Chapter 31: Accepting the Challenge
Aislinn awoke from the fever a day had been too exhausted to move all that night and had barely been able to walk to Aislinn's room. He did eventually find the strength to do so when he heard that she had awakened and was crying unconsolably. He hurried as best as he could into the room and held onto Aislinn. She was shuddering from crying so hard.
"My Samson! They took my baby!", she cried.
"I know, Aislinn. They're looking for him.", he reassured. She threw him away from her, grabbed a nearby cup and flung it at her mother who was not far mixing a salve.
"That isn't good enough! I want him dead! I want him to suffer! I want it now!", she shouted. Sorcha felt tears come back to her eyes and she lowered her gaze. "I want my son!", she wailed and held onto Commodus tightly. He sighed and tightened his grip on her.
"You shouldn't say such things, Aislinn. You are hurting and so am I, but we have to keep our wits about us or Samson will be lost.", he whispered. Aislinn began to sob louder. He stroked her head. "You are a very good mother, and twice as strong and smart as anyone I have ever known. You can do this; we can do this." She began to sob a little more quietly and look up at him. All the time she had known him he had been moody and emotional, but now he seemed so strong and steadfast in the face of adversity. He smiled. "God is with us, Aislinn."
"Yes, but Samson is among Romans that hate us both. What can we do to get him back alive?", she said softly.
"It is mostly me that Falco wants dead. I will go out and find him... alone. I will go unarmed and let him have what he wants. Maximus and Quintus returned yesterday, they will be close by. While Falco and I are fighting they can track the army and retrieve Samson."
"Commodus, he'll kill you.", Aislinn said in terror.
"He'll try.", Commodus said with a smile. "Bear in mind that Falco has never had the strength of anything I have ever faced, especially a tiger. He might be clever in some respects, but I have been studying the ways of the Celts. They, we, are a far more clever people than Rome. They have learned to sway the earth and moon to their whims and live by changes. Falco has never done that, he never will."
"What about the other soldiers with him?", Sorcha asked. The two turned to her. Aislinn looked very worried, Commodus looked extremely angry.
"They will be dealt with. Even the men that did not claim loyalty to me will still claim loyalty to Maximus once they see him.", he said and gently kissed Aislinn's forehead. "Please stay here and recover. You have had your time to be strong for us, now it is mine."
She opened her mouth to argue, but he placed a finger commandingly over her lips and shushed her. She nodded slightly and laid back. He stood from the bed and tried his best to walk away without any sign of his injury on the first night. Tonight was the third night, the beginning of the new year. After this, any attempts to send soldiers of the Celts after an enemy would be denied. It was against their customs to make war at the start of the year when the nights were longer. It was a good policy provided the enemy obliged as well. Sorcha walked out of the room behind him.
"Commodus.", she said. He turned and glared at her. "I regret my decision to lose track of Falco and his men."
"Regret will not save Samson. I am very glad that Aislinn is alive, you should be as well. It is the custom of Romans to avenge their loved ones.", he warned in a low voice.
"I thought your ways were of the Celts, now.", Sorcha parried.
"My name is still Roman.", he retorted. "And my colours do not match those of my wife's family."
Sorcha looked down. "Was I this cruel to you when you arrived?", she said sadly. The coldness in his words reflected the silence that Aislinn now had for her mother. He frowned.
"More so, I have yet to hold a blade to your throat.", he said. Sorcha frowned and looked away.
"Then how would you have had me treat you? The way you do to me now?"
He stopped, realizing that he was being a little out of line. It was true that Sorcha had allowed Falco to slip away, but she herself had meant no harm to Aislinn or Samson. Now, she was regretting feeling any hatred for Commodus. She would never really trust him, but she didn't want him dead. He sighed and walked closer to her.
"No, my lady. I would want you to be as kind as Aislinn.", he said. She smiled slightly and placed a hand affectionately on his shoulder.
"You cannot go unarmed. It is foolish even for a Celt to face an enemy without protection. You will use the blade that Aislinn has kept with her. It is a small shiv, but it is as deadly as any sword. That will suit you nicely.", she said. Commodus nodded and waited for her to lead the way to the armoury. Instead, Sorcha led the way to hers and Dhiarmid's bedchamber. Commodus looked around in confusion. Sorcha walked over to a large chest and opened it. It creaked loudly and filled the room with a smell of old, beautiful oak. She pulled out a large brown bundle. Commodus looked at it intently. Sorcha laid it on the bed and began to unfold it. Inside the bundle was a bright coloured kilt of red, green, and gold. It was the NaStiubhart tartan, but the make was definitely male. With it, was a large belt and pouch made for the royal clansmen. Sorcha handed it to him slowly. "These are the family colours, Commodus. Samson is my grandson. You will wear our colours to retrieve, or avenge him." Sorcha felt a sting in the back of her throat as she said the last few words.
Commodus took the kilt and noted the sadness in her voice and face. He looked over the finery and then looked back up at her. "I will need a blanket. It will be very cold by the time we bring him home.", he said. Sorcha smiled.
"Then you have faith in your strength, that is good.", she remarked.
"Not just in mine; Aislinn's, her family's, my commrades', and my God's.", he replied. "Samson will come home. Keep watch over Aislinn until I return."
"Dhiarmid will find boots that will fit you, sandals and simple shoes are not fit for Highland winters. You know that already. Tormod will find you an undergarment. You should leave quickly. The less time they have to visit evil upon the child, the better."
"Then I will return shortly.", Commodus said with a slight bow. As he bowed before her, Sorcha put one hand on either side of his face and softly kissed the top of his head. He smiled. Aislinn's love was wonderful, but the love of her family was significant; they had really hated him to begin with. Commodus turned and left. Tormod got him the undergarment of white for the outfit as well as a fine, dark cloak to wear that would keep him warm. Dhiarmid fitted him with kidskin boots. They were usually worn by royal men. Now he really felt as if he were a warrior and a member of the family. Maximus and Quintus joined him in the entrance hall.
"We heard about your plan. Do you really think it wise to go after Falco directly? He's a coward, Commodus. He had Praetorians follow him around with a parasol so that his shadow couldn'e sneak up on him and end him.", Quintus said. "I somehow imagine that even his shadow wants him dead." He and Maximus snickered a little. Commodus frowned.
"Then what do you suggest, Quintus?", he asked.
"I suggest you rally your troops. You were once emperor and now you are married to the heiress of the throne.", Maximus interjected.
"I wield no power here, Sorcha the Boadicae has made that very clear from day one.", Commodus said with a slight groan.
"Do you really think that you have gained no loyal followers in the months that you've been with us?", Eoin said from behind him. Commodus turned. There stood Eoin, Seamus, Tormod, and Cailen. They were dressed and ready for battle. Commodus smiled a little. "We who are about to kill are with you.", the brothers said in unison and gave a mock Roman salute. The three men laughed. Commodus shook his head.
"Four men is enough if they only have one hundred men, but there are more than that and Falco will be with them. This is far too dangerous, I will go alone.", Commodus said resoloutely.
"Lad, this is our home.", Dhiarmid reasoned as he took his son in law by the arm and led him to the door. As they opened it, Commodus saw at least three hundred men from the NaStiubhart, the MacCreery, and several other clans (signified by their tartans) ready to make war. Commodus gasped and looked at the men in surprise. All of them began to shout joyously as their temporary leader stood in front of them. "Besides, we're all dressed up and ready. Wouldn't want to disappoint them now, would you?"