Difference between revisions of "Old Mac"

Revision as of 21:43, 26 May 2019

In the time before the coming of the ice there was a village, a simple cluster of huts surrounding a forgotten shrine. The people were Highlanders, or something akin to them. They found safety and comfort in the shrine and built their lives around it, converting it into a communal granary and barn of sorts. They did not know how to honor the old Gods who were once worshiped there, but they enjoyed the smooth stone foundations of the old place. Life was not easy, but it was good. For a time.

The most prosperous family in the village was Clan MacDonald and when Clan MacLamore rose up against them the patriarch drove Clan MacLamore into the woods. Life was harder for the Maclamores, fending for themselves in the wild but they persisted for three generations. Two things changed the course of events in the quiet town. The first was the untimely passing of the fine lady MacDonald. The second was the arrival of young Jauna MacLamore in the town.

Jauna claimed no clan at first, and her unequaled beauty and grace worked well to quell suspicions. Everyone wanted to accept the sweet lass, to show her kindness and hope for some in kind. None were more infatuated than the grieving Old Man MacDonald. In due time the town had a new Great Lady. Soon after the Old man had a new son. This did not sit well with his existing son.

Bryce MacDonald would have had a hard time liking his little brother under the best of circumstances. Bryce was difficult and disappointing as an only child, and his brother was better loved and better favored by all. It was Bryce who exposed Jauna as a MacLamore, but rather than casting her out his father ended the exile of the clan. It was no great surprise when on his brother's name-day Old Man Macdonald gave him not only his name but also Bryce's title and inheritance. Bryce left that night.