The arrival was now lying about half a month behind and for Catlin it was already hard to think of what life had been like without Lea

The arrival was now lying about half a month behind and for Catlin it was already hard to think of what life had been like without Lea. Today the whole group was assembled at the steam. Fergus and Tully were fishing, arguing about whose strategy caught the most fish. The rest was laughing, egging the two competitors on or talking.

Suddenly Lea jumped into the water not paying attention to the two fishers' protests ("You'll frighten all the fish!") and began to splash Conor and Catlin.

"Hey, you little imp! Stop that!" Conor protested.

But Lea only grinned. "Make me if you can! But first you have to catch me!"

"Cat, she's your daughter! Stop her!"

"Whatever you want me to do, my prince." Catlin was grinning as well. And without any warning she jumped forward, grabbed Lea and started tickling her. Lea was giggling trying to push her mother's hands away. "I yield!" But Catlin wouldn't let her escape that easy and kept on tickling. The four adults stood watching them rolling on the ground.

Nobody noticed the dark figure hiding a few hundred meters away observing them from the distance.

*I've never seen Cat so carefree before* Conor thought. *I hope she'll be able to keep that!*

Just that moment Sirius came running towards them. "Conor! Romans! Not far away from the entrance of the Sanctuary! A guard saw them! Hurry up, we have to entice them from the camp or they'll find us!" he shouted.

The warriors jumped up and exchanged short grim looks.

"Sirius is right. We can't let them get any closer!" Conor said. "Let's go!"

Sirius, Fergus and Tully stormed off to get their weapons. Only Catlin hesitated, looking at Lea. Conor waited for her to make her decision. Catlin was still hesitating, looking alternately at Lea and Aruna, thinking about what she was going to do. To Conor it was clear what was on her mind, as if it was written all over her face. Should she stay with her daughter, be a protective mother or should she go and fight against the Romans, be the warrior she had been since she was freed of slavery?

"Cat...?"

Catlin took a deep breath, she had made her decision. "Aruna, would you take care of Lea and go back to the camp? I... I simply HAVE to go!"

"Sure! Good luck and come back save, all of you!"

Catlin knelt down and embraced Lea.

"Be a good girl. I'll be back soon."

"Where do you go, Ma?"

Catlin gulped hard. "There... are things I have to do. It's for your safety. I promise I won't let anything happen to you!" With that she hugged Lea a last time before she stood up and looked at Conor. "Once more it's time to fight for what we believe in. Let's go!" She said in a strangely rough voice. Conor nodded and they headed off to get their weapons.

"Are you sure you don't prefer staying with Lea, Cat?" Conor asked when they mounted their horses.

"Conor, I'm a warrior. I don't think I'd be able to sit around while you are out there, fighting. I have to go!" She said. "And Lea is save here." She added more to convince herself not Conor.

In the distance the figure's dark eyes were glittering in self-satisfaction – his plan was working perfectly.

*~*

The little band of about a dozen warriors returned by nightfall. They had fought well, lost nobody while defeating all the Roman soldiers. Yet, nearly everybody of them had received some scratches. Tully had got a cut in his left arm and Catlin a rip in the stomach, not big or deep but ugly, though. They had transported the Romans' bodies several miles away so that they wouldn't be found nearby the entrance of the Sanctuary.

"I still don't understand how they found us! They were so close!" Tully muttered as he hopped of his horse.

"You're right Tully; we'll have to find out. But now first of all you need to have your wound seen by the healer. You too, Cat!" Conor advised.

"Soon Conor. Meryll, have you seen Lea?" Catlin asked the woman that was sitting by the fire.

"No, neither her nor Aruna since you went to the stream today. Aren't they in your hut?"

"No, they're not." Catlin said. "I wonder if..." Sudden realization began to dawn on her. "Oh, no!" With that she stormed off towards the stream with Conor in close pursuit. He too had the distinct feeling that something had happened, something really bad. Conor found it hard to follow Catlin as she was running as fast as a young deer, one hand pressed on her stomach. Obviously the cut was hurting more than Catlin had admitted. When he finally reached her he found her bent over a dark form that was lying on the floor. It was only when he stepped closer that he recognized the form in the semi-darkness – Aruna. She was unconscious and had a big bump on her forehead.

The two carried her back into Catlin's hut and placed her on the bed of furs. Right then Aruna awoke, moaning.

"Ah, my head... Catlin is that you?"

"Yes, Aruna. Hush, you'll be alright and your baby as well." Catlin said with a look at Aruna's rounding stomach. "But now tell me, what has happened? Where's Lea?" Her voice was trembling. Catlin wasn't sure if she really wanted to hear the answer. Conor was standing right behind her and she was grateful for that fact as his presence seemed to give her the strength to stand the following words.

"Lea..." Aruna whispered weakly. "She... we were just walking back to the camp soon after you left, when a dark man came riding towards us out of the forest." Aruna sniffed, a tear ran across her cheek, "Catlin, it was Rowan! He knocked me out with the hilt of his sword. He must have taken Lea with him...

Catlin you must find him and get Lea back! I can't stand the thought of losing her!"

Catlin nodded and stood up. She gulped back tears – there was no time to cry now, she had to act! She turned to Conor. "I... I need to find her. Will you help me once more?"

"Of course I will!"

"So will we!" Fergus and Tully were standing at the doorway, wearing grim looks, having heard the last words. Catlin's eyes were glittering – so wonderful friends!

They took up their weapons and made their way back to the stream to search for traces.

*~*

They had travelled for about two hours following Rowan's traces in the full moon. Fergus, the best tracks-reader of the group, was leading them. But now he dismounted his horse looking at the ground with a helpless expression on his face.

"Damn!" he muttered. "From here it's not clear if he rode further eastwards or to the South."

"And if we choose the wrong direction we might loose them!" Conor said. "So what shall we do? We could divide into two groups and follow both ways. What do you think of it, Cat? Cat...?"

Catlin had dismounted her horse and knelt down at the crossroads, her eyes closed.

*I want to find my daughter. Lord, please help me! Save her!* She concentrated on this single thought, sent out her spirit to find Lea. She left behind everything, all her sorrows, her whole being until there was only her wish to find Lea left. She stretched out her spiritual arms to search her daughter, stretched her arms until she could embrace the whole island. Catlin felt the endless power of the land streaming through her veins, giving her strength, felt the spirit of every living creature, perfect in its simplicity. The feeling was so wonderful, everything was easy. A small part of Catlin wished she could stay this way forever, feeling the power of the land that was unchanged since the beginning of time.

But Catlin kept groping for one person, the part of herself that made her life complete.

*Lea, where are you? Lea! Lea, can you hear me? Lea*

And suddenly there was it; the warmth, the feeling of completion Catlin had had when she held her daughter.

*Lea!*

*Mmm... Ma? Ma!*

*Oh Lea, I found you! Lea, hush darling...* Catlin embraced the girl with her spiritual arms, caressing her back, giving her strength. *Hush, I'll find you, I promise! Nobody will hurt you!*

*Ma, I-* There was a scream and the connection broke abruptly.

Catlin's eyes snapped open and she jumped up. "Lea!"

"Cat, are you okay?" Conor asked with a look of concern. "It was the fifth time that I called your name! I asked you what to do now."

"We'll go southwards and find Lea!" Catlin said convinced.

"How do you know it for sure, Cat?"

"I simply know it. Just trust in me."

"Lass, are you sure you're okay?" Fergus asked again.

"Of course I am, Fergus!" Catlin answered. "I... I could feel her and now I know where she is!" She looked into Conor's eyes as if begging him to belief her. Conor looked right back at her, seeing the convincing in her eyes. He nodded. "Alright then. I trust you Cat. Let's get going!"

So they rode on through the cool night. Catlin tried several times to rebuild the connection and find Lea's spirit again. But she never got the feeling for the land back or could at least feel her daughter. Catlin began to worry if Rowan had already killed Lea but she chased away the thought immediately again. She was sure she would feel that, feel it like a dagger piercing her heart.

"How is your stomach Cat? Does the wound hurt you very much?" Conor asked her about half an hour later.

"No, I'm fine. It's not that bad, I hardly feel anything. Don't worry about me." She lied. Actually the pain was terrible. But Catlin wouldn't let anything but her child enter her mind now. So she suppressed the pain even though she knew that she got weaker with every minute of riding passing.

Time passed slowly, minutes became hours. They rode for what seemed a lifetime.

Fergus looked to the moon shining through the treetops and sighed. "It must be nearly midnight!"

Just that moment Conor raised his hand to stop them and pointed forward where the trees formed a small clearing. "Torches!" he whispered. "I bet it's Rowan."

They exchanged short glances and then dismounted their horses. Conor looked into Catlin's eyes and saw the fire in them – there it was again: The willingness to die for Lea's safety; like he had seen it the night they had returned to the Sanctuary with Lea.

The four warriors sneaked forward noiselessly and stopped hidden in the last bushes at the edge of the clearing, surveying the area.

In the middle of the clearing a big fire was burning, sending sparks into the dark night sky. The fire was surrounded by about a dozen men who all wore dark floor-length cloaks and were holding a torch. Their faces were hidden under large hoods. The men humming a song of incantation; their joint voices held a power that seemed to make the air vibrate. Next to the fire some rocks were forming a altar and tied on it there was – Lea!

When Catlin saw her she nearly jumped forward, but Conor grabbed her shoulder rather hard to hold her back and shook his head.

"Think before you act Cat! We're outnumbered." he hissed.

Catlin nodded. Conor was right, she wouldn't help Lea with having herself killed. But it made Catlin sick to stand there and watch when the only thing she wanted to do was to run over to her daughter who was bound on the stone with a cloth in her mouth to muffle her cries. The little girl was unable to move, the fear had paralyzed her; the only thing she did was to cry silently.

Now a man stepped into the circle. He too was wearing a cloak but as he didn't wear a hood they could see who he was: Rowan.

He began to speak with a voice full of pride. "Full moon! Midnight! It's tonight that my time has come, my brothers! The time to give our god a child of my own blood and to gain Harmestor's strength. The strength that will help us to ride the Romans out of our country forever! It's tonight, it's time!" With those words he stepped to the altar and raised a silver dagger that glittered in the moonlight above his head. Lea's eyes widened, she whimpered and struggled but couldn't break free.

"NOOOO!" This was too much. Catlin stormed out of their hiding-place, pulling an arrow. She aimed less than a heartbeat and then shot right through Rowan's hand. "Aahhh!!!" The dagger fell on the ground and Rowan grabbed his wounded hand, his face was racked with pain. But Catlin wasted no time in watching Rowan. Lightning-fast she fired three more times and killed three men before they even noticed what was happening. Then the surrounding men woke out of their stiffness. Some drew hidden swords out of their cloaks, the others used the torches they were holding and attacked.

So did Conor, Fergus and Tully. Roaring they left their hiding-place and began to fight. Conor ducked when one of the men lashed out with his torch and hit his opponent in the uncovered stomach. Fergus swung his club knocking out two men at an instant. Tully rushed with his blade through a man who fell on the ground before he even knew what the dark-skinned boy had done. Obviously the members of the sect were no professional fighters – they fell like flies.

Catlin shot another arrow sending the most far opponent on the ground before she turned her attention back to Rowan. They were facing each other now. He was still standing next to Lea and had pulled the arrow out of his hand. "You! I should have known it!" he shouted, anger flashing in his eyes as he stared at Catlin. "How dare you interrupting me, you damn whore?" He pulled his sword pointing at her. Catlin too drew the sword that was hanging at her belt. Her heart was pounding fiercely in her chest and her breathing quickened. She didn't know anything about Rowan's fighting abilities. She, however, was no sword-fighter; she was mainly an archer. Fergus and Conor had taught her some important movements and tricks with the sword but still she had lost each of her training fights. This wouldn't be easy. But the mix of fear, anger and hate streaming through her veins gave her supernatural power. With a roar Catlin attacked.

Steel was clashing as the two opponent exchanged and parried forceful punches. Rowan was good! Catlin noticed. But not as good as her teachers. So maybe Catlin had a real chance to win!

"Bastard! What excuse do you have for trying to kill your own child? MY child!" Catlin hissed between two attacks. The fight was already taking too long.

'If there's anything you can do about it lass, make your fights short. You haven't got the skill for a long professional fight!' Fergus had always told her.

But Rowan didn't have any openings in his cover so Catlin had no possibility to 'finish' him. Blood was covering his hand where the arrow had hit him but he ignored it.

"You wouldn't understand it!" he responded, spitting out the words. "For this sacrifice Harmestor will give me the strength to defeat the Romans! Then Eire will be free again!" He hit out forcefully again, leaving a big cut on Catlin's arm. She gasped but didn't stop fighting.

"That may be a noble intention, but it's not worth a child's life!"

Lea who was still struggling with her bonds somehow managed to break free of the cloth that jammed her mouth and cried out.

"Maaa!"

Catlin was diverted for a second and Rowan used that moment merciless for a new attack. Catlin, trying to avoid the blow, jumped back, tripped over a smaller stone and fell on the ground. Rowan kicked her in the stomach and Catlin felt new unbearable pain flashing through her wound.

"Maaa!" Lea shrieked again but Rowan knocked her out with the hilt of his sword.

"No, you bastard!" Catlin tried to stand up but Rowan kicked her again, his foot meeting her face. Catlin almost fainted but the thought of Lea kept her conscious. However, Catlin was blinded by the dirt of Rowans shoes, so she didn't see him raising his sword over Lea.

"And now Harmestor will get what is HIS!"

Catlin felt her bow and quiver underneath her. This was her last chance! She took up the weapon ignoring the pain rushing through her entire body. Rowan didn't notice it – he was too taken with the sacrifice. Catlin tried to aim but her eyes were full of dust and watered. All she saw were shadows.

"Harmestor this is for you!" Rowan shouted.

*Jesus give me strength! And lead my arrow!* Catlin closed her eyes and released the arrow. It whirred through the air and pierced Rowan's throat. He broke down coughing and gasping; his sword clattering on the ground.

Catlin gathered all the strength she had left and stood up slowly. Every movement was sending new pain through her body. Her stomach was bleeding again. She staggered forward to the altar. When she passed Rowan he began to speak, coughing blood.

"You're a good warrior... I... didn't know... that she means that much to you..."

"She's my everything." Was all that Catlin answered toneless.

"The wish of freeing Eire from the Romans was my everything... I..." Rowan's voice trailed off. He was dead.

Catlin stared down at him hesitatingly, then she bent down and closed his stiff eyes. She felt neither anger nor hate for this man anymore. Only pity. "Rest in peace." She walked on, approaching the altar. When she reached it she cut Lea's bonds, took up her hands and fell to her knees.

"I'm here, my sweet... It was all my fault. Forgive me."

*~*

Conor, Fergus and Tully had fought with a vengeance. The battle had been so quick Conor never had a chance to notice how Catlin was doing. He saw the last men falling to Tully's feet.

He turned to face Catlin and saw her lying on the ground aiming an arrow at Rowan who had raised his sword over Lea. Catlin closed her eyes and a heartbeat later Rowan broke down with arrow stabbing in his throat. Conor saw Catlin stand up laborious and drag herself towards her daughter.

"Are you okay lad?" Conor turned when he heard Fergus' voice behind him.

"I'm fine. What about you?"

"One of these bastards burned my moustache!" Fergus growled.

"Maybe he didn't like it? Tully what's about your leg?" Conor asked when the dark-skinned boy walked over to the two of them, trailing his left leg. "Are you hurt?"

"No, it's just because the last man fell directly on my foot!" Tully grumbled and Fergus burst into laughter at the sight of his pout.

Then Conor remembered Catlin and ran over to her. She was know kneeling at Lea's side. "...Forgive me." He heard the archer say when he stepped behind her.

Lea moved slightly but didn't open her eyes. "Mmm... Aunt Una?" she groaned weakly.

"Hush, darling... It's okay. We'll take you to Aruna." Catlin gulped back tears. She hadn't been able to protect her daughter. And now here she was, asking for her real mother – Aruna.

Conor helped Catlin to stand up and gave her a hug. "Let's go home" he said. Catlin nodded and tried to take up Lea but her legs didn't support her weight any longer. She would have broken down if Conor and Tully hadn't grabbed her and held her up. Fergus took up Lea and carried her to the horses while Conor supported Catlin. He could see that every movement hurt her as she groaned slightly at every step.

"It's okay Cat." He said soothingly. "It's all over now. Lea will be fine and so will you after we brought you to the healer."

"I didn't keep my promise..." was all that Catlin answered looking at the ground. Slowly they made their way home.

*~*