Φ Towering over Setanta, Scáthach says, “Now say it.”

On his knees, Setanta says, “I am sorry.”

With his legs crossed and laughing, Fergus says, “Serves you right for what you did!”

Scáthach slams a fist made of shadows right into his face, and says while giving him a glare, “You are almost 150 years old, and you're still acting so childish.”

With great fervour, Fergus says, “A true man never loses his child-like enjoyment of life. I shall live this life of mine to the fullest! My vibrant life will become a legacy that will illuminate the future generations.”

“How cool Grandpa.”

With an even more intense glare, Scáthach says, “So you do that by fighting with your grandson in public.”

“YES!”

Scáthach looks directly in his eyes, and says, “When you die, I will make sure to spread as many secrets about you, and send that Legacy into hell.”

Fergus gets on his hands and knee, and says, “Anything but that master. No one needs to know what you know?”

Scáthach turns to me and says, “Blackmail is a great way of keeping the Faoláin in line.”

With a shining smile, I say, “I know and have been gathering countless pieces of dirt of Setanta.”

Setanta then says, “Hahaha, I have no shame?”

“The letter in the front draw of your room.”

Setanta gets on his hands and knees in front of me, and says, “Anything but that.”

Laeg walking up to me, asks, “What do you have on him?”

“A love letter who wrote to mas-,” Setanta jumps up and puts his hands over my mouth and says, “Those were dark days, which shall never be spoken about.”

Fergus laughs and says, “You really are a seductress master.”

With a playful tone, she responds, “I have no idea what you speak of, I am a holy woman by every sense of the term.”

“You know we don’t use the term holy when referring to Danu’s grace.”

“Of course, I know that.”

Fergus sighs and says, “Why can’t you simply just act ignorant, if others said such things we would question their allegiance, what an unappealing woman you are.”

Scáthach then says, “Your eyes are like stars that shine brightly in the sky, and your bosom is where my hopes and dreams lie.”

Fergus puts his hand over her mouth and says, “Please erase that from your mind!”

She giggles a bit and then Laeg says, “It seems she has a bind on the Faoláin men through the generation.”

Suddenly the high king's voice says, “Now that all the important guests have arrived, let’s get onto the main event of today.”

-Break-

Φ Throughout the room many all stand with their attention solely focused on Conchobar and Fergus who both stand on an elevated balcony at the end of the room.

Conchobar says, “Our brave warriors have won a critical battle for us. Within our ranks was poison, traitors who intended to use all of the skills and gifts Danu had given them for the shake of humanity rather than for the empire.

They plotted the escape of countless humans, and are the ones who are most likely for the attacks on our plantations over the years. These beastkin slowly but surely were destabilizing our empire's power right before our most important war.

These traitors had set up bases within our lands and built up the human forces and intelligence, making them a fighting force that might’ve one day dealt a fatal blow to us.

But through the non-stop efforts of the Red branch and their warriors, we have been able to sail through this storm. So today as the high king I wish to honour these brave men and women in front of you all.

First I wish to award the four generals who lead the armies. Lugh Ó Faoláin, Mairead Ni Céilús, Ronald Ó Fuinseog, and Ruan Ó Lúcogadh.”

Three of the four called names walk up, with the exception being Ruan. But in his place, a Fanalis walks up to collect his rewards.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“Throughout this war, Lugh showed his expertise in planning and strategy to crush our enemies leading us to completely dominate them, and wipe out the traitors beastkin.

Ronald's expert scouting skills allowed us to find the humans' hideout, but his exceptional skills in battle allowed him and an extremely small cohort of men to beat countless humans in battle.

Mairead's newest invention allowed for the breaching of the walls to the humans' castle effortlessly, and the medical support led by her army after the battle ended spared many of the Tuatha Dé Dannan's lives.

Finally, Ruan's expert leadership allowed the strike force to fall the humans' main settlement in a day, and due to his men’s expert abilities, they were able to do so with minimum casualties.

I grant my favour, and one of our newly conquered providence in the southern continent to each one of you, and 50 of Danu’s red branch coins to each of you. But for three of you, I have more than that.

There are seven ranks given to those who achieve excellence in their given fields, the first people to ever achieve the highest of these ranks were the founder of the Red branch.

So today both Ronald Ó Fuinseog for his achievements in battle and hunting, and Mairead Ni Céilús for her achievements in her scientific progression shall be moved to the third highest rank of Clí.”

Both of them smile, and cheers sound throughout the area.

Conchobar turns his head to the Lucogadh, and says, “I have heard your father is retiring Luath, I expect great things from you as the next head.”

“Right!”

Fergus says, “The same goes for the both of you Ronald and Mairead. If you reach the highest rank of Ollamh like Lugh, you would gain the ability to add a house to the Red branch as Medb did, or better yet become one of the four kings.”

Mairead says, “I have dedicated my life to Medb, I need no such thing.”

But Ronald says, “I don’t plan on staying my current rank for long.”

“Both answers are filled with passion, I enjoy them. Now go on.”

As they leave, Conchbar says, “Next there is a group of young warriors I would like to congratulate for their amazing skills and bravery that was shown during the war. Ferdiad Ó Buadh, Laeg Ní Fergal, Ibar Mac Fergal, and my very own nephew and the future king of Gorias Setanta Ó Faoláin.”

The four of them walk up, and they bow, Conchobar then raises each of them up and says, “Laeg Ní Fergal managed to ride through an entire mountain range filled with wonderbeasts in the dead of night for the sole purpose of defending and saving her allies.

Ibar Mac Fergal, showed intense bravery when faced with an unknown wonderbeast, and it is due to his quick thinking and skills that the main Lucogadh army ended up retaining as many lives as it did.

Ferdiad Ó Buadh was a critical warrior in the battle against the humans' main settlement, but more than that he singlehandedly led a preemptive strike against the fleeing humans which guaranteed Lugh’s victory. His skills as a warrior which allowed him to fight the traitorous beastkin should also not be underestimated.

Setanta Ó Faoláin, the man who not only chose all of these brave warriors to stand at his side but also fought and defeated the leader of the traitors beastkin, a warrior who once fought beside our hero King Fergus. His excellent skills and quick judgement throughout the battlefield prove his ancestors proud, and I am sure Danu smiles on him every day.

So for Laeg and Ibar who have shown excellent skills in horse riding skills I raise them from rankles to the sixth rank of Mac Fuirmid, and to Ferdiad I raise him from the sixth rank to the fifth rank of Doss.

Finally for Setanta, taking in all his accomplishments so far, I raise him from the sixth rank to the fourth rank of Cana, and I grant him 10 of Danu’s red branch coins.”

Claps echo throughout out the area, and the four children move down from the stand.

Ibar and Laeg look like they are moments away from crying, and Setanta says, “You guys are happy.”

Laeg wiping the tears says, “Of course, all our hard work was for nothing.”

Ibar says, “If we continue at this pace we could become Ollamh in under a decade.”

Setanta says, “Don’t get too far ahead of yourselves, to move from one rank to another you need to show a great group of connected skills. Just horse riding can get you only so far, things like breeding, individual ability, and the ability to train and lead others would be things you would have to learn.”

Laeg says, “Hey you never brought it up we had to do all of that.”

“Of course I didn’t, because you won’t as long as you stay under me, but regardless I expect all my soldiers to aim for Ollamh.”

Both Laeg and Ibar give Setanta annoyed looks, so he turns his face to Ferdiad and says, “Looks like I am ahead of you for the first time in years, you got to do your best and catch up.”

Ferdiad grips his fist tightly and says, “You can count on it.”

Conchobar then hands out a few more rewards, and then he says, “Now that this has come to an end, I ask you to enjoy the rest of your time at this party.”

Fergus says, “You must also live knowing that these exemplary people are here to stand by you, but they are also your competition. Those who you called the Red branch were all just common men, who refined themselves again, and again. So all of you do the same and make the Red branch grow into a numerous tree.”

Conchobar claps his hands and music starts to play in the area, and as it does many start to dance.

Laeg looks at these people in awe, and Ferdiad steps up saying, “Would you like to dance.”

Shocked, she says, “Ehh, are you sure about that? I know this dress makes me look fancy but it is still just me.”

“Of course, who would pass up to chance to dance with a girl as beautiful as that dress.”

Laeg giggles in a gross way, and says, “I can’t dance so don’t complain when I step on you.”

“If I can dodge a spear, I am sure I can deal with your feet.”

They both take each other's hands and go forward.

Ibar then turns and says, “Looks like it is just the both of us Setanta.” But to his surprise, Setanta is nowhere to be seen.

Ibar looks around and starts to get slightly embarrassed, but then a girl comes up to him and says, “Hello my name is Eithne Ní Dòmhnall, and I heard from my brother the story of you fighting the giant wonderbeast on the battlefield, and it truly is amazing to me.”

Ibar freaks out, but then instantly composes himself. Then leaning against the wall he says, “It wasn’t really that big of a deal, it was just another battle which I was going to win.”

Eithne is excited by these words, and the words, “How cool slip out of her mouth.” She then quickly covers her mouth, and becomes slightly embarrassed.

But then Ibar says, “Though if you really want to I can tell you about it.”

“Really!” She says getting very close to him.

Taking her hand in a dramatic fashion, Ibar says, “But it would be boring to simply talk about it so let’s do it as we dance.”

Enamoured by his words, she says, “Ok.”

With that the both of them head to the floor.

Location: Outside the castle of Emain Macha

Walking side by side with Scáthach, Setanta turns and looks at the moon, then says, “Hey Master, I want to ask your opinion on something.”