label dd00:

    scene a00 01
    with fade
    play music cin08 loop
    "My mother once told me that we are all descended from the Great God of Death."
    "Under His rule, we lived on the evergreen fields of the Otherworld, free of pain and sickness."
    "Under His rule we were eternally young. For the soul is immutable, indestructible..."
    "But sometimes, even immortal peoples grow restless. They seek the thrill of a life where harm and suffering are close to hand, tempered by moments of joy and love."
    "So, from the many lands of the Otherworld, the immortal tribes looked to the east and the south, across the vast ocean."
    "And on clear days, from the highest towers, hazy masses of land could be seen in the distance."
    "From the shores of the Otherworld, ships were prepared to sail to the mortal realms that beckoned at the edge of the horizon."
    scene a00 02
    with fade
    "Through the mist, the ships came to green islands that had never known the touch of man."
    "These lands were called Celtica."
    "Wild and untamed, the newly mortal tribes of the Otherworld saw potential in the rich soil and fertile pastures."
    "And so, those tribes strived to make it their own."
    scene a00 03
    with fade
    "The first tribe to make landfall onto the craggy coast of Celtica were the children of Partholon."
    "A powerful race strong in their crafts, they carved the rivers, cleared the great plains and planted the forests."
    "But a mortal existence is fickle and dangerous..."
    "A great plague swept through the people of Partholon that brought their souls back to the Otherworld."
    "Celtica was left vacant, with only the cultivated landscape as proof that they were ever there."
    scene a00 06
    with fade
    "Hundreds of years passed."
    "The next tribe to sail from the west were the people of Nemed."
    "A hardy people with a love of the farming arts, they arrived to a land ripe for peaceful habitation."
    "Through moist springs and warm summers, they learned to sow crops, to brew golden ale and to raise livestock..."
    "But their peaceful occupation of the land would not last forever."
    scene a00 05
    with fade
    "From the dark and cold seas to the north, another race emerged from the Otherworld with a covetous gaze on Celtica."
    "Led by a legendary king called Tethra, they were natural raiders and pirates. Their forms varied from the hauntingly beautiful to the monstrously grotesque."
    "They worshipped the Otherworld forces of darkness and evil, and sought the vilest of charms and magicks."
    "They were the Forvorians."
    "For decades they made war upon the denizens of Celtica until finally they enslaved the people of Nemed."
    "The Forvorian warlords exacted a heavy tribute from their conquered peoples. Their blood intermingled with those they had enslaved."
    "The people of Nemed fought back, but the cost was great. So over time, the population dwindled once again..."
    "King Tethra and his Forvorians looked for new lands to raid and many of the people of Nemed dwindled away into memory."
    scene a00 04
    with fade
    "Hundreds of years passed."
    "From the west came the Fir Bolg in their roughly hewn, but steadfast ships."
    "They were a mighty race and their blood boiled for the tumult of battle. What they lacked in refinement they made up for in brute strength and courage."
    "The scant remnants of the Forvorians were quickly subdued and Celtica once more had new masters."
    "On their sturdy backs, the leather sacks of the Fir Bolg carried the rocks and stones that raised the many mountains of Celtica."
    "The mighty peaks of the Vandalar Lynhams stand tall and proud by their strength, sheltering Celtica from harsh northern winds."
    stop music
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    "Time flowed ever on."
    "Hundreds of years passed before once more, a new age was ushered in. And again it came from over the horizon."
    scene a00 07
    with fade
    play music celtyc loop
    "My people came on dark clouds, brimming with lightning and power, to land on Celtica's western shore."
    "Like the Forvorians, we came from the north but unlike them, we worshipped light and knowledge."
    "We were the Tuatha De Danann - the People of Danu."
    scene a00 08
    with fade
    "We brought with us mighty treasures with which to rule Celtica, crafted in our greatest cities of the Otherworld."
    "From Finias, the City of Smiths, we brought {i}Fragarach{/i}, the greatest sword ever crafted that no foe could resist."
    "A sword whose blade commanded the wind and would compel a person to speak the truth when placed against their neck."
    scene a00 09
    "From Semias, the City of Healers, we brought the Cauldron of Ansic."
    "No clothing or armor that its bearer could imagine was beyond its power to produce."
    "No man or woman seeking to quench their thirst or fill their belly would walk away from it unsatisfied."
    "Every medicinal herb was within reach, for those skilled in the healing arts."
    scene a00 10
    "From Gorias, the City of Crafters, came the Spear of the Sun."
    "No shield or armor could withstand its piercing blows."
    "It never missed its mark and once thrown, it would return to its wielder."
    scene a00 11
    "And finally, from the Royal City of Falias, came the Stone of Fal."
    "Imbued with immense power, the bearer of the stone had the right to kingship."
    "In this way, the magick of the stone helped us to avoid bloody wars of succession."
    "The one who possessed all four of these treasures had everything they needed for a long and prosperous reign."
    "So we thought..."
    scene a00 12
    with fade
    "With the mighty sword Fragarach in the hands of our ruler, King Nuada, we made war upon the Fir Bolg."
    "The battles were long and hard but Fragarach took a mighty toll, cutting down the strongest of Fir Bolg warriors like a scythe harvesting summer wheat."
    "Fighting by the King's side were many, but none was greater than the champion Bres, who felled our enemies with both steel and magick."
    "In the end, the Tuatha were victorious and the Fir Bolg bowed down to us."
    scene a00 13
    with fade
    "Over time, great towns and monuments were erected across Celtica that reminded the Tuatha of the cities they had left in the Otherworld."
    "Cities like Tau-Ra and Bru-na-Boyne were built and Celtica was on the cusp of a golden age."
    scene a00 14
    with fade
    "We had brought with us our great arts, crafts and science."
    "Wherever there was darkness on Celtica, we strived to expose it to the light of our wisdom and knowledge."
    "Unlike the tribes that came before us, we brought to Celtica the secrets of immortality. While the other peoples grew old and died, only we had mastered the eternal youth of the Otherworld."
    scene a00 15
    with fade
    "King Nuada had lost his arm in the final great battle with the Fir Bolg, but by the laws of the Tuatha, a king needed to be of a whole and sound body."
    "In his place, the Tuatha De Danann elected the champion Bres to rule as High King on the throne at Tau-Ra."
    "The four great treasures passed into his charge and the Stone of Fal made no objection."
    "Little did we know at that time..."
    scene a00 16
    with fade
    "Bres' father was a Forvorian and our new king was torn between the Tuatha blood of his mother and the dark urges of his father."
    "Under Bres' kingship, he began to favor those Forvorians that still dwelt on Celtica."
    "Forvorian advisors began to enter the royal court and Forvorian soldiers joined the ranks of the army. In time, as more Forvorian ships came from the north, the darkness on Celtica grew."
    "Taxes were raised to intolerable levels and Forvorian raiding parties roamed the countryside."
    "Where once there were banquets and music, there was now no hospitality to be found in the court of King Bres."
    "Great elders of the Tuatha like The Dagda were humiliated and sent by King Bres to drudge in the fields like oxen."
    scene a00 17
    with fade
    "The Tuatha De Danann lived in a state of servitude to the Forvorians until the coming of Lord Lugh."
    "Half Tuatha and half Forvorian himself, he could not have been more different to Bres."
    "Like the breaking of the dawn, his strength and prowess gave the Tuatha hope and they rose in rebellion."
    "With the Spear of the Sun wrested from the control of the Forvorians, Lugh used it to pierce through their ranks."
    stop music
    scene a00 18
    with fade
    "The Forvorians were routed and Bres fled north to the cold and dark lands of Forvoria, vacating the throne at Tau-Ra."
    "The Tuatha had won their freedom, but the price was high."
    "For even the souls of an immortal people return to the Otherworld when pierced by sword blade or spear tip."
    stop music
    scene dd01 00
    with fade
    pause
    scene dd01 01
    play music eer02 loop
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Forvorian Guard" "Know your place, dog!"
    "Forvorian Warrior" "It's this one again, eh? Could have guessed!"
    "Forvorian Guard" "Did you see the way he glared at me? Thinks he's so far above us!"
    scene dd01 02
    play sound collapse
    with vpunch
    y "UrrrngHHH!"
    "Forvorian Guard" "Well, I'd say his head is pretty much scraping the sod like a pig, wouldn't you agree?"
    "Forvorian Warrior" "Say..."
    "Forvorian Warrior" "What say we rid ourselves of this one? Stick a blade between his ribs? Make our job a lot easier..."
    scene dd01 03
    with fade
    y "Try it and I will whisper druid words upon you. Your blood will turn black and your eyes will burst out of their sockets..."
    "Forvorian Warrior" "You can't do that! Druids can't do that!"
    "Forvorian Warrior" "Can they?"
    "Forvorian Guard" "You started it, not me!"
    "Lady" "What is going on here?!"
    scene dd01 04
    with fade
    "Forvorian Guard" "Lady Cethlenn! This one here... he gives us trouble!"
    ce "The orders from King Bres are clear. Those Tuatha guilty of disloyalty must toil in the fields until they understand the error of their ways."
    y "..."
    ce "This one especially, is a druid. As leaders of the insurrection, there is no easy way for them out of the King's justice!"
    ce "And this one doubly so, since his father was a Forvorian and he is of our blood. That makes his betrayal all the more bitter."
    stop music
    scene dd01 05
    with fade
    play sound door03
    ce "Take him to the cave! A month in the darkness would suit him well!"
    y "..."
    "I admit the rebellion I joined was doomed from the start. Without an elder of the Tuatha De Danann with us, there was no one to rally behind."
    "I wonder how my master, The Dagda is doing? The last I heard, he was toiling in the fields like me."
    "My time will come. I must be patient. King Bres' rule is heavy over all of Celtica..."
    "It is only a matter of time..."
    play sound crow
    "Lady" "So here you are..."
    y "Could it be?!"
    scene dd01 06
    with fade
    tm "You weren't easy to find, you know..."
    tm "It seems Bres keeps an especially tight watch over the druids."
    tm "Do you know why?"
    y "Because we are dangerous. He fears what we can do."
    tm "Indeed. Now, I bring you news, Scythian..."
    tm "A Sun has risen in the east. One has been found to lead the Tuatha in their fight for freedom from the Forvorian yoke."
    tm "Go now and join him. The Dagda and King Nuada are already with him, but more warriors and druids are needed if the cause is to succeed!"
    "I look at the door to my cage, which is suddenly unlocked and swinging open. The guards at the mouth of the cave lie slumped on the ground."
    tm "Go, Scythian... go to the east and find the Sun!"
    scene dd01 07
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    y "AAAH!"
    "The room around me spins. For a moment I have no idea where I am."
    "Then, in the dimly lit room, I gradually regain my senses..."
    scene dd01 09
    with fade
    play music gen03 loop
    "A dream..."
    "No. More precisely, a memory. I lived those events."
    "I remember the damp smell of the cave and the cold of the rusted cage against my back."
    "I remember the words of The Morrigan, still echoing in my head even now. It set off a chain of events that has led me here, to this small room in Bru-Na-Boyne."
    "This is my hidden study, nestled in a seldom used wing of the estate where I am free to pursue my arts away from prying eyes."
    scene dd01 08
    with fade
    "On the table before me are books and scrolls on the dark druidic arts of the Forvorians. Through my father, it is part of my heritage."
    "The other druids of King Nuada's court would frown upon me, but it is not for them to judge!"
    "Within these pages I will find tools for revenge against my enemies and ways to satisfy the dark lustful urges inside me."
    "Judging by the candle, it must be close to supper time. I should go out and join the other {i}Tuatha De Danann{/i}. Through my mother, they are also part of my heritage."
    scene dd01 10
    with fade
    play sound door01
    show lu neut at center with moveinright
    lu "There you are, my friend. I've been looking for you."
    y "Lugh?! How did you~ "
    lu "Find you? Your secrets are not as well kept as you would think. Your handmaiden Shay knows of this place."
    "Shay! She is a clever girl..."
    lu "I have little doubts as to why you hide yourself away. You learn the dark arts of Forvoria here. Flida would certainly not approve!"
    lu "A word of warning, my friend. If you use your arts to seduce women, it will eventually lead to your ruin. Tuatha men do not take it lightly when their partners are stolen from them!"
    y "Thanks for the sage advice."
    show lu talk at center
    lu "It is no concern to me what you do in the small hours of the night, Scythian. Like you, Forvorian blood runs through my veins, though I use it for combat!"
    y "Why are you here, Lugh?"
    show lu neut at center
    lu "I've come to say goodbye, for I leave immediately. King Nuada goes to the coast to meet with Lord Manannan, God of the Seas. I will accompany him."
    lu "The time when King Bres will return to Celtica with a Forvorian fleet draws nearer, and the King must look to our defense."
    y "Then I will come with you!"
    lu "No. You will stay here. The Tuatha De Dannan have need of you."
    y "On whose order?!"
    lu "You must trust me on this, my friend. Do not take my words lightly. Stay here and await a summons."
    y "..."
    y "I won't question you as you have never led me wrong. Until we meet again, my friend."
    show lu talk at center
    lu "There will be enough fighting for all of us when the time comes. You will have your revenge, I assure you."
    lu "Consider this time in Bru-Na-Boyne a temporary reprieve. Enjoy yourself!"
    show lu neut at center
    "I take Lugh's hand firmly in my own and wish him luck in his task."
    hide lu neut at right with moveoutright
    stop music
    scene a30 02a
    with fade
    play music town08 loop
    "I leave my secluded den and walk the great halls of Bru-Na-Boyne."
    show fianna at center with moveinleft
    "The sun has set, and the great feasting halls prepare their tables for arriving guests."
    "Out in the many foyers, bards and other entertainers capture the attention of the passing crowds, making merry in a way that King Bres would never have allowed under his rule."
    "I have no particular destination in mind, so I wander about looking for anything interesting."
    "And something interesting I find..."
    scene dd02 01
    with fade
    "Weaving through the crowd, my eyes are drawn to the attractive sight of a female body in motion."
    "A lithe beauty dances without inhibition, her red hair flicking about her with each deliberate movement of her head."
    "From the anonymity of the crowd, I watch her intently, my eyes taking in every detail of her sparkling form."
    scene dd02 03
    with fade
    "Her clothing is tight and made of a flamboyant silk infused with stardust."
    "Her body is adorned with fine gold jewelry, crafted to resemble creeping vines and accentuated with mother-of-pearl."
    "She smiles through painted lips and her eyes flutter at the enchanted audience with dark, long lashes."
    "From the looks that she gives to the bard that plays her music, they must be husband and wife, or at the very least intimate with each other as lovers."
    scene dd02 02
    with fade
    "To my eyes, her dance becomes more alluring. I drown out the sounds of the crowd and all that exists in my focus is the enticing form of the dancer."
    "It would not be hard to catch her attention, even from among the sea of people around her."
    "My Forvorian blood calls me, causing my heart to beat faster and my loins to swell."
    "I have been learning the forbidden words of the darkest druidic arts. Could I not use them now to stain the heart of the dancer and bring her into my influence?"

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Whisper the dark druid words at her.":
            jump dd00a

        "Forget this distraction and relax with a bath.":
            jump dd00b

label dd00a:

    scene dd02 06
    with fade
    play music eer04 loop
    "I begin to whisper the words I have learned. Dark words I have only ever uttered in the confines of my hidden study."
    "The words are made slowly and deliberately under my breath so no one can hear them. But that does not mean they are not being said. To me, each syllable is as loud as a carnyx horn bellowing over a battlefield."
    "The druidic spell that forms comes from the shadowy arts of the Forvorian druids. I am of the Tuatha, but this is also part of my legacy and I will embrace it."
    scene dd02 07
    with fade
    "The dancer is caught in my power almost immediately. I did not think this incantation could be so potent."
    "Her eyes widen and her dance falters. She is vulnerable now and I must act fast to paint my darkness into her very being."
    "Yes, my beauty. Let my desire and my will flow into you, like poison diffusing into a well of pure water."
    scene dd02 05
    with fade
    "Yes...keep dancing, lest you draw suspicion upon me, but take my commands and imbue them deeply into your heart."
    "Come to me in the night. I will teach you the place. It is secluded and we will not be disturbed."
    "Give yourself to me, the spell now draped upon you compels you!"
    "The beauty has no defenses against magick, and I feel it permeating her, changing her into something new. Something... that belongs to me."
    stop music
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    "I wait for the small hours of the night. There is no use rushing this."
    "Patience is the key, and savoring the anticipation is part of the pleasure."
    scene dd03 01
    with fade
    play music dev03 loop
    "Bru-Na-Boyne had been settled before The Dagda claimed it as his estate. The grand architecture of the {i}Tuatha De Dannan{/i} was built over the bones of Nemedian fortifications."
    "It is within one of the outer wall areas that I found a secluded garden. Far away from the nearest occupied room."
    "This is the perfect place for me to spend some time with my chosen beauty."

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene dd03 02
    with fade
    "The soft foot falls in an otherwise abandoned corridor announces the arrival of my guest."
    y "Excellent. You have arrived just in time. Does your partner know?"
    "Dancer" "..."
    "Dancer" "No... he... does... not..."
    scene dd03 03
    with fade
    "In the subdued light of the garden, I inspect the woman I have placed under my thrall. The spell I have placed upon her will only last until the sunrise, but that is enough."
    "Her breathing is calm and measured. She stares straight ahead with glassy eyes, as though in a dream, and in a magickal dream controlled by me, she is."
    y "What is your name?"
    "Dancer" "Gallima..."
    y "You will call me master."
    "Gallima" "Yes, master."
    scene dd03 04
    with fade
    "Gallima" "uuhhnnn..."
    "Gallima moans as I slide my hands over her warm exposed skin, tracing the curves of her breasts and her hips."
    "She places her hands over mine not in protest, but to dutifully guide them over her feminine form."
    y "The bard that plays music for you... he is your lover?"
    "Gallima" "He is... my husband."
    scene dd03 05
    with fade
    "Gallima" "oOOooOhhh..."
    "The dancer gasps as I kiss her neck. I fondle her breasts as her sweet smell fills my nostrils."
    y "Does your husband love you well? Are you pleased with him?"
    "Gallima" "..."
    y "Speak."
    "Gallima" "We have... been trying for a child... master..."
    y "Oh? For how long?"
    "Gallima" "Two seasons..."
    y "Perhaps you need a better seed, my sweet. I could help you with that."
    scene dd03 06
    play sound dress
    "Gallima" "M~ Master!"
    "Under the grip of my druid spell, Gallima cannot resist me as I strip her dancing silks from her body, leaving her pale skin to glow in the moonlight."
    y "That's much better."
    "Gallima" "..."
    "Gallima" "A~ as you say... master..."
    scene dd03 07
    with fade
    y "Do you see my cock, Gallima?"
    "Gallima" "I do, master. It is... bigger than my husband's..."
    y "Why do you think it is so big?"
    "Gallima" "Because of me, master."
    y "That's right, my sexy dancer. Now, do you think you could give me a private show?"
    y "Do you think you could seduce your master with an erotic dance?"
    scene dd03 08
    with fade
    "Gallima effortlessly moves into a starting position, ready to perform for her audience of one."
    y "Dance to entice me. Please me well enough and you will have my cock as your reward."
    "Gallima" "I will... dance for you... master..."
    scene dd03 09
    with fade
    "She dances like she did in the great hallway earlier in the evening, but with a more intense edge to it."
    "Her hips gyrate more and her expression is one not of joy, but of desire and lust."
    "Her dance takes her around the length of the small garden, allowing me to admire her body from all angles."
    scene dd03 10
    with fade
    "I stroke my penis brazenly in front of her, leaving her in no doubt her purpose is to use her body to sexually excite me."
    y "How does it feel, doing such a lewd thing in front of another man?"
    "Gallima" "It is... what you commanded me to do... master..."
    y "Indeed it is."
    scene dd03 11
    with fade
    y "Show me your sweet pussy, Gallima."
    "Gallima" "Yes, master..."
    "Gallima flexes her body backwards, revealing the pink flesh of her vagina to my depraved gaze."
    "The thought of taking such a flexible woman in all sorts of sexual positions suddenly increases my level of erotic excitement."
    scene dd03 12
    with fade
    y "It's almost time for the true dance, Gallima. You've done your job very well."
    "Gallima" "..."
    y "have you ever danced like this for a man before?"
    "Gallima" "No, master."
    y "Not even your husband?"
    "Gallima" "Not... like this... master..."
    scene dd03 13
    with fade
    y "Here, stroke it..."
    y "Look how hard you've gotten me with your tempting display..."
    "Gallima strokes my shaft, but there is no real feeling behind her deliberate and methodical movement."
    "While my spell can bend a woman to my will, if only for a short time, it does nothing to change her emotions or nature."
    y "Come... let us begin, my sensuous vixen..."
    scene dd03 15
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    "I pull her against me and press her taut belly against my own. My cock rubs against her pelvic region as my mouth presses upon her sweet painted lips."
    y "I'll show you how a druid makes love to a woman, Gallima."
    "Her face is a mix of lust and confusion. She kisses me and licks my face, but her eyes are unfocused and her brow is furrowed."
    "Her mind is trapped within my spell, lost in an amorphous and dream-like world where she cannot think straight, because I do not allow it."
    scene dd03 14
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound moan10
    "Sensing the night slipping away, I penetrate Gallima to begin the final act of our sordid union."
    "The druid spell I used on Gallima is unknown by modern Tuatha druids, but many Tuatha women have in the past, fallen to its power."
    "Many a half-breed was birthed as a result of a Forvorian druid having their way with an enthralled Tuatha partner."
    "I was not conceived like this, but it is not hard to imagine how many were..."
    scene dd03 16
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "Gallima thrusts her hips in unison with mine. Her plump buttocks quiver with each push of my groin."
    y "You are exquisite, Gallima!"
    "Gallima" "UuuUuhhggnn ~!"
    "The enthralled dancer sinks deeper into a hazy dream of lust and depravity."
    scene dd03 17
    with hpunch
    y "What do you desire most of all, Gallima?"
    "Gallima" "I..."
    "Gallima" "I desire a child, master..."
    "I thought as much from what she said before."
    "I feel my climax rising."

    menu:

        "I can give you that child right now!":
            jump dd00a1

        "{color=#00ff00}You'll have to wait for your husband to give that to you...":
            jump dd00a2

label dd00a1:

    scene dd03 18
    play sound moan06
    with hpunch
    y "RRRNNGGHH!"
    "I let out a primal cry of dominance as I release my seed into Gallima's womb."
    play sound shoot01
    queue sound shoot02
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "If she wants a child and her husband hasn't been able to give her one, I am more than happy to oblige."
    scene dd03 19
    with fade
    "Gallima lies upon the ancient stone bench, gasping for breath."
    "I released so much into her that it flows out of her purse freely in a torrent. But Gallima is no doubt fertile, and I am potent..."
    "I've been careless and taken a great risk, but a part of me is eager to deal with the strife and the consequence of my actions."
    "But now, it is time to send Gallima back."
    scene dd03 22
    with fade
    y "You will get dressed and return to your bed for the night."
    "Gallima" "Yes, master."
    y "You will retain all the feelings and sensations of this tryst, but the memories of all the details will be lost to you, like dew in the morning sun."
    y "Over time, you will convince yourself it was just a dream."
    "Gallima" "I understand, master."
    y "Now go. Return to your husband."
    "The most powerful archdruids of the Forvorians are said to know incantations that can manipulate a person's memories and thoughts. I yearn for that knowledge, for I do not know it."
    "So in the case of Gallima, I must resort to a form of trickery. She will remember everything, but she simply will not be able to recall properly. It is the best I can do for now, with my limited understanding of Forvorian ways."
    "The greatest of druidic secrets is only taught by word of mouth. If only I could find a teacher..."

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd00c

label dd00a2:

    scene dd03 20
    play sound shoot01
    queue sound shoot02
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "I pull my cock out of Gallima at the last possible moment, shooting my semen over her smooth belly."
    "Gallima" "M~ Maaas~ uUUuunnhh!"
    "Her eyes roll back in her head as I finish ejaculating upon her."
    "I must be careful. There's no use inviting trouble or complication upon myself. It is one thing to take my pleasures secretly like this, but it is another thing to be revealed as a practitioner of the dark druidic arts..."
    scene dd03 21
    with fade
    "Gallima lies upon the ancient stone bench, gasping for breath."
    "The sex was torrid and intense. I doubt she ever had it like this with her husband."
    "Now, I must hide my tracks, lest my... improprieties be discovered."
    scene dd03 22
    with fade
    y "You will get dressed and return to your bed for the night."
    "Gallima" "Yes, master."
    y "You will retain all the feelings and sensations of this tryst, but the memories of all the details will be lost to you, like dew in the morning sun."
    y "Over time, you will convince yourself it was just a dream."
    "Gallima" "I understand, master."
    y "Now go. Return to your husband."
    "The most powerful archdruids of the Forvorians are said to know incantations that can manipulate a person's memories and thoughts. I yearn for that knowledge, for I do not know it."
    "So in the case of Gallima, I must resort to a form of trickery. She will remember everything, but she simply will not be able to recall properly. It is the best I can do for now, with my limited understanding of Forvorian ways."
    "The greatest of druidic secrets is only taught by word of mouth. If only I could find a teacher..."

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd00c
   
label dd00b:

    scene dd02 01
    with fade
    "I suppress the dark impulses inside me... fow now."
    "While Lugh may not care about how I satisfy my lusts, the other {i}Tuatha De Danann{/i} would not be so understanding."
    "Bru-Na-Boyne is the seat of The Dagda and is one of the great centers of Celtica. Rumors travel quickly around here and given the fragile state of peace in the land, these halls are a nest of intrigue."
    "No... better I choose my opportunities more carefully. Sleeping with another man's woman is bound to cause complications."
    "I will relax with a bath instead. They are seldom used at this time and the solitude will give me time to reflect on what I have learned from the Forvorian texts."
    stop music
    scene dd02 08
    with fade
    play sound splash02
    play music harp02 loop
    "The water is warm and soothing and drawn from a natural spring. In the day it can be crowded but this evening, I'm lucky enough to have the area to myself."
    "The moon is bright tonight and the arc of the stars shines brilliantly in the sky. It fills me with a sense of awe and wonder."
    "The war against Bres that we all know is coming seems so far away..."
    "Woman" "Scythian?"
    scene dd02 09
    with fade
    fl "What a coincidence, finding you here."
    y "Good evening, Flida."
    "I came to the baths to escape the temptations of the flesh, but now I find it in front of me in a spectacular way."
    "Flida is a warrioress and an old comrade in the fight to free the {i}Tuatha De Dannan{/i} from King Bres' rule. Her sword and my magicks were a potent combination on the battlefield."
    "Flida is also a goddess of cattle and fertility. Tonight, it is the fertility side of her nature that is on full display!"
    fl "Do you mind if I join you?"
    "I move aside and gesture to the space I have made at the far end of the bath."
    y "Of course, my friend."
    scene dd02 10
    with fade
    play sound splash02
    "Flida makes no attempt to submerge her breasts into the water. Her firm nipples cannot be ignored."
    fl "I haven't seen you since the last full moon, Scythian! Not since that attack on that bandit camp! What have you been up to?"
    y "I still go out from time to time, dealing with pockets of warriors that are loyal to Bres."
    fl "Yes, they are a problem. When Bres returns with a new army, and we all know he will, all those stragglers will flock to his banner. Better we deal with them now!"
    fl "But surely that's not all you are doing?"
    y "I've mainly been studying under The Dagda and strengthening my skills in the wild and sacred arts. When the time comes, I will be leading druids into battle."
    fl "I will be counting on you, my friend."
    fl "..."
    y "There is something on your mind. What is it?"
    fl "I leave in the morning for the royal city of Tau-Ra. Dian Cecht has given me the order."
    y "When an elder of the Tuatha asks something of you, it is not something to be refused. What task have you been given?"
    fl "I cannot reveal the details."
    "First Lugh and now Flida. It seems everyone is getting on with the business of preparing Celtica against Bres' invasion. Everyone except me."
    "Lugh says to wait and trust that I have my role to play. But it is hard not to get restless when others about you are on the move while you yourself are idle."

    menu:

        "Perhaps I could help you... relax before you leave, Flida.":
            jump dd00b1

        "Be safe out there, Flida. There are dark forces everywhere.":
            jump dd00b2

label dd00b1:

    scene dd02 11
    with fade
    play sound splash02
    fl "Oh? Are you trying to woo me, Scythian?"
    fl "There is no comrade I would rather have by my side in battle. Your arts have saved me many times!"
    fl "But a gloomy druid is not the kind of partner I would take to my bed!"
    fl "I want a warrior, bulging with muscles and covered in scars from his victories! A champion among his men!"
    fl "Or a lively bard, to make me laugh and regale me with song!"
    "I don't push the point. To beg for sex would be beneath me. Flida clearly has her type."
    fl "Come, let us get dressed and head to a feasting hall. At least let us drink ourselves under the table before I leave!"
    y "A good suggestion. Lead the way!"
    jump dd00c

label dd00b2:

    scene dd02 11
    with fade
    play sound splash02
    fl "Thanks for the warning, but I know that better than most!"
    fl "You be careful yourself, Scythian. Do not stray from The Dagda's path, even though your Forvorian impulses may wish it so."
    fl "I merely have to watch that the dark forces don't run a sword through me or speak words upon me but you... a druid led astray could be consumed by darkness to the core of his being!"
    "Thank the Goddess Flida doesn't know of my 'secret studies' as Lugh does."
    y "You underestimate my hatred for Bres and his followers, Flida. My revenge upon them will be darker than anything I have to fear from the arts of Forvoria!"
    fl "Hmmm... I do not doubt you, my friend."
    fl "Come, let us get dressed and head to a feasting hall. At least let us drink ourselves under the table before I leave!"
    y "Lead the way."
    jump dd00c

label dd00c:

    scene a00 13
    with fade
    play music gen01 loop
    "The days go by in Bru-Na-Boyne without news from Lugh. I await a summons from one of the Tuatha elders but nothing comes."
    "The chamber maids and servants spread rumors of Bres' return. Some say he will return with a great Forvorian fleet. Others say he has made an alliance with Eastern kings. Most of the stories are nonsense with no basis in fact."
    "I have little time for such foolishness, but I would be lying if I said I did not grow more anxious by the day."
    scene dd01 09
    with fade
    "In the absence of a summons, I spend the mornings training with my acolyte druids and the evenings are spent secluded in my hidden study."
    "The Forvorian tomes on enchantments and domination interest me most, but I find myself concentrating on druid words I could use in battle."
    "Knowing how my enemy fights could be the difference between life and death..."
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    "And when the candle burns low, I return to my chamber and drift into a restless sleep."
    "This waiting is a special kind of torture... if only something would happen!"
    scene a00 19
    with fade
    "I awake from my sleep, the dawn's early light dancing through the stained glass windows."
    "Outside the door of my chamber, I hear the sounds of Bru-na-Boyne coming to life."
    "The footsteps of chambermaids echo in the corridor. In the courtyard comes the chatter of the stewards..."
    "It all feels like a dream."
    stop music
    play sound door01
    "???" "My Lord!"
    "I get out of bed."
    scene a00 20
    with fade
    show sh talk at center with moveinleft
    "Shay" "My Lord, you must hurry! You have been summoned by The Dagda!"
    y "Finally..."
    "Shay is a handmaiden that has been assigned by the royal household to wait upon me."
    "I see the way she looks at me - I can tell she's infatuated."
    "She stares at me when she thinks I'm not looking and quickly turns away when our eyes meet."
    "When the other handmaidens tease her about me, her face goes bright red."
    "Shay" "My Lord, are you even listening to me? You must get dressed at once!"
    show sh sup at center
    "Shay" "O-OH!"
    "It seems that Shay has just realized that I am almost completely naked."

    menu:

        "Thank you for your efforts, Shay. I'll get dressed at once.":
            jump dd01

        "{color=#00ff00}Come to me, Shay. There's still time...":
            jump dd02

label dd01:

    scene a01 01
    show sh sup at center
    "Shay" "O-of course, my Lord!"
    "Shay" "I'll just wait outside until you're done!"
    "Shay" "The clothes that have been selected for you are on the table!"
    hide sh sup at left with moveoutleft
    "Shay scurries out of the room."
    "She's a conscientious young lady that will go far in life."
    "And so I need to set a good example for her."
    play sound dress
    "I put on the clothes given to me. They are the nondescript clothes of a commoner."
    "I begin to have suspicions on what The Dagda is summoning me for."
    y "Shay, you can enter."
    show sh neut at center with moveinleft
    "Shay" "Yes, my Lord. Oh~!"
    y "Is something wrong?"
    "Shay" "No, my Lord! Nothing at all!"
    scene a01 02
    with fade
    y "The material is a little rough and it's not what I'm used to..."
    "Shay" "I think it looks {i}perfect{/i} on you, my Lord!"
    y "You're very kind."
    y "Shall we go? We wouldn't want to keep The Dagda waiting."
    "Shay" "Hm? Y-yes! Of course!"
    scene a01 03
    with fade
    play sound trot
    "We step outside step down into the marshalling yards of Bru-na-Boyne."
    "Before me, charioteers are preparing their mounts for their lords."
    "The atmosphere is calm, but I detect the faint anxiety in the crowd that has been lingering for weeks."
    "Greetings a little too stiff, the pace of work slightly quicker than usual. Tempers always at the edge of fraying with any simple interaction..."
    "Shay" "The handmaidens were all excited this morning with who has come to Bru-na-Boyne and why!"
    y "You know you shouldn't succumb to gossip, Shay."
    "Shay" "Aren't you curious as to why The Dagda has summoned you, and why now? He has visitors!"
    y "I'm sure I will find out all in good time."
    stop sound
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    "Shay" "Here's the entrance to the meeting hall. I go no further than this."
    y "Thank you, Shay. You are dismissed."
    jump dd03


label dd02:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene a02 01
    show sh sup at center
    "I've been more anxious than I thought with all this waiting. My body craves release."
    "Shay" "M-my Lord? What do you mean?"
    "I face her with my bulging loincloth, my member is fully erect at the thought of Shay."
    "Shay" "!!!"
    "Shay is speechless, but she can't stop staring."
    y "Take off your clothes, my sweet Shay. Can't you see what my manhood is yearning for?"
    show sh sad at center
    "Shay hesitates."
    y "Are you nervous?"
    "Shay" "Although I am a woman, I- I've not been with a man before, my Lord..."
    y "Then I will show you."
    show sh nud at center
    play sound dress
    "Shay" "A~ as you wish, my Lord."
    "Shay's clothing crumples to the ground to reveal her smooth and milky white skin."
    scene a02 02
    play music wh01 loop
    with fade
    "The dying embers in the fireplace crackle as I slide my hands over Shay's taut belly and hips."
    y "You're a beautiful young lady, Shay..."
    "Shay" "Is this a dream?"
    "Shay" "MMnnnNNN!"
    "Shay moans as I brush my fingers over her slit."
    y "It's no dream, Shay."
    scene a02 03
    with fade
    "I draw Shay close to me and a well of courage and excitement seems to grow inside her."
    "Shay" "I'm yours, my Lord! Please... take me."
    "Her eyes reflect the glowing embers of the hearth as her warm and shallow breath blows over my face."
    "Shay" "My Lord..."
    "I draw her closer and I can feel her heart beating rapidly in her chest."
    scene a02 04
    "Shay" "HNNNNNN!"
    "She kisses me deeply and without a hint of timidity. Her tongue licks and intertwines with my own."
    "My fingertips lazily trace the curves of her back as her lips desperately move over my own."
    scene a02 05
    with fade
    "I lick her honeypot, which is already dripping wet."
    "Shay" "I love you... my Lord!"
    "Ah, the naïve words from an innocent young maiden..."
    scene a02 06
    with fade
    "I stick my tongue deeper into her sweet hole."
    "Shay" "Oh, by the light!!!"
    "Shay" "W~What's happening??? This... feeling!"
    "I can feel her beginning to squirt. I'm bringing her to her first orgasm."
    scene a02 07
    with fade
    play sound shoot05
    "Shay" "Do... not look at me, my Lord!"
    "Shay" "I'm so ashamed..."
    "Shay's milky legs are spread wide apart as her crotch convulses. A stream of clear liquid falls onto the wooden stool she is seated upon."
    y "It's beautiful, Shay. Come here..."
    scene a02 08
    with fade
    play sound dress
    "I take off my loincloth to reveal my hardened penis."
    y "It calls for you, Shay."
    y "It wants to know the deepest parts of you."
    "Shay" "Yes, my Lord..."
    y "Make yourself ready to receive me."
    scene a02 09
    with fade
    "Shay" "Like this, my Lord?"
    "Shay hesitates as she leans against my bed. The lovely pinkness of her maidenhood still glistens from the moisture of her arousal."
    y "That will do fine."
    scene a02 10
    with fade
    "Shay" "OooOOOoHHH!!!"
    "I run the tip of my cock over her crack. Her body shivers with each fleeting contact."
    "Shay" "Do not... tease me so, my Lord!"
    scene a02 11
    with fade
    play sound shoot01
    "Shay" "OooOOOooHHH!"
    "I push myself into her slowly."
    "She is dripping wet, but she is still tight."
    "Shay" "It... hurts a little..."
    y "It will feel better soon. Bear with it a little longer."
    "Shay" "Y-yes, my Lord..."
    scene a02 12
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "Shay" "Un... un... un... hgnh..."
    "Shay moans involuntarily as her body experiences the first sensations of being fucked."
    "As I pump her, I admire her small and compact ass."
    y "You're doing so well, Shay..."
    "Shay" "UuuUuuunnn..."
    play sound [ "<silence .2>", "audio/sex/slap05.mp3" ] loop
    y "ARGH! Shay!"
    "Her hole feels too good. I find myself pumping faster and coming to my climax."
    "Shay" "M-my Lord! Pull out! Lest you fill me... w-with child!"
    y "Ungh! Ungh!"
    stop sound
    stop music

    menu:

        "I'll release my seed inside her.":
            jump dd02a

        "Heed her request and paint her back.":
            jump dd02b

        "{color=#00ff00}Mod: Both.":
            jump dd02ax

label dd02ax:

    scene a02 15
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    y "YESSSS!!!"
    "Shay" "P-Please!" 
    "Shay tries to pull away but I hold her close, ensuring every drop of my fluid enters her."
    y "You belong to me now, Shay. The seed inside you is proof of that!"
    "Shay" "uuUUunnNN..."
    scene a02 16
    with fade
    play sound shoot04
    "I pull out my dagger from Shay's sheath."
    "A long string of my seed drips from her wet hole."
    "Shay" "My Lord... why? I asked you..."
    y "A master need not explain himself to his servant."
    y "But don't worry..."
    scene a02 01
    with fade
    show sh nud at center
    "We get up off the bed. My semen runs down Shay's thigh."
    "Shay" "..."
    y "You are truly my servant now, Shay."
    y "I will look after you, as a woman. But you must pledge your loyalty to me above all others."
    "Shay" "E-even the king?"
    y "Even the king."
    y "We are joined together now."
    "Shay" "I- I understand, my Lord. I pledge my loyalty to you."
    "I kiss her on the lips. Her breath is sweet."
    y "Now get dressed. I will go meet The Dagda on my own."
    "Shay" "Yes, my Lord."
    hide sh nud at left with moveoutleft
    y "..."
    "I reach for my clothing."
    
    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd03

label dd02b:

    scene a02 13
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    y "As you wish, my beautiful girl!"
    "I will myself to pull out of Shay's hole at the moment of ejaculation, spraying my pearly seed onto her back and her flaming red hair."
    "Shay" "ooOooooHHH!"
    play sound shoot02
    "I rub my cock between Shay's buttocks until every last drop of my juice has been drained."
    scene a02 14
    "As I climb off her, she stays on the bed, panting heavily."
    "Shay" "You were... wonderful, my Lord..."
    "Shay" "It was... all I had imagined it would be!"
    y "I must go meet The Dagda now. Clean yourself well before you leave. Use my wash basin."
    y "We will be the gossip on the tongue of every serving maid by dusk if you are not careful."
    "Shay" "Yes..."
    "I kiss her gently on the cheek before I make my way out the door."
    pause
    pause
    scene a02 15
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    y "YESSSS!!!"
    "Shay" "P-Please!" 
    "Shay tries to pull away but I hold her close, ensuring every drop of my fluid enters her."
    y "You belong to me now, Shay. The seed inside you is proof of that!"
    "Shay" "uuUUunnNN..."
    scene a02 16
    with fade
    play sound shoot04
    "I pull out my dagger from Shay's sheath."
    "A long string of my seed drips from her wet hole."
    "Shay" "My Lord... why? I asked you..."
    y "A master need not explain himself to his servant."
    y "But don't worry..."
    scene a02 01
    with fade
    show sh nud at center
    "We get up off the bed. My semen runs down Shay's thigh."
    "Shay" "..."
    y "You are truly my servant now, Shay."
    y "I will look after you, as a woman. But you must pledge your loyalty to me above all others."
    "Shay" "E-even the king?"
    y "Even the king."
    y "We are joined together now."
    "Shay" "I- I understand, my Lord. I pledge my loyalty to you."
    "I kiss her on the lips. Her breath is sweet."
    y "Now get dressed. I will go meet The Dagda on my own."
    "Shay" "Yes, my Lord."
    hide sh nud at left with moveoutleft
    y "..."
    "I reach for my clothing."
    
    jump dd03

label dd02b:

    scene a02 13
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    y "As you wish, my beautiful girl!"
    "I will myself to pull out of Shay's hole at the moment of ejaculation, spraying my pearly seed onto her back and her flaming red hair."
    "Shay" "ooOooooHHH!"
    play sound shoot02
    "I rub my cock between Shay's buttocks until every last drop of my juice has been drained."
    scene a02 14
    "As I climb off her, she stays on the bed, panting heavily."
    "Shay" "You were... wonderful, my Lord..."
    "Shay" "It was... all I had imagined it would be!"
    y "I must go meet The Dagda now. Clean yourself well before you leave. Use my wash basin."
    y "We will be the gossip on the tongue of every serving maid by dusk if you are not careful."
    "Shay" "Yes..."
    "I kiss her gently on the cheek before I make my way out the door."
    
    if _in_replay:
        return
    
    jump dd03


label dd03:

    scene a03 01
    with fade
    play music gen04 loop
    "I enter the great audience hall and huge wooden doors close behind me."
    "The Dagda is there at the center, holding his magickal harp Uaithne, whose musical notes can turn the seasons and manipulate the hearts of its listeners."
    "To his right is his daughter Brigid, wife of the deposed King Bres."
    "My brow darkens. For her to be here makes this matter more serious than I had thought."
    "Finally, to The Dagda's left are the great healer Dian Cecht and Aengus, famed for his beauty among all the women of Celtica."
    "This is quite a gathering. It looks like Lugh was right when he said my time would come."
    td "Ah, there you are! The Mighty Scythian!"
    y "Greetings and good tidings to you, my Lord Dagda."
    scene a03 02
    with fade
    show td happ at center
    td "I trust things have been going well, my friend? Those Forvorian bandits that continue to roam the countryside are proving no match for you?"
    y "On the last foray I led, we cleared out the caves of Kesh-Corran to the east. That was several weeks ago."
    td "Ah, that is good, that is good... Truly, you were one of our best druids in the rebellion against Bres."
    show td neut at center
    show brig neut at left with moveinleft
    br "Father, we must hurry. I'm sure he is anxious for you to state the purpose of this meeting!"
    td "Of course. As you would have guessed, my friend, we have summoned you on a matter of great importance. But perhaps Dian Cecht can begin the story."
    show dc talk at right with moveinright
    dc "As you know, although we Tuatha have won our freedom from Bres, Celtica remains in a parlous state."
    dc "Lord Lugh and King Nuada have been traveling along the coastlines shoring up our defenses, but more needs to be done."
    "The Tuatha owe Dian Cecht a great debt of thanks. Through his healing arts, he was able to create a silver arm for King Nuada, making him whole again and able to retake the throne."
    dc "We have our spies and informants everywhere, but so do the Forvorians."
    show dc neut at right
    show brig sad at left
    br "We know that my husband is amassing an army in the homeland of the Forvorians, with the intent of taking the throne of Celtica back by force."
    show td talk at center
    td "And to be frank, when next we meet the Forvorians on the field of battle, we will be vastly outnumbered."
    y "No one is expecting an easy fight, my lord."
    td "Indeed! If we are to rid ourselves of the Forvorian hordes once and for all, we must seek every advantage while dealing our enemy every misfortune!"
    td "That is why Dian Cecht and myself have been poring over every report that comes in from across the land, for knowledge is the true power!"
    td "And we've come across a strange incident that we cannot dismiss, although we know not what it means."
    show td neut at center
    y "What can you tell me then, of this 'strange incident'?"
    show dc talk at right
    dc "A man was caught on the streets of Tau-Ra, he had on his person a message in a cipher that could not be decoded."
    dc "He languishes in a dungeon but no magicks from our druids can compel him to speak. Your old comrade Flida is currently watching over him, for she has been sent to defend Tau-Ra."
    y "And you suspect he's been shielded somehow by... foreign charms?"
    show dc think at right
    dc "Yes... that would be a very plausible explanation."
    show dc neut at right
    br "We want you to go to Tau-Ra under the guise of a commoner and investigate."
    y "Hence my clothing..."
    br "Yes."
    br "Go to the prison discreetly and talk to Flida first. She may have learned more about our... guest."
    show td talk at center
    td "If this is, as I suspect, some kind of Forvorian scheme, then we must discover its nature and stop it!"
    td "Your wit and resourcefulness make you the perfect man for this task. I suspect you have been restless, but only because you have been kept for a critical task, such as this."
    y "I see..."
    show td neut at center
    hide dc neut with moveoutright
    show mid talk at right with moveinright
    ae "While you are in Tau-Ra, you are free to use my dwellings there, but you must be cautious about it, given the covert nature of this mission."
    y "Understood."
    ae "Also, merchants I am on good terms with will provide you with aid, should you need it. Just show them this medallion and they will ask no questions."
    ae "And finally..."
    ae "My betrothed shall go with you as a partner to the investigation."
    y "I beg your pardon?"
    scene a03 03
    with fade
    "An attractive young woman steps into the audience hall from a side door."
    "Her styled hair bobs gently as she approaches."
    "{color=#ED6C04}???{/color}" "Greetings, my Lord."
    et "I am Etain and I shall accompany you."
    ae "Fear not, my friend. Etain is versed in the combat arts and her female wiles will open doors your druidic arts cannot."
    et "I know the peoples of Tau-Ra well. I will be able to search for information very discreetly."
    y "I have no objection. When do we leave?"
    et "Immediately, my Lord. We travel lightly, using Tuatha magick to sustain us on the journey."
    stop music
    scene a03 04
    with fade
    play music trav02 loop
    "Etain and I take the Royal Road east through the Dales of Autumn and towards the throne city of Tau-Ra."
    "Using druidic incantations, we travel at speed, but do not tire. However, it will still take us two days to reach our destination."
    et "I'm told you did many heroic deeds in the rebellion against Bres."
    y "I did what I had to do for our people. Also, the desire for revenge against those that enslaved you is a strong motivator."
    et "..."
    y "If there is something on your mind, you may say it."
    et "I'm told your father was a Forvorian, like Bres and Lord Lugh."
    y "That's right. It's not uncommon in this age, given how the two peoples have mixed upon Celtica."
    y "My grandfather was a great lord from the east, but he was betrayed and exiled."
    et "The east?"
    y "The lands beyond the Cradle of Achilles. Sometimes it is called Scythia, the realm of the Horse Lords."
    et "Yet your father was a Forvorian."
    y "In his exile, my grandfather found service with a Forvorian Sea Lord and married a Forvorian woman."
    et "And your father married a Tuatha woman in turn."
    y "Love is blind, as they say. The heart knows what it wants."
    et "But does it always?"
    y "One can never be sure, but I'd like to think it does."
    scene a03 05
    with fade
    "We cross over the fords and great plains that the children of Partholon made many centuries ago."
    "Spring has turned to summer and the air is already warm from the morning. Mayflies buzz by at our passing."
    et "Oh, I do love this landscape!"
    y "Perhaps when we are finally at peace, Aengus can build an estate here for you."
    y "This land looks rich for cattle grazing."
    et "So even a famed druid like yourself, that fought at the side of Lord Lugh, can conceive of a time after war?"
    y "When there is peace, I dream of a dun fort for myself near a forest. A quiet place where I can practice my arts among the rustling leaves."
    y "Revenge can be a great motivator, but it will consume you in the end. I'd prefer to follow my... passions."
    et "You..."
    et "...are not what I expected, my Lord."
    y "Is that a compliment or a censure?"
    et "You be the judge!"
    stop music
    scene a03 05a
    with fade
    show et sup at center
    et "Wait, do you feel that?"
    y "Yes..."
    et "A great presence! Something is watching us!"
    show et fight at center
    play sound rune01
    "Using Tuatha magick, Etain conjures her weapon into her hand, ready to fight."
    et "Be on your guard! It could be a Fovorian!"
    y "It's not a Forvorian."
    et "How can you be so certain?"
    "I point up to the branches of a lone oak tree in the middle of the field."
    y "Because that is what is watching us."
    scene a03 05b
    with fade
    play sound crow
    et "A crow?"
    y "No, not a crow."
    y "It's The Morrigan."
    "The Morrigan is one of the most reclusive and mysterious of the Tuatha De Danann."
    "A goddess of war and strife, she revels in conflict between armies and warriors. Some call her the Queen of Nightmares."
    "Her crows circle over battlefields, revelling in the bloodshed between worthy warriors."
    "While King Nuada and Bres were largely credited with the Tuatha victory over the Fir Bolg, it was The Morrigan that landed the killing blow on the last Fir Bolg king of Celtica."
    "Etain hesitates, but then she kneels in the grass."
    et "My Lady..."
    et "The times must be dire, if you are here."
    "The crow speaks in a woman's voice."
    tm "Well met, little keeper of secrets."
    "Etain's face flushes at the appellation."
    "I bow to The Morrigan."
    y "The last time I saw you I was in a rusted cage. Since that time, I've taken a great toll on my enemies."
    tm "As I had hoped, for I love nothing more than the chaos and calamity of battle. But your work is not yet done."
    y "I agree. The decisive battle is yet to be fought. Have you come to foretell my death, O Queen of Crows?"
    tm "The fates of most men are easily read in this age, but not so you. Fog obscures your path from my sight. All I sense is that your presence stretches out very far, like an echo through the ages."
    y "The only thing I know is that come what may, I will not disappoint you."
    tm "Oh, of that we can agree!"
    tm "But be careful, Scythian. I fear for you that you are on the precipice of something dire."
    y "Then nothing has changed for me."
    scene a03 05a
    with fade
    show et sup at center
    play sound crow
    "The Morrigan screeches in satisfaction at my sardonic reply and flies away."
    et "I've... I've never met The Morrigan before. She's... unsettling."
    et "Yet you talk about her with some familiarity!"
    y "I first met her as a child."
    y "I've spoken with her a handful of times since. She always comes to me as a crow."
    et "I don't know if it is a boon or a curse that she has cast her eye upon you!"
    y "Well, she's never explained herself to me."
    et "It appears I've {i}sorely{/i} underestimated you, my Lord!"
    y "Come, let us continue on our journey. Our stop for the night is not far."
    stop music
    scene dd04 02
    with fade
    "The sun sets and Etain and I move through the twilight. An unseasonable fog suddenly rolls in, making our journey even more difficult."
    show et sup at center with moveinright
    et "Where did this mist come from? I can barely see ten steps in front of us!"
    y "We don't want to be out here any longer than we have to. It's perfect weather for thieves and bandits."
    et "Do you think this mist to be... unnatural?"
    y "That would be my guess, for these are chaotic times."
    y "If I were in a band of cutthroats with a druid in our employ, a mist over a well-travelled road in the dying light of the day would be the perfect time to strike at unwary travellers."
    et "It makes sense!"
    y "Fortunately, I see the torches of the Hostel of Almu in front of us. They are dim, but they don't seem too far."
    et "Then let us hurry!"
    scene dd04 03
    with fade
    play music town04 loop
    "We make it into the main hall of the Hostel of Almu, a popular stop for weary travellers on the Royal Road."
    "I watch Etain and she expertly surveys the room for threats and exits. She presents as a demure Tuatha woman, but the way she carries herself suggests more." 
    "But this should be no surprise, considering the mission I have been given."
    show et happ at center with moveinright
    et "Oh, perfect! Let's get something warm to eat and a cup of spiced mead!"
    "The hall is moderately populated and the hosteler and his wife tend to the great cauldron in the center of the room where the stew is simmering."
    y "Well, there is plenty of room, so let's find a table."
    "To anyone observing us, we would appear to be a husband and wife travelling one of the most common roads in Celtica. Nothing out of the ordinary."
    scene dd04 04
    with fade
    "As Etain and I wait to be served, I begin a conversation with her about some bardic poetry that has been left on the table for interested guests."
    "Since the exile of King Bres and the reclamation of the throne by King Nuada, the bardic arts have exploded in popularity, after a long period of suppression."
    "Etain is an attractive woman with an agreeable demeanor. She can both make conversation and she listens well, asking pertinent questions. Clearly Aengus has made a fine choice for his bride-to-be."
    et "We must be careful when we retire for the night. No one must see us enter separate rooms, for they would question why a married couple would do so."
    y "There are not too many guests here tonight. We will find an opportune moment. Unless of course, you've noticed anyone observing us?"
    et "No. Nobody watches us, but that doesn't mean we should drop our guard."
    y "Agreed."
    scene dd04 03
    with fade
    "After the meal, we make plans to go upstairs."
    show et neut at left with moveinleft
    et "The rooms are right next to each other, so we go together. As the man, you take the lead. Here, take my hand."
    "I grasp Etain's hand in my own like a pair of lovers would and lead her down the darkened hall towards the private rooms."
    hide et neut at right with moveoutright
    "The touch of Etain's warm flesh against my own skin stirs something dark and lustful inside me."
    stop music

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Whisper druid words upon Etain.":
            $ et_cor += 1
            jump dd03y

        "Maintain self-control and retire for the night.":
            jump dd03z

label dd03y:

    scene dd04 04a
    with fade

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    "Etain is a beautiful woman that is easy to desire, but I am no fool."
    "To make advances upon the betrothed of Aengus, one of the most prominent of the {i}Tuatha De Danann{/i}, would be a quick way to my ruin."
    "However, there are... other ways I can take pleasure with Etain."
    "Forvorian druids have certain spells and incantations that strike fear or awe others. It is a type of magick I have been able to learn through my secretive self study."
    "I think these types of druid words can have a much wider affect than just intimidation. I think they can be used to impart lust and desire in a similar way."
    "I focus on my druid sight."
    scene dd04 05
    with fade
    play music whd01 loop
    "An image of Etain appears in my mind's eye, I can see every detail, as though I were sitting at the edge of her bed."
    "She is slim and her breasts are not large, but they are well shaped through her bra. Her chest rises and falls rhythmically with her soft breathing."
    "With her sleeping form within my magickal vision, I begin whispering words upon her, pushing my erotic yearnings out of myself and onto her."
    et "U~ uuuhhnn..."
    scene dd04 06
    with fade
    "In her half-conscious state, she pulls on her underwear so that it rubs hard against the slit of her pussy. Her fingers quickly follow, rubbing into the tautly stretched silk, teasing the hole beneath it."
    et "A~ Ahhhgnn!"
    "The sight of Etain pleasuring herself arouses me even more than before. With my heart beating faster, I take off my pants and stroke my cock."
    "In a symbiotic loop, my emotions wash over Etain, causing her to gasp and then to fully awaken."
    scene dd04 07
    with fade
    et "Why now? What's happening... to me?"
    et "Oh Goddess... I can't stop! It feels... too good!"
    "With her pantie crumpled and tossed on the floor, she rubs the folds of her purse harder and more frantically."
    scene dd04 08
    with fade
    et "OooOohhnnn..."
    "Drawing on my druidic instinct, I add something more to the words I whisper."
    "I add words of shame and guilt. I project these feelings onto Etains's sordid acts of self-love."
    "As she teases her nipples and fondles her breasts, I make her feel as though she is cheating on her betrothed."
    "All acts of betrayal begin with a thought."
    scene dd04 08a
    with fade
    "As I stroke my cock, my whispered words become more potent and precise, like a sword that has found its mark."
    "Etain and I are locked in a debauched cycle of lust, feeding upon each other's carnal impulses. She does not know she is coupled with me, which makes this technique all the more interesting."
    "It's a form of sex that is both immoral and exhilarating at the same time."
    scene dd04 09
    with fade
    et "Uuuuhhh... Uhhhuunnn..."
    et "Aengus... forgive me..."
    "Not to worry, Aengus. If you lose Etain, there will be other women you can take as your wife. Let me take my pleasure with what you so generously supplied me with on this mission..."
    et "I'm... going to cum! Goddess! Somehow... this is enough for me... TO CUM!"
    "Yes, Etain! Do it! Cum for me! We'll cum together!"
    scene dd04 10
    play sound shoot05
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    et "OoooOOooooHHH!!!"
    y "RRRNNGHH!"
    "I cum onto my bedsheets as I watch Etain squirt onto hers. I've never shared a physical ejaculation with a partner that was as intense as what I just went through!"
    et "A~ Aenguuus!!!"
    "A sex-crazed Etain, lewdly spraying onto her bed with her cheeks spread wide, is going to be burned into my memory!"
    stop music
    scene dd04 11
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Corruption +1")
    et "Haaah... ha... haaah..."
    "Etain collapses onto her bed, panting."
    "This is nothing like I have experienced before. I am convinced it is in the dark druidic ways of the Forvorians that I will find all that I seek to know and all that I desire."
    "How could I deny this to be the case, when my joining with Etain was but a mere sample of what could be possible for a druid with ambition and imagination!"

    if _in_replay:
        return

    scene dd04 12
    with fade
    play sound day loop
    "The next day..."
    show et sad at right with moveinright
    y "Good morning, Etain. Are you all right? Did you not sleep well?"
    show et sup at right
    "Etain's face flushes bright red at my simple question."
    et "What do you mean? Yes, I slept quite well, thank you!"
    "Etain must think I heard her moaning through the walls last night. I speak quickly, realizing the error of my simple greeting."
    y "You may think this strange for a druid, but when I sleep, not even the clattering of a shield could wake me until morning. It's a source of endless amusement for Lugh."
    et "Yes, well... I'm glad you slept soundly. Now... we'll be at Tau-Ra by early afternoon if we move swiftly. Let's not delay a moment longer!"
    "Etain rushes down the hostel path towards the Royal Road."
    stop sound
    scene a03 06
    with fade
    play music bgtown07.mp3 loop
    "Later in the day, we reach the great city of Tau-Ra, with its ivory towers that reach into the sky. After some time on the road, Etain regains her usual composure."
    et "I never grow tired of the awe that this city invokes in me!"
    y "I see too many places ripe for an ambush."
    et "Ah, spoken like a true warrior, ever on their guard!"
    jump dd03x

label dd03z:

    scene dd04 04a
    with fade
    "First and foremost, I have a mission to fulfill. Opportunities for pleasure come later."
    "I spend some time reflecting on the secrets I have been taught as a druid of The Dagda."
    "This is the wild and magickal knowledge that can summon storms or transform me into a fox or a deer." 
    "One day, just as The Dagda teaches me, it will be my responsibility to pass on what I know to the next generation of druids."
    scene dd04 12
    with fade
    play sound day loop
    "The next day..."
    show et happ at right with moveinright
    y "Good morning, Etain. Did you sleep well?"
    et "I had nothing but pleasant dreams. Are we ready to go?"
    y "If we make good time, we'll be at Tau-Ra by early afternoon."
    et "Then let's not delay a moment longer!"
    "Etain speeds along the hostel path down to the Royal Road."
    stop sound
    scene a03 06
    with fade
    play music bgtown07.mp3 loop
    "Later in the day, we reach the great city of Tau-Ra, with its ivory towers that reach into the sky."
    et "I never grow tired of the awe that this city invokes in me!"
    y "I see too many places ripe for an ambush."
    et "Ah, spoken like a true warrior, ever on their guard!"
    jump dd03x
    

label dd03x:

    scene a03 07
    with fade
    play sound street loop
    show zcrowd at center
    "We enter one of the bustling squares where crafters and merchants hawk their wares and the crowd is thick."
    show et talk at center with moveinright
    et "There are several acquaintances I need to catch up with that may know something about our prisoner."
    et "Are you to go now to the dungeon where he is being held? To talk with Flida?Perhaps your druidic arts are what is needed to loosen his tongue."
    y "That was my plan, to head there directly."
    et "Good. Now, at the edge of the city they are building a banquet hall. Meet me there in the morn and we will share what we have learned."
    et "We shall be able to converse freely there, away from the dark agents that are surely operating in these streets."
    y "All the more reason to be careful, fair Etain."
    show et happ at center
    et "Oh, you think me fair?"

    menu:

        "In the most polite sense, my lady.":
            jump dd03a

        "{color=#00ff00}A man would be a fool to deny it.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd03b

label dd03a:

    show et neut at center
    et "I see. How boring."
    y "We should focus on the task at hand, my lady."
    et "Of course. Until tomorrow."
    hide et neut at left with moveoutleft
    "Etain disappears into the crowd while I make my way towards the prison cells of the town guard."
    stop sound
    jump dd03c

label dd03b:

    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    et "What a sweet tongue you have, to so casually throw such words at a woman that has been spoken for!"
    y "I am not stingy with my praise for those that deserve it. Until tomorrow, my lady. I hope your enquiries will bear fruit."
    et "* sigh *"
    et "Back to business so soon..."
    et "Until tomorrow, my Lord."
    hide et happ at left with moveoutleft
    "Etain disappears into the crowd while I make my way towards the prison cells of the town guard."
    stop sound
    jump dd03c

label dd03c:

    stop music
    scene a03 08
    with fade
    play sound door03
    show guard 01 at left
    "I enter the dimly lit dungeon, guided down the stairs by a guard."
    "Guard" "Lady Flida! This man asked for you by name."
    "I wish this dolt wouldn't speak so loudly. I need to be discreet."
    show fli2 happ at center with moveinright
    hide guard 01 at left with moveoutleft
    y "So this is where the elders sent you. Are you having fun yet?"
    fl "Scythian, my friend! Dian Cecht and The Dagda told me of your coming!"
    "Flida is a goddess of cattle and fertility. She's more at home on a battlefield, a banquet hall or tending to her legendary cattle herds. We fought together extensively in the rebellion that saw off King Bres."
    "The fact that Flida was selected to secure Tau-Ra from Forvorian spies says more for her defining personality trait than anything else."
    "She hates the dark gods of the Otherworld with a passion."
    y "Have you learned anything more since your last report to The Dagda and Dian Cecht?"
    show fli2 talk at center 
    fl "I'm afraid not, but now that you are here, I am sure your cunning druid ways will get us the answers we need."
    fl "Do not go easy on those sworn to the darkness!"
    show fli2 neut at center
    y "Thank you, Flida. Leave me alone to do my business. I'll call you if I need you."
    fl "As you wish."
    hide fli2 neut at left with moveoutleft
    "I open the cell and enter."
    scene a03 09
    with fade
    "The prisoner sits at the edge of the dimly lit cell, his meager supper only half eaten."
    "Prisoner" "Huh, you don't look like another druid."
    "If only he knew!"
    "Prisoner" "Like I've said before - I don't know anything. The truth magicks prove I'm not hiding anything!"
    "I'm not entirely convinced."
    y "Really? You don't know anything? Not even where you got the letter from?"
    "The prisoner's eyes widen as I wave the cyphered message in front of him."
    "Prisoner" "For the last time, it must have been planted on me! I've never seen that parchment until the guard found it on me!"
    "Prisoner" "Who's to say it wasn't the guard that did it... to incriminate me for some reason!"
    "I hold the parchment to the door of the cell to catch more of the nearby torchlight."
    "The script is like no known language and is obviously a code, but I notice several clues. The Ogham letters of the Tuatha are made with straight strokes in a particular order."
    "The code is made with curved components in an order that would suggest the writer was most familiar with a Forvorian script."
    "It would be like someone making a nonsensical language, but it would still have echoes that sounded of the actual language of the speaker."
    "Forvorian script has been forbidden since King Nuada has retaken the throne, so the message, whatever it says, can be of no good purpose."
    "My instincts also tell me this prisoner is just a courier with no understanding of what he is carrying."
    "However, he should at least be able to lead me to those that are writing and reading these cyphers."
    "Some things don't require druid magick or incantations to solve. For this simpleton, the solution is much more... ordinary."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}If magick does not work, I will simply torture him to get what I need.":
            jump dd04

        "There's no need for unnecessary suffering. I'll get him released and then secretly follow him.":
            jump dd05

label dd04:

    scene a04 01
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Prisoner" "What are you doing???"
    y "You know more than you say."
    "Prisoner" "T~ The druids show that I don't!"
    y "Well, I have other methods."
    scene a04 02
    with fade
    "Prisoner" "N~ NO!"
    "I bend his arm until I hear the crack of bone."
    play sound crack
    "Prisoner" "AIEEEEE!!!"
    y "Now listen to me very carefully..."
    y "If you don't tell me where that parchment came from, I'm going to break your other arm..."
    y "Then I will break your legs..."
    y "And finally, if you still have nothing to say, you are useless to me and I'll break your neck."
    "The prisoner sobs and blubbers through his pain."
    "Prisoner" "I'll talk! I'll talk!"
    scene a04 03
    with fade
    "Prisoner" "I get the parchments at the place I work."
    y "Which is?"
    "Prisoner" "T~ The bath house near the western gate!"
    y "Who gives them to you?"
    "Prisoner" "I don't know, I swear! They're just left for me under a barrel in the kitchen and a silver coin appears there the next day!"
    "Prisoner" "I~ I take them to a building in the merchant quarter, next to the Grey Horse Tavern! I slide it under a door!"
    "Prisoner" "There's a voice there sometimes... a magickal voice that cast a spell on me! T~to protect me!"
    "A charm. As I suspected."
    "The prisoner moans and rocks back and forth on the ground. I look at him without sympathy."
    scene a03 08
    with fade
    play sound door03
    show fli2 fight at center with moveinleft
    fl "What is the commotion?!"
    y "It appears the prisoner has hurt himself."
    fl "What???"
    y "But I have what I need to continue my investigation, Flida."
    y "It appears our prisoner was merely a useful idiot that the Forvorians have used like a mule to carry their messages."
    fl "Regardless, he shall still have to face the King's justice for what he has done!"
    "I make my way up the stairs without looking back."
    jump dd06a

label dd05:
    y "I see. I think the guards may have made a mistake."
    "Prisoner" "Is this the King's justice? Maybe it would be better if King Bres were still on the throne!"
    "I bite my tongue at that comment and I leave the cell. I'll die before I see Bres back on the throne."
    scene a03 08
    with fade
    "I summon Flida."
    play sound door03
    show fli2 neut at center with moveinright
    fl "Did the prisoner talk?"
    y "Flida, I think there has been a terrible mistake."
    y "That prisoner is innocent and should be released without charge."
    show fli2 talk at center
    fl "Surely you jest, Scythian!"
    y "Do you trust me, Flida?"
    fl "Do you have to ask? We've fought side by side more times than I can count."
    y "Then trust me now. Let him go after I leave."
    fl "..."
    fl "I don't know what you are planning, but I'll do as you ask."
    scene a05 01
    show zcrowd2 at center
    with fade
    play music dev02 loop
    "In the dying light of the day, it's not hard for me to track the prisoner through the streets of Tau-Ra."
    "He's not a very smart man. His urgent pace tells me he's going straight to a contact involved with the parchment."
    "My common clothing doesn't draw attention to itself, which is what The Dagda intended."
    "I follow at a safe distance as my mark makes his way into the merchants quarter."
    scene a05 02
    with fade
    show pris at center with moveinleft
    "The prisoner ducks into a narrow street lined with small warehouses."
    "He looks up at the many windows above him, but does not seem to focus on any one in particular."
    "Prisoner" "Hello? Are you there?"
    "Prisoner" "They took the paper! You told me to come here and tell you if something like this happened!"
    "Prisoner" "I was stopped by a guard but don't worry, it was far from the bath house!"
    "Prisoner" "I still get paid, right? That was the agreement!"
    scene a05 03
    play sound bowhit2
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "An arrow strikes the prisoner firmly in the chest and he crumples to the ground."
    "I could not save him..."
    "Silently cursing myself at the unfortunate turn of events, I wait in the shadows for somebody to come and remove the body."
    "Whoever that is will know a lot more than this hapless lackey."
    scene a05 02
    with fade
    "A dark figure emerges from a doorway and creeps towards the lifeless prisoner."
    "I move forward to pounce, mindful there may still be archers overlooking the scene from above."
    show ass fight at center with moveinright
    play sound strike01
    "Flicking out my dagger just in time, I deflect a blow from the dark figure, but something feels wrong."
    "There's no mistaking it - my opponent is a Forvorian assassin."
    scene a05 04
    with fade
    play sound dagger01
    "I swing my blade and it passes harmlessly through my foe."
    "She's nothing but an illusion conjured by magick!"
    y "Damn it!"
    "No doubt the caster is not far away, watching the proceedings."
    scene a05 02
    "The illusion fades away. There are people staring at the commotion from the nearby causeway."
    "I quickly slip away from the scene. If the town watch caught me, there's no reason why they wouldn't throw a commoner into a cell."
    "And if Forvorian assassins are involved, they would already be fleeing from the den they made in one of the rooms above."
    "Still, I do have one clue. The lackey mentioned a bath house before he was murdered..."
    stop music
    jump dd06

label dd06:

    scene a06 01
    with fade
    "There are several bath houses in Tau-Ra but only one that would expect a lackey to dress as well as my prisoner."
    "I make an educated guess and head for the western gate of the city."

label dd06a:

    scene a06 01
    play music wh02 loop
    "The bath house nearby is lavishly decorated and is a favored stop for wealthy travellers visiting the capital."
    "If there are any clues, they will be here."
    "I wonder if Etain is having as eventful an investigation as myself? Perhaps I can find her, before the sun rises, with my druid sight..."
    "Maybe later."
    scene a06 02
    with fade
    "Steam rises from the inviting waters as naked men enter the pool to soak themselves."
    "I walk around the edges and see nothing unusual, but of course, anything of interest to me would be behind closed doors."
    show va neut at center with moveinright
    "Lady" "Can I... help you, sir?"
    "The young lady before me is dressed in silks that leave nothing to the imagination."
    "There's something strange about her. She addresses me with glazed eyes and a supreme air of indifference."
    "I remember the other reason travelers frequent this bath house, besides the refreshing waters."
    y "I'm... looking to relax."
    "Lady" "To... relax?"
    "It's all indirect language."
    "Lady" "You may rent a room upstairs for... five silvers."
    y "Oh... I'm afraid I'll need to come back another day, then."
    y "Ah, Miss...?"
    "Vana" "Vana."
    "The clothes of a commoner does have its advantages. She has no trouble believing I cannot afford some private time upstairs with a courtesan."
    hide va neut with moveoutright
    scene a06 03
    with fade
    "I leave the bath house but loop around to the back, sneaking past the scullery maids and the laborers keeping the furnaces alight."
    "Up the stairs are the private rooms that Vana mentioned."
    "The problem is I don't know what, or who, I'm looking for."
    "The rooms are lavishly furnished with luxuries from the east. The bedding is soft and wide, ideal for all forms of lovemaking."
    "???" "My Lord?"
    scene a06 04
    with fade
    "A beautiful woman steps into the room from an alcove."
    "Bells and medallions jingle as she walks. Two shapely legs draped in fine silk move towards me."
    "???" "You should not be here."
    "I'm no fool. The Dagda chose me for this task because of my judgement."
    "This enticing woman before me means no harm. My druidic instincts are not even slightly on edge."
    "Sometimes you just need to trust those feelings."
    y "I need your help."
    scene a06 03
    with fade
    show ol neut at center with moveinleft
    "???" "And who are you my Lord, that you need my help?"
    y "Somebody that protects the Tuatha De Danann from harm."
    "???" "I see. I am Olivia."
    y "Olivia, do you know a young man that works here, with short cropped dark hair and tanned skin?"
    "Olivia" "Do you mean Dougal? I've not seen him for some days. He scrubs the floors and repairs the tiling."
    "I'm in the right place."
    y "I need information, Olivia. Anything happening here that is odd? Anyone unusual coming here?"
    show ol neut2 at center
    "Olivia" "How can I trust you?"
    y "Because I am trusting you."
    "She looks at me intently, as though trying to gauge the truth in my eyes."
    "Finally, she relaxes."
    "Olivia" "Well met, my Lord."
    show ol talk at center
    "Olivia" "Yes, strange things have been occurring here."
    "Olivia" "The other girls, once so lively, now walk these halls as if in a dream."
    "Olivia" "They are now more interested in talking with their clients than... helping them relax."
    y "Yes. I spoke to a lady downstairs named Vana and thought something seemed strange in her bearing. Why this is the case?"
    "Olivia" "I do not know the why, but I may know the cause."
    scene a06 05
    with fade
    "Olivia" "I found this under my pillow."
    "Olivia gives me a finely cut gemstone that reeks of a strange magick."
    "Olivia" "Take this with you and away from here. I fear such stones have been placed in the room of every girl that works here."
    y "Olivia, what kind of clients do you serve here?"
    "Olivia" "Merchants, soldiers and the nobility. We are discreet, for which our services are valued."
    "Olivia" "What do you suspect, my Lord?"
    y "I don't know yet..."
    "I need to get this stone back to The Dagda. No doubt these stones have been causing the change of behavior in the courtesans."
    "With the cliental that Olivia has described, it's likely the courtesans are being compelled to gather information for our enemies."
    "As the Forvorians are preparing to attack us, such enchanted rocks would be a terrible weapon to use against us."
    "In the meantime, I need to inform the Tuatha spymasters to watch this bath house and ensure information is not leaked to the enemy."
    "But on the other hand, I tremble as I place the stone in my tunic pocket. What wonderful properties does it hold for a bold druid willing to strip away its secrets?!"
    "This is the kind of secret and forbidden knowledge I yearn for!"
    y "Thank you, Olivia. You've been a great help."
    "Was my voice calm and composed? Did I hide the excitement in my voice? Surely Olivia can hear how hard my heart is thumping!"
    scene a06 03
    with fade
    show ol talk at center
    "Olivia" "I admit I've been very afraid these past few weeks."
    "Olivia" "The nights have filled me with dread and unease..."
    show ol neut at center
    "Olivia" "But for the first time in a long time..."
    "Olivia" "You have put my heart at ease."
    show ol allu at center
    "Olivia" "Is there a way I can repay you, my Lord?"
    "Olivia" "The night is young..."

    menu:

        "Decline her offer and focus on the mission":
            jump dd07

        "{color=#00ff00}Accept the diversion and take your pleasure with Olivia":
            jump dd08

label dd07:

    y "You are a beautiful woman, Olivia, but I cannot accept your offer."
    show ol neut at center
    "Olivia" "So... you are that kind of man."
    y "Just a man committed to the task entrusted to him."
    scene a07 01
    with fade
    "Olivia reaches out and tenderly strokes my face."
    "Olivia" "Yes, a man who places his duty before his passions and urges. And yet, I sense you are a man with deep passions..."
    "I ignore her astute observation. Am I so easily read by others?"
    y "There is more happening here than both of us know. I cannot rest until I see this through."
    "Olivia" "And if the darkness comes for me, where will you be?"
    y "I will be in front of you as your shield. I am a shield of the Tuatha."
    scene a07 02
    with fade
    "Olivia sits on the bed, the curves of her body well defined in the lantern light."
    "She is stunning."
    "Olivia" "Come see me when this is over, my Lord."
    "Olivia" "I will share the warmth of my body, and my heart, with you."
    y "Goodbye, Olivia. Do not fear any longer."
    stop music
    scene a07 03
    with fade
    "I step out into the night, thinking of how the town guard can be used to protect Olivia and the other courtesans."
    "Can the magick that the stones hold over their minds be dispelled?"
    "Etain's off-handed comment turned out to be correct - enemy agents are freely operating in the city."
    "The important thing now is to get the gem in my pocket back to Dian Cecht and The Dagda."
    "But..."
    "Before I do that, I have some time with it. I could... study its effects. I would however, need to find a subject to test it on."
    "The stone was hidden in Olivia's pillow, so I suspect it has its most potent effect when the target is asleep. But what can it do to a waking mind?"
    "It is like nothing I have seen before from the crafts of the Tuatha and despite everything I've seceretly studied about the Forvorian arts, it doesn't strike me as distinctly Forvorian either."
    "So many unanswered questions..."
    scene a07 04
    with fade
    "I sense someone watching me and instinctively look up."
    "From a high dome, dark figures prowl around, observing my movements."
    "Let the cowards come face me, if they dare."
    "A moment longer, and my stalkers disappear into the night. It seems Tau-Ra is restless this evening, and so am I."

    menu:

        "Examine the stone in solitude":
            jump dd07b

        "{color=#00ff00}Seek out Etain to test the nature of the stone":
            $ et_cor += 1
            jump dd07a

    
label dd07a:

    scene dd05 01
    with fade
    play music gen09 loop
    "I transform into an owl and take to the sky above Tau-Ra. All experienced druids can change into the animals of the forest, but we all have our preferences."
    "Given my strange relationship with The Morrigan, I've never dared turn myself into a crow or a raven. Most druids like hawks, but it is the owl that I choose."
    "From my lofty vantage point and with eyesight that far surpasses a human, I scan the street of the royal city, looking for Etain."
    "She said she could gather information discreetly. If she is indoors or in a clever disguise, I may have no luck in finding her."
    scene dd05 02
    with fade
    "But luck is on my side. In one of the working quarters of the city, I find Etain walking through the darkened streets."
    "She was introduced to me as the betrothed of Aengus and I have no reason to doubt that, but why was she really sent with me on this mission?"
    "All my subtle questioning of Etain has not made it any more clearer to me. Her answers have been evasive."
    scene dd05 03
    with fade
    play sound tavern03 loop
    show crowd1 at center
    "I change back into a human and follow Etain through a doorway that leads into a respectable tavern. I take a cup of mead and sit in a corner, observing Etain."
    "She goes about the main room, speaking to several people that seem to know her. It would appear she has a network of contacts that she gathers information from."
    "Occasionally, she talks to people that do not seem to know her, but her bright smile leads to lengthy conversations. What they discuss, I cannot say, although through lip-reading, the word 'bathhouse' is mentioned often."
    hide crowd1 at right with moveoutright
    "After some thought on how to make my next move, I quietly whisper druid words upon myself to change my appearance. To anyone around me, I would appear to be an ordinary worker with respectable, but modest, attire."
    show et neut at center with moveinleft
    y "My lady?"
    et "Yes?"
    y "Pardon my rudeness, but I heard talk of bathhouses just now. Whether you want to visit one or work in one, I would advise you against it."
    show et talk at center
    et "Oh? And why would you say that?"
    y "Strange things have been happening in those places. I think dark magick could be at work, but I'm not sure. Anyway, you stay away from those places!"
    et "It's true I've been thinking of visiting a bathhouse this evening. What are you so worried about that you think magick is involved?"
    y "My sister is a cook in one of the local bathhouses and lately, her behaviour has changed. I found something in her possession she should not have, so I took it from her!"
    et "You stole from your sister?"
    y "Not stole, protect! It is some foul thing and I know not what to do with it! It's in my pocket right now and I have a good mind to throw it in the river!"
    et "Come with me to the corner over here. Show me what you have and there may be some coin in it for you... to help your sister!"
    "This is my chance."
    stop music
    stop sound
    scene dd05 04
    with fade
    play music dev03 loop
    y "It was this jewel I found, my lady. There's something wrong with it, and that's the truth. Where did my sister get this from, anyway?"
    "Working on a hunch as to how the stone may work, I spin it gently in my hand as Etain looks at it. I make sure every facet passes light into her eyes."
    "I whisper some druid words used in alchemy, reasoning it could increase the potency of the stone's effects."
    "It seems to be working. Soon, Etain's inquisitive expression goes vacant and her eyelids get heavy. And yet, her dilated pupils stay transfixed upon the slowly rotating stone as I continue my incantation."
    y "My lady? Can you hear me?"
    et "..."
    et "Yes..."
    y "Let us go into the cellar, where I can show you more."
    et "Yes..."
    scene dd05 05
    with fade

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    "Etain and I enter an unused mead cellar and I close the door behind us."
    "Etain stands before me with vacant eyes and in a trance-like state. She offers no words or any indication that she is thinking of anything. The stone has worked its influence over Etain more strongly than I ever imagined."
    "What dire threat to Celtica have I just uncovered?"
    "I need more answers and Etain at least, may have a few."
    y "Who am I to you?"
    et "You are, a tavern stranger... your sister works... in a bathhouse..."
    "Good. She is open to my questions and my spell still tricks her perceptions, even in her altered state."
    y "Who are you, and who do you work for?"
    et "I am... Etain... Brigid is my mistress... I am... her spymaster..."
    "I knew it had to be something like that. Does Aengus know?"
    y "Your betrothal to Aengus, is that a lie?"
    et "No... I will... marry Aengus... for the sake of... our families..."
    "Ah, so it is a political marriage. But at the same time, Brigid will have placed her agent into the house of Aengus, her brother."
    "Now, let's the test the limits of this diabolical stone."
    y "I can tell you everything I know about this stone, but it will come at a price. That is fair, isn't it?"
    et "Yes. Fair..."
    y "Take off your clothes."
    scene dd05 06
    play sound dress
    "She does not even hesitate to drop her dress to the floor."
    "For a long moment, I run my eyes all over Etain's naked body. I take in every detail of her skin, illuminated by the torch light."
    "She is slim and her breasts are modest. I see she trims her pubic hairs rather than shaving them completely off. Tuatha women seem to be divided on this point of grooming, as are the preferences of the menfolk."
    scene dd05 07
    with fade
    y "What are you doing in Tau-Ra?"
    et "I am... searching for... Forvorian spies and... plots against King Nuada..."
    y "I think this stone would be the kind of evidence you would be looking for, isn't that right, spymaster?"
    et "Yes..."
    y "I will give it to you, for a price."
    "I must be careful here. Etain is under the spell of the stone, but if I push too far, she should break out of its influence and my experiment would be ruined."
    "I must test the limits of its power, slowly and cautiously. When Etain wakes from her enchantment, she must not rememeber anything about this."
    "My first request should be... milder than what the full extent of my passions desire."
    y "Pleasure my cock, and it will be yours."
    scene dd05 08
    with fade
    "Without protest or hesitation, a glassy-eyed Etain gets down upon her knees and begins to lick my balls. I run my hand affectionately through her thick, lush hair."
    y "You're very good at this, Etain..."
    "Etain continues with her tongue, as though I had said nothing. She is fixated on just one task, based on the command I had given her."
    scene dd05 09
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    y "UUNGHH!"
    "I involuntarily let out a moan as she takes my cock fully into her mouth. As Etain's head moves back and forth upon my shaft, I engage in some druidic reasoning."
    "Olivia said the stones were placed under pillows and worked on the minds of the courteseans gradually, turning them into unwitting spies. But how far can this power go?"
    play sound blow02 loop
    "Giving it a boost with my own druid magicks was enough to place Etain into a trance-like state in only minutes. What else can this stone do? Could it make someone kill? Change their memories, beliefs and loyalties?"
    "Etain's sucking intensifies, as does her stroking of my rigid meat."
    y "I'm going to... cum!"
    "Etain works even more vigourously at my half-breathed statement, confirming she can indeed hear what I say."
    stop sound
    scene dd05 10
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound shoot01
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    et "AuuuUunngh..."
    "I cum into Etain's mouth. She takes the full load of my seed with dull eyes, rubbing my cock with both her pale hands to ensure I am fully milked."
    "It seems that combined with druid magick, the power of the stone is compelling even beyond my wildest imaginings."
    "Etain is enslaved to my will, although how long that will last, I do not yet know."
    "Still, this trial has been a great success. These stones are a dire threat in the hands of Celtica's enemies, but in my possession..."
    "They are an opportunity without equal!"
    scene dd05 11
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Corruption +1")
    "There is one last thing to try..."
    y "You must get dressed and return to the tavern above. You will forget this happened."
    et "..."
    y "When you recall your time here, you will only remember questioning your regular contacts."
    et "..."
    "I place the stone in my pocket and make my way up the stairs before Etain."
    scene dd05 12
    with fade
    "I find a quiet place in the corner of the tavern and observe Etain's behavior when she finally appears from below."
    "She appears to be tired and disorientated, which is not surprising. When I meet with Etain in the morning, I will be able to ascertain more about what she does and does not remember."
    "If, as I suspect, the stone also has the power to cloud memories, then we are dealing with something far beyond the abilities of any ordinary druid or craftsman to make."
    "Etain seems to regain her compure and leaves the tavern. I wait for a while before I too, leave."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd09


label dd07b:

    scene dd05 13
    with fade
    play music gen09 loop
    "Transforming into a bird, I fly onto a rooftop where I will be away from prying eyes."
    "The stone glows eerily and it takes me some moments before I realize not all the light is coming from the refacted light of the moon. No, this stone has more within it than I can imagine."
    "The facets have a strange, lulling effect. My druidic training can keep its distracting power at bay, but I can see how it would affect someone with more ordinary willpower."
    "I feel that the power within the stone is compelling me to make an agreement. Like the signing of a contract between two merchants. Such a thing does not feel very Tuatha-like. It is also not something crafted from a Forvorian mind."
    "Where did this thing come from? If I knew more about its origins, I am sure its secrets would be revealed to me..."
    stop music
    jump dd09


label dd08:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    "I smile at her."
    y "I would not refuse such alluring company."
    scene a07 01
    with fade
    "She runs her hands over my head and shoulders, tracing a line down to my belly."
    play sound dress
    "With practiced skill, she takes off my trousers."
    scene a08 01
    with fade
    "She strokes my cock with gentle cooing noises, quickly bringing it to erection."
    "Olivia" "Your manhood is very responsive to my touch, my Lord."
    "Olivia's dark eyes sparkle vibrantly in the light of the room as a gentle summer breeze wafts through the window."
    scene a08 02
    with fade
    "Olivia" "MMMMM~~~"
    "My shaft explodes with the warmth of her mouth."
    y "U~UUUUNNN"
    "I can't help but gasp as Olivia uses a suction that shoots bolts of pleasure through my body."
    "Olivia" "Did you like that, my Lord?"
    scene a08 04
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "Olivia mounts me in a reverse riding position."
    "Olivia" "This way gives more pleasure to a man. Let me show you..."
    "She grinds on top of me, pushing my cock deep inside herself."
    "Olivia" "Oh, my Lord!!!"
    scene a08 05
    with fade
    "Olivia" "Do you feeeel me, my Lord?"
    "Olivia" "Because I feel you! I feel you so much!"
    y "Keep going Olivia. What you offer me is sweet..."
    scene a08 06
    with fade
    "Olivia" "And I will make it sweeter still!"
    "She licks her ruby painted lips as my cock thrusts within her."
    "Olivia" "Give it to me! You need not hold back!"
    "Olivia" "Unleash your passion upon me!"
    stop sound
    scene a08 07
    with fade
    "I put her on her back with my manhood still firmly inside her."
    "She pants heavily and a sheen of sweat is visible of her breasts."
    show mo_olivia01
    "I'm wrapped in the warmth of her sweetly scented body, my shaft effortlessly penetrating her welcoming hole."
    "Olivia" "It's like... I was made for your pleasure... my Lord!"
    "Olivia" "I f-feel you... so much!"
    "I can feel my loins ready to burst. A final surge of power flows through me."

    menu:

        "You're a beautiful woman, Olivia":
            jump dd08a

        "Now, you'll serve me until I'm satisfied!":
            jump dd08b

label dd08a:

    scene a08 08
    with fade
    "In one impulsive movement, Olivia bring me close and kisses me deeply."
    "Olivia" "Are you... trying to woo me?"
    "Olivia" "I usually do not kiss clients but you..."
    y "I'll give you everything I have, my sweet Olivia. You're worthy of my passion!"
    "Olivia" "You... are a dangerous man for my heart!"
    scene a08 09
    play sound slaplong loop
    "I pump Olivia as she wraps her warm thighs around me."
    y "It's... coming!"
    "Olivia" "Yes, my Lord! Yes!"
    y "Oliviaaaa!"
    "Olivia" "YES! YES~!"
    play sound shoot05
    queue sound shoot02
    "I release my hot seed into her quivering snatch."
    "Olivia" "My Looord..."
    scene a08 10
    with fade
    "After we have both spent ourselves, we spend the time kissing and caressing each other in silence."
    "This is not the standard service of a courtesan. Olivia seems to be taking genuine comfort in my embrace."
    "Olivia" "Remember your promise, my Lord."
    "Olivia" "You will protect me..."
    y "I will protect you and all our people..."
    scene a08 11
    with fade
    "I get up to dress and she reclines on the bed. Her breasts are plump and ripe."
    "Olivia" "Be careful out there, my Lord."
    "I grin at her."
    y "Thank you for your concern, my sweet, but it's our enemies that should be careful. Along with passion, there is also a rage inside me, for wrongs that have been done."
    "Olivia" "Goddess be with you, my Lord..."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    scene a08 12
    with fade
    "I step out into the night, thinking of how the town guard can be used to protect Olivia and the other courtesans."
    "Can the magick that the stones hold over their minds be dispelled?"
    "The important thing now is to get the stone in my pocket back to Dian Cecht and the Dagda."
    "The stone was hidden in Olivia's pillow, so I suspect it has its most potent effect when the target is asleep..."
    "But who made it and how? It is like nothing I have seen before from the Forvorians or the Tuatha."
    "Are other nations or tribes involved?"
    "So many unanswered questions..."
    scene a08 13
    with fade
    "I sense movement in the shadows."
    "Someone is tailing me. They conceal themselves well, but not well enough."
    "Without saying a word, I walk towards them with my hand firmly on my dagger hilt."
    scene a08 12
    with fade
    "They have no stomach for a fight."
    "My mysterious stalker disappears into the night."
    "It seems Tau-Ra is restless this evening, and I am as well. I hunger for knowledge of the stone I possess!"

    menu:

        "Examine the stone in quiet solitude":
            jump dd07b

        "{color=#00ff00}Seek out Etain and test the nature of Olivia's stone":
            $ et_cor += 1
            jump dd07a

label dd08b:

    play music bgwhd04.mp3 loop
    scene a08 09
    play sound slaplong loop
    "Olivia" "Y~Yes, my Lord! I will serve you!"
    "A deep, dark excitement rises from within me as I hear her utter those words of submission."
    "Olivia" "Dominate me, my Lord! Conquer me!"
    y "Your whore snatch is mine!"
    "Olivia" "It's yourssss, my Looord!"
    "I pump Olivia harder and harder."
    y "Take my seed!"
    "Olivia" "Yes, my Lord!"
    y "HGGNNNNN!"
    play sound shoot05
    queue sound shoot02
    "I shoot a hot, thick load into Olivia's love hole."
    scene a08 11
    with fade
    "Having satisfied my carnal urges, I get up to dress. Olivia reclines on the bed. Her breasts are plump and ripe."
    "Olivia" "Be careful out there, my Lord."
    y "It is my enemies that should be careful."
    "Olivia" "Oh, I have no doubt that you will show them little mercy, if the temper of your lovemaking is the same with which you make war."
    "I smile at her as I leave the room."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    scene a08 12
    with fade
    "I step out into the night, thinking of how the town guard can be used to protect Olivia and the other courtesans."
    "Can the magick that the stones hold over their minds be dispelled?"
    "The important thing now is to get the gem in my pocket back to Dian Cecht and the Dagda."
    "The stone was hidden in Olivia's pillow, so I suspect it has its most potent effect when the target is asleep..."
    "But who made it and how? It is like nothing I have seen before from the Forvorians or the Tuatha."
    "Are other nations or tribes involved?"
    "So many unanswered questions..."
    scene a08 13
    with fade
    "I sense movement in the shadows."
    "Someone is tailing me. They conceal themselves well, but not well enough."
    "Without saying a word, I walk towards them with my hand firmly on my dagger hilt."
    scene a08 12
    with fade
    "They have no stomach for a fight."
    "My mysterious stalker disappears into the night."
    "It seems Tau-Ra is restless this evening, and I am as well. I hunger for knowledge of the stone I possess!"

    menu:

        "Examine the stone in solitude":
            jump dd07b

        "{color=#00ff00}Seek out Etain and test the nature of Olivia's stone":
            $ et_cor += 1
            jump dd07a


label dd09:

    scene a09 01
    play music town03 loop
    with fade
    "The next morning, I head to the construction site that Etain arranged for our meeting."
    "It is located right up against the city walls."
    "The area is abandoned, as the masons are celebrating a feast day."
    "I skirt the grounds just to ensure no one is waiting in ambush."
    "All clear."
    scene a09 02
    with fade
    "This is the place."
    show et neut at center with moveinright
    "Etain slips into the site. I'm impressed at how silently she moves."
    et "What did our prisoner say?"
    "I tell Etain the story of my investigation. For obvious reasons, I omit the more... personal details."
    et "What you've said makes sense against all I have heard."
    "Etain tells me that she has many contacts in the Forvorian community in Tau-Ra - those able to stay in Celtica as they were deemed loyal to Tuatha rule."
    et "They are scared. Shadows move through the night..."
    et "There are stories of wives attacking husbands for no reason. Like you have discovered, they claim bathhouses have become an area of danger and intrgue."
    show et think at center
    et "It seems..."
    et "It seems the enemy wants to know everything it can about our army."
    y "That obviously makes sense, given we know an invasion is coming."
    show et talk at center
    et "They are especially interested in Lord Lugh and rumors of magickal items he is gathering for the coming conflict."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}That is truly valuable work you have done.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd09b

        "None of this hearsay is particularly helpful.":
            jump dd09c

label dd09b:

    show et happ at center
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    "Etain gives me a broad and genuine smile."
    "Does she not often receive praise?"
    y "We know that one of the strengths of the Tuatha against the Fir Bolg was our ability to repair broken weapons much faster than they could."
    y "They met us with shattered shields and blunt swords while our spears were always keen."
    y "From what you've discovered, we can say the Forvorians fear our magicks more than we previously thought."
    et "Yes... o-of course!"
    jump dd09d

label dd09c:

    show et mad at center
    et "Yes, I understand that!"
    et "So far we have no names and no understanding of what the Forvorians actually intend!"
    y "Not entirely true. I have the stone."
    jump dd09d

label dd09d:

    "Etain regains her composure"
    show et neut at center
    et "Show me the accursed stone you have obtained."
    "I show Etain the red gem. Her eyes become transfixed on the glimmering facets. How easily she is led astray by its power!"
    "I slip it back into my pocket and see seems to regain her senses."
    et "Yes... I can see how that stone could influence a person's mind. Even for a moment, I felt I was losing my sense of self."
    et "Curious it does not seem to affect you. Have you seen anything like it in your druidic studies?"
    y "It is true I have felt no ill effects, but I would be a fool not to treat it like a poisonous viper."
    y "I know nothing for certain, but this does not seem to be the work of Forvorians, and certainly not the craft of the Tuatha. The Dagda will know more."
    et "A frustrating mystery we have..."
    show et sup at center
    et "ABOVE US!!!"
    "I sensed it a moment before Etain calls out her warning."
    scene a09 03
    play music act02 loop
    play sound punch
    queue sound crack
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Our enemies drop down on us from the unfinished rafters above. They must have concealed themselves on the city wall before leaping across to strike!"
    et "By the light!!!"
    y "Finally, you show yourselves!"
    y "Come! Come at me, if you dare!"
    "I flick out my dagger, which is the only weapon I've been given for this mission."
    "Before me is a Forvorian mercenary brandishing one of their famed curved swords."
    "My dagger will need to be enough, as my orders were to not reveal myself as a druid through incantations or magick, and that suits me fine."
    "Though I am not Lugh or King Nuada, I am no slouch with a blade!"
    scene a09 04
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    "I worry about Etain, but it turns out I shouldn't have."
    "Aengus was right when he said she could defend herself."
    play sound strike02
    with vpunch
    "Using basic Tuatha magick, she calls a scimitar to her hand while she fends off the attacks of the overly-confident assassins."
    scene a09 05
    play sound block03
    with hpunch
    "My opponent is skilled, but I'm an experienced fighter as well. The rebellion against Bres has taught me well enough to deal with lackeys like this."
    "I block and deflect every blow that comes towards me."
    queue sound block04
    with hpunch
    y "Have at you!"
    scene a09 06
    with fade
    play sound flash
    et "N~NO!!!"
    "Etain my be a competent fighter, but assassins rely on a range of tricks."
    "A sparkling powder is thrown into Etain's face and she gasps, dropping her weapon to the floor."
    et "H~help..."
    scene a09 07
    with fade
    play sound punch
    y "ETAIN!!!"
    "Assassin" "Our orders were clear! Take this one away!"
    "The Forvorians pick up an unconscious Etain and begin dragging her away."
    scene a09 08
    with fade
    y "Curse you!"
    "I move towards the assassins in an effort to save Etain, but my way is barred by glimmering steel."
    "Swordswoman" "I am your opponent, Tuatha wretch!"
    scene a09 02
    with fade
    show clo fight at center
    play sound block04
    "Determined to finish the fight quickly, I intensify my attacks"
    show clo fight at left with moveoutleft
    "But my opponent is not only skilled with her sword - she is also agile."
    "She evades my attacks as much as she parries them. It's clear she is better than me in the martial arts."
    show clo fight at right with moveoutright
    play sound block03
    "Soon enough, I understand the way she moves. But that alone is not enough to cover the skill gap between us."
    "I utter druid words to call a gust of wind that throws her off balance for just a moment."
    show clo defe at center with moveinright
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    "It is enough. I deliver a mighty blow with the hilt of my dagger into her belly."
    "The swordswoman gasps and her blade clatters onto the ground."
    stop music
    "Swordswoman" "Finish it!"
    "I notice this Forvorian is different from the assassins. She is a mercenary from one of the southern realms."
    "They have a peculiar code of honor, unlike other tribes of Forvoria."
    y "I invoke the Life Debt!"
    "I have to act quickly, for every moment that passes Etain slips further away."
    scene a09 09
    with fade
    "The swordswoman kneels before me at the mention of the Life Debt."
    "Swordswoman" "My life for the life you do not take. What are the terms of release?"
    y "You fight by my side until my mission is complete!"
    "Swordswoman" "Then I swear by the First King Tethra that the Life Debt is made."
    y "What is your name?"
    "Swordswoman" "Cloda."
    y "Then come, Cloda! After those assassins that hired you!"
    jump dd10

label dd10:

    play music cin04 loop
    scene a10 01
    with fade
    "By the time Cloda and I get onto the trail of Etain's kidnappers, they are already well ahead."
    "Being Forvorian assassins and spies, they used magicks of quickening and invisibility to evade the guards at the city gates."
    "My druid sight would have difficultly finding them immediately, but sometimes the more mundane approaches are best."
    y "Cloda, where are they headed?"
    cd "We infiltrated Tau-Ra by taking boats up the Great River. It stands to reason they will return the same way."
    y "Then we head for the river bank!"
    "I replay all the events of the past two days in my head, trying to piece things together."
    y "Why would Forvorians want my partner?"
    cd "I do not know, master. My assignment was merely to protect them and fight for them if the need arose. I did not ask questions."

    menu:

        "Feh! Truly mercenary filth, aren't you?":
            jump dd10a

        "But now, under a Life Debt, you fight for me...":
            jump dd10b

        "{color=#00ff00}I'm going to trust you, as a woman of honor, to help me rescue Etain":
            jump dd10c

label dd10a:

    cd "I make my way in the world as best I can, honoring the great Tethra."
    y "Yet you'll likely stab me in the back the first chance you get."
    cd "I would not dishonor myself so! I cannot live again until my Life Debt is repaid."
    y "We'll see..."
    jump dd10d

label dd10b:

    cd "Yes, I do. You spared my life when you could have taken it."
    cd "Until the Life Debt is repaid, you have my sword."
    y "..."
    jump dd10d

label dd10c:

    cd "Then you have made a wise choice."
    cd "One without honor is nothing. I will see this through with you until the end, so I swear to great Tethra."
    y "Thank you, Cloda."
    cd "I do not do this for you."
    y "And yet, you still have my gratitude."
    jump dd10d

label dd10d:

    scene a10 02
    with fade
    "On our way towards the Great River, we come across a merchant wagon at rest across the road."
    show mc quiz at right with moveinright
    "Merchant" "Fair tidings to you, good sir!"
    y "Look, we are in a great hurry! I have no time to browse your wares."
    show mc neut at right
    "Merchant" "A great hurry, you say?"
    "Merchant" "Then perhaps what you need is a Ring of Displacement!"
    y "What? You have one?"
    "Merchant" "Indeed I do!"
    "A Ring of Displacement is a valued item forged on occasion by Tuatha crafters."
    "It allows the wearer to imagine a place and be transported to that location in an instant. There is no incantation that can do this."
    "With such a ring, we would be able to catch up to Etain without trouble."
    y "How much?"
    show mc happ at center with moveinright
    "Merchant" "Ah, now we are speaking the same language!"
    "Merchant" "I can let you have it at the heavily discounted price of five gold."
    "Five gold!"
    "I don't have anywhere near that much. Part of my guise as a commoner included only carrying a modest amount of money in my purse."
    "Cloda sidles up to me and whispers in my ear."
    cd "Why not just take what you need?"
    stop music

    menu:

        "Lord Aengus, son of The Dagda, will pay you double what you ask, if you give the ring to me now.":
            jump dd10e

        "Regrettably, I cannot afford that. Cloda, let us be on our way.":
            jump dd11

        "Cloda, take what we need.":
            jump dd12

label dd10e:

    show mc ang at center
    "Merchant" "Lord Aengus? Hah!"
    "I show him Aengus' medallion without another word."
    "Merchant" "What do you want to do with that, trade it for the ring? I've no interest!"
    "Merchant" "The amount for the ring is firm and you should be grateful I can offer it to you for such a low price!"
    "It would appear this is not one of those merchants that is on good terms with Aengus."

    menu:

        "I grow weary of this. Cloda, take the ring.":
            jump dd12

        "Then it appears no deal can be made. Cloda, let us be off!":
            jump dd11

        "Apologies, but I will commandeer that ring in the name of King Nuada and give you my word you will be compensated later.":
            jump dd10f


label dd10f:

    show mc ang at center
    "Merchant" "You will do nothing of the sort! I will call the King's men on you!!!"
    y "I am one of the King's men and I apologize for this."
    show clo irr at left with moveinleft
    show mc neut at right with moveoutright
    "Cloda moves up to the merchant and takes his ring."
    "Merchant" "Your neck will be on the chopping block for this!"
    y "Doubtful."
    hide mc neut with moveoutright
    jump dd12a

label dd11:

    scene a11 01
    with fade
    play sound [ "<silence 1.5>", "audio/misc/boat.mp3" ] loop
    "We reach the bank of the Great River and take a boat."
    cd "I was at a camp on the other side of the river some way to the south, in the realm of Torie."
    cd "That is likely where your companion will be taken."
    "Torie is a wild land at the edge of Celtica where many Forvorian raiding parties operate from."
    "If they take Etain there, she could be placed on a ship to the Forvorian lands, where a life of slavery awaits."
    scene a11 02
    with fade
    cd "The Great River is swift and we can make good time to the camp..."
    cd "But it is risky to try to go all the way there. I advise that we alight soon on the far bank and make the final leg on foot."
    cd "No doubt this is what your companion's captors have done."
    "The Great River is not completely navigable to boats. There are areas of rapids swift enough to sink a boat."
    "I am not an experienced boatman and this boat was only built for mild conditions."
    "However, if we could get through the rapids, we would make excellent time on our quarry."
    "I worry that by following Cloda's advice, although it is safer, we may be giving Etain's kidnappers enough time to escape."
    stop sound

    menu:

        "Be prudent and complete that last leg of the journey on foot.":
            jump dd15

        "Take a risk and push into the rapids.":
            jump dd16

label dd12:

    show mc neut at right with moveoutright
    show clo irr at left with moveinleft
    "Cloda does not need to be told twice."
    cd "The ring. NOW."
    scene a12 02
    play sound crack
    with hpunch
    "Merchant" "A~ARRRGH!"
    "Cloda incapacitates the unfortunate merchant with a pinch to the neck that causes him to spasm and collapse onto the ground."
    y "Good work. Now, bring the ring to me."
    "Cloda hands me the ring."
    jump dd12a

label dd12a:

    scene a12 03
    with fade
    "I slip the ring on and I recall its method of use."
    "One has to imagine a place or an object of desire and then will the ring to take you there."
    "By touching another person, two or more can be transported in this way."
    "I close my eyes and imagine Etain."
    scene a12 04
    with fade
    "I see her in my mind's eye, bound by rope and traveling downriver."
    "The assassins watch over her but in a good sign, she appears unharmed."
    "But like many magickal items, the ring can be fickle and I must use it with caution."
    "If I were to teleport directly to where Etain is, there is a good chance I would land in the river."
    "To avoid this, I try to think ahead to when Etain will be on land."
    y "Cloda, take my hands."
    "I clear my mind and concentrate on one uninterrupted thought..."
    scene a12 05
    play sound holy02
    with fade
    "The world becomes light."
    scene a12 06
    "When I regain my senses, I find myself in a forest clearing."
    "The sun has just begun to dip below the horizon."
    cd "We are very close to the Forvorian camp, master."
    cd "I suggest we scout the area first."
    scene a12 07
    play music eer02 loop
    with fade
    "I let Cloda guide me towards the Forvorian camp."
    "They've set themselves up in an old ruin built by the children of Nemed, those ancient people of Celtica that were enslaved by the Forvorians."
    show clo fight at right with moveinright
    cd "There is a large cistern below big enough to house a dozen men. It is well hidden from sight."
    cd "That is where they will be."
    scene a12 08
    with fade
    "We creep through the shadows and into a gloomy passage until we hear voices."
    "There, in the torchlight on the broken stone floor of the cistern is Etain and her captors."
    "Assassin 1" "So what do we do now?"
    "Assassin 2" "We wait. The boss will be here in the morning."
    "Assassin 1" "And the Tuatha woman?"
    "Assassin 2" "Nothing has changed there. We keep watch over her until morning. She must be unharmed."
    "Assassin 1" "There is a way we can make sure she stays nice and quiet, you know what I mean? Isn't it also what the boss wants? To try out the 'trinkets'?"
    "Assassin 2" "..."
    "Assassin 2" "Fine. I will set the wards and you get the 'trinket' prepared."
    "It's not clear what Etain's captors are talking about, but I can guess some of it. However, it seems Etain is not in any immediate danger."
    "Talk of a 'boss' catches my attention. This could be a chance to learn something of the Forvorian invasion plans."
    stop music

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Etain will not suffer another moment as a captive under their influence":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd14

        "Leave Etain until morning, to ensure I can take an unsuspecting 'boss' by surprise":
            jump dd13a

label dd13a:

    "Etain will need to wait a little longer. My mission was to uncover the Forvorian scheme in Tau-Ra. She won't appreciate that I am using her for bait, but it is the best course of action."
    "This 'boss', whoever they are, has information I need. When they are distracted by Etain, we will strike."
    "I tell Cloda that we will prepare an ambush in the morning."

label dd13:

    scene a13 01
    with fade
    play music gen01 loop
    "We spend the night in a small cave that Cloda guides me to."
    "A campfire glows and crackles in front of me and I watch the flames in silence."
    cd "What are you thinking about?"
    y "My father."
    cd "..."
    y "He was a Forvorian raider and a master of the curved sword, like the one you wield."
    y "I only have faded memories of him."
    cd "I would not think you had the blood of Forvoria in you, but seeing how you act, I see it now."
    y "Hm. And how do I act?"
    cd "With strength and determination." 
    cd "You are a druid, aren't you? You called the wind upon me in our fight."
    y "I did."
    scene a13 02
    with fade
    show clo allu at left with moveinleft
    "Cloda goes to fetch more wood to throw onto the fire and as she works, I notice for the first time how attractive she is."
    cd "You're staring too much, my master."
    y "Are all the women in your clan as beautiful as you are?"
    show clo sult at left
    cd "My older sister is more beautiful still."
    "Cloda shows no reaction to my bold statement."
    y "Tomorrow, you may have to kill those that you were allied to."
    y "Can you swing your sword when that time comes?"
    cd "I am in Life Debt to you. My honor will compel me to do as you ask without hesitation."
    cd "But..."
    scene a13 03
    with fade
    cd "There are things even a Life Debt could not compel me to do."
    cd "My heart is still my own."
    cd "But tonight, I can share it with you freely, master druid."
    y "..."
    y "Am I appealing to you?"
    cd "I lie not when I say you are a handsome man. Will you teach me how a druid makes love?"

    menu:

        "Gently refuse Cloda's proposition":
            jump dd17

        "{color=#00ff00}Accept Cloda's offer of comfort and companionship":
            jump dd18

label dd14:

    scene a12 07
    show clo fight at center
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    y "You take the one on the left, I shall strike down the one on the right."
    cd "Understood, master."
    y "Go..."
    scene a14 01
    play sound crack
    queue sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    et "MRRMPPHH!"
    "Caught unawares, the assassins are taken down quickly."
    "Etain's eyes widen in surprise when she sees her savior."
    scene a14 02
    with fade
    play music bgwh05.mp3 loop
    y "Etain! Are you all right? Are you unhurt?"
    et "I~ I'm fine!"
    et "They were going to present me to a Forvorian warlord!"
    et "On the boat... they spoke of using an item to control my thoughts! That's what the 'trinket' was - another accursed stone, no doubt!"
    et "If you hadn't come, I~"
    y "But I did come. Don't take your mind to dark places, no good will come of it."
    "If only Etain could see just how deep the darkness in my own heart goes..."
    scene a14 03
    with fade
    show et mad at right with moveinright
    show clo neut at left with moveinleft
    "Etain suddenly realizes who my companion is."
    et "What is she doing here???"
    y "I defeated her and spared her life. She is under a Life Debt to me."
    et "Hmph! How can you trust strange Forvorian customs?"
    y "I'm half Forvorian myself, so..."
    show et sad at right
    et "Y-yes, well..."
    y "Cloda, search those assassins and find the trinket they were talking about."
    cd "At once, master."
    hide clo neut with moveoutleft
    "With a second stone, I can link it with the first one, proving the Forvorians were the ones that infiltrated the bath house in Tau-Ra."
    "But aside from Etain's hearsay, we still don't know what information they were gathering..."
    "I never decoded the cypher, after all."
    "Whoever this warlord is could be the final piece of the puzzle. I must find out what they know."
    show et neut at center with moveinright
    y "I'm staying here until the morning, to catch the leader of this enemy group."
    y "Meanwhile, somebody must go back to Bru-na-Boyne and present the magick stones to The Dagda and Dian Cecht, along with the story of how they were obtained."
    "I am loathe to let the stones go, but the defense of Celtica comes first. I'm sure there will be another chance to get my hands on one of these wonderous items, when the war is over."
    show et talk at center
    et "I'll stay here with you, to fight by your side!"
    et "I owe this warlord for what his lackeys did to me!"
    "Etain is a good fighter, but if I have to be honest, Cloda is the better blade."

    menu:

        "Send Etain back with the gems and stay with Cloda":
            jump dd22

        "{color=#00ff00}Send Cloda back with the gems and accept Etain's request to stay":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd23

label dd15:

    play sound boat loop
    scene a15 01
    with fade
    "I accept Cloda's advice and we land the ship on the far bank of the Great River once the current starts getting swift."
    y "How far to your camp from here?"
    stop sound
    "Cloda looks into the distance trying to get her bearings."
    cd "If we travel with all haste, we will make it there by morning."
    "I curse under my breath. That may be too long for Etain."
    stop sound
    scene a15 02
    with fade
    y "Cloda, I'm going to use some Tuatha magick on you."
    y "It's a simple druidic enchantment I learned as a novice."
    cd "Oh?"
    y "A Boon of Endurance, to ward off fatigue and increase our speed."
    cd "Yes, that would be extremely useful, master."
    scene a15 03
    play sound enchant
    "I send the enchantment into Cloda."
    cd "Uuuunnn..."
    "Her body momentarily glows with the power of Tuatha magick."
    scene a15 04
    with fade
    play music trav03 loop
    "With the Boon of Endurance within us, we sprint at great speed through the forest."
    "The trees fly by us as we leap over stones and weave through the undergrowth."
    cd "At this pace... we will be there... during the night."
    y "Then let us see if... we can go even faster than that!"
    "Should I turn into a bird and leave Cloda behind? I could get there alone faster through the air."
    "I decide against it. I don't know how many enemies there will be and I may need her blade."
    scene a15 05
    with fade
    "It is midnight when we arrive at the outskirts of the encampment."
    cd "There is no mistake, this is the place."
    y "Shh... I hear movement up ahead..."
    scene a15 06
    with fade
    "We creep through the darkness towards the dark shape of an old Nemedian ruin, hundreds of years old."
    "I hear muffled voices not far away."
    show clo neut at right with moveinright
    cd "There is an empty cistern below. That is where they will be."
    "I nod and move cautiously forward."
    scene a15 07
    with fade
    "I find Etain below, bound and gagged as her captors talk amongst themselves."
    "Assassin 1" "You keep watch first, I will attend to our prisoner so that she is ready for the boss in the morning."
    "Assassin 1" "This Tuatha wench won't be causing us any more trouble very soon."
    "Assassin 2" "Remember, she's not to be harmed."
    scene a15 08
    with fade
    "With my trained eyes, I see that the assassins have placed Wards of the Hound around them."
    "Certain pillars roil with red magickal energy."
    "If I cross their threshold, I will likely be magically bound into place or cut to pieces."
    "However, as they are meeting their boss in the morning, they will need to bring the wards down."
    "If somehow I could have arrived earlier, I may have caught them before they had set the wards."
    "Do I try and break them with my own incantation? Such a move is risky and could turn the effects of the wards inwards, upon Etain."
    "It's not worth the risk."
    "Besides, if I wait until morning,  I'll be able to free Etain and confront this boss the assassins talked of."
    "There are still so any unanswered questions and the leader of these assassins may be the key."
    "I signal to Cloda that we are withdrawing... for now."
    stop music
    jump dd13

label dd16:

    scene a11 01
    with fade
    "We travel further down the river and I feel the current getting swifter."
    "I tense my arm to keep the tiller steady in the water."
    play music act03 loop
    scene a16 01
    with fade
    cd "In front of us - mist!"
    "The Great River, carved out of the land by the children of Partholon, is treacherous and is known to change its flow without warning."
    cd "Make for the shore!!!"
    "I pull hard on the tiler to guide the boat towards land, but the current grows stronger."
    cd "By Tethra! We will not make it!"
    scene a16 02
    with fade
    "The boat goes over the edge of a waterfall."
    "For a moment I feel myself weightless as I fly through the mist filled air."
    "I whisper the words to change into a bird, but I know the incantation will not be completed in time..."
    "Jagged rocks come closer towards me as I plummet towards the ground."

    "ENDING NO.1\nSUDDEN STOP"
    return

label dd17:

    scene a17 01
    with fade
    "Cloda crawls towards me and wraps her arm around me."
    cd "I see that you are not keen..."
    cd "Am I actually ugly to you?"
    y "I said you were a beautiful woman, Cloda."
    y "I won't take advantage of you any more than I have. I've seen much cruelty in my time as a druid..."
    y "Sometimes there is no reason to bring more injustice into the world."
    cd "I do this of my own free will. My Life Debt does not demand this of me."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Relent":
            jump dd18

        "Stay firm. Pleasure comes later.":
            jump dd17a

label dd17a:

    "Her lips come close to mine and I feel the warmth of her sweet breath, but I do not draw myself closer."
    y "I said, I won't take advantage of you."
    cd "You are a very sincere man."
    y "Not usually. Just tonight."
    scene a17 02
    with fade
    y "But if you crave my warmth, Cloda, you may have it..."
    y "...for the night is dark and cold."
    "I lie down and put my arms around Cloda. Her skin is soft and smooth."
    "She kisses me tenderly on the cheek and lazily runs her fingers through my hair."
    "Above me, the stars are bright in the night sky."
    cd "Maybe we will have the same dream tonight, as close as we are."
    y "Hope that is not the case. My dreams are probably darker than you can imagine..."
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    "The pleasant smell of Cloda and her leather clothing fills my nostrils."
    "The crackling campfire dies down into embers as sleep finally takes me."
    stop music
    jump dd19

label dd18:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    play music bgwh06.mp3 loop
    scene a18 01
    with fade
    play sound dress
    "Cloda takes off her clothes, leaving her standing naked before me in the firelight."
    cd "Do you like what you see?"
    "I undo the buttons of my shirt."
    play sound dress
    cd "Come to me, master."
    scene a18 02
    with fade
    "Without a word, I run my hands over Cloda's naked body, exploring her curves. Her body is warm to the touch."
    cd "U~uunnn..."
    "She places her hands over mine in a gesture of affection."
    scene a18 03
    with fade
    "I kiss her, and soon our tongues and lips are intertwined."
    cd "I can tell how good of a lover a man is by the way he kisses..."
    cd "And you are a very good lover..."
    y "I'll show you..."
    scene a18 04
    with fade
    "I take off my trousers and Cloda smiles at the sight of my erect penis."
    y "Against the wall..."
    cd "As you wish."
    "Cloda places herself against the cave wall, exposing her shapely buttocks to me."
    "I rub my cock as I admire her smooth ass and I am soon at full erection."
    scene a18 05
    "I take her carefully by the neck and begin to rub the folds of her cunt."
    "She quickly becomes slippery at the agitation of my fingers."
    cd "Come on... give it to me..."
    cd "Put it deep inside until I quiver..."
    scene a18 06
    with fade
    "I push the head of my shaft inside her. Her womanhood yields easily to me."
    cd "Deeper..."
    cd "I want to feel all of it..."
    "There's a move I know for fiesty women like Cloda."
    scene a18 07
    with fade
    play sound shoot05
    cd "OooOoooHHH!"
    "I lift up her leg as I thrust myself in deeper."
    "The stretching of her crotch increases the sensation of my penetration."
    scene a18 08
    cd "Hngh! HnnNNnnn~!"
    play sound shoot04
    queue sound shoot02
    y "How does it feel?"
    cd "UuuunnnNNnn..."
    "Cloda moans deeply as she reaches orgasm."
    "Forvorian women are more sensitive than Tuatha women, but I did not expect her to climax so quickly."
    "I didn't get the chance to even thrust."
    cd "No man... has done that to me before~!"
    scene a18 10
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "But the difference between a Tuatha woman and a Forvorian one is that the Forvorian woman recovers quickly."
    "She can cum multiple times in a love making session before the man is milked of his seed."
    "It makes them very demanding lovers for all but the most virile of men."
    scene a18 11
    with fade
    "I lick her rigid nipple as she works on my cock."
    "She is a fit woman, with hard muscles honed from regular combat. Each of her vaginal thrusts onto my shaft are strong and forceful."
    y "Make me cum, my sweet servant..."
    scene a18 12
    with fade
    cd "I'll give you the greatest cum you've ever had!"
    cd "No other cunt you take... will compare to mine!"
    "Her nails dig into the skin of my chest, as her body convulses with pleasure."
    "The more intense the pleasure, the deeper they dig."
    y "Hn- Hnnngghhh..."
    cd "Don't hold back!"
    cd "Don't... hold..."
    scene a18 13
    with fade
    cd "...BACK!!!"
    play sound shoot05
    queue sound shoot02
    cd "OooOooHHH!"
    "Cloda arches her back as I cum."
    "I release a torrent of my essence inside her and it spills down my shaft as she continues to gyrate her hips."
    scene a18 14
    with fade
    "I lay her down and we kiss violently."
    "My cock is still inside her hole, shooting the last of my climax into her womb."
    cd "Shall we... go again?"
    y "We need... to get some rest..."
    scene a18 09
    with fade
    "Cloda licks my cock clean when I finally pull it out."
    "Among Forvorian women, it's a sign of affection for their lover."
    cd "You are a good mate, but you could not handle me, master."
    "Her tongue slowly works its way up and down my softening rod."
    cd "After all, you are only half Forvorian..."
    y "I think you'd drain me dry, Cloda..."
    cd "I would drain you until you were an empty husk..."
    scene a18 15
    with fade
    show clo nak at left with moveinleft
    "We begin to get dressed."
    "Cloda pulls her boots on and poses erotically for me."
    cd "My leather bodice is not required for battle."
    cd "I could face our foes tomorrow like this, if you desire."
    y "I think it would be too distracting..."
    cd "Distracting the enemy is good."
    y "I meant, distracting for me."
    "Cloda laughs. It's deep, but warm."
    cd "I will set some wards around us. Let us rest for the coming battle."
    
    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd19

label dd19:

    scene a19 01
    with fade
    play music eer02 loop
    "In the early morning light, Cloda and I stalk quietly through the ruins."
    show clo fight at left with moveinleft
    "Cloda silently points ahead and I look to where she indicates."
    "An assassin is just ahead as another figure comes into view."
    scene a19 02
    with fade
    "Assassin" "Boss..."
    "Boss" "Well?"
    "Assassin" "The Tuatha know about the 'trinkets'. They sent someone to Tau-Ra to investigate."
    "Boss" "Who? Dian Cecht?"
    "Assassin" "I do not know who he was, boss. We escaped from Tau-Ra and lost him."
    "Boss" "Escaped? More like fled!"
    "Boss" "Do you have the woman?"
    "Assassin" "We do, my Lord."
    "I turn to Cloda."
    y "Do you know him?"
    cd "His name is Ingoll. A worthless son of a Northern chieftain."
    y "We need to capture him and rescue Etain."
    scene a19 05
    with fade
    show clo fight at center with moveinright
    "Cloda and I leap forward. Her curved blade covers me as I confront the Forvorian leader."
    y "On your knees!!!"
    "He looks at me with incredulity, then he laughs."
    "Ingoll" "Fool!"
    cd "What's so funny?"
    scene a19 03
    with fade
    play music act01 loop
    play sound unsheath01
    "Ingoll" "You've just walked into my trap!"
    "Bananachs emerge from the ruins and surround Cloda and I. Their cloven hooves clack on the stone debris."
    "I've been a fool. In my over-confidence, I rushed right in without first understanding the enemy we faced."
    "Now, I will correct that mistake with cold steel."
    scene a19 04
    play sound strike02
    queue sound stab04
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    y "Take them!"
    "Bananachs are considered skirmishers by the Forvorians, but they should not be underestimated."
    cd "HAHHHH!!!"
    "Cloda and I cut through their ranks, leaving fur and carnage around our feet."
    "I could call upon fire to burn these beasts to a crisp, but my hatred for my enemy runs deep."
    "I get a grim satisfaction in sinking my steel into their wretched bodies."
    scene a19 05
    with fade
    show ing neut at right with moveinright
    "Ingoll" "Curse you!"
    "Ingoll" "You can't stop me!"
    "Ingoll" "Now..."
    show ing mock at right
    show etg fight at center with moveinleft
    $ et_geas = True
    "Ingoll" "Let's see how you fare against a more interesting opponent!"
    cd "By Tethra! Is that...???"
    et "..."
    scene a19 06
    with fade
    "Etain stands before me with a wicked blade."
    "The sickly glow in her eyes is a clear sign that she is not in her right mind."
    "She wears dark leather decorated with gold trim. Clothing fitting for a Forvorian noblewoman."
    "On her brow is a band of gems that sparkle in the morning light, similar to the one in my pocket."
    "This greatly complicates the situation..."
    cd "She is no longer the woman you knew, master. You will have to end her!"
    "I'm in awe at just how magnificent her transformation is!"
    scene a19 07
    with fade
    "Ingoll walks up behind Etain and fondles her breast."
    et "U~Uuunnhhh..."
    "Ingoll" "And what makes you think that she won't end YOU?"
    "Ingoll" "After she pulls her blade from your chest, I'm going to take her back with me as a little reward."
    "Ingoll" "And in my bed, I will claim her in all ways and she will divulge every secret to me!"
    "Ingoll" "KILL HIM!!!"
    "Rage burns inside me. Not so much for what he did to Etain, but for his hubris in thinking he can claim her!"
    scene a19 08
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    cd "Master!"
    y "Stay back!"
    "I easily block Etain's blow."
    "The spell she is under makes her dull and slow. However, her blade is razor sharp and has a longer reach than my paltry dagger."
    "I need to subdue her without killing her..."
    scene a19 09
    with fade
    play sound strike01
    "But Etain is under no such limitation."
    "She swings relentlessly at me and soon I find myself losing ground to her."
    play sound strike02
    cd "You hesitate!"
    "Cloda is right. I don't fight Etain to the full extent of my skill."
    scene a19 01
    with fade
    show etg fight at center with moveinright
    "Etain's attacks are starting to intensify."
    play sound strike01
    "It will only be a matter of time before she connects..."
    play sound strike02
    et "..."
    "I need to finish this quickly."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Risk personal injury and subdue Etain without harming her":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd19a

        "End this madness, even if Etain needs to be harmed":
            jump dd19b

label dd19a:

    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    "I see my opening."
    scene a19 10a
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Etain's blade cuts through the fabric of my sleeve, but I manage the get behind her and put her into a chokehold."
    et "Rrrrrrr..."
    et "RAAARRGGHH!!!"
    "I tighten my grip as she wildly struggles to break free."
    "Thankfully, the gems that adorn her brow do not seem to increase her strength."
    "Into her ear I whisper druid words of sleep. It is a simple enough incantation."
    scene a19 11
    play sound collapse
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Etain slumps to the ground."
    "I kick her weapon away, just in case."
    "Now, to take care of Ingoll..."
    jump dd19c

label dd19b:

    "I can't allow Etain to get in my way."
    "She's not holding back, so neither shall I."
    scene a19 10b
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    et "UUUUNNGH!!!"
    "I give Etain a sharp kick to the abdomen after evading one of her attacks, knocking the wind out of her."
    "I can hear a bone or two crack under the force of my blow. It can't be helped."
    scene a19 11
    play sound collapse
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Etain slumps to the ground."
    "I kick her weapon away, just in case."
    "Now, to take care of Ingoll..."
    jump dd19c

label dd19c:

    scene a19 12
    with fade
    "Cloda has not been idle during my fight with Etain."
    "She unceremoniously drags Ingoll by the feet towards me."
    "Ingoll" "I'll kill you! The might of Forvoria will come down upon you!"
    "Ingoll" "Traitorous bitch!"
    cd "What do you want me to do with this one, master?"
    stop music
    scene a19 13
    with fade
    play music eer01 loop
    play sound unsheath01
    "I find Ingoll's sword on the ground and turn it against him."
    "Ingoll" "Wait! What are you doing??? Please!"
    y "It looks like the wolf has become a yapping dog..."
    y "Talk!!!"
    "I thrust the tip of the sword at the Forvorian's face."
    y "On my honor as a Tuatha De Danann, you have my word that if you talk, I'll let you go free."
    "Ingoll gulps and then meekly nods."
    "Ingoll" "I~ I was told to send my people to Tau-Ra! I was given Geis Stones to help me gather intelligence!"
    y "Geis Stones?"
    "Ingoll" "T-the red stones I used to control the Tuatha Spymaster!!!"
    "He's talking about Etain. It seems he knew her true role."
    y "What intelligence were you after?"
    "Ingoll" "The size of the Tuatha forces, where they are and who leads each battalion!"
    "I feel he's holding something back."
    y "WHAT ELSE???"
    "The sword tip moves closer to Ingoll's neck."
    "Ingoll" "I had to find out what the Sons of Tuirenn were searching for!"
    "The Sons of Tuirenn are three brothers that are champions of the Tuatha. They killed the father of Lord Lugh in an ancient blood feud and Lord Lugh sent them away to do penance."
    "Besides Lord Lugh, very few would know where the Sons of Tuirenn went or what they were commanded to fetch. Some say they even went back to the Otherworld in their quest."
    "If the rumors Etain heard were right, the Sons of Tuirenn would be searching for magickal items to turn the tide against the coming Forvorian invasion."
    "Ingoll" "All the places where high-ranking Tuatha gathered was where I was to gather information! The King's Hall, the bathhouses, taverns..."
    scene a19 05
    with fade
    show ing defe at center
    "Ingoll" "But it doesn't matter anyway!"
    "Ingoll" "You could have a hundred magickal items and it wouldn't matter!"
    show ing mock at center
    "Ingoll" "Lord Balor is coming!"
    "Ingoll" "Bres has the support of the Great Eye, whose gaze is the doom of all!"
    "That is new information. Balor is a Forvorian warlord whose name proceeds him."
    "I think Ingoll has been about as useful as he can be. The Forvorians should have sent somebody more reliable."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Keep your word and let the fool go":
            jump dd19d

        "Kill him":
            jump dd19e

label dd19d:

    scene a19 14a
    with fade
    "I gesture to Ingoll to leave."
    y "Go."
    "Ingoll hesitates at first, suspecting a trick, but then he scrambles away."
    "Ingoll" "When Bres reclaims the throne as High King of Celtica, you will all be his slaves!"
    "Ingoll" "When that happens, I'll find you and make you suffer for what you've done!"
    y "I'll be waiting for you."
    scene a19 05
    with fade
    show clo fight at center with moveinleft
    cd "You were a fool to let him go!"
    y "An incompetent fool like that will be of more use to the Tuatha if he is alive and fighting for the enemy!"
    cd "Anyway, we must leave! More Forvorians will come!"
    y "Agreed. We need to get back to Tuatha lands. Your Life Debt to me will be fulfilled when we reach safety."
    cd "I know some ruins not far away. We will be safe there temporarily while the Tuatha woman regains her senses."
    y "Lead the way."
    hide clo fight at left with moveoutleft
    "I pick up Etain and we make our escape."
    jump dd19f

label dd19e:

    y "Thank you, Ingoll. I will let you go now."
    scene a19 14b
    play sound stab04
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I sink Ingoll's sword deep into his chest. It's simpler this way and exactly the treatment he would have meted out to me, if the situation was reversed."
    "Ingoll's eyes widen with shock and his mouth moves as if to say something."
    "But all that comes out is a gargle as blood pours out of his mouth."
    y "Promise kept, Ingoll."
    "His lifeless body slumps to the ground, armor clattering on the ancient stone."
    scene a19 05
    with fade
    show clo fight at center with moveinleft
    cd "We must leave, master. More Forvorians will come, and they will be seeking vengeance for Ingoll."
    y "We need to get back to Tuatha lands. Your Life Debt to me will be fulfilled when we reach safety."
    cd "I know of some ruins not far away. We will be safe there temporarily while the Tuatha woman regains her senses."
    y "Then lead the way."
    hide clo fight at left with moveoutleft
    "I pick up Etain and we make our escape."
    stop music
    jump dd19f

label dd19f:

    play music bgwh05.mp3 loop
    scene a19 15
    with fade
    "We find the ruins Cloda was referring to and I lay Etain down to recover."
    "I take the tiara of 'Geis Stones' from her forehead, but her skin grows pale."
    cd "The area is secure, master. But we should not delay here for long."
    y "I know..."
    scene a19 16
    with fade
    y "The stones that were controlling her are gone, but she shows no signs of recovery."
    cd "Perhaps the spell cannot be broken so easily."
    cd "She may forevermore be your enemy and sworn to the Dark Lords of the Otherworld."
    y "Perhaps, but I think it would take more than one night for that to happen."
    "I hold the tiara in my hand and think things through."
    y "Cloda, take this."
    scene a19 17
    with fade
    cd "They are a perfect match, as though mined from the same vein of ore and crafted by the same gemcutter."
    "The tiara in my hand vibrates as it draws closer to Olivia's gem from the bath house."
    y "Interesting... it's like the stones are calling to each other."
    scene a19 18
    with fade
    et "U~ uUuUuunnnn..."
    "Etain slowly begins to regain consciousness, but there is no change to the sickly red glow of her eyes."
    "If she fully wakes up, she may attack again."
    "Something sddenly occurs to me."
    y "The stones call to each other..."
    "In a flash of inspiration, I take the tiara and wave it slowly over Etain's body. Around her crotch, the tiara begins to vibrate just as it did with Olivia's gem."
    scene a19 19
    play sound dress
    "I take off Etain's sinister leather bodice."
    cd "What are you intending to do?"
    y "Help me spread her legs apart."
    scene a19 20
    with fade
    "There, in the folds of her womanhood, something sparkles."
    et "Unh~ uuuugghh..."
    play sound cum01
    "I put my fingers into the folds of her vagina and pull out another gem that had been implanted inside her."
    et "I~ I~ I can't~"
    scene a19 21
    with fade
    "The magick in Etain's eyes begins to dim and she appears to become more aware of her surroundings."
    et "M~ My Lord..."
    et "It was like... a nightmare..."
    et "I knew but... I couldn't stop..."
    y "We'll rest a little while longer, until you're ready to travel."
    scene a19 22
    with fade
    et "Take me..."
    et "I need you inside me..."
    et "Please..."
    "She's still not in her proper frame of mind. The Geis Stone was created to make its bearer submissive to their master. I've discovered that much on this mission."
    "She looks at me with pleading eyes."
    et "I know what you're thinking and it isn't true!"
    et "The magic placed upon me somehow... freed me..."
    et "It made me honest with myself. I can think so clearly now and without any inhibitions..."
    et "I don't truly love Aengus, not in the way a woman truly can. I want a powerful druid on top of me..."
    et "Someone like you, with a big, throbbing cock that can pierce deep into me!"

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}I will heed to Etain's fevered requests and have her.":
            $ et_cor += 1
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd21

        "I will refuse Etain's pleas and let her recover.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd20

label dd20:

    scene a20 01
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    "I'm not about to take Lord Aengus' woman in that way. It would be a betrayal."
    "I gently put Etain down and take her by the hand."
    et "Kiss me..."
    y "You are still under the influence of the stone and do not speak your true mind."
    et "No... I speak from my heart!"
    y "Fair Etain, you must control your urges. We will leave when you have recovered."
    et "I want to feel you inside me..."
    scene a20 02
    with fade
    y "I'll get your clothing. You should rest."
    et "Wait! I~ I~"
    "Etain clutches her head with an expression of confusion on her face."
    et "What am I saying?!"
    y "You will be yourself soon."
    scene a20 03
    with fade
    show clo neut at center with moveinright
    cd "We cannot tarry for long. The land of Torie is not welcoming to the Tuatha."
    cd "Besides Ingoll's lackeys, there are bandits and raiders here that answer to nobody."
    y "I'm aware of that. We leave in the morning."
    cd "And if the woman has not recovered by that time? If she cannot walk?"
    "I sigh."
    y "I suppose..."
    y "...I'll have to carry her."
    jump dd24

label dd21:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene a21 17
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    show clo neut at center
    "I order Cloda to scout the path ahead for us, towards the Great River."
    cd "Yes, master. I will return before dawn."
    hide clo neut at center with moveoutleft
    "Cloda moves silently down the hillside."
    "Now, a willing Etain is all alone with me..."
    play music bgwhd02.mp3 loop
    scene a21 01
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    "I pull off my trousers and Etain pounces on my pole like a ravenous beast."
    "She licks it all around until it is dripping with her saliva."
    "I wonder what Aengus would think, seeing his betrothed acting like such a whore with another man?"
    scene a21 02
    with fade
    play sound blow03 loop
    y "That's the way..."
    y "Show me how you please a man..."
    et "Awnh... ANgh... Auuungh..."
    "Etain takes me deeply down her throat."
    y "A~ Ahhhh~!"
    "She's going to milk it out with only her mouth... I can feel it..."
    stop sound
    scene a21 04
    with fade
    y "Light!!!"
    play sound shoot04
    queue sound shoot02
    "My cum shoots out in a sharp and violent explosion."
    et "OH!"
    "All my sexual excitement in seeing Etain's nature corrupted made me unable to hold my seed for long."
    scene a21 03
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    "She places her black lips firmly onto the head of my penis, sucking out what's left of my climax."
    y "F~ FUUUUCK!"
    "Spasms of pleasure shoot through the entirety of my body and a depraved Etain is completely responsible."
    scene a21 05
    with fade
    "Etain sits down and spreads her legs wide open, exposing her precious area to my lecherous gaze."
    et "Surely you have more to put in here, my Lord..."
    et "Put your love inside your this wicked Etain..."
    "She moans seductively and licks her lips as her gaze locks onto my own."
    scene a21 06
    with fade
    "My Forvorian blood must make me more virile than the average Tuatha man. I recover quite quickly from Etain's first assault of pleasure."
    "Taking her naked form in my arms, I rub my stiffening cock against her twat."
    "Juices from between her legs drip onto my manhood as she rubs her crotch against my meat."
    et "I want you so badly... more than anything in the world..."
    scene a21 07
    with fade
    "I kiss Etain's dark lips, which are sweet and salty at the same time."
    "Her lively tongue lashes my own and soon saliva is running out from the corner of her mouth in a vulgar display."
    et "Fuck me... fuck me now..."
    y "Not quite yet..."
    et "What?! Please~!"
    scene a21 08
    with fade
    "Before she has a chance to protest further, I put her on her back and begin licking her hole."
    "She used her tongue to catch me unaware, so it's only fair I return the favor."
    et "D~ Don't stop!"
    play sound cum01
    "My chin and nose are soon wet from her snatch that is dribbling uncontrollably with lust."
    scene a21 09
    with fade
    y "Are you ready?"
    et "Yes! Do it!"
    et "Put your sword into my sheath!"
    "Etain groans and whimpers at the sight of my dick so tantalizingly close to the source of her carnal craving."
    scene a21 10
    with fade
    play sound shoot03
    et "HNNNGGHHHHH!!!"
    et "Oh yes, oh yes, OH YESSSSS!!!"
    "Etain's legs grip my neck tightly as the sensation of my cock sliding into her sends her into a rapture."
    scene a21 11
    with fade
    et "Don't tease me, my Lord."
    et "Ram it hard!"
    et "Break me in half with your mighty broadsword!"
    show mo_etain01
    et "Oh, yes! By the Goddess, yes!"
    "I take her from behind. Her pussy is smooth and welcoming to my rhythmic thrusts."
    et "Just like that! Put it deep inside me, my Lord!"
    et "Thrust it into me until I can no longer stand it!"
    y "You love this, don't you?"
    et "More than a-anything!"
    scene a21 12
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "Changing positions, I reinsert my cock into Etain before she has a chance to protest at my sudden withdrawal."
    "She's so wet that I hardly feel the sensation of my shaft as it slides back and forth."
    y "Am I better than Aengus?"
    et "S~ So much better! Your sword slays me so much haaaarder!"
    "That's one way to express it."
    scene a21 13
    with fade
    et "Kiss me... let me taste you..."
    et "MMmmmmmMMmmmm..."
    et "Delicious..."
    et "Don't stop... fuck me harder..."
    scene a21 14
    with fade
    play sound [ "<silence .2>", "audio/sex/moan05.mp3" ] loop
    y "ARGH! Etain!"
    "Etain's eyes roll into the back of her head and her tongue sticks out like a panting dog as I thrust harder and faster."
    stop sound
    "My seed is rising and I'm going to give it to her."
    et "Here it comes... take it... ETAIN!!!"


    menu:

        "Cum inside her":
            jump dd21a

        "Cum on her body":
            jump dd21b

        "{color=#00ff00}Mod: Both":
            jump dd21ax


label dd21ax:

    scene a21 15d
    play sound shoot04
    queue sound shoot05
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    et "NNNnnnnGGGggHHHH~!!!"
    "I put all my lust and passion into Etain."
    "She is a vessel for me to fill until I am satisfied."
    "My cock thrusts deep into her, to ensure my essence thoroughly penetrates her, claiming her for my own."
    "That's how I feel in that one, supreme moment."
    stop music
    scene a21 16d
    with fade
    "As I get dressed, Etain plays with her snatch."
    play sound cum01
    "As she rubs her flaps, they are lubricated by my cum as some of it dribbles out of her."
    "Her busy fingers are soon glistening with my fluids."
    et "I want more, my Lord..."
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Corruption +1")
    scene a21 17
    with fade
    show clo neut at center with moveinleft
    "Cloda returns to the campsite and sees a naked Etain, dripping with my fluid."
    cd "So you've claimed her, my master."
    y "She was very insistent."
    cd "We should stay only an hour or two more. While no one is pursuing us now, we will be easier for enemies to track in the daylight."
    "Etain's red eyes continue to fade. I think she will be ready to move when the time comes."
    pause
    pause
    scene a21 15b
    with fade
    y "Hhhaannnnhhh~!!!"
    play sound shoot04
    queue sound shoot05
    "My pearly liquid comes out in a long string."
    et "OooOOOHH!"
    "Etain opens her mouth to catch what she can, but most of it ends up on her chest and nipples."
    "She strokes my cock frantically, trying to coax as much of my essence out as possible and I cover her with it, claiming her for my own."
    stop music
    scene a21 16b
    with fade
    "As I get dressed, Etain gets up and looks at me with pleading eyes."
    et "No more?"
    et "I want more, my Lord..."
    et "Cover me all over with your seed..."
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Corruption +1")
    scene a21 17
    with fade
    show clo neut at center with moveinleft
    "Cloda returns to the campsite to a naked Etain, her chest painted with my fluid."
    cd "So you've claimed her, my master."
    y "She was very willing."
    cd "We should stay only an hour or two more. While no one is pursuing us now, we will be easier for enemies to track in the daylight."
    "Etain's red eyes continue to fade. I think she will be ready to move when the time comes."
    
    jump dd24


label dd21a:

    scene a21 15d
    play sound shoot04
    queue sound shoot05
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    et "NNNnnnnGGGggHHHH~!!!"
    "I put all my lust and passion into Etain."
    "She is a vessel for me to fill until I am satisfied."
    "My cock thrusts deep into her, to ensure my essence thoroughly penetrates her, claiming her for my own."
    "That's how I feel in that one, supreme moment."
    stop music
    scene a21 16d
    with fade
    "As I get dressed, Etain plays with her snatch."
    play sound cum01
    "As she rubs her flaps, they are lubricated by my cum as some of it dribbles out of her."
    "Her busy fingers are soon glistening with my fluids."
    et "I want more, my Lord..."
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Corruption +1")
    scene a21 17
    with fade
    show clo neut at center with moveinleft
    "Cloda returns to the campsite and sees a naked Etain, dripping with my fluid."
    cd "So you've claimed her, my master."
    y "She was very insistent."
    cd "We should stay only an hour or two more. While no one is pursuing us now, we will be easier for enemies to track in the daylight."
    "Etain's red eyes continue to fade. I think she will be ready to move when the time comes."
    
    if _in_replay:
        return
    
    jump dd24


label dd21b:

    scene a21 15b
    with fade
    y "Hhhaannnnhhh~!!!"
    play sound shoot04
    queue sound shoot05
    "My pearly liquid comes out in a long string."
    et "OooOOOHH!"
    "Etain opens her mouth to catch what she can, but most of it ends up on her chest and nipples."
    "She strokes my cock frantically, trying to coax as much of my essence out as possible and I cover her with it, claiming her for my own."
    stop music
    scene a21 16b
    with fade
    "As I get dressed, Etain gets up and looks at me with pleading eyes."
    et "No more?"
    et "I want more, my Lord..."
    et "Cover me all over with your seed..."
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Corruption +1")
    scene a21 17
    with fade
    show clo neut at center with moveinleft
    "Cloda returns to the campsite to a naked Etain, her chest painted with my fluid."
    cd "So you've claimed her, my master."
    y "She was very willing."
    cd "We should stay only an hour or two more. While no one is pursuing us now, we will be easier for enemies to track in the daylight."
    "Etain's red eyes continue to fade. I think she will be ready to move when the time comes."
    
    if _in_replay:
        return
    
    jump dd24

label dd22:

    scene a22 01
    with fade
    et "I still don't like this."
    y "The most important thing is to get those gems back to The Dagda and Dian Cecht."
    y "It's more difficult for Cloda to enter Bru-na-Boyne to seek an audience than you."
    et "I understand just..."
    et "Make the scoundrel that ordered my kidnapping pay, okay?"
    y "You have my word. But I'll be sure to get any useful information out of them first."
    play sound holy01
    "Etain activates the ring and disappears in a flash of light."
    "Those intriguing stones are now out of my reach, but I suspect I will be able to find more in the near future."
    "But for now, my mission is all."
    scene a22 02
    with fade
    play music eer02 loop
    "With Etain gone, it is now up to me to continue the investigation."
    "In the early morning light, Cloda and I stalk quietly through the ruins."
    show clo fight at left with moveinleft
    "Cloda silently points ahead and I look to where she indicates."
    scene a22 03
    with fade
    "Sitting amidst the ruins is a Forvorian in intricate armor. His equally impressive sword is unsheathed and rests on his lap."
    "Forvorian" "I know you're there!"
    "Forvorian" "Come out now, don't be shy!"
    "Forvorian" "I want to see the face of the knave that eliminated my best agents!"
    "I turn to Cloda."
    y "Do you know him?"
    cd "His name is Ingoll. A worthless son of a Northern chieftain."
    y "Well, we need him alive. I want to know what he knows."
    cd "Just give me the word, master."
    scene a22 04
    with fade
    show clo fight at center with moveinright
    "At my direction Cloda and I leap forward. Her curved blade covers me as I confront the Forvorian leader."
    y "On your knees!!!"
    "He looks at me with incredulity, then he laughs."
    "Ingoll" "Fool!"
    cd "What's so funny?"
    scene a22 05
    with fade
    play music act01 loop
    play sound unsheath01
    "Ingoll" "You've just walked into my trap!"
    "Bananachs emerge from the ruins and surround Cloda and I. Their cloven hooves clack on the stone debris."
    "I've been a fool. In my over-confidence, I rushed right in without first understanding the enemy we faced."
    "Now, I will to correct that mistake with cold steel."
    scene a22 06
    play sound strike02
    queue sound stab04
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    y "Take them out!"
    "Bananachs are considered skirmishers by the Forvorians, but they should not be underestimated."
    cd "HAHHHH!!!"
    "Cloda and I cut through their ranks, leaving fur and carnage around our feet."
    "I could burn through their ranks with a druidic incantion, but ending an enemy with a blade is much more satisfying and personal."
    scene a22 04
    with fade
    "I move towards Ingoll with my bloody dagger."
    show ing neut at center with moveinright
    "Ingoll" "Curse you!"
    y "Defend yourself, you wretch!"
    show ing fight at center
    play sound unsheath01
    "Ingoll" "I'll do more than that, Tuatha!"
    "The final word is spat out and I can feel the hatred in his voice. He must think himself confident because his sword has a longer reach and he is in armor."
    scene a22 07
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Ingoll" "You're not bad with that little rat sticker of yours!"
    y "S~ Stay back! I'm warning you!"
    "I use this time to gauge Ingoll's skill with the sword and how he fights, while trying to lure him into a false sense of confidence."
    "The rebellion against Bres taught me well. I am no stranger to a blade."
    "I parry and dodge, but make sure I take backwards steps."
    play sound block04
    "He smiles at me. That's the reaction I want."
    "Ingoll" "How long do you think you can keep this up, eh?"
    "Now is the time to strike."
    scene a22 08
    play sound block03
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    y "Have at you!"
    "Ingoll" "WHAT?"
    "In one sharp move, I sweep the sword from Ingoll's hand."
    "It appears his skill didn't match the quality of his equipment."
    stop music
    scene a22 09
    with fade
    play music eer01 loop
    play sound unsheath01
    "I find Ingoll's sword on the ground and turn it against him."
    "Ingoll" "Wait! Mercy! Please!"
    y "You'll have mercy if you talk!!!"
    "I thrust the tip of the sword at the Forvorian's face."
    y "As a Tuatha De Danann, you have my word that if you talk, I'll let you go free."
    "Ingoll gulps and then meekly nods."
    y "What is your purpose here in Celtica?!"
    "Ingoll" "I~ I was told to send my people to Tau-Ra! I was given Geis Stones to help me gather intelligence!"
    y "Geis Stones?"
    "Ingoll" "Red stones used to control the thoughts of people!!!"
    y "What intelligence were you after?"
    "Ingoll" "The size of the Tuatha forces, where they are and who leads each formation!"
    "I feel he's holding something back."
    y "WHAT ELSE???"
    "The sword tip moves closer to Ingoll's neck."
    "Ingoll" "I had to find out what the Sons of Tuirenn were searching for!"
    "The Sons of Tuirenn are three brothers that are champions of the Tuatha. They killed the father of Lord Lugh in an ancient blood feud and Lord Lugh sent them away to do penance."
    "Besides Lord Lugh, very few would know where the Sons of Tuirenn went or what they were commanded to fetch. Some say they even went back to the Otherworld in their quest."
    "If the rumors Etain heard were right, the Sons of Tuirenn would be searching for magickal items to turn the tide against the coming Forvorian invasion."
    "Ingoll" "All the places where high-ranking Tuatha gathered was where I was to seek information! The King's Hall, the bath houses, taverns..."
    scene a22 04
    with fade
    show ing defe at center
    "Ingoll" "But..."
    "Ingoll" "...it doesn't matter anyway!"
    "Ingoll" "You could have a hundred magickal items and it wouldn't matter!"
    show ing mock at center
    "Ingoll" "Lord Balor is coming!"
    "Ingoll" "Bres has the support of the Great Eye, whose gaze is the doom of all!"
    "That is new information. Balor is a veteran Forvorian warlord whose name proceeds him. That name will cause some measure of dread among the Tuatha De Danann."
    "Ingoll has been about as useful as he can be. The Forvorians really should have sent somebody more competent."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Keep your word and let the fool go":
            jump dd22a

        "Kill him":
            jump dd22b

label dd22a:

    scene a22 10a
    with fade
    "I gesture to Ingoll to leave."
    y "Go."
    "Ingoll hesitates at first, suspecting a trick, but then he scrambles away."
    "Ingoll" "When Bres reclaims the throne as High King of Celtica, you will all be his slaves!"
    "Ingoll" "When that happens, I'll find you and make you suffer for what you've done!"
    y "Bres will never be king again!"
    scene a22 04
    with fade
    show clo fight at center with moveinleft
    cd "You were a fool to let him go!"
    y "Killing him would have accomplished nothing."
    y "Besides, having Ingoll on the side of the Forvorians helps the Tuatha more. I can think of no fool less reliable."
    cd "We must leave. More Forvorians will come."
    y "Agreed. We need to get back to Tuatha lands. Your Life Debt to me will be fulfilled when we reach safety."
    hide clo fight at left with moveoutleft
    "I follow Cloda back into the forest and we make good our escape."
    jump dd205

label dd22b:

    y "Thank you, Ingoll. I will let you go now."
    scene a22 10b
    play sound stab04
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I sink Ingoll's sword deep into his chest. Etain's plea for vengeance is fulfilled."
    "Ingoll's eyes widen with shock and his mouth moves as if to say something."
    "But all that comes out is a gargle as blood pours out of his mouth."
    y "Goodbye, Ingoll."
    "His lifeless body slumps to the ground, armor clattering on the ancient stone."
    scene a22 04
    with fade
    show clo fight at center with moveinleft
    cd "We must leave, master. More Forvorians will come, and they will be seeking vengeance for Ingoll."
    y "We need to get back to Tuatha lands. Your Life Debt to me will be fulfilled when we reach safety."
    cd "We should head straight for the banks of the Great River."
    y "Lead the way."
    hide clo fight at left with moveoutleft
    "I follow Cloda back into the forest and we make good our escape."
    stop music
    jump dd205

label dd23:

    scene a23 01
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    y "Get those gems back to The Dagda and Dian Cecht."
    y "Here, take this medallion and say it was given to the Scythian by the son of The Dagda. It will be proof you were sent by me."
    y "You will be granted an audience with the elders of the Tuatha de Danann. Tell them all that has transpired."
    cd "I understand."
    cd "And if you don't return?"
    y "You are to leave Celtica and play no part in the coming conflict."
    cd "As you have said, so I will obey."
    play sound holy01
    "Cloda activates the ring and disappears in a flash of light."
    stop sound
    scene a23 02
    with fade
    play music eer02 loop
    "In the early morning light, Etain and I stalk quietly through the ruins."
    show et neut at left with moveinleft
    "I signal for Etain to stop."
    et "What is it?"
    y "I hear somebody up ahead..."
    scene a23 03
    with fade
    "Sitting amidst the ruins is a Forvorian in intricate armor. His equally impressive sword is unsheathed and rests on his lap."
    "Forvorian" "I know you're there!"
    "Forvorian" "Come out now, don't be shy!"
    "Forvorian" "I want to see the face of the knave that eliminated my best agents!"
    scene a23 02
    with fade
    "Etain turns to me."
    show et talk at left
    et "I know him. My beloved Aengus has talked of him. His name is Ingoll, the son of wealthy Forvorian chieftain."
    y "Well, we need him alive. We need to know what he knows. Are you ready?"
    et "As I'll ever be..."
    scene a23 04
    with fade
    show et neut at center with moveinright
    "At my direction Etain and I leap forward. Her own weapon gone, Etain has the curved daggers of the assassins that Cloda and I defeated."
    y "On your knees!!!"
    "Ingoll looks at me with incredulity, then he laughs."
    "Ingoll" "Fools!"
    show et mad at center
    et "What's so funny?"
    et "It's two against one!"
    "Ingoll" "Is it now???"
    scene a23 05
    with fade
    play music act01 loop
    play sound unsheath01
    "Ingoll" "You've just walked into my trap!"
    "Bananachs emerge from the ruins and surround Etain and I. Their cloven hooves clack on the stone debris."
    "Etain whips out the assassin daggers and prepares to defend myself."
    y "Curse it!"
    "In my over-confidence, I rushed in without fully understanding the environment."
    "Now, I have to correct that mistake with cold steel."
    scene a23 06
    play sound strike02
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    y "FOR KING NUADA!!!!"
    "Bananachs are considered skirmishers by the Forvorians, but they should not be underestimated."
    et "YAAAA!!!"
    "I cut through their ranks, leaving fur and carnage around me. Burnt Bananachs stink. I'd much rather settle this with my blade."
    y "Etain!"
    scene a23 07a
    queue sound stab04
    with hpunch
    "I feel my dagger go deep through the skin and bone of the bananach into its heart."
    "Etain is a competent fighter, but she is no warrior."
    "Against so many opponents, it would only be a matter of time before one of them got through her guard."
    et "OH!!!"
    y "To your left!!!"
    scene a23 07b
    play sound rune02
    queue sound stab02
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "But what Etain lacks in raw strength, she makes up for in other ways."
    "Every blow she metes out is accompanied by a glow around her arm. She's using Boons of Speed and Accuracy to ensure each of her strikes are deadly."
    et "HY-AAAAHHHH!!!"
    "The bananach bellows like an animal in a slaughter yard as it falls to the ground."
    scene a23 08
    with fade
    y "How are you holding up?"
    et "Oh, I've had nicer mornings!"
    et "Don't worry about me, go after Ingoll! I'll finish off the last of the goats!"
    "I nod to her."
    scene a23 04
    with fade
    "I move towards Ingoll with my bloody dagger."
    show ing neut at center with moveinright
    "Ingoll" "Curse you!"
    y "Defend yourself, you wretch!"
    show ing fight at center
    play sound unsheath01
    "Ingoll" "I'll do more than that, Tuatha!"
    "The final word is spat out and I can feel the hatred in his voice. He must think himself confident because his sword has a longer reach and he is in armor."
    scene a23 09
    play sound block04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Ingoll" "You're not bad with that little rat sticker of yours!"
    y "S~ Stay back! I'm warning you!"
    "I use this time to gauge Ingoll's skill with the sword and how he fights, while trying to lure him into a false sense of confidence."
    "The rebellion against Bres taught me that even a druid needs to learn how to fight with a blade. Fortunately, I was a quick study on that point."
    "I parry and dodge, but make sure I take backwards steps. I want to play the part of a fighter that mistakenly picked on an opponent much better than themselves."
    play sound block04
    "He smiles at me. That's the reaction I want."
    "Ingoll" "How long do you think you can keep this up, eh?"
    scene a23 10
    play sound block03
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    y "Have at you!"
    "Ingoll" "WHAT?"
    "In one sharp move, I sweep the sword from Ingoll's hand, sending it soaring into the air."
    "I catch it with my left hand in one fluid motion."
    stop music
    scene a23 11
    with fade
    play music eer01 loop
    "Ingoll" "Wait! Mercy! Please!"
    y "You'll have mercy if you talk!!!"
    "I thrust the tip of the sword at the Forvorian's face."
    y "As a Tuatha De Danann, you have my word that if you talk, I'll let you go free."
    "Ingoll gulps and then meekly nods."
    y "What is your purpose here in Celtica?!"
    "Ingoll" "I~ I was told to send my people to Tau-Ra! I was given Geis Stones to help me gather intelligence!"
    y "Geis Stones?"
    "Ingoll" "Red stones used to control the thoughts of people!!!"
    y "What intelligence were you after?"
    "Ingoll" "The size of the Tuatha forces, where they are and who leads each formation!"
    "I feel he's holding something back."
    y "WHAT ELSE???"
    "The sword tip moves closer to Ingoll's neck."
    "Ingoll" "I had to find out what the Sons of Tuirenn were searching for!"
    "The Sons of Tuirenn are three brothers that are champions of the Tuatha. They killed the father of Lord Lugh in an ancient blood feud and Lord Lugh sent them away to do penance."
    "Besides Lord Lugh, very few would know where the Sons of Tuirenn went or what they were commanded to fetch. Some say they even went back to the Otherworld in their quest."
    "If the rumors Etain heard were right, the Sons of Tuirenn would be searching for magickal items to turn the tide against the coming Forvorian invasion."
    "Ingoll" "All the places where high-ranking Tuatha gathered was where I was to seek information! The King's Hall, the bath houses, taverns..."
    scene a23 04
    with fade
    show ing defe at center
    "Ingoll" "But..."
    "Ingoll" "...it doesn't matter anyway!"
    "Ingoll" "You could have a hundred magickal items and it wouldn't matter!"
    show ing mock at center
    "Ingoll" "Lord Balor is coming!"
    "Ingoll" "Bres has the support of the Great Eye, whose gaze is the doom of all!"
    "That is new information. Balor is a veteran Forvorian warlord whose name proceeds him. That name will cause some measure of dread among the Tuatha De Danann."
    show ing defe at right with moveoutright
    show et neut at left with moveinleft
    et "He speaks the truth. That's everything we need to know."
    "The Forvorians really should have sent somebody more competent. Well, it was fortunate for us, though."
    stop music

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Keep your word and let the fool go":
            jump dd23a

        "Kill him":
            jump dd23b

label dd23a:

    scene a23 12a
    with fade
    "I gesture to Ingoll to leave."
    y "Go."
    "Ingoll hesitates at first, suspecting a trick, but then he scrambles away."
    "Ingoll" "When Bres reclaims the throne as High King of Celtica, you will all be his slaves!"
    "Ingoll" "When that happens, I'll find you and make you suffer for what you've done!"
    y "If Bres returns, he will die. I will never be a slave again!"
    scene a23 13
    with fade
    show et happ at center with moveinleft
    et "The most useful thing Ingoll can do for us is rejoin the Forvorian forces!"
    y "True. Cretins with high opinions of their ability are some of the most dangerous comrades to have."
    et "We should leave. More Forvorians may come."
    y "Agreed. We need to get back to Tuatha lands. Hopefully, Cloda has managed to convince The Dagda in Bru-na-Boyne, and this additional information will be extremely valuable."
    hide et happ at center with moveoutleft
    "Etain follows me into the forest and we make good our escape."
    scene a23 14
    et "How do we get back? There's no Ring of Displacement!"
    y "We need to cross the Great River... can you cast a spell of water walking?"
    et "I can!"
    y "We'll find horses on the other side - something to speed us on our journey back!"
    jump dd205

label dd23b:

    y "Thank you, Ingoll. I will let you go now."
    scene a23 12b
    play sound stab04
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I sink Ingoll's sword deep into his chest. Ingoll's eyes widen with shock and his mouth moves as if to say something."
    "But all that comes out is a gargle as blood pours out of his mouth."
    y "Goodbye, Ingoll."
    "His lifeless body slumps to the ground, armor clattering on the ancient stone."
    scene a23 13
    with fade
    show et sad at center with moveinleft
    et "An ignominious end for a wretched soul..."
    y "Save your sympathy. You would have been his slave, had he succeeded."
    show et talk at center
    et "Don't mistake my compassion for weakness! He got no less than he deserved."
    y "We must leave. More Forvorians will come, and we have to get back to Tuatha lands."
    et "Lead the way, my Lord."
    hide et talk at center with moveoutleft
    "Etain follows me into the forest and we make good our escape."
    scene a23 14
    et "How do we get back? There's no Ring of Displacement!"
    y "We need to cross the Great River... can you cast a spell of water walking?"
    et "I can!"
    y "We'll find horses on the other side - something to speed us on our journey back!"
    jump dd205

label dd24:

    scene a24 01
    with fade
    play music bggen01.mp3 loop
    "The crossing of the Great River was uneventful, and we find ourselves back in Tuatha lands."
    show etg over3 at left with moveinleft
    show clo neut at right with moveinright
    et "It's still several days to Bru-na-Boyne, but less than a day's walk from here is a chieftan that is on good terms with Aengus."
    et "We should be able to get some horses there."
    show etg over1 at left
    et "Uuuuunnn..."
    y "Are you unwell?"
    et "The dark sorcery... it still casts a fog over my mind, although I feel it is clearing..."
    y "That clothing suits you, Etain."
    et "Do not even joke about such matters."
    "It was no joke."
    show etg over3 at left
    show clo talk at right
    cd "Master, I have fulfilled the terms of the Life Debt. Your mission is complete and you are safe on Tuatha land."
    cd "I beg you keep your promise and release me, so my life may be my own once more."

    menu:

        "There is no need to beg, Cloda. You are free.":
            jump dd24a

        "The Tuatha would be fools to let a warrior of your talents go.":
            jump dd24b

        "{color=#00ff00}My last command to you is that you be bonded to me as my slave-wife!":
            $ cd_wife = True
            jump dd24c

label dd24a:

    hide etg over3 at left with moveoutleft
    show clo talk at center with moveinleft
    cd "Then it is goodbye then."
    y "Farewell, Cloda."
    scene a24 02a
    y "Where will you go? I would hate to see you on the opposite side of a battlefield. Your blade is sharp and quick."
    cd "I think I have had enough of Celtica for a while."
    et "So you'll return to Forvoria?"
    cd "Not quite yet. There is still more of the world I've yet to see. There is always demand for a sell-sword."
    cd "I think I'll go east, to the land of Achilles."
    y "Good luck to you."
    cd "And may Tethra's luck be upon you."
    "Cloda smiles at me and a moment later, she is gone."
    scene a24 01
    show troop at center with moveinleft
    show fli2 happ at right with moveinright
    fl "I had word from scouts that there was a commotion over the river. It seems I was right to lead out a patrol!"
    y "Flida! You are a sight for sore eyes!"
    show etg over2 at left with moveinleft
    show fli2 talk at right
    fl "Etain! Your taste in clothing has taken a sinister turn. I hope for your sake you've not been consorting with the dark powers."
    "Despite her lively demeanor, Flida is more militant about fighting the forces of evil and darkness than most Tuatha."
    et "I assure you Flida that the goddess Danu guides me. My clothing is a long story I can explain on the way back."
    fl "Then I shall escort you back. Come, friends!"
    hide etg over2 at left with moveoutleft
    hide fli2 talk at left with moveoutleft
    "Flida brings forth horses for us to mount."
    stop music
    jump dd30

label dd24b:

    play music bgdev02.mp3 loop
    hide etg over3 at left with moveoutleft
    show clo irr at center with moveinleft
    cd "Tethra curse you! You promised me!"
    y "Circumstances have changed."
    y "Do you think I would set you free, to return to your people, when we are on the brink of war?"
    y "How much Tuatha blood would I have on my hands if I did that?"
    cd "Your word is your bond!"
    y "And my word is that you are not released from your Life Debt!"
    y "You'll serve Lord Lugh and when the war is over, we'll see about giving you your life back."
    y "Now kneel."
    "There is anger in Cloda's eyes, but in the end, she does as she is told."
    scene a24 02b
    with fade
    y "How insolent you are, to feel like you are owed something to the one that holds your life!"
    cd "..."
    cd "I'm sorry, my master. Although you have no honor, I will not be known for breaking my Life Debt, on pain of oblivion."
    cd "I will serve the Tuatha until I am released of my debt, or death takes me to my rebirth."
    y "Good. We will hear no more of this."
    scene a24 01
    show troop at center with moveinleft
    show fli2 happ at right with moveinright
    fl "I had word from scouts that there was a commotion over the river. It seems I was right to lead out a patrol!"
    y "Flida! You are a sight for sore eyes!"
    show etg over2 at left with moveinleft
    show fli2 talk at right
    fl "Etain! Your taste in clothing has taken a sinister turn. I hope for your sake you've not been consorting with the dark powers."
    "Despite her lively demeanor, Flida is more militant about fighting the forces of evil and darkness than most Tuatha."
    et "I assure you Flida that the goddess Danu guides me. My clothing is a long story I can explain on the way back."
    hide etg over2 at left with moveoutleft
    show clo neut at left with moveinleft
    fl "And a Forvorian! Ah, I see! You've taken her as a prisoner to put under the question!"
    y "Cloda here has sworn a Life Debt to me."
    fl "Scythian! You know that no Forvorian can be trusted!"
    y "It's my choice, Flida. I defeated her in fair combat. She is bound to me."
    y "You also forget that Lord Lugh and myself are also half Forvorian."
    "Flida grumbles, unable to contest the point."
    fl "Please yourself, I'll have nothing to do with this! You can explain everything in detail to The Dagda and Lord Lugh!"
    fl "Come, let us be on our way!"
    hide fli2 talk at left with moveoutleft
    "A scowling Flida brings forth horses for us to mount."
    stop music
    jump dd30

label dd24c:

    play music bgdev02.mp3 loop
    hide etg over3 at left with moveoutleft
    show clo irr at center with moveinleft
    cd "You fiend! Does your word mean nothing?!!"
    y "I have your life, Cloda. Now I will have your body as well."
    y "You will serve me from now on as my wife. When we get to Bru-na-Boyne, we will perform the bonding ceremony."
    et "My Lord, this is wrong!"
    y "Silence, Etain. Without Cloda, your fate would have been sealed."
    et "..."
    y "Now, Cloda, when the bond of a slave-wife is upon you, I will release you from your Life Debt."
    cd "But I will just be bound to you by other means! This is not what was promised!"
    y "Kneel before your master, the one that has your life!"
    scene a24 02b
    with fade
    "Despite her anger, Cloda kneels."
    y "I will have your sword on the battlefield and your body in the bedroom."
    y "I will be a considerate husband to you, Cloda. In return, you will serve me well."
    y "Do you understand?"
    cd "..."
    cd "Yes, master. I understand."
    y "The life of a slave-wife won't be as bad as you think. You will live with me in Bru-na-Boyne."
    y "Now, let us hurry. There is a wedding to prepare..."
    scene a24 01
    show troop at center with moveinleft
    show fli2 happ at right with moveinright
    fl "I had word from scouts that there was a commotion over the river. It seems I was right to lead out a patrol!"
    y "Flida! You are a sight for sore eyes!"
    show etg over2 at left with moveinleft
    show fli2 talk at right
    fl "Etain! Your taste in clothing has taken a sinister turn. I hope for your sake you've not been consorting with the dark powers."
    "Despite her lively demeanor, Flida is more militant about fighting the forces of evil and darkness than most Tuatha."
    et "I assure you Flida that the goddess Danu guides me. My clothing is a long story I can explain on the way back."
    hide etg over2 at left with moveoutleft
    show clo neut at left with moveinleft
    fl "And a Forvorian! Ah, I see! You've taken her as a prisoner to put under the question!"
    y "Cloda here is to become my wife. She has seen the error of her ways."
    fl "A druid like you settling on a wife?!! That would be the last thing I would have expected from you!!"
    y "Is it so hard to believe, my friend? I am half Forvorian and Cloda has nice breasts and buttocks."
    "Flida sighs."
    fl "No, it is I who is the fool... Nothing you do should surprise me, Scythian. You are no imbecile, so I trust you know what you are doing, though it is unknown to me how druids think!"
    fl "Come, let us be on our way!"
    hide fli2 talk at left with moveoutleft
    "An exasperated Flida brings forth horses for us to mount."
    stop music
    jump dd30

label dd205:

    play music bggen04.mp3 loop
    scene a205 01
    with fade
    "Days have passed since my adventure with Etain and Cloda."
    "Word reached Bru-na-Boyne about the Forvorian plot and the stones were given to The Dagda for study."
    "I want to talk to my teacher and master, to find out what he has learned about the Geis Stones."
    "Who made them? How did the Forvorians get them?"
    "But now is not the time. The threat of Bres' invasion draws ever closer."
    "I myself was ordered to rest in Tau-Ra before I made the return trip to Bru-Na-Boyne."
    "I stay at the estate of Aengus and Etain."
    "Cloda, still under her Life Debt to me, also came here as a guest."
    "In the peace of Aengus' garden, I think about many things."
    "The coming conflict, my own personal passions and what the future will hold."
    "I dream of the day I claim a dun fort and its surrounding fertile lands. A place of seclusion where I can unlock the secrets of the universe in peace."
    "When will such a day come? Do I dare look so far ahead?"
    scene a205 02
    with fade
    cd "So there you are. What are you doing here, all alone?"
    y "Cloda? What are you wearing?"
    "Her dress is sheer and reveals everything. It would be more suitable for the bath house Olivia works in."
    cd "I found this in Etain's wardrobe. She said I had the free use of her spare bedroom."
    y "Cloda, that is merely an undergarment Tuatha women wear. A more modest dress always goes on top."
    cd "Oh? This was not explained to me. I cannot be expected to understand all Tuatha customs."
    scene a205 03
    with fade
    cd "I see there is a bulge in your trousers."
    cd "Such a vulgar display."
    cd "Here... how are my buttocks? Are they pleasing?"
    scene a205 04
    with fade
    show clo dre1 at center
    cd "Etain and Aengus are out. We have this house all to ourselves."
    cd "There are no battles to fight and we are free of duty."
    cd "What shall we do to while away the time, in this fleeting moment of peace?"

    menu:

        "Thank Cloda for all she's done":
            jump dd25

        "{color=#00ff00}Have sex with Cloda":
            jump dd26

label dd25:

    scene a25 01
    with fade
    "I reach over and take Cloda by the hands, drawing her close until I can put my forehead upon hers."
    y "In my father's tribe, placing foreheads together like this was a sign of respect and affection."
    y "We've fought together and I know the strength of your blade. I would value you as a friend and not wish you as an enemy."
    cd "Yes, that is the kind of man you are..."
    y "I value a woman that can fight. It pairs nicely with my druid magicks."
    y "But this partnership is not meant to be..."
    scene a25 02
    with fade
    "Cloda takes me by the neck and pulls me close and suddenly my lips are against hers."
    "Instinctively, I place my hands on her hips. She softly moans as she kisses me."
    cd "Something to remember me by, master."
    jump dd27

label dd26:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    play music bgwh03.mp3 loop
    "I'm not one to refuse the proposition of a beautiful woman in my free time."
    "I take off my clothes."
    play sound dress
    scene a26 02
    with fade
    "Cloda leans against a pillar and lifts up the folds of her dress to reveal her ass crack."
    y "Is this what you want, Cloda?"
    "I slap my cock playfully against her ass."
    cd "..."
    y "I take that as a yes."
    scene a26 03
    with fade
    cd "Master~!"
    play sound moan01
    "With her back propped against a pillar and my arms holding her legs, I push myself into her."
    y "Cloda..."
    "Her purse yields easily to me and soon I have entered my full length."
    scene a26 04
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "We spend our time in the garden enjoying each other in different positions."
    "Cloda is strong and flexible enough to be taken in any position from the ancient manuals of lovemaking."
    "She's a passionate and giving partner."
    scene a26 05
    with fade
    cd "Your sword is a... perfect fit for... my scabbard!"
    cd "No man has... ever made it twitch... like you do!"
    y "AaaAAhhh... I've got more for you..."
    cd "How many times... have you made me... cum?"
    scene a26 06
    with fade
    cd "I never imagined... there was such a man as you..."
    "She's an amazing fuck, but I can feel her getting tired."
    "I've been pacing myself, to drag out the pleasure of the lovemaking, but it seems even Forvorian women have their limits."
    cd "You can finish..."
    cd "You can cum inside me..."
    cd "Come on..."
    stop sound
    scene a26 07
    with fade
    "I was always on the edge with Cloda's tight snatch, but her words of encouragement take me over."
    play sound shoot01
    queue sound shoot02
    cd "OOoooOOooHHHH!!!"
    "I cum into her, kissing and licking the side of ver neck as I feel my libido drain out of me."
    y "Cloda..."
    stop music
    scene a26 08
    with fade
    cd "You gave me so much..."
    play sound shoot05
    "She spreads her legs, feeling her way around her purse as a huge stream of my seed pours out."
    "In this moment she looks incredibly more submissive and vulnerable than I think I've ever seen her."
    "It sends my heart racing and I entertain the thought of keeping her. Of claiming her."
    play sound dress
    y "We'd better get dressed. Etain and Aengus will be back before the sun sets."
    cd "..."
    
    if _in_replay:
        return
    
    jump dd27

label dd27:

    scene a27 01
    with fade
    show clo dre1 at center with moveinleft
    "When I first took Cloda's life into a Life Debt, I made the conditions clear. She would help me until my mission was complete."
    "And that... she has most certainly done. I could think of no more a dependable blade to have by my side than her."
    "But a Life Debt is not just a mere agreement. To Cloda, I literally hold her soul by sparing her from death at my hands."
    "She is not alive in her mind. Not until I agree to return her soul and set her free."
    y "Cloda, it's time to talk about your Life Debt."

    menu:

        "Thank you for everything. I give your life back to you now, as I said I would.":
            jump dd27a

        "I won't free you until the war with Forvoria is over.":
            jump dd27b

        "{color=#00ff00}Your life is mine, to do with as I will. You will become a wife to me and serve me.":
            $ cd_wife = True
            jump dd27c

label dd27a:

    play music bgwh06.mp3 loop
    scene a27 02a
    with fade
    "With my words of release, Cloda turns around to leave and gives me a sultry smile over her shoulder."
    "The scandalous dress she wears clearly shows the fine cheeks of her buttocks in the afternoon sunlight."
    cd "Then I take my leave of you, my dear Forvorian halfling."
    y "I would hate to meet you on the opposite side of the coming war..."
    cd "Oh, I think I will take my leave of Celtica for a while. The world is large and there is always need for a good sell-sword."

    menu:

        "Stay with me Cloda, as a woman...":
            jump dd27a1

        "Then may Tethra watch over you.":
            jump dd27a2

label dd27a1:

    "Cloda appears to consider my proposition for a moment."
    cd "Not yet... I am not ready to be with child."
    cd "There is still much I want to see and do."
    "Her words fill me with disappointment, but I can understand that. I have ambitions of my own."
    cd "But..."
    cd "...maybe one day I'll come and find you."
    y "One last thing..."
    y "Change your clothes before you go outside."
    "Cloda's gentle laughter fills my ears as she leaves."
    scene a27 01
    with fade
    "And then there was silence in the garden, and I am alone."
    "Our paths intertwined for a short while, and then parted ways."
    "How many people have I parted with in my life?"
    "How many good people were lost in battle, their whole lives ahead, only for their souls to return to the Otherworld?"
    "Sometimes it's better not to dwell on such thoughts for too long..."
    "What shall I do in Tau-Ra this evening?"

    menu:

        "As planned, have dinner with Etain and Aengus.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd28

        "{color=#00ff00}Try to forget about Cloda with the companionship of Olivia at the bath house.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd29

label dd27a2:

    cd "And to you, too. Try not to fall to a Forvorian spear or axe."
    y "I'll do my best."
    cd "Until we meet again, my Lord."
    y "Will we meet again?"
    cd "Well... that is up to the gods, isn't it?"
    y "Oh, Cloda. One last thing."
    y "Change your clothes before you go outside. You wouldn't want to be arrested by the town watch for indecency"
    cd "Do you think they could stop me?"
    "Cloda's gentle laughter fills my ears as she leaves."
    scene a27 01
    with fade
    "And then there was silence in the garden, and I am alone."
    "Our paths intertwined for a short while, and then parted ways."
    "How many people have I parted with in my life?"
    "How many good people were lost in battle, there whole lives ahead, only for their souls to return to the Otherworld?"
    "Sometimes it's better not to dwell on such thoughts for too long..."
    "What shall I do in Tau-Ra this evening?"

    menu:

        "As planned, have dinner with Etain and Aengus.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd28

        "{color=#00ff00}Visit Olivia at the bath house and spend some time in her arms.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd29

label dd27b:

    play music bgwhd02.mp3 loop
    show clo dre2 at center
    cd "What?! That was not the agreement!"
    y "A Life Debt is not some miserly agreement between merchants - your life is mine..."
    y "...and circumstances have changed."
    "The anger in Cloda's eyes is apparent."
    show clo dre3 at center
    y "With the coming war, I would be a fool to let a blade as skilled as yours go back to the Forvorian forces."
    y "No..."
    y "You will stay under your Life Debt to me until the Forvorian threat is no more. I will arrange for you to join Queen Brigid's guard."
    cd "You are an honorless dog to go back on your word!"
    y "And what about you, Cloda? Are you so insolent that you will forsake your Life Debt and lose all honor before your gods?"
    y "Let me know now, so we are clear with each other!"
    "Cloda says nothing."
    y "Then kneel. Kneel before your master."
    scene a27 02b
    with fade
    "Cloda does not hesitate when she kneels, which is a good sign."
    "Her fear of oblivion for breaking a Life Debt is stronger than her distaste for the broken bargain."
    y "Will you obey me, as the holder of your life?"
    cd "I... I will obey you, master."
    y "Good. When I go to Bru-na-Boyne you shall come with me and I will arrange for your transfer to Queen Brigid's guard."
    cd "As you wish, my master."
    y "Now go, until I summon you again."
    cd "Yes, master..."
    scene a27 01
    with fade
    "Cloda leaves and I am alone in the garden."
    "The Tuatha De Danann cannot win the coming war if it isn't prepared to make hard decisions."
    "Cloda will understand that and if she refuses to accept it, then that is really of no concern."
    "All she must do is obey."
    "Now, what shall I do in Tau-Ra this evening?"

    menu:

        "As planned, have dinner with Etain and Aengus.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd28

        "{color=#00ff00}Visit Olivia at the bath house and seek her companionship for the night.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd29

label dd27c:

    play music bgwhd02.mp3 loop
    show clo dre2 at center
    cd "What?! That was not the agreement!"
    y "How lightly you talk of your debt! As if it was a mere 'agreement'!"
    y "Your life is mine, Cloda. You lost it when I defeated you, yet chose not to send it back to the Otherworld."
    "The anger in Cloda's eyes is apparent."
    show clo dre3 at center
    y "I want you, Cloda. As a sword by my side and a companion in my bed. For a druid, such a partner is very useful!"
    y "Do you think I would let you go, after everything that has happened?"
    y "No... you are far too valuable to me for that and I will enjoy the possession of you."
    y "Now kneel."
    y "Kneel before your master and soon to be husband."
    cd "..."
    scene a27 02b
    with fade
    "Cloda kneels at my feet."
    y "Good girl..."
    y "When I return to Bru-na-Boyne, you will accompany me and we will be married there."
    cd "Yes, master."
    y "Serve me well and I will be good to you. In time, you will learn to accept and enjoy your servitude."
    play sound dress
    "I take off my pants."
    "My cock is already tight at the thought of owning Cloda."
    y "Pledge yourself upon this."
    scene a27 02c
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    queue sound blow03
    cd "As Tethra is my witness, I pledge by the bond of the Life Debt, I will obey you."
    y "One life as my servant wife is not so bad, Cloda..."
    y "After all, the soul is eternal and you will be reborn many more times after this."
    "Among Cloda's tribe, the belief is that dishonoring a Life Debt means the total oblivion of the soul."
    "In comparison, one life of servitude to me would seem like a bargain."
    y "Well done. You have shown me your intention."
    scene a27 01
    with fade
    show clo dre3 at center
    y "Now go, until I summon you again for our departure to Bru-na-Boyne."
    cd "Yes, master..."
    hide clo dre3 at left with moveoutleft
    "Cloda leaves and I am alone in the garden."
    "Over time, I will mold Cloda into the servant that I desire. My heart beats faster at the thought of such an erotic and rewarding project."
    "Now, what shall I do in Tau-Ra this evening?"
    stop music

    menu:

        "As planned, have dinner with Etain and Aengus.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd28

        "{color=#00ff00}Visit Olivia at the bath house and seek her companionship for the night.":
            $ i_et += 1
            jump dd29

label dd28:

    play music bggen02.mp3 loop
    scene a28 01
    with fade
    $ renpy.notify("Etain Favor +1")
    "The evening I have supper with Aengus and Etain."
    "Etain especially seems delighted that I accepted the invitation."
    scene a28 02
    with fade
    show et happ at left with moveinleft
    show mid neut at right with moveinright
    ae "Well, my friend, congratulations on a successful mission! The Dagda's faith in you is well placed! Truly, he considers you his most dependable druid!"
    y "I do not lie when I say Etain was a great help."
    show et think at left
    et "I'm not sure getting kidnapped counts as providing you help."
    ae "Now then, let's not dwell on the dark side of things, as Forvorians do!"
    show et happ at left
    show mid happ at right
    ae "We have boar, beef, eastern wine and all good fruits! Let us celebrate this success!"
    ae "As we speak, agents of King Nuada are searching Tau-Ra for Forvorian agents."
    ae "They will no longer be able to operate so easily in the shadows."
    show mid neut at right
    et "I also hear that Lord Lugh wants to see you when you return to Bru-na-Boyne."
    "So, Lugh has returned from his journey with the king."
    show et talk at left
    et "I will also return to Bru-na-Boyne on business. Perhaps I will see you there, my Lord?"
    y "Perhaps."
    show mid happ at right
    ae "Come now, beloved. I'm sure our guest is starving and would like a diversion from the toils that lie ahead."
    et "Of course."
    hide et talk with moveoutleft
    hide mid happ with moveoutright
    "We eat and drink and talk about happier times, like when Lord Lugh was granted an audience with King Nuada for the first time when he claimed he was a master of all the arts of the Tuatha."
    "And when King Nuada's court was astonished that this was, in fact, the truth."
    ae "It was at that moment that the Tuatha saw the first light of hope that we could be free of King Bres and the Forvorian yoke."
    "Then there is silence at the table as we all realize that we will have to have the same fight again..."
    stop music
    jump dd30

label dd29:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene a29 01
    with fade
    "With my duty to The Dagda and King Nuada fulfilled, I have some time for myself before I return to Bru-na-Boyne."
    "I can think of no better place to relax than the bath house by the western gate."
    "I had a supper date tonight with Etain and Aengus, but I'm sure Etain wasn't going to give me a blowjob unless I had cast some 'questionable' druidic spells."
    "So here I am."
    "As usual, the bath is busy with naked men taking in the medicinal properties of the hot waters."
    show ol neut at left with moveinleft
    "Olivia" "My Lord, you have returned!"
    "Olivia's smile is coy, but genuine."
    show va neut at right with moveinright
    "Vana" "Welcome, my Lord."
    "I remember the last time I was here, Vana was walking the floor with the vacant look of an undead."
    "But tonight, there is a life in her eyes."
    "Olivia" "Follow us upstairs, my Lord. We can talk there."
    scene a29 02
    with fade
    show ol neut at left with moveinleft
    show va neut at right with moveinright
    "Vana" "I want to thank you, my Lord."
    "Vana" "I am told you saved us from the spell of the Forvorians."
    "Vana" "One of our healers came here and lifted the fog from my mind."
    y "What do you remember from that time?"
    "Vana" "I remember that... I had to ask questions. Many, many questions of my guests."
    "Vana" "I then had to tell one of the new cooks downstairs. I had to tell them everything."
    "Olivia" "That cook has since fled."
    show ol allu at left
    "Olivia" "But enough of that. Vana and I have yet to show our appreciation."
    "Vana" "Just sit back, my Lord and let us entertain you..."
    scene a29 03
    with fade
    play music bgwhd04.mp3 loop
    "Olivia and Vana strip off what scanty clothing they have and begin to dance."
    "In the warm light of the room they gyrate and move in time."
    "Of course, erotic dancing is an important talent for a courtesan."
    scene a29 04
    with fade
    "The dance even seems to have a theme."
    "Olivia plays the role of a male and Vana a female."
    "One by one, they go through the entire litany of ancient sexual positions."
    "The grinding and heavy petting makes the display all the more arousing."
    scene a29 05
    with fade
    "The performance moves into a more carnal display."
    "Olivia" "Hngh~ hhhnnn!"
    "Vana's hungry hands touch and grope every inch of Olivia's body, fondling her buxom breasts."
    "Olivia moans as Vana's tongue licks her ear and neck with the practiced skill of a whore."
    scene a29 07
    with fade
    "Olivia" "Would you like to join us now, my Lord?"
    "Vana" "We're waiting for you."
    "I get up from the chair I was sitting on to watch the performance and I move towards the women."
    scene a29 08
    with fade
    "Vana" "Oh, my Lord..."
    "Olivia grasps my cock and begins to stroke it as I feel up her tits."
    "Olivia" "Look at how stiff it has become... it knows what it wants..."
    scene a29 09
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    "Vana drops to her knees and starts to suck my cock."
    "Olivia" "You're very lucky tonight, my Lord. Vana is the best cocksucker in Tau-Ra. She has taken it to an artform."
    "Olivia" "No other girl in this bath house can even compare..."
    scene a29 10
    with fade
    play sound blow03
    "Olivia is not lying. Vana works magic with her tongue."
    "She alternates suck and licking until I am on the brink of my explosion."
    y "S-Stop!"
    "I put my hand on her head and slowly push it away."
    "There's still more I want to enjoy before I reach climax."
    scene a29 11
    with fade
    "The night is young, and I intend to enjoy these women for as long as I can."
    "Olivia and Vana alternate their roles to ensure I penetrate both of them equally."
    "Olivia has the tighter purse, but Vana has the more comfortable thighs and hips."
    scene a29 12
    with fade
    "Olivia" "You are amazing, my Lord..."
    play sound slaplong
    "Vana" "We've... never... had a man... as potent... as you!"
    "Vana" "Give it to me with your cock, my Lord! It throbs inside me!"
    scene a29 13
    with fade
    y "AaaAAhhh... Vana! You dirty... sexy... whore!"
    "Vana" "Yes, my Lord! I'm a dirty whore!"
    "Vana" "Fuck this dirty whore! Ravage me!"
    "Olivia" "You're enjoying each other far too much! Don't forget about me!"
    scene a29 14
    with fade
    play sound slaplong
    y "I haven't forgotten about you, my beauty!"
    y "It's coming! You're going to take it!!!"
    "Olivia" "UuuUuuNNGHHHHH! Put it inside! Right... there!"
    "I grab Olivia's fine ass with force as I rapidly thrust into her for the finish."
    scene a29 15
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound shoot03
    "Olivia" "Yes, my Lord.... oh, yesss..."
    "My semen gushes out of Olivia's purse as I pull my dick out of it."
    y "Good girl... you took it so well..."
    "Olivia" "Thank you... my Lord..."
    "Olivia" "I hope we have, satisfied our savior..."
    stop music
    
    if _in_replay:
        return
    
    jump dd30

label dd30:

    scene a30 02
    with fade
    play music bggen03.mp3 loop
    "With my mission successful, I return to Bru-na-Boyne."
    "Once more, the elders of the Tuatha De Danann wish to speak with me."
    "Perhaps there is more to the Forvorian plot that what I uncovered..."
    "Rumors abound that Tau-Ra remains a dangerous place and women have been disappearing in the night..."
    scene a30 02a
    with fade
    "The elders are busy with many dire matters, and so I wait for my turn in a foyer near the audience hall."
    show tuan at center with moveinright
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    "An hunched figure bumps into me."
    "???" "Oh, I'm sorry, young Tuatha!"
    y "Please be careful, old sire."
    "I look the old man over. His frayed clothing marks him as a pauper."
    "Times are hard all over Celtica. Forvorian raids and other banditry have left many destitute and starving."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Give the pauper a silver coin":
            $ t_coin = True
            jump dd30y

        "Move him on his way":
            jump dd30z

label dd30y:

    "I press a silver coin, stamped with the head of King Nuada, into the old man's hand."
    "He looks at it, dumbfounded."
    "Pauper" "What do you want me to do with this?"
    y "Buy food. Find some shelter at a tavern or hospice."
    "Pauper" "Food? When I was King of the Stags, I fed on the green grass of Celtica!"
    "Pauper" "When I was King of the Boars, I ate the rich fruits and roots of the forests!"
    "Pauper" "What shall I eat next? I do not know..."
    "Pauper" "Perhaps, I shall be eaten myself!"
    "The old man is clearly mad. I smile politely at him and nod."
    y "You've seen many things then, old man."
    "I humor him."
    "Suddenly, his face grows dark and he looks intently at my face."
    "Pauper" "You don't look to be a thousand years old, master druid!"
    y "Not yet, at least."
    "Pauper" "But one day, you will be!"
    hide tuan at left with moveoutleft
    "The old man scurries away, clutching the coin."
    show sh talk at center with moveinright
    "Shay" "Who was that?"
    y "Just an old pauper."
    show sh sad at center
    "Shay" "Daily, they enter towns like Bru-na-Boyne searching for succour."
    "Shay" "People say there are more Forvorian raiders now on the border lands..."
    "Shay" "How can things be getting worse when men like you are trying to make things better?"
    y "..."
    show sh talk at center
    "Shay" "Anyway, I came here to say you are summoned!"
    "Shay" "Good luck, my Lord!"
    "I make my way into the audience hall."
    jump dd31

label dd30z:

    y "I'm sorry, old one. I have an important meeting I must soon attend."
    "Pauper" "Oh, yes. Of course, of course."
    y "Good fortune to you."
    hide tuan at left with moveoutleft
    "The old man scurries away."
    show sh talk at center with moveinright
    "Shay" "Who was that?"
    y "Just an old pauper."
    show sh sad at center
    "Shay" "More and more of them come to Bru-na-Boyne by the day."
    "Shay" "People say there are more Forvorian raiders now on the border lands..."
    show sh talk at center
    "Shay" "Anyway, I came here to say you are summoned!"
    "Shay" "Good luck, my Lord!"
    "I make my way into the audience hall."
    jump dd31

label dd31:

    scene a30 03
    with fade
    "I enter the audience hall and see three familiar figures. Lord Lugh towers above The Dagda and Dian Cecht."
    td "Come in, my Scythian friend. Good tidings and victory to you!"
    y "And you, my Lord Dagda."
    y "Greetings, my Lord Lugh and my Lord Dian Cecht."
    "Both of them nod to me, their expressions grave."
    td "We must talk to you about your discoveries and the trials we are about to face."
    scene a30 04d
    with fade
    "I step towards the three men in my usual garb as a druid of the Tuatha De Danann."
    lu "I hear the last assignment must have been difficult for you."
    y "My intelligence is my true strength, not my magick or a blade."
    lu "True! When you set your mind upon something, I know of no other that is as ruthless as you, my friend!"
    y "If you want something, there is no such thing as fair or foul means. There is only success or failure."
    lu "Only you could answer like that. But tell me..."
    lu "...how many women did you bed this time?"
    lu "How many did you ensnare with your arts?"
    y "That is not for you to know, old friend. Suffice to say that I profess to quality, rather than quantity!"
    dc "I think that is a discussion for the banquet hall in the early hours of the morning, Lord Lugh."
    "Lord Lugh bursts into laughter that echoes through the room."
    td "Now, let us move on to business."
    scene a30 05
    with fade
    show td neut at center
    show lu neut at left with moveinleft
    show dc neut at right with moveinright
    lu "My friend, you fought by my side in the rebellion, now I ask you to fight by my side again."
    lu "War will be upon us in autumn. All the Tuatha must rally together under one banner to resist the darkness that comes."
    show dc talk at right
    dc "Thanks to your efforts, we are now able to find those that have been ensnared by the Geis Stones."
    dc "From what we can tell, it's been happening for a long time, like a sickness spreading through the body of the kingdom."
    y "Where did they come from?"
    dc "They work with strange magicks beyond even our understanding. We think they have come from the Otherworld."
    y "The Otherworld?! So Bres has allies beyond the Western Sea?"
    dc "Perhaps."
    show dc neut at right
    show td talk at center
    td "As each day passes, more Forvorian ships land on the eastern shores of Celtica."
    td "The hunters talk of great movements of warriors and strange creatures throughout the wild land of Torie."
    td "They are amassing underground in caves. Very soon, they will strike across the Great River into our lands."
    show td neut at center
    show dc talk at right
    dc "But it is the news that the warlord Balor has allied with Bres that is the most disturbing."
    y "Are the stories about Balor true?"
    lu "..."
    dc "It depends on what you've heard."
    dc "He is old now and advanced in years, but none have resisted his great eye."
    dc "It destroys all that it gazes upon and because of that, he hides it behind a mask."
    dc "Balor is the embodiment of the darkness, malice and evil of the Otherworld lands from where the Forvorians emerged."
    show dc neut at right
    show lu talk at left
    lu "Enough doomsaying!"
    lu "Not all will go as Bres and Balor would wish!"
    lu "I sent the sons of Tuirenn to the Otherworld, to find us items that we can use in the coming conflict."
    lu "They have since returned with them, although they died from wounds they suffered in their labors for me."
    lu "Still, I do not mourn them. It is a fitting end for those that slew my father."
    "Page" "The King!"
    hide lu talk at left with moveoutleft
    hide dc neut at right with moveoutright
    hide td neut at right with moveoutright
    "The Tuatha elders make way for the King to pass."
    "I am shocked. I did not expect him to be here."
    show nu neut at center with moveinleft
    "I kneel before my king."
    y "My liege..."
    "King Nuada" "Arise. You need not abase yourself before me, not after you have done so much for our people."
    y "..."
    "King Nuada" "Although you were born long after the war with the Fir Bolg, your generation is no stranger to blood and strife."
    "King Nuada" "In fact, it was you, with the druidic spells you created, that gave the rebellion hope for success..."
    "King Nuada" "But now, Bres and his dark rabble think they are worthy of the throne at Tau-Ra..."
    "King Nuada" "I say let them come. This will be the last chapter of our rebellion against that diabolical ruler."
    "King Nuada" "To that end, I have need of your strength."
    y "You have but to ask, my liege."
    "King Nuada" "Go with Dian Cecht to Torie. Come back with news on the enemy forces and their preparations."
    y "When do I leave?"
    "King Nuada" "In two days."
    "King Nuada" "Now go, with the blessing of the Goddess Danu upon you."
    play sound crow loop
    "Suddenly, a flock of crows flies past the marble columns and circles the center of the hall."
    stop sound
    scene a30 06
    with fade
    "The crows disappear to reveal a sultry, raven-haired beauty that I have never seen before."
    "But I know exactly who she is."
    "King Nuada" "The Morrigan! It is a rare occasion indeed when you grace the Council of Elders with your presence!"
    tm "I am an honored member, am I not?"
    scene a30 05
    with fade
    show nu neut at left
    show mor neut at right with moveinright
    tm "The land of Torie is alive with bloodlust and hatred."
    tm "At night, my goblins and wights cry out in the darkness, causing Forvorian warriors fear and robbing them of their sleep."
    "King Nuada" "Do you know how many of them there are? Or when they will strike?"
    tm "My creatures are primal. Such matters do not concern them. They care only for the scent of war."
    tm "But the Scythian will be able to answer those questions for you, King of the Tuatha."
    "I bow at the King and at The Morrigan."
    y "And soon, you will have your answer, my liege."
    "Lord Lugh gives me a sly smile as I leave."
    jump dd_lugh

label dd_lugh:

    scene a30 02
    play music bgtown07.mp3 loop
    with fade
    "The final day before I leave for the lands of the enemy arrives."
    "I am restless and I have an excess of energy seeking release."
    "And what better way to release it than..."
    scene a34 01
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    "...man to man combat!"
    lu "Not bad for a weedy scholar! Have you become quicker since last we fought?"
    y "Spare your false platitudes and prepare for defeat!"
    lu "Hah! You may be one of our best druids and you certainly talk a big game but..."
    scene a34 02
    play sound crack
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    lu "You're a thousand years too early to beat me!!!"
    "Lugh gets me into an iron grip and easily tosses me."
    "It still surprises me just how strong he is."
    lu "Ah!!! You made me break a sweat, which is more than I can say for all the other fighters of the Tuatha!"
    y "I said..."
    y "...spare me your platitudes!"
    lu "Ha ha ha ha ha!!!"
    scene a34 03
    with fade
    "I rub my shoulder as Lugh lets me up."
    "One day, I swear I'll beat him!"
    lu "Look out there, my friend..."
    lu "Fields with rich dark soil that gets plentiful rain..."
    lu "Golden wheat and herds of fat milch cows..."
    lu "It could all be reduced to fire and ruin, if Bres and the Forvorians are not stopped at the Great River."
    lu "First, Tau-Ra will burn and its people will be enslaved. Then these lands will suffer next."
    y "I swore I would never be a slave again. Surely you and the elders have a plan?"
    lu "Of course! King Nuada has charged me with preparing the strategy of our defense!"
    lu "We shall meet them on the field of Moy Tura, where the land ill-favors an attacker."
    y "We'll be outnumbered."
    lu "We will make up for that deficiency by using the strength of the Tuatha de Danann, the same strength that allowed King Nuada to defeat the Fir Bolg!"
    lu "The magical items we have acquired and our force of crafters and healers will be our key to victory. We will be able to out-heal and out-repair the Forvorians."
    lu "For every axe of theirs that breaks, two of our spears will be returned to a keen edge. For every warrior of theirs that bleeds out on the field, three of ours will be returned to the fight from our field hospitals."
    y "But first, you need to know when they will strike out across the Great River..."
    lu "Indeed. That is why I am counting on you to deliver that intelligence, my friend."
    lu "You must be the herald of our final struggle..."
    stop music
    scene a30 02a
    with fade 
    play music bggen02.mp3 loop
    "Still smarting from the beating that Lugh gave me, I enter the audience hall that is now empty."
    "The Dagda heard the last petition of the day, and so the business of the elders has concluded."
    "Of course, all business these days is somehow related to the coming of the next great battle."
    "The tension in the air is thick and can be cut with a sword. Could it be that I am also anxious?"
    "Hidden in the confines of my pocket, I roll a Geis Stone between my fingers. It was the one Olivia gave me."
    "The Dagda had given it to me to dispose of, and yet..."
    et "My Lord!"
    show et neut at center with moveinright
    y "Etain..."
    et "I hear you leave tomorrow with Dian Cecht on a scouting mission."
    y "Word gets around apparently."
    y "Where is Aengus?"
    et "Oh, he's busy organizing the gold and supplies we will need for the coming campaign. The Forvorians will pillage for the needs of their army, but we cannot."
    y "Of course."
    show et sad at center
    et "..."
    y "Is something wrong?"
    et "I... I just wanted to say thank you. For all that you did when we were partnered together."
    et "You were... a steadfast companion."

    menu:

        "The night is cold and I could use your tender company in my bed tonight, fair Etain." if cd_wife and i_et <= 4:
            jump dd_etain01

        "Not many have complimented me. Most think me to be a hard man...":
            jump dd_etain02

        "{color=#00ff00}You must know how I feel about you. Spend the night with me, fair Etain." if i_et >= 4:
            $ et_luv = True
            jump dd_etluv      

        "Gaze upon this Geis Stone and open yourself once more to its power..." if et_cor == 3:
            jump dd_etgeis

        "Say no more of it":
            jump dd_etain03


label dd_etain01:

    show et mad at center
    et "Says the man that forced a Forvorian warrior to become his wife!"
    et "I've heard all the stories about you!"
    et "I'm just extremely disappointed that you would even think to proposition me like that!"
    show et neut at center
    et "It's a shame, for a moment there I was crazy enough to think I was attracted to you..."
    et "But your good points are far outweighed by your philandering ways."
    et "Good luck on your mission, my Lord. I will pray for your safe return."
    hide et neut at left with moveoutleft
    "Well, it looks like I won't be adding Etain to my list of conquests any time soon..."
    "But who knows about the future? There's still time..."
    stop music
    jump dd_scouting


label dd_etain02:

    et "I know what everyone in the court says about you - a secretive druid with a mean streak, but they don't know you! They haven't seen what I've seen!"
    y "My life to this point has not been easy, Etain. But who am I to complain? I use it as fuel to move forward."
    et "You... you will find what you seek one day... I am sure of it!"
    y "That is my intention..."
    show et neut at center
    et "Well... good luck on your mission, my Lord. I will pray for your safe return."
    y "Thank you, Etain."
    hide et neut at left with moveoutleft
    "We are all seeking something - but how many of us will find what we are searching for?"
    "But perhaps the better question is - how many of us will live to regret what we find?"
    stop music
    jump dd_tryst


label dd_etain03:

    et "Oh? Y~ yes, of course!"
    "It seems Etain was expecting a different answer from me."
    et "Will you... miss anybody here while you're gone?"
    y "That is a very strange question."
    show et sup at center
    et "I'm sorry! You're right! For a solitary druid, it was a strange question!"
    et "Forget that I said it."
    show et neut at center
    y "It's forgotten."
    et "Good luck on your mission, my Lord. I will pray for your safe return."
    et "..."
    y "..."
    et "E~ excuse me!"
    hide et neut at left with moveoutleft
    "That was an awkward conversation."
    "But I consider that I managed her expectations as well as I could have. She's clearly not my type."
    stop music
    jump dd_tryst


label dd_etgeis:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene a30a 01
    with fade
    play music dev03 loop
    $ et_dark = True
    et "If you think I am so easy that..."
    "Etain's voice trails off as he stares at the Geis Stone. I use it to lead her into a darkened alcove away from the flow of people."
    y "You know what this is, don't you? You were under the power of this very stone once before, in a tavern in Tau-Ra..."
    et "A... Geis Stone?! Why do... you have... such a thing?"
    y "As a druid, I have been studying it, to learn its secrets. I think I need to conduct a few further trials."
    y "And on our mission, you were a very good test subject..."
    et "I~ I'm not..."
    y "Come to my chamber tonight, Etain. Come dressed to please me." 
    y "After all that has happened, I think you know my tastes..."
    et "..."
    et "Yes..."
    y "Good girl."
    scene a30a 02
    with fade
    "I slide my hand down Etain's thigh and under her dress, pulling aside her pantie."
    y "Oh, you're already getting moist at the thought of falling under the stone's spell again, aren't you?"
    et "N~no..."
    y "Your body doesn't lie..."
    play sound enter02
    et "OH~!"
    "I slide the Geis Stone into the folds Etain's purse and it is immediately swallowed up."
    y "There we go... I think this is where belongs, my sweet vixen."
    y "Remember... come to my chambers when it is dark after having prepared yourself for me. Make sure no one sees you."
    "Etain takes short and shallow breaths until she lets out a deep, lustful moan."
    et "U-UUuuuUUnnn..."
    stop music
    scene a30a 03 
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "The wait that night is long and mixed with the pleasures of anticipation, but also the anxiety of the battle to come."
    "There is also a chance that Etain overcomes the stone that holds her, or that she gets caught coming to my chamber."
    "Aengus will be furious with me, but it's not as though he has never stolen another man's woman."
    play sound2 door01
    et "I am here, as you have commanded."
    y "Impeccable timing, my dear."
    stop sound
    scene a30a 04
    with fade
    play music whd01 loop
    "My heart skips a beat. What a dark vision of seductive beauty!"
    "In the gloom of the chamber, two irises pierce through the darkness, glowing with an eldritch light."
    "The Geis Stone has well and truly ensnared her mind, as it did in the ruins of Torie."
    y "If the stories are true, you would put The Queen of Nightmares herself to shame! To think that you feared her!"
    et "I know what excites your baleful heart, Master Druid. Does this hair and Forvorian garb please you?"
    "I motion for Etain to come towards me."
    scene a30a 05
    with fade
    y "Very much so, my wicked siren. Truly, you are wasted on Aengus."
    et "Would you have me instead, my Lord?"
    y "Perhaps. What do you offer me, Etain?"
    et "Everything, my master. I offer you everything I have, and whatever you desire..."
    et "As a spymaster to Brigid, I can tell you all that I discover."
    "Having Etain as an informant would be useful to understand the machinations in the royal court. It also shows how dangerous the Geis Stones are, that I could compromise her like this."
    "I stroke Etain's cheek and hair, admiring the sheen of her dark lips. She moans through smiling lips."
    y "Well answered, little spymaster. Now, shall we begin?"
    scene a30a 06
    with fade
    "I sit down by the fire and Etain's mouth is immediately upon my rigid cock."
    play sound blow01
    y "How rapacious you are tonight..."
    et "You made me like this... my lord. You made me... impatient for your manhood."
    et "The evening was torture... having to wait... an eternity before I could slip away... from Aengus' side..." 
    scene a30a 07
    with fade
    "She licks the head of my cock, dissolving a drop of my milky pre-cum onto her tongue."
    y "What would Aengus say if he saw you now?"
    et "I... do not care... not when... I have the taste of you..."
    "She strokes my cock as she licks, but she is too enthusiastic and tugs too hard. I put my hand on hers to slow her down."
    scene a30a 08
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    y "Did you bathe before you came?"
    et "Of course, my lord... I took much care... to prepare myself..."
    "As Etain feasts upon my manhood I rub and slap her buttocks before slipping a finger into her ass."
    et "Mmmrrmm!"
    "Her sphincter immediately contracts around the intruding digit, but I keep agitating her hole, causing her to yelp and squirm."
    y "Focus on your task, my lusty fox..."
    scene a30a 09
    with fade
    play sound shoot01
    queue sound shoot02
    y "HNUGHHH!"
    et "Oh, my lord! You're coming for me!"
    "Etain strokes my cock with frantic fervor, eager to milk me of every drop."
    et "The smell! I will never forget this manly smell!"
    et "Give it to me... give it to your Etain!!!"
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    y "The night grows short, we have not much time..."
    et "Then take me, my master. Use my body as you will!"
    scene a30a 10
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    et "Yes, master! Yesss!"
    et "Claim your lecherous harlot! I'm h~helpless before your cock!"
    y "Are you pleased I gave you back your Geis Stone?"
    et "So pleased, master! It feels so good to simply obeyyy!"
    scene a30a 11
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    et "Oh! Master! You're pushing so deep! I love that!"
    y "I'm almost at my limit, and it's all the fault of this sexy body..."
    et "Cum inside this sexy body, master! OooOohh... cum... inside... ME!"
    y "No Etain... things would be too complicated if you became pregnant now!"
    "She lets out a moan of disappointment."
    stop sound
    scene a30a 12
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound shoot01
    et "OH!"
    y "Damn it!"
    "At the last possible moment, I pull out and try to shoot my seed into Etain's ass."
    "But the insertion is botched and I miss, so I have to satisfy myself with coming between her buttocks."
    et "Master, have I displeased you??!"
    y "No, Etain..."
    stop music
    scene a30a 13
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    play sound2 blow01
    "When we are both spent, we sit down on the wolf-skin rug. Etain wraps her arms around me and gives me a long and deep kiss."
    et "MmmMMmmm..."
    "The breath from her nostrils is hot and her tongue wrestles with my own. If I wanted to take her again, she'd eagerly spread her legs wide open for me."
    "But alas..."
    scene a30a 14
    with fade
    y "My brazen leman, when you leave my chamber, you must remove all trace of your infidelity."
    et "As you command."
    y "It wouldn't do to have a fight with Aengus now, not when we are about to march to war."
    et "I understand."
    y "Of course you do. Your obedience is one of your most attractive qualities."
    et "Thank you, master."
    scene a30a 15
    play sound2 blow02
    et "U~ uuuuhh!"
    "I tease the Geis Stone out of Etain's vagina. Slick with her fluids, it slips out effortlessly."
    "The longer she remains under the influence of the Geis Stone, the easier it will be for her to fall under its power. Even tonight, it was not difficult."
    "However, the glowing eyes are the biggest danger to me, lest my mischief be exposed to the other Tuatha De Danann."
    scene a30a 16
    with fade
    play sound2 cum01
    "Etain cums repeatedly as the Geis Stone is removed. Only the power of the spell over her keeps her knees from buckling."
    y "I'll keep this, Etain. It's fast becoming a very important item for me."
    et "Of course, my master."
    y "Now, you must return to your room and have a deep, dreamless sleep. When you awaken, you will not remember anything from tonight."
    et "..."
    y "But whenever I call, you will feel compelled to answer my summons."
    et "I understand, master."
    y "Good. Both of us are going to have very long days ahead, I fear."
    stop sound
    
    if _in_replay:
        return
    
    jump dd_scouting

label dd_etluv:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene dd06 01
    with fade
    play music wh07 loop
    "Etain takes me into a darken alcove, away from the eyes of passers-by. She draws me into her arms and I feel the warmth of her body against my own."
    et "How can you say such a thing to a woman that is soon to be wedded to a son of The Dagda?"
    y "I've had a very bleak view of life, but in the short time I've been with you, that has changed."
    y "If I were to have a partner by my side for the rest of my life, it would be you. I would face all my challenges and enemies with you!"
    et "How do you do this to me?! The words flow from your lips so easily!"
    y "Easy enough to do, when they come from the heart."
    et "Do you know what you say?!"
    y "I know full well, but I would risk everything to steal you away from Aengus, for that is how I feel about you."
    y "I love you, Etain. And I want you, now and forever."
    "At my confession, Etain's stern visage crumbles, and her resolve breaks."
    et "Oh, my sweet druid..."
    scene dd06 02
    with fade
    "Without waiting for Etain to breath another word, I press my lips against hers. She moans as though releasing something long withheld and holds my head to hers, prolonging the kiss."
    "My hands slide down to Etain's hips as she works her mouth against my own, showing no signs of stopping."
    y "Spend the night with me... I have a place we can be alone..."
    y "Let me show you how I truly feel..."
    et "How can I refuse you when you lay your heart bare to me so earnestly?"
    et "But we can go no further here... we have already done too much!"
    scene dd06 03
    with fade
    show et happ at center with moveinleft
    "I tell Etain the location of my secluded garden in one of the abandoned wings of Bru-Na-Boyne."
    et "I will be where you say in the hour before midnight! Aengus will have left to meet with King Nuada by then."
    et "We know not how much time any of us has left, for the armies of Forvoria are close."
    et "If I am to spend my time, I will spend it with a man that loves me and that I love in return!"
    y "My heart is alight at those words, Etain. I will wait for you tonight!"
    et "Hmmm... I will make sure you never forget this night, my precious druid!"
    et "But for now, there is business I must attend to. We must be patient a little while longer, though I do not know how I will stand it!"
    "Etain squeezes my hand before leaving the alcove and joining the other courtiers in the hallway."
    "I delay a little while longer before doing the same."
    stop music
    scene dd06 04
    with fade
    play sound night loop
    "The secluded garden is not far from my secret study, but I will tell Etain nothing of that room."
    "It would not do for her to learn of my books on the dark Forvorian arts."
    "I enjoy the solitude of this old garden and have moved some furnishings into it, to make it more comfortable."
    "The hour before midnight draws near. My chest is tight at the anticipation of having Etain. My penis is erect in my pants just at the thought of her."
    "The garden is protected by high walls covered in ivy, yet it gives a good view of the bright night sky above."
    "When I look upon this sky tomorrow, where will I be? Somewhere on the road with Dian Cecht, on my way to the enemy lands of Torie, no doubt..."
    et "You should be looking over here, not up there."
    stop sound
    scene dd06 05
    with fade
    play music wh03 loop
    "My heart skips a beat. Etain stands in the doorway wearing a skimpy outfit fit for the courteasans of Olivia's bathhouse."
    "I take in every detail - Etain's painted face, her manicured nails, the finely sewn leather of the soft boots she wears..."
    "The way the gossamer fabric drapes over her firm breasts, doing nothing to conceal her nipples..."
    "She spent great time and care to prepare herself for me tonight. That thought thrills me."
    et "Do you like what you see?"
    et "For someone that is never at a loss for words, I take your stunned silence as approval."
    scene dd06 06
    with fade
    "Etain takes steps towards me, taking great pleasure in the way her near-naked body affects me."
    "Her erotic clothing is the work of the finest tailors and jewelers."
    y "Etain... where did you get~ ?"
    et "You would be shocked at what a lady keeps hidden in her wardrobe, my sweet druid..."
    et "Now, what are we going to do in this little garden, knowing we are quite alone?"
    scene dd06 07
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "Etain wastes no time and clambers onto the soft lounge, pinning me down."
    "For a long moment, we look each other in the eyes. I am lost in her green irises as the dancing torchlight reflects upon them."
    et "What would you like to do with me?"
    y "I want to take you. To have you in all ways and put my love inside you, so you will never be bereft of it."
    scene dd06 08
    with fade
    "Etain laughs."
    et "Truly the words of a druid! Your kind will never be as eloquent as bards, but you get your meaning across, sure enough!"
    et "Now... take off your clothes, my darling. Show me how a druid makes love to a woman..."
    scene dd06 09
    with fade
    "I explore every inch of Etain's smooth skin, taking in the smell of the sweet perfume she dabbed on her neck."
    "I play with her nipples through her silk drapes, tweaking them until they are stiff and erect."
    "Sliding my hands down to her crotch, I run my fingers over the thin sliver of silk that covers her pussy and notice it is wet and clinging to the folds of her purse."
    et "How much longer... are you going to tease me? I'm yours, my druid. Put your thick, hard cock inside of me!"
    scene dd06 10
    with fade
    play sound moan05
    "And then, all my lust and desire for Etain comes out in a torrent."
    "I place myself between her welcoming legs and I fuck her hard and relentlessly."
    "Tonight, she belongs to me and I will have her body in all the ways that I hunger for her. She will never experience anything like what I will give her tonight."
    scene dd06 11 
    with fade
    "I take her in all positions, using druidic techniques to bring her to orgasm multiple times."
    play sound moan06
    "With heightened sexual endurance and libido I inherited from my Forvorian blood, I give Etain no respite. "
    et "I~ I'm going crazy! Y~ Your cock is making me go maaaaad!"
    scene dd06 12
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    y "A throne fit for my queen!"
    et "Oh! Darling! I never imagined... lovemaking could be like this!"
    y "You're mine, Etain. I'll never stand for another man to have you!"
    et "I belong to you, my love! I am your woman and you... my man!"
    y "And we can fuck like this every day!"
    et "Every... day?! I don't think... my body could stand it!"
    et "OOooOooHHH!!!"
    stop sound
    scene dd06 13
    with fade
    et "MmmmNNNNnnn..."
    y "I'm going to... give you another load!"
    et "T~ There's more?! How many times... have you cum inside me tonight?!"
    y "Your sexy body is just too much for me, Etain. I can't... help myself!"
    et "I could... get pregnant tonight!"
    scene dd06 14
    with fade
    play sound shoot04
    y "Then you'll bear me a beautiful child, born from our love..."
    et "Darling..."
    y "Shall we go again?"
    et "You've been fucking me... for hours!"
    et "My thighs have been rubbed raw and my back is aching!"
    et "We both need to sleep, for we are needed at dawn by the elders..."
    scene dd06 15
    with fade
    y "Then you'll sleep in my arms, that way I'll know this was not a dream when I wake up."
    "My cock slides between Etain's buttocks. I begin to gently thrust back and forth playfully."
    et "Don't you dare start up your little serpent again!"
    y "I can always do more, when the woman I love is involved..."
    et "When this is all over, you can take me as your wife. Then you can have my body whenever you desire, my lecherous druid!"
    "I think about Aengus and the falling out to come. I will make an enemy of him forever, but when I consider the prize at stake ~!"
    "I hold Etain close, and sleep soon takes us."
    stop music
    
    if _in_replay:
        return   

    jump dd_scouting

label dd_tryst:

    if i_et >= 4:
        jump dd32

    else:
        jump dd_scouting


label dd32:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene a31 01
    with fade
    "I retire to my chambers, to prepare for what could be my last good rest in a while."
    "I leave with Dian Cecht tomorrow before the sun rises. Who knows what we will encounter in the land of Torie?"
    "Torie lies across the Great River and has always been home to Forvorian raiders and bandits seeking escape from Celtica's laws."
    "Our orders from Lord Lugh and The Dagda are to escape if we are revealed to the enemy. Our mission is to report back all that we see."
    play sound door02
    "My chamber door opens."
    "Shay shouldn't be coming around at this time..."
    "What is so important that she would enter my chamber unannounced?"
    y "Shay, what is it?"
    scene a31 02
    play music bgwh04.mp3 loop
    with fade
    et "It is not your serving maid, my Lord..."
    play sound unlock
    "Etain closes the door behind her and locks it."
    "She wears skimpy silks in an outfit that would make Olivia and her courtesans proud."
    y "Etain..."
    y "If Aengus knew you were here..."
    scene a31 03
    play sound collapse
    with hpunch
    "Etain throws herself into my arms."
    et "Do not talk about Aengus!!!"
    et "Oh, my heart is beating so fast..."
    et "I know this is wrong but I can't help myself!"
    et "I don't {i}want{/i} to help myself..."
    et "I'm being pulled deeper and deeper into the thought of you and it's scary and exhilarating and I can't escape it."
    et "I love you, master druid. I've tried to deny it but you said to me once that the heart knows what it wants."
    et "And my heart wants you!"

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Kiss her":
            $ et_luv = True
            jump dd_et_love01

        "Tell her that Cloda is all you need for now" if cd_wife:
            jump dd_et_love02

        "Spurn her advances":
            jump dd_et_love03

label dd_et_love01:

    scene a31 06
    with fade
    play sound moan12
    "I kiss her."
    "As though a dam had burst, she passionately kisses me back."
    "I hold her closer to me and feel the softness of her breasts against my chest."
    et "I love you..."
    scene a31 08
    with fade
    play sound moan09
    "I slip off her bra to reveal her milky breasts. I begin kissing and licking her nipple."
    "They are already rigid and her lewd moans show me just how aroused she is from by touch."
    et "My Lord... it's like... a dream!"
    "In her ecstasy, she clenches my hair tightly in her hand."
    scene a31 09
    with fade
    "My penis is hard at the sight of Etain's near-naked body."
    "I take her from behind and snake my hands up her belly until I am cupping her breasts and fondling them."
    et "I feel your manhood, my Lord. I am well pleased that it is so hard because of me..."
    "I'm lost in the flowery scent of her hair."
    y "What is it you want from me, sweet Etain?"
    scene a31 10
    with fade
    et "It's not what I want, my love."
    et "It is what {i}this{/i} wants."
    "She strokes my cock playfully with her fingers."
    et "Even now, I feel it is growing bigger..."
    scene a31 11
    with fade
    play sound blow01
    "She takes it into her mouth and begins to suck at the same time as she strokes its length."
    y "Nnnn~ nrrrghhh!"
    "Her eyes lock onto mine and her expression is as though she is saying 'I have complete control over this'."
    "But she's too good..."
    scene a31 12
    with fade
    play sound shoot03
    y "HHnnnnNNN!!!"
    "She brings me to climax and milks me of my seed."
    et "OH!!!"
    "Even Etain seems surprised at just how effective she was."
    scene a31 13
    with fade
    y "How are you so good?"
    et "I'm sorry, my Lord. I surprise even myself sometimes."
    "My penis is flaccid from the sudden ejaculation, but my Forvorian blood will make me recover much sooner than a regular man."
    "I enjoy the warmth of her naked body and the brightness in her eyes as she looks lovingly at me."
    y "You are a beautiful woman..."
    et "I'm your woman now..."
    scene a31 14
    with fade
    "Etain has painted her face for me tonight."
    "Her dark red lips are soft and inviting, while the blue shadow over her eyes compliments her irises."
    "She was very deliberate in preparing herself to seduce me tonight."
    et "Come inside me. I can't wait any longer..."
    scene a31 15
    with fade
    play sound shoot01
    "I connect my mouth to hers at the same time as I penetrate her."
    et "OOOooHHH, by the light!!!"
    "Etain's thighs writhe around my flanks as the ecstasy of my cock shoots through her body."
    scene a31 16
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "She wraps herself tightly around my body as we fuck."
    et "I'm so happy..."
    et "I'll never let you go..."
    "Her purse is tight, but yielding. My shaft revels in its moist warmth."
    scene a31 17
    with fade
    "We change to different positions. Etain revels being on top."
    et "I fall upon... your spear!"
    "As she works on my shaft, her modest but perky breasts jiggle erotically in the fire light."
    scene a31 18
    with fade
    "My climax is coming. She's making me feel too much."
    play sound [ "<silence .2>", "audio/sex/slap05.mp3" ] loop
    "I thrust against her hips, spending my sexual energy in one last burst of effort."
    et "Do it, my love! Do it!"
    et "I'm ready to... receive you!"
    scene a31 19
    with fade
    play sound shoot05
    queue sound shoot02
    et "It's moving inside me... filling me with your passion!"
    et "I've dreamed of... this moment!"
    et "I've wanted this... so much!"
    scene a31 20
    with fade
    et "I'm yours. My body is yours, now and always..."
    et "My decision is made. My heart belongs to you, my Lord."
    y "Are you always this forceful?"
    et "Only with you, my darling..."
    "She licks her lips suggestively."
    y "You need to go, before you are discovered."
    et "May Danu watch over you tomorrow, my sweet warrior."
    et "I pray for your safe return from Torie."
    et "My heart will break until next I see you again."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd_scouting

label dd_et_love02:

    scene a31 04
    with fade
    "I take her by the hand and put some space between us."
    et "I know that many say you are a harsh man, but that's not the way I see you!"
    y "I'm sorry Etain, I can't return your feelings."
    et "W~ What?"
    et "Is it because of Aengus? Because he is your friend?"
    et "I don't love him! Oh, I admire him but~"
    y "No. It is because I've taken a wife and have no interest for now in another."
    y "Cloda. The Forvorian warrior."
    scene a31 05
    with fade
    "Etain takes a step away from me."
    et "Did you not force her? She is not truly a wife!"
    et "To you, she is a spoil of war!"
    y "That is not the way she sees it. She has accepted her fate."
    "Tears begin to well in Etain's eyes."
    et "Perhaps I did misjudge you after all..."
    et "Perhaps all those bad things they say about you is true!"
    scene a31 07
    play sound door01
    with fade
    "Etain runs out of my chamber and closes the door behind her."
    "Her heeled slippers click down the hallway as she runs away."
    "It's regrettable, but there was no way I could have spared her from the heartache."
    "She mistook my civility for compassion. Perhaps I need to be clearer with women in the future."
    "I go to bed."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd_scouting


label dd_et_love03:

    scene a31 04
    with fade
    "I take her gently by the hand and untangle myself from her embrace."
    y "I'm sorry Etain, I can't return your feelings."
    et "W~ What?"
    et "Is it because of Aengus? Because he is your friend?"
    et "I don't love him! Oh, I admire him but~"
    y "No, Etain. I just don't feel the same way as you do."
    "And of course, I would be betraying Aengus if I took her to my bed."
    scene a31 05
    with fade
    "Etain takes a step away from me."
    "Tears begin to well in Etain's eyes."
    et "I see..."
    et "I've made such a fool of myself!"
    y "You are no fool, Etain."
    et "Well, there's nothing more to be said then, is there?"
    et "I'm sorry, my Lord."
    et "I'm..."
    scene a31 07
    play sound door01
    with fade
    "Without finishing the sentence, Etain leaves my chamber and closes the door behind her."
    "Her heeled slippers click down the hallway as she runs away."
    "It's regrettable, but there was no way I could have spared her the heartache of my rejection."
    "In dull spirits, I go to bed and hope sleep overtakes me sooner than later."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd_scouting

label dd_scouting:

    scene a35 00
    with fade
    pause
    scene a35 01
    with fade
    play music bgeer02.mp3 loop
    dc "That is the fourth group we've seen from this cave complex heading towards the Great River."
    y "Heavy infantry. They move slowly and are fully armored."
    y "They make no attempt to hide the noise they make."
    scene a35 02
    with fade
    dc "I count four Feists, a Grogach and even a Trow."
    y "And led by a druid with two elite Forvorian guards..."
    y "It confirms the pattern from the other caves we've been to. This is no mere raiding party."
    scene a35 03
    with fade
    dc "I think we have seen enough, my friend. The Forvorian army has been formed and is on the move."
    y "The most telling fact is that each band is now being guided by druids."
    dc "Indeed! And as a druid, you will be doing the same for King Nuada."
    y "They will strike across the Great River in days. We have no time left."
    dc "Let us return to Celtica with the grim news..."
    scene 00 00
    with fade
    "Dian Cecht and I cross the Great River and return to Celtica, reporting all that we had seen."
    "Around Bru-na-Boyne, the ring forts that defend the city are brimming with activity as the Tuatha de Danann prepare for battle."
    scene a35 04
    with fade
    play music bgeer01.mp3 loop
    show nu talk at center
    "King Nuada" "You have done well, Scythian."
    y "You're too kind, my liege."
    "King Nuada" "Our forces have been gathered and will move out to meet the enemy on the field of Moy Tura, as planned."
    "King Nuada" "The Fir Bolg have answered our call and will come to battle. They are a strong and hardy race."
    "King Nuada" "We defeated the Fir Bolg at Moy Tura and now they will fight by our side on that same bloody soil against our common foe."
    "King Nuada" "It is there we will stop Bres, before he can reach the throne at Tau-Ra!"
    "King Nuada" "And you, Scythian, will be leading our best druids into battle. May you rain fire and lightning onto our foes!"
    y "Yes, my king."
    "If Bres is victorious, Tuatha and Fir Bolg alike will face retribution under his rule."
    "Having played a major role in Lugh's rebellion, my Forvorian blood won't spare me. Bres will have special reason to see me suffer."
    show lu neut at right with moveinright
    lu "The King's Guard are ready, my liege..."
    "Lugh gives me a knowing look and a smile."
    lu "...as are the druids."
    show nu cry at center
    play sound unsheath01
    "The King draws the legendary sword {i}Fragarach{/i} and waves it in the air."
    "The polished metal gleams brilliantly in the morning sun."
    "A cool breeze blows through the fort, conjured by {i}Fragarach's{/i} power and blowing away the humid summer air."
    "King Nuada" "Then we leave in the hour! Give the word!"
    "King Nuada" "Have the crafters and healers follow behind, but they must not delay long!"
    hide lu neut at right with moveoutright
    show nu neut at right with moveoutright
    show brig neut at left with moveinleft
    br "There is more news of our people being kidnapped in the lands around Tau-Ra, my liege."
    "King Nuada" "These will be the Forvorian slavers and the skirmishers, seeking to gain advantage at the coming of the main army."
    br "My personal guard can provide protection to our people..."
    "King Nuada" "No... we will need your women on the field of battle."
    br "As you wish, my liege."
    "I nod to Brigid. She gives me a weak smile in return. That's understandable, for we are all uncertain and on edge."
    hide brig at left with moveoutleft
    show fli2 neut at left with moveinleft
    fl "My King, I have rallied my cattleherds for the main army. There will be ample meat and food for our fighters."
    "King Nuada" "This is good, Flida. Every resource we have must be used for our victory."
    fl "My herds are gifts from the Otherworld. They will not run out of milk as long as there is a cup left wanting."
    fl "But my King..."
    "King Nuada" "Hold your tongue, Flida. I know what you are about to say. I will not relegate you to the rear of the fight. Your sword will be needed where the battle is most violent."
    show fli2 happ at left
    fl "As you command, my King!"
    "Flida turns to me."
    fl "I'll see you out there, Scythian!"
    fl "It looks like my blade will be relying on your spells once more!"
    hide fli2 happ at left with moveoutleft
    "King Nuada" "Dian Cecht! I have final instructions for you!"
    show dc neut at left with moveinleft
    dc "Yes, my liege."
    scene a35 04a
    with fade
    "King Nuada" "Along with the Cauldron of Ansic, this pig skin will be one of our greatest weapons!"
    "King Nuada" "The pig skin was taken by the sons of Tuirenn from the King of Grecia. I would have you use it during the battle."
    dc "What is the way of its use?"
    "King Nuada" "Here is the short of it - if one of our warriors dies on the field, wrap them in this pig skin and they will be returned to life, as long as the head has not been severed."
    dc "Truly an amazing item!"
    "King Nuada" "And one for which the sons of Tuirenn gave their lives. Ah, that we would have those three brothers here today!"
    "King Nuada" "Now I must be off - there are more preparations I must see to. I trust you all can handle the rest."
    scene a35 04
    with fade
    show mid arm01 at center with moveinright
    y "Aengus!"
    y "You're looking very... heroic."
    ae "Well, if I am to face Bres and his horde in battle, then I shall do it well dressed."
    "The breastplate alone is worth more than I could earn in a season of toil."
    y "It won't be Bres leading the army, but Balor."
    ae "Ah, the most feared of Forvorian warlords, a king among their kings..."
    scene a35 05
    with dissolve
    ae "The stories say when he was young, he spied upon the brewing of a dread potion by his father's druids."
    ae "The poisonous fumes overcame him and from his face sprouted a third, Evil Eye."
    ae "The Evil Eye, when it is revealed from his mask, is said to bring doom to all that it gazes upon."
    ae "It is even said that Balor is fond of women and will use the eye to twist female captives to his will."
    ae "Truly, he is a figure of the greatest dread and darkness..."
    show a35 04
    with dissolve
    show mid arm01 at center
    ae "But I worry not, for Lord Lugh fights with us!"
    ae "If you have any last minute business to attend to in Bru-na-Boyne, now is the time."
    ae "If you'll excuse me, I must now attend to my father, The Dagda."
    y "Good luck to you, master druid!"
    ae "Good luck to us all. May the Goddess Danu watch over us."
    hide mid arm01 at right with moveoutright
    stop music

    if cd_wife:
        jump dd35a

    else:
        jump dd35c

label dd35a:

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Visit your new wife before you depart":
            jump dd35b

        "March out with the vanguard of the army":
            jump dd35c

label dd35b:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name

    scene a00 20
    play music bgwh02.mp3 loop
    with fade
    "I return to my chambers for what may be the final time."
    "Everything is prepared, there is only one more thing to do..."
    play sound door01
    show clo wife at center with moveinleft
    cd "You summoned me, my husband?"
    "My newly wedded wife Cloda wears some of the clothing I had the tailors make for her."
    "The finest gossamer undershirt with a skimpy loincloth to match."
    "Around her neck is a tight necklace of onyx stones, highly valued among Forvaran women."
    y "I leave in the hour for war. You shall stay here in Bru-na-Boyne with the other womenfolk."
    cd "As you wish, my husband."
    y "If I fall in battle, you will be free of all bonds to me."
    y "I have arranged for the matron here to provide you with gold and you are to leave Celtica."
    cd "I understand, my husband."
    cd "Do you not wish for me to fight by your side so that we may share in death?"
    cd "My blade would compliment your incantations."
    y "Not for this battle, my slave wife."
    y "I won't have you raise your sword against your kin. Brigid's guard are going into battle, but someone still needs to protect the Tuatha womenfolk."
    y "But enough of that. Now, it is your buttocks and lips that I crave."
    play sound dress
    "I untie the flimsy ribbons that hold her clothing together."
    scene a35 07
    with fade
    play sound shoot01
    cd "Oo~ooohh... h~husband..."
    "My cock is already stiff from the anticipation of the coming battle, combined with the arousal of seeing Cloda in her slave clothing."
    "I push myself into her but while I am hard and firm, she is dry."
    "But just a little longer and she will moisten herself for me."
    scene a35 08
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    "I waste no time with foreplay."
    "I take my wife passionately and forcefully."
    y "It's your sexy body I want, Cloda..."
    y "Your tight purse..."
    y "Your firm breasts..."
    cd "They are yours, husband..."
    scene a35 09
    with fade
    "I work myself into a frenzy of lust."
    "Cloda is mine."
    "My cock dominates her, she is subservient to my will."
    "But as much as I want her in her totality, but in the corner of my mind I know that her heart is beyond my reach."
    "I have her, but I cannot truly possess her in the way I desire."
    play sound [ "<silence .2>", "audio/sex/slap05.mp3" ] loop
    "I thrust harder as that thought frustrates me and raises my ire."
    cd "H~ Husband!!!"
    scene a35 10
    with fade
    play sound slaplong loop
    y "On all fours, my wife. I'll take you like a beast of the pastures..."
    cd "Yes, husband..."
    y "Nnnnggghh! Your smooth ass is so fine, Cloda..."
    cd "I~ I am fertile today, husband..."
    y "Then perhaps..."
    scene a35 11
    with fade
    y "I should fill you with child!!!"
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound shoot03
    "I release my seed into Cloda's purse. It's messy and much of it dribbles down her thigh."
    "In my fervor, I was simply thrusting into her too strong and too quickly."
    scene a35 12
    with fade
    "Out in the hallway, the stewards of the house are giving the final call for the army's departure."
    play sound dress
    "I hurriedly dress as Cloda remains on our bed, our love juices forming a wet patch on the fabric."
    cd "Your cum will not stay, husband."
    y "No matter."
    "As a slave wife joined to me against her wishes, I do not expect her to offer me any good wishes."
    "But if I survive this, then in time, I will win her over to me completely."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump dd35c


label dd35c:

    scene a35 14
    play sound march
    play music bgtrav04.mp3 loop
    with fade
    "And so the Tuatha de Danann, led by King Nuada and Lord Lugh, marched to war."
    "With the army came the Four Great Treasures of the Tuatha - the Sword, the Spear, the Cauldron and the Stone."
    "The free peoples of Celtica converged on the great field of Moy Tura, not far from the throne city of Tau-Ra."
    "From the lowliest stableboy to the king himself, everybody knew that this would be the final battle that would decide the fate of the Tuatha."
    scene a35 15
    with fade
    show mid arm01 at left with moveinleft
    show nu neut at center with moveinleft
    show td neut at right with moveinright
    "The army of the Tuatha takes to the field."
    "The captains of the battalions muster their forces into the planned battle order."
    "Across the green grass of Moy Tura, a dark mass gathers."
    scene a38 01
    with fade
    "I lead a formation of druids trained in the arts of destructive incantations. They wear bronze masks and are of the newer teachings."
    "My naturalistic ways are quaint and outdated to them, but they do not doubt my skill."
    "It will be our task to support the advancing army with magicks thrown at the Forvorian army, to scatter their ranks."
    y "Prepare yourselves!"
    scene a38 02
    with fade
    "The Forvorian army forms opposite the Tuatha."
    "All the tribes are here. The Bananachs, the Grogachs and the Trows..."
    play sound cry01
    queue sound cry02
    "Their guttural screams fill the air like a dull roar."
    "They batter their shields and clang their swords to create an insidious cacophony."
    scene a38 03
    with fade
    "At their forefront are damned female souls that are prevented from returning to the Otherworld by sinister druidic magicks."
    play sound LS04.mp3
    "Their anguished wails are the perfect way to deliver orders on a chaotic battlefield."
    "Such is the way the Forvorian tribes think."
    scene a35 15
    with fade
    show mid arm01 at left with moveinleft
    show nu neut at center with moveinleft
    "All is tense as we wait the order to advance."
    "We watch for the silver arm of King Nuada."
    show nu fight at center
    play sound unsheath01
    "He draws {i}Fragarach{/i} and addresses his army."
    "King Nuada" "You all know what you must do! The enemy is before us!"
    "King Nuada" "If we fail today, all of Celtica will fall to ruin!"
    show nu cry at center
    "King Nuada" "DRIVE THE INVADERS BACK INTO THE SEA!"
    "The great carnyx horns of the Tuatha sound the advance."
    scene a39 04
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    play sound crowd_cry loop
    play sound2 horn
    "King Nuada" "FOR CELTICA!!!"
    play music bgact03.mp3 loop
    "The army of the Tuatha charge down the hill, their swords and spears pointed towards the enemy."
    "King Nuada and Lord Lugh lead the charge, their majestic forms shining on the field like second suns."
    lu "GIVE THEM NO QUARTER!!!"
    stop sound
    scene a38 05
    with fade
    play sound2 fireball
    queue sound2 firebolt
    play sound battlebig loop
    "As the armies collide with each other, support units stay back from the field of battle."
    "Forvorian druids on hillocks overlooking the battle throw their spells into the advancing Tuatha forces."
    "Darts of fire arc into the sky and plummet onto the grass below."
    scene a38 06
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    play sound2 exp
    "The ground shakes with each ball of fire that lands."
    "My druids answer the incoming barrage in turn, flinging lightning bolts at targets of priority, like druids, champions and enemy commanders."
    queue sound2 lightning
    queue sound2 blind
    "Under a hail of magickal destruction, Tuatha and Forvorian clash in a bloody battle line."
    scene a38 07
    play sound2 exp
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "The monstrous Feists push forward regardless of the magicks being rained down upon them by my druids."
    "However, in their frenzy to advance at all costs, the Forvorian lines are slowly whittled down."
    play sound2 cry01
    "Soon, the battlefield begins to be covered in smoke and the green field starts to burn."
    scene a37 10
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "The opposing battle lines writhe against each other, in a storm of blood and flashing steel."
    "The mass of warriors writhes back and forth. The air fills with the cries of those striking and those being struck down."
    "Chiefs on both sides scream their orders and push their fighters into the maw of death."
    stop sound
    scene a39 08
    with fade
    play sound battlemed loop
    "The battle rages into the afternoon."
    "On the smoky battlefield, I lose count of how many Forvorians have fallen from the crackling missiles of my druids."
    play sound2 horn
    show dc act at left with moveinleft
    dc "The Tuatha lines are breaking! The King calls for aid!"
    y "I will not move my druids forward. They would be easy prey for the rabid mobs in the heart of the battle."
    dc "..."
    show brig sup at right with moveinright
    br "The auxiliaries are being summoned into the fight. That is how desperate things are! Is there nothing you can do?"
    y "Of course there is something I can do. I will go myself to support the King."
    y "Dian Cecht, I ask that you take command of my druids. They are tired and in need of healing."
    show dc neut at left
    "Dian Cecht nods."
    dc "I understand."
    br "Lord Druid... please go with all haste and my blessing!"
    scene a38 09
    with fade
    play sound battlebig loop
    "I move deeper into the battlefield alone, clutching my wooden staff."
    "The tight battlelines of the morning have become isolated pockets of life and death struggles."
    "The ground is burnt and smoking, destroyed by hours of druidic fire and lightning."
    "This area was a particular focus for my battalion and piles of charred Fiests are testament to just how much destruction magickal lightning can cause."
    y "Now... where is King Nuada?"
    show fli2 fight at center with moveinright
    fl "Scythian! Thank the goddess that reinforcements have come!"
    y "Have you seen the King?!"
    fl "King Nuada is ahead where the battle is thickest. Lord Lugh is with him, but he has need of a good druid!"
    y "What about you?"
    fl "Dark druids have placed our flank is grave danger! The King has ordered me to lead a counter attack!"
    y "Good luck, my friend!"
    fl "As with you!"
    hide fli2 fight at left with moveoutleft
    play sound2 horn
    "The sound of his herald's carnyx horn blares out somewhere in the smoke ahead."

    $ ic_encount = renpy.random.randint(1, 3)

    if ic_encount == 1:
        jump dd38a

    elif ic_encount == 2:
        jump dd38b

    elif ic_encount == 3:
        jump dd38c

    else:
        jump dd38b

label dd38a:

    show trow at center with moveinright
    play sound2 beast04
    "Suddenly, a giant Trow comes out of the smoke and blocks my path."
    "A large hulking brute, the Forvorians use them to smash through the lines of their enemies."
    "I click my tongue."
    "An oafish warrior would probably delight in meeting a Trow in battle, in order to test their mettle."
    "For me, they are just a nuisance."
    scene a38 10
    with fade
    play sound2 firespray
    "The Trow has thick skin, but the oil it secretes is highly flammable."
    play sound2 beast03
    "The beast cries out as the fire from my staff takes hold."
    "It flails around but soon it collapses in a firey pile, the flames glowing white hot from the igniting liver."
    jump dd38d


label dd38b:

    show formorian at center with moveinbottom
    "As I pass some corpses, they suddenly spring from their ruse and swing at me."
    play sound2 rune01
    "I barely have time to raise a gust of wind to ward off the incoming blow."
    "Forvorian" "Cut him down, before he casts a spell on us!"
    "There are many ways a druid can deal with an armed warrior but the general rule is the first incantation should be decisive."
    
    menu:

        "An Incantation of Stone, to bind their feet in place.":
            jump dd38b1

        "{color=#00ff00}An Incantation of Storms, to strike them with lightning.":
            jump dd38b2

label dd38b1:

    scene a38 11
    with vpunch
    play sound2 rocks
    "I speak a druidic incantation that solidifies rocks around the feet of the Forvorians to hold them in place."
    "In that state they will be helpless and easy prey for Tuatha warriors."
    "I would say this falls under the definition of a decisive attack. My victory is complete."
    scene a38 12
    play sound2 stab02
    with hpunch
    "In one fluid motion, one of the trapped Forvorians draws and flings a dagger at me."
    "An incantation for a gust of wind to stop it is on my lips as it sinks deep into my chest."
    "I cannot breath. I try to yell, but cannot."
    "The last thing I hear are the sounds of the trapped Forvorians jeering at me as I collapse onto the burnt earth."

    "ENDING NO.4\nERROR OF JUDGEMENT"
    return

label dd38b2:

    scene a38 13
    play sound2 exp3
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "I call lightning down upon the Forvorian warriors."
    "The charred forest around me illuminates for a moment in brilliant light as the bolt comes down."
    "Death is instantaneous."
    "As I say... the first strike must be decisive."
    jump dd38d


label dd38c:

    show brides at center with moveinright
    "Suddenly, three scantily-clad women block my way."
    "Their nails are sharp and their faces are slightly bestial. Some kind of dark druidic magick must be at play."
    "I marvel at the foul and forbidden spells that must have been used to transform these women so."
    "I recall the words of Brigid and Aengus. These women must have been taken by slavers and twisted into what I see before me."
    scene a38 14
    with fade
    "This is the kind of transformation magick I am interested in seeking. My Forvorian blood must be calling to me."
    "Woman 1" "Lord Druid, might you cast a spell on us?"
    "Woman 2" "A spell of love and passion, perhaps?"
    "Woman 3" "Come with us... we will take you to our master where you may learn at his feet. All the magickal knowledge you desire."
    y "Such knowledge is of interest to me, but not from you or your master."
    scene a38 15
    with fade
    "I lift my staff into the air and release the holy light of the Goddess Danu."
    "It is not an incantation I am good at, but I do it well enough."
    "The corrupted women wail and avert their eyes, because Danu's power exposes them to the defiled forms they have become."
    "Woman 3" "No more! Get away, get away!"
    "I leave the women sobbing and howling on the ground as I make my way past them."
    jump dd38d


label dd38d:

    stop music
    scene a39 20
    with fade
    "Through the chaos of battle, I finally reach the position of the King."
    "Lugh  and a retinue of Tuatha captains are fighting by his side. About them are piled corpses of Forvorian warriors found lacking."
    "King Nuada" "Bres! Come show yourself! Your ragged horde is but nothing!"
    "King Nuada" "If you want the Four Treasures of kingship back..."
    "KIng Nuada" "COME CLAIM THEM!!!"
    "{i}Fragarach{/i} almost seems to sing as it is waved in the smoky air by the King's silver arm."
    stop sound
    scene a39 21
    with fade
    play music bgact03.mp3 loop
    "At the King's challenge, a dark miasma pours onto the battlefield. It is a foul air drenched with dark druidic contaminations."
    "From the sickly shroud of smoke, the crunching footsteps of a giant are heard coming closer and closer."
    "A sense of unease and consternation passes through the warriors surrounding the king."
    bal "Who is the blackguard that cries his challenge over the battlefield so that BALOR of the Evil Eye can hear it?"
    "At Balor's feet are two women that lope beside him like hounds to a hunt."
    "Their movements are bestial and their salacious clothing suggests they are slaves of the great Forvorian warlord."
    scene a39 22
    with fade
    "I raise my brow in interest as the women get closer and I recognize who they are."
    y "Olivia..."
    "Olivia" "Oh, do I know you, Tuathan cur?"
    "Olivia" "Who dares to so brazenly address a {i}Bride of Balor{/i}?"
    "Her visage has been distorted and mixed with that of a carnivorous beast, but the sensual curves of the bath house courtesan are unchanged."
    "Clutching her thigh is Vana, who Olivia strokes on the head like a pet. Like Olivia, she has also been twisted by Balor's vile magicks."
    scene a39 23
    with fade
    play sound beast06
    bal "OOOAAHHHH!!!"
    bal "If you seek a fight, Tuatha dogs, then face the might of a Forvorian king!!!"
    "Balor charges at the Tuatha battalion, his great ragged blade, etched with arcane symbols, cutting through the dire miasma."
    lu "Hold firm for Celtica!!!"
    scene a39 24
    with vpunch
    play sound LS05.mp3
    "Olivia" "NGGAAAHHHHH!!!"
    "As Balor attacks, Olivia leaps at me with all the ferocity of a rabid animal."
    "Saliva drips from her mouth as unnatural fangs are bared before me in rage."
    "Her sickly crimson eyes are focused intently on my neck, which she no doubt means to slash with her razor-sharp nails."
    "But..."
    "...I am a warrior-born of the Tuatha."
    scene a39 25
    play sound2 crack
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "A wild attack stands no chance against me. Despite my preference for magicks, I can get my fists dirty, if need be."
    "I evade Olivia's incoming blow and strike at her, sending her flying to the ground. A cloud of dust and ash explodes about her as she hits the ground."
    "Olivia" "M~ My Lord Druid!"
    "Olivia" "Please... help me!"
    "Olivia writhes on the ground in agony and slowly, her demeanor and visage begin to change."
    "So the effects are not permanent or at least not yet... interesting..."
    scene a39 26
    with fade
    "Olivia" "It hurts to be like this..."
    "Olivia" "So much evil is inside me. It seeps into my soul..."
    "Olivia" "They took Vana and I in the night! You said... you said you would protect us!"
    "Olivia" "I don't want this..."
    "Olivia" "Any moment now, I feel the devilry inside me will return..."
    "Olivia" "And in my mind there is always the Eye, watching me... stripping my soul bare with its gaze..."
    y "Olivia, I will defeat Balor and end your torment."
    "If Olivia is to be a slave-bride, then it would be better that she be mine rather than Balor's..."
    scene a39 27
    play sound2 lightning
    queue sound2 exp2
    with vpunch
    with hpunch
    with vpunch
    "Balor of the Evil Eye turns his dreaded gaze upon the Tuatha forces and cuts through their ranks."
    "Squadrons of men are thrown high into the air or are broken against blackened tree trunks."
    "Those poor souls that take the full force of Balor's power simply disappear."
    play sound crowd_cry
    "The Forvorians surge forward, heartened by the assault of their leader."
    "The Tuatha lines begin to fall back."
    show a39 09
    with fade
    show balor at left with moveinleft
    show bres happ at right with moveinright
    "Finally, at the turning point of the battle, Bres makes his appearance."
    "Bres" "Yes, Nuada! I've returned for my Otherwordly right!"
    "Bres" "The true king of Celtica will sit on the throne of Tau-Ra by this evening!"
    show bres mad at right
    "Bres" "Even if I have to walk over all the broken bodies of my traitorous subjects to do so!"
    stop sound
    scene a39 27a
    with fade
    "King Nuada" "The Stone of Fal never sang for you, as it did for me! We were careless not to see that!"
    "King Nuada" "You are not fit to be a king in this or any age!"
    play sound battlebig loop
    "The King lets out a powerful battle cry and his forces rally behind him."
    "King Nuada" "FORWARD, TUATHA! FORWARD, PEOPLE OF DANU!!!"
    "The battle lines clash for the final time and the King makes straight for Balor."
    scene a41 04
    with fade
    "Masked Woman" "Now that my husband and his she-hounds have joined the battle, you would do well to throw yourself into the fray!"
    "Bres" "I need no lectures, Cethlenn! As the true king of Celtica, I know exactly what I need be done!"
    ce "Then pray your skill with that sword is as good as your skill at making bold declarations! I will lead my skirmishers towards the Tuatha elders while you smash their lines!"
    scene a41 01
    with fade
    "Bres" "Push forward, my Forvorian brothers! Fall upon our wretched foes! One more bloody assault and the day will be won!"
    "Bres" "A hundred pieces of red gold to any man that can take an elder of the Tuatha alive!"
    "Bres" "Go, go! Point your spears and brandish your axes towards their faltering lines!"
    y "Bres!"
    scene a41 02
    with fade
    stop sound
    show bres fight at center with moveinleft
    "Bres" "Scythian! Chance smiles upon me, that I may cut ribbons off your flesh this day!"
    "Bres" "All the carnage around us is because of YOU. It was your slaughter of my honor guard that roused the Tuatha to betray me!"
    scene a41 03d
    play sound blind
    with hpunch
    "Bres" "Be under no illusion! By my hand, your suffering will be unimaginable! I will set you aflame, as you did to them."
    "Bres" "I will savor your screams as your skin bubbles and your bones blacken and burst!"
    y "Already I tire of your prattle! You cast me into slavery and I will pay you back a hundred fold!"
    scene a41 03d1
    with fade
    y "My time in your chains hardened me, o King! You taught me the strength of hate! Let me show you just how well I learned your lessons!"
    "Bres is a skilled fighter with solid wards of defense and rapid attacks of steel and sorcery. It is not for nothing that the Fir Bolg feared him."
    "Bres" "TRAITOR!"
    y "I wear that label proudly!"
    "Bres" "I promise that I will have my revenge against you and all druids! You will never be free of my wrath, Scythian!"
    scene a41 03d2
    play sound exp3
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    "An explosion of druidic flame throws Bres and I apart as we cast spells at each other."
    "Whether it was purposely aimed at us or simply a stray shot in the chaotic struggle around us, I do not know."
    "I am thrown onto the ash laden ground and when I arise, Bres is nowhere to be seen."
    scene a41 05
    with fade
    "The fighting is hard, but no side is prepared to give ground. The Forvorians begin to hurl spears at the edge of the fray in an attempt to break the Tuatha positions."
    ce "Dagda! A gift, from the wife of Balor!"
    play sound dagger01
    ce "By the dark gods I worship, may they guide my spear true!"
    y "My Lord Dagda, protect youself!"
    td "Scythian? What are you~"
    scene a41 06
    play sound stab04
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    td "ARRRGH!"
    "The Dagda is hit in the shoulder by Cethlenn's spear, throwing him back."
    td "Curse you, Forvorian witch!"
    scene a41 07d
    play sound firespray
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    y "I think not, witch!"
    ce "AIEEE!"
    "Whispering druid words, I call upon a fountain of flame to explode in front of Cethlenn, preventing her from advancing upon the wounded Dagda."
    "Balor's wife scurries back behind the safety of her skirmishers and the immediate threat to The Dagda has been beaten back."
    scene a41 08
    with fade
    y "My lord, be strong! Dian Cecht's healers are nearby!"
    td "This is nothing, Scythian! I've had worse bites from a horsefly!"
    td "Now leave me and rally to the king! Bres and Cethlenn mean to draw away the warriors that defend him!"
    td "Look! The King fights Balor even as we speak!" 
    stop music
    stop sound
    scene a39 28
    play sound stabgore
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "King Nuada" "AARRRGGHHH!!!"
    "The ageing Forvorian king is fast and before {i}Fragarach{/i} can bite deep, Balor takes a mighty swing that hits the King, sending him flying back."
    y "MY KING!!!"
    "I cry out, but I am too far away to lend aid."
    "Around me, Lugh, The Dagda and Aengus are caught in life and death struggles of their own."
    scene a38 25
    play music bgsad01.mp3 loop
    with fade
    "I reach the King. His armor has been shattered and I can see that the blow is fatal."
    y "My Liege!"
    "King Nuada" "Scy~ Scythian..."
    "King Nuada" "The day must... be won..."
    "King Nuada" "This is not... our end..."
    "King Nuada" "The Treasures..."
    "King Nuada" "{i}Fragarach{/i}... the Stone..."
    scene a38 26
    with fade
    "The soul of the king leaves his body, and his hand lets go of the mystic stone that signified his Kingship."
    "A tear flows down my face, but I have no time to mourn, for the battle is not over."
    "I take the Stone of Fal and place it in my belt. As long as Bres is denied the Stone, his victory can never be compelete."
    "I think to look for {i}Fragarach{/i}, but it's too dangerous now to search through the thick ash on the ground..."
    scene a39 31
    play sound lightning
    queue sound exp2
    with vpunch
    with vpunch
    bal "Who is this whelp that challenges me?"
    lu "RAARRGGHH!"
    "Balor's rampage has not ended. Lugh has taken the fight to the Evil Eye, but the power of his doom gaze is irresistible."
    "The full force of Balor's gaze would obliterate a normal man, but Lugh is instead thrown back, losing his grip on the Spear of the Sun."
    scene a39 32
    with fade
    bal "And now... I will end you."
    "Balor brings back his gargantuan sword to strike a blow that would remove Lugh's head from his shoulders."
    "The Tuatha have lost so much today. It will not lose Lord Lugh as well..."
    scene a38 29
    play sound battlebig loop
    play sound2 exp
    with fade
    "I dodge and weave across the battlefield to the place where the Spear of the Sun rests, firmly planted in the ground."
    "It is said the Spear always finds its mark when thrown..."
    "And I desire to throw it..."
    stop sound
    scene a39 09
    with fade
    show lu throw at center with moveinleft
    play music bgact05.mp3 loop
    "Straight into Lugh's hands!"
    lu "Thank you, my friend!"
    lu "Let us avenge the king!"
    show lu fight at center
    lu "Now, Evil Eye..."
    lu "Let us dance one last time!"
    stop sound
    scene a39 35
    with fade
    bal "Well, it seems you have some spirit in you, little whelp!"
    bal "But it has been prophesied that only my grandson can kill me, and I have none!"
    bal "Tell me who you are, before you die!"
    scene a39 09
    with fade
    show lu fight at center
    lu "I am Lugh of the Long Arm!"
    lu "Fosterling to the Fir Bolg queen Tailtiu!"
    lu "The All-Craftsman and Prince of the Sciences!"
    lu "And son of Cian and Eithne!"
    scene a39 35
    with fade
    bal "EITHNE?! {i}MY DAUGHTER???{/i}"
    "The bloodlines of the Tuatha de Danann and the Forvorians have intermingled over the years and blood relations are complex."
    "Balor roars in defiance as the weight of prophecy suddenly comes down upon him."
    "He charges at Lugh with his sword, desperate to avoid his pre-ordained fate."
    scene a39 36
    play sound stabgore
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "But Lugh is ready to receive the attack and thrusts the mighty Spear of the Sun at exactly the right time."
    "The tip of the spear bites deep, piercing through Balor's brain and smashing out of his skull on the other side."
    bal "WWRRRROOOOAAAA!!!"
    "Balor lets out a mighty death cry."
    scene a39 37
    play sound exp3
    with hpunch
    "The evil druidic poisons contained in Balor's eyes explode at his death, bathing the battlefield in a blinding light."
    "I shield my eyes from the searing brightness as men around me cry out."
    stop music
    scene a38 34
    with fade
    play sound storm loop
    y "Lugh!"
    "My friend is lost somewhere ahead of me in the chaotic light of Balor's death."
    "The miasma does not dissipate but instead seems to intensify."
    "I try an Incantation of Warding to protect my immediate area, but I may as well be trying to hold back the ocean."
    "Around me I hear the final pitiful cries of men, Tuatha and Forvorian alike, as they succumb to the vile fumes."
    "My body begins to grow stiff and does not obey my commands."
    stop sound
    scene a38 35
    with fade
    "After that, blackness overtakes me."
    "I sleep."
    "And I dream dark and lurid dreams."
    jump dd38z

label dd38z:

    scene a00 01
    with fade
    "..."
    "I hear not the sweet music of the Otherword, nor smell the fresh flowers of its fields."
    "I am nothing, but I endure. I am dead, but there is no release."
    "Ages pass, but time means nothing to one that is removed from the world."
    "I exist within the deepest recesses of my memories."
    "I dwell inside the hopes and fears of my heart."

    $ mcname = renpy.input("What is your name, my Lord?", default="Lorcan").strip() or "Lorcan"
    $ persistent.name = mcname
    jump d00