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Wind sweeps through the forest, brushing the trees and their leaves together. Fionn feels the shiver swallow him as he leads the Fiana after a deer. Evening is approaching rapidly, and his men require sustenance after the tiring day. Quietly they line up shots, and with a slight motion from Fionn’s hand, they fire.
“Down!” Oisin shouts from his position. The rest of the men head toward the dying deer, but Fionn stays behind, putting his trust into his son to cook the deer and feed the Fiana.
He can feel a presence around him, watching him and his men. Though it is not threatening them, just observing, for now. Fionn scours the land surrounding him, looking for the eyes that gaze on him and his men. There, in the trees, an older man with brown hair and–
“Yahuda?” Fionn asks, recognizing the man from years ago. He had been a part of the Fiana a while back, before Fionn was their leader. A great warrior and scholar, much like Fionn himself. “What are you doing back here?”
He remembers why Yahuda had left, he had thought of a different way to protect the world. He wanted to do more than protect Erin, and he had already begun to obtain enemies of his noble cause.
“My dear boy, you have grown since I last saw you.”
“Nearly twenty years now.”
“Indeed. I come in search of your assistance. My library has burned, an act of aggression from my enemies.” Yahuda shakes his head, clearly outraged, but keeping himself composed. “I would like your protection for its future.”
“But you are an honored warrior yourself. Surely you don’t need my protection.” Fionn walks closer to Yahuda, his braided blond hair a contrast in the dark woods.
Yahuda shakes his head again. “No. No, I am not in need of protection. I have myself, and I have my Guardian, the woman of my heart.” He rests his hand on Fionn’s shoulder, looking him square in the eyes. “I request that you watch over the Library itself.”
“I thought you said–”
“We are rebuilding. This time a stronger, less physical library. One that the Serpent Brotherhood cannot so easily access.” The older man nods as he speaks, reassuring himself. “No. I ask you to watch over a building with sentience. To be a caretaker of sorts. Fionn Mac Cumhaill, do you take this burden upon yourself to be the Library’s first Caretaker?”
For a few moments, he does not answer. Instead Fionn watches his men far off in the distance, listening to his son, Oisin. The wizened boy of his has performed many of the duties of leader for months now, as Fionn has grown less and less aware with age.
“I do not know if I am up to the task,” he says at last. “Why not ask one of the younger men, Yahuda? Someone with more energy and vitality? Or even someone unattached to a dedicated group?”
“Because there is no one I trust as much as you, Fionn. Your age is a gift, not a burden. And I cannot recall any others with a magic thumb such as yours.”
“This thumb of mine is not a tool to be used whenever one feels so inclined.” Fionn twists his hands together, looking at his thumb. “Surely someone better will do to protect your library.”
Yahuda shakes his head once again. “No one I trust but you, Fionn Mac Cumhaill.”
Slowly Fionn lifts himself from the log on which he sat with Yahuda. He makes his way to his men, they have skinned the deer and prepared it to be cooked.
“Fiana. I have been called to a new mission. One I am unable to turn away. I trust in my son, Oisin, to lead you all as he has helped me these last few months. Take care of each other while I am gone, for I know not when I shall return.”
All the men nod, saluting their former leader to the new one, a transition in titles are to be had. Oisin stands tall, watching his father walk away with another man, disappearing into the forest.