased about it" if et_luv:
            $ champ_i -= 1
            jump c00i

        "Women can be a troublesome complication...":
            $ champ_p += 1
            jump c00j

label c00g:

    scene c00 41b
    with fade
    mc "I've loved women in my life, and many have loved me."
    mc "But there has never been one I could say stood above all others."
    mc "For so long, I was consumed by the rebellion against the tyrant King Bres. That was no time for love."
    ch "Indeed! That must have been a time for great deeds and even greater battles!"
    mc "I fought with Lord Lugh, I shielded The Dagda from harm..."
    mc "I sailed with Manannan, Son of Lir and received honors from King Nuada..."
    mc "And now, you tell me those days are a thousand years gone but to me, it was all yesterday."
    ch "There is still much glory to be had in these times, [mcname]. You can still have your fair share of it!"
    mc "It's not glory I want, Cu Hollun. I realize now that what I want is... peace."
    ch "The state of peace is no condition for a warrior!"
    mc "Perhaps..."
    stop music
    jump c00k

label c00h:

    scene c00 41b
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Integrity +1")
    mc "Brigid of the Fair Hair, they sometimes call her."
    mc "Her gentle eyes and pouting lips are enough to put my heart at ease."
    ch "Then you are in luck, for she lives on Celtica still in the Sidhe of Cille Dara."
    mc "That's good. I will see her when I return, but not before I fulfill my duty to Narsha."
    ch "You could join Ulaid and serve under my uncle! King Concovir recognizes men of valor!"
    ch "The House of the Red Branch is where all good champions of Ulaid gather. You could be one of them."
    mc "I had a king, Cu Hollun. He died in my arms."
    ch "And there is no king of the Tuatha now! Think about my offer, for my uncle would welcome you!"
    mc "..."
    stop music
    jump c00k

label c00i:

    scene c00 41b
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Integrity -1")
    mc "Her name is Etain. She was the betrothed of one of my friends, but she fell in love with me."
    mc "She offered herself to me and I accepted her affections."
    ch "That is no bad thing. She gave herself willingly and you found her desireable."
    mc "Yes, but it's always the consequences that come after that."
    ch "Nothing a sword cannot fix! A warrior takes what he wants."
    mc "Life isn't always so simple, Cu Hollun. You may learn that with some more time and experience."
    stop music
    jump c00k

label c00j:

    scene c00 41b
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Pragmatism +1")
    mc "Women are usually more trouble than they are worth, Cu Hollun."
    mc "They can be petty, vain and prone to jealously."
    mc "My father used to have a saying. Whenever there was some kind of trouble, he'd say 'search for the woman'. You know what that means?"
    ch "It means... that women are the root of all strife?"
    mc "Well understood."
    ch "Say... you could join Ulaid and serve under my uncle! What say you?"
    ch "I've seen how you fight."
    ch "King Concovir recognizes men of valor and the House of the Red Branch is where all good champions of Ulaid gather."
    ch "If it's not a woman's embrace you desire, then perhaps it's glory on the battlefield that you should seek!"
    mc "Maybe. But first I have some promises to keep, like bringing news of Narsha to your people."
    "And silently, I remind myself I still have a promise to keep for the late King Nuada, to protect the Four Treasures of the Tuatha."
    stop music
    jump c00k

label c00k:

    scene c00 45
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "That evening, there is no feast in the hall of Scortha."
    "The mood is mysteriously tense and the students and servants of the fort hurry past me, speaking in hushed whispers."
    "I sit in my guest room, watching the fire light play over the hilt of {i}Fragarach{/i}. Just two days more until the boat arrives..."
    play sound door01
    "As my door opens, I instinctively grip {i}Fragarach{/i}, ready to draw it against an enemy."
    show sco fire at center with moveinleft
    sc "I did not mean to startle you, [mcname]. I have come here to speak."
    mc "As my hostess, I cannot deny you, my lady."
    sc "Oh, but it is a cool night. Let me sit by the hearth while I tell you what troubles me."
    scene c00 46
    with fade
    play music gen03 loop
    "Scortha sits on a bench while I listen to her at from the edge of my bed."
    sc "Do you believe in fate, [mcname]?"
    mc "That is a difficult question. Some with the druid sight can see events that have not yet happened, but I believe they could be changed with such a forewarning."
    mc "It is something that is not well understood by even the Tuatha."
    sc "I believe that it was no coincidence you found your way here to my fort of Dun Scah, at my time of great need."
    mc "How so, my lady?"
    sc "I shall tell you the whole of it. Where I went today that was so urgent."
    scene c00 42
    with dissolve
    sc "I went to the far side of the isle with Fergus Moc Roy, and there I waited for a small ship."
    sc "The legacy of Dun Scah and the warrior arts have been handed down in my family for generations."
    sc "There is no man or woman that knows as much about the art of combat as me, with the exception of one person..."
    scene c00 43
    with dissolve
    sc "My sister Eva."
    sc "On all the ridges of the world, only she is my equal. Eva is a true warrior queen."
    sc "In fact, I am not ashamed to say that I fear her."
    sc "Eva and I have been fighting for years. We both claim to be the heir of our mother's legacy."
    sc "When I met her today, she challenged my students and I for the rulership of Dun Scah - to settle the feud between us once and for all."
    sc "At dawn tomorrow, our forces will meet."
    scene c00 44a
    with dissolve
    sc "The terms of the combat are simple. If she is defeated, she will relinquish possession of the Gae Bolg, a legendary spear of this age that is carved from the bones of a sea serpent."
    sc "She will also go into exile, never to challenge my rule over this isle again and her warriors will pledge to follow me."
    sc "But if I lose, it is I that must go into exile and surrender my leadership of Dun Scah and the warriors that defend it."
    scene c00 46
    with fade
    sc "But my students and warriors are diminished and I fear Eva's army will prevail. She knew this when she made her challenge, as any good warrior would."
    mc "Cu Hollan, Fergus Moc Roy and Ferdiad would fight for you."
    sc "Ferdiad will fight with me, it is true. But the two warriors of Ulaid should not take to the field, because of an agreement I have with Concovir, their king."
    mc "I understand your predicament. What is it you want of me?"
    sc "When I march into battle tomorrow, I want you to fight with me. I cannot believe it is a coincidence you are here now."

    menu:

        "{color=#0f0}Though I have no quarrel with Eva, I shall do well by you as my hostess and fight.":
            $ champ_i += 1
            jump c00l

        "This is not a fight of the Tuatha. It is no business of mine.":
            $ champ_p += 1
            jump c00m

label c00l:

    scene c00 45
    with fade
    show sco fire at center
    $ renpy.notify("Integrity +1")
    sc "Then it is as I had hoped. Thank you, [mcname]."
    sc "You are the brave man of the Sidhe that I believed you to be."
    sc "Tomorrow, we march to war to meet Eva's warriors head on and I shall be glad to have you by my side."
    stop music
    jump c00n

label c00m:

    scene c00 45
    with fade
    show sco fire at center
    $ renpy.notify("Pragmatism +1")
    sc "I cannot hide my bitter disappoint at your refusal to help me, [mcname]."
    mc "This is not my fight."
    sc "True. But... perhaps you can still do something for me."
    mc "You have but to ask, if it is within my power."
    sc "Cu Hollun will want to fight tomorrow, though his uncle forbids his interference in my sisterly feud. I fear he is still too young and wild."
    sc "I will give him a sleeping potion that will put a man to sleep for a whole day. I want you to watch over him."
    mc "I can do that for you."
    sc "Very well, then your meager role is settled."
    stop music
    jump c00o

label c00n:

    scene c00 50
    with fade
    play music cin09 loop
    "The next morning, Cu Hollun is given a glass of wine laced with a potion that puts a man to sleep for a day."
    sc "His uncle forbids warriors of Ulaid from involving themselves with the feuds on Caledon."
    fd "Sleep well, friend! When you wake, I'll regale you with tales of how I brought glory to Connuct against Eva's warriors!"
    scene c00 47
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show sco fight at center with moveinright
    "We march out the the appointed place to meet Scortha's sister."
    "I position myself among Scortha's best warriors and students, as the opposing force rallies across the meadow. I count at least five hundred souls in each force."
    "In the time before the battle, mixed feelings of fear and anticipation grip my heart. In a strange way, its familiarity is comforting."
    sc "It will be decided today, sister!" 
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show mob2 at center
    show eva fight at center with moveinright
    play sound crowd_cry
    e "So it shall!"
    e "We will see who is most worthy of continuing mother's legacy!"
    "The warriors with Eva beat their swords against their shields and let out war cries, creating a cacophony."
    stop sound
    scene c00 47
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show sco fight at right
    show ferd fight at left with moveinleft
    fd "Fear not, Scortha! These wretches are incapable of defeating us. You've trained me well, by the gods!"
    sc "Keep your wits about you, Ferdiad! Cu Hollun is not with you on this day."
    mc "Then I shall fight by your side in his stead!"
    fd "Aye! That offer is welcome, man of the Sidhe!"
    fd "Now, glory awaits!"
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show mob2 at center
    show eva fight at center
    play sound horn
    e "Go forth my warriors! For the fate of Skee Anach!"
    play sound2 crowd_cry
    "Eva and Scortha's armies charge at each other across the meadow."
    "The thundering of footsteps is interrupted by the clashing of wood and steel."
    stop sound2
    scene c00 48
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    play sound battlemed loop
    "The warriors and students on both sides are hard to tell apart. There is no uniformity among the weapons they wield."
    "But what they share is bravery and skill at arms. There are no complicated maneuvers or tactics."
    "Warriors will single out a foe and the combat will continue until one is dead."
    scene c00 49
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Ferdiad and I wade into the fray. I do not dare draw {i}Fragarach{/i}. In fact, I am unsure it would even let me wield it a second time."
    "Instead, I use a club of oak. While I fight for Scortha, I have no desire to kill the warriors of Eva, with whom I have no grievance."
    "The solid wood is more than enough to deflect the blows of blades and to crush limbs."
    scene c00 49a
    with fade
    "As I thought, Ferdiad is a formidable warrior. All around him are fallen opponents."
    "He lets out a deep and powerful battle cry to challenge any of Scortha's warriors that think they can best him."
    "Truly, in King Nuada's time, he would be a champion of the age, once he learned to overcome his youthful recklessness."
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show ferd fight at center
    "Ferdiad comes over to me during a lull in the fighting."
    fd "Ah! A fine day for a warrior, is it not?"
    mc "You acquit yourself well with that blade. No one is close to your match."
    fd "Cu Hollun may be able to get a lucky hit in from time to time. And you, with your cunning Sidhe magicks!"
    fd "Look, the time is now coming where one of the sisters will call out for single combat! My soul is burning for that moment when I can step forth as Scortha's champion!"
    scene c00 49b
    with fade
    "Then, a storm passes through Eva's men. Bodies fly and tumble to the ground at its passing."
    "Cu Hollun fights his way across the battlefield, leaving shattered spears and the wails of the dying in his wake."
    "His battle cry resounds across the battlefield and the weaker men caught in his path either flee or perish."
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show ferd fight at left
    show cu fight2 at right with moveinright
    fd "Cu Hollun?! With the concoction Scortha gave you, you should be slumbering like a babe!"
    fd "Only a few hours have passed!"
    "It would seem that the young Cu Hollun is made of sterner stuff than Scortha had anticipated."
    ch "A mean trick you all tried to pull on me! You conspired to keep me out of the battle!"
    fd "Only out of respect for the wishes of old King Concovir, your uncle! How did you find us?!"
    ch "It wasn't hard to follow the footprints and chariot trails of Scortha's army."
    ch "Tell me, Ferdiad, because your skill for observation is keen... what does Eva value most?"
    scene c00 47a
    with fade
    "Ferdiad points to the edge of the meadow, near rocks that plummet directly into the sea."
    fd "Not difficult to say! See that fine chariot hitched to the roans over there? She rode here on that and took great pride in her dismounting!"
    ch "A splendid chariot plated in gold... fitting for a warrior queen!"
    stop music
    scene c00 47
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show sco fight at center with moveinleft
    "A pile of bodies surrounds Scortha. The warriors of Eva come in a steady stream to challenge her, but all have been found wanting."
    sc "Choose your champion, sister! Let us end this according to warrior's rules!"
    sc "A truce shall be called until the duel is decided!"
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show mob2 at center
    show eva fight at center
    e "It shall be myself! Send forth your lackey, Scortha. No amount of training you have given them is enough to withstand my attack!"
    scene c00 47
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show sco fight at left
    show cu fight1 at right with moveinright
    ch "Let me go, Scortha! You tried to deny me a great fight today!"
    sc "Cu Hollun?! By the gods, you should not be here! My drink should have made sure of that!"
    ch "I had a pleasant nap, thank you. But now it's time for some bloody work!"
    "Scortha curses under her breath."

    menu:

        "{color=#0f0}Say nothing and let Cu Hollun have the fight.":
            jump c01

        "Tell Scortha you will be her champion against Eva.":
            jump c02
    

label c00o:

    scene c00 50
    with fade
    play music gen09 loop
    "The next morning, Cu Hollun is given a glass of wine mixed with Scortha's sleeping potion."
    sc "It is better this way. Cu Hollun is still a wild lad and it's best he stay out of my feud with Eva."
    sc "As you will not fight, [mcname], I trust you can watch over him? Though I admit there will be nothing for you to do but wait until we return."
    mc "I will do that."
    scene c00 51
    with fade
    show ferd talk at left with moveinleft
    fd "Well, that's that then. Sweet dreams, Cu Hollun! When next you wake, I will regale you with my feats of glory on the battlefield today!"
    show ferg neut at right with moveinright
    mc "And what of you, Fergus Moc Roy? Are you going into battle with Scortha and Ferdiad?"
    fg "Like you, this is not my fight. However, I shall observe the proceedings from a nearby hill."
    mc "Then good luck to you all and we can drink and feast to your victory this evening."
    fd "I look forward to it!!!"
    hide ferd talk at left with moveoutleft
    hide ferg neut at left with moveoutleft
    "I listen to the chariots being yoked outside and then to Scortha's cry as she orders her warriors to the march."
    "Then, there is silence."
    "As I watch Cu Hollun, my thoughts turn to what I must do next."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} must return to the ruler of the Tuatha, but Scortha tells me there is no one king."
    "There is no clear way for me to move forward, other than to return to Celtica."
    scene c00 23
    with fade
    show cu mad at center with easeinbottom
    mc "Cu Hollun?"
    ch "That was a dirty trick you all pulled on me..."
    mc "It was Scortha that insisted you sleep today, but I see the concoction had little effect."
    ch "It may have slept a normal man for a day, but not the likes of me! Now, where is Scortha and Ferdiad?"
    mc "They've left with the army. Scortha does battle with her sister today."
    ch "And they all conspired to keep me in ignorance! Which way did they go?"
    mc "Follow the muddy chariot tracks and you should have no problem."
    ch "You won't try to stop me?"
    mc "It's no business of mine. Good luck to you."
    ch "I find it strange a warrior would sit out of a fight, even if it is not his own."

    menu:

        "{color=#0f0}I've only ever fought when needed. I shall stay here.":
            jump c00p

        "Fine. I shall come and observe the fight with you.":
            jump c00q

label c00p:

    "Cu Hollun looks to say something to me but thinks the better of it."
    ch "There is no time! My shield and my spears!"
    hide cu mad at left with moveoutleft
    scene c00 27
    with fade
    "I watch Cu Hollun sprint out the gate of the fort with his weapons. His sandals kick up clods of dark soil with every hurried footstep."
    "Scortha will be disappointed that Cu Hollun will join the fight, but I was not about to stop him."
    scene c00 23
    with fade
    "That evening, I hear the sound of the gates open as Scortha's army returns."
    "Scortha leads her forces, which number less than half of what left in the morning. But, their spirits are high!"
    play music cin10 loop
    show ferd happ at right with moveinright
    fd "You missed a great fight, man of the Sidhe! There was much violence and bloodshed this day!"
    show cu happ at left with moveinleft
    fd "It was Cu Hollun here that won the day! Though Scortha tried to stop him, it was he that stood up against Eva!"
    ch "The fight was hard. I've never fought her like before."
    fd "But you won and Eva submitted! Your trickery was unusual, but a victory is a victory!"
    mc "Trickery?"
    fd "He distracted Eva and was able to disarm her, leading to her defeat."
    hide ferd happ at right with moveoutright
    show sco neut at right with moveinright
    sc "It seems you could not do what I asked of you, [mcname]."
    mc "Apologies, my lady. Cu Hollun woke up a mere hour after you left."
    sc "Tch! A wild boy he is indeed! But, enough to carry the day!"
    sc "Cu Hollun!"
    ch "Yes, teacher Scortha!"
    sc "Eva's spear, the {i}Gae Bolg{/i}, is now yours by right. I shall instruct you in its use."
    sc "This will be the last thing I teach to you."
    ch "Thank you, teacher Scortha!"
    ch "Now, let us have a feast and drink deeply for the fallen!"
    hide cu happ at left with moveoutleft
    show ferg talk at left with moveinleft
    fg "A ship has docked here on the Isle of Skee Anach and will leave for Celtica in the morning."
    mc "Then I must prepare and take my leave of you all."
    fg "Remember your promise to me."
    mc "I won't forget. I will see your king and tell him of Narsha's passing."
    show ferg happ at left
    fg "Good! Tell King Concovir he died with his sword in his hand and a pile of bodies around him!"
    mc "That I will."
    stop music
    jump c00r

label c00q:

    scene c00 48
    with fade
    play sound battlemed loop
    play music act01 loop
    "We reach the battle as the two armies are locked in a fierce mass of wood and steel."
    "The air is a cacophony of war cries, as well as the cries of the wounded and dying."
    ch "Thank the gods I am in time! There is still plenty of fight to be had!"
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show ferd fight at center with moveinleft
    "We find Ferdiad where the fighting is heavy."
    fd "They have been driven off for now but they rally for another attack!"
    fd "Ready yourself, warriors of Scortha!"
    scene c00 49b
    with fade
    "A storm passes through Eva's men as Cu Hollun leaps into the fray. Bodies fly and tumble to the ground at its passing."
    "He fights his way across the battlefield, leaving shattered spears and the wails of the dying in his wake."
    "His battle cry resounds across the battlefield and the weaker men caught in his path either flee from his blood stained blade or they are cut down where they stand."
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show ferd fight at left
    show cu fight1 at right with moveinright
    fd "Cu Hollun?! You should be asleep!!!"
    ch "A mean trick you all tried to pull on me! You conspired to keep me out of the battle and steal my share of the glory!"
    fd "Only out of respect for the wishes of old King Concovir, your uncle! How did you find us?!"
    ch "[mcname] and I followed the footprints and chariot trails of Scortha's army."
    ch "Now tell me, Ferdiad, because your skill for observation is keen... what does Eva value most?"
    scene c00 47a
    with fade
    "Ferdiad points to the edge of the meadow, near rocks that plummet directly into the sea."
    fd "Not difficult to say! See that fine chariot hitched to the roans over there? She rode here on that and took great pride in her dismounting!"
    ch "A splendid chariot plated in gold... fitting for a warrior queen!"
    stop music
    scene c00 47
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show sco fight at center with moveinleft
    "A pile of bodies surrounds Scortha. The warriors of Eva come in a steady stream to challenge her, but all have been found wanting."
    sc "Choose your champion, sister! Let us end this according to warrior's rules!"
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show mob2 at center
    show eva fight at center
    e "It shall be myself! Send forth your lackey, Scortha. No amount of training you have given them is enough to withstand my attack!"
    scene c00 47
    with fade
    show mob1 at center
    show sco fight at left
    show cu fight2 at right with moveinright
    ch "Let me go, Scortha! You tried to deny me a great fight today!"
    sc "Cu Hollun?! By the gods, you should not be here! My drink should have made sure of that!"
    ch "I had a pleasant nap, thank you. But now it's time for some bloody work!"
    "Scortha curses under her breath."
    jump c01


label c00r:

    scene c08 01
    with fade
    play sound waves loop
    "The next day, I make may way down to the shore, where a boat is waiting to take me to Celtica."
    show ferd neut at left with moveinleft
    show cu neut at right with moveinright
    mc "Well, this is where we part."
    ch "Our training is not yet complete. Ferdiad and I will both stay with Scortha a while longer, as will Fergus."
    mc "Then I travel alone to see your king and to reunite with my people."
    mc "What happened with Eva?"
    ch "In return for sparing her life after I defeated her, I made her swear never to take up arms against Scortha again."
    ch "She now serves under Scortha, and the sisters are reunited into one clan."
    fd "That's not all, is it Cu Hollun? Eva now keeps you warm at night!"
    mc "Your Evera would not be envious at that?"
    ch "I do not love Eva, so not in the least."
    "These Milesians are indeed a strange people with surprising morals and social mores."
    ch "Here, I have a gift for you - my cloak. It will ease your passage through Ulaid. They will know you have the friendship of Cu Hollun."
    scene c08 02a
    with fade
    mc "Luck be with you, Cu Hollun. We may meet again in the land of our births."
    ch "I look forward to it! Perhaps at that time, we will have a common foe with which to bloody our blades against!"
    mc "Perhaps. Do the Tuatha De Dannan still make war?"
    ch "Indeed they do, when they emerge from their Sidhes from time to time!"
    mc "Then nothing much has changed..."
    stop sound
    scene c08 05b
    with fade
    play music trav03 loop
    "The ship weighs anchor at mid-morning and the spring winds are favorable. With luck, we will spot the shores of Celtica as the sun sets."
    "The truth is, I had been anxious to leave Skee Anach from the first moments I woke there."
    "I need to find the truth as to what has happened to me."
    "Amid all my doubts, there is one certainty - the cool pommel of {i}Fragarach{/i} that I rest the palm of my hand against."
    scene c08 09
    with fade
    "At noon, the sky grows dark and the sea turns choppy."
    "I served for a time as a warrior under Manannan Moc Lir, the Tuatha god of the seas. Something feels wrong. This isn't like a regular spring squall." 
    mc "Captain, what's wrong?"
    "Captain" "I can't tell, but the wind is now against us!"
    "Sailor" "Captain, above us!"
    scene c08 11
    with fade
    play music act03 loop
    "Captain" "What do you suppose that is?"
    mc "Nothing good!"
    "Floating above the ship are two pale blue forms. I feel dread power emanating from both of them."
    "Captain" "Turn the rudder hard left!"
    "Sailor" "Aye, captain!"
    "The two figures swoop down, directly for me. The female lets out a terrible cry that causes some of the sailors to collapse onto the deck in fear."
    scene c08 12a
    with vpunch
    play sound LS06.mp3
    "The female lands first, bearing her sharp ebony claws at me."
    mc "Who are you? Answer me!"
    "She merely laughs in reply, but it is a mocking laugh that sounds like it is coming from the depths of a tomb."
    scene c08 14
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "Hrngh!"
    "The female was merely a distraction. The hooded male grabs me from behind with an unnatural strength, lifting me into the air."
    "His sword glints in the pale light, I can tell it is razor sharp."
    scene c08 15
    with hpunch
    "His eyes glow a sickly red that seems to be endlessly deep. The unnatural gaze is impossible to look at for long."
    "Hooded Man" "The sword..."
    mc "You want... this sword?"
    "I tighten my grip on {i}Fragarach{/i}. I pray to the goddess Danu that it does not reject me now."
    scene c08 16
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I draw and slash with the mighty sword in one fluid motion."
    "The hooded man is ready for it and meets my blow. I'm shocked that his thinner blade stops {i}Fragarach{/i} in mid-strike, as if the legendary sword were a plain iron blade."
    mc "I ask again, who are you?!"
    "My boots begin to get wet. The ship has taken on a lot of water in the choppy seas and is beginning to sink. Sailors cling to the rails and some even jump overboard."
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    "I meet my opponent blow for blow and neither of us can seem to get the upper hand."
    scene c08 18
    with fade
    "Hooded Man" "ENOUGH!"
    play sound fireball
    "The hooded man leaps back to the bow of the ship, out of striking distance. His sword erupts into dread magickal flames as he holds it aloft."
    "Hooded Man" "You... drown now!"
    scene c08 19a
    play sound firebolt
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "With a swing of his arm, the hooded man releases the dread magicks that had built up in the sword."
    "A pale wheel of light streaks across the deck, splitting the ship in half as though it were an axe blade cleaving through some firewood."
    play sound woodbreak
    "I leap out of the way and the magick misses my body by a mere hand span. Then suddenly, only water is below my feet."
    stop music
    scene c08 20
    play sound splash02
    with vpunch
    with hpunch
    "Water and bubbles fill my blurry vision as I plunge into the sea."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} is in my hand but I can make out a blue arm swiping at me from the surface of the roiling water."
    play sound splash
    "I try to kick myself back to the surface but I find myself sliding deeper and deeper into the depths."
    "My breath is running out but it's no use... the water around me gets darker as the surface gets further and further away."
    scene 00 00
    with dissolve
    "My vision fades to black with the first gasp I take, filling my lungs with saltwater."
    jump c09


label c01:

    "I say nothing and let the discussion play out."
    sc "Fine! Step forward and face the wrath of my sister, but I warn you... it will not go well for you!"
    ch "We shall see! I do not fear her!"
    stop sound
    scene c01 01 
    with fade
    show eva fight2 at center with moveinright
    play music viking_feast loop
    "As Cu Hollun approaches, Eva steps forward and hands her shield to a lackey."
    e "Ho! So Scortha is sending children in her stead?"
    e "They call you the Hound of Ulaid, but you look more like a pup to me!"
    scene c01 02
    with fade
    "Eva raises her sword to Cu Hollun. It is a curved blade well suited to chopping."
    e "You hold a sword well enough. Scortha taught you at least that much!"
    ch "Don't underestimate me. I've taken many a severed head back to my uncle's dun at Aun Macha!"
    scene c01 03
    play sound block03
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Without another word, Eva moves forward with powerful strokes from her blade."
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    "Cu Hollun meets each strike, but it is quickly clear to me that Eva is the more skilled warrior."
    "Still, what Cu Hollun lacks in refinement, he makes up for in the strength of his parries and the spirit of his attacks." 
    scene c01 04
    play sound punch03
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    ch "Urngh!"
    "Like all good warriors, Eva does not underestimate her foe. The opening attacks were meant to understand Cu Hollun's style."
    "And that means his weaknesses. For the briefest of moments, Cu Hollun leaves himself open."
    e "You're not bad, Cu Hollun, but you leave yourself open to my fists and my elbows!"
    "The force of Eva's impact is enough to cause Cu Hollun to lose his grip on his sword."
    scene c01 05
    with fade
    "Eva allows Cu Hollun to retrieve his sword and makes no attempt to push her advantage."
    ch "Yes! This is what I wanted! A lively fight against a seasoned opponent!"
    e "You're enthusiastic, at least. I will not take pleasure in killing you, but I will give you mercy if you ask it of me."
    scene c01 06
    play sound block03
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    e "HAH!"
    "Eva's condescending words anger Cu Hollun and he attacks Eva with a mighty swing of his sword."
    "However, Eva's counter-strike is perfectly timed and she slices through Cu Hollun's blade, sending three-quarters of it spinning away in the air."
    "Eva's blade stops suddenly at Cu Hollun's chest, signifying her victory."
    scene c01 07
    with fade
    "The duel is over. All that is left is for Cu Hollun to plead for mercy or accept death."
    e "Do you yield?"
    ch "Ah! The golden chariot by the cliff side has just been pushed over the edge by Scortha's men! Even those beautiful roans went down with it!"
    e "What???"
    scene c01 08
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    e "OH!!!"
    "A momentary loss of concentration is all that Cu Hollun needs."
    "He dives into Eva, using the full weight of his body to knock her off her feet."
    scene c01 09
    with fade
    "And in a heartbeat, he swoops his broken sword up from the long grass and points it at a stunned Eva."
    "I didn't even see the moment he retrieved his sword with the speed that it occurred."
    ch "Mercy will be given, if it is asked for."
    e "..."
    e "Mercy."
    stop music  
    scene c01 01
    play sound day loop
    with fade
    "The warriors on both sides stop fighting and watch in stunned silence."
    show eva hurt at left with easeinbottom
    show sco talk at right with moveinright
    sc "Then it is settled, sister. Dun Scah and the Isle of Skee Anach are mine forevermore."
    "Eva's face burns with shame. Given the nature of Cu Hollun's victory, I can sympathize with her."
    "I find myself sighing."

    menu:

        "Leave it be. These are not my people or my customs.":
            $ champ_p += 1
            jump c04

        "{color=#0f0}This can't stand. Challenge Cu Hollun for Eva's honor.":
            $ champ_i += 1
            jump c03            

label c02:

    mc "I will be your champion, Scortha."
    ch "[mcname]!"
    sc "Hold your tongue, Cu Hollun! [mcname] has the right by way of seniority. No one here is older than him in years."
    ch "..."
    hide cu fight1 at right with moveoutright
    show sco fight at center with moveinright
    sc "Take the field, my champion. May the gods bring you victory."
    mc "I need a good sword."
    sc "You have one at your hip."
    mc "I insist upon another."
    "Scortha motions to one of her lieutenants and he tosses me a good, solid blade."
    "I step out into the meadow that is littered with the fallen."
    stop sound
    scene c02 01
    with fade
    play music cin04 loop
    e "I know most of Scortha's best warriors, but you are a mystery to me. Who are you?"
    mc "I am [mcname] of the Tuatha De Dannan and I fell onto this isle in the last shower."
    e "Are you making fun of me?"
    mc "Not in the least."
    scene c02 02
    play sound block04
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Her first strike is quick like a viper."
    e "Well met, man of the Sidhe."
    "Her eyes widen a little more when she gets a close look at my face. In the short time I've been here, I've learned my eye color is rare in this age."
    "I turn her blade and parry her away by pure instinct."
    "I've fought a hundred years against the Forvorians. To me, Balor died mere days ago."
    scene c02 03
    play sound block03
    with vpunch
    "With every blow she makes, I match her. Our blades clash and turn the other with well-timed glancing strikes."
    "She began the fight testing my ability, but now that she has a clue as to how I fight, I know she is adapting quickly."
    play sound block04
    with vpunch
    e "Scortha's champion indeed!"
    scene c02 04
    play sound strike03
    with vpunch
    "In a battle as evenly matched as this one, it usually comes down to who makes the first error."
    "I catch Eva in an ill-timed deflection and turn her blade."
    "She's forced to use her strength to hold me back, which is not ideal for her."
    e "The men of the Sidhe rarely come to Caledon! After crossing swords with you... I am glad for it!"
    scene c02 05
    play sound punch03
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    e "UNGH!!!"
    "I flip my legs with the skill of a royal tumbler and catch Eva squarely in the side of her face with the heel of my boot."
    "It's the first true hit of the fight and one she surely did not expect."
    "I send her flying to the ground amid the gasps of the surviving warriors that are watching."
    scene c02 06
    "Scortha is quick in the recovery. As a warrior, her life depends on it."
    e "It's been a long time since a man has landed a blow upon me..."
    mc "I'll land a few more before this fight is done."
    e "We shall see!"
    scene c02 07
    with fade
    play sound enchant loop
    "As I wait for Eva's attack, I feel warmth flow through my blood."
    "A surge of energy goes through my body, keeping in time with my slow and steady heartbeat."
    "It is the magick of the Tuatha. I know that."
    "But as a warrior, I've never been able to call upon it other than through invoking a rune or an incantation."
    "This is different..."
    scene c02 08
    play sound block03
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I sense Eva about to attack and suddenly, I have closed the distance between us."
    "Eva's face is one of shock and it probably mirrors my own. I have no idea how I moved so quickly."
    "I am within Eva's guard and my blade is clear for a killing blow."
    scene c02 09
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    e "AHHHH!!!"
    "But I have no desire to kill this valiant woman."
    "At the last moment, I turn my sword away and twist her wrist, forcing her to drop her blade."
    "I can end this right now without drawing her precious blood. Scortha will have to be content with such a victory."
    scene c02 10
    play sound punch02
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "HYAAAAH!"
    "With a mighty uppercut, I make solid contact with Eva's chin and send her flying through the air a second time."
    "This time, she won't get up until she regains consciousness."
    scene c00 44
    with fade
    show eva hurt at center with easeinbottom
    "Amazingly, Eva rises to her feet."
    "I've seen many hardy men fall to less than that blow."
    e "You... mock me?"
    mc "I would never mock such an accomplished fighter as yourself."
    e "You refuse to cut me..."
    e "You fight with a borrowed sword while your true weapon remains sheathed!"
    e "You think me beneath your measure? I've never been more insulted in all my life!"
    mc "That was never my intent. If I drew this sword, our fight would have been over in a single blow."
    e "Then draw it! A warrior faces their opponent head-on! If it is to be my fate, then so be it!"
    e "Do you despise me so much that you would not even do this for me?!"
    scene c02 11
    with fade
    play sound unsheath01
    play music celtyc loop
    "I draw {i}Fragarach{/i} from its sheath. The king's sword comes out effortlessly."
    "A gentle breeze blows through the meadow and the long grass sways."
    mc "You are a formidable warrior, Eva. I would not shame myself by denying you."
    scene c02 12
    with fade
    "Eva clutches her sword assumes a ready stance, meeting mine in kind."
    e "Then, by the ground below me and the sky above me, let me meet my destiny here and now, whatever that shall be!"
    "The wind picks up in intensity to the point that the crowded warriors notice it."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} is calling me to the fight."
    scene c02 13
    with fade
    "We sprint towards each other, our battle-cries ringing out clearly in the morning air."
    e "HRRAAGGHH!"
    mc "WROOHHHH!"
    scene c02 14
    play sound block03
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "No foe can stand against {i}Fragarach{/i} in this, or any age."
    "The king's blade strikes as swift as the wind."
    "The outcome was inevitable."
    scene c02 15
    with fade
    "Eva takes a few more steps forward before she collapses to her knees."
    "With one blow, I've decided the fate of this entire isle."
    "And I've sealed Eva's fate as well."
    scene c02 16
    with fade
    mc "Get up. Well fought."
    e "..."
    e "You... hit me with the flat of the blade..."
    mc "If mercy is asked for, mercy will be given."
    e "Mercy..."
    jump c02a

label c02a:

    scene c03 18a
    with fade
    play music town08 loop
    "That evening, the feasting hall at Dun Scah is alive with celebration."
    "Barrels of mead and wine flow freely while sizzling joints of mutton and boar are piled onto platters."
    show ferd happ at left with moveinleft
    show sco happ at right with moveinright
    "Ferdiad is the life of the celebrations and a surprisingly good storyteller."
    "He recounts the combat of the battle with Eva's warriors, giving a blow by blow account of some of the more interesting episodes."
    "For Scortha, this is her victory. A long-running family feud has ended and her future is secure."
    "She pours drinks for her warriors in appreciation and many toasts are given to the memory of the fallen."
    hide ferd happ at left with moveoutleft
    hide sco happ at right with moveoutright
    "I move around the hall, accepting slaps on my back and words of congratulations for defeating the feared 'Warrior Queen'."
    "While they compliment my fine sword, nobody seems to know it is {i}Fragarach{/i}. I'd like to keep it that way."
    show cu happ at right with moveinright
    show ferg neut at left with moveinleft
    fg "A drink for you, [mcname]! For a man of the Sidhe, I've seen no one wield a sword better than what I saw this morning!"
    "I take the mead and sink it down in one draft."
    show ferg happ at left
    fg "And you know how to drink as well!"
    ch "Is it true you're leaving on the morning tide?"
    mc "I saw the ship pull into the harbor a few hours ago. I must get back to Celtica as soon as possible."
    ch "Then I will see you there soon, after Scortha has taught me her final warrior feats."
    play sound crowd_cry
    "As the feasting becomes more rowdy and a drunken fight breaks out, I slip out of the celebrations and back to my room."
    stop sound
    stop music
    scene c03 19
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "When I return to my room I find that it is warm with a pre-prepared fire that is burning brightly."
    "I take off my boots and leather jerkin and prepare for sleep."
    "My dreams have been restless and I still wonder about my visions of the young woman that was wandering through the snow."
    stop sound
    play sound2 door02
    "My door opens and my hand is instantly on the hilt of {i}Fragarach{/i}."
    play music wh02 loop
    show eva fire1 at center with moveinleft
    e "Stay your hand, champion. It is merely your conquest, come to give her body to you."
    mc "Eva? I don't understand..."
    e "Scortha sent me. You can do with me as you will. You can... satisfy your carnal urges."
    mc "I'm not that kind of man, Eva. You are no prize to be had, but a warrior worthy of the name."
    mc "I don't take what is reluctantly given."
    show eva fire2 at center
    e "I did not know you prefer the love of men."
    "Her frank and unassuming words are as biting as any sword stroke."
    mc "That's not... that is, I mean to say..."
    mc "Have you no clothing with you?"
    e "I need no clothing for sex."
    mc "Look, just sit by the fire and warm yourself."
    e "As you wish."
    scene c03 20
    with fade
    "She sits by the hearth. Her braided hair hangs loosely over her shoulders as her blue eyes observe me in the firelight."
    "She is toned and muscular, as expected of a fighter but there is no denying her feminine curves."
    "Her breasts are not large, but they have a pleasant curve to them."
    "I suddenly realize I have been staring too much and think of a question to break the silence between us."
    
    menu:

        "What will happen to you now?":
            jump c03a

        "{color=#0f0}Why would do you think I want to... er, ravage you?":
            $ champ_i += 1
            jump c03b

label c03a:

    mc "I know little about the customs of Caledon and what defeat entails for you..."
    e "That is for you to decide, since it was your mercy I received."
    e "Either you take my head as a trophy or I am sent into exile. My body is yours as well, if you desire it."
    mc "Well, it just so happens I am leaving this island tomorrow morning, bound for Celtica."
    mc "I'd be pleased to have a travelling companion, if even for a little while."
    e "Then I am exiled."
    mc "What of your warriors?"
    e "They will pledge their loyalty to Dun Scah and fight under Scortha's banner when the kings of Caledon call for her aid."
    mc "They won't suffer any reprisals for being defeated?"
    "She looks at me puzzled."
    e "Why would they be? The battle has been decided."
    "I still don't fully understand the customs of these people."
    mc "You should get dressed and return to your room, Eva."
    e "I have no room. I am expected to sleep here until the dawn."
    mc "I see..."
    "I motion to Eva to come sit beside me on the bed."
    jump c03c

label c03b:

    $ renpy.notify("Integrity +1")
    e "Because male warriors always want a good fuck after the fear and excitement of battle has subsided."
    e "If a woman is given mercy on the battlefield, then her victor can choose to do what they will. It is our way."
    mc "Well, as a Tuatha De Dannan, that is not my way."
    mc "Lord Lugh taught me honor and discipline. The Dagda taught me discretion and wisdom. These are the values I live by."
    e "You are not like a modern Milesian warrior."
    mc "Then perhaps you can say I was classically trained."
    "Eva smiles faintly. It's the first reaction I've gotten from her since she arrived."
    e "By the laws of my people, my fate can only be death or exile. Choose."
    mc "Of those choices, exile."
    mc "It just so happens I am leaving Skee Anach in the morning on a ship bound for Celtica."
    e "Then I will exile myself to that country."
    mc "You should get dressed and return to your room, Eva."
    e "I have no room. I am expected to sleep here."
    mc "I see..."
    "I motion to Eva to come sit beside me on the bed."
    jump c03c

label c03c:

    scene c03 21
    with fade
    e "..."
    e "Your sword... the one you were reluctant to draw..."
    "Celtica will know soon enough that one of the great treasures of the Tuatha has been recovered."
    mc "It's {i}Fragarach{/i}, the sword of the Tuatha ruler and forged in the Otherworld by the Tuatha sea god Manannan Moc Lir."
    e "I have never heard of such a sword until now. I am not ashamed to be defeated by something so regal."
    mc "You've never heard of it? Surely you jest."
    e "It is as I say."
    "Another mystery to solve. Now I worry about the other three treasures. Have they been lost to time?"
    mc "Anyway, we should go to bed now. There's room enough for the two of us to sleep."
    scene c03 22
    with fade
    "I lie down and try to focus on sleep. I feel the weight of Eva on the pallet as she beds in next to me." 
    e "Your cock is erect. It bulges from your pants."
    mc "Could you please not phrase it like that?"
    e "I can relieve you, if you want."

    menu:

        "Tell her to pay it no mind and go to sleep.":
            jump c03d

        "{color=#0f0}Say nothing.":
            jump c03e

label c03d:

    mc "It will resolve itself when I sleep. You should do the same."
    e "You would deny yourself to the very end? Fine."
    "Not knowing Milesian customs, I wonder if I've offended Eva."
    jump c08

label c03e:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    "I say nothing and she moves closer to me."
    e "I take your silence as an invitation."
    scene c03 23
    play sound dress
    with fade
    "She takes off my pants and drops them onto the stone floor. Then she turns me around to the edge of the bed."
    "Eva places my cock against her modest cleavage and begins to rub her tits against it."
    e "Do you like women with bigger breasts?"
    mc "Yours... are fine."
    e "I see."
    scene c03 24
    with fade
    "She squeezes her left tit and then rubs the head of my cock over her areola."
    "Her nipple is solid and erect as she teases and stimulates the head."
    e "I'm sure your serpent could give a woman much pleasure. Look at how it responds to me."
    scene c03 25
    with fade
    mc "Eva..."
    "She ignores my plea as she tickles my tip with light licks of her tongue. She encloses my shaft in her cleavage and rubs at the same time."
    "I take a deep breath through my teeth as waves of pleasure wash over me."
    "For a woman that carves a path of carnage on the battlefield, she is surprisingly gentle."
    e "It stirs..."
    scene c03 26
    with fade
    play sound shoot03
    "Reaching my limit, I release my load. A stream of my seed paints Eva's face."
    e "Oh!"
    "Her small cry of surprise is unexpectedly demure."
    scene c03 27
    with fade
    "from her kneeling position, she stands up and rubs her face clean with the back of her hand."
    e "You finished quicker than I had thought."
    e "I trust you are relieved."
    scene c03 28
    with fade
    mc "It was very... pleasant."
    play sound dress
    "Her job done, Eva gets back into the bed with her back to me, suddenly disinterested."
    e "With your seed milked, now we can sleep. We rise with the dawn."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump c08

label c03:

    scene c03 01
    with fade
    show sco fight at center
    $ renpy.notify("Integrity +1")
    "I can't let this stand. In an honorable duel, Cu Hollun overcame his opponent in an underhanded trick."
    "I step forward."
    mc "As a Tuatha De Dannan, I admit that I do not know much about the ways of the Milesian peoples."
    mc "But... what you have done is unacceptable to me, Cu Hollun."
    mc "I challenge you in Eva's stead."
    show sco fight at left with moveoutleft
    show cu happ at right with moveinright
    ch "Ho! Cu Hollun has never backed away from a challenge once given! I admit, I've wanted to fight you, man of the Sidhe!"
    ch "What weapons shall we use?"
    scene c03 02
    with fade
    play music cin07 loop
    mc "How about spears?"
    ch "I am agreeable to that! What are the terms?"
    mc "The winner is shown to be the better fighter in front of all now watching."
    ch "Nothing could be simpler! I agree."
    scene c03 03
    play sound strike02
    with hpunch
    ch "HWOA!"
    "Cu Hollun wastes no time to go on the attack. I easily evade the thrust with practiced footwork."
    "He's strong and daring. That more than makes up for the lack of a hundred years' of combat experience that I possess."
    "If I underestimate him, this will be my fight to lose."
    scene c03 04
    play sound woodclack
    with hpunch
    "I strike with a series of spear drills taught to me by Lord Lugh and Manannan Moc Lir."
    play sound block01
    with hpunch
    "I gradually increase the speed until my shaft is a near invisible blur."
    play sound block01
    queue sound woodclack
    with hpunch
    "My barrage of thrusts would be enough to put any seasoned Tuatha King's Guard onto the ground, but Cu Hollun blocks, dodges and parries each attack almost effortlessly."
    "He's strong, daring and naturally talented. I almost feel like I am facing Lord Lugh."
    play sound woodclack
    with hpunch
    "When I think about all the times Lugh bested me, doubts begin to creep into my mind that I will lose."
    scene c03 05
    play sound punch03
    with hpunch
    ch "OOF!"
    "I try something different. My experience needs to make up for Cu Hollun's raw ability."
    "A use a little flourish to distract the young warrior before thrusting the butt of the spear straight into his gut, between the plates of his armor."
    scene c03 06
    with fade
    "Cu Hollun stumbles back, but he does not fall. I see I've made a deep nick into his spear shaft."
    "Something changes in his stance and demeanor. Steam starts coming out of his mouth, though it is not cold."
    play sound woodbreak
    "Suddenly, he snaps the spear in half, as though it were dry tinder wood."
    ch "[mcname]!!!"
    scene c03 07
    with fade 
    play sound enchant loop
    "Answering Cu Hollun's challenge, I thrust the spear into the ground and bare my fists."
    "A surge of energy goes through my body, keeping in time with my slow and steady heartbeat."
    "It is the magick of the Tuatha. I know that."
    "But as a warrior, I've never been able to call upon it other than through invoking a rune or an incantation."
    "This is different..."
    "Strength, speed and resilience... I can feel them all."
    stop sound
    scene c03 08
    play sound punch03
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "We go at each other with fists flying. Cu Hollun takes a few hits, but is unfazed."
    "His throws are erratic and driven more by emotion than thought."
    ch "RRRGGHHH!"
    "Ferdiad calls out from the sidelines."
    fd "I'd be careful, [mcname]! Cu Hollun is going into his rage!"
    "I have no idea what that means."
    scene c03 09
    play sound punch03
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "UGHK!!!"
    "Cu Hollun lands a solid blow on my head, nearly knocking me senseless."
    "I barely manage to roll away to avoid the follow up barrage of his fists. Amazingly, it seems Cu Hollun is getting stronger with each minute the fight continues."
    "What is this rage Ferdiad was talking about? I fear I'm about to find out."
    scene c03 10
    with fade
    play sound cry03
    ch "RAAAAHHHHRRRR!"
    "Cu Hollun's skin begins to burn, as though it were embers from a blazing hearth."
    "The force of his war cry is so terrible that it that makes those watching the fight flinch and waver."
    "Somehow, amazingly... Cu Hollun's body begins to grow and his muscles spasm and ripple."
    play sound enchant loop
    "But that powerful feeling of inner strength returns to me, willing me to somehow dig deep inside myself and use it."
    "I trust fully to my instincts and answer the call within. I call upon the magick of my people."

    menu:

        "Draw upon the feeling of strength.":
            jump c03f
        
        "Draw upon the feeling of resilience.":
            jump c03g

        "{color=#0f0}Draw upon the feeling of speed.":
            jump c03h

label c03f:

    scene c03 13
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    play music celtyc loop
    "I grab Cu Hollun's burning form, almost with apathy. I have complete confidence in my abilities."
    "Cu Hollun struggles, but he may as well be a child."
    "My core, perhaps one could say my soul, is flooded with warmth."
    mc "That's enough out of you."
    scene c03 14
    with fade
    "I lift Cu Hollun above my head and tense my muscles."
    mc "If the thrill of the fight has gotten you all hot and bothered..."
    mc "Then perhaps you could take a dip in the sea!"
    scene c03 15
    with fade
    "I hurl Cu Hollun into the sky as hard as I can."
    "His flailing figure sails through the air, shrinking rapidly in my sight."
    "I was not surprised at all at the feat I just pulled. Somehow, I {i}knew{/i} what I was capable of."
    "If only I had this power when I sparred with Lord Lugh!"
    scene c03 16
    with fade
    "The gathered warriors watch in stunned silence as Cu Hollun flies over the cliff side and into the bay."
    fd "Hah! A swim in those cold waters will surely cool him off!"
    sc "The duel is decided! In a most... unusual way!"
    stop music
    jump c03i

label c03g:

    scene c03 11
    play sound punch02
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    play music celtyc loop
    "Cu Hollun pummels me with his fists, but he may as well be striking steel."
    "I feel invincible. I somehow know the warmth that surges through my blood will protect me from harm."
    mc "Are we taking turns? In that case..."
    scene c03 12
    play sound punch02
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "HAVE THIS!!!"
    "I strike Cu Hollun's face with my own. The cracking sound at the moment of contact deafens me for a moment."
    "The burning light in Cu Hollun's eyes grows dim and he collapses onto the grass."
    scene c03 01
    with fade
    show cu hurt at center with easeinbottom
    "Through some extraordinary effort of willpower, Cu Hollun rises up, back in his normal form."
    "He looks at me with glassy an uncomprehending eyes, but he steps forward nonetheless, towards his foe."
    hide cu hurt at center with moveoutbottom
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    "He collapses onto the ground, unconscious."
    show ferd happ at right with moveinright
    fd "A splendid fight! To think it would end with the cracking of the skulls!"
    fd "You don't fail to surprise me, man of the Sidhe!"
    "Scortha declares me the winner and everyone left alive puts their weapons to rest."
    "The battle is over."
    stop music
    jump c03i

label c03h:

    stop sound
    scene c03 17
    play music celtyc loop
    "I move faster than the wind. The world appears to slow around me. I watch a bead of sweat trickle down the cheek of Ferdiad in what seems an age."
    "The burning form of an enraged Cu Hollun is before me and he lashes out with his red hot fists."
    "He needn't have bothered. It's impossible for him to hit me, as sluggish as he now is to me."
    play sound punch03
    with hpunch
    "The Tuatha magick surges through me, willing me on to punch Cu Hollun repeatedly."
    play sound punch03
    with hpunch
    "I hit him with a speed faster than a gadfly. Each punch does not feel stronger than one of my usual blows..."
    play sound punch03
    with hpunch
    "But I hit Cu Hollun again and again and again."
    play sound punch03
    with hpunch
    "And eventually, even he has his limits. In my eyes, he appears to float almost serenely onto the grass on his back."
    scene c03 01
    with fade
    show cu hurt at center with easeinbottom
    "Through some extraordinary effort of willpower, Cu Hollun rises up, back in his normal form."
    "He looks at me with glassy an uncomprehending eyes, but he steps forward nonetheless."
    hide cu hurt at center with moveoutbottom
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    "Then he collapses onto the ground, unconscious."
    show ferd happ at right with moveinright
    fd "A splendid fight! The magick of the Sidhe is always a sight to behold!"
    fd "You don't fail to surprise me, [mcname]!"
    "Scortha declares me the winner and everyone left alive puts their weapons to rest."
    "The battle is over."
    stop music
    jump c03i 

label c03i:

    scene c03 18a
    with fade
    play music town08 loop
    "That evening, the feasting hall at Dun Scah is alive with celebration."
    "Barrels of mead and wine flow freely while sizzling joints of mutton and boar are piled onto platters."
    show ferd happ at left with moveinleft
    show sco happ at right with moveinright
    "Ferdiad is the life of the celebrations and a surprisingly good storyteller."
    "He recounts the combat of the battle with Eva's warriors, giving a blow by blow account of some of the more interesting episodes."
    "For Scortha, this is her victory. A long-running family feud has ended and her future is secure."
    "She pours drinks for her warriors in appreciation and many toasts are given to the memory of the fallen."
    fd "Well done, [mcname]! To see Cu Hollun humbled as he was today was great to see! Sometimes he needs to be taken down, to remind him not to get a big head!"
    hide ferd happ at left with moveoutleft
    hide sco happ at right with moveoutright
    "I move around the hall, accepting slaps on my back and words of congratulations for defeating the 'Hound of Ulaid', who no student but Ferdiad could ever best."
    show cu mad at right with moveinright
    show ferg neut at left with moveinleft
    fg "A drink for you, [mcname]! For a man of the Sidhe, I've seen no one wield a sword better than what I saw this morning!"
    "I take the mead and sink it down in one draft."
    show ferg happ at left
    fg "And you know how to drink as well!"
    hide ferg happ at left with moveoutleft
    "Fergus is called away by a group of rowdy students brandishing a keg of ale at him."
    ch "[mcname]! Your Sidhe magick is a nasty trick! By the gods, next time I'll find a way to overcome it!"
    mc "Your burning form was also something to behold. Don't think that fight was so one-sided."
    show cu talk at right
    ch "When I enter a battle rage, my righteous fury sweeps away all I see before me. It has always been that way."
    mc "Are you cursed?"
    ch "No. It is the power of my blood."
    ch "Until next time, [mcname]. I will challenge you again!"
    mc "I'll be waiting!"
    hide cu talk at right with moveoutright
    play sound crowd_cry
    "As the feasting becomes more rowdy and a drunken fight breaks out, I slip out of the celebrations and back to my room."
    "A ship has docked in the bay and I must be rested for the journey back to Celtica."
    stop sound
    stop music
    scene c03 19
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "When I return to my room I find that it is warm with a pre-prepared fire that is burning brightly."
    "I take off my boots and leather jerkin and prepare for sleep."
    "My dreams have been restless and I still wonder about my visions of the young woman that was wandering through the snow."
    stop sound
    play sound2 door02
    "My door opens and my hand is instantly on the hilt of {i}Fragarach{/i}."
    play music wh02 loop
    show eva fire1 at center with moveinleft
    e "Stay your hand, tamer of the Hound of Ulaid. It is only a defeated wretch, come to give her body to you."
    mc "Eva? I don't understand..."
    e "Scortha sent me. As the ultimate victor today, you can do with me as you will. You can... satisfy your carnal urges."
    mc "..."
    mc "I'm not that kind of man, Eva. You are no prize to be had, but a warrior worthy of the name."
    mc "I don't take what is reluctantly given."
    show eva fire2 at center
    e "I did not know you prefer the love of men."
    "Her frank and unassuming words are as deadly as any sword stroke."
    mc "You misunderstand me..."
    mc "Have you no clothing with you?"
    e "I need no clothing for sex."
    mc "Sit by the fire and warm yourself."
    e "As you wish."
    scene c03 20
    with fade
    "She sits by the hearth. Her braided hair hangs loosely over her shoulders as her blue eyes observe me in the firelight."
    "She is toned and muscular, as expected of a fighter. But there is no denying her feminine curves."
    "Her breasts are not large, but they have a pleasant curve to them."
    "I suddenly realize I have been staring too much and think of a question to break the silence between us."
    
    menu:

        "What will happen to you now?":
            jump c03j

        "{color=#0f0}Why would do you think I want to... er, ravage you?":
            $ champ_i += 1
            jump c03k

label c03j:

    mc "I know little about the customs of the Milesian people and what defeat entails for you..."
    e "That is for you to decide, since you carried the day over Cu Hollun."
    e "Either you take my head as a trophy or I am sent into exile. My body is yours as well, if you desire it."
    mc "Well, it just so happens I am leaving this island tomorrow morning, bound for Celtica."
    mc "I'd be pleased to have a travelling companion, if only for a little while."
    e "Then it is exile for me."
    mc "What of your warriors and students?"
    e "They will pledge their loyalty to Dun Scah and fight under Scortha's banner when the kings of Caledon call for her aid."
    mc "They won't suffer any reprisals for being on the defeated side?"
    "She looks at me puzzled."
    e "Why would they be? When the battle is over, we are all brothers and sisters of my mother's legacy."
    "I still don't fully understand the customs of these people. Or maybe it's just Scortha and Eva in particular."
    mc "You should get dressed and return to your room, Eva."
    e "I have no room. I am expected to sleep here by Scortha."
    mc "I see..."
    "I motion to Eva to come sit beside me on the bed."
    jump c03l

label c03k:

    $ renpy.notify("Integrity +1")
    e "Because male warriors always want a good fuck after the fear and excitement of battle has subsided."
    mc "Well, as a Tuatha De Dannan, that is not my way."
    mc "Lord Lugh taught me honor and discipline. The Dagda taught me discretion and wisdom. These are the values I live by."
    e "We value those things also."
    mc "Then perhaps you understand me a little."
    e "By the laws of my people, my fate can only be death or exile. You must choose."
    mc "Well.. of those choices, exile. Where will you go?"
    e "East. To the west are the lands of the Otherworld and I am not ready to go there yet."
    mc "It just so happens I am leaving Skee Anach in the morning on a ship bound for Celtica."
    e "Then I will exile myself to that country, for it is east."
    mc "You should get dressed and return to your room, Eva."
    e "I have no room. I am expected to sleep here."
    mc "I... see..."
    "I motion to Eva to come sit beside me on the bed."
    jump c03l

label c03l:

    scene c03 21
    with fade
    "There is an awkward silence between us."
    e "..."
    e "Where did you learn to control your body the way you did against Cu Hollun today?"
    mc "It is the magick of the Tuatha De Dannan. More than that I truly cannot say."
    "That inner power is another mystery to solve. What was like fire in my blood during the duel now feels weak and distant."
    "I don't think I could call on that ability at this moment."
    mc "We should go to bed now. There's room enough for the two of us to sleep."
    scene c03 22
    with fade
    "I lie down and try to focus on sleep. I feel the weight of Eva on the pallet as she beds in next to me." 
    e "Your cock is erect. It bulges from your pants."
    mc "Could you please not phrase it like that?"
    e "I can relieve you, if you want."

    menu:

        "Tell her to pay it no mind and go to sleep.":
            jump c03m

        "{color=#0f0}Say nothing.":
            jump c03n

label c03m:

    mc "It will resolve itself when I fall sleep. You should do the same."
    e "You would deny yourself to the very end? Fine."
    "Not knowing Milesian customs, I wonder if I've offended Eva as I close my eyes."
    stop music
    jump c08

label c03n:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    "I say nothing and she moves closer to me."
    e "I take your silence as an invitation."
    scene c03 23
    play sound dress
    with fade
    "She takes off my pants and drops them onto the stone floor. Then she turns me around to the edge of the bed."
    "Eva places my cock against her modest cleavage and begins to rub her tits against it."
    e "Do you like women with bigger breasts?"
    mc "Yours... are fine."
    e "I see."
    scene c03 24
    with fade
    "She squeezes her left tit and then rubs the head of my cock over her areola."
    "Her nipple is solid and erect as she teases and stimulates the head."
    "I'm sure your serpent could give a woman much pleasure. Look at how it responds to me."
    scene c03 25
    with fade
    mc "Eva..."
    "She ignores my plea as she tickles my tip with light licks of her tongue. She encloses my shaft in her cleavage and rubs at the same time."
    "I take a deep breath through my teeth as waves of pleasure wash over me."
    "For a woman that carves a path of carnage on the battlefield, she is surprisingly gentle."
    e "It stirs..."
    scene c03 26
    with fade
    play sound shoot03
    "Reaching my limit, I release my load. A stream of my seed paints Eva's face."
    e "Oh!"
    "Her small cry of surprise is unexpectedly demure."
    scene c03 27
    with fade
    "from her kneeling position, she stands up and rubs her face clean with the back of her hand."
    e "You finished quicker than I had thought."
    e "I trust you are relieved."
    scene c03 28
    with fade
    mc "It was very... pleasant."
    play sound dress
    "Her job done, Eva gets back into the bed with her back to me, suddenly disinterested."
    e "With your seed milked, now we can sleep. We rise with the dawn."
    play sound enchant loop
    "As I lie there satisfied, I feel the power inside me return, like the coming of the tide."
    "Could it be that Eva has just...?"
    "This is no time for speculation. A Tuatha druid may be able to tell me more when I finally return home to Bru-Na-Boyne."
    stop sound

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump c08


label c04:

    $ renpy.notify("Pragmatism +1")
    "There's no need for me to intervene any more than I already have. These are not my people."  
    hide eva hurt at left with moveoutleft
    show cu mad at left with moveinleft
    play sound crowd_cry loop
    "Scortha's students cheer with the voice of Fergus and Ferdiad loud above all others."
    "Cu Hollun himself lets out a mighty battle cry to mark his victory over the warrior queen."
    stop sound
    scene c00 23
    with fade
    play music cin10 loop
    show ferd happ at right with moveinright
    fd "Did you see little Cu Hollun account for himself, man of the Sidhe? He's fast approaching me in strength and valor!"
    show cu happ at left with moveinleft
    fd "Well, little brother, you snuck into that battle like a fox into a chicken coop, but what a story you made for yourself today!"
    ch "The fight was hard. I've never fought her like before."
    fd "But you won and Eva submitted! Your trickery was unusual, but a victory is a victory!"
    hide ferd happ at right with moveoutright
    show sco neut at right with moveinright
    sc "Tch! A wild boy he is indeed! But, enough to carry the day!"
    sc "Cu Hollun!"
    ch "Yes, teacher Scortha!"
    sc "Eva's spear, the {i}Gae Bolg{/i}, is now yours by right. I shall instruct you in its use."
    sc "This will be the last thing I teach to you."
    ch "Thank you, teacher Scortha!"
    ch "Now, let us have a feast and drink deeply for the fallen!"
    hide cu happ at left with moveoutleft
    show ferg talk at left with moveinleft
    fg "A ship has docked here on the Isle of Skee Anach and will leave for Celtica in the morning."
    mc "Then I must prepare and take my leave of you all."
    fg "Remember your promise to me."
    mc "I won't forget. I will see your king and tell him of Narsha's passing."
    show ferg happ at left
    fg "Good! Tell King Concovir he died with his sword in his hand and a pile of bodies around him!"
    mc "That I will."
    "I make a final round of the feasting hall, wishing good fortune to the survivors. Some of the men I saved today on the battlefield drink to my health."
    "I make sure not to drink too much. Tomorrow is an important day for me and I'd rather ride a ship without a hangover."
    stop music
    scene c03 19
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "When I return to my room I find that it is warm with a pre-prepared fire that is burning brightly."
    "I take off my boots and leather jerkin and prepare for sleep."
    "My dreams have been restless and I still wonder about my visions of the young woman that was wandering through the snow."
    "I lie down and close my eyes, but sleep does not come easily."
    "And hour passes, then two. The sound of revelry in the feasting hall across the courtyard begins to die down. Men must be falling asleep."
    stop sound
    play sound2 door02
    "My door opens and my hand is instantly on the hilt of {i}Fragarach{/i}."
    play music wh02 loop
    show sco fire at center with moveinleft
    sc "Stay your hand, warrior of the Tuatha."
    mc "Scortha..."
    sc "I wanted to speak with you alone, away from my students, before you leave."
    sc "..."
    sc "I want your seed inside me. That is the price for my hospitality."
    "I'm at a loss for words. Are all Milesian women so bold?"
    sc "I desire an heir that will inherit Dun Scah. To have a child with the blood of the Sidhe within them would make them precious indeed."
    sc "You need not fear the responsibility of raising the child. They will be raised here under the guidance of myself and Eva."
    mc "Eva as well?"
    sc "She is my sister and we are reconciled. Our feud ended with Cu Hollun's victory."
    sc "So what say you, [mcname]? Will you give me a child that has the magick of the Sidhe within its blood?"

    menu:

        "I refuse. That is not the way of the Tuatha.":
            jump c05
        
        "{color=#0f0}I will sire your child.":
            $ champ_i -= 1
            jump c06
        
        "I refuse, but I promise to return with men of the Sidhe when my travels are over.":
            $ champ_p += 1
            jump c07

label c05:

    mc "I'm sorry, my lady. That is not the way of the Tuatha. A child born of a union is raised by both parents."
    mc "I would not abandon a child to be raised without a father."
    sc "Then you could stay, as one of my followers. There is a place for you here."
    mc "I cannot. There are things I must do. It is fair to say that tomorrow I embark upon a quest."
    sc "I see."
    "Scortha does not look pleased."
    sc "What must be, must be. I swear to you by the gods I worship that you will be on that ship tomorrow."
    mc "Thank you."
    sc "But at least drink with me. Tell me the stories of your people that we only hear whispers of."

    menu:

        "{color=#0f0}Drink with Scortha":
            jump c05a

        "Excuse yourself and leave":
            jump c05b

label c05a:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene c05 01
    with fade
    play music gen03 loop
    "We move to Scortha's spacious chambers and she pours cups of mead from a common jug."
    "I tell her the story of my time serving under the Tuatha sea god, Manannan Moc Lir and how I was in the raiding party that attacked the town of Howth."
    mc "It was the first open act of defiance against King Bres. We caught the Forvorians by surprise."
    mc "It was my sword that drew the first blood of the war."
    mc "Later, Lord Lugh joined our cause and the Tuatha went from strength to strength."
    mc "In the end, it seems I was there when the final stroke was cast by Lord Lugh against Balor."
    sc "Was Manannan Moc Lir at the battle of Moy Tura?"
    mc "No, he was not. He fought on the seas against the ships of Balor's forces, preventing reinforcements from arriving."
    sc "Manannan Moc Lir guards the seas of Celtica still. Many sailors pray to him."
    mc "What of Lord Lugh?"
    scene c05 02
    with fade
    sc "That is a mystery. Lugh of the Long Arm has not been seen on Celtica for hundreds of years."
    sc "Not since he gave up the kingship to The Dagda. It is said he followed the sun and travelled to distant lands."
    mc "I should have liked to see my old friend once more."
    scene c05 03
    with fade
    sc "The Dagda you can visit when you return. He holds his court in Bri Leith, where he has been since the great treaty with the Milesians."
    mc "That is good to know. He is one of the greatest druids of my race, though I have only a passing skill in those sacred arts."
    sc "I am sure you are being modest. There is a lot of strength in your blood, [mcname]."
    scene c05 03a
    "Suddenly, my vision clouds and I grow dizzy."
    sc "[mcname]? Finally..."
    mc "Scortha... what have you done?"
    stop music
    scene c05 04
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I fall off the bench and onto the floor. My body does not obey my commands."
    sc "Just relax, [mcname]. This will not take long."
    sc "When you wake, you be revitalized and enlivened for your journey. But first, there is something I need you to give me."
    scene c05 05
    with fade
    play sound dress
    play music whd03 loop
    "Although I am aware of what is happening, I am unable to move or react."
    "Soon, I am stripped naked as Scortha too, takes off her clothing."
    "She strokes my penis playfully with her finger."
    sc "This is the naughty boy I need. He must stand up straight and tall for me."
    scene c05 06
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    sc "I'm going to take good care of you, [mcname]."
    "She begins to suck my dick, using her tongue to stimulate the head."
    "Although my body is limp and unmoving, I can feel my shaft begin to grow and stiffen."
    scene c05 07
    with fade
    "I groan softly as she coaxes my cock to a strong erection."
    "She gently fondles my balls to add an extra dimension of stimulation."
    "A determined woman focused on her work."
    scene c05 08
    with fade
    "She takes my manhood and slowly slips it into her waiting hole. She slides down onto my shaft with her moist warmth."
    sc "I'm sorry [mcname], but I will not be denied."
    sc "The future of Dun Scah is too important, and a child of your blood will all but secure it against my enemies in Caledon."
    sc "Am I not an attractive woman? Many men have desired me..."
    scene c05 09
    with fade
    sc "OOooOOoHHH!"
    "She holds onto my shoulders as her pussy engulfs the full length of my shaft."
    sc "But there is only one man... I want!"
    sc "Please [mcname]... please..."
    "She thrusts rhythmically, flexing her hips with sensual passion."
    sc "Bless me with your... gift!"
    scene c05 10
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound shoot01
    mc "NNnRRGHH!"
    "A shoot a thick load of my essence deep inside of her."
    sc "Yes! Oh, yes!"
    sc "Give me as much as you can! I won't waste a drop!"
    sc "Come, my manly warrior of the old blood!"
    stop music
    scene c04 02
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    show sco fire2 at center with moveinleft
    "Sensation gradually returns to my body and I can finally talk and move."
    mc "Scortha, what you did..."
    sc "I can't apologize. Not given how important it is I protect the legacy of this island."
    sc "If you wish it, I offer myself to you as a wife. I need no other man, if I have you."
    mc "That won't be happening, Scortha. I can't respect a woman that would stoop as low as you just did."
    show sco fire1 at center
    sc "I see."
    "What can I do? She has what she wants and my sense of honor forbids me from being too harsh with her."
    mc "This is the last time we meet, Scortha. If misfortune falls upon Dun Scah, then that is upon you."
    sc "You would curse me with Tuatha magic?"
    mc "I leave such things to the grace of the goddess Danu."
    "I exit Scortha's chamber and return to my own, leaving Scortha to think about her actions."
    stop sound

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump c08a

label c05b:

    mc "I must refuse, my lady. The journey tomorrow will be long, and I must have a clear head."
    "Also, I do not entirely trust her."
    sc "..."
    sc "So be it. Safe travels to you, man of the Sidhe."
    "There is anything but friendliness in her voice."
    jump c08c

label c06:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    $ sco_song = True
    $ renpy.notify("Integrity -1")
    "I'm at a loss for what to say but in the end, why should I deny her? It's natural for a man to extend his bloodline."
    "Scortha is a worthy woman and in some ways, she reminds me of my old female comrades, like Flida."
    "And besides..."
    "There's nothing wrong with some lustful pleasure with a willing woman."
    mc "I will give you what you desire. Surrender yourself to me tonight."
    play sound dress
    show sco fire1 at center
    "Scortha's only answer is the stripping of her clothing, until her smooth pale skin is completely exposed before me."
    sc "Do you like what you see?"
    play sound dress
    "I take off my clothes in turn and motion to the bed."
    mc "Come."
    stop sound
    scene c06 01
    with fade
    play music wh06 loop
    "Scortha crawls onto the bed and waits for me expectantly."
    "Her breasts, when freed from their halter, are more ample than I would have thought."
    "Her buttocks are round and shapely. My manhood hardens at the sight my eyes are drinking in before me."
    scene c06 02
    with fade
    "She gasps when our skin finally makes contact. My erect cock presses up against the small of her back as I take her in my arms."
    sc "It's so big..."
    mc "It's what you want, isn't it?"
    "I fondle her breast before she can answer, gently teasing her nipple with my finger."
    sc "Oh! [mcname]! What are you... doing to me?"
    "My other hand glides down her belly towards her sweet purse. She takes my hand in hers and guides it down."
    sc "Put it in here, deep into my womb..."
    scene c06 03
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    sc "But first, I will pleasure you, my Tuatha warrior."
    "I hold onto her golden hair as she runs her tongue up and down my shaft."
    "She looks at me with seductive eyes, as if asking me to judge her performance."
    mc "Mmmm... it's good."
    sc "Merely good?"
    scene c06 04
    play sound moan05
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I turn her over onto her back."
    sc "Oh!"
    "Her gasp is submissive and feminine."
    play sound [ "<silence .9>", "audio/sex/enter02.mp3" ] loop
    "I rub the folds of her skin that offer no resistance, given how much they are slicked with moisture."
    mc "It looks like it is ready for me..."
    sc "Unnnn!"
    sc "My sheath is yours, sweet [mcname]. All it needs is your sword."
    stop sound
    scene c06 05
    with fade
    play sound enter01
    sc "OooOOHH!"
    "I push myself into Scortha smoothly, but firmly."
    "Her quivering purse welcomes the penetration. My shaft is immediately enveloped by Scortha's moist warmth."
    scene c06 06
    with fade
    "She digs her nails into the sinew of my tensed forearms as I begin to thrust."
    play sound [ "<silence .8>", "audio/sex/slap03.mp3" ] loop
    "We lock eyes with each other and I watch as Scortha's expression begins to melt into pleasure."
    sc "Yes... give it to me... I want it so much..."
    stop sound
    scene c06 07
    with fade
    "Just like swordplay and etiquette, a Tuatha man must also learn the arts of lovemaking."
    "I take Scortha through various positions that deliver pleasure to women in different ways."
    sc "Do I please you, [mcname]? How... do I compare... to a Tuatha woman?"
    stop sound
    scene c06 08
    with fade
    mc "You're a beautiful woman, Scortha..."
    sc "Very... coy answer!"
    "Her snatch is tight and hugs my cock. It won't take much more for her to coax out my seed."
    sc "It's so big! I feel it pushing into me so deeply!"
    scene c06 09
    with fade
    "In the throes of lust, she wraps her legs around me and pulls my head to her rosy lips. I taste her warm breath and sweet tongue."
    sc "Give it to me... give it to me, my warrior!"
    sc "Conquer me! Make me submit to your cock!"
    scene c06 10
    with fade
    sc "Your eyes... such regal eyes of ancient and glorious Celtica..."
    sc "When I look into the eyes of my child, it will remind me of their father!"
    "Scortha flexes her hips in time to meet my pelvic thrusts, impatient to get me to reach my climax."
    show mo_scortha01
    "I hold down her hands and increase the intensity of my thrusts. Scortha's face is a wild mixture of pleasure and excitement."
    sc "[mcname]! Oh, [mcname]!"
    sc "Dominate me! Push yourself deeper inside me!"
    sc "UuunNNN..."
    mc "I'm... almost there..."
    sc "Don't... spill a drop!"
    scene c06 11
    with fade
    play sound shoot01
    queue sound shoot02
    mc "Scortha!"
    sc "I can feel your cock pulsing inside me! Your essence is flooding into my womb!"
    "Scortha arches her back to ensure all my sperm flows into her pussy."
    "My dick is thrust inside her all the way to the base of the shaft as I release."
    stop music
    scene c04 02
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "We lie in each other's arms panting after our session."
    "Scortha playfully kisses my neck and my cheek."
    mc "That tickles."
    show sco fire2 at center with moveinleft
    sc "Thank you, [mcname]. Thank you for your gift. Our child will become a hero of this age, I have no doubt."
    sc "If things don't work for you in Celtica, you will have a place here in Dun Scah."
    play sound dress
    hide sco fire2 at left with moveoutleft
    "Scortha takes her clothes and quietly steps out into the hallway."
    "The crumpled bed covers are the only sign of what just happened here."

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump c08b

label c07:

    $ sco_prom = True
    $ renpy.notify("Pragmatism +1")
    "Scortha listens to my offer."
    "I don't know what the customs of these people are, so a refusal could be a grave insult."
    "Still, it wasn't my intention to make babies, either. Especially with a woman I don't know well."
    "In cases like these, wisdom is required to make a compromise. I just have to hope that Scortha is amenable to my offer."
    sc "..."
    sc "Do I have your word of honor?"
    mc "You have taken me in and as such, the Tuatha De Dannan are in your debt."
    mc "I will return with good fighting men and what happens after that, will happen."
    sc "Then I agree to that. When your quest is over, Dun Scah will have a feast for men of the Sidhe. Strong and young and without wives."
    "We talk for a little while longer and then I retire to my room."
    stop sound
    stop music
    jump c08c

label c08:

    $ eva_go = True
    scene c08 01
    with fade
    play sound waves loop
    "The next day, I make may way down to the shore, where the boat is waiting to take me to Celtica."
    show ferd neut at left with moveinleft
    show cu neut at right with moveinright
    mc "Well, this is where we part."
    ch "Aye. Our training is not yet complete. Ferdiad and I will both stay with Scortha a while longer, as will Fergus."
    scene c08 03
    with fade
    e "[mcname]! You must hurry! We have not much time!"
    mc "I need just a moment longer!"
    "Eva has a presence that instils a sense of awe and grace at the same time. She reminds me a lot of Flida."
    "I wonder what that indomitable cattle goddess is doing right now..."
    "Ferdiad's booming voice brings me out of my reverie."
    scene c08 01
    with fade
    show ferd happ at left 
    show cu happ at right 
    fd "Ha ha! The Warrior Queen will be a handful! Already she orders you about as though she is your wife."
    mc "She goes into exile today and in many ways, I am an exile from my people as well."
    ch "Here, I have a gift for you - my cloak. It will ease your passage through Ulaid. They will know you have the friendship of Cu Hollun."
    scene c08 02a
    with fade
    mc "Luck be with you, Cu Hollun. We may meet again in the land of our births."
    ch "I look forward to it! You promised me a duel!"
    ch "And perhaps at that time, we will have a common foe with which to bloody our blades against!"
    mc "Maybe. Do the Tuatha De Dannan still make war?"
    ch "Indeed they do, when they emerge from their Sidhes from time to time!"
    mc "I see."
    scene c08 02b
    with fade
    mc "Here is something for you. Eva has relinquished it in her defeat."
    mc "It is the {i}Gae Bolg{/i}, a spear worthy of a strong warrior."
    ch "I cannot take this from you!"
    mc "It is yours, Cu Hollun. I know nothing of how to properly wield it."
    sc "I shall instruct Cu Hollun in its use. This will be one of my final lessons for you, my student."
    ch "Then I shall gladly accept. "
    stop sound
    scene c08 05a
    with fade
    play music trav03 loop
    "The ship weighs anchor at mid-morning and the spring winds are favorable. With luck, we will spot the shores of Celtica as the sun sets."
    "The truth is, I had been anxious to leave Skee Anach from the first moments I woke there."
    "I need to find the truth as to what has happened to me. Why was I suddenly in Caledon? Have I truly lost a thousand years?"
    "Amid all my doubts, there is one certainty - the cool pommel of {i}Fragarach{/i} that I rest the palm of my hand against."
    "Eva does not speak much, lost in her own thoughts."
    scene c08 08
    with fade
    "By noon, Eva's mood is as dark as the gray clouds brewing overhead."
    mc "Eva..."
    e "I am... defeated. I have brought shame upon myself and my forebears. And now, I must endure the hardships of exile in a foreign land with no allies."

    menu:
        "Reassure her":

            jump c08r
        "{color=#00ff00}Say nothing, but listen to her":

            $ eva_fav += 1
            jump c08s

label c08r:

    mc "You are one of the finest warrior women I have witnessed, comparable to my comrade Flida."
    mc "There is no doubt that the road for an exile is hard, but you will move forward, for there is no other choice."
    mc "Any chief would glady take your sword into their service. There are many paths open to you."
    scene c08 07
    with fade
    e "Of course I know all this. You merely speak the obvious, [mcname]. Your reaction is no different to that of many other men I have known."
    e "You all fancy yourselves as blacksmiths, looking over a damaged blade. There is no problem that cannot be reheated and hammered back into shape. In the same way does a man offer his advice."
    mc "I meant no offense, Eva. I merely wanted to give reasons for why you need not worry."
    e "A man does well when he understands what a woman wants. Sometimes, we just need a sympathetic ear and nothing more."
    mc "I will... remember that."
    jump c08t

label c08s:
    "I listen attentively to Eva as she talks of her frustrations and worries until the end, occasionally nodding or offering one word replies."
    scene c08 07
    with fade
    e "I must say, it is refreshing to talk to someone that does not venture their own advice at hearing such a woeful tale."
    mc "My value in this conversation is that of a listener and I have heard you and understood. We both know there are things cannot be fixed by empty words, but sometimes it relieves us to speak of our worries."
    e "You are a thoughtful and considerate man, [mcname] of the Tuatha."
    $ renpy.notify("Eva Favor +1")
    e "..."
    "There is a sudden chill in the sea wind."
    e "Something... is foul in the weather."
    mc "I think so too."
    jump c08t

label c08t:

    scene c08 09
    with fade
    "The sea turns choppy. Waves batter the ship from every direction."
    "I served for a time as a warrior under Manannan Moc Lir, the Tuatha god of the seas. This isn't a regular spring squall."
    "Sailor" "Captain, above us!"
    scene c08 11
    with fade
    play music act03 loop
    "Captain" "What do you suppose that is?"
    mc "Nothing good!"
    "Floating above the ship are two pale blue forms. I feel dread power emanating from both of them."
    "Captain" "Turn the rudder hard left!"
    "Sailor" "Aye, captain!"
    scene c08 10
    with fade
    show eva fight2 at center
    play sound unsheath02
    e "Get ready! Here they come!"
    "Eva stands ready as the two figures swoop down. The female lets out a terrible cry that causes some of the sailors to collapse onto the deck in fear."
    scene c08 12
    with vpunch
    play sound LS06.mp3
    "The female lands first, bearing her sharp ebony claws at Eva."
    e "Foul she-beast! I will send you back to the hell from whence you came!"
    "The intruder laughs in reply, but it is a mocking laugh that sounds like it is coming from the depths of a tomb."
    scene c08 14
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "Hrngh!"
    "The female was merely a distraction. The hooded male grabs me from behind with an unnatural strength, lifting me into the air."
    "His sword glints in the pale light, I can tell it is razor sharp."
    scene c08 15
    with hpunch
    "His eyes glow a sickly red that seems to be endlessly deep. The unnatural gaze is impossible to look at for long."
    "Hooded Man" "The sword..."
    mc "You want... this sword?"
    "I tighten my grip on {i}Fragarach{/i}. I pray to the goddess Danu that it does not reject me now."
    scene c08 16
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I draw and slash with the mighty sword in one fluid motion."
    "The hooded man is ready for it and meets my blow. I'm shocked that his thinner blade stops {i}Fragarach{/i} in mid-strike, as if the legendary sword were a plain iron blade."
    mc "I ask again, who are you?!"
    "My boots begin to get wet. The ship has taken on a lot of water in the choppy seas and is beginning to sink. Sailors cling to the rails and some even jump overboard."
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    "I meet my opponent blow for blow and neither of us can seem to get the upper hand."
    scene c08 13
    play sound strike01
    with hpunch
    "Eva fights against the cursed woman, but her sword strokes do not hit."
    "The enemy weaves and dodges unnaturally."
    e "An Otherworld creature!"
    scene c08 17
    play sound LS06.mp3
    queue sound strike02
    with vpunch
    "While Eva cannot hit her opponent, her opponent does not land a blow either."
    "She slashes with her claws, driven by rage and pushing Eva onto the railing of the ship."
    "Then, just as Eva is about to fall over the edge, she grabs the wrist of the blue woman and takes her into the heaving sea with her." 
    play sound splash02
    mc "EVA!!!"
    scene c08 18
    with fade
    "Hooded Man" "ENOUGH!"
    play sound fireball
    "The hooded man leaps back to the bow of the ship, out of striking distance. His sword erupts into dread magickal flames as he holds it aloft."
    "Hooded Man" "You... drown now!"
    scene c08 19
    play sound firebolt
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "With a swing of his arm, the hooded man releases the dread magicks that had built up in the sword."
    "A pale wheel of light streaks across the deck, splitting the ship in half as though it were an axe blade cleaving through some firewood."
    play sound woodbreak
    "I leap out of the way and the magick misses my body by a mere hand span. Then suddenly, only water is below my feet."
    stop music
    scene c08 20
    play sound splash02
    with vpunch
    with hpunch
    "Water and bubbles fill my blurry vision as I plunge into the sea."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} is in my hand but I can make out a blue arm swiping at me from the surface of the roiling water."
    play sound splash
    "I try to kick myself back to the surface but I find myself sliding deeper and deeper into the depths."
    "My breath is running out but it's no use... the water around me gets darker as the surface gets further and further away."
    scene 00 00
    with dissolve
    "My vision fades to black with the first gasp I take, filling my lungs with saltwater."
    jump c09f

label c08a:

    $ sco_sonb = True
    scene c08 01
    with fade
    play sound waves loop
    "The next day, I make may way down to the shore, where a boat is waiting to take me to Celtica."
    "Ferdiad and Cu Hollun accompany me to see me off. Scortha is nowhere to be seen."
    show ferd neut at left with moveinleft
    show cu neut at right with moveinright
    mc "Well, this is where we part."
    ch "Yes. Although we long to return to Celtica also, our training is not yet complete. Ferdiad and I will both stay, as will Fergus."
    mc "I travel now to the court of Aun Macha to see your king, and then to reunite with my people."
    mc "Oh, by the way, what happened with Eva?"
    ch "In return for sparing her life after I defeated her, I made her swear never to take up arms against Scortha again."
    ch "She now serves under Scortha, and the sisters are reunited into one clan. As a trophy, Eva's great spear the {i}Gae Bolg{/i} is now mine."
    fd "Scortha will instruct him in the use of the spear, but that's not all, is it Cu Hollun? Eva now keeps you warm at night!"
    mc "Would your Evera, the one you are courting, not be upset at that?"
    ch "I do not love Eva, so Evera would understand this. It is only Evera that I woo!"
    "These Milesians are indeed a strange people with surprising morals and social mores."
    ch "Here, I have a gift for you - my cloak. It will ease your passage through Ulaid. They will know you have the friendship of Cu Hollun."
    scene c08 02a
    with fade
    mc "Luck be with you, Cu Hollun. We may meet again in the land of our births."
    ch "I look forward to it! Perhaps at that time, we will have a common foe with which to bloody our blades against!"
    mc "Perhaps. Do the Tuatha De Dannan still make war?"
    ch "Indeed they do, when they emerge from their Sidhes from time to time!"
    mc "Then nothing much has changed..."
    stop sound
    scene c08 05b
    with fade
    play music trav03 loop
    "The ship weighs anchor at mid-morning and the spring winds are favorable. With luck, we will spot the shores of Celtica as the sun sets."
    "I had been anxious to leave Skee Anach from the first moments I woke there."
    "I need to find the truth as to what has happened to me."
    "Amid all my doubts, there is one certainty - the cool pommel of {i}Fragarach{/i} that I rest the palm of my hand against."
    "But I cannot help but feel a sense of unease that one day, a child will be born on that windswept island that is mine."
    "My conscience tells me that when this is all over and if Scortha does bear my child, I should find a way to reconcile with her."
    "But that is an issue for another day..."
    scene c08 09
    with fade
    "At noon, the sky grows dark and the sea turns choppy."
    "I served for a time as a warrior under Manannan Moc Lir, the Tuatha god of the seas. Something feels wrong. This isn't like a regular spring squall." 
    mc "Captain, what's wrong?"
    "Captain" "I can't tell, but the wind is now against us!"
    "Sailor" "Captain, above us!"
    scene c08 11
    with fade
    play music act03 loop
    "Captain" "What do you suppose that is?"
    mc "Nothing good!"
    "Floating above the ship are two pale blue forms. I feel dread power emanating from both of them."
    "Captain" "Turn the rudder hard left!"
    "Sailor" "Aye, captain!"
    "The two figures swoop down, directly for me. The female lets out a terrible cry that causes some of the sailors to collapse onto the deck in fear."
    scene c08 12a
    with vpunch
    play sound LS06.mp3
    "The female lands first, bearing her sharp ebony claws at me."
    mc "Who are you? Answer me!"
    "She merely laughs in reply, but it is a mocking laugh that sounds like it is coming from the depths of a tomb."
    scene c08 14
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "Hrngh!"
    "The female was merely a distraction. The hooded male grabs me from behind with an unnatural strength, lifting me into the air."
    "His sword glints in the pale light, I can tell it is razor sharp."
    scene c08 15
    with hpunch
    "His eyes glow a sickly red that seems to be endlessly deep. The unnatural gaze is impossible to look at for long."
    "Hooded Man" "The sword..."
    mc "You want... this sword?"
    "I tighten my grip on {i}Fragarach{/i}. I pray to the goddess Danu that it does not reject me now."
    scene c08 16
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I draw and slash with the mighty sword in one fluid motion."
    "The hooded man is ready for it and meets my blow. I'm shocked that his thinner blade stops {i}Fragarach{/i} in mid-strike, as if the legendary sword were a plain iron blade."
    mc "I ask again, who are you?!"
    "My boots begin to get wet. The ship has taken on a lot of water in the choppy seas and is beginning to sink. Sailors cling to the rails and some even jump overboard."
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    "I meet my opponent blow for blow and neither of us can seem to get the upper hand."
    scene c08 18
    with fade
    "Hooded Man" "ENOUGH!"
    play sound fireball
    "The hooded man leaps back to the bow of the ship, out of striking distance. His sword erupts into dread magickal flames as he holds it aloft."
    "Hooded Man" "You... drown now!"
    scene c08 19a
    play sound firebolt
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "With a swing of his arm, the hooded man releases the dread magicks that had built up in the sword."
    "A pale wheel of light streaks across the deck, splitting the ship in half as though it were an axe blade cleaving through some firewood."
    play sound woodbreak
    "I leap out of the way and the magick misses my body by a mere hand span. Then suddenly, only water is below my feet."
    stop music
    scene c08 20
    play sound splash02
    with vpunch
    with hpunch
    "Water and bubbles fill my blurry vision as I plunge into the sea."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} is in my hand but I can make out a blue arm swiping at me from the surface of the roiling water."
    play sound splash
    "I try to kick myself back to the surface but I find myself sliding deeper and deeper into the depths."
    "My breath is running out but it's no use... the water around me gets darker as the surface gets further and further away."
    scene 00 00
    with dissolve
    "My vision fades to black with the first gasp I take, filling my lungs with saltwater."
    jump c09

label c08b:

    scene c08 01
    with fade
    play sound waves loop
    "The next day, I make may way down to the shore, where a boat is waiting to take me to Celtica."
    show sco neut at left with moveinleft
    show cu neut at right with moveinright
    mc "Well, this is where we part."
    ch "My training is not yet complete. Ferdiad and I will both stay with Scortha a while longer."
    mc "Then I travel alone to see your king and to reunite with my people."
    mc "What happened with Eva?"
    sc "In return for Cu Hollun sparing her life after he defeated her, she swore never to take up arms against me again."
    ch "She now serves under Scortha, and the sisters are reunited into one clan."
    ch "That's not all. Eva now keeps me company in my chamber."
    mc "Your Evera would not be envious at that?"
    ch "I do not love Eva, so not in the least."
    "These Milesians are indeed a strange people with surprising morals and social mores."
    ch "Here, I have a gift for you - my cloak. It will ease your passage through Ulaid. They will know you have the friendship of Cu Hollun."
    show sco happ at left
    sc "Farewell, my brave warrior. Your coming is one I will never forget."
    sc "But I am sure I will gaze into your eyes once more, perhaps sometime next winter."
    mc "Ah... thank you, for your gracious hospitality, my lady."
    "Cu Hollun gives the both of us a questioning look."
    scene c08 02a
    with fade
    mc "Luck be with you, Cu Hollun. We may meet again in the land of our births."
    ch "I look forward to it! Perhaps at that time, we will have a common foe with which to bloody our blades against!"
    mc "Perhaps. Do the Tuatha De Dannan still make war?"
    ch "Indeed they do, when they emerge from their Sidhes from time to time!"
    mc "Then nothing much has changed..." 
    stop sound
    scene c08 05b
    with fade
    play music trav03 loop
    "The ship weighs anchor at mid-morning and the spring winds are favorable. With luck, we will spot the shores of Celtica as the sun sets."
    "I had been anxious to leave Skee Anach from the first moments I woke there."
    "I need to find the truth as to what has happened to me."
    "Amid all my doubts, there is one certainty - the cool pommel of {i}Fragarach{/i} that I rest the palm of my hand against."
    scene c08 09
    with fade
    "At noon, the sky grows dark and the sea turns choppy."
    "I served for a time as a warrior under Manannan Moc Lir, the Tuatha god of the seas. Something feels wrong. This isn't like a regular spring squall." 
    mc "Captain, what's wrong?"
    "Captain" "I can't tell, but the wind is now against us!"
    "Sailor" "Captain, above us!"
    scene c08 11
    with fade
    play music act03 loop
    "Captain" "What do you suppose that is?"
    mc "Nothing good!"
    "Floating above the ship are two pale blue forms. I feel dread power emanating from both of them."
    "Captain" "Turn the rudder hard left!"
    "Sailor" "Aye, captain!"
    "The two figures swoop down, directly for me. The female lets out a terrible cry that causes some of the sailors to collapse onto the deck in fear."
    scene c08 12a
    with vpunch
    play sound LS06.mp3
    "The female lands first, bearing her sharp ebony claws at me."
    mc "Who are you? Answer me!"
    "She merely laughs in reply, but it is a mocking laugh that sounds like it is coming from the depths of a tomb."
    scene c08 14
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "Hrngh!"
    "The female was merely a distraction. The hooded male grabs me from behind with an unnatural strength, lifting me into the air."
    "His sword glints in the pale light, I can tell it is razor sharp."
    scene c08 15
    with hpunch
    "His eyes glow a sickly red that seems to be endlessly deep. The unnatural gaze is impossible to look at for long."
    "Hooded Man" "The sword..."
    mc "You want... this sword?"
    "I tighten my grip on {i}Fragarach{/i}. I pray to the goddess Danu that it does not reject me now."
    scene c08 16
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I draw and slash with the mighty sword in one fluid motion."
    "The hooded man is ready for it and meets my blow. I'm shocked that his thinner blade stops {i}Fragarach{/i} in mid-strike, as if the legendary sword were a plain iron blade."
    mc "I ask again, who are you?!"
    "My boots begin to get wet. The ship has taken on a lot of water in the choppy seas and is beginning to sink. Sailors cling to the rails and some even jump overboard."
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    "I meet my opponent blow for blow and neither of us can seem to get the upper hand."
    scene c08 18
    with fade
    "Hooded Man" "ENOUGH!"
    play sound fireball
    "The hooded man leaps back to the bow of the ship, out of striking distance. His sword erupts into dread magickal flames as he holds it aloft."
    "Hooded Man" "You... drown now!"
    scene c08 19a
    play sound firebolt
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "With a swing of his arm, the hooded man releases the dread magicks that had built up in the sword."
    "A pale wheel of light streaks across the deck, splitting the ship in half as though it were an axe blade cleaving through some firewood."
    play sound woodbreak
    "I leap out of the way and the magick misses my body by a mere hand span. Then suddenly, only water is below my feet."
    stop music
    scene c08 20
    play sound splash02
    with vpunch
    with hpunch
    "Water and bubbles fill my blurry vision as I plunge into the sea."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} is in my hand but I can make out a blue arm swiping at me from the surface of the roiling water."
    play sound splash
    "I try to kick myself back to the surface but I find myself sliding deeper and deeper into the depths."
    "My breath is running out but it's no use... the water around me gets darker as the surface gets further and further away."
    scene 00 00
    with dissolve
    "My vision fades to black with the first gasp I take, filling my lungs with saltwater."
    jump c09

label c08c:

    scene c08 01
    with fade
    play sound waves loop
    "The next day, I make may way down to the shore, where a boat is waiting to take me to Celtica."
    show sco neut at left with moveinleft
    show cu neut at right with moveinright
    sc "Do not forget your promise, [mcname]. There is a feast waiting for your comrades here."
    mc "I will make sure Aengus and The Dagda know that they have the hospitality of Dun Scah."
    mc "Well, this is where we part, Cu Hollun."
    ch "My training is not yet complete. Ferdiad and I will both stay with Scortha a while longer."
    mc "Then I travel alone to see your king and to reunite with my people."
    mc "What happened with Eva?"
    sc "In return for Cu Hollun sparing her life after he defeated her, she swore never to take up arms against me again."
    ch "She now serves under Scortha, and the sisters are reunited into one clan."
    ch "That's not all. Eva now keeps me company in my chamber."
    mc "Your Evera would not be envious at that?"
    ch "I do not love Eva, so not in the least."
    "These Milesians are indeed a strange people with surprising morals and social mores."
    ch "Here, I have a gift for you - my cloak. It will ease your passage through Ulaid. They will know you have the friendship of Cu Hollun."
    scene c08 02a
    with fade
    mc "Luck be with you, Cu Hollun. We may meet again in the land of our births."
    ch "I look forward to it! Perhaps at that time, we will have a common foe with which to bloody our blades against!"
    mc "Perhaps. Do the Tuatha De Dannan still make war?"
    ch "Indeed they do, when they emerge from their Sidhes from time to time!"
    mc "Then nothing much has changed..." 
    stop sound
    scene c08 05b
    with fade
    play music trav03 loop
    "The ship weighs anchor at mid-morning and the spring winds are favorable. With luck, we will spot the shores of Celtica as the sun sets."
    "I had been anxious to leave Skee Anach from the first moments I woke there."
    "I need to find the truth as to what has happened to me."
    "Amid all my doubts, there is one certainty - the cool pommel of {i}Fragarach{/i} that I rest the palm of my hand against."
    scene c08 09
    with fade
    "At noon, the sky grows dark and the sea turns choppy."
    "I served for a time as a warrior under Manannan Moc Lir, the Tuatha god of the seas. Something feels wrong. This isn't like a regular spring squall." 
    mc "Captain, what's wrong?"
    "Captain" "I can't tell, but the wind is now against us!"
    "Sailor" "Captain, above us!"
    scene c08 11
    with fade
    play music act03 loop
    "Captain" "What do you suppose that is?"
    mc "Nothing good!"
    "Floating above the ship are two pale blue forms. I feel dread power emanating from both of them."
    "Captain" "Turn the rudder hard left!"
    "Sailor" "Aye, captain!"
    "The two figures swoop down, directly for me. The female lets out a terrible cry that causes some of the sailors to collapse onto the deck in fear."
    scene c08 12a
    with vpunch
    play sound LS06.mp3
    "The female lands first, bearing her sharp ebony claws at me."
    mc "Who are you? Answer me!"
    "She merely laughs in reply, but it is a mocking laugh that sounds like it is coming from the depths of a tomb."
    scene c08 14
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    mc "Hrngh!"
    "The female was merely a distraction. The hooded male grabs me from behind with an unnatural strength, lifting me into the air."
    "His sword glints in the pale light, I can tell it is razor sharp."
    scene c08 15
    with hpunch
    "His eyes glow a sickly red that seems to be endlessly deep. The unnatural gaze is impossible to look at for long."
    "Hooded Man" "The sword..."
    mc "You want... this sword?"
    "I tighten my grip on {i}Fragarach{/i}. I pray to the goddess Danu that it does not reject me now."
    scene c08 16
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I draw and slash with the mighty sword in one fluid motion."
    "The hooded man is ready for it and meets my blow. I'm shocked that his thinner blade stops {i}Fragarach{/i} in mid-strike, as if the legendary sword were a plain iron blade."
    mc "I ask again, who are you?!"
    "My boots begin to get wet. The ship has taken on a lot of water in the choppy seas and is beginning to sink. Sailors cling to the rails and some even jump overboard."
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    "I meet my opponent blow for blow and neither of us can seem to get the upper hand."
    scene c08 18
    with fade
    "Hooded Man" "ENOUGH!"
    play sound fireball
    "The hooded man leaps back to the bow of the ship, out of striking distance. His sword erupts into dread magickal flames as he holds it aloft."
    "Hooded Man" "You... drown now!"
    scene c08 19a
    play sound firebolt
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "With a swing of his arm, the hooded man releases the dread magicks that had built up in the sword."
    "A pale wheel of light streaks across the deck, splitting the ship in half as though it were an axe blade cleaving through some firewood."
    play sound woodbreak
    "I leap out of the way and the magick misses my body by a mere hand span. Then suddenly, only water is below my feet."
    stop music
    scene c08 20
    play sound splash02
    with vpunch
    with hpunch
    "Water and bubbles fill my blurry vision as I plunge into the sea."
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} is in my hand but I can make out a blue arm swiping at me from the surface of the roiling water."
    play sound splash
    "I try to kick myself back to the surface but I find myself sliding deeper and deeper into the depths."
    "My breath is running out but it's no use... the water around me gets darker as the surface gets further and further away."
    scene 00 00
    with dissolve
    "My vision fades to black with the first gasp I take, filling my lungs with saltwater."
    jump c09






      









