Chapter 33: The Greatest Form of Courage

Samson let out a piercing scream. Flaco laughed as he saw the anger and pain twisting the terriffied father's face. Commodus felt all that was within him screaming at him to do something, anything, just to save Samson. He was sure that losing Samson would take everything away. He would lose his son, his wife, his family, his happiness, everything. Commodus's fear suddenly converted into pure, but calm, anger. He glared at Falco as the seedy old man looked at him in confusion. He could clearly see the determination that had sprung up in the youth's eyes.

"Tell me, Falco, why did you murder Immaus? You knew I was there. I was the helpless prince. Why did you kill Immaus?", Commodus asked snoothly and slowly. Falco simply laughed.

"So you did see the 'assassin' on horseback!", Falco said happily. "And still you trusted me all those years. You're more of a fool than even your father thought." Falco smiled triumphantly as Commodus's fists curled in sheer anger, but the man made no attempt to advance on Falco out of fear for his son.

"I did not know, Falco. I placed the clues together from what you just said.", Commodus said, still trying to be very calm.

"Shame. At the hands of an assassinating senator for years. Gracchus was going to have me removed from my position by your father. He had discovered that I was borrowing money from the imperial treasury. I told him that he had no proof. He stated very clearly that Immaus had been witness and knew where I kept the stolen goods. I was simply going to end Gracchus, but watching the old man mourn for his son was so much more rewarding. It's quite hard to get any joy out of tormenting someone when they are dead.", Falco explained casually. "I did so relish it when they brought word back to our gathering. Gracchus had to be carried away, wailing. I can only imagine what a pathetic sight you were when your other friends came to your aide."

"You are beyond evil Falco.", Commodus growled. As Falco laughed in his hysterical wickedness, Dhiarmid, his sons, Maximus, and Quintus suddenly came into the tent. Their swords were drawn and ready to end the filth that was holding the innocent son of Aislinn and Commodus. Falco held the dagger up to the boy's throat. "Stay back, his quarrel is with me."

The men stayed put, but still held their blades aloft. Falco smiled.

"Come now, highness. If I was cunnning enough to slay a little boy with a witness there, don't you think I'll do the same now? Say goodbye to your son, Caesar. Thank me. He will not grow up to be pitiful, weak, foolish, and cowardly like his father.", Falco sneered as he pressed the blade to the screaming baby's throat. Commodus froze until Falco completed his lethal insult. "And he won't be an expendable object like his mother. I'm surprised you married that exotic whore."

Commodus flew at him. Instead of simply throwing a punch into the man, he ran forward and grabbed his son away. Falco was too shocked to keep hold of the infant. Commodus leapt to the other side of the room and held onto Samson tightly. Falco turned as the men began advancing on him. He grabbed a knife and turned back to Commodus and Samson.

"Kill him!", Commodus yelled. Falco raised his arm with the knife with every intent to throw it into Commodus's chest or Samson's small body.

"I will not go alone!", Falco shouted as he threw the dagger. Commodus knew there was no room for him to run to either side. Besides, he was kneeling. There was no way for him to roll forward without hurting Samson. Instead, Commodus whirled around and caught the dagger in the back of his right shoulder. The men stopped for a second as Commodus cried out in pain. Samson began shrieking. The group was torn between running to the aide of father and son or ending the great evil before them. Falco ducked and ran out of the tent, tail metaphorically tucked between his legs. The men went to chase after him while Dhiarmid and Quintus ran over to Commodus. The group exited the tent just on time for Falco to slide to the ground, dead. They looked at the figure that stood, holding the bloodied blade in her right hand. Aislinn panted and smiled proudly at them.

"Aislinn! Are you mad? You could have died!", they yelled at her in turn.

"I have strength enough to kill tigers for my family.", she breathed. Eoin rushed forward and caught her as she fell. Claude came running out of the woods.

"What on earth!? Aislinn, I told you to come back repeatedly! You could still die!", Claude yelled as he joined Eoin beside his sister. Aislinn looked up and smiled a little. "Between Commodus being as impetuous as he is and you being just as rash, the two of you will rip a whole in the fabric of nature!"

"Good. Nature could use something to shake things up a little.", she coughed. Claude and Eoin helped her stand and walked her into the tent. She saw Commodus laying in a heap. Quintus was trying to tend to him as her father was holding Samson. Aislinn filled with dread and gulped. She broke free of her escort and ran to her husband. "Commodus! Commodus say something!"

"If I die in your homeland, will you mourn for me?", he said softly.

"No I will not! It would be far too rude of you to die on such short notice!", she turned desperately to Quintus as a happy half-smile crossed the brave youth's face. "How bad is the wound? What does he need?"

"Falco has very poor aim. The blade went in a little askew, it's not too deep but quite long for something like this. He'll be alright. We just need to get him back to the fortress and dress the wound properly. Infection is my greatest concern, but I am no healer.", Quintus said. Commodus looked up at them.

Aislinn bent forward and kissed him deeply. They held their faces but a few inches away from one another as Aislinn gazed intently at him. "Falco is no longer a problem. I am truly free.", he whispered.

"Yes, beloved. We are free.", she replied.

"I was so brave, Aislinn. Immaus would have been so proud. Father would have been so proud. I'm not a coward.", Commodus said with excitement brimming over his lethargy from the pain.

"Yes, Commodus. Now save your strength. You showed great Courage today.", she said as she sobbed a little. She was incredibly relieved that both her husband and new son were safe and out of danger for the most part. Commodus could still die from this wound. She could still die from hers. Samson had recieved quite a nasty serving of violence himself, but no one had brought this to her attention yet. The little family still had to get back to the castle. Before the adrenaline wore off and Aislinn collapsed, she breathed a fervent and heart-felt prayer. "God, my father, please get us back to the fortress safely. Spare this young family. Show us your strength." As Aislinn fell onto her husband, Dhiarmid and the clansmen still with them began to lift the injured couple and get them to the horses. Luckily, the journey would only be about ten hours or so. With luck and divine guidance, they would not lose their precious cargo.

((The last installment will be posted tomorrow!!!))