Foothold in Connacht was a virtual representation of one of Eivor Varinsdottir's genetic memories, relived by Layla Hassan in 2020 through the Portable Animus HR-8.5.
Description[]
Eivor traveled to Knockfree to speak with Flann Sinna and Bárid mac Ímair.
Dialogue[]
Eivor went to see Bárid in his tent to speak with him.
- Bárid: Ah! Eivor! Look at me, part of Flann's war council! Not bad for a vikingr, eh?
- Eivor: You have gained his trust?
- Bárid: I wouldn't say that, no. He's a bit suspicious of me, in fact. But he needs my army, so he holds his nose.
- Eivor: Of course he does. Vikings smell.
Flann walked into the conversation.
- Bárid: My king.
- Flann: We are ready to deliver Aileach a weighty blow. But our enemies are now alerted and will rally in greater numbers.
- Bárid: Cashelore castle divides Ulster and Connacht. Taking it would isolate each from each.
- Flann: Cashelore is the stepping stone to all the North. It is an imposing fortress atop a steep cliff. It must be ours.
- Bárid: But for that very reason, lord, it will cost us dearly to storm it.
- Flann: Loss of men is a price well paid. Victory will bring many more flocking to our cause.
- Eivor: Take care, king. Your ambition may overleap your reason.
- Bárid: What is your counsel, Eivor?
- Eivor: Cunning over courage. A single spy slips in and breaks the gate locks. Then our soldier floods in.
- Flann: It is worth the attempt. You have seem to have a feel for this, Eivor. I select you as this "single spy."
- Bárid: Eivor?
- Eivor: It's a good challenge.
Bárid and Flann plan for their approach against Cashelore
Bárid nodded in agreement.
- Flann: We have a scout near the castle. She may be able to help you.
Eivor left as Bárid and Flann kept planning the assault. Eivor traveled to Cashelore to find the scout.
- Eivor: Those defenses could stop the gods!
After looking around Cashelore's entrance, Eivor found the scout under the bridge.
- Eivor: Hej! Are you Flann's scout?
- Norse Warrior 1: You are a bold adventurer to ask in these parts. Yes, I am.
- Eivor: How might I enter the castle?
- Norse Warrior 1: Alone? You can try to climb its walls, a foolhardy move for such a small force.
- Eivor: Is there a way to enter unseen?
- Norse Warrior 1: There must be a path below. Builders down there have reinforced the walls. A wily vikingr could use their equipment to find a way in.
- Eivor: I am that vikingr!
Eivor entered inside the ringfort and unlocked the door to let Flann's army inside Cashelore.
Flann rallying his men to attack Cashelore
- Flann: Bravely done, Eivor. Cashelore will be ours!
Flann, Bárid, and their men came running in, thus beginning their assault on Cashelore.
- Bárid: Eivor! I have your back!
- Eivor: I count on you, cousin.
Eivor, Bárid, and Flann fought Cashelore's men to take over the southern ringfort.
- Eivor: Flann! Watch our flank!
- Bárid: Press on, Eivor! Press on!
After defeating the guards, Eivor and Flann headed to the next passage.
- Flann: Upp! Eivor! Help me open this!
Flann and Eivor opened the next gate.
- Eivor: Yours for the taking!
- Bárid: Sack the castle!'
- Flann: Co búaid! (To victory!)
Eivor, Bárid, and Flann fought more of Cashelore's men to take over the northern ringfort.
Bárid, Eivor and Flann drinking to their victory
After taking over the northern ringfort, Eivor, Flann, and Bárid took over the entire stronghold of Cashelore. Afterwards, the trio of warriors sat and drank towards their accomplishments.
- Flann: Sláinte! (Cheers!) To a battle well fought, and blood well spilt!
- Bárid: To Ireland!
- Eivor: Skal!
- Flann: Ah!
A cup bearer came from behind.
- Moenach: Another cup, my king?
Flann stood up.
- Flann: Where is our court poet? This deserves a song. Eivor, it is essential that you speak with her.
- Eivor: Ciara? Is she here?
- Flann: I greeted her arrival. She will build my glory throughout Ireland. Her song will be repeated in every village and hamlet. And you, Eivor, with your keen eye, can give details of my bravery, the bravery of all my soldiers, for her to craft a ballad.
- Eivor: I'll give her your message, O brave king. Bárid, you deserve another drink.
- Bárid: And you as well! Come back for another before the night is out.
Eivor left to find Ciara while overhearing Flann's soldiers talk.
- Irish Soldier 2: Then he come at me, eyes blazin' like hellfire itself.
- Irish Soldier 3: Sure, sure he did. I saw it happen.
- Irish Soldier 2: I'd nothin' but a stick! Well, I held it crosswise and I hoped for the best.
- Irish Soldier 3: I tried to help. I was too far, I was.
- Irish Soldier 2: He swung and sent the stick to splinters. He grabs me collar, he's about to land the mortal blow!
- Irish Soldier 3: O, I thought your tune was played.
- Irish Soldier 2: I look him in the eye and he says, "Is it yourself, Ronan?" He knew me! It's me cousin, Conall!
- Irish Soldier 3: It was marvelous to see! Ol' Connall. Always the good lad.
Eivor found Ciara, playing and singing a tune, atop the walls of the northern ringfort. Eivor spoke with Ciara.
- Eivor: You sing with conviction.
- Ciara: It is the mournful song of the Lia Fáil, the ancient stone you saw at the coronation.
- Eivor: That stone, it seemed to ... It...
- Ciara: The legend is that the stone will bring woe. But the song claims that if Ireland came to peril, the stone would rain a storm of wonders.
Eivor catching up with Ciara
- Eivor: From where would the song draw this wisdom?
- Ciara: I do not know, but my mother sang it. My mother's mother sang it as well, and her mother, and hers. Back to the very first women of the isle. The mere sound of the words connects me to my ancestors and this fertile soil.
- Eivor: You are lucky, I've left my land far behind.
- Ciara: You need not leave to feel the land change beneath you. That's why I'm stuck in this court like some sort of dancing goat.
- Eivor: Surely you can leave any time you wish.
- Ciara: I can, and I will. But not until Flann rules all Ireland.
- Eivor: Is he such a great man as that?
- Ciara: He understand that to be king is to be king of all. Though I'm pagan, he made me court poet. He respects the old ways.
- Eivor: I admire your passion.
- Ciara: Thank you for that. Not everyone is so appreciative.
- Eivor: I appreciate you for all your qualities, Ciara.
- Ciara: I've got more than a fine voice for singing, if that's what you're asking. Is that what you're asking?
- Eivor: I'm asking if you'd like to take advantage of a Norse who finds herself alone with a bewitching Irish woman.
- Ciara: Ara, don't you have a way with words, Eivor? And I'm not saying never...
- Eivor: I understand.
Eivor reminded herself.
- Eivor: Ja, I all but forgot. Flann sent me to remind you to begin his ballad.
- Ciara: He needn't worry. I know my purpose here.
- Eivor: If it is as glorious as that song was lovely, Flann is certain to gain many followers.
- Ciara: Good night, Eivor. I'll see you in the morning. Slán. (Be safe.)
- Eivor: Good night, Ciara.
Night passed and Eivor woke up in a pile of hay on the ground.
- Eivor: A beautiful morning... Ah! Bárid asked me to return to him last night. I should apologize.
Outcome[]
Eivor and Flann's army captured the ringfort Cashelore in the Kingdom of Connacht.
Gallery[]
