Disclaimer: I don't own them. I'm just visiting. I am making no money from this and really just write because the alternative is unthinkable.

NOTE: Dryad Dray, thanks for the review. It was your pleasure at seeing my update that prompted me to write again so soon.

Transition

Part 8

Fight for Freedom

By Ecri

Dawn was still several hours away when Fergus found himself fully awake and alert having somehow sensed that something was about to happen. Fergus set to work quickly worrying the loose plank of the cage he shared with Tully. He made slow progress as he had little to work with but brute strength and patience, and, with Conor hurt, his patience had worn thin.

Once, while he worked, he thought he heard Conor make a sound. He tried calling to the lad, but was unable to get him to respond. "It's all right, lad." He whispered. "I'll be out o'here soon, and we'll get you looked at."

When sky began to grow rosy, he nudged Tully, who nudged Caitlin, showing them the progress he'd made. Tully was less than thrilled. "Fine, but with the Romans here there are three times the soldiers that were here yesterday. What can we do against that?"

Fergus doggedly continued working on the plank. "I don't know, but I'm not letting that monster take Conor back to his dungeons."

Neither Tully, nor Caitlin doubted the veracity of Fergus' statement, but they worried how he intended to do it.

Finally, Fergus pulled the loose plank free. A smile spread across his face as he held it out triumphantly.

Caitlin stared at the plank "Fergus," Her voice was low and gentle. "What are you planning? Can you squeeze out of here through that small opening?"

Tully grinned, interrupting Fergus before he could reply. "No, he can't, but I can." Noting their looks of doubt and disbelief, his grin grew bigger. "Trust me. I've been practicing contortionism."

Caitlin was confused. "What?"

Tully moved over to the gap. Sweet freedom was only about a foot wide. "Making yourself smallermaking yourself fit into small places."


As he spoke, he wriggled and pushed feeling the rough wood scratch his skin. In moments, he was out. Wasting no time in celebration, Tully examined the doors to the cages. They were secured with a rope tied above the prisoners' heads to a hanging tree limb. Carefully, he untied the knot, slid the rope back through the planks, and easily swung the gates open.


Fergus moved quickly and stealthily to Conor's side. "Conor?" he whispered. Caitlin and Tully were already working on the robes that held him secure. "Conor, lad, are ye awake?"

Conor's eyes fluttered open. He could not speak through parched, cracked lips, nor could he move on his own. Words, however, were unnecessary. His joy and surprise at seeing Fergus by his side were evident.

"Quiet, lad. Don't try to speak. We're going to get you out of here." Just then, Caitlin and Tully got the rope loose and lowered Conor's arms. He inhaled sharply at the pain as muscles, accustomed after long days of being held in place above his head, were forces into another position. "It's just as well you can't speak, boy. The yell you'd have given just then woulda been the end of us for sure.

Each move of each muscle sent waves of agony through Conor's limbs as blood renewed its circulation. Fergus, realizing what it was costing Conor to be conscious and standing, scooped him up and tossed him over his shoulder.

Caitlin and Tully had already found their weapons, which had been stored in a tent near their prison. Together, with Caitlin and Tully staying alert for approaching villagers or soldiers, and with Fergus carrying Conor, the foursome made their way cautiously through the village. Fergus wanted to get Conor under cover quickly, but he knew he would have to come back for their horses. They would never outrun the Romans on foot.

Loud, piercing, and purely terrifying, a battle cry rang through the village. Fergus glanced around expecting to see Dar's people pursuing them, but the cry seemed to come from the wrong direction.

"Sweet Brigid!" Fergus shouted in joy. Running, riding, fully armed, there were at least several dozen warriors from the Sanctuary. As they rode, he recognized more from other tribes that had joined Conor's Confederation. They'd come to save Conor. He moved more quickly, hoping to reach them before Dar, the villagers, and the Romans were roused to fighting form.

As he ran, a sense of foreboding washed over Fergus. Just in front of him, from between two tents, Fergus saw a figure moving. Robes. Long hair. Longinus!

Fergus could either stop or push past the monster. For the life of him, he could not decide which was best. He stopped. Caitlin and Tully pulled up short next to him. The battle between the Confederation and Dar's people, peppered with Romans attempting to protect Diana and Longinus, was reaching a fevered pitch. Arrows flew in all directions. Swords slashed and clanged. Warriors cried out in rage, pain, and frustration. Yet Fergus stood stock-still staring at Longinus as if they were alone. Longinus stepped forward until he was but a few feet from Fergus and the half-conscious Conor. Through half-closed eyes, Conor saw Longinus, and, lacking the strength to do much else, he groaned.

Longinus' attention was drawn to that groan as a hunter's attention was drawn to a stray movement in a still forest. Drawing back the hood that partially covered his head, Longinus' eyes widened in anticipation as they locked on Conor's.

Conor slowly closed his eyes. Not sure if it would help, he filled his mind with thoughts, and his mind's eye with visions trying desperately to block out his growing awareness of Longinus. He prayed with all his might that Fergus would run.

Longinus raised one hand towards the Prince's head. He had to force the boy's eyes open if he were to have control. That was all that mattered. That was all he could see.

Fergus took a step back, then two steps, keeping Conor just out of the Roman wizard's grasp.

Aware that his prey was getting away from him, Longinus allowed himself to notice Fergus. Wizard and Warrior stared into each other's eyes. Fergus felt his pulse quicken. Something strange was happening to him and he had no idea how to stop it. He tried to step back again, but found he was unable to control his limbs. In horror, he stood still as Longinus again came towards him, towards Conor. Fergus saw nothing but Longinus' hate-filled eyes as he began to lower Conor to the ground.

TBC