I don't own anything except the OC and the plot.
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"They're coming! Get up!"
The scout didn't even bother to run through the cave. He stopped near the entrance, sank to his knees before panting out the words. Words they all have waited for, words that made everybody look up to stare at him. Words that meant all the time planning had been worth it, they had succeeded.
Chaos erupted as his words sank into their minds. Aoife saw Cathal drop this hammer carelessly on the ground. All around the cave the men and women abandoned their tasks to run towards the man kneeling on the ground.
"Have you seen them?"
"We did it!"
"Is he with them?"
"They're free!"
"Quiet!" The command let them fall silent. Cathal looked around sternly. "Let the man catch his breath."
The scout shot him a grateful gaze and took a deep breath. He had run all the way to reach the cave in time; to bring the good news to his people.
"Now tell us, brother, where were they when you spotted them?"
"At the foot of the mountains, just made their way up."
"Kaie is leading them?"
The man nodded. "As we speak." His breathing had slowed down and he stood up. "They are seven, maybe eight, I'm not sure. They were too far apart."
"Are there wounded?" The crowd made way for her and Aoife approached the man.
"At least two."
She opened her mouth again but Cathal interrupted her. "You two, prepare boiling water and linen. And as many health potions as you can find."
The two women nodded and hurried to the back of the cave.
Aoife met the older man's eyes and smiled, but Cathal didn't return it. She didn't mind; she was used to the Briarheart not showing emotions freely. Sometimes she wondered if he was unwilling or uncapable since the ritual.
"We should greet them. Rest, brother. You earned it", he said to the scout.
Relief like never before rose in her chest. They had made it, after all these years they had freed them from this mine, that dusty grave. Twenty years they had waited for this day. The day the king returned to the Reach.