Born in the year 987 to Irish parents she was a bonny wee lass. Her father was a direct descendant of Laidhgnen the king of Oriel. Her mother a direct descendant of Niall I of Ulster. The two were joined in marriage in the year 985. A son was born to them in the year 986 and they named him Laid. He died in the first year of his life. Shortly after Sera was born and after her birth they had three other children. All who did not survive infancy. One being weakly when born and the other two died of fever. Her parents were simple people. Chosing to live off the land. They had a humble dwelling and raised cattle. Her father spent alot of time fishing and trading within the small local village. It was a simple life for the lesser son of a family but provided them with all the riches that could be obtained in that time. The villagers were ever vigilant of the norse raiders and the internal strife between neighboring clans caused much unrest in the district. The family lived off the coast of northern Ireland. Her mothers dowry providing them with several acres of land.

      Her father was thought of as a wise man. He would spend time with the different leaders of the tribes giving advice and trying to keep peace. He was also a bard. Many a night they would sit around the fire, she in her fathers lap and he would tell the stories of the ancients and how Ireland came to be. They would travel between the gatherings of the people and the men would sit for hours and discuss the politics of the region and what it would mean to thier own weath and well being. The one thing that was feared by all was the norsemen who were continually raiding the Irish coast. There was much unrest because Brian King of Munster continually tried to unite Ireland against the will of those in the North. . Many in the North chose not to support him rather following Malachy and the tribes paid dearly for it. Her own father spoke out against him and many attempts were made to supress the people of the upper portion of Ireland.

      As they were traveling between villages one day history would change the life of Sera forever.

      In the year 997 the tribe was traveling to a meeting with other tribes near the Hill of Tara. Running through the forest, the sound of childhood laughter can be heard as the children of the clan play hide and seek with each other. "I found you" grabbing her cousin and running away. The young red haired green eyed lass, giggling as Patrick tries to catch her.

      In the clearing the men and women of the tribe looking tired watch as the bairns play. Nothing bothers the children. No matter what is happening in thier world, they always find ways to bring joy to all.

      As the men sit and speak softly of the upcoming meeting between the tribes they worry for the safety of thier children, many things have come to pass. Lineages wiped out over wars for land and kingship. Those who want tribes of one village to unite with another. Daughters married to those of the south to strengthen alliances. Sons lost in battle or worse taken by the norse raiders to oar thier boats.

      A shrill birds call can be heard through out the small glenn. Everyone stops to listen, swords are drawn, cross bows are readied. The children almost moments ago lost in childhood bliss, become silent. Each has stopped where they are hiding themselves.

      The sound of arrows flying through the air can be heard, as one finds its mark planting itself in the throat of Patrick da . Patrick begins to scream but Sera places her hand over his mouth and pulls him to the forest floor. Laying in the pine needles she nestles with him near the base of a tree.

      Her clansman, spread out, each ready to do battle. Near the glenn a foray breaks out, the battle cry of her clan echos through the trees.

      Hours later, what is left of her clansman come looking for the bairns. Calling softly to them. Taking his hand they emerge to see the battle bloodied warriors. Patrick runs to his Da, kneeling he takes up a corner of his tartan and wipes his face.

      She kneels next to him, tears stream down her face. Hugs her cousin, knowing the loss, feeling it deep within. Another clansman dead. On warriot picks up Patrick as another takes SERA. They walk off towards the dark forest. With questioning eyes, she looks to her clansman. Nae lass, we cannot stop, we must get ye to safety. Then I will return to bury our dead. The remenants of the clan walk quietly deeper into the forest. As the night wanes, they finally come to a cave known to her and her clan. There the children are left with a few of the warriors and women, while the others return to bury the dead.

      Sera sits quietly holding Patricks hand, thinking to herself, who will play the pipes for the dead. Who will wash the body and pray over them. How many times have they had to bury the dead without the clan to do them honor. In her heart a hatred burns for those that hunt them like dogs. Never understanding why her clan is so hunted.

      The tribe returns to the safety of thier village after walking through the night. The men gather to talk of the events and who could have done this. Who betrayed them. Sera's father speaks out against the tribes in the South and the continual fighting to unite Ireland. He knows that power of such will bring much change for those in the North. Those in the south in power have no love of those who have stood against them.

      Long into the night the men talk, when the go finally weary to thier beds she can hear her da and ma whispering in the night. They talk of what to do, he wants his wife and only surviving child to go to Scotland where there is safety, his wife has a family whom she can send them too.

      His wife argues with him that she will not go. That sending Sera to her cousin is the best thing.

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