Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

Posted by Civilian Ragna Idun McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

Posted by Civilian Seamus McKenzie (Future Citizen) in Earth - I’ll Make ‘Em An Offer They Can’t Refuse

(snip)

Mike looked and his eyes went wide. Seamus looked and did the same. Mike stepped forward, took it in both hands, and slowly slid the blade out of the sheathe. He turned slowly, showing the naked Damascus steel to the family and onlookers. He looked at Seamus, slid the sheath back on, slung it onto his back, and then looked at the two smiths. He walked forward, put a hand on each of their shoulders, and said “I have no words at all. You have outdone yourselves. I’ll carry it with pride, and I’ll do everything I can to not let you down.” He then looked at Cuyler, Hekla, Runa, Ragna, Seamus… and finally Revna and Tara.

“I don’t know what I’m doing… but I promise to do it the best way I know how. The only way I know how… loud, direct, and honest.” He looked back at all of them.

“Okay, moments passed. Lets go to work.” and he grinned.

Mike

There was a loud resounding clash of blade on shield as the gathered clan roared in approval and then they dispersed, some to stay and some to make the last transport over to McKenzie Manor. Helka turned after getting off the com, “That was Kirsten and Devlin…we have to go, now. She said the crowd is getting big and the two halves of the McKenzies are getting heated. The Edmans are still out of sight, but she said she would love to see Seamus beamed in right in front of them all and scare them to death.” She looked around and nodded to Tara, they’d discussed this. “Alright Runa, Ragna you two are comin’ with your Da, uncle, and I on the shuttle. We’re making an entrance. When we get inside, Ragna, you go straight to Seamus, Oddvar will go with you. No one will touch you, the girls will make sure of it. And you two,” she kissed Revna and Mike both on the cheek, “Tara has special transport coordinates for you, so you’ll blend in and not be noticed.” Then Helka was shooing them all on their way, and a minute later the shuttle took off.

Helka

Seamus picked Ragna up, shield and all, and kissed her. “I love you more than my life… you know that, right? But I gotta go teach the children to play nice.” He winked at her and then kissed her again.

Ragna kissed him and then nodded. “I know. I love you Seamus, more than there are stars in the heavens, but if you get hurt I’ll never forgive you.” She kissed him once more and then stepped back when he let her go.

He set her down and then turned and bolted for the transporter. “Lad, drop me right in the middle of the crowds. Use the vids coming in from the Edmans over there to get the point.” The McKenzie Marshall’s blade came free of it’s scabbard and her stepped onto the PaDD. He looked at Ragna and smiled. “I’ll be fine. There’s only five hundred of ‘em on each side. And I had breakfast this morning.” and he laughed. He then looked at the rest of his family. “Don’t wait too long. I’d hate to start the party without ya!” and he disappeared in a swirl of lights.

Once he was gone Ragna turned into Runa and whispered, “Now I know how Revna felt.” And then Runa ran her to the shuttle, they had to move.

Mike took Revna’s hand and, throwing the cloak over the new McKenzie -Edman Blade, led her to the transporter. “Gran… we’ll be ready. Do your thing. This ends now.” He shot a look at Cuyler and Oddvar and nodded once.

The two older men just nodded before stepping into the shuttle with Helka, the pilot taking off before the hatch was completely closed. Helka moved towards her daughters, a determined look on her face…

---

The McKenzie Estate had seen battles. It had seen war. It had seen celebrations, weddings, executions, occupations, and all manner of activity…

Few compared to this.

Hundreds… nay, thousands of people occupied the grounds. Most were there for a wedding. Some were there to ensure the clan was well represented. Some were there to get drunk. Some were there to watch the beginnings of new era…

Some were there to ensure an end to history.

Two groups. McKenzies both, split down the middle. Screams… insults… curses and hatred spewing back and forth. Chanting. Mocking. Gestures and threats. As the two sides stepped closer, slowly, there was suddenly a swirl of lights there was the Marshall.

Seamus McKenzie stood tall, his blade bare and set easily in his hand. His kilt fluttered slightly as the wind blew, and his sudden appearance shocked the crowd into silence. Seamus looked from one side - friends and loyal McKenzies - to the other… a few hundred led by a group of well dressed and well groomed folk who looked with disdain as the Marshall appeared.

“Well now…” Seamus bellowed. “What have we here? Few soddy c%#ts lookin’ to spoil my wedding day? Tsk-tsk-tsk…” and he shook his head. “Nae… that’ll be quite enough from all of ye!” He looked at the cousins, suits and dresses impeccably tailored and not a tartan amongst them. “Now, then… Ya been belly-achin’ enough for years. Why don’t ya just spill it, den? What d’ya want?”

A figure appeared from the group, flanked by Victoria McKenzie on one side and Argyle McKenzie on the other… Hamish McKenzie. He looked quite dapper: his perfect, suit immaculate, and a predator’s smile as his teeth flashed at Seamus. Seamus lifted his blade at their approach and pointed it directly at Argyle. “Step once more and you’ll lose your legs.” he said flatly. The three figures stopped and Hamish shook his head. “Such manners, Marshall.” and he chuckled. “Hopefully the next one in that position has the sense to recognize their betters.” But he did look at at Argyle and subtly jerked his head. The man glared at Seamus but moved back. Hamish then smiled at Seamus.

Unnoticed by the cousins and the assembled loyal a ripple of disgust went through the gathered Edmans. They had all met Seamus, even if just briefly, and lived on his land (well McKenzie land, but Seamus’ homestead) for almost a month. They had lived a breathed life and clan with Seamus and Ragna for the last month, and to that last of them they would stand with him. Even the children among them seemed to understand these three people were insulting Seamus and didn’t like them. A small nod from Devlin on one side, near the cousins, and a matching one from Kirsten on the other and the Edmans slowly began to fill the ranks of the gathered clan. Devlin and Kirsten on each side of the walkway. One warrior for every maiden in the crowd. They were quiet and subtle and no one, unless you knew to look, would notice.

“Audience with Lady Tara.... now, Marshall. There is much to discuss.”

Seamus

A shuttle appeared, elegant, sleek, and quiet. The breeze kicked up a little, the only indication of the arrival until its shadow cast across the gathered and it set down quietly. The hatch opened and out stepped three women. To the right, an older woman, golden blonde hair softly greying with eyes that knew far too much. A gown of wine red satin, trimmed with cobalt blue silk embroidery, turtle broaches holding a blue velvet cloak to her shoulders, a sword at her side, shield at her back and a crown, priceless and enough to make every cousin drool on her head.

To the left was a woman, she moved and it invoked images of passion and delight, black gown, rich purple apron dress, turtle broaches with the images of the Norns, a sword at her side, shield at her back and a fur capelet and deep cowl. No one could see her face, but as the head turned, those who found themselves in what should have been her gaze knew she saw far too much. This was the clan Völva, or shaman.

In between them was a vision. Helka had been busy during the short trip. Ragna stood between them, wearing the exact same earth browns and forest greens as the first day Seamus saw her. But the clothes were richer, finer quality. The turtle broaches with Amalie Edman’s crest shone pulling attention to them, the beads and jewels attaching the two broaches flashed in the light. On her back was her sword. Not the one she gave Seamus, her husband, but the one he gave her naming her his wife and her shield. Her hair, knee length white blonde, had been styled in some convoluted fashion that kept it out of her way but made it look like Siff’s golden hair. And a circlet of silver, with tear drop gems sat on her head. Helka made sure there was no doubt Ragna was a princess and her daughter. Ragna’s gaze landed on Seamus and didn’t move. Don’t look for them, don’t look left or right, look only at Seamus or Tara if you must. Don’t let them have your attention. Oddvar had told her before they landed.

Behind the three women two MASSIVE men appeared. Twins, one carrying a large double headed ax and the other a war hammer. Dark brown pants, black leather boots. Oddvar wore a blue shirt and a torc showing his position as Klanvart. Cuyler wore a red shirt and blue cape, just like Mike, with his old Chief’s torc on his neck. “Aye Marshall McKenzie,” Cuyler’s voice rang out with all the authority as his position and years of experience, and all the elegance and honor and respect he knew to give, “If it would please you to let Chieftess Tara McKenzie know, Chief Cuyler Edman and his family has come to pay their respects.”

The Edmans