Chapter fifty-one (part I) -- Witchblade Karma

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Date Posted: 17:01:21 02/07/03 Fri
Author: Spin
Subject: Chapter fifty-one (part I)
In reply to: Spin 's message, "Revelation" on 22:34:06 05/20/02 Mon

Ewan pushed his horse until the animal�s panting cries reached his hears. Ewan gradually brought his horse to a slow trot, then finally to a stop. He dismounted and led them to a nearby stream. The horse gratefully walked over and drank the cool water. Feeling a bit guilty, Ewan walked over to his horse; then gently began rubbing its neck. Ewan�s thoughts began to wonder back to what had happened earlier. His anger was slowly fading and in its wake was shame. He felt embarrassed at what happened. He should not have gotten angry with Cathain and he regretted what he said, remembering the tears in those green eyes.

Their argument was stupid really. He was just so afraid that she was going to open her eyes one morning and realize that she wanted Conchobar instead of him. So afraid that he was going to lose her to him. The pain was just too great. His mind drifted back to his conversation with Lazar. What he said then was true, he would serve her until his last breath was drawn. Even if it meant that, he would have to do it from the shadows but he did not realize then just how painful it was going to be. To be so near her yet so far away. Not to be able to hold her, touch her, it was all just too maddening. With a groan, Ewan dropped to his knees, splashing water against his face. The frigid water attacking his senses, finally waking them up. He laid his hands against his thighs, his head hanging. �I�ve acted like an ass.� Ewan said aloud to no one. His horse grunted then continued to drink more water. Ewan glanced at his horse, �I see that you agree.� He leaned over to give a hard pat against the horse�s side, �Sorry boy for pushing you so hard. I didn�t realize,� Ewan let the sentence drop. He sighed as the realization finally hit him and he understood why Cathain had been pushing him away.

She was just as afraid as he was. Afraid that he would leave her how Conchobar had done. Afraid to lose him how she had lost Deirdre and Iona. Ewan shook his head in shame. Why did it take him so long to realize it? His horse grunted again, Ewan could not help but smile. �Yes I know I was acting like an ass but no more. Come on boy lets go home. My love awaits.� Ewan grabbed the reins and swiftly mounted. Ewan grinned, �There was one good thing that came out of this situation. I did manage to break the bastard�s nose.� Just as he was turning the horse around a scream echoed into the night. Even in with the pale light from the full moon, Ewan navigated his horse with ease. Soon enough they had reached where Ewan had last heard the scream.

From what Ewan could see there were two hooded figures. The tallest out of the two had a grip around the other�s wrist. �Please just let me go!� There was no hiding the distinctive sounds of fear as the woman pleaded to be released. Ewan slowly pulled out his sword and silently crept his way towards the duo. With his sword, drawn Ewan had managed to sneak up behind the tallest of the group. The tip of his sword rested against the man�s back, �Release her now.� Ewan demanded. The man reluctantly released the woman�s wrist. �Are you alright?� He questioned the woman but she made no sound, worst she made no move to get away. Could he have been hasty in his decision to get involved? Ewan had been so preoccupied with Cathain that he may have made a mistake in interfering. Within a split second, sword already drawn, the other man had spun around.

Quickly Ewan was on the defense, dodging thrust after thrust. When he finally regained his focus Ewan turned the tables and began attacking the man. The battle raged on for some time, but finally Ewan gained the upper hand, disarming the man of his weapon and threw a punch knocking the man down to the ground. Ewan towered over the prone figure, his eyes narrowed as the hood of the cloak revealed the man�s identity. �Kellan?!� Ewan was pulled out of his stupor when he heard a woman�s scream coming from behind him. He spun around just in time to see the woman charging after him with a sword in hand. Ensuing yet another fight.

Ewan was surprised at the skills the woman possessed. Besides Cathain, no other person was his equal. They fought back and forth neither gaining an advantage over the other. Somehow, during the deadly dance the woman had managed to disarm Ewan of his sword with a move that only one other person would know about and that was Kael. He backed away slowly as his mind reeling, trying to connect the pieces of the puzzle. He was snapped out of it with another scream, the woman charged forward, sword held above her head. Ewan ran up and held her wrist in his hands before she was able to bring the blade down on him. During the struggle the hood of the cape fell back and Ewan�s eyes widen as he stared into familiar green eyes, �FIONA!�

�Hello Ewan,� A wicked smile spread across her face, her voice was so cold sending a shiver down Ewan�s spine. She struggled against his hold; the pressure he was causing was straining her grip on her sword. Ewan held her icy glare, �why are you doing this?� An evil laugh escaped her lips, �Revenge. Good-Night Ewan.� It was a second too late before Ewan realized what was going on and everything faded to black. Kellan had sneaked up behind Ewan and knocked him out with a blow to the back of the head.

�Took you long enough to help, Kellan.� He placed his sword back into the scabbard and brought a hand to his jaw. He moved it around making sure it was not broken after Ewan had punched him. �You always had a weak chin.� He stared coldly at Fiona. �Why don�t we just kill him now and get it over with. Then we can get paid.� Kellan kicked Ewan�s unconscious body. Fiona shook her head as she stared down at Ewan. �No not yet.� Fiona�s mind was reeling with ideas, �Grab his horse and lets head back to the cabin.� Kellan sighed and walked over to grab the horse but the animal eluded and had managed to escape. �Idiot� Fiona whispered as she mounted her horse.

�There how does that feel?� Cathain asked as she finished wiping away the last remnants of blood from Conchobar�s face. �It hurts.� He stated. Cathain flashed him a small smile before getting up from her kneeling position in front of him. She picked up the basin full of pinkish water and called out for one of the servants to take it away. �I�m not surprised, your nose is broken.� Cathain grinned. Conchobar reached out to caress her cheek but quickly averted his touch. She moved over to the window looking out into the night sky, staring at the full moon then out into the forest. Liam, one of the stable boys, had informed her that Ewan had angrily gone off for a ride. Thoughts of their earlier fight resurrected, along with the tears that began to resurface.

�You shouldn�t waste your tears on him.� Conchobar had moved up behind her, his hands resting on her shoulders. Cathain�s head lowered as he turned her around, �He is not worth it, Cathain.� He placed a finger under her chin, lifting her face up. He cupped her face with his hands, using his thumbs to wipe away the tears. She closed her eyes against his touch, his words sinking in. Unable to resist Conchobar leaned in to brush his lips against hers. Cathain eyes immediately flew open and she pushed him back. Conchobar stared back confused. �He is worth it to me.� Cathain declared

�You don�t even love him!�

�What makes you think I don�t love Ewan?� Cathain exclaimed.

�Have you ever told him that you loved him?" Conchobar questioned.

�No,� she whispered. A smug smile appeared on Conchobar�s face. Cathain looked up and stared deeply into his eyes, a smile on her lips. �But that doesn�t mean that I don�t love him, I do.� Her smile grew boarder, �I love him.� Cathain sighed as she said it aloud. She had always loved him and was no longer afraid to admit it to herself. She chastised at herself for letting the fear overwhelm her. For pushing him away all this time because she was afraid of being hurt and left alone. Punishing him, no them by holding back. The possibilities of what they could have had if she had just let go of her fear. �No more� she thought. �I love Ewan and there is nothing you or anyone can do to change that. I love him.� She continued to declare, liking the way the words flowed from her lips. She was becoming giddy inside; she found herself anticipating Ewan�s return. There was an aching need that had been growing inside. A need that always occurred while they were apart. She needed him, she needed her Ewan.

�Your love with him isn�t real, Cathain. Our love is true!�

�I will not deny that I loved you once Conchobar but don�t you see its over. I don�t love you that way anymore. Moreover, I don�t think ever you loved me, I think you loved what I could offer you. Power, power from this.� Cathain held up her wrist. �Tell me Conchobar. Why did you come back here? What do you want from me, hm? The last time you called for me I was used to help defend your crown. So tell me why did you really come back?� Ewan�s words ran through her mind. Could he have been right about Conchobar�s motives?

Conchobar could see the blade swirl on her arm. As if daring him to try to lie to Cathain about his reasons for being here. He took a deep breath and exhaled, �Other forces are arising. I need your help to defend my crown once again.� Cathain grinned and nodded her head, finally understanding. �But I also came back for you, Cathain.� Conchobar added. Cathain raised her blade-clad arm and said, �Yet it is the power of the Llan An Cailleach you seek first. I am just a prize to you.� Conchobar shook his head no. �I will not help you this time Conchobar. Good-bye.� Cathain turned to leave.

�He does not love you, he too lusts after the Llan An Cailleach.�

�No, he loves �me� and I love him.� Cathain threw over her shoulder, not bothering to turn around.

�You�re love will not last, Cathain.�

�It will! And it will span throughout lifetimes.� She added with assurance.

�We shall see.� Conchobar muttered under his breath as he watched Cathain leave.

Cathain was heading back to her room when Liam found her. The boy rushed up to her, panting for breath. �What is it Liam?� Cathain reached out to rub the boy�s back as he leaned over to catch his breath. He straightened up and said, �Master�s horse came back alone.� Cathain�s heart sank to her stomach, fear started to overwhelm her. �What?!� she exclaimed hoping that the boy was mistaken. �The master�s horse returned alone. He�s nowhere to be found.� Cathain�s heart began to race. She ran down to the stables to see for herself. Sure enough there was Ewan�s horse but Ewan was nowhere in site. She reached out for the horse and the blade glowed on her wrist, showing her a vision of Ewan in a fight then being taken away. She gasped and tears began to well in her eyes. She looked down at the blade, the stone still glowing red, �guide me to him,� She pleaded. She mounted Ewan�s horse and the blade took them to the cabin in the woods.

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