In her aspect form, Lyranda arrived at the scene in seconds, beginning to give chase to the fleeing bandits when she noticed Marren lying on the ground and cut off her pursuit, returning to the scene.   By that time, the other two women had also arrived.  As Petra surveyed the site, she found Cailin standing over the beheaded corpse of the man she had slain, staring down and mumbling incoherently.

"Cailin!", the dwarf shouted, bringing her young friend out of her semi-comatose state, "what happened, are ye alright?"  Still staring at the body, Cailin began to drone, "I killed him... he killed Marren and they were going to take me to their hideout and use me for... I killed him."  "Ye did what ye had to do, darlin', I'm sorry," Petra said as she reached out to comfort her friend, " Put away yer weapons, love... it be over fer now."

"He's still alive!", Lyranda called out, "though barely.  We must get him back to the shelter and safety so I may begin to help him. His life forces are waning with each moment."  Kneeling beside Marren and Lyranda, Lilith spoke, "I can take us back, but I only have enough power to teleport the three of us."  "Do it!", Petra replied in a commanding voice, "and when you get him back, begin to gather the powers needed fer that shield of yers.  Those two might return with company and we be in no shape fer a fight right now.  Me and Cailin will be along shortly... go... NOW!"  Having returned to human form, Lyranda began her healing rituals as Lilith invoked the teleportation spell, in a moment, the three vanished.

"I need ye to snap out of it girl... we need to get out of here," Petra spoke to Cailin, "the others might return soon with friends, we have to get back to camp."  With the words of her friend resonating in her mind, Cailin was able to regain her composure momentarily and answered, "you're right, let's go."  Looking around and not seeing Marren, Cailin asked in a frightened voice, "where's Marren, we can't leave him here!"  "Marren's back at camp with the others, and he's still alive sweetheart... I'm sure Lyranda be working on him as we speak," the dwarf responded, "now get it together girl and move, Lilith be working on the shield and we need to get back so she can put it up."  With her young friend in her supporting embrace, the two women began the walk back to camp.

Arriving at the shelter, the pair found Lilith on one of the landings, deep in concentration and speaking softly in the arcane.  "Get that shield up as soon as ye can, we might be havin' company soon," Petra said to the mage as they passed.  Breaking from her incantations for a moment, Lilith replied, "I'll have it soon, I want this this one to last until around midday."  "Aye," the dwarf responded, "we might just need the extra time... do what ye have to do."

Taking Cailin into the main room, Petra sat her still trembling friend down in a chair at the table.  "I killed somebody, Petra.  When I saw what he did to Marren and heard their plans for me...", Cailin told her friend in a weak sobbing voice, tears pouring from her eyes, "I killed him."  "Aye darlin'," Petra replied softly to the distraught young woman, "and if ye hadn't, ye would probably be dead yerself.  Taking another life is never easy, love, but some times it be the only option we have."  "Will I ever get used to it, Petra?", Cailin asked her friend.  Responding to her friend's question, Petra put her arms around the crying woman and said, "pray ye never do, lass... pray ye never do."

A few moments later, Lilith entered the chamber and spoke to the pair, "the shield is up and should last until midday.  I'll keep re-enforcing it as long as we need it."  Turning to the mage, Petra replied, "thank ye darlin', ye be a lifesaver."  "I just checked with Lyranda,"  Lilith continued, "Marren is out of immediate danger, but she has much more to do if he is to survive the night."  Rising from her chair, Cailin looked at the mage, "he's alive!  Can I see him?"  Taking her into her arms, Lilith whispered gently to the young woman, "not right now dear, Lyranda needs to work without interruption.  And they're both going to need rest, perhaps tomorrow... be at ease Cailin, everything will be alright."   Turning her gaze to the dwarf, Lilith continued, "I think it's time for our young friend to rest, let's put her to bed."  Responding to Lilith's words, Petra spoke, "aye, come on Cailin.  Ye had a harrowing day and there be nothing we can do right now, except wait.  Ye need some rest, let's go, sweetheart."

"I wish I could do more to help, I feel so useless," Lilith softly said to Petra as they watched Cailin drift off into an uneasy sleep from the day's happenings.  "Why do ye say that, love?", Petra responded to the mage, "it was ye that saved us precious time and brought Marren to safety so Lyranda could begin her healing.  And it is ye that now be protecting us with yer powers.  Useless?  Hardly."  Taking a moment to catch her breath, Petra continued, "if it weren't fer ye, we might be burying our friend.  Ye be a godsend, lass.  Now... I'll stay here with Cailin and watch over her, ye go to Lyranda and Marren and do the same fer them.  Thanks to ye, we have a hope."

As Lilith rose to her feet and began to depart, she turned back toward the dwarf and said, "Lyranda is right about you, Petra."  "About what?", Petra queried.  "You are a beautiful soul," Lilith replied with a smile.

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Coming in somewhere at the middle of Cailin's saga and want to start at the beginning?
Then click here:
Cailin's Journey - - An Adventure In The Making
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for viewing and a very special thank you for all who have begun to follow my story about Cailin and her continuing journey.
Comments, critiques and/or suggestions are always welcome.
Remember... when viewing mine and other artist's work, check out the full size view... bigger is always better!