Caitlin and Alysha were on the top of the roof and they listened to the sound of battle beneath them. The druidess tightened the grip around the old, knobbly willow staff and it appeared strange, then since Alysha was shaking in fear, Caitlin herself remained calm and unfrightened. Her gaze lingered on the stairs and as Liles, Marie and some others came upwards, she straigtened from the pinnacle and thought it time to open a teleporter, so that they can flee.
„Alysha, go.“ Caitlin said, but instead of entering the teleporter herself, she made her way in the other direction. „I will go and evacuate the other people; don't worry. I have another teleporter in my bag.“
The lady headed to the stairs but hesitates. She casted a long look over the pinnacles and found a certain crow sitting on a high branch of a fir tree. Ysgar crowed into her direction.
„I know, Ysgar“ Caitlin replied to the crow and for the fraction of a second a smile played across her firm look. „I know.“
With those words she headed down the stairs with confidence in every single of her steps. She was not afraid, not the slightest and courage as well as surety sparkled in the ravenblack eyes of the lady.
„There is a teleporter upstairs“, Caitlin said to everyone she encountered. „Hurry! It won't last long.“
It was a ghost roaming the castle, Dravish, Ariges and a lizard who seemed also on their side. Caitlin faced every of them and did not retreat til everyone was out of the castle, but she heard that Conner and an elfess were stuck in the library so she let herself get captured.
She would be the last leaving this building, if not, she wouldn't leave it at all.
It was Ariges who dragged her down into the library, the lizard followed. Even from the corner of her eyes she could see that Conner was badly wounded but they didn't allow her to treat his wounds.
„Do you think I fear you? “, Caitlin stated and strength was unmistakable in her voice.
„No“, Ariges replied coldly. „But you don't want this man to die, do you? “
The first time since half an eternity Caitlin felt really angry. She didn't hate. She wasn't even able to hate. But she was angry.
How did they dare to treat life this way?
What lie deceived their hearts?
And Caitlin remembered immediately the talk with Jacob, as he spoke about war and power.
- „I do not care for the war of gods, Jacob. I do not care who holds power and who not; or who takes revenge on whom. I care for those who get wounded due to this! I'm the one who stitches their injuries; I'm the one who has their blood on her hands and I'm the one who carries them to their grave when I fail, because their wounds of battle reaches too deep. I'm not on 'their' side. I'm not on 'your' side. I'm on the side of the living and that means that I try to save BOTH!"
The druid stood next to Conner and placed her hand on his shoulder. They would not recognize it. She whispered silently to the injured man. „Maybe I can't treat your wounds, but I can give you the strength to make it to the teleporter. “, Caitlin tilted her head and looked to Tae, the elfess, next to her and then back to Conner „When I say 'now', we run upstairs,.. there I will open the teleporter. Close you eyes now, Conner.“
The man did as she said and also Caitlin closed her eyes and whispered silently in a calm and reassuring voice. She could feel how the man was relaxing under her touch and voice as she also could the warmth spreading in him. The druid smiled for a moment to herself and she took her hand of the shoulder. But just in the moment as she wanted to turn to yell „now“, something unexpected happened. Ariges grabbed her from the side and dragged her along towards the door, apparently to the sleeping room. In this moment the courage and composure left her finally and she panicked.
She struggled violently against Ariges grip as they reached the door of the library; pulling the teleporter from her bag. „Conner, catch!!! ", she yelled in despair and threw the book to the man. Getting pushed out of the library she could still see from the corner of her eyes how Conner did not hesitate and opened the teleporter. The elfess fled but the man himself got grabbed.
Ariges dragged her along into the sleeping room and closed the door.
„Dravish! “, She yelled against the wall, knowing the lich could hear her. „Let Conner go. He is wounded and just one man. Let him go! You owe me something! “
From the room library could be heared that someone left through the portal and Caitlin sighed in relief. He was save.
...
But now?
She had no teleporter anymore... what would happen now?
The lady leaned against the cold wall and slided down into a sitting position. Fear overcame finally her heart. That was typically for her. There was no hesitation or fear when it was about the protection of others. She was strong and confident.
But as soon as she was alone ... as soon as it was about her... there was no strength left.
„At least the others are saved“, Caitlin mumbled and closed her eyes, trying to calm her heart; but the peace did not last long. The door opened and Ariges came in; pulling the boy Taylor along.
And there was it again... the spark in her heart that ever and ever again lightened her courage.
From this point on everything felt like it would happen in slow motion and like it was not Caitlin herself leading and deciding her movements and words.
It was Kamik who tried to bring his axe through the door of the sleeping room, while Ariges tortured the boy and Murack tried to held Caitlin back.
As the ghost appeared in the room it was like Caitlin would know already what would happen. She felt to her knees, ramming her druidstaff against the woodenfloor and prayed to Ushara as loud as she could in this troubled situation.
„Ushara, godess of earth! “, her voice echoed; her thoughts were racing.
Ushara, I'm your servant. Stop this madness. Don't let this last refuge for the people fall. Don't let this darkness over come us. For life and for balance, I ask you once more for your help...
The druidstaff that Caitlin once got from the Forest trolls started to shine in a pale green. The ghost seemed to panick and tried to grab her staff.
... to ban those from this place who seek death and hate.
Caitlin felt how a warm, nearly hot feeling spreaded inside her and she raised from her knees and also raised her voice; strong and confident. The ghost shouted for giving him a sword.
„Ban those who do not carry a soul within!!!“
Caitlins yell echoed and the light spreaded. In a scream of anguish the ghost striked with the sabre and the cold metal pierced through Caitlins flesh. But it was too late. The ghost ended up in a green flame and also Ariges had to retreat in Usharas glory.
The druid sank to her knees, clasping the wound at her chest and coughing up blood. Her eyes filled with tears as she felt how the bond to forests, which kept her alive, was slowly fading...
She did not recognize properly anymore what was happening around her, as everything became dull. Taylor was next to her... and Farel.
Through the shock she did not feel any pain... yet her heart ached.
Was it really over?
Outside it began raining and one may thought the animals in the forests could be heard rather loudly.
The wind grew stronger...
Your task is done, Lady of the Forest...
The last tears ran down Caitlins snowwhite cheeks as her eyes became dull and one more time her chest raised and lowered for a last breath...
.. and a last thought.
Pendar.
