Sichfrith:They have summoned Flann. I hope he shows soon, if only to end this bickering.
Flann walked into the kings' meeting and was amazed at their presence. Flann sat at the middle seat while everybody followed accordingly.
Flann:Speak.
Cerball giving his thoughts on Eogan
King Cerball:Lord, there has been much deliberation these last few days. News of Eogan spread like a mountain fire.
King Conchobar:The people are frightened. We are unsettled, to say the least. A trusted abbotunveiled as a pagan conspirator.
King Cerball:The druids have permeated the Church at the highest level. There is no telling how far down it goes.
King Conchobar:Something must be done. We must rid them of this land. Begin an inquisition.
Ciara:How dare you speak like this? Eogan acted alone.
King Cerball:He belonged to a sect. There are others like him. Do you deny it?
Ciara:I do not deny it. But then you will speak only of the Children of Danu.
King Cerball:A weed that grew from druid roots. If we allow it to thrive, how can we ever be certain this will not happen again?
Ciara:Flann, I do not like what these men are implying. Do not entertain this.
Eivor looked concerned.
A council of Ireland's kings called for High King Flann
King Conchobar:You would presume to tell your king what to do? You, who share those druid roots? You even know the sect by name. Perhaps, like Eogan, there is more to you than meets the eye.
Ciara:Bastard!
Flann:Enough! Speak to her like that again and rats will sup on you, alive.
King Conchobar:Apologies, my king. Poetess. I do not mean to cast suspicion, only to draw a very real comparison. We do not know where the next threat will come. And we cannot simply hope that it will not come. We must put aside our differences and come together as Christians if we wish to preserve an Ireland under God.
Flann looked down and thought to himself.
Ciara:Flann, if you do this—
Flann:I know well where you stand, Ciara. Are there any others who wish to speak?
Sichfrith giving his thoughts on the matter
Sichfrith:I will. This gathering has shown something very clear, that there is solidarity in this cause. If we do nothing, the weeds will continue to sprout, leading to unrest across the kingdoms. But if we act, begin an inquistion, it will lead to unity this land has sorely lacked.
Ciara:These are my people, Sichfrith!
Sichfrith:And there are those within who threaten the very fabric of this land. Can you really stand there and defend them?
Ciara cast a worried look towards Flann.
Flann:Anyone else?
Eivor:Such an inquisition will require many resources. It will be a burden on each and every kingdom. But in time, it is reasonable to think it will lead to the outcome you seek. Just know what you're doing to secure it.
King Conchobar nodded his head in agreement, oblivious to Eivor's underlying warning.
Eivor:What is being proposed is a bold strategy. The consequence of which cannot be properly weighed just now.
Eivor stepped towards the long table.
Eivor:You must allow time to reflect, lord.
King Conchobar:Every moment we waste weakens our position.
Eivor simply shrugged with a weary sigh, saying nothing.
King Conchobar turned back towards Flann.
King Conchobar:Lord, we kings are all in agreement. There is but one move to make.
Flann announcing his decision to launch an inquisition
Flann looked forward, resigned to his next course of action as inevitable.
Flann:We will launch an inquisition. Every druid will face a choice. Reform or exile. The future of Ireland is a wholly Christian one.
Ciara groaned in anger and stormed out. The kings stood in agreement as Eivor went after her.
Eivor:Where did Ciara go?
Irish Soldier 1:Set off for her house, just down that road. Looked mighty upset.
Eivor:Ciara is not of sound mind. I need to settle her down.
Eivor finding Ciara in the house
Eivor went to Ciara's house quickly.
Eivor:Ciara.
Ciara:Get out! Leave me be.
Eivor saw Ciara with unknown supplies.
Eivor:What is this? What are you doing?
Ciara:Flann, the spineless fool. What was he thinking?
Eivor:He saw an opportunity to unite the kingdoms. He seized it. It is what any king would do.
Ciara:Do not defend him!
Eivor:I am not, but consider what would happen if he ignored these allied kings. You are right to be upset. But you know Flann best. This was not a decision he made lightly. Let us go back and talk with him. If anyone can convince him to reconsider, it's you.
Ciara:O, I will. Whether he wants to or not.
Eivor:What?
Ciara:I am sorry, Eivor! I cannot let them erase us.
Eivor woken up by Flann
Ciara threw a vase to the floor, which let out a potion that knocked out Eivor as Ciara left quickly. Time passed as Flann found Eivor.
Flann:Eivor! Can you hear me? Eivor!
Eivor stood up.
Flann:Are you all right?
Eivor:Did you see Ciara?
Flann:I expected her here. Eivor?
Eivor noticing the glowing Lia Fáil in the distance
Immediately, the ground quaked as the house rumbled. Eivor ran outside as Flann followed. Eivor saw the Lia Fáil being lit and activated.
Flann:What is that? Do you think it is Ciara?
Eivor:It must be. I do not know what she's trying to do, but she's angry.
Eivor:It may be too late for that. She said she would not let you erase the druids.
Flann:But what means will she use?
Eivor:The Lia Fáil. I think she'll try to use it to stop you.
Flann:A stone.
Eivor:It is an ancient part of her lineage. There may be more to it than myths and legends.
Flann:I knew my decision would upset her. But I was certain she could find a way to understanding.
Eivor:It was no simple decision. By choosing one, you betray the other. Choices that weigh heavily require ample time to reflect if you are to find the best outcome.
Flann:I acted rashly. I listened to frightened men, Eivor. Men whose loyalty I hungered for.
Eivor:Clear your head, lord. We are nearly there.
Ciara interacting with the stone
Eivor and Flann arrived at Tara, where Ciara was activating the ancient stone.
Eivor:Ciara!
Ciara, lit by the stone's power, responded back.
Ciara:Leave. Leave now.
Flann:Ciara.
Ciara:You want to rid the world of us? I'll rid it of you.
Using the ancient power, Ciara took control of the premise's surrounding soldiers and made them attack Flann and Eivor. Meanwhile, Ciara used the power to cloak herself.
Flann and Eivor started to fight the possessed men.
Flann:Eivor! What do we do?
Eivor:Fight!
Flann:These are my men!
Eivor:It's them, or you. Now fight!
Flann:Back! Get back!
Eivor:They will not listen. Ciara has taken their reason somehow. Defend yourself.
Eivor and Flann continued to fight Ciara's forces.
Eivor:I cannot let you walk this path.
Ciara:You would stand in my way? I thought you of all people would understand.
Eivor:I do. This is too far.
Flann:Listen to her, Ciara. There can be peace between us.
Ciara:Just another lie.
Eivor and Flann defeated the possessed men.
Eivor:Keep your guard up.
Flann:Ciara! Where are you? Ciara!
Eivor looked at the ancient stone as it grew in power.
Eivor:Flann—
Flann possessed by Ciara through the stone
Flann attacked Eivor, who noticed his possession through Ciara.
Ciara:I will raise the stakes. How about the king's blood on your hands?
Flann tried to fight against it, gaining his hold for a few seconds.
Flann:Eivor! Agh!
Eivor fought against a possessed Flann.
Eivor:This is not a force you can control, Ciara. It will consume you.
Ciara:So be it!
Eivor defeated and wounded Flann, which broke Ciara's control over him.
Eivor:It's enough, Ciara. Surrender now.
Ciara:Nothing but a ruthless raider! Hollow inside. You speak of honor. Where is yours?
Eivor:You know.
A cloaked Ciara moved around Eivor.
Ciara:With Bárid? His son? Another pawn in this endless war.
Eivor:He is my blood.
Ciara preparing to fight against Eivor
Ciara revealed herself and unsheathed two blades.
Ciara:Ah yes, and you will throw away all reason to defend what you are sworn to. I am no different. My people will live to see tomorrow if it means I have to kill you today.
Using the stone's power, Ciara fought Eivor with use of illusions. Eivor wounded Ciara in mid-battle.
Ciara:You are unrelenting!
Eivor:Battle hardened over many victories. Do not make me add another.
Ciara:Do as you must. As will I.
Ciara used the stone to conjure up druid illusion to power herself up.
Ciara:Have you not had enough?
Eivor:I bathe in battle lust. Now stop, Ciara. Before it's too late.
Ciara:I will die before I let them trample us!
Eivor standing tall over a defeated Ciara
Eivor fought and beat Ciara, in spite of her increased power.
Ciara:I told you I would never see the druids into darkness. Why pretend to be my ally?
Eivor:I pretended nothing. I thought... I hoped you could be better. Better than Eogan.
Ciara:Don't compare me to that demon!
Eivor:No? Look around you.
Eivor directed Ciara to the dead soldiers surrounding them.
Eivor:You set in motion what the Children of Danu hoped you could. You became the vessel for their plot.
Ciara looked at the ancient stone.
Ciara:I always have been...
A saddened Eivor looked at Ciara.
Ciara:After Mother died, I became the last. The last who could awaken the Lia Fáil. Never did I think I would use this gift so foolishly.
Eivor:What now?
Ciara:It ends. Eogan, the Children of Danu, they only exist in pursuit of the stone's power. And I am the key to unleashing it. You must kill me. Kill me, Eivor. If I die, Tara's power dies with me and there will be nothing left to lead my people astray. The old ways will return. Let me do this. Let me save them. Please.
Eivor:This is a sacrifice that would honor your gods. I will make it swift.
Ciara:Thank you.
Eivor:Prepare yourself.
Ciara knelt, and Eivor gave her a swift and clean final blow. Flann stood up in distress.
Flann:No!
Flann stumbled over to Ciara's body and knelt down beside her in grief.
Eivor:It's what she wanted, Flann. The Lia Fáil can never again be used for harm. She did not die for nothing.
Flann:I will make damn sure of that.
Flann stood and retrieved his sword, marching towards the stone.
Flann:Agh!
He struck at the ancient stone and it exploded into rubble. Flann knelt down beside Ciara once again.
Flann:Ciara, I'm so sorry...
Eivor:You may be the key to this power, but the stone is the source. Destroy it.
Ciara shook her head.
Ciara:You know I cannot.
Eivor:Your ancestors are souls in another realm. They will not despair of this stone's loss. Sometimes we must sacrifice what we treasure most to protect the ones we love.
Hearing Eivor's wisdom, Ciara nodded in agreement.
Ciara:Bury the past, build the future...
Ciara walked to the stone and placed her hands upon it.
Ciara:Until we meet again. Slàn go fóill. (Farewell for now.)
Ciara destroying the monument
At Ciara's words, the stone glowed brighter into a blinding white and then crumbled into rubble. Flann rose to his feet while Ciara stood over the rubble.
Flann:Ciara.
Ciara turned back to face him.
Flann:I bow my head in contrition. I failed you. I failed you and the true druids of Ireland. For that I truly apologize. I will speak to the kings and undo my rash decision. The land you have wished for is secure.
Ciara:I hope it is so, Flann. Farewell. Farewell, Eivor.
Eivor:Where will you go?
Ciara only shook her head with sadness, leaving Flann and Eivor behind.
Time passed as Eivor and Sichfrith stood at Gortknaw, visiting Bárid's grave. Meanwhile, Flann came by and talked with Eivor.
Eivor:How are you feeling?
Flann:Bruised. Battered. But I'll live. Though it'll take some time to reclaim my pride.
Eivor:Took a lot not to kill you.
Flann:If you wanted to, that was your chance. I suppose at the end of all this, it's safe to call you a friend.
Eivor:See to it that Sichfrith's reign is long, and you shall never know me as your enemy.
Flann nodded in agreement.
Eivor:Have you met with the other kings? I take it that is why you have come.
Flann:I have. The inquisition is buried. High King is a leader to all who share in his land. You helped me see that. My only regret is not having understood it sooner.
Eivor:You work to secure a future for all. Ciara would be pleased with this outcome.
Flann parting ways with Eivor
Flann:I know there is much that awaits for you in England, Eivor, but you can set your boots in Ireland anytime you please.
Eivor:Farewell, Flann. Until we meet again.
Flann left as Eivor tended to Sichfrith.
Sichfrith:What do you think my father would think of all this?
Eivor:Bárid wanted to ensure the Dublin he left you could stand upright on its own two legs. And while he could not see it through, he would be proud you did.
Sichfrith:I will never forget what you did for my family.
Eivor:Our family, Sichfrith.
Sichfrith nodded and smiled.
Eivor:Keep well. And may your father's hugr be with you always. It shall with me.
Eivor decided what to do with Ciara and the power of Lia Fáil was removed. Afterwards, Flann made sure to promise to help Sichfrith and make Ireland a safe home for all its people.
