
label d04:

    scene d04 00
    play music trav07 loop
    with fade
    pause
    scene d04 01
    with fade
    "Saivah and I make our way south and west along the edges of the vast forest known as the Carrow Coil."
    s "This is a wild land. You could travel over this rough wooded terrain for a week and not see another friendly face. However, there are many unfriendly ones and some of those are not of this world."
    mc "So that is why this place is favored by those of the Dark Sidhe. Nobody rules here, and the hidden places are many."
    s "But this can sometimes be a place of fine hunting and great wonder. The members of the Fianna, who are adventurers at heart, often come here to test themselves."
    s "Many are the ruins of the Tuatha De Danann among the leafy ridges and ravines of this land and many are the strange beasts that wander through the undergrowth, or dwell in dark caves."
    scene d04 02
    with fade
    play sound beast03
    s "[mcname]!"
    mc "Keep your spear up! I have this!"
    "The journey is eventful. We encounter creatures I have never seen before. Fierce and more grotesque versions of the woodland predators I remember."
    "I sense the Stone of Fal within me, but it is dormant. The druidic power I release to defend Saivah is completely my own."
    "Under what circumstances would it reawaken?"
    scene d04 03
    with fade
    "We travel for days, living off the bounty of the land."
    "The streams are full of salmon and there are roots and berries easily found for those versed in the natural arts."
    "I quickly learn that Saivah is a capable hunter and fighter, but far from a master of either discipline."
    scene d04 04
    with fade
    "Her more admirable qualities lie... elsewhere."
    "She is slim, with smooth unblemished skin. She sways her hips in a most feminine way as she walks, which stirs my carnal instincts."
    s "My lord druid? Is something the matter? You seem distracted."
    mc "Apologies. I was thinking of something... important. You have my undivided attention."
    s "There is no need for you to apologize. Come, the sun is getting low. Let us find a place to prepare a fire."
    stop music
    scene d04 05
    with fade
    play sound day loop
    "We find a narrow path that leads into a hidden alcove protected by high rocky walls. At the center are overgrown ruins from another age."
    "In the middle of a pile of rubble sits a broken statue. The rock it is carved from is old and weathered, but golden antlers gleam untarnished on his head." 
    mc "Well, well... a shrine to Cernunnos..."
    show sai spear at center with moveinright
    s "You know of this deity, my lord?"
    mc "He is the Horned God. Worshipped in the east by the Galls, he never held much sway in Celtica. Not much is known about him or the power he wields."
    s "That name is not uttered by the Milesian people. Truly, if he has a cult here, it is now well and truly forgotten."
    mc "In any case, Cernunnos provides us a good refuge tonight."
    stop music
    scene d04 06
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "As the salmon fat sizzles over the open campfire, I take the opportunity to learn more about Saivah's husband, Finn Moc Huul."
    "Saivah is all too eager to talk about her husband and his followers and as a druid, I learned long ago that any piece of knowledge can later prove to be useful."
    s "Finn is the captain of the Fianna, a band of warriors that swear fealty to the High King of Celtica."
    s "They defend Celtica from foreign invaders, outlaws and malicious forces from the Dark Sidhes."
    mc "It sounds... very admirable."
    "From what I saw in my druid dream, they were little more than ruffians vying for power amongst themselves."
    s "Finn was the son of the old captain of the Fianna, but when his father was killed, Finn escaped into the forests of Celtica. The new captain wanted Finn dead, lest Finn try to claim the captaincy once he came of age."
    scene d04 07
    with fade
    "The night grows late and Saivah falls asleep by the fire."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}She's gorgeous and I will make her mine in good time.":
            $ d_sus += 1
            jump d04a

        "She's not to my tastes, but may be useful to me in earning the favor of her husband.":
            jump d04b

label d04a:

    $ renpy.notify("Suspicion +1")
    "Patience is a virtue, especially for a druid. We do not solve our problems with strength and violence like warriors do."
    "But there is another reason to take this slowly, because half the pleasure is in the anticipation."
    "Imagining her fulsome lips wrapped around my cock as her eyes beg me to take her..."
    "Thinking of her bent over with legs spread, inviting me to claim what she offers to my manhood..."
    "Soon..."
    jump d04c

label d04b:

    "Saivah is a beauty. I have no doubt that men other than the Far Dorocha have been enticed by her."
    "For me however, she does nothing to excite by senses."
    "But she may be useful to me. To have her favor will make it easier for me to ingratiate myself with her husband."
    "If my people, the Tuatha De Danann, have been made low by these Milesians, then I must take my time and consider if they are my foes."
    "I need to see one of my old comrades, like Lugh."
    jump d04c

label d04c:

    "The fire grows weak, and I feed it with fuel to keep it burning."
    "Lost in my thoughts about Saivah, I find that I feel no need for sleep."
    scene d04 08
    with fade
    "In times like these, I turn inwards and focus on my breathing, clearing my mind of thoughts just as The Dagda taught me when I was a young druid."
    "The Stone of Fal makes its presence known to me. It grows warmer throughout me until it feels like it is hotter than the campfire next to me."
    "My vision blurs and my body feels like it is fading away. These are the first signs of the druid dreaming."
    stop sound
    scene d04 09
    with fade
    "My consciousness floats on a vast ocean that connects the souls of the mortal realm to the Otherworld."
    "Slowly, my consciousness takes on a shape. An incorporeal version of my body forms around me and I fly through the glorious plane of swirling light and darkness."
    "It takes me back to a place I am familiar with - the roiling heart of dark Forvorian energy that bleeds. Why have I returned here? I did not choose to come here at this time..."
    "Voice" "Hatred."
    mc "What?"
    "A deep and sonorous voice booms about me. It does not seem malicious. At least, that is what I think."
    "Voice" "This thievery is born of a great and burning hatred."
    mc "Perhaps if you didn't speak in riddles I may understand?"
    scene d04 08
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "The voice grows silent and my soul returns to the mortal plane. Who spoke to me? Another mystery to unravel."
    "My body feels drained and weak after my journey. At the very least, it seems I can sleep now."
    stop sound
    scene d04 10
    with fade
    play music town04 loop
    "The next evening, we reach an inhabited settlement. It's the first sign of something approaching civilization I've seen since leaving Brac Cogrim."
    "It's a village on the top of a hill, surrounded by a palisade. The construction is crude, but it is functional."
    show sai fight1 at center with moveinleft
    s "This is the village of Ishna, one of the settlements that lies on the frontier. From here there are good roads to take us the rest of our journey, but we should stop here for the night."
    mc "I understand. But... why the mask?"
    s "I can appear as just another adventurer this way, until I can be sure there are no enemies in the village."
    mc "Enemies? Like who?"
    s "Ishna is a crossroads and many people travel through. There are those in Celtica that would wish harm to the Fianna."
    s "Also, the Far Dorocha may have friends among the Dark Sidhe that would be looking to avenge him."
    mc "In that case, they would come after me."
    
    menu:
        
        "{color=#00ff00}Enter Ishna without fear, Saivah. I will protect you.":
            $ d_sus -= 1
            jump d04d

        "I am now a stranger in these lands. I will follow your lead.":
            jump d04e

label d04d:

    show sai talk2 at center
    $ renpy.notify("Suspicion -1")
    s "Such decisive words you speak, master druid."
    mc "Do you doubt me?"
    s "No, of course not! Not after what we have endured together!"
    mc "Then let us go inside as companions, my lady."
    jump d04f

label d04e:

    show sai talk2 at center
    s "You are wise as well as powerful, my lord druid."
    mc "Let us be about this quickly and without fuss. Tell me if you see anybody inside those walls that means you harm."
    s "Yes, as you wish."
    "Something inside me stirs when I hear Saivah say those words."
    jump d04f

label d04f:

    scene d04 11
    with fade
    play sound cows loop
    "Ishna seems to be a prosperous village. The livestock are well fed and the storage barns are full of grain sacks."
    "But it's clear to me that the Milesians are a less cultured race compared to my people. Roofs are thatched and there is much built with worn wood where ever I look."
    "Even the lowliest villages of the Tuatha De Danann had buildings that were nicer than anything here."
    show sai spear1 at center with moveinright
    s "There is a small hostel here that is well-used by travellers. It is safe and privacy can be found there."
    mc "Lead the way, my lady."
    scene d04 12
    with fade
    "Wait... that man over there in the cow pen..."
    "I know him. He's a pauper, but one of the Tuatha!"
    "With a hawk perched on his shoulder, he looks up and the drifting clouds, muttering to himself."
    mc "Old man!"
    scene d04 13
    with fade
    "I leap over the fence and momentarily lose site of the pauper as he rounds the corner of a shed."
    "He's no ordinary man. There is something strange at play here. It cannot be a coincidence that he was right here at this moment."
    "I curse under my breath."
    s "Master druid! You surprised me with your sudden actions! What is it about that old man that vexed you so?"
    mc "It's nothing, Saivah. Nothing that won't be answered in time, I fear."
    s "You fear?"
    mc "I will not discuss this topic any longer."
    s "If I have offended you, then please..."
    mc "You are incapable of offending me, my lovely Saivah. Now, let's go and find this hostel you speak of."
    stop music
    stop sound
    scene d04 14
    with fade
    play music gen04 loop
    "In the privacy of a small hostel room, I unroll the map that I took from the study of the Far Dorocha."
    s "We were here, in Brac Cogrim, far away from the civilized nations of Celtica. The Far Dorocha chose the location for his Dark Sidhe well."
    scene d04 15
    s "Now we have made it here, to Ishna. It is not far from the dun fort city of Aun Macha, where King Concovir of Ulaid rules."
    "I study at the map. Tau-Rah at the rightmost edge is marked as a ruin. Mhi is a vast forested land without marked towns, where once it was the heart of the Tuatha kingdom."
    "Connuct to the south is relatively unchanged, but 'Ulaid', 'Liarn' and 'Muun' are quite different."
    scene d04 16
    s "This is my home and the seat of my husband, Finn. The Hill of Allen, where the Fianna of Celtica gather."
    "It looks like the place where a large Forvorian watchtower was once located. The Tuatha used it for a time, due to its strategic location."
    scene d04 17
    mc "My home is in Bru Na Boyne. I must find out if there is still a place for me in those great stone halls."
    mc "I will continue on my journey once I ensure you are safely reunited with your husband."
    s "[mcname]..."
    "I turn to look at Saivah. She usually only calls me by my name when her thoughts are serious."
    s "If there is no welcome for you in your old home, come back to me, for there is a place among the Fianna of Finn Moc Huul for a druid."
    mc "..."
    mc "I'll consider your offer, Saivah."
    stop music
    scene d04 18
    with fade
    play music town03
    play sound tavern02 loop
    "We are fortunate. Ishna is quiet and it is mainly the locals that come to the hostel that night."
    "Farmers, shepherds and craftsmen sit at the tables with mead, porridge and roast meats, recounting the events of the day to their neighbors."
    show sai talk at center with moveinright
    s "Let us take a table in the corner, where we are less likely to be noticed."
    mc "I agree."
    scene d04 19
    with fade
    "The meal is simple but made with wholesome local ingredients. I have no complaints."
    "The hearth of the hostel is warm and casts an assuring glow across all the patrons at their tables."
    "Then, out to the center of the proceedings, a man with a silken cloak presents himself with a flourish."
    stop sound
    scene d04 18
    with fade
    s "We're in luck tonight. One of the few travellers through the village at the moment is a bard!"
    show bard at center with moveinright
    "Bards are the keepers of memory in Celtica. Through their tales and their songs, they record the lineage of great houses and the epic deeds of history."
    "The Milesians, it would seem, follow the same bardic traditions as the Tuatha."
    "Bard" "Tonight, I shall regale you with some of my favorite stories. Let me begin with one from the youth of Finn Moc Huul!"
    scene d04 19a
    with fade
    "Bard" "In the days when Finn was on the cusp of manhood, and the Clan Moc Morna still hunted for him, he was told by his foster-sisters to seek out the sage Fineas."
    "Bard" "Fineas lived like a hermit. For seven years he camped at the banks of the Escra River, hunting for the Salmon of Wisdom."
    "Bard" "This salmon frequently came to a pool where it ate hazelnuts of knowledge that fell into it. Fineas wanted to eat the salmon for itself, so that he may gain the knowledge of the ages."
    "Bard" "When Finn came seeking the wisdom of Fineas, the old sage directed the young lad to catch the wiley salmon, which Finn was able to do."
    scene d04 20
    with fade
    "Bard" "'Do not consume even a morsel of this salmon, young lad.' said Fineas to Finn."
    "Bard" "'Roast it and tell me when it is done.' said Fineas, and the young Finn, ever dutiful, obeyed."
    "Bard" "But in the cooking, a droplet of fat fell onto Finn's thumb. To ease the pain, Finn stuck his thumb into his mouth and sucked it."
    "Bard" "The knowledge of the world opened up to him in that moment. There was nothing he could not know of the mortal realm, if he sought the answer."
    "Bard" "'You have consumed the flesh of the Salmon of Knowledge, haven't you, son of Huul?' said Fineas."
    "Bard" "'You know who I am?' Finn replied, for at the time he travelled under the false name of Demias."
    "Bard" "'It can only be destiny that has led all things to this point. Finish the salmon, Finn Moc Huul, and use its gift well when you become captain of the Fianna, as your father was before you."
    "Bard" "And that is how Finn Moc Huul gained the gifts of wisdom and foresight, that he uses to this day by biting upon his thumb when needs call for it."
    scene d04 19
    with fade
    "Like all bardic stories, it is surely embellished. However, the part about hazelnuts gives me pause."
    "Some Tuatha sages and druids grew Otherworld trees that would store the knowledge of the ages, like a library. I know because I once worked in such orchids."
    "If the story is true, then Finn Moc Huul's ability to draw on druidic wisdom and knowledge is something that can either be a great help, or a great danger to me."
    "Interesting..."
    scene d04 21
    with fade
    s "Ooohhh..."
    "Saivah leans against me and I hold her steady. Her face is flushed."
    mc "Your bare skin is hot to the touch, Saivah."
    s "I fear in my enthusiasm for the bard's tale, I've had too much mead..."
    "Upon contact with her skin, the Stone of Fal stirs inside me. The memory of the sensations of the dark shrine under Brac Cogrim return."
    "There is no doubt. Within Saivah is a residue of that dark power that now swirls through the Stone of Fal, and the energies call out to each other."
    s "NnnNnnn..."
    "Saivah's eyes go glassy and she is almost in a trance-like state."

    menu:

        "{color=#00ff00}Take advantage of Saivah":
            $ d_sus -= 1
            jump d04g

        "Do nothing but take her back to her room to recover":
            $ d_sus += 1
            jump d04h

label d04g:

    if _in_replay:

        show screen Replayexit
        $ mcname = persistent.name
    
    scene d04 22
    with fade 
    play music whd02 loop
    $ renpy.notify("Suspicion -1")
    "I put my loincloth to the side and take Saivah's hand, guiding it to my crotch and erect penis."
    "In the corner of the hostel and concealed by the table, no one even pays us the slightest attention."
    "With my hand over hers, I make Saivah stroke my cock. When I let go, she continues to stroke it on her own volition, as I intended."
    mc "Yes, Saivah... just like that..."
    "The attention of her eyes is focused on the bard, but her hand is clearly invested in its lewd work on my shaft."
    scene d04 23
    with fade
    play sound shoot02
    queue sound shoot03
    s "Mmmm..."
    s "I feel something..."
    "Saivah catches my seed in the palm of her hand, but then continues to stroke my cock, making it slick with my semen."
    mc "You please me well... my dear!"
    s "..."
    scene d04 24
    with fade
    "Saivah, satisfied that her work is done, lifts her hand from beneath the table. My ejaculation was large, so much semen coats her delicate fingers."
    "She looks at my seed without fully comprehending what it is, touching her fingers together to test the viscosity of the substance on her hands."
    s "Such a distinct aroma..."
    scene d04 25
    with fade
    "Without another word, she cleans her hand with long and lazy licks of her tongue."
    "The darkness inside me burns like cold fire to see Saivah debase herself so willingly in this way, but on the other hand, I feel something within her changing."
    "The darkness I had sensed within her earlier is fading, melting away like frost exposed to the morning sun."
    "I think she was so amendable to me just now because of that residual darkness, but I could not do this again."
    "There is much I don't understand, but as a druid, all secrets can be revealed to me with study and patience..."
    stop music

    if _in_replay:
        return

    jump d04i

label d04h:

    $ renpy.notify("Suspicion +1")
    "There is nothing to be gained staying here while Saivah is unwell. Although we have found some respite, there is still much travel to be done."
    "I lead her back to her room and prepare myself for sleep."
    stop music
    jump d04i

label d04i:

    scene d04 26
    with fade
    play sound village01 loop
    "The next morning, I wake up early to make ready for the final leg to the Hill of Allen."
    s "OooOoohhh..."
    mc "Saivah?"
    s "I must have had too much to drink last night..."
    mc "What do you remember?"
    s "I remember the meal, the bard telling the tale of my husband and... not much else..."
    mc "Can you travel? We must make good time today, while the weather is agreeable. I would prefer not to use my druid magick to turn away rain clouds."
    s "Let's go. I will recover with some exercise and fresh air."
    stop sound
    scene d04 27
    with fade
    play music gen02 loop
    "Saivah was not wrong. The road from Ishna to the Hill of Allen is flat and well-travelled. We make good time."
    "We pass ploughed fields and meadows full of cattle. My old friend Flida would be pleased to see such fine herds."
    s "Celtica's wealth is based on our cattle. From the cows and bulls we get all good things. Meat, milk and leather..."
    mc "Have we crossed into the kingdom of Liarn from Ulaid?"
    s "Indeed we have. Liarn is the nation of my husband's birth and the Fianna is strong here. But young men and women come from all over Celtica to join Finn's battalions."
    s "We even get warriors and adventurers from beyond the realm of Celtica, places like Cymru and Caledon!"
    mc "It seems the fame of your husband and the Fianna has spread far and wide..."
    scene d04 28
    with fade
    "It is one the evening of the third day that we finally reach a stone hall surrounded by thatched huts and a palisade."
    s "Oh, light be praised that I have returned home safely!"
    "The stone structure is old, much older than the wooden buildings that surround it. As I had guessed, it is the old Forvorian watchtower."
    "It has been well maintained over the course of the centuries, if it is true that a thousand years have passed me by."
    scene d04 29
    with fade
    play music town05 loop
    play sound tavern03 loop
    show fianna at center
    "We enter a large drinking hall at the base of the tower. All around are young fighting age men in leathers and coarsely spun linen."
    "A few among them wear silk and secure their cloaks with gold brooches decorated with jewels. It would seem the Fianna draws its members from both rich and poor."
    "The men drink with wild abandon. Ale, wine and mead flow freely as lively chatter echoes through the wide room."
    show dia sup at center with moveinright
    "Handsome Man" "Lady Saivah?! Is this a trick of the Sidhe???"
    s "It is no illusion you see before you, Diarmud O'Doone!"
    scene d04 30
    play sound punch
    with hpunch
    "Suddenly, a dashing and mustached man runs across the hall roaring, crashing himself into Saivah's arms."
    "Dashing Man" "By the gods we swear by, you have returned to us!!!"
    "This is not what I expected Finn Moc Huul to look like at all. The bard in Ishna really did exaggerate the description of his looks."
    mc "Ahem... it is an honor to finally meet you, Captain of the Fianna! Your wife has talked much about you."
    scene d04 31
    "Saivah laughs as though I have made the funniest joke in the world."
    s "Oh, master druid! This is not my husband! This is my son, Osheen!"
    "They look to be of a similar age."
    s "It's a long story that involves the magick of the Sidhe that we shall not go into here."
    mc "..."
    scene d04 32
    with fade
    "A man by the name of Keeltai introduces himself to me."
    kl "You are the one that has brought Saivah back to us? For that, you will have the eternal friendship of the Fianna!"
    dm "You must tell us how this was done! Finn has been searching Celtica for months without even a clue as to where his wife was taken!"
    dm "Truly, the ways of druids are mysterious!"
    scene d04 33
    with fade
    "One-Eyed Man" "If Finn had better hounds, they would have caught her scent as soon as she went missing."
    "I know this man that just interjected. He looks older now but he's clearly~"
    dm "Goll Moc Morna! You would insult Finn's hounds in that way?"
    gm "I'm merely telling the truth, boy. You tell me where I'm wrong! It took a strange druid to bring back that which Finn lost!"
    on "Take back those words, Goll!"
    gm "I will not."
    scene d04 34
    play sound crowd_cry loop
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Suddenly the hall erupts into violence. Two groups from across the tables and benches leap at each other, hurling fists and feet."
    kl "The Sons of Morna want to test me again today? Very well!"
    play sound2 punch
    gm "Let's see your swing! Growing up in the Sidhe has made you soft, Diarmud O'Doone!"
    dm "I'll show you what my foster father taught me, Goll!"
    "From the broken furniture that was piled at the side of the hall, it doesn't seem like this is an unusual occurrence."
    "Osheen ushers Saivah out of harm's way while I myself have to beat off a few young warriors that think I am on the opposite side to them in this brawl."
    stop music
    scene d04 35
    play sound horn
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "The thunderous sound of a horn resounds through the hall, shaking me deep in my bones."
    "Two figures come through the doorway. One a fighter and the other a student of the performing arts."
    "Young Bardess" "Oh, by the Goddess! They're at it again!"
    "My eyes widen but there can be no mistake. The woman warrior who blew the horn is my old comrade in arms, Flida."
    scene d04 36
    with fade
    "The brawling warriors freeze as though caught in a powerful incantation. They look at Flida dumbfounded."
    "It takes one voice in the back to break the unnatural silence."
    "Fianna Warrior" "The call of the Dord Fiann! Finn has returned!"
    scene d04 37
    with fade
    play music cin09 loop
    "From the darkness outside, a man emerges and enters into the light of the hall."
    "Flanked by two formidable hunting hounds, the man is tall and has the bearing worthy of a king."
    "His hair is blonde and his arms are broad. I can tell immediately this is a man used to combat and hardship."
    "The way the firelight gleams in his eyes also reveals to me that this is not a dullard, but a man of wit and intelligence."
    "He surveys the chaotic scene before him and takes in every detail without uttering  a word. Then, his eyes rest upon Saivah."
    scene d04 38
    with fade
    s "Finn! My love!"
    f "My wife! I've searched the length of Celtica for you! Not a night I have rested since the day you went missing!"
    f "My servants told me you were taken by a man that used my form. Surely it was the Far Dorocha again!"
    s "Yes... he came for me and I was a prisoner to his magick once more but... a druid of the Sidhe saved me."
    f "Thank the gods..."
    stop music
    scene d04 39
    with fade
    play sound night loop
    show finn neut at left with moveinleft
    show sai neut at right with moveinright
    "Saivah takes me into a chamber with Finn leading the way. The cool night air blows through the open windows of the tower."
    f "I am in your debt, druid. Who are you and what Sidhe do you hail from?"
    mc "I am [mcname], the Scythian. Bru-Na-Boyne was where I made my home."
    f "So you are a member of Aengus' household? For he is the master of that Sidhe."
    mc "Aengus is a comrade of mine. We fought together in the old days when King Nuada sat on the throne at Tau-Ra."
    show finn talk at left
    f "You talk of the great glory days of the Tuatha De Danann, when their freedom was won from the Tyrant King."
    "Yes, 'Tyrant King' is an apt name for Bres..."
    show sai talk at right
    s "[mcname]'s druid arts proved to be better than that of the Far Dorocha. That dark druid will threaten us no more, thanks to my savior!"
    f "Truly, you have returned that which is most precious to me in this world, master druid. If there is anything that you need, I will give it to you freely!"
    play music harp02 loop
    "From somewhere outside, a harp plays. The melody is calming and it is an old  Tuatha song I recognize that all aspiring bards must master."
    show sai sup at right
    s "That music... I've not heard its like before. Husband, have you brought back a bard from your travels?"
    show finn neut at left
    f "This song is not played for our enjoyment, my wife. Rather, it is meant to harm us!"
    f "For it is near the solstice, and he has returned! Druid, come with me!"
    show sai neut at right
    s "Husband, I don't understand!"
    hide finn neut at left with moveoutleft
    hide sai neut at left with moveoutleft
    "Finn hurries back to the great hall with Saivah and I close behind."
    stop sound
    scene d04 40
    with fade
    "In the drinking hall, the fighting men of the Fianna are scattered about on the floor and tables. They collapse and slumber where they fall."
    "There is no doubt. The music being played contains a strain of sleep within its notes."
    "It is a simple matter for me to counter this, at least for myself. I whisper an incantation to shield my ears from the effects of the spell."
    s "Finn, my love... I feel..."
    scene d04 41
    play sound punch
    with vpunch
    "As the music continues without abating, Saivah crumples to the floor and falls asleep against a counter."
    fl "This... magickal~!"
    "Even Flida, a Tuatha of exceptional willpower, succumbs to the dulcet tones that waft into the hall from the yard outside."
    f "We are lost! The music has all the people on the Hill of Allen under its sway! I too, will be next!"
    stop music
    scene d04 42
    with fade
    play sound fire loop
    "Between the cracks of the main doors to the hall, an angry orange light gets stronger and stronger. Smoke begins to filter into the hall."
    mc "Finn Moc Huul! Explain to me what is happening, and quickly!"
    f "Druid! This is the work of a Tuatha De Danann by the name of Avahn! He hates the Children of Mil and every year near the solstice, he puts the Fianna to sleep and sets its wooden buildings on fire!"
    f "The main tower is fine, as it is made of ancient stone, but in the morning when we wake, there is nothing but charred ruins outside, year after year!"
    mc "How good is your throwing arm?"
    f "There is nothing I do not hit if I aim at it!"
    mc "That will do."
    stop sound
    scene d04 43
    with fade
    play sound dark01
    "I whisper druid words and the staff of the Far Dorocha glows with an inner light."
    "In my travels with Saivah, I had time to study the Far Dorocha's staff and understand how to use it. The Forvorian smith that forged it meant it as both a weapon and a tool."
    "With the right incantations, the head of the staff can change into any shape desired, like a potter molding clay."
    scene d04 44
    play sound dark01
    "It can also hold enchantments that are whispered into it, so that even one without druidic gifts can draw upon magickal power that is placed within it."
    mc "Take this spear, Finn Moc Huul. When you feel you can no longer withstand the strains of slumber being played, place the metal of the tip against your forehead, so that you will not fall asleep."
    f "I understand. Truly a useful gift."
    mc "Now, let us go out and face this Avahn, for there is no one left awake that can."
    scene d04 45
    with fade
    play sound fire02 loop
    play music act01 loop
    "Out in the yard, the wooden huts around the great hall and tower are ablaze. At the center of the inferno stands a strange figure with an even stranger dress."
    "Avahn" "Burn, burn! I watch it all burn! Turn it all into ash and smoke!"
    "Avahn" "Leave nothing of the accursed Fianna behind but dust and hated memory!"
    "Avahn" "But oh! How gloriously it all goes up in flame! Spread everywhere, so all is bathed in your hot, blinding love!"
    scene d04 46
    with fade
    mc "He's of the Tuatha De Danann, you say? He's raving mad!"
    f "Well, his madness ends tonight! I will put an end to him and the trouble he causes to the Fianna!"
    "Avahn laughs mockingly. He pulls out his black harp and begins to play."
    scene d04 47
    with fade
    play sound harpf loop
    "Avahn" "Put an end to me, you say! Brave words from a man that is surrounded by his funeral pyre."
    "The sound of the harp grows more intense over the roar of the inferno engulfing the huts around us."
    "Avahn" "Sleep, Finn Moc Huul, sleep! And when your eyes close, you will burn and die!"
    scene d04 48
    with fade
    play sound2 holy02
    "Finn places the tip of the spear against his head as I told him. The incantation of awakening I placed within it sparks into life."
    stop sound
    "Avahn" "What trickery is this? What has this vagabond druid that follows you like a dog done???"
    "If I had known Avahn during the reign of King Nuada, I would have taken him in chains to meet the judgement of The Dagda. It seems in this age, scoundrels like him are able to roam freely."
    stop sound
    scene d04 49
    play sound firespray
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Avahn" "No matter! You will still burn into charred cinders!"
    "Finn and I both leap out of the way just in time as Avahn breathes out a searing jet of flame from his mouth."
    "The fire is magickal and much hotter than ordinary fire. Even though I judge I am safely clear of the attack, exposed areas of my skin begin to blister."
    mc "ARGGHHH!!!"
    scene d04 50
    play sound dagger01
    with hpunch
    f "ENOUGH!"
    "Finn twirls about and releases the spear in one fluid motion. The wooden shaft flies straight and true like a bow-shot."
    "Avahn is so intent on turning his flame breath towards me that he has no mind to avoid the weapon coming towards him."
    scene d04 51
    play sound stab02
    with hpunch
    "The spear hits Avahn in the lower chest, sending a spray of blood onto the wooden fence behind him."
    "Avahn" "UUUOOO!!!"
    "Avahn's body is thrown back by the blow, sending a fountain of flame soaring spectacularly into the night sky, only the come down as searing droplets of fire."
    "Finn and I scramble to avoid the lethal downpour and it is at that moment that a wounded Avahn makes good his escape."
    scene d04 52
    with fade
    play music act05 loop
    "As the sun rises, Avahn flees north, sprinting at a speed faster than that of a horse at full gallop."
    "Finn and I pursue him, slowly gaining ground. At times where we lose sight of him, his trail of blood sets us back onto the right path."
    "Avahn" "Leave me alone! Bullies! Tormenters! Ruffians!"
    scene d04 53
    with fade
    f "Avahn is nothing but a coward at heart! He's content to make his assault while his opponents are helpless, but when they fight back it is another matter!"
    mc "Why does this madman hate you so?"
    f "I have many friends and enemies among the people of the Sidhe. This one happens to be one of those that resents the coming of the Children of Mil to Tuatha lands!"
    "On that matter, I am undecided. It's not easy waking up to find everything you fought for has been lost to another peoples that sailed from the west."
    scene d04 54
    with fade
    "Up in the field ahead, a great earthen mound appears, reinforced by great stones."
    show finn fight at center with moveinright
    f "Avahn retreats to his Sidhe! If he enters the portal, he will disappear and it will be nigh impossible to get him."
    hide finn fight at left with moveoutleft
    "Finn sprints towards the Sidhe with a renewed burst of speed, closing the ground between himself and a gibbering Avahn."
    scene d04 55
    play sound strike01
    with hpunch
    with hpunch
    "Avahn" "No, wait, wait~ ARRRGHHHH!"
    f "For the Fianna! For the High King!"
    "Finn Moc Huul's sword flashes in the morning light, severing Avahn's spine and killing him instantly."
    stop music
    scene d04 56
    with fade
    show finn neut at center with moveinleft
    play sound day loop
    f "There. It is done."
    "Avahn's broken body lies contorted on the grass just footsteps away from the entrance to the Sidhe."
    f "Once again, I must thank you for the aid you have given to me. Without your spear..."
    mc "It's not over yet, I fear."
    scene d04 57
    with fade
    "I point to the top of the Sidhe mound, where two figures emerge from the rear slope."
    mc "It would appear Avahn was not alone..."
    "The Stone of Fal screams inside my chest, as though warning me. My mouth goes dry and I grit my teeth, ready to face this new threat."
    stop sound
    jump d05
