Outside the Sanctuary in the ever-deepening darkness, the small armed band waits. No fires are lit and human & animal noises are kept to a minimum. Their leader, Kellen sits under an old oak, relishing the thought of the power soon to be his. All he need do is bring to these Romans what they ask. Then the power will be his. He would rid himself of his father, take control of the entire Clan Holding and effectively live like a god. All this with only one curly blond head. Smiling, he settles down to a light nap, letting his subconscious work on a plan to get Conor aboveground and alone.
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Fergus and Conor conferred for a short while more. Fergus still not convinced that the man was even truthful. The younger man insisting that they at least remain extra vigilant for a few days, pointing out that where Diana may be concerned, you couldn't be too careful. Agreeing with this, the elder went off to find some ale before turning in for the night.
Still wondering about it all, but not overly concerned, Conor finds Molly by the communal campfire, speaking with Catlin. They both see him starting to walk to them and abruptly stop their conversation. A small awkward silence hangs in the air. Conor looks to each woman in turn and both burst out laughing, embarrassed.
"What's this?" he asks, eyebrows arching.
Catlin catches her breath answering him, "We were just talking... you know...about woman things." Both again burst into laughter. Molly holds her stomach and sits down before she falls down. Catlin hugs her across the shoulders, their heads bent together, each trying their best to subdue themselves.
Conor just looks at the two of them, befuddled. "Is there anything left to eat? Or is that funny too?" his answer is more laughter.
Fergus hears the commotion and comes over. "Best leave them be lad, when women laugh like that it's not good for the men."
"What are 'ya talking about? What's so blasted funny?" he demands as Fergus hauls him away by the arm.
"Come along lad, we'll find 'ya some supper over this way..."
"Fergus! What was all that?"
"Were they talking to each other before you got there?"
"Aye, and they stopped just as I did. Then they both looked at me and started howl'in like banshees!"
Fergus shakes his head in a knowing way. "Then they were talk'in ABOUT 'ya."
"About me" he repeats solemnly.
Fergus just arches his eyebrows and gives him that knowing look again. The younger turns to look back at the two women at the other part of the cave. He sees they're still talking, sitting close against each other, Molly glancing up once to look his way, then quickly hiding her face. He turns back to Fergus, "What about me?" he asks again.
"Don't ask."
"But I AM ask'in"
"Then it's probably about last night, AND this morn'in..."
Conor swallows hard, suddenly nervous, but he doesn't know quite why. Then he sees Molly coming over to him, and she's smiling ear to ear. He just stands there, supper bowl in hand and watches her walk to him. She reaches up and kisses him square on the mouth. The supper bowl is lost on the ground. He takes her around the waist, deepening the kiss and hugging her as if he hadn't seen her for weeks. Fergus just stands back, looking on -- eyebrows working and face grinning. His mouth is fully engulfing hers, their tongues touching. Her body pressing close to his, she squeezes his rear through his pants and pulls him suggestively against her hips. The gesture clear, he walks her backwards a few steps still holding her, his mouth now hungrily roaming her neck and shoulder. A few passing folk smile at them understandingly. Fergus clears his throat loudly. Conor suddenly remembers where they are and breaks off.
"Fergus, I'm not hungry. See 'ya tomorrow..." he says, taking Molly by the arm and aiming for the side of the cave where their chamber lay.
She calling after, "G'night Da!" and fairly skipping to keep up with Conor.
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The next morning Fergus calls out at Conor's closed doorway, "Conor lad! We've a problem!"
The two had been lying awake, softly talking. He answers, "What is it Fergus?"
"There's a lad gone missing, his Ma says he fancies the woods, but always tells her when he goes off. He's not been heard of for nearly two hours now."
Rising from the bed, he quickly begins to dress. "I'll be right there!" he calls back.
Molly looks on concerned, and calls to her Da outside, "Who's the lad Da?"
"Young Thomas, twelve years and old enough to know not to go off disappear'in."
Conor steps through the doorway, "Let's gather some men and start a search."
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Now aboveground, Fergus, Conor and Catlin head off in one direction to the wood, while another group begins to circle the Sanctuary compound. Conor calls after, "Be mindful of Morgan's men, they may be nearby!" The groups disperse. Once in the wood, they split up. No one calls out for the boy, for fear of bringing attention to them.
Conor comes across a familiar clearing and kneels to study tracks leading across it. Suddenly, a zing sounds in the air followed by a dull thud. He keels over, a bolt from a crossbow protruding from both sides of his right leg above the knee. Sprawled on his back and gasping, he struggles to sit up. Just as suddenly a sword blade is laid beside his neck from behind. "Don't bother rising Conor, I can take you as you are." says a deep voice from behind. "You should know who would kill you, I am Kellen, son of Morgan. I'm here to collect on a family debt."
Swallowing and wincing from the pain in his leg, "Can't I see your face?" he asks quietly.
"No need" was the short reply. The blade moves from his neck in preparation to being brought down on him.
Coming from the right side Fergus plows into the man, staggering him enough to avert the sword arc. The elder warrior engages him with his sword, left-handed, his right arm still too stiff to use. Conor manages to roll away and stand his sword out now too. Four other men break into the clearing, swords out and crossbows ready. One of the men is holding a boy, bound by the wrists and gagged. Conor sees the boy and yells, "Fergus! They have Thomas!" and stops his attack.
Kellen pushes Fergus's sword away from him and smiles. "I knew that boy would come in handy." Walking over to Conor, he takes his sword away and pushes roughly down on his shoulder, forcing him heavily to his knees.
Conor stares him in the eye, "So Morgan still holds to this blood oath? And sends his son to act for him?"
Shrugging, Kellen answers, "Actually, no. My father has all but forgotten the oath. I'm here to collect for myself. With your head, I'll have all the power I ever wanted."
Fergus glares at the man, red-hot rage blazing in his eyes. Conor senses he may attack, "Fergus no - the boy."
Kellen smiles, eyes alight with anticipation, "That's right, the boy. Go quietly Prince and he lives. I'll even spare the old man."
He again raises his sword above Conor's neck. A deadly silence hangs, broken by the small sound of a twig snapping. Kellen's head snaps up as an arrow pierces his throat, and immediately gushes forth a fountain of blood. Catlin roars and plunges into the clearing, bow down, sword up and slashing. Fergus takes on the two nearest him while Conor dives to retrieve his sword. The boy has the common sense to drop and roll away from the fighting, lying quietly to the side. Kellen sinks to the ground all but dead on his feet, blood still spurting. Fergus dispatches his two men as Catlin finishes off her man. Conor is wrestling on the ground with the last, frees a hand, grabs his dagger from his boot top and plunges it into the man's heart, rolling the body away.
"Let's see that leg lad." The elder kneels to inspect the bolt now tearing at the flesh at both ends. "It's bleed'in badly, we'll have to tie it off before mov'in 'ya."
Cat removes a cord from her hair, handing it to Fergus. They apply a tourniquet above the wound, tightening it with a twig. "Not so tight, I want to keep the leg." the younger gasps.
"It won't be tight for long, just bear with it."
Cat unties the boy, Thomas, who's still shaking from fear and excitement. He looks to Conor and hangs his head, "I'm sorry 'ya got hurt 'cause of me..." he starts, eyes blinking back tears.
The young leader holds out his arm to the boy and smiles warmly, "Good will always triumph over evil...now come help me stand." The four head back to the Sanctuary, supporting Conor between them.
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