Clan McCallister.

[Mistress Silver]

I quietly listen to Gavin as he tells the events that have haunted him since fleeing the keep. I do not step to him as his knees buckle and pain racks his body.

"Please..." He is desperate and cares, truly, for the safety of the two women.

"I must ask your forgiveness. I thought it was you that had invaded Lord Gavin, and though I have deceived others, I shall not hold him to the betrothal, his heart is captured by another, and I'll not stand in his way for that. But it is true, he is possessed by the demonic witch, and we, I... don't know how to rid him of her."

My lips purse ever so slightly, the only visible reaction to her previous conviction that I may do such a thing to a man. It hurts more than anything and I feel no anger toward the woman . . .

"I wronged you and for that I will always feel shame, please forgive me. I am willing to help you in whatever way you have need of me, but no... I am nothing compared to you, the little things I know, are just enough to keep me safe, not enough to rid the vile thing inside him."

Her head is bent and her shoulders are droopy. I look between the two and then the other woman, what is her part in this tangled web? I guess I will have time to ask my questions and give forthcoming answers in return at a later time, but the task before me cannot be an easy one . . . not with the personal knowledge that I possess of my sister and her dark ways.

I walk slowly to Gavin and kneel by his side, pensively laying my hand on his shoulder. "Warrior, do ye trust me? Completely?" I ask him softly.

"Who . . . is tha other woman in all o' this mess? An innocent bystander?" Okay, so my curiosity has gotten the better of me, but I need to know her roll for she may offer me a greater advantage over my sister . . . not that I need another's power to rip my sister into pieces . . .

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Sir Edward Poole sulked in the keep's dungeon. He was dressed in his tattered clothing, his armor having been taken from him with his weapons. He felt the weight of ignomanity on his shoulders. His father had the dignity to be killed, not be taken by these flea-bitten wool-wearers.

"Father?"

He started at his daughter's voice.

"Why are you here?" His voice was cold.

She stood back as the gaoler opened the cell door, allowing Elaine to run over to her father. He held up his hand, an angry look on his face.

"Stand back, traitor. No daughter of mine, you bitch. Because of you, I lost my army. Because of you ...."

She shuddered, just ... looking at her father. How could he say this? What was going on?

"Father. I am sorry that I failed you. I am sorry that I am responsible for so many deaths."

"So many men, dead. And you, you live. Worthless whore."

Elaine burst out in tears, and ran away.

Sobbing, with the world swirling around her in confusion, her own father denied her, she pulled out her small dagger, regarding it closely.

Do it.

She heard a whispering voice. Looking around quickly, she saw no one there.

Do it.

Again! She gasped, and only half aware of what was happening, she bared her arm, placing it on her leg. She placed the blade against the soft flesh, pressing the tip against her wrist. She closed her eyes, grimacing, as she felt herself press the blade into her skin, blood beginning to flow as she slowly, hesitantly, drew the blade down the length of her arm.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

"Fearchaira? Tis good to see you safe Lady, is M'Lady Brianna safe as well? Please tell me that she is.. I have failed her Lady Fearcharia, my father was... is dead, they said by fever. But my cousin he was there.. Armies are coming, to help but my father is gone." Looking down at my hands as I rub them almost constantly. In my minds eye I could see blood still covering my hands. "Lady Fearcharia please if you can help Lord Gavin, please he brought us here for safety."

Moving slowly trying to get to Gavin, finally stretching out my hand to place it softly upon his leg. Just the feel of him helps me feel stronger, "he is a good man Lady Fearcharia, honest and truly. He faught her, she wanted him to kill us and he saved us." Raising my eyes to Fearcharia silently pleading with her to help him, "I will help anyway that I can just tell me what you need from me please."

 

[Screech]

Angus was walking through the dungeons of the castle McCallister. Why? He didn't know. He had just started to walk, and ended up here. He was oblivious to any logical reason why he should be here, he just was. It was something he wasprone to - atarting a walk, and ending up somewhere he had never intended to go to.

Shaking his head, he continued on his walk, but soon spotted something he did not expect - the English lady from earlier! She was down here, huddled up in a corner. She seemed to be sleeping, as her head was resting against the stone wall. But there were other things that denied this theory. The first was the knife sticking out of her arm, the other was the blood that had run down the blade, and onto her leg, and even now was starting to pool on the floor.

Rushing over, he took hold of the knife, and pulled it out, quickly pressing his hand firmly to the wound, trying to stop any more blood from escaping her already fragile-looking body. Picking her up, he shouted for the guards to clear the way as he dashed out as fast as he would dare, heading for the old midwife's home

 

[RoneLith]

Gin tried his best to avert his eyes from his Mistresses naked body but could not help and steal a glance or two as she sat him on the bed. His face reddened underneath his mask and for the breifest of moments his control loosend and merriment filled his eyes. It was quickly replaced by his usual stoic features. "I am fine," he said softly holding his gaze to her face. "It makes me glad that my Mistress would care about me so. I am just tired from the journey, I think you and I both need rest my Mistress." Another brief glance at her chest then quickly back to her eyes. He took a few deep breaths and calmed his nerves before standing again, this time not faltering quickly he jumped into the rafters of the room she was in and hid among the shadow. When he spoke the etheral quality of his voice returned giveing the impression that he was nowhere and everywhere. "Rest my Mistress in the knowledge that I shall be ever eternal watching you, protecting you. Sleep now and heal yourself, Mistress."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lady Elaine felt suddenly warm, safe, and secure. She was not fully aware of what was happening, but it seemed good.

But, lurking at the edge of her awareness, was Something. Something that had whispered and leered at her. Something that had made her cut herself. She Felt it, whatever it was. She didn't know if it had something to do with her father -- she had not heard or felt it before seeing him.

------

Sir Edward Poole was dazed. He knew everything that had happened up til now, but he knew it as though he had seen it through someone else's eyes.

Had he really murdered his wife, and then tried to kill his daughter? And then making the same damn-fool mistake his father had made 3 years before?

Yes. But there was a sense of unreality about it all. As though he had not really been doing these things. Must be exhaustion, humiliation. He settled back against the dungeon wall, and tried to get some much-needed rest.

 

[poohlive]

Gavin wnated to nod, to give her his trust, to accept whatever she offered into him and never look back. IT seemed so easy now, but at the same time so hard. HIs body just too weak from the fighting to once more try and put up with it.

If he told her that he accepted her, than that monster still wrestling inside him would grow and edge... and those fingers of his that want so desperately to cling aorund his sowrd and take her head off would win.

"Beth," He held her, hugged her tight, smiled at the weakness of them both. God, he had only wanted to see her train well, how had things gotten so fucked up as to this? She looked so beautiful and smelled even better.

"I'm right here, Beth," For how long? He was shaking now, more noticably, he could no longer stand, even with someone else helping him. He was fighting not for control anymore, but to just hold one. Whatever the druidess had in him was just too strong, too powerful, it was winning.

"I'm right here," Gavin leaned up, his hand on her cheek. He drew her in, their lips touching. He kissed her, good and hard. Something he had wanted to do since the first moment he saw her. Just plant a nice wet kiss on her, take her in his arms and show her what it is like to have someone love her.

But... even as he did it, as the kiss lingered on his lips, he could feel the battle losing, he could feel his hand moving to the sword in its sheath. He was losing.. he had already lost.

It came out, dangled in the air, razor sharp and almost deadly to look at. The blade shook in his hands, as it wavered from Beth to Fearchera.

"Help me... please," His voice, weak, faint, almost gone. The green inside him glowing harder, brighter. Just a matter of time now. Only a matter of time.

 

[Screech]

Angus dashed into the midwife's tent, hoping to find her sitting on her stool.

Nothing.

Cursing to himself, he grabbed a nearby guard. "Hey yoo! Ah need yeh te find someone good with wounds. Go! Now!"

Moving back inside the tent, he layed the English lass down on the bed, and pulled his blood encrusted hand away from her wound. It was hard to tell, but it seemed like the bleeding had slowed somewhat. Reapplying pressure, he knelt by her side, not knowing what else to do. Damnit, he was a blacksmith! A bent blade, a broken shield, he could fix them both. But this?

 

[LadyFairy]

Gin tried his best to avert his eyes from his Mistresses naked body but could not help and steal a glance or two as she sat him on the bed. His face reddened underneath his mask and for the breifest of moments his control loosend and merriment filled his eyes. It was quickly replaced by his usual stoic features. "I am fine," he said softly holding his gaze to her face. "It makes me glad that my Mistress would care about me so. I am just tired from the journey, I think you and I both need rest my Mistress." Another brief glance at her chest then quickly back to her eyes. He took a few deep breaths and calmed his nerves before standing again, this time not faltering quickly he jumped into the rafters of the room she was in and hid among the shadow. When he spoke the etheral quality of his voice returned giveing the impression that he was nowhere and everywhere. "Rest my Mistress in the knowledge that I shall be ever eternal watching you, protecting you. Sleep now and heal yourself, Mistress."

Brinna was worried about Gin but was also glad that he wasnt wounded, as she moved back to her bed she reolized that she was still naked and blushed, she had been so worried about Gin that it hadnt mattered to her wether she was dressed or not. Slipping beneath the covers she smiled and closing her eyes said. Thank ye Kutso.. please try ta get some rest yer self.. ye need it also.

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

Reaching out to take the hand that Gavin was holding the dagger with, "Gavin please stay with me. Don't leave me now I need you to stay with me, fight it. You are strong, the man I know helped me save my own life three nights ago. If you can do that from so far away I know you can stay with me please." I knew I was crying but I didn't care, looking to Fearcharia and then back to Lord Gavin fearing that he would lose the battle before she would help.

Lifting up far enough to be face to face with Lord Gavin our hands pressed tightly to my body. I could feel the edge of the dagger along the bodice of my dress cutting lightly into the material. He had kissed me earlier, as if it had given him strength. Now maybe I could do the same for us both, looking into his eyes as I move in closer knowing I was taking my own life into my hands.

Softly whispering to him, "stay with me please" as I press my lips to his, slowly almost tenderly kissing the corners of his mouth before coming to rest fully upon his. Caressing them softly with the tip of my tongue, for some reason I wanted this kiss. Even if it was to be the last thing I ever did, I wanted to kiss him as I had never kissed anyone else in my life.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

"Who . . . is tha other woman in all o' this mess? An innocent bystander?" Okay, so my curiosity has gotten the better of me, but I need to know her roll for she may offer me a greater advantage over my sister . . . not that I need another's power to rip my sister into pieces . . .

Megan looked to the Druidess, "I'm the bastard daughter to King James. I am no one of importance right now, nor will I be when this is over. I will return to my country and riegn with one from my own people."

She looked over to Beth, and Gavin, "I will assist you if you think I can be of help, but my knowledge is limited, but I will help if you tell me what to do."

Her body felt heavy, and she knew it was the evil that was surrounding them, "I wish to help, then I wish to go home. Tell me what you want."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Angus dashed into the midwife's tent, hoping to find her sitting on her stool.

Nothing.

Cursing to himself, he grabbed a nearby guard. "Hey yoo! Ah need yeh te find someone good with wounds. Go! Now!"

Moving back inside the tent, he layed the English lass down on the bed, and pulled his blood encrusted hand away from her wound. It was hard to tell, but it seemed like the bleeding had slowed somewhat. Reapplying pressure, he knelt by her side, not knowing what else to do. Damnit, he was a blacksmith! A bent blade, a broken shield, he could fix them both. But this?

Lady Elaine's eyes fluttered open weakly, and saw at her side a scruffy looking man with a shock of red hair, a thick, short beard, and ice-blue eyes. She could feel his hands pressing against her arm, which she felt burn with an intense, slicing pain.

Confused, she panicked with a gasp, and tried to pull her arm away from him, to move away.

She was too weak to escape, and her side began to burn. She closed her eyes and moaned in pain.

After a few minutes, she was able to open her eyes again and looked at the man, through the filter of her tears. She realized that he was trying to help her. That he was not causing, but trying somehow to stop, the pain that shot through her arm.

Her mouth moved, but she wasn't able to form any sentences.

 

[poohlive]

He had to fight. Even if he didn't want to, even if the darkness overwhelming him felt like some sweet blanket creeping over his body. A cold comfort that would creep down to his bones and then take him over. The kiss of death, some called it, and Gavin would have willingly let it happen.

But, he did not get a kiss of death. Rather, he got a kiss of life. The foolish woman came in close, ignoring the danger, her lips on his own. For a moment he could only stand there, shaking, wavering in the darkness. Death was so cold, so inviting, but this kiss... this kiss promised everything death did not.

And, Gavin knew, no matter what, no matter how hard it hurt, no matter how useless it was, he would have to fight. For that one kiss, he would have to fight. To go gently into that good night was madness, not when the love of a good woman could be found by your side.

Even as the sword threatened so much, she gave into him. Gavin returned her kiss, took her in his arms. The sword dropped from his shaking hands, falling softly on the grass below him. He swung her in an embrace, wanting to do it from the moment he had first seen her. To kiss her, to taste those lips, to feel her warm body along his own, the heat coming off to meet him.

And then. suddenly, it was gone. The fever broke inside Gavin, and he screamed aloud as something green shot from his body.

The monster... whatever it had been, was gone. Gavin could no longer feel it inside of him.

 

[Mistress Silver]

Beth's kiss allows me an opening and I take it. I search for a weakness gazing into both Gavin's body and his soul. The weakness is elusive and the nearer I get to it the harder it is to discover. It tickles at my memory as if I've seen this before, in my earlier childhood and that I should also know this particular weakness. For the life of me, I simply cannot understand it! I chase it like a woman possessed, my consciousness flying through his body after the black sparkle just ahead. Finally, I trap the weakness inside of his heart and investigate it carefully, hurrying as I feel Gavin slowly start to regain awareness.

I recognize it know, this small sparkle of black light. I saw it in both my mother and father, this is how they had been killed. A small black sparkle that anchors my sister's devils inside of the vassal's body. With this destroyed the demon would have to flee Gavin's body, it would be unable to hold its grip on the warrior's mind.

I know how to cure him and injure my sister. I gather my magic around me, build its strength, and focus it into a needle-like beam. The weakness attempts to flee, but before it can scramble out of the corner I throw my every ounce of being into a sharp blast of magic that incinerates the black crystal of my sister's power.

I hear my sister's laughter echo inside of Gavin and then I hear her scream wildly. A flash of bright green light blinds everyone in the grove and my sister's tortured screams are know heard by all. Weakly, I collapse onto my knees and carefully watch Gavin.

"I'll take you with me!" My sister's voice hisses venomously. The green monster within Gavin rips itself from his body, howling with furious rage. The demon hurls itsself at me and I am too weak to do anything to protect myself.

My body tumbles backward with the impact and the demon tears viciously at my body. Every little wound inflicts a searing pain that robs my mind of every capability, every larger wound is a torturous death relived. I hear myself scream as sharp nails slice through my cloak and dress to pierce my soft creamy skin. I start to cry, under the assault, not even able to lift my hands.

With a deafening roar the demon forces itself into my body where it thrashes violently before dying. My body twitches, still, against the unnatural invasion. Tears of pain paint my face with the lacing of crystal rivulets just as my life's blood wells from my various injuries as if attempting to run from the dead spirit inside of my body.

My mind races with thoughts about my family, about Bri . . . and of Angus. I wonder if I have saved the Gavin or if I have inadvertently killed him.

The pain is unmerciful and rips my consciousness away, throwing me into a space void of any and all light. I come face to face with death and I find myself locked in a stare down. Am I going to die? I stare unwaveringly at the god before me.

 

[Screech]

The English lady was concious! She had tried to pull her arm away from Angus' grasp, but was far too weak to do so. "Stop it lass! Ye'll do yerself a furtur harming!"

His warning fell of deaf ears. She had slipped out of counciousness again. "Angus grunted. "Mad dogs and English..."

A moment later, her eyes fluttered again, she was back! Angus held tightly into her arm, partly to stop the blood flowing from her wound, and partly to stop her stuggling again!

At length, an elderly woman was braught into the hut, two bowls with her and a length of cloth. Angus let go of the lass' arm and stood back as the woman got to work, washing off the blood, and coating the wound with a foul smelling paste. A past, Angus remembered, that he had applied several times before after verious accidents. At last, the woman bound the wound with the cloth, and turned, whispering into Angus' ear.

Nodding to her, Angus sat back down by the lass' bed, thaughts running through his head. Most prominant were those of Fearcheria..

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Elaine became aware of an old woman, who was standing over her (she had never noticed her enter the room) and applying something to her arm. It stung and she flinched, but tried to keep her arm still. She understood now, on some level, that she was being helped.

The old woman bound her wounds, turned to the man for a moment, and left.

She kept her eyes on the man. She tried to say Thank You, but though her lips moved, her voice was gone. She sighed soundlessly, and tried to simply rest.

 

[Screech]

Angus looked at the lass, laying on the bed. Her eyes were open and looking at him. She tried to talk, but she seemed to have no strength. Not supprising really considering how much blood she had lost.

"Aye, you rest lass. Yhe've 'ad a busy day, ah'm reckonin'"

He held onto her hand, hoping that, on some level, she would know that all he wanted was for her to regain her health, and would not let any disturb her

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Elaine gripped the man's hand as tightly as she could, and felt safe and secure. Her eyes closed, her head lolled back, and she felt herself drift off into an uneasy sleep, with visions of dead soldiers riding across a dark, nightmarish landscape, her father at their head screaming out a blasphemous warcry as he held the severed head of her mother aloft like a trophy.

 

[RoneLith]

Gin sat in silence as he watched her fall asleep before he too entered his state of rest. He slept lightly against the walls of the small room they were in, his eyes though closed were still fixed on his Mistress. His ears were still sharp and his sleep was filled with the sound of the draft comming from the walls of the keep. Balenced on a beam his back against the wall his body still bathed in shadow he slept, ready at a moment to protect his Mistress once again. His thoughts interrupted him as he began to drift off, reminding him of how she had cared about his well being. Was it just for her protection that her protector must be well or did she truly feel for him? These questions along with one other followed him into his sleep, What was Taten doing in Scotland?

 

[LadyChance]

Beth

I felt confused, one minute I was kissing Lord Gavin the next he was screaming out with pain and a green flash of something jumps from his body. Leaving him weak but alive. There was a difference in him, his hold upon his lightened and his body relaxes against me. What had I done? "Lord Gavin... Gavin what is it.. are you hurting is the Druidess fighting you again. Please don't leave, fight her.. I won't let you go.."

Just as the words leave my mouth I hear to the side of me Lady Fearcharia scream then fall to the ground. Something was tearing at her from the inside out, blood was spewing out of several long nasty cuts along her pale skin. Giving a cry of dispair, pulling Gavin with me I fall to the ground at her side. Putting my hands over the worst cuts, as if trying to hold in her lifes flow. "Fearcharia, can you hear me.. What can we do to help you?" Suddenly a thought hits me, where was Megan, looking about me I see her standing just behind us in what looks to be shock.

"Megan your a healer, what should we do, please she needs help."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Megan looked at the woman thrashing on the ground. Her body was covered in cuts, and sores that oozed. Her knowledge was limited but she knew enough that there were more problems that the others could not see.

She took out the small bag of salve that she kept in a pouch that was always tied to herside. It was a foul smelling mix, but one that had been used for generations long past. The mix was formed, then sealed. Once a person began to run low, they use a small dollop of the old mix to form new. Thus the salve's original ingrediants were always there in some form.

Opening up the small container, the putrid smell filled the woods, and everyone wrinkled their noses at it. She looked down, and waited for the thrashing to cease, once it was over, and the Druidess breathed once more unrestricted, but in obvious pain, Megan bent down to help her.

Taking a small amout of the vile chemical, she began to work it into the wounds and the sores. Immediately the effects began to sooth the woman. She placed a thin coating of the smelly salve, over all the wounds she could see, and she knew there were those she could not.

Removing her dagger from the sheath at her arm, she ripped and tore at the clothing of the Druidess. She exposed the rest of her body to the elements, and covered those wounds as well. The whole time she did this she sang the Russian songs that she had song Beth, hoping to ease the woman's pain.

Once the salve covered Fearchaira, she removed a second pouch, and sprinkled the black ashes from the ancient fires of the ancestors. These ashes were combined with the ashes that burned in the church of one of her instructors. Very few people knew of Megan's gifts, and she herself would not know them if it hadn't been for one man that instructed her in many arts. She had hated those lessons as a child, and young woman, but now she saw that everything one does has a reason behind it.

The pain was very minimal know and she needed to get the Druidess back to the manor in order to finish the healing process. She needed something special, something that Megan could only help with, but not really give.

"Take her to the keep. There is a poison inside her that must be cleansed, and I can not do it here." She looked to Gavin and Beth, hoping that Gavin was no a man and no longer the soul less creature he had become earlier.

 

[poohlive]

"Then we must hurry," Gavin said, getting a blanket off one of the horses. He came over to the fallen druidess, and wrapped her up as best he could. For a moment, he stared at the two women who had helped him so. All three of them did their part, to tell the truth, to make him what he is now.

Three women, to complete one man. How is that possible?

As Gavin turned around, he saw the huge black stallion, guardian of the druid's keep. He kept a virtual watch as Gavin approached.

"Yeah, I know. But she needs our help. We've come so far, and she needs medicine. Please. I just need a ride to the keep. Once there, you can knock me down for all your worth."

The horse paused for a moment, as if to think it over, and then submitted. He lowered down enough so Gavin could leap on, the warm body of the druidess all too present in his arms.

"To the keep and do not delay. Your Druidess needs you..."

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Lady Elaine

She awoke abruptly, with a shudder. She saw the red-haired man dozing as he sat on the side of her bed.

She sat up slowly. Her hand was still in his. She gently touched his shoulder.

"Sir? My father has died."

It wasn't a question. She didn't know how, or how she knew, but she was aware that he was gone.

With him dead, she was nothing. His son, her half-brother, inherited everything, and he didn't like her. She would be left with nothing. She sat there, watching him continue to sleep. What would her future hold?

 

[LadyFairy]

Brinna

Brinna woke to a pounding on the door to her chambers. Getting out of bed she found a robe and carefuly slid it on. Comming .... Just a moment.. Opening the door she saw Brdget one of the servents standing in the hall trying to catch her breath. M.. My Lady... Come Quick.... Farcharia... Gavin .. Lord Gavin brought yer sister she's hurt.. Brinna nodded Give me one moment to dress. Send for the Midwife and her assistant, as well as Angus she will want a familiar face. Quickly....

Moving back into her room Brinna tossed the robe aside and reached in her wardrobe for a gown. She didnt look to see which one she didnt care. All she wanted was to get to her sister, and find out what had happend. Why had Gavin brought her.. did he still hate them? Had he hurt her? No that didnt make sence why hurt her then bring her to the keep... Once she was done dressing she headed out the door and down the hall to find her sister, and wondering as she went if Gin was alright, and if he had gotten enough sleep.

 

[Screech]

Angus slowly came round to a gentle nudging. Still feeling groggy, he rubbed his messy hair with one hand, looking at the English lady through bleary eyes. "Aye lass? Wha' yeh wantin'? Wateh? Meat?"

His half-sleeping mind took several seconds before it could catch up with what she was telling him