Saber Rider and Voltron characters belong to their specified animation and branding companies. Please don't sue me. All OCs belong to me. Do not use my world or OCs without my express permission. I sincerely hope you enjoy this story.
Special thanks to DrowningBlonde for being a sounding board for this story. Without your help, I'd still be stuck creating the world. Thanks for all the support!
Life has gotten in the way of writing lately. I am now only two chapters ahead of where I'm posting. I hope to start working on and completing this story soon. Thanks to those who are sticking with it. I hope you feel it's worth the wait.
Gawain arrives to the Doolin entrance tunnel to find it unguarded. Already on edge, he fingers the hilt of his sword as he makes his way down the corridor, listening for any voices or signs of life. He travels for quite a ways, further into darkness. Eventually, when he can no longer see at all, he pulls out a pocket light and sets it to dim, holding it in front of him. He continues on when he hears a slight shift in the gravel ahead to his left and a nearly silent intake of breath. He increases the light and holds it towards the sound. He sees a shadow fade quickly down a side corridor, hidden by a crevice. "Show yourself. I am here on the command of the Offeiriades."
Slowly a boy of about thirteen steps out, sword drawn. "Why does she suddenly show an interest in us?" he asks warily, the sword still ready to strike.
"She has always cared. She was unaware of what had transpired here," Gawain replies. "We have Seamus Kennedy in confinement. He shall be judged after the festival has ended. I am looking for the family of Torran Byrnes."
"Why?" the boy says warily. His grip tightening on the sword.
"The Offeiriades has offered his family protection in exchange for his testimony to what has been happening here since Beltane."
"Would she offer others that same protection?" the boy asks, relaxing the grip ever so slightly.
Gawain touches his ear, "Offieiriades, I have others who seek protection in exchange for testimony. What do I say?" he asks over his com. A pause, he nods his head slightly. "As you say," he replies and disconnects by touching his ear again. "She has said that any who give truthful testimony shall be protected. If you give a false statement, you shall be judged."
"Do we flee with you?" the boy asks.
"Aye. We leave straightaway. Take only what you can carry."
The boy nods and steps back into the shadows for several minutes before slowly emerging with a group of people. "We have sent word to those who are loyal to use the emergency tunnels and leave with only what can be carried. We cannot risk being caught, Sir," the boy says as the group stands awaiting orders.
"What is your name, boy?" He asks the young teen.
"I am Ennis Byrnes, Sir."
"Your Mum and sisters are here?" he asks.
Ennis hesitates, but slowly nods to a woman holding a small girl on her shoulder, two others looking to be between three and six years of age are clinging to her legs. The woman refusing to look at the man, her eyes firmly affixed to the floor of the cavern. Gawain looks to her, then to the small number, noting few men, more women and children. "Follow me," he says firmly and turns to head back the way he came.
They meet up with others as they make their way, still not seeing many men, mostly women and children. All seem subdued and barely any words are spoken, most keep their eyes downcast as they follow Gawain back to Ayrshire. As they stop for a rest, Gawain looks to a few of the adults gathered, "Where are your men?" he asks.
"They separate us," Ennis says quietly. The women hang back, allowing him to speak for them. "When a male hits fifteen circles, he is to pick a wife no younger than thirteen and they are expected to breed. Before that, the males remain with their mothers. After they have their first baby, he is expected to take another wife."
Gawain opens his mouth to speak, but no words come out. "I see", he eventually says. "And do all of you agree with his decrees?" he asks slowly.
"Nay, Sir. It is why we were hidden. We felt our best chance at survival was t'hide while he was gone."
"I've been instructed to lead ya to the eastern dorms close to those from the human settlement. The Offeiriades is arranging for counselors an' healers to examine all of ya. I am sorry that ya've had to endure such dire circumstance. We will do what we can to stop it from happenin' again."
Ennis nods and they are soon on their way once more.
They walk for several more hours, well into the next day. Gawain begins to drag as his body realizes just how long he's been awake. He finally agrees to stop and rest, roughly halfway to Ayrshire. "Let's make camp in the caverns to either side for now. We all need some rest. I need two people to guard each entrance," he says to those gathered.
Four teen boys step up, all armed. "We will," the tallest one says firmly. "It looks like you could use a bit o'rest yer'self."
Gawain gives a curt nod. "Aye. I could do with a brief rest. Wake me if anything comes up, or in two awrs, whichever comes first."
"Aye, Sir."
Gawain settles himself just inside the first rim of the cave, hidden from view, the two teens just to the outer part of the rim. Slowly the group settles deeper within the cave, and all goes quiet.
"Offeiriades, there is a small group approaching from the western tunnels," Derrag says as he drops to one knee before his ruler.
"Is Gawain with them?" she asks as she indicates for him to rise.
"Nay, 'tis a different group," he says as he stands up once more. "I have sent Rowan and Scott to meet them."
The priestess nods."Direct them to the western most dorms. I wish to find out what is truly going on with Doolin. I feel we still don't have the entire story."
"Aye Offeiriades," he replies. "Do you wish me to go and seek out Gawain, to see if he needs help?"
"Nay, Derrag. I want you to remain with that group. See what information you can glean from their conversations and be sure they are made comfortable. I will speak to this group after checking on how the girl Tegan is after breaking her fast. Tell only those that you wish to assist you of their arrival, I want them to remain confined for now."
"As you say, Offeiriades," Derrag replies with a slight bow before turning to meet the incoming group.
The priestess then heads down another corridor, stopping at a door and knocking. She waits a moment before opening the door and stepping in, allowing it to close after her.
"Good morning, Offeiriades," Richard says in a tone that shows fatigue as he gives a small bow.
The priestess looks him over, "I take it last night was not restful?"
Richard gives a slight shake of his head, "Nay, Offeiriades."
"Is Merida unwell?" she asks concerned.
"She spent most of last night restless and this morning she began vomiting. I have been giving energy to ease her discomfort as best I can, but I'm not sure it is enough," he replies quietly as he leads the priestess into the bedroom.
They enter to find Merida sitting up, her knees pulled to her chest with her forehead resting on them.
"Meri?" Richard says as they enter. "The Offeiriades is here," he adds as he sits beside her and places a hand on her back.
Meri stiffens, then relaxes and slowly lifts her head to see Richard's concerned face staring at her. "I'm sorry," she whispers before turning to face the priestess. "How is Tegan?" she asks, her voice a little more steady.
"She will survive," the priestess replies as she struggles to keep her shock of Merida's state out of her voice. "But as it is with you, it's as if someone is attacking her life force."
"Is that possible?" Richard asks as he instinctively pulls Merida towards him.
The priestess slowly nods. "Just as we share energy, we can also take. Although doing so without consent is not permitted as it could kill."
Merida shudders and turns to swing her feet off the side of the bed as if to get up.
"You need to rest, Love," Richard says, his arm going out to stop her from standing.
"I need to attend to Tegan." she replies weakly. "And prepare for the assembly."
"Tegan is being tended to. And I am delaying the assembly until tomorrow. We have people from Doolin arriving seeking refuge. I will be sure the girl is tended to and well guarded. Your condition is worrisome. You would be no help to her presently. Can you make it to the springs, Merida?" the priestess asks.
"I think so," she replies obviously uncertain.
"I'll carry you if need be, Meri," Richard says as he moves his arm so she can stand.
"I will have the acolytes send breakfast to our guests and set the assembly for an awr after breaking our fasts tomorrow. Will that be sufficient time to get to the springs and eat before joining us in the temple?"
Merida slowly nods, "I think so, Offeiriades."
"Good," the priestess replies as she comes round the bed and places a hand gently on the younger woman's shoulder.
"I'll go change and get us a few towels," Richard says as he rises from the bed and heads towards their adjacent washroom.
"Take care of yourself, Meri," the priestess says kindly. "There will be a lot of changes coming soon, and at an almost alarming rate. Let Richard help you and support you. Don't continue to close him off. It hurts both of you."
"Aye, I know. I'm sorry," she replies as she looks up at the older woman. "I-it just brought everything back. Richard even offered to sleep on the floor last night. It was like he could sense what was going on inside my head."
The priestess sits beside Merida on the edge of the bed. "And when you fell ill?"
"He went and got a bucket and then would rinse it when I was done, wiping my brow and sharing any energy he could spare," she replies, her voice cracking with emotion as she struggles to keep tears from falling. I should be stronger than this.
"You are stronger than you know, Merida," the Offeiriades says firmly as she takes Merida's chin to force her to look her in the eyes, clearly reading her thoughts from her expression. "The ability to purify blood has not been known for more than a millenia. Most who have attempted to do what you have done for Richard would not have survived. Instead, it seemed empower you. When I realized that, I suspected things were going to change. Most thought that Marcus and I would be the ones to lead the change. I didn't feel we fit the scriptures. You and Richard do. I believe that Seamus too is part of this, and not in a good way. But as we continue down this path that is our life, more and more is happening that coincides with the ancient texts."
"Are you ready to go, Love?" Richard says as he comes out of the washroom in loose trousers and tunic, two towels tucked under his arm.
Merida looks to him and gives a hesitant nod, "Aye."
The priestess stands up and Merida goes to stand and nearly drops to the floor when Richard drops the towels and scoops her up in nearly one fluid motion as the priestess picks up the towels and lays them across Richard's shoulder. "Perhaps I should have us wait a couple more days before calling the assembly," she says with obvious concern.
"I think the springs will help," Merida replies weakly. "I think I stood up too quickly," she adds and manages a weak smile to Richard. "I can try and walk, Rick."
"I'm not setting you down until we reach the springs," he says with a small hint of amusement to try and cover his concern. He then looks to the Offeiriades, "I know that everyone is swamped, but would it be possible to have someone bring us something to break our fast to the springs this morning? I know you said you would do it tomorrow, but given Meri's condition, an extended visit I think would be beneficial." he asks as they head out of the bedroom, through the sitting area and out the door, the priestess closing it after them.
"Of course I can arrange that, Morair. I will have Finn bring it after he eats. He should be up by now."
"Thank you, Offeiriades," Richard replies as they head in opposite directions.
A few stragglers arrive, but otherwise, nothing else happens during the following two awrs.
"It's time, Sir," the boy says to Gawain as he nudges his leg gently with his boot.
Looking around to get his bearings, he stands up and stretches briefly before turning to start helping to awaken the group further into the cave. Within a short time, the group begins their trek once more. They walk and walk, stopping only to eat and take brief rests.
"We are to await word just a bit further up ahead," Gawain says as the group slowly comes to a halt, not far from the tunnels that lead to Ayrshire. I expect someone to meet us and tell us where to go."
"Shouldn't we go to temple?" the boy asks quietly.
"I was told I will be taking you to the easternmost dorms. It will be decided then whether you are to join the assembly that will convene in a few awrs."