Three
"Who are our guests?" Catlin inquired.
"They came in last night," Conor replied. "They want to join us."
"What tribe?" Catlin asked.
"None anymore," answered Conor, "She left shortly after her husband died, took her children and guard with her."
"Who was her husband?" Tully asked.
"Tavis," Conor returned, "Her name is Keara. Her guard is Gavin and her children are Maeve and Kern."
"Wasn't Tavis murdered by some monster?" requested Catlin.
"Yes and Keara was there. She's afraid it's after her now."
"Isn't Kern the rightful ruler of their tribe then?" Tully asked.
Conor considered it. "I suppose so, but she never mentioned it," he answered, "Besides, he's too young. Kern's only two."
Keara cheerfully walked over. "Hello, I'm Keara."
Conor said, "You remember Fergus. These are my other friends, Tully and Catlin."
"Conor told us about your husband," Tully stated, "I had heard stories."
"Isn't Kern the tribe's ruler then?" Catlin suddenly asked.
"No, his tribe is different," replied Keara. "Once Maeve was a year old, Tavis had to name an heir. Tavis named his old friend, Kameron, since he refused to take the risk of naming our unborn child the heir in case it was another girl."
"Couldn't you challenge Kameron's rule?" Catlin solicited.
"Kern is too young," answered Keara, "and it's too much of a bother. Kern never had a chance to learn to be a leader from his father."
"What about when he's older?" Conor asked.
"Tavis was a poor ruler," explained Keara, "No one wants Kern to rule them. They're too afraid Kern will turn out like his father."
"If he watches Conor, Kern will be a great ruler someday," Fergus replied.
Keara smiled. "Even so, they wouldn't want us back. We abandoned them." She whispered, "Twice a traitor."
"It was for a good reason," Fergus stated, not hearing her other comment. "It was to save your life and the lives of those children over there."
"What did you whisper, Keara?" Catlin asked.
"I said I'm twice a traitor," she replied. "I'm sure you've heard the stories."
"Stories?" Conor asked. "What stories?"
"The would-be Roman princess snatched from her tribe as a child," Keara began.
"Never," Tully said.
"Me either," added Fergus.
"I have," Catlin stated, "It was you?"
Keara nodded. "I was taken when I was four and the Romans destroyed my village. They tried to teach me their ways, but I was stubborn and refused to learn. Despite that a king named Avel had me meet his eldest son, Nikos. I was thirteen. They told me I had to marry Nikos or they'd kill me. I turned to one of Avel's personal slaves. He helped me get on the first ship home. That's when I met one of Tavis' guards, Carlin. He brought me to their village. Tavis never wanted to marry me, but he grew accustomed to me within a year. He came to tolerate me enough to marry me when I turned sixteen. Days after my seventeenth birthday, Maeve was born. Weeks after her first birthday, Kern was born."
"Then Tavis died," added Conor.
"Yes," Keara sadly said, "Not even Gavin knows all that about me. I've always been too afraid to tell anyone."
Fergus went over to place his hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged it off. "What is it?" he asked.
"I'm sorry. I just get a little defensive."
"Can you fight off an attacker?" Tully requested. Keara shook her head in response. "I could teach you how to use a bullwhip like mine," he offered, showing her the whip.
Keara frowned. "Gavin wouldn't like that too much. He swore to defend me until he died. I don't think he'd like the fact that I could defend myself."
"He doesn't have to know," Catlin tried to persuade her.
Keara sighed. "Let me think about it," she stated before walking away.
Conor caught up with her. "Where are you going?"
"For a walk to think," Keara rejoined.
"Alone?" Conor requested. "Is that safe?"
Keara sighed and smiled. "Come on, Prince," she pronounced. "You can come along to protect me."
"Good, he said with a triumphant nod, "I'm glad you see it my way."
