Author's Notes: I know you guys have been waiting eagerly, and here it is! Another chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter XXVIII

The men and the Sirens covered some more ground following the intended ambush of the Woads. Arthur allowed Iliana to take the lead, the sun continuing to shine down on her through the cover of the trees. She served as a message to the Woads still lingering about that they would not touch her, and the same went for the rest of the group as long as she was with them.

For the rest of the trip, the men and the girls eyed Iliana in awe. She glowed like a firefly beneath the sun, as if she descended from the heavens above with a majestic Arion accompanying her.

By the time the sun was setting, they made a good amount of leeway through the forest. Upon seeing an opening that appeared to lead out of the forest, Arthur deemed it best they take their rest and set up camp for the night.

As the men began starting a fire, Iliana plopped down on the fresh grass below her and leaned back against a vast tree. She was trying her damnedest to fight back the tears threatening to stain her pale cheeks. The sudden Woad ambush frightened the life out of her, and more than she dared to admit. All the combat training she did with her father, Andres, the Sirens, and the men didn't prepare her for the emotional aspect of such a situation. Perhaps it was because she had never been in such a dire matter before, and now that she's experienced it firsthand, she wondered if this was what her father felt every time he had to put his life on the line for Rome.

However, one experience paled compared to reliving it over and over for fifteen years. For Leoric and Andres, they were lucky to live to see another day on the horizon.

As she pondered what Merlin wanted from her, Iliana recalled the words her fourteen-year-old self told Leoric after Rome departed with their chosen Sarmatian boys.

"It's not fair that the Woads can't live freely in their own country, and I can say the same for you, Andres, the Sarmatians, and even the Greeks. Nobody can be free of Rome's tyranny. When they get what they want, they'll want more."

Right at that moment, the answer clicked in Iliana's mind when she thought of her feelings and the way Leoric reacted that day. It was the empathy he had for them, and after listening to the many stories about them from him and Andres, she felt so strongly about them. Perhaps this was the reason Merlin had an interest in her; he wanted to know if she shared the same beliefs Leoric had, for his empathy formed some kind of truce and possibly an alliance between the two of them.

A part of her wanted to head for the heart of the Roman Empire and drive her sword through it. She wouldn't just be speaking for the Woads, but also for her kinspeople and the rest of the tribes the Romans wronged throughout their reign.

I really wish you were still alive, Father. I can only imagine what you and I would have been capable of with our combined anger towards the Roman Empire unleashed towards them.

"Your beauty is too striking to have you looking troubled and lost in the depths of your own mind."

Sophia's comment made Iliana chuckle as the auburn-haired girl sat down next to her. She knew Sophia was just trying to lighten the mood and ease her of the tension coursing through her. For that, she appreciated the effort and the thought.

"Are you okay?" Sophia asked. "You've been antsy since the Woads' attempted ambush on us."

"I'm not okay at this very moment, but I will be," Iliana replied. "I think I finally figured out Merlin's interest in me and why that ambush took place."

"Is that right?" Sophia asked, to which Iliana nodded.

"If I had to guess, I'm betting the ambush was a test," Sophia said. "Merlin didn't see you yesterday when the Woads attacked the Bishop's carriage, and upon probably figuring out the men would trek through their turf once again, he took the chance to see if you were among them this time.

"Now that he's confirmed it, I'm sure the Woads are under strict orders not to harm you, and it's because of who your father was. In addition, if his reasons for sparing us are in connection to the Saxons, then we have a common enemy, like you said earlier. As tense as things are between the men and the Woads, maybe we'll be fortunate and form an alliance with them. Your father may be the key to unlocking it."

"I came to the same conclusion," Iliana said with a nod. "My father felt so strongly about the pain these people have gone through thanks to Rome trampling upon and taking the island that is their home. It's no different to what they did to Sarmatia and Greece, and his empathy was probably his driving force to make it through his servitude."

"And that's the gift he's passed down to you," Sophia pointed out. "Merlin wanted to see if you possessed the same feelings your father had, and I'm sure you had the look of pity in your eyes when the Woads finally stood down from their attack."

Iliana nodded, confirming Sophia's suspicions.

"I think us coming along was truly a blessing in disguise," Sophia said. "The men would have probably been dead in this very forest if you hadn't persuaded Arthur to let us come."

"I know, and I couldn't be any more grateful that I helped them," Iliana said. "However, my debt to them is far from repaid, and I'm only just getting started in repaying those said dues.

"Now that I understand Merlin's actions, the only thing I have left to do is put a face to the man himself."

"And you will when the time comes. You just have to be patient," Sophia said, patting her on the shoulder. "Since we don't know when we'll be getting another break like this, let's take advantage of this one granted to us."

"Ili! Sophie! Come join us!" Bors hollered from the campfire that he and the men finally started up.

Sophia nudged Iliana in the arm, hoping it would encourage her to come along. Looking at the men for a moment, Iliana then turned to her best friend.

"Why don't you go ahead? I'm going to take a walk to clear my head. I won't be long."

With that, Iliana stood up from her spot on the grass and brushed her breeches. With a look to the men, the Sirens that were gathering around, and a glance to Sophia, she turned and walked away. Sophia watched her go, disappearing into the cover of the brush before making her way towards the campfire. She was concerned, but she had faith. If anything, Iliana would have a clear mindset when she returned.

Tristan almost felt tempted to follow Iliana when he saw her disappear into the cover of the trees from a distance away. She had a distant look in her eyes, and it seemed as if she was fighting back tears. Did the ambush frighten her? Why was she deciding to be distant and walk away instead of talking to him or the others about it? He didn't want to see her like this, especially when he finally broke the barrier that stood between them at first.

Just as he was about to get up and go after her, a hand on his shoulder stopped him. When he looked, he saw it was Andres.

"Let her go. You try to follow her when she's in that state of mind, and you'll get nowhere with her," he explained. "She'll come around when she's had her moment alone."

Tristan's hands clenched into fists at this knowledge. At the very least, he wanted to be by her side when she was ready to talk. Unfortunately, all he could do was wait until she returned.

"Do not fear. She will return, and I highly doubt the Woads will ambush us again," Andres assured.

With a sigh of defeat, Tristan leaned back against the log buried in the ground behind him and pulled his sword out to sharpen it. He didn't want Iliana to shut herself away, but if anyone knew her best, it would be Andres. For the time being, he had to believe in Andres's words and wait until she was ready.

He had been patient with her all this time, and he would continue to do so. When she was ready to talk, he would be there to listen.

Iliana walked down a dirt path, wrapping the fabric of her cloak tight around her form as her feet guided her down the dirt path before her. The orange hue of the twilight was visible through the cover of the tall trees surrounding her, and she used the remaining light to help her lead the way. While walking alone in the forest of Woad territory was not the wisest thing to do, she didn't really care at the moment. She needed to clear her mind, and she had to be alone to do so.

She didn't miss the concerned looks from the others when she left. Tristan would have gone after her when she saw him, but she knew Andres would stop him from doing so. Whenever she gave him or her father a particular look, they knew it was when she wanted to be alone, and she would always take a long walk during those said moments. Whenever she finished walking, her head usually cleared, and she would talk about whatever was bothering her.

A gentle breeze picked up, ruffling her loose, blonde locks, and she immediately calmed at the feel of a familiar presence as the breeze ruffled the trees.

Are you guiding me, Father? If so, please give me the strength I need to help Arthur and the men on this perilous mission.

She took a deep breath and let it out, deciding to trust her instincts as she continued walking down the dirt path.

At the sight of a couple of Woads hiding under the cover of the trees, Iliana tensed, but she took another deep breath to calm herself.

Take it easy, Ili. Don't immediately get on the defensive when you have yet to understand everything in full.

With that, she kept going, coming across a clearing approximately forty meters away from the campsite. When she stepped into the center of the clearing, she found herself surrounded by about two dozen Woads. However, they lacked the hostile expressions compared to the lot from earlier.

"Men, standby and do not attack. This girl is not to be harmed."

Iliana paused at the authoritative voice that spoke, and through the hint of mist that cleared, a man appeared before her eyes. He was much older, had a beard, wore blue paint, and had the familiar Woad markings. Seeing the authoritative yet gentle look in his eyes, Iliana concluded this man was Merlin.

"I was hoping to put a face to the name finally. You're Merlin, the leader of the native Woads," she said.

"And you are the daughter of the legendary Leoric himself," he said in a gentle tone. "Forgive me, young one. I have yet to know your name."

"I'm Iliana, or Ili for short. It means 'ray of light' in Greek," she replied.

"Iliana, or simply Ili. Very well. You have no reason to worry. I guarantee that neither you nor the company you keep will suffer any harm. Do you trust that I have no reason to lie to you?"

She didn't have to think twice about it.

"Aye. My father has put his trust and beliefs in you, and so will I."

The Woad leader nodded.

"I can see that you are his daughter, my dear. He was a wonderful man, but very misjudged thanks to what Rome has done to him."

His choice of words intrigued Iliana; she believed the same thing of her father, but most of the population believed otherwise except for Arthur.

"You have the gift of his empathy, Ili. Despite the bloodthirsty reputation told in the many tales of him, he tried his utmost hardest to spare as many of my men as possible," he explained. "That gift made him stand out, and I can see that you have not only inherited his eye color, but that same sympathetic gaze I remember long ago when he was still a young man."

"Well, I'm very flattered to be complimented by you, of all people, Merlin," Iliana said with a nod and a small smile. "However, there is still one question that has been nagging at me for a while. What is your purpose for possessing such a strong interest in me?"

"An evil lurks at your intended destination, and only the light you possess alone can purge it," he replied. "You will also need the strength and perseverance your father had to truly purge that said evil from this earth.

"Purge the evil I speak of and save the ones held prisoner there. In exchange, I will offer you and the Sirens you command the help you will need against the invading Saxons."

Iliana gasped slightly at his knowledge of her Sirens and their connection to the Saxons.

"How is it you knew of their desire for vengeance?"

"There are ears everywhere you go, my dear."

At those words, Iliana realized he had his men observing her and the girls during their time in the coastal village. While she was unsure of what to do, she kept trusting her instincts, just like Leoric did, and if there were consequences, she would accept them if it ever came down to it.

"I accept your proposal. Who am I rescuing?"

"Two of our own. You will find out who they are when you arrive," Merlin replied. "I thank you for listening to me, and may we meet again."

He then gestured towards his troops.

"Allow her to pass so she can return before Arthur sends someone after her."

When she turned around, Iliana noticed the Woads that blocked the path she came from moving out of the way. With one last look at Merlin, she nodded before walking back towards the campsite.

Words could not convey the wave of emotions stirring within her at what had just happened. What was she going to see when she finally got to the estate? Would she see the deepest pit of hell that Rome dived into for their own selfish needs? She didn't know, but as the questions rang throughout her mind, Iliana had a feeling she would not like what lurked at the estate.

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear her name being called when she returned to the campsite. Not even sparing a glance towards the campfire, Iliana retreated inside her makeshift tent and pulled the flap. She allowed herself to plop down on the grass, lying down on her side, and the next thing she knew, she was drifting off to sleep.

"What in the hell is going on with Ili? It was like she was in a trance," Estrella said when Iliana didn't answer the call of her name.

"I don't know, but her behavior is worrying me," Gawain replied with concern.

"Something's off with her. I can feel it," Andres said.

At his predecessor's words, Tristan stood up from his spot and dusted himself off before going to check on Iliana while the others watched him go.

When he parted the flap, he saw Iliana sleeping on her side, and despite how peaceful she looked, he felt the tension flowing off her person. He sat down across from her, making himself comfortable while he waited for her to wake up.

Please talk to me when you wake up, Ili, he thought.

When Iliana opened her eyes, she stood in the middle of a white void. Looking around, she did not know how she got there, but when she felt a familiar presence standing behind her with their back to hers, she straightened up.

"It's been quite some time, my dearest daughter."

The familiar voice of Leoric had her on the verge of tears.

"Father."

"It's been a while since we got to talk like this, and I can tell you need to get something off your chest," Leoric said in his gentle voice that she remembered. "Whenever you're ready to talk, I'm here and ready to listen."

Taking a deep breath to calm the stirring wind of emotions, Iliana exhaled before she spoke up.

"I have accompanied Arthur and his men on what we consider being the most dangerous mission ever given to them," she explained. "Rome betrayed them and did not grant them their freedom, and to add to it, I met Merlin, the 'Dark Magician' and leader of the Woads you've spoken of many times before. He says I am to purge the evil that waits at our intended destination, and I have a feeling I may have to use the 'technique' when I get there."

It was silent for a moment as Leoric took in her story. The silence felt like an eternity, adding to her growing anxiety until he finally spoke.

"Killing a person who is truly evil on the outside and the inside will not make you a bad person, Ili," he assured. "While I have killed in the past, I have had moments where I killed Romans that were evil.

"I hoped you wouldn't have to kill anyone, much less be on such a dangerous mission, despite possessing such good intentions behind your reasoning. However, I also know that I cannot alter the path that is your destiny."

Iliana stole a glance over her shoulder.

"What is my destiny, Father?"

"You will be the light that will protect Arthur and his knights from death."

Just as she was about to ask him more questions, she heard someone calling her name from a distance.

"Seems like our time is up. I'm sure we will speak again, my daughter," Leoric announced.

"When will I see you again?" Iliana asked.

"Soon, but regardless of where you go, I'm always with you," Leoric replied. "For now, I believe you have a man to answer to.

The next thing she knew, she was losing consciousness.

"Ili."

She groaned as felt someone shaking her shoulder, and she rolled over until she was lying on her back. She squeezed her shut eyelids tight for a moment before slowly opening them, blinking a few times to clear her blurred vision. When she finally came to, she smiled slightly at the sight of Tristan hovering over her. She was just about to say something when her stomach suddenly growled, causing her to cover her face in embarrassment.

"Here."

He handed her some freshly cooked rabbit meat and an apple, and with another smile, Iliana sat up and accepted the food. He watched as she ate, not missing the distant look she had in her eyes.

"Is everything okay? You've been off since the ambush."

She slowed on her chewing after taking her latest bite of her apple, barely swallowing it. When she didn't answer, much less move, Tristan reached for her, turning her face so that she had to look at him.

"Talk to me, Ili. Please."

She breathed out a sigh before she spoke up.

"I still have some unanswered questions regarding Merlin's actions and motives behind his interest in me. Plus, I have this bad feeling deep in my gut that I will not like what we find at the estate when we get there."

He stroked her cheek with his thumb.

"Everything's going to be fine. We'll get through this."

At that, he leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, keeping it brief.

"Everyone is worried about you. Why don't we go see them?"

When she nodded, Tristan took her by the hand and escorted her out, following behind her with his hands on her shoulders as they made their way towards the campfire, standing before it. The other men had huddled with their ladies, while Bors, Arthur, Jols and Horton stood apart.

"There you are. We were wondering when you were going to come around," Dimitra said.

"Sorry about that," Iliana said.

"Are you okay?" Gawain asked.

"I will be," Iliana replied with a nod. "I just can't shake off this gut feeling I have that something is off, and whatever it is, I'll have to answer to it."

She noted the concerned looks on each of their faces.

"Whatever you have to do, we've got your back, Ili," Galahad said as he rubbed Catalina's back, to which Iliana nodded.

"Knights, ladies, I suggest we turn in for the evening. We'll hit the road again when dawn breaks," Arthur announced.

With a nod to everyone, Iliana turned around and made her way back to the tent, with Tristan following her. Once he pulled the flap, the two laid down beside each other on the pelts, and he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close to him.

"Everything will be okay," he said, leaning forward to give her a kiss. "Try to get some sleep. We'll have to be fresh for the morning."

She nodded and snuggled close to his chest, and they relished in each other's warmth and scents as they drifted off to sleep.

End Notes: Check back tomorrow for the next chapter!