The last two days were quickly up and Ewan found himself finally saying
good-bye to Kael and to the one place he knew as home. It was a heartfelt
departure filled with sadness and a bit of happiness too. However it was
the last time Ewan would see Kael. The momentum of time seemed to have
picked up when traveling with Lazar.
With help from Lazar, Ewan had gained much more then just experience but a better understanding of life. Ewan's exceptional warrior skills had gained him respect among others they had encountered during their journey. Words of a dark knight had spread across the lands along with tales of a warrior goddess named, Cathain.
As they rode their horses along another land of lush green hills and pristine rivers, Ewan thought of Cathain. Ewan had later found out from Lazar that Cathain was indeed the wielder of the Llan An Cailleach. As of late thoughts of her had been assailing his mind. She was no longer limited to just his dreams, she was just everywhere. The feelings were going stronger the more they traveled on. Could it mean they were getting closer? Ewan smiled at the thought of finally meeting her in person.
"What are you smiling about, Dragon?" Ewan rolled his eyes at the nickname he had picked up while traveling. There had been many lessons as there were just as many fights. Kael had thought him well; along with his already heightened senses, Ewan had no other equal. They called him the Black Dragon. An enigma who wore black armor, another gift from Kael, and one who fought like a dragon, with such deadly strength and a cunning mind.
Some of his encounters were dangerous battles, some were street brawls, and most were simple disagreements that always seemed to end up in a physical fight. However most of those little disagreements always happened when Lazar was around. Ewan had a feeling the old man had a hand in purposely riling up a situation. Could it be Lazar was simply testing Ewan? Perhaps Ewan thought, Lazar would never admit to it though. Instead, Ewan pushed the idea aside. He had to admit it was never a dull moment with Lazar around.
"I was just thinking about Cathain, again." Ewan loved the way her name rolled off his tongue, Cathain. Lazar grinned and shook his head. "Well I can't help myself, Lazar. I do not know why but I feel as if we are getting closer. I can just feel her all around." Lazar nodded his head and smiled. Lazar could see that the year traveling has helped him grow more into a man.
However, deep in those dark eyes was still the lost boy but they were covered under layers of experience. He had stopped asking Ewan about his dreams not that he was too old, but because Ewan would tell him first thing in the morning. In the beginning, he had dreams about Cathain and about the pretender, Conchobar. It was difficult for Ewan, to witness the one he loved with another. Nevertheless, he showed no signs that he wanted to give up Ewan were still determined to serve the wielder, his lady Cathain.
A woman's scream echoed in the distance, quickly halting Ewan and Lazar's conversation. Ewan began to scan the area hoping to pinpoint where the scream had come from. Again, another scream was heard. Ewan turned his head towards the forest, quickly jolting his horse into a run. Lazar followed further behind. "No stay away from me!" The woman pleaded.
Ewan slowed his horse down when he heard how close he was. He stopped and dismounted his horse, tying the reins onto a tree branch. He put on his helmet, grabbed his bow and a few arrows. With his sword secured to his back, Ewan quietly made his way towards where he last heard the woman's voice.
There was a small clearing just ahead, a woman had her back pressed against a large tree trunk, in her hands was a branch she used as a weapon. Five men began to advance towards the woman. She swung the branch, warding them off. They backed off slightly, laughing at the vain attempt.
"We got ourselves a spitfire. We'll have some fun breaking this one in, right." One of the men yelled out, the rest shouted out with laughter and amusement. Ewan made his was around. They had her surrounded. One positioned just a few feet to her left and another to her right. The other two were just a few feet in front of him. The one that had spoken aloud stood just a couple feet from the woman; he was the closest to her.
Without his quiver, Ewan stuck the three arrows he grabbed into the ground, the ends sticking up, making it easier for him to draw at them. In this situation, quickness was essential. He picked up two arrows, placed them on the bow, and drew back, aiming for the two in front of him. The arrows silently sailed through the air and pierced into the men's back. They fell, dead before they hit the ground. Their gargled cries alerted the other the men.
The one to the left of the woman turned just in time to watch the point of an arrow coming straight at him. The arrow pierced through his face. Ewan dropped his bow to the ground and drew out his sword. The man from the right drew his sword, and with a yell began to charge after Ewan.
The man held his sword in both hands, holding it up into the air, mistakenly leaving his midsection unguarded. Ewan stood his ground and waited for him. Just when the man was about to bring down his sword, Ewan sidestepped and brought up his sword, slicing against his exposed midsection. The man bent over at the waist, his agonizing cry echoed in the air. Ewan brought down his sword severing the man's head from his body with ease.
Ewan did not waste time over the dead man, he quickly made his way to the last man. Ewan stopped in mid-stride. The perpetrator took the woman hostage. He hid behind her; his left arm snaked around waist while the other held a dagger to her neck. "Drop your sword or I'll kill her!" Ewan had no other choice but to obey. He dropped his sword to the ground and held his arms to the side.
"Step back!" the man yelled. The woman tried to free from the man's hold but he tighten his arm around her waist and pressed the knife closer to her neck. The man's hand had moved closer to her mouth, the woman saw the opportunity and bit down hard enough to draw blood. The man screamed "Argh," and his grip on the knife loosened, dropping to the ground. He ripped his hand out of her mouth, pushing to her to the side.
For the time being forgetting about Ewan, the man swung his fist, backhanding the woman across the face. The woman fell backwards dazed and in pain. Ewan's eyes flared and were immediately closing in on the perpetrator. The man turned in time to see Ewan closing in but it was too late. With lightening speed Ewan struck the man in the throat with two fingers, instantly killing the man. A sickening gurgle sound escaped the man's lips the second before he died, his limp body slide down the tree trunk.
The woman was still cowering on the ground, her dirty hands covering her face. "My lady its alright." Ewan knelt down, sticking out his arm. "I will not hurt you I swear." The woman looked at the dark knight between her fingers. The sound of his voice was soft and reassuring. She pushed herself up a bit from the ground and cautiously held out her hand. Ewan was about to grasp the outstretched arm when he heard a war cry.
He snapped his head to the left just in time to see someone clad in armor coming towards him with a sword. Ewan rolled backwards to his sword. He picked it up in time to cover the blow that was aimed for his head. Ewan pushed against the sword and the other warrior staggered backwards. Ewan quickly got to his feet and defensively readied his stance for battle.
Ewan could not see the warrior's face; the helmet the person wore hid their identity. The warrior let out another cry and advanced on Ewan. The woman stood to the side watching as the two warriors equally fought each other. Neither one relenting nor were they gaining an advantage in this fight. That was when he seen it as Ewan deflected yet another blow to his head. There was no mistaking the familiar red glint.
'It was the Llan An Cailleach, and this woman must be.' Ewan thoughts interrupted when a stab of pain shot through his right shoulder, he lost his grip on his sword and it dropped to the ground. He mistakenly lost his focus giving her the opportunity to deliver a blow.
She pulled back and was about to deliver a fatal blow when, without warning, the blade reverted to its bracelet form, leaving Cathain unarmed. The warrior stared disbelievingly at her arm. Had the Llan An Cailleach finally decided to abandon her at her most dire need? Cathain had no time to contemplate over the sudden predicament Ewan took the chance and wrestled her to the ground.
Her helmet, knocked off during the struggle, finally revealed her face to the knight. Angry green eyes stared up from beneath wisp of dark brown that had escaped from her braided hair. Cathain was pinned to the ground with his heavy body flushed on top of hers, hands gripped into his; she could see dark eyes through the slit of his visor.
"CATHAIN!" The woman's cry made Ewan look up at the woman.
Capturing the opportunity Cathain withered a hand free from his vice like grip and with all her strength Cathain pushed against his injured shoulder, the pain causing him to roll over. Following in suit, Cathain pulled a dagger from her boot and held the tip at his exposed throat.
"Cathain don't!" The woman pleaded.
"Only upon my sister's request do you live! Now, do you yield?" She spoke hoarsely as she grasped for breath. Ewan had not spoken; he simply stared into those fiery green eyes of hers, mesmerized.
"Do you yield!?" Agitated Cathain held the tip of the dagger so close to his throat that when he swallowed blood was drawn. The knight slowly held both hands up in surrender and nodded his head. Cathain did not relinquish her grip on the dagger but gradually eased off her weight.
While sitting up Ewan caught the sudden swirl of the blade, without a second thought he roughly took the dagger from Cathain's hand. With her body still straddling him, he wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her slightly to the side and tossing the dagger into the air. Stunned by his swift movement all Cathain could do was rest her hands on his breastplate of his armor and stared shockingly into the shadows of the visor.
"Cathain!" Deirdre screamed her name as Cathain turned to see what had happened.
She eyed her dagger now embedded into the chest of a dead man, in his hand held a sword. He somehow sneaked up behind her and was about to strike down on her exposed back. The knight who she had fought had saved her life. When she turned back, she could see the knight watching her beneath his visor.
His eyes filled with what she could see as - fear? Time had seemed to stop between the two; they sat still in each other's embrace, it seemed like hours before Cathain finally twisted out of his arms. Deirdre made her way over to the two fallen warriors and helped Cathain to her feet.
"Are you all right?" Cathain exclaimed as she turned to her sister. Deirdre fell into her sister's open arms; tears streaming down her face. Deirdre buried her face into the crook of Cathain's neck, weary from the events that had just transpired. Afraid that her sister might faint, Cathain guided Deirdre to a large fallen tree branch she could use to sit on. Kneeling in front of her, Cathain began to smooth back the blonde tresses out of Deirdre's dirty face.
A bruise was already forming on Deirdre's face. Cathain was sure that she had sustained a few minor cuts and bruises but fortunately, it was nothing serious. Looking deeply into green eyes so much like her own; Cathain again asked Deirdre if she was all right. Deirdre merely nodded her head still unable to find her voice.
Giving her sister some time to clam down, Cathain stood and turned her attention back to the mysterious black knight. She watched Ewan get up to his feet and made his way over to retrieve his sword off the ground. With his left hand, he sheathed the sword behind his back. He then lifted his hand to inspect the damage to his shoulder.
Rubbing the cold stone of the bracelet that adorned her wrist, Cathain was still confused why the blade had retracted back to its bracelet form quickly after she had stabbed the knight. It was as if the blade refused to be used against him. The blade hissed on her arm as if it was confirming her suspicions. Why? What was so special about him?
Ewan could feel her eyes boar into his back. The image of those green eyes were locked in him memory. Apparently, his dreams did her no justice. She was more stunning and striking as ever. He still remembers how it felt like to hold her in his arms. In addition, when they fought she was his equal. No man has ever held his own against him as well as she did. She was in just one word, magnificent. Ewan felt like an idiot just standing there so he pretended to study his injury, though it did hurt his thoughts were far from his physical wound.
After a time he decided to finally move and look for his discarded bow. Cathain watched as he started to move away, a bit fearful that he'd flee Cathain was about to yell when she seen him stop somewhere in the forest and bent to pick up something. He dusted of his bow and made his way back. At the same time another figured entered he clearing.
"Ewan?!" Lazar yelled out. He was guiding both his and Ewan's horse, pulling on the reins as he walked towards them. "Over here!" His rich voice echoed and Cathain's heart skipped a beat. Cathain composed herself by taking a deep breath. 'Get a hold of yourself woman!' She chided. If she felt this way just because of the sound of his voice, what would happen if she finally seen his face? Seeing that Ewan was hurt, Lazar dropped the reins and rushed over to him. Not once had he made notice of Cathain or Deirdre.
"What happened to you? Why are you injured?" Lazar demanded answers. Grateful that he still had his helmet on Ewan was blushing under underneath his visor remembering how he was caught off guard. "I'm fine, Lazar." Was all Ewan had said. He did not want to him what really happened. Kael would have his hide if he knew. Not only did he loose his focus he got himself injured in the process.
With help from Lazar, Ewan had gained much more then just experience but a better understanding of life. Ewan's exceptional warrior skills had gained him respect among others they had encountered during their journey. Words of a dark knight had spread across the lands along with tales of a warrior goddess named, Cathain.
As they rode their horses along another land of lush green hills and pristine rivers, Ewan thought of Cathain. Ewan had later found out from Lazar that Cathain was indeed the wielder of the Llan An Cailleach. As of late thoughts of her had been assailing his mind. She was no longer limited to just his dreams, she was just everywhere. The feelings were going stronger the more they traveled on. Could it mean they were getting closer? Ewan smiled at the thought of finally meeting her in person.
"What are you smiling about, Dragon?" Ewan rolled his eyes at the nickname he had picked up while traveling. There had been many lessons as there were just as many fights. Kael had thought him well; along with his already heightened senses, Ewan had no other equal. They called him the Black Dragon. An enigma who wore black armor, another gift from Kael, and one who fought like a dragon, with such deadly strength and a cunning mind.
Some of his encounters were dangerous battles, some were street brawls, and most were simple disagreements that always seemed to end up in a physical fight. However most of those little disagreements always happened when Lazar was around. Ewan had a feeling the old man had a hand in purposely riling up a situation. Could it be Lazar was simply testing Ewan? Perhaps Ewan thought, Lazar would never admit to it though. Instead, Ewan pushed the idea aside. He had to admit it was never a dull moment with Lazar around.
"I was just thinking about Cathain, again." Ewan loved the way her name rolled off his tongue, Cathain. Lazar grinned and shook his head. "Well I can't help myself, Lazar. I do not know why but I feel as if we are getting closer. I can just feel her all around." Lazar nodded his head and smiled. Lazar could see that the year traveling has helped him grow more into a man.
However, deep in those dark eyes was still the lost boy but they were covered under layers of experience. He had stopped asking Ewan about his dreams not that he was too old, but because Ewan would tell him first thing in the morning. In the beginning, he had dreams about Cathain and about the pretender, Conchobar. It was difficult for Ewan, to witness the one he loved with another. Nevertheless, he showed no signs that he wanted to give up Ewan were still determined to serve the wielder, his lady Cathain.
A woman's scream echoed in the distance, quickly halting Ewan and Lazar's conversation. Ewan began to scan the area hoping to pinpoint where the scream had come from. Again, another scream was heard. Ewan turned his head towards the forest, quickly jolting his horse into a run. Lazar followed further behind. "No stay away from me!" The woman pleaded.
Ewan slowed his horse down when he heard how close he was. He stopped and dismounted his horse, tying the reins onto a tree branch. He put on his helmet, grabbed his bow and a few arrows. With his sword secured to his back, Ewan quietly made his way towards where he last heard the woman's voice.
There was a small clearing just ahead, a woman had her back pressed against a large tree trunk, in her hands was a branch she used as a weapon. Five men began to advance towards the woman. She swung the branch, warding them off. They backed off slightly, laughing at the vain attempt.
"We got ourselves a spitfire. We'll have some fun breaking this one in, right." One of the men yelled out, the rest shouted out with laughter and amusement. Ewan made his was around. They had her surrounded. One positioned just a few feet to her left and another to her right. The other two were just a few feet in front of him. The one that had spoken aloud stood just a couple feet from the woman; he was the closest to her.
Without his quiver, Ewan stuck the three arrows he grabbed into the ground, the ends sticking up, making it easier for him to draw at them. In this situation, quickness was essential. He picked up two arrows, placed them on the bow, and drew back, aiming for the two in front of him. The arrows silently sailed through the air and pierced into the men's back. They fell, dead before they hit the ground. Their gargled cries alerted the other the men.
The one to the left of the woman turned just in time to watch the point of an arrow coming straight at him. The arrow pierced through his face. Ewan dropped his bow to the ground and drew out his sword. The man from the right drew his sword, and with a yell began to charge after Ewan.
The man held his sword in both hands, holding it up into the air, mistakenly leaving his midsection unguarded. Ewan stood his ground and waited for him. Just when the man was about to bring down his sword, Ewan sidestepped and brought up his sword, slicing against his exposed midsection. The man bent over at the waist, his agonizing cry echoed in the air. Ewan brought down his sword severing the man's head from his body with ease.
Ewan did not waste time over the dead man, he quickly made his way to the last man. Ewan stopped in mid-stride. The perpetrator took the woman hostage. He hid behind her; his left arm snaked around waist while the other held a dagger to her neck. "Drop your sword or I'll kill her!" Ewan had no other choice but to obey. He dropped his sword to the ground and held his arms to the side.
"Step back!" the man yelled. The woman tried to free from the man's hold but he tighten his arm around her waist and pressed the knife closer to her neck. The man's hand had moved closer to her mouth, the woman saw the opportunity and bit down hard enough to draw blood. The man screamed "Argh," and his grip on the knife loosened, dropping to the ground. He ripped his hand out of her mouth, pushing to her to the side.
For the time being forgetting about Ewan, the man swung his fist, backhanding the woman across the face. The woman fell backwards dazed and in pain. Ewan's eyes flared and were immediately closing in on the perpetrator. The man turned in time to see Ewan closing in but it was too late. With lightening speed Ewan struck the man in the throat with two fingers, instantly killing the man. A sickening gurgle sound escaped the man's lips the second before he died, his limp body slide down the tree trunk.
The woman was still cowering on the ground, her dirty hands covering her face. "My lady its alright." Ewan knelt down, sticking out his arm. "I will not hurt you I swear." The woman looked at the dark knight between her fingers. The sound of his voice was soft and reassuring. She pushed herself up a bit from the ground and cautiously held out her hand. Ewan was about to grasp the outstretched arm when he heard a war cry.
He snapped his head to the left just in time to see someone clad in armor coming towards him with a sword. Ewan rolled backwards to his sword. He picked it up in time to cover the blow that was aimed for his head. Ewan pushed against the sword and the other warrior staggered backwards. Ewan quickly got to his feet and defensively readied his stance for battle.
Ewan could not see the warrior's face; the helmet the person wore hid their identity. The warrior let out another cry and advanced on Ewan. The woman stood to the side watching as the two warriors equally fought each other. Neither one relenting nor were they gaining an advantage in this fight. That was when he seen it as Ewan deflected yet another blow to his head. There was no mistaking the familiar red glint.
'It was the Llan An Cailleach, and this woman must be.' Ewan thoughts interrupted when a stab of pain shot through his right shoulder, he lost his grip on his sword and it dropped to the ground. He mistakenly lost his focus giving her the opportunity to deliver a blow.
She pulled back and was about to deliver a fatal blow when, without warning, the blade reverted to its bracelet form, leaving Cathain unarmed. The warrior stared disbelievingly at her arm. Had the Llan An Cailleach finally decided to abandon her at her most dire need? Cathain had no time to contemplate over the sudden predicament Ewan took the chance and wrestled her to the ground.
Her helmet, knocked off during the struggle, finally revealed her face to the knight. Angry green eyes stared up from beneath wisp of dark brown that had escaped from her braided hair. Cathain was pinned to the ground with his heavy body flushed on top of hers, hands gripped into his; she could see dark eyes through the slit of his visor.
"CATHAIN!" The woman's cry made Ewan look up at the woman.
Capturing the opportunity Cathain withered a hand free from his vice like grip and with all her strength Cathain pushed against his injured shoulder, the pain causing him to roll over. Following in suit, Cathain pulled a dagger from her boot and held the tip at his exposed throat.
"Cathain don't!" The woman pleaded.
"Only upon my sister's request do you live! Now, do you yield?" She spoke hoarsely as she grasped for breath. Ewan had not spoken; he simply stared into those fiery green eyes of hers, mesmerized.
"Do you yield!?" Agitated Cathain held the tip of the dagger so close to his throat that when he swallowed blood was drawn. The knight slowly held both hands up in surrender and nodded his head. Cathain did not relinquish her grip on the dagger but gradually eased off her weight.
While sitting up Ewan caught the sudden swirl of the blade, without a second thought he roughly took the dagger from Cathain's hand. With her body still straddling him, he wrapped an arm around her waist pulling her slightly to the side and tossing the dagger into the air. Stunned by his swift movement all Cathain could do was rest her hands on his breastplate of his armor and stared shockingly into the shadows of the visor.
"Cathain!" Deirdre screamed her name as Cathain turned to see what had happened.
She eyed her dagger now embedded into the chest of a dead man, in his hand held a sword. He somehow sneaked up behind her and was about to strike down on her exposed back. The knight who she had fought had saved her life. When she turned back, she could see the knight watching her beneath his visor.
His eyes filled with what she could see as - fear? Time had seemed to stop between the two; they sat still in each other's embrace, it seemed like hours before Cathain finally twisted out of his arms. Deirdre made her way over to the two fallen warriors and helped Cathain to her feet.
"Are you all right?" Cathain exclaimed as she turned to her sister. Deirdre fell into her sister's open arms; tears streaming down her face. Deirdre buried her face into the crook of Cathain's neck, weary from the events that had just transpired. Afraid that her sister might faint, Cathain guided Deirdre to a large fallen tree branch she could use to sit on. Kneeling in front of her, Cathain began to smooth back the blonde tresses out of Deirdre's dirty face.
A bruise was already forming on Deirdre's face. Cathain was sure that she had sustained a few minor cuts and bruises but fortunately, it was nothing serious. Looking deeply into green eyes so much like her own; Cathain again asked Deirdre if she was all right. Deirdre merely nodded her head still unable to find her voice.
Giving her sister some time to clam down, Cathain stood and turned her attention back to the mysterious black knight. She watched Ewan get up to his feet and made his way over to retrieve his sword off the ground. With his left hand, he sheathed the sword behind his back. He then lifted his hand to inspect the damage to his shoulder.
Rubbing the cold stone of the bracelet that adorned her wrist, Cathain was still confused why the blade had retracted back to its bracelet form quickly after she had stabbed the knight. It was as if the blade refused to be used against him. The blade hissed on her arm as if it was confirming her suspicions. Why? What was so special about him?
Ewan could feel her eyes boar into his back. The image of those green eyes were locked in him memory. Apparently, his dreams did her no justice. She was more stunning and striking as ever. He still remembers how it felt like to hold her in his arms. In addition, when they fought she was his equal. No man has ever held his own against him as well as she did. She was in just one word, magnificent. Ewan felt like an idiot just standing there so he pretended to study his injury, though it did hurt his thoughts were far from his physical wound.
After a time he decided to finally move and look for his discarded bow. Cathain watched as he started to move away, a bit fearful that he'd flee Cathain was about to yell when she seen him stop somewhere in the forest and bent to pick up something. He dusted of his bow and made his way back. At the same time another figured entered he clearing.
"Ewan?!" Lazar yelled out. He was guiding both his and Ewan's horse, pulling on the reins as he walked towards them. "Over here!" His rich voice echoed and Cathain's heart skipped a beat. Cathain composed herself by taking a deep breath. 'Get a hold of yourself woman!' She chided. If she felt this way just because of the sound of his voice, what would happen if she finally seen his face? Seeing that Ewan was hurt, Lazar dropped the reins and rushed over to him. Not once had he made notice of Cathain or Deirdre.
"What happened to you? Why are you injured?" Lazar demanded answers. Grateful that he still had his helmet on Ewan was blushing under underneath his visor remembering how he was caught off guard. "I'm fine, Lazar." Was all Ewan had said. He did not want to him what really happened. Kael would have his hide if he knew. Not only did he loose his focus he got himself injured in the process.