Clan McCallister.

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan looked at him, her eyes shooting daggers. Thoughts of defiance run through her, "Fine, I'll stay, but keep your foolish druidess thoughts to yourself." She pulled her arm free and moved back to her tent.

Once inside she sat down on the stool in the corner, her mind going over her plans. Everything had to change again, she was tired of the cloak and daggers. If the wedding to Lady Brianna had taken place, then she could have revealed herself, now she could do no such thing. Even if she did reveal why she was here, she wouldn't be able to prove it, all her proof was hidden inside the walls of the McAllister keep.

Standing up she poured herself a goblet of water, and tried to think of what she needed to do next. Grapping a quill and an inkwell, Megan sat down and penned a letter to her advisor.

Sirs ~

I write to you, informing you of my safety. I arrived as planned, however soon my chaperones were struck sick. We were only a fews days travel away from reaching the McNeils. Taking it upon myself, I followed their clan to the keep of McAllisters.

I now write to tell you the joining did not nor will take place. The Lord is dead, and now if my history of the family is correct that leaves Lord Gavin has heir to his cousins lands. However, that being a problem all its own, I must inform you that Lord Gavin now seeks war against he McAllisters.

I am at a loss now, Sirs. I was sent here for one reason and one reason only and now, if I reveal that reason, then how does this affect my people? Right now I travel with the McNeil clan, but all my proof of why I am here, is behind the McAllister walls.

I shall do my best to keep you informed. I know you can not contact me, but please believe I am safe. I shall not know if you get this note or not, but since I am not due to arrive at our meeting place, I will assume you recieve this missive and I will meet you at the agreed upon time and place with either what we need or empty handed.

Your ward ~

Elizabeth

Megan pulled her small signet from her pocket, took a candle and allowed the wax to fall and pool on the parchment. Pressing her seal into the wax, she allowed it to cool before folding it and placing it into one of the packets. Once more she used the wax and sealed the packet closed.

On the outside she addressed the packet

Coller, Warking and Dexter
Conner Lane

Megan went back outside and found a young lad, "Who might I find to deliver a missive for me?" Her friendly smile, greeted the young lad.

"I shall miss, I often do the running for his lordship."

"Wonderful," she pulled a coin from her pocket and handed it to the lad, "Be quick please, and if you are fast and don't let my letter fall into anyone else's hands, I'll reward you with more coin. " She tossled his head, and watched him race through the soldiers. Turning back she went into her tent and waited for her first job as the seamstress, healer and cook.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

The small cell was cold and all I had to keep warm with were my thoughts of escape. Soon I kept telling myself, soon the time would come and when it did I swore that I would not leave without my cousin being dead at my feet. I wanted vengeance and I would have it before I left this place. Laying once more upon the cot, curling into a tight ball trying to stay warm with my own body heat.

Sometime later the turning of the key startles me awake, a darkened silhouette stands in the doorway. In the small light of the candle I could see it to be my cousin, he reeked of cheap ale. Hearing his cruel voice in a whisper to me, “tis time dear cousin, I shall have what you have denied me for so long.”

His smile of savagery makes my skin crawl as he steps into the cell, carrying what looks to be a rope in one of his hands. From what I could see he had been drinking heavily and was thoroughly drunk. He had probably been drinking since earlier that night I surmised, from the way his steps faltered though I could not be for sure.

Scooting as far back onto the cot as I was able watching him closely as he comes towards me. The stink of his body and the cloying smell of the ale striking my nose, causing the need to vomit rise within me. Looking about me for anything that I might use to defend myself, realizing that I am on my own. No one would come to my screams, no one was going to rush to my aid. What had I done by coming back here, here to be degraded and used, only to be tossed away as the next days trash.

Though he was drunk his hands caught at me with a speed that bespoke his size, dragging me towards him and I heard him chuckling with my struggles. “That’s it cousin fight me, I love my women to be spirited and I shall break and ride you little filly.” His breath foul with the smell of rotten food and spirit’s. Tearing at my dress as he holds me closer to him, forcing a kiss upon my lips. Gasping from the feel of his wet and slimy lips upon mine, I pull away once more, crying out for help, knowing none was coming.

Rolling me over onto my stomach, I felt one of his hands go to my back holding me down as the other reaches to catch the hem of my dress. Pulling it higher with a yank of his hand, almost up to my hips, growling in his frustration to have it out of his way. My small hands pulling and grasping towards anything that I might use against him, coming into contact with the small table beside the cot. Knocking over the small candle sitting upon it, hearing it hit the floor.

“Struggle cousin, I am going to enjoy taking you, you are mine and no one here will stop it this time from happening. No one to save you or help you escape me, I will have what is MINE!” His breathing was ragged from the struggles of holding me down and shoving up my dress. I hoped he would hyperventilate, but knowing my luck it wasn’t to be.

Hearing an oath of such ragged curses leave my cousin’s mouth, as he suddenly stopped grasping at me. The hand that had been holding me gone as was his smelly person. Looking around to see what had happened, I notice the candle that I had knocked over in my struggles. Flames licking along the small furnishing in the room, causing the room to brighten considerably. “You will pay for this cousin of mine, this I promise you.” Watching my cousin stride to the door in anger yelling, “Guards... Guards come to me now.” Hearing several footfalls approaching, I could feel the heat from the fire starting to singe my skin and hair. Moving further away from the fire but still trying to keep my distance from my cousin as well. I watch as five guards come into the room, two of which were the ones from earlier. My cousin grabbed at my wrist hauling me from the cot, none to gently pulling me behind him out the door and down the hall. Yelling, “PUT OUT THAT DAMN FIRE NOW!” Dragging me behind him out into the courtyard, I didn’t know where he was taking me and right at that moment I was just glad to be away from the heat. Until I realize that he was leading me to the far wall in the courtyard. The one I had watched several men beaten to death by my father for traitorous acts upon the keep.

Crying out to my cousin begging and pleading him not to shackle me to the wall, anything but the wall. It still held the shackles and darkened stains from all the previous victims that had found themselves placed there for punishment. Feeling the cold metal close about my wrist, I struggle, pulling and kicking at my cousin trying to get away from him. I had thought my father cruel for this wall and what it was used for, but I had done nothing and I knew what my cousin was going to do. His backhand taking me off guard knocking me numb enough to stop me from struggling. Giving him time enough to lock my other wrist safely in the other set of shackles. I felt his breath brush lightly at my hair as he whispers for my ears only, “now you will pay bitch for all that you have cost me. Maybe after this you will beg me to show you how to pleasure your Master.”

Where there was warmth from his body pressed against mine there was now nothing. I shivered in the cold, knowing what was to come next as I hear my cousin loudly proclaim to those watching. “For her traitorous acts upon my person and this keep, M’Lady shall be given ten lashes with the whip. By my own hand in justification, for her wrong doings. Hearing the first crack of the whip I let out a cry, fear tinged with desperation and anger. Screaming as the first snap rips through my dress, cutting my flesh with the leather tips. Brandishing my skin with welts and thin ribbons of blood from the leather, of the whip. The pain was so much that after the sixth lash I was beyond screaming, just preferring to cry grunting with each hit upon my tender flesh, pleading and begging for someone to save me, wishing they would just kill me and be done with it instead.

I barely felt the tenth lash to my skin, I knew my back was in ribbons of flesh feeling the blood pulse running warmly down my back in rivers. I had stopped calling for help by the eighth lash, crying with the pain and anguish I felt. Somewhere in the distance of my mind I heard my cousin order for me to be taken down and taken to his room. Shaking my head in denial but having no more will to fight, my throat so raw from my screaming to say anything I just hang there waiting.

“We are here M’Lady and we are with you, do not give up on us now, we know you hurt and we are sorry we could not stop this part of it. But he will not harm you again, this we promise you with our lives.” Hearing this all in a whisper I open my eyes to see the young guard, his hands gentle upon my arms as he holds to me on one side. His brother on the other, holding me just as gently swearing under his breath at the damage that had been done to my back. Giving a sigh of thankfulness I slip deep into oblivion, the next thing I know I am waking to the young guard Thomas, as I was to find out later. Calling my name, as people rushed by us yelling. There was fighting going on all around us, everywhere my eyes looked bodies laid, some dead staring into nothing others moaned in their pain.

“What... What happened, where am I and who are all these people.” Seeing Thomas smile, “these people are yours Lady, last night we had some visitors from two of the neighboring clans come. Asking about an English Army that supposedly past through our lands. My brother was on watch and he was the one who spoke with them telling them of your plight for help. They agreed to help us in freeing you, so those of us loyal to you and your father are here to protect you.” Closing my eyes, feeling tears slip slowly down my brused and battered face to fall unheeded onto his tunic. Those tears were for all that would be lost this night, but mainly that I had lived to walk away from it.

I felt my body relax, then a thought came to me, one that I could not leave without putting to voice. Opening my eyes once again trying to voice my concerns, “where is my cousin? He has to die, or he will come for me and next time he will kill me.” My eyes darting around at the damage once again taking in each body looking to find the one that would put me at ease.

“I am unsure M’Lady when the fighting started he disappeared and we were unable to find him. I am sorry Lady, we will find him and he will die for his wrongs again the Lady of this Keep.” His young smile helped ease some of my worry but I knew my cousin had to die before I would be truly safe from him once and for all.

“Help me to rise, I can not lay here and let others fight my battles for me.” Biting my lip tasting blood as Thomas helps me to move a bit, trying not to cry out in pain. My vision blurring growing black, I take a deep breath shoving my will to stand to the for front of my mind. I would not pass out, nor would the pain hold me away from my sworn vengeance, I wanted my cousin dead.

Moving slowly with purpose, walking through the strewn bodies on the ground, never before had I seen such carnage. Blood covered most of the ground, along with other things I did not want to even take a guess at what they were. Shaking my head with sadness, battle was ugly as was war. Reminding me that I must talk to the other clans yet, to bring help to the McCallister clan. I did not want to see this happen again, this was but a small war between two clans. What would it be like with such armies that were being brought forth for battle over McNeill’s death.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lord Edward Poole

"For your perfidy, in attacking my daughter, in slapping Our face by meeting a peace missive with violence, I demand reparations. My daughter, for start."

He grimaced. He had to play his hand close. He had to make his demands too dear for the McCallisters to meet. Yet, he worried as well about the other Clans.

He had sent his scouts, with orders to tell him what other Scottish forces arrived. He believed that he might be able to enact a truce with them, while he extracted revenge. He may perhaps be able to find other Scots willing to aide him in this as well.

He was in enemy territory, playing a political game that was over his head (though he refused to admit it) and a game that depended upon the Scottish clans' hatred of the English.

He shifted his weight, nervously. Were the Keep's defenses weakened due to the unrest amongst the Clans?

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lady Elaine

Her eyes opened, and she sat up in bed. She still felt a burning in her side, where the arrow had lodged, and also still felt drained from the loss of blood.

She was alive, and remembered the ambush. She remembered seeing her father's banners, which were discarded and followed by an apparent Scottish attack.

Longbows? Did the Scottish use longbows? She remembered now, the archer that hit her had a longbow. No, that didn't mean anything.

But the soldiers. She had the nagging feeling that something was wrong.

The Scottish maid with her gave her some bread, water, and broth, and scurried off to let Lady Brianna know that she had woken up.

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna looked down on the Englishman with disgust, the longer she listened to him the more she wished to throw him from McCallister lands. The only thing stopping her was the fact that he was the English lass's father. Yer daughter M'Lord is Alive and well with in the keeps wall's. The attack upon yer Daughter was na done by my people. When yer daughter awakens i will gain more of the facts from her own lips. I will allow ye and ye alone ta enter the keep, but i warn ye... Donna cause any trouble or ye shall be removed and back out with yer men.

Brinna turned to Ian telling him to be sure that the lord and the lord only was allowed into the keep and to have someone watch him at All times.. He would not be allowed free run, and he wasnt allowed to see his daughter until Brinna was able to speak with her first. She didnt want him to scare her into silence. She wasnt worried about him attacking her for that would be a death sentance on his part.

Moving down the stairs Brinna stopped seeing the maid from the lady's room running twords her. My Lady.. m'lady.. .. .. .. She .. she is awake .. Smiling Brinna told the maid thank you and went strate to the English Lass's room.

Entering she moved to the chair she had been sitting in earler, and said. How are ye lass?? I know ye ha questions as do i. So i'll let ye ask yer's first and do my best ta awncer them.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lady Elaine

"I ... remember being ambushed. They were carrying my father's banners. I was shot by a longbow. Do your people use longbows?
"Everyone was killed. Only I ... How could my attackers be killed when my escort were all slain first?"

She looks very confused and frightened. She winces in pain, and gingerly touches her bandaged side.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

Catching a movement out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn that I had seen the shadows move and someone slipping into the stables. Getting the feeling that I know who it is, I move quietly that way. Knowing my suspicions are correct when I hear curing coming from within the darkened interior of the stables. He was in there, I knew it was him, my skin was crawling and my anger increasing. He was going to try and run, something I couldn’t allow to happen. Not and keep my sanity after this last night of his abuse.

Looking about me to find the discarded whip laying on the ground just inside the stable doors. I move quietly holding back the cry of pain of my bending down taking the whip into hand. I tasted blood once again in my mouth, sweet and metallic, making me nauseous with the taste. My eyes were adjusting to the gloom of the interior and I could see him trying to saddle a horse. Muttering under his breath each time the horse shied away from his touch.

Stepping into the stables, I must have made a noise since he turned to me, smiling in a sneer of glee. Dropping the saddle and stepping out of the stall coming towards me, his eyes taking in the bloodied remains of my dress. I felt my eyes narrow with a suppressed anger and hatred. I was going to kill this man and have no regrets doing it, he was going to die by my hand. My pulse raced as I watched him come closer to me, his smiling wavering slightly as his eyes take in the whip in my hand. “Are you going to whip me to death cousin? I don’t think you have it in you, and I am willing to bet my life that I can take it from you.”

He had seen the whip and I knew he was correct about being able to take it from me, but I had not shown him the sword I had picked up. Waiting within the folds of my dressed pressed tightly to my leg so it would not show by chance of any glimmer of light. Watching him closely as his smile widens, thinking that he had finally gotten what he wanted. Lifting the sword in time to catch him in the gut as his lunge for the whip brings him in close to me. Taking everything I have just to stand upright, shoving up and in as hard as I can. I stand there watching the life leave his eyes, the hatred glowing still even in his death throes.

No satisfaction, no regret, no nothing, I felt numb, number then I had ever felt in my young life. There was suppose to be some feeling, I knew there was but I felt nothing as his heavier body begins to slump to the ground. His last breath ringing in my ears, it was done my nightmare complete. I had killed a man, no matter that he had been the reason for so much hate and discontent. I had killed him with no remorse, what kind of person did that make me? Silently slipping to the ground I let the tears fall where they may, crying over his smelly body.

“M’Lady are you ok?” I heard the question softly spoken from behind me, it was Thomas the young guard who had helped me in my time of need. Turning my head to see not only him but several others standing behind him, all bloody but looking proud. Opening my mouth to say something, anything then realizing that I couldn’t think of anything to say I close it. Just sitting there crying silently looking at all the people who had helped. Seeing the familiar faces of my guards who had brought me here, though worn and haggard none looked to bad. Watching as several of the guards come forward approaching quickly to remove my cousin’s body and to take my arms within theirs. Holding me gently between them, lifting me to my feet. This battle had been won but the war had yet to begun, and I knew I had to finish my quest for Lady Brianna.

On shaking legs I was helped from the stables and lead to the main hall where people had gathered. Some hurting as much as I was, others weary looking for guidance, and yet others who were proud to be who they were this night. Though my spirit felt as if it had been broken, I smile at all those gathered. They had been my saviors this night and I felt that my father would have been proud of the outcome.

“Rest tonight all of you, in the morning gather your things, for tomorrow we go to another Keep and another Lady who will need our help. We will leave some of us here to watch our home, and only those who wish to come will travel in a smaller army to the Clan of McCallisters. I have yet to finish that which I was sent to do, which I must before I can return. But I shall return to you, and from there we will decide what is to happen with our clan.” Looking into each man’s eyes letting them see the appreciation I held for all of them. Amongst them I see the colors of the neighboring clans, those that I needed to speak with. A questioning look coming to my face, then I recall that English had been seen on our lands. Nodding to them in a silent thank you, I knew from the looks on their faces they were going with me and my clan.

Sending a prayer to the heavens, “Please let us be on time.. We come Lady Brianna..” Hoping that somehow she would know and would be ok until we got there. There was only one last stop on my list and that was to the Kind himself. I would speak to him with the guards that I had brought. Plus Thomas and his brother, they were going to stay with me and I had this feeling that neither would complain.

The next morn my wounds bandaged as best as we could, with only a small handful of people left behind an small army leave the clan Douglas and strike out to the McCallister’s. Including those of the other clans, whom had taken up the call and came to join us. As I watched them leave, I felt for once that we would have a chance in this war. My small band and I turning the other way heading for the King and hopefully the last leg of my journey. Though I knew the travel would be slow do to my own wounds, I knew it must be done and soon. The blood of my cousin still laying thick upon my hands and my soul, but that I would deal with later.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Sir Edward Poole

He scoffed in disgust, and made a great show of riding back to the ranks of the English knights.

"I would sooner be drawn and quartered than accept Scotch "hospitality."

He busied himself the rest of the day with overseeing his men, in partuclar the assemblage of a ballista that they made no pretense of hiding from the Scottish.

 

[LadyFairy]

After lighting the candle on the bedside table so that they could see eachother better, and judge each others words for the truth Brinna said. Nay lass ye are correct my people donna use long bow's.. There is much about this that dosna make sence. Yer da has also arrived lass... What puzzles me is that i have na had time ta send him word of yer attack, and yet he is certen ye are dead.

Letting her words sink in as she moved forward setting down carefully on the bed to check the Lass's bandage's, and helping her to a more comfortable positon before continuing. Is there any reasion ye can think of that yer da may wish ye harm?? Brinna asked. Watching her face, and wating for her to think things thru.

 

[Mistress Silver]

Feeling that my efforts to disentangle Gavin from my sister's wretched fingers I cease my prayers with hopes that the Gods and Goddesses will aid me.

Leaving the man once more I take flight upon the back of the kelpie. Returning to the keep in a maelstrom of a whipping black cloak. I leap from the kelpie and the fairy returns to its business. I walk slowly moving slowly past the smithery pausing momentarily to watch Angus pound a piece of metal into a blade for a sword or such weapon.

He glances toward me momentarily and I smile tiredly at him, greeting him with a friendly nod. I consider him a close friend and slowly approach him.

" 'Tis been a while, since we've last exchanged words," I murmur softly. I needed someone to talk to and as of now he was the closest and I've no doubt that my sister has problems enough of her own to occupy her.

" 'Ow 'ave ye been?" I ask curiously.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lady Elaine

"Father? He is here? He .. he must have have realized when I did not return that my mission had met with trouble.
"No, why would my father wish me ill? My mother, God rest her soul, died a year previous, and I was the only issue from that marriage. He did remarry, but ever told me how I was special, his living memory of her."

She looks confused. She blinks, considering recent events.

"The missive... was it found? Perhaps, you could deliver this to him, by your own hand, and myself as well. Is that not what he wanted?"

Her face lights with faint hope.

 

[poohlive]

Gavin could feel his hand shaking, the breath hard and ragged in his chest. Sweat poured from his forehead. He didn't want to do it, he couldn't do it. The thought, the very thought of the treay in his hands tore him to the core. Everything he believed in was against this, every fiber of his being told him no.

There was no two voices arguing, no time to stop and pretend he went one way while the druidess pulled him with her leash the other way. No, this was a horrible and temper driven no.

And that's when she opened up. She showed him the true power of the talisman, knowing sooner or later he would stop her assault on the lands. There would be a step even Gavin would not dare go, no matter how much he was prodded and pulled.

Fight alongside the english, so every single McAllister would die. He could not do it. The talisman burned against his chest with such ferocity. It felt as if the sun were hanging from his neck. His eyes were blinded, and in that moment, weakness fell over him.

Gavin signed the treaty, gave it to the English scout, and watched him ride off, a group of his men in tow. His whole body shook, he begged for potato vodka when it was all said and done, pretending he had completed no such act, that his whole life as a general about honor and code had not been some sort of fucking lie to cover his true intentions...

No, not his intentions, her intentions.

He wished he could go to the grove, he wished he could pull away from this, just leave. He wished he had never started this war.

"Sir, we already have a prisoner of the McAllisters." Gavin tried to stop his hand from shaking, but could not. He ordered the prisoner in, taking another drink from the dirty bottle.

"The rest are in the cell, milord," A wooden caged guarded at the edge of the camp. It only held a few people now, but it would hold more, soon enough.

Gavin looked up, as Beth entered his tent, bound and tied. He gave a hard stare at the two of his men escorting her, and barked at them to leave him. In an instant he was at her side, knife out, pulling at the ropes.

"Beth, oh, I am so sorry. What were you doing out there? It is war, you could have been killed."

He held her in his arms, tightly his hand still shaking, everyting boiling over inside of him. God, he held her so close. She smelled so good, horse and leather and lavender.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

Crying out in pain as Lord Gavin's arms come about me, it was such a surprise to have his arms about me that I was not prepared. Tears springing to my eyes I quickly look away from him the shock of his hug tearing through me. And yet his arms felt so good I didn't want them to leave me, "Lord Gavin?.. What is going on?" I knew my voice was pain tinged but I felt rather very confused about his actions towards me. His guards had been none to gentle when they had drug me down from my horse.

I knew my face still looked a mess it had only been a morning, since we had taken back over my family's home. We had bandaged my back as best we could but during the ride I knew I had opened some of the cuts. Remembering what he had asked me, "I.. I had to go home for a while, Lady Brianna sent me there to get help. Now I am on my way to talk to the King I was hoping to find someone to help us. The English are coming, they are bringing an army, the English Lady was hurt badly. Lady Fearcharia helped her so she didn't die but all the men with her are lost. Lord Gavin they are going to kill us all, and I have to help Lady Brianna, she doesn't know that my cousin is dead."

I knew I was rambling and I hurt so badly that I thought I was going to be ill, biting my lip until I taste blood. Holding back the tears, here was a man that I had thought was honorable, he had helped me beat my cousin though he did not know it. Telling him though would be a problem, I didn't really want to tell why I had left but I did not want to lie to him either, he had earned my respect.

"Lord Gavin may I please have a drink of water, it has been a long trip and I am so tired, so very tired." Taking in the sparse furnishing of the tent, seeing that I must be standing in his tent. "Please Lord Gavin I just need to sit for a moment." Feeling my legs wobble under me, my stomach twisting in knots. How did I get myself into these situations, then a thought hits me. Lord Gavin walking in the moonlight away from a bathhouse after I had seen him in his birth glory. Feeling my face go beat red with the image, of him.

 

[poohlive]

Gavin ran as fast as he could, her nestled in his arms. The healing tent was damned near on the other side of the camp, but he ran just the same, through fire pits and men still sleeping. Someone dropped a bushel of apples as he tore past, uncaring.

He reached through the flaps, looking at the seamstress with softening eyes.

"She was hurt," He said, bending down to get Beth some water, "I don't know what's wrong. Please, help her."

Gavin was by her side, holding her hand, "It's ok... it's ok now, Beth. I've got you."

His eyes seemed to tear up as he realized what had happened to her, what was going to happen, "The English won't bother you anymore, Beth. I promise that. They won't. It's just you and me... and the seamstress, remember her? She knows about medicine, she'll fix you up nice and good."

Despite his tears, Gavin smiled down at her. He held onto her hand as tight as he could refusing to let go, "It'll be all right now. I promise you."

 

[Screech]

Angus looked up from his work, smiling broadly once he noticed who it was who had spoken to him. Leaving his work, Angus embraced Fearcheria in a warm hug. "How 'ave I been? Ah've been poundin' lumps 'a metal day an' night cos of this stupid war!"

Anguns gazed into her eyes as he reluctantly broke off the hug, still smiling at her. "What's more important, is 'ow 'ave yeh been lass? Ah've been hearin' bad things. Non o' them ah believe mind"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan stood up, there in the Lord's arm was the woman from the McAllister keep. She rushed over and order him to lie her on her own cot. Gavin did as he was told, then stood there looking down on the broken woman. Megan pushed him away, took her knife from its sheath, hidden on her arm. Turning back she looked at her Lord, "Go get her clean clothing, leave it by the opening, if I need you I'll call you." She watched him rush out, then she took her time removing the woman's clothes.

Her wounds covered her. The newer ones were the ones she cared for first. Scratches were cleaned, as well as bruises. The front of Beth's body was bruised quite significantly, there was a large one on the soft muscle of her stomach and several on her legs. Megan noticed one that looked older, just perhaps a day or a day and a night, she couldn't be sure. What she did know is the wound was not a scratch. She could only make out an inch of it. What she saw was on the side of her, and wrapped around the back. Megan had not yet washed the woman's back.

She knew what it was before she had even turned her over. Her King had done this to many a traitor, and it was a practice among many nations, rarely was it used on a woman, unless the crime was high treason, or the man was evil and took pleasure from it. Megan slowly rolled the unconsious woman onto her stomach. She heard a gasp and turned to see Lord Gavin standing in the doorway of the tent. Megan stood up and grabbed the clothes from his arms, pushed him away and closed the flap of the tent.

Moving back to Beth, she washed the dried, caked on blood off of her back. She heard the pitiful moan of pain escape from the woman's body. Megan tried to sooth her with comforting words. Words that only she understood, words spoken in a language that few had taken the time to learn. She sang her a song her mother would sing her.

Aíde, aíde, kimísou, kórí mou
K'eghó k'eghó ná soú kharíso tín
Alexandra zákhari
Ké to ké tó Misí ri rí zi
Ke tín Konstantantinoúpoli
Trís khrónous ná tín rízis.

Megan continued the song, as she covered the wounds with a smelly paste that thought reaked, would heal the woman's wounds. She sighed and whispered the words of the lullaby into Beth's ears.

Now then sleep, sleep my child.
Sleep and dream my lovely child.
I'll give you the city of Alexandria in sugar;
All of Cairo in rice.
And rich Constantinople.
And there you shall reign for three years.

Rising from her kneeling stooper, Megan touched Beth's forehead, it was warm and she worried that fever or infection had all ready set in. Covering her with first a clean cloth, then the blanket. Megan watched the woman, Beth, rest on her stomach, in a deep sleep that was needed for healing. Leaving the tent she went outside and spoke to Lord Gavin. "She was hurt prior to whatever happened to her before. She has fresh wounds that seem to be only a few hours old, and others that are a day, perhaps two. Her head is warm, and fever is our worry now. You may see her, but I warn you. Do not try and rouse her, she needs sleep."

Megan moved away and settled herself on a rock. The words of the lullaby filling her ears once more, as she mumbled them to herself in her native tongue. Closing her eyes she could almost hear her mother holding her. The sounds of the rocker as it squeaked filled her heart with sorrow. Wiping a tear from her eye she watched the soldiers work. She wondered how long she would need to be here and if when she left she would be taking back what her people needed or if she would be going home empty handed.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

Pain such as I had never known streaks through my back, aching all over, moaning and then blissful darkness. Only to be caught up into the nightmare of my own delirium, one of which I can not seem to find the way out. Crying out as the lashes lick my skin greedily, pain again, I was tied and it hurt not being able to move. Struggling against panic as I felt myself held down, screaming out in anger and more pain. When was it ever going to end I wondered, faces swimming before my eyes, Rohan.. Hadn’t I killed him? “Rohan please I beg of you no more.” My voice pleading, wetness upon my cheek and head, was I crying or was it blood. I couldn’t tell, just the pain, it was always there never leaving me to die.

My arms hurt, as did my legs my back was on fire, and yet I felt myself burning, I was going to burn alive. Was no one coming to get me, was I to die burning in the flames. “Help... HELP!” My voice sounded weak to my own ears barely a croak of sound. Why was no one here, “I’m Burning... Make it stop.. Please..” Gavin’s face his smile, such tenderness in his eyes, “Please... I promise anything... Please make him stop..” My words sinking into the darkness of my hell. A hell that only I could be a part of, no one was going to save me. Hands upon my body, Rohan had returned, struggling against him screaming, "Why..."

Fighting to control the panic but getting no where with it, English my god the English were attacking. “Their dying... someone help please help!” Bodies everywhere, blood upon my clothing on my hands so thick, it wouldn’t come off no matter how I rubbed at my hands. Who’s blood... had I killed another.. God help me the pain hurt. “Gavin...Oh sweet Gavin I am sorry.” Images of the dead warrior at my feet, “NO! Nooo Please!” Tossing and turning in more pain, blinding burning I was so hot, my body was on fire and I couldn’t do nothing but scream. My hands reaching, grabbing holding onto something, holding on for my life, pain through my body. Crying out, my throat sore, my body gone leaving only my soul.

The wall appearing to move towards her, struggling, fighting, crying.. I was not going against that wall never could I be made to go on that wall. Pleading and begging, “No More Please.. It Hurts..” Rolling in pain, being held, fighting once more feeling the pain again, crying out such pain. I had to get away, it wasn’t stopping feeling my heart race, my breathing a rapid breath of shallow air. I was going to die, “Please I don’t want to go home.. He is there.. No More PLEASE!” Blissful silence, just to begin again, “Lady I have failed” crying out as each lash struck home against my skin. I was caught, no where to run, they had me, "noo.. Nooo... NOO!" Struggling against my captures, fighting I had to get to M'Lady she needs me. Seeing her laying on the ground her body broken, screaming, crying out, "Lady Brianna...." To late, I was to late.

Somewhere in the far reaches of my mind I heard an angel singing, the song of my death of my surrender. I had failed, and Rohan had my soul, failed my Lady, failed my clan, failed my father but mainly I had failed myself. Crying out once more not from pain but from loss and sorrow. "I'm sorry... I failed," Seeing the eyes of an Angel, had I died.. The pain though still there less, and my body relaxes finally sleeping, peacefully.

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna was interupted before she could talk further with the English lass, by a hurried knock at the door. Excuse me a moment lass.. Brinna said rising and moving to the door.

Opening it she could see Ian's son Rhannon standing in the door. M'liard ye must come the Lord refused yer invitation ta enter, and talk things thru, and is setting up his catapults ta attack.. Ye needs ta ready yer self fer battle .. We've no much time. Brinna nodded her head and told him that she would be on her way as soon as possable.

Turning back to the english lass she could tell by the look on her face that she had heard what was said. I am sorra Lass but i must defend my people. I will do my best to see yer safe as well fer i donna belive ye ha done anythin wrong. Checking her bandages one last time Brinna turned to the maid, and told her to care for the english lass the same as if she were caring for Brinnia herself, and moved out the door.

Brinna was already dressed in Boots, leggings and tunic, her hair ravin colored braided down her back, as her violet colored eyes flashed as she prepared for the battle to come, her sword at her side.

On her way to the battlements to see how manny catapults were against them, Brinna also gathered up her quiver, and bow. Motioning for her bow men to follow.. Once they were arranged on the battle ments Brinna assesed the situation.

Not only were their english but McNeil's as well. Turning to Ian she said. I will lead the archers ye take the swords men..We will wait for them ta make the first move..God speed my friend and may the gods protect ye. Ian nodded and truned going down the stairs to take up his post... It had begun.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

The Besieging Army's Camp

Sir Edward Poole watched the McNeil's warriors with thinly-veiled contempt. He hated this land, the people, everything about it. The sooner he had demolished the McCallisters, and had the dead body of his daughter that he needed for the next part of his plan, the sooner he could be gone from this land.

"We have the advantage of numbers, we have siege engines. No one of the McCallisters can enter or leave, or my archers cut them down. As I see it, we can all but bring the keep down round their heads, then pick thru the rubble to massacre the survivors."

He cooly calculated the time it would take to do this, and decided that the time was worth spending, versus any English losses. If a pitched battle developed, he would see to it that the McNeils took the brunt of the losses.

He rode up to within earshot of the keep.

"We give you the night to consider your options. Surrender my daugter, alive or dead, to myself, and Lady Brianna to the McNeils to be dealt with, and the Clan McCallister will survive. Refuse these terms, and every last soul within shall perish."

 

[poohlive]

"She's sleeping peacefully," Gavin said as he came out of the tent. His knuckles were white, so tight they refused blood to flow to his hands. Tears strained down his cheeks, dirty and bloody tears, which he tried to wipe off, but had not done a good job. He stood there, commanding an army, looking as an 8 year old child might if he had disobeyed his parents. Dirty, scared and rage building for all that had gone wrong.

"I'm going to kill them all," He said, looking at the McAllister gates ahead of them. The talisman did not need to push these words from his mouth, they did not coax his mind as rage took over. It imbedded inside him fully, a large beast that had found a carved out home from the talisman. It shook comfortably inside him, and made its bedding. It would not leave any time soon.

"Take care of her," He told Megan, a silent prayer for her skills. Perhaps he would not come back after tomorrow, but it did not matter. So long as Beth was safe, nothing else mattered.

Nothing else, except for revenge.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan looked at him, her head clouded with sorrow, pressing her hand to his arm and looked up at him, "Lord Gavin, I'll do all I can. You need to stop this, you do not know all the facts, you can not blame others when you don't know everything."

... leave him child

Megan stopped, shook her head and looked around her. "Lord Gavin, please listen to me, I have many things we need to discuss."

... tell him and all is lost, he'll not believe you

Closing her eyes, Megan refused to listen to the voice that called out to her. Her eyes locked on the talisman that hung from the chest of Lord Gavin. She focused on it as she told Gavin once more to not go into this war without all the information. The talisman glowed softly while a voice pushed into her mind.

... go back to your country, your people need you... take what you need and go..

Megan closed her eyes and touched the talisman on his chest. "I can not leave without the treasure for my people." She wrapped her hand around it, gripped the object with her fingers. It burned into her flesh, marking her. The smell of burnt skin filled her senses, yanking it from Gavin's neck the talisman stuck to her melted skin.

Screaming in pain Megan submerged her hand into the water that was used to replenish the men. Her hand cooled and the talisman steamed and fell to the bottom of the urn. Removing her hand from the cooling liquid she looked at it, the mark now fading from her hands. Megan stared at it closed her mind and refused to allow the magic to enter her thoughts. "Tricks of bad food," she muttered.

Gavin stared at her, "Your stronger now, if you act on your own, leave the talisman. Fight like a man, not a coward that hides behind a petty witch."

Megan looked at the man before her, it was as if a cloud of evil had washed away from him, the only question remaining was did he feel it. Did he know realize that he had sided with the enemy and he needed to stop a war, not start one.

 

[poohlive]

Pain struck him, pain and weakness. At once he fell, the ground claiming him as one of its own. He felt a rock, nothing more than stone, planting to the earth for millions of years, unable to leave its gravitation, neither the will nor strength to defy that which pushed him down so far... so strong.

Inside him, something laughed, something cackled against his very pain. He shuttered, a a figure stood before him. She was cloaked, draped in elegant gown, staring with fiery eyes at Megan, as she towered over Gavin. Pain ravished him, made love to him, fucked him mercilessly, raped the very marrow from his bones.

He cried out in pain, pleasure, shuttering as the druidess only smiled her little smile. Little knowing smile of death.

"Take her, lock her up for treason. She burns in the morning. Hopefully we will have Fearchera by then, they can burn together, witches conspiring against the McNeil men."

Gavin tried to reach out his hand, tried to graps for her. No, it was a mistake, she had released him, she had set him free. He could understand now, see his mistakes. Life spun past him, misunderstandings, mixed up sayings, words he did not understand that now came to him in crystal clarity. God, so much he needed to fix, but he could fix it. With Megan's help, he could fix it.

As he reached, his arm trying to grasp hers, pain once again rushed through him. Gavin screamed out, lying limp upon the ground, as two of his finest men came with ropes, holding the seamstress at bay. She would be tied and locked with the others.

"Oh, my good leader, my poor general," The druidess leaned down, a gentle hand caressing her little pawn in this dangerous game. She mocked sorrow for his body, threatening to kill him off. It was a sword that had slashed as his soul, and he could feel the very essense of himself spilling out amongst the world. God, he tried to hold it in, but it was like trying to grab at sand. The moment you picked it up, it slipped through your fingers. The only thing left was a small dose in your palm.

"My prince... my general. I can heal you. I can make it go away. I can prepare you for war."

War? No, Gavin tried to shake his head, but the echoes of pain returned, brightened, threatened to send him over the edge. Instead, he screamed aloud, once more held to the ground by invisible wire, digging into him. He shivered, breath forcing in and out of him. It was the only thing he did, everything else had stopped. Everything else hurt too much, even breathing hurt, but if he stopped that, he would surely die.

"I will take it away, send it away. I can heal you, my sweet general. I can make you a leader once more."

The pain, so bright, so fresh. He could not stand it, never. A thousand shards of glass digging into his flesh, his blood pouring out, rusty nails dragging against his eyes. Each scream was followed by a weakened cry of pain and mercy. Nothing could top this... nothing.

He knew what she meant though. He knew it now. God, he had been so foolish to accept the talisman, foolish enough to put it on and follow it, but would he make the same mistake? Accept the help of a woman pushing him to war, making him do what he did not want, what he would never do, what he never wanted to be.

Anything to stop the pain, anything...

He was too weak, too limp. He wished for amoment he had the strength of his cousin, the strength of a true Laird. He would easily have laid here on the ground and died, pain surronding him, eating at his bones and spitting out his endtrails. A true man would know the sacrifice of himself would bring no more death to anyone else.

But the talisman had dug itself too deep, the magic had been woven too well, and the weakness of Gavin McNeil would not die as easily as he wanted to.

"Please..." He begged the witched, begged with sadness in his eyes, and weakness in his heart. She nodded, understanding, at the moment took her hand, and put it to the burnt mark on his chest, where the talisman once stood.

In a moment of flashing brilliance, the pain was gone. It reuprted from him, a volcanoe of heat and ash, now leaving his body, replaced by strength and vigor. As he stood, he felt the winds of a thousand cheers, the mark of carnal knowledge and courage striding within him. He was taller than before, prouder. His whole body seemed ready to take on ten men, no, a hundred. He could see those odds, and still remain victorious.

God, it felt incredible. Like his whole body was alive, tingling, surging with the power he had never felt before. The beautiful taint of the simple talisman now washing over him completely.

"You are whole," She smirked, as Gavin could only smile. An evil smile, sick and twisted. The smile of a man who had accepted his terms with the devil, and danced anyway.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

The cries of pain had drawn me, to the flap looking to see who was hurt so badly that no one would help. Gasping in dismay at the sight my eyes behold, Lord Gavin stretching his hand out to a woman dressed much like Lady Fearcharia. Only this woman was not pretty nor did her smile hold warmth, but the looks were close. Were they family I wondered, I wanted to help Gavin but had no clue what I could do. I seen the smile of the woman as her eyes turn to me, seeing me hiding behind the tent flap watching. Her smile made me sick, sicker then I had ever felt. It was cruel much like my cousin's had been, like someone who had lost their soul and did not much care.

Holding my tongue as I watch the ropes being placed around Megan, I knew I had to help her. If anything to get her out and away from here, "Gavin, Noo.. Please I beg of you.." I felt my heart racing, I was still in so much pain that I thought at any moment I would fall faint. I watched as she spoken to him, seeming to not hear me as her eyes continue to look upon me with disdain. As wettness touches my arm, I look down to see the tears that had fallen without me knowing.

He had held me, through the nightmares, I had seen his face heard his whispered words, bringing me back to him with his voice. His kindness and tenderness touched me in such a way, again I had failed. Failed in such a way that I knew without a doubt that Lady Brianna would die and the Clan of McCallister's would fall. "Gavin... Lord Gavin.. Please.." Trying once more to get him to look at me, pleading with my voice hoping he might hear me as I had heard him.

He was beyond my call for now, I could see it in the way she touched him, her possiveness upon him. She knew that her hold had indeed tightened and that no one could help him, she had weakened him by self doubt and made him stronger with lies. Lies she had placed there, I could see it in her eyes as if she were laughing at me, knowing I could do nothing. Nothing except wait and watch, I would not allow Lady Brianna to die for my failure and that was something this woman would soon learn.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan stood there her arms clasped as the true witch appeared. She glared deep at the woman and the man who she had been sent to claim. Her father had sent her to announce her presence. He was to become the leader of her people and now he was nothing but a cowering fool.

She watched the woman turn and speak to the man, saw her enter his soul and heal him, make him strong. Her eyes grew wide as the man stood proud and full of the strength that would lead thousands, but she knew the thousands he led would reign destruction on the ones they raged war against.

The woman turned back and stared at Megan then disappeared. Leaving behind a Lord that any country would be proud to claim as theirs. But Megan knew, she knew he was nothing, just a sniveling coward that hid behind the skirts of a woman. She would die tomorrow, no one knew she was there, no one from the McAllisters, the little man Gin, not even Beth could help her.

Her father would hunt down every McNeil and slaughter them, when he learned of her death. Death would be greater then being the one that brought the Scottish filth that stood before her to her lovely home of Russia. She shivered over the violence that would erupt when her blood father King James of Scotland and her adoptive father The Grand Prince of Russia, found out she had been burned as a witch.

"Gavin, you fool... I can not stop the carnage if you continue down this path, do you hear me!" She felt herself being pulled away, scenes of death descended on her. She knew... that if she died. All would be lost for the McNeils. The line of McNeils would end and whoever got in their way would die with them.

Megan was tied to a long stake that was brought to the center of the field. Rocks and wood settled around her. In the morning they would kill her, she accepted this. Her tears filled her eyes. Her heart wept for her mother Princess Sofinisba. She had so much she needed to tell Gavin, but she saw he was not approachable. With one last attempt she looked at him, "Gavin, two countries will destroy you. King James of Scotland met my mother Princess Sofinisba when he was a young lad. He loved to study Greek literature, as did she. They met, they loved. But it wasn't to be."

She felt the ropes tighten on her arms, as she continued to talk to the man that was or was not hearing her. "She became pregnant with me. She married The Grand Prince of Russia, who raised me as his. Gavin... you were promised to me, after Lady Brianna was to marry your cousin. Release me, or die Gavin.. it is your choice."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lady Elaine

Lady Elaine decided that she had to do something about what was happening. She believed, whether rightly or not, that she was responsible for the impending disaster that appeared ready to break upon this lonely keep.

"Maid, I cannot open my pack. Will you help me?"

She smiled thinly, pointing to the wound in her side.

"Aye lass," she said, bending to unbuckle the pack I had indicated.

This was for my father, so he would not harm these people, she told herself.

Abruptly, she opened the door, which had been left unlocked thankfully, and ran out into the halls of the keep.

Not entirely certain where she was, or where she was going, she simply ran, looking for a way to the battlements, or to the main exit to the castle. Anywhere she could show her father that she was alive, so that he would call off this attack!