A Scourging of Snakes was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Eivor met with High King Flann Sinna to discuss their attack on Abbot Eogan mac Cartaigh, the leader of the Children of Danu.
Dialogue[]
Eivor arrived at the camp, south of Sleeve Gallion, and met with Flann and Sichfrith.
- Flann: Eivor, come in. Sichfrith tells me you've been hunting pirates in the North?
- Eivor: Allies of Armagh, providing weapons and other supplies. I've cut them off.
- Flann: God is truly with us! Eogan is weakened and will soon taste God's justice.
- Eivor: Do you have the men to take Armagh?
- Flann: We do, thanks to Sichfrith. He has rallied Vikings from every corner of Ireland.
- Eivor: How did you convince the Norse to fight for you?
- Sichfrith: I told them of a monastery full of silver to be looted.
- Eivor: Your father would not have made such a promise.
- Sichfrith: And he would have not raised as many men.
- Flann: We cannot win the goodwill of the people by destroying their homes. Or their church.
- Sichfrith: But, my lord ... these men came expecting a raid, if we deny them that...
- Eivor: If I may? I think in this case, some burning might be useful.
- Flann: Tell me how.
Flann planning the attack with Eivor and Sichfrith
- Eivor: When we were attacked by Clogher, Eogan didn't stop there. He burned Cashelore as well. To send a message. It is our turn to light up the land with fire and smoke to let the people know that Armagh has fallen.
- Flann: Burn what you must, but keep your warriors leashed. Kill only those who oppose us, and spare the church.
Ciara walked into the conversation.
- Sichfrith: As you command, my king.
- Eivor: There's something else. Abbot Eogan leads the Children of Danu.
- Flann: So ... the poisoning, the ambush ... they were all part of Eogan's nefarious schemes. We'll cleanse Armagh of this unholy filth. Sichfrith and I will prepare our men. Join me when you're ready.
Flann looked to Ciara.
- Flann: Choose a good view, dear poet. It'll be a battle for the ages.
Flann and Sichfrith left to prepare for battle.
Flann asks Ciara to ready a poem for his final battle
- Ciara: Thank you for not saying anything about ... my past.
- Eivor: The past is past and not our future.
- Ciara: I swear, Eivor, you really are like a hero out of folk tales. Do I have permission to sing your song?
- Eivor: You do, once I've had a chance to finish it.
Eivor left and spoke with Sichfrith.
- Eivor: It's good to see you take command. It suits you.
- Sichfrith: It feels heavy and stiff like this new armor. I envy you, Eivor. When battle is done, you can move on to what you like.
- Eivor: I go where my destiny takes me, Sichfrith. None of us are free from that. There are worse fates than being a king.
Eivor and Flann looking at Armagh in the distance
Eivor left Sichfrith and went to speak with Flann.
- Flann: Our forces are replenished, thank God's good grace.
- Eivor: Some part of those thanks should go to Sichfrith, lord.
- Flann: Aye, I'll not forget his role today. He's a good man, but he lacks his father's seasoning.
- Eivor: Then you must show him what it is to lead, lord, in the court and on the field.
Flann nodded.
- Flann: Come, let us flush out this false abbot without delay.
(Yes. Begin the attack)
- Eivor: Yes, Eogan must answer for his actions.
The attack on Armagh in progress
Eivor, Sichfrith, and Flann began their assault on Armagh.
- Eivor: There are few defenders than I expected.
- Sichfrith: They cower behind their walls. Let's strike while we have the advantage!
- Flann: We'll move forward, but remain alert. God will guide the right.
The trio of warriors led the way.
- Flann: We have no other choice. Breach that gate!
- Sichfrith: My Norsemen are ready! Smash them an opening!
- Flann: The bridge is down! Onward and across!
The bridge of Armagh came down.
- Irish Soldier 1: Leave the barbarian to me!
- Irish Soldier 2: God will give me strength!
Eivor and her company started to clear the first courtyard.
- Flann: If they don't plead mercy, kill them to a man! Take care! They have artillery! They attack from above! Clear the ramparts!
Within the fight, Flann shouted out more.
- Flann: Unleash God's wrath on these sinners! These are soldiers, not farmers! Don't hold back!
After clearing the first courtyard, Eivor noticed they were all pinned inside it.
- Sichfrith: We're trapped like rats!
- Flann: We must raise that portcullis to go any further.
Eivor raising the portcullis
Eivor raised the portcullis and began to burn the village within Armagh.
- Sichfrith: Cover Armagh in flames! Light up the sky for all to see! Torch the rooftops!
All of the village was under fire.
- Sichfrith: Soldiers coming!
Eivor and her group attacked and finished the guards at the inner gate.
- Sichfrith: They fall back!
- Flann: Gather your breath, but remain at the ready!
Eivor went to break open the inner gate.
- Eivor: King Flann! Are you near?
- Irish Soldier 3: For Saint Patrick! They mustn't breach the gate.
- Eivor: A trap. I knew it looked too easy.
- Flann: We cannot advance until we clear the area!
Eivor attacked the ambushers.
- Irish Soldier 4: For the Abbot of Armagh!
After killing the rest of the soldiers, Eivor and Flann headed to the church. Inside, the door was shut tight.
- Flann: Eivor! I need help with the door!
Flann and Eivor opened the door together, only to see Eogan guarded by two soldiers.
- Eogan: Leave this house of God, Flann Sinna, or be cursed with His wrath eternal!
- Flann: You desecrate this holy place with foul corruption. You are a sickness to be purged.
- Eogan: God will be my judge, not you. You act the Christian king, but let pagans and wolves do your dirty work.
- Flann: Do not preach about playing both sides. I know you lead the Children of Danu.
- Eogan: Do you? Then you should know you cannot win. My Children are everywhere. Even in your court.
- Flann: Who do you mean?
- Eogan: Ciara had the makings of a High Priestess, but she was careless. Dabbled with forces she could not control.
- Eivor: Don't listen, Flann. He tries to cloud your judgement.
- Eogan: Small wonder why she charmed her way into your court. She's always been attracted to men of power.
- Flann: You lie, devil!
- Eogan: Ah ... "Love conceals blemish and evil." It's easy to lose sight when you're following a woman's backside.
Flann unsheathed his sword in anger but Eivor halted him.
- Eivor: There is no shame in keeping your hands clean of this filth. Let me do your dirty work.
Eogan with his guards
Flann readied himself to fight.
- Flann: It's God work.
- Eogan: Protect your abbot!
Eivor and Flann fought the abbot and his men.
- Flann: Take the guards! Leave Eogan to me!
Eivor and Flann defeated the abbot, who was dying on the floor.
- Eogan: "You shall not let your cattle breed with a different kind ... You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed..."
- Flann: Do not quote Scripture to me, devil. May your tongue burn for eternity while your throat is pierced with jagged glass.
- Eogan: No ... you would rather have a song from your ... pagan poetess... If she didn't tell you ... about the Children of Danu ... what other secrets does she keep?
- Eivor: He tries to poison your mind with his dying words, lord. Don't let them in.
A defeated Eogan dying on the floor
Eogan looked at Flann one last time before dying on the floor.
- Flann: But could he speak truth?
- Eivor: The best liars mix truth with lies. If she was part of that cult, she isn't anymore.
- Flann: You are right, of course. This fetid air befouls my thoughts. Let us step out into God's cleansing light.
Eivor and Flann stepped outside to their conquest.
- Eivor: It is a beautiful land.
- Flann: We are a blessed people.
Eivor regrouping with Flann and Sichfrith
Sichfrith ran into the conversation.
- Sichfrith: Word of our victory spread like fire in a dry field. I couldn't stop all the looting, my king, but I made certain the people were spared.
- Flann: They will sing of the High King who cleansed the church of Armagh and the King of Dublin who fought with honor at his side.
Sichfrith felt grateful at the commendation.
- Sichfrith: And the hero who came from the Land of Heroes who helped them win the day.
- Eivor: All will be remembered. The living and the dead.
Time passed and Eivor traveled back to Dublin and had a drink at an alehouse.
Outcome[]
After storming Armagh, Eivor and Flann defeated the Ollamh Druid of the Children of Danu, Abbot Eogan, also known as The Oak.
Gallery[]
