Thorun and the others follow the trail, leading their horses along to move quickly whenever possible. Soon enough, Boho is but a memory to the North. The pouring rain makes the search for tracks increasingly difficult, and time is of the essence...
The young priest does his best assist Thorun in his efforts to find Boho's missing heir.
Kass follows along, nothing of particular interest or import occurring to him at this time other than finding Sean.
Kass is miserable with the rain and mud, a far cry from the seminary that is for certain but he keeps his mouth shut as all must suffer the same.
But wait, Kass spots something despite the pouring rain!
Inspired by prayer, Kassidy notices Sean's distinctive footprints despite the heavy rain. The coward seems to be slowing, so they continue with haste. At this pace, they will catch up to him, but his tracks are increasingly difficult to find...
Kass kisses his cross and hopes his luck holds out!
Survival
Damned if it doesn't!
Kassidy is once again blessed by God. In the far distance, he notices the faint silhouette of a man limping away!
Kassidy points through the pouring rain to his companions, "We're almost upon him, let's hurry before we lose sight of him once more".
Now mounting their horse, they ride hard to catch their prey. On account of the heavy rain, Sean Quinn notices them only when it is too late. He turns to face them and draws his sword.
"Why?" he shouts desperately, suddenly broken by fate. "What evil spirit compels you to destroy my family?"
"You stupid bastard. You shoulda asked me to fight on yer behalf."
Ó Máille extends his palms in an attempt to deescalate the situation as he approaches Sean Quinn. "This was not my desire, Sean. None of this was." The priest's voice carries deep empathy and sorrow as the rain continues to soak those present. "Fiacre is gone and his death still weighs on my conscience. Heavier still are the lives of the men of Largay. However, I don't seek revenge for their deaths. I seek peace and an end to the bitter hatred between our people.
Aoife sighed as she rubbed the back of her neck. A small part of her felt bad for Sean. His father dead, a wounded leg that may never heal properly, his sister forced to marry into a land controlled by those they hate, now set to fight a warrior while in this state. To him it must feel like some evil spirit was out to get his family.
"I... hate to be the one to say it." Aoife muttered as she stepped up. "I mean when we headed here I was so angry all I wanted was to see Sean's throat open." She said as she crossed her arms. "But Sean, you should listen to the Brother. Wisdom of God and all..." She sighed as she turned her head away, embarrassed that she had said those words.
"This is all your fault!" he exclaims, enraged. "You came to our lands! You raided our cattle! You speak of peace? What peace will I know? What about my sister? What about my kinsmen who have lost everything!"
"And now? You hunt me down like an animal, and bring me back to Boho so the king execute me and claim Belcoo for himself?" he asks, facing them with his sword still in hand.
"Put that twig down you little s!!+. You didn't want to die like a man before and you don't now."
Cowed by the massive Dane's harsh words, Sean lowers his blade.
"Die like a man," he says almost to himself. "I didn't ask to fight. O'Fialain named me his champion because I am the last of my line."
"Are you going to take me back?" he asks, clearly hoping for some leniency.
Aoife looked at him, just staining down at the man she'd wanted dead this very morning. "Sean let me ask you this, if we did let you go what would you do?" Aoife asked as she crossed her arms. "O'Fialain going to come after you because you running away would lose him the fragment. Where would you go?"
"You don't get it. He doesn't care about the fragment! By right, it's yours already! He wants me dead, one way or another, so he can claim my family's land and cattle," he explains. "That's why he proposed a duel that he knew I would lose. Not that it matters anymore. He'll kill me himself, if I go back."
To find sanctuary on holy grounds, the subject would need to reach a church and publicly admit his sins and crimes. His land and property would then be forfeit, and he would be subject to the judgement of the clergy. Often, the punishment was exile.
Any landed freeman could give sanctuary on his lands. While not protecting the subject per se, sanctuary granted by a freeman theoretically ensured a lawful judgement.
"Well, Sean could find sanctuary on holy grounds or through a landed freeman.
If you reached a church and publicly admitted your sins and crimes, your land and property would then be forfeit. Thereafter you would be subject to the judgement of the clergy. Often, the punishment is exile. I suppose the question here is, who would inherit the forfeited land.
I see no church nearby.
A landed Freeman's protection theoretically would ensure a lawful judgement.
That is of course, if we believe you really deserve Sanctuary..."
Ó Máille listens intently to Kassidy's words before turning back to Sean. "Come with us, then Sean. I'll take you to my father at the church in Largay. There you will be safe. If you seek sanctuary, you and your sister can live in Largay free from the king's clutches. I know it isn't much, but I'm not sure what else we can do."
"Then your parish can claim my family's wealth, rather than my kinsmen in Boho? Is that what you have in mind?" he accuses. Then, he sighs. "I believe that your intentions are good, against all odds. If I have nothing, then O'Fialain has no real reason to kill me."
"You could also let me go?" he suggests, hopeful.
"If you run, you still end up losing everything," Kassidy specifies. "Your kinsmen will manage your estate in your absence, and you will be hard-pressed to win it back. And if you return to Belcoo or Boho, your honour price is such that your life is worth very little. Your kinsmen will kill you and pay the penalty, which they will be paying to themselves."
Sean looks up at Kassidy, and realizes the truth of his words.
"So either I run and lose everything; or I ask for Sanctuary in Tuaim, I lose everything, and I am exiled?"
Kassidy addresses Brother O'Maille: "In reality, he has committed no crime. He only has proven himself a coward."
Sean flinches.
"Exile may not be required?" Kassidy suggests.
"Or just go back and kill everybody that saw you run." Thorun suggests casually.
For a moment, the proposition seems to suit Sean violent nature, but then he reconsiders: "I want the King of Boho to pay, but I won't turn against my kin."
"Quite frankly, I'm not sure what's required. Would he still be safe?"
"O'Fialain didn't attack you Brother when you went into the village the first time. That means he respects the faith. If Sean claims Sanctuary and the church passes judgement, O'Fialain then has no right to pass judgement himself. He would be seen as a land grabber that Sean believes him to be." Aoife pointed out as she crossed her arms. "I mean he hasn't broken any laws like Kassidy said, so it would be up to you Brother as to what his fate would be after he confessed his sins."
"Or up to your father," Kassidy specifies, speaking of Brother O'Maille's father.
"But we would have to take Sean all the way back Largay for the Brother's father to pass judgement. I don't believe we have that kind of time." Aoife stated.
"Sanctuary can only be asked for and granted on church grounds," Kassidy explains.
Aoife sighs as she rubbed the side of her head then is hit her. "Holywell." She muttered before she looked back to Kassidy. "There is a church in Holywell. I believe that is closer no?" Aoife asked. "There was a Nun there but I didn't see anyone else of the faith. If we can take Sean there then he can claim Sanctuary."
"If I am the one to pass judgement, I can assure you exile will not be required, then. I don't remember the church in Holywell too clearly, but I suppose it's worth a try." The young priest ponders.
"Alright," Sean agrees, albeit reluctantly.
Sean rides with Kassidy, and they all embark towards Holywell. When they left Boho, they rode South into the Belmore mountains, which means that Holywell should be somewhere West of their position. Normally, they should arrive within as little as a few hours...
Ó Máille prays for the Lord to provide Thorun with the wisdom to guide them to Holywell quickly.
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Thorun leads the group, not very familiar with the area but with some unexplainable guidance he keeps everybody on track.
The group travels West, and by the grace of God reach the Upper Lough McNean. They've gone too far, but Holywell should be nearby, just South-East of their position. Belcoo is just a bit further, and Tuaim just beyond that, on the other side of the Belcoo river.
The heroes approach Holywell with great care. Near the shrine, they see three warriors of Boho conversing with Mary Murphy, the nun. They must be searching for Sean, of course.
Thorun isn't much of a people person, but he does know how to sneak up on them.
Once again, the heavens look kindly on the heroes as they spy upon Holywell from a safe distance. The warriors of Boho seem oblivious to the impending danger...
Kass mutters a curse as he stumbles when trying to sneak past the warriors of Boho, "Sorry. But it seems God is with us, let's get Sean to Sanctuary". He frowns a bit at his own words as his blood calls for a greater punishment but if he wants the killing to stop, and he does, he must be willing to stay his own hand.
He turns to Sean, "Even after we've just decided to save you instead of just kill you, you still don't trust us eh?"
Sense Motive
Knowledge Religion
Ó Máille's concern is obvious as he looks to his allies. "This is where Sean can claim sanctuary, correct? Maybe we can wait out the warriors.."
Aoife shook her head. "No, it would be too risky... I hate to say it but we should take Sean to Largay. Or the closest place where Sean can claim sanctuary." She whispered to the group before she pressed her lips into a thin line, thinking a bit more. "But they might see us leaving... I'll stay behind and distract them. Once you're all gone I'll head back to Fintan and the Queen, then when you're done head back yourselves?" She suggested.
He turns to Sean, "Even after we've just decided to save you instead of just kill you, you still don't trust us eh?"
Sean doesn't answer, but his eyes tell the story of a deep-rooted hatred. Perhaps in time, when the wound of his father's death is not so fresh, his hatred will fade.
Ó Máille meets Aoife's gaze and a flash of fear runs across his face before giving way to determination. "No. I won't leave you here. I've already caused so much pain and I won't risk you getting hurt, or worse, for my safety. I'm sure the Lord will provide a way."
Kass shakes his head at Aoife, "We are here now. To travel back and in this weather...
A distraction could be useful but if they see you as a threat your life would be in danger. Are you sure you wish to risk this?"
"What do you people think I'm going to do, kill them?" Aoife asked as she looked at them a bit worried about how they saw her. "I just meant talking to them long enough for you all to get away, not fight them or anything. As of right now we're not enemies... till they find out we helped Sean get away. Look, the grace of God is what is keeping us hidden now, I don't wish to test that any further." She told them. "Trust me to do this, as I trust you all to get Sean to safety."
Ó Máille opens his mouth to protest, but remains silent. He nods to Aoife and looks back to the others. "Let's go."
As the men start to sneak away, the young priest glances back to Aoife. "I trust you more than anyone, Aoife. It's just I ... Stay safe."
"You too brother, lets hope God smiles upon both of us now..." Aoife said with a respectful nod to him before she made her way around to walk in from a difference area, thus not attracting attention to the group as a whole.