A Family Comes Home.....

[Lady Katerina]

Katerina sat in the carriage and watched as the colorful Scottish scenery passed by. The carriage rocked and swayed on the roads in a lulling fashion if one was inclined to be able to sleep. Across from her sat her parents who chatted about this and that. She smiled they were so in love and one day she hoped to find that for herself. The sun was beginning its slow descent from the sky to be replaced by the moon soon.

Thomas and Lissette talked of the last time they had come to Scotland to visit her kin Katerina had been one and twenty at the time and huge ball had been planned in honor of her birthday. As they continued their chatter Katerina let her mind drift as she looked out the window. They had six of her father's best Knight's with them not to mention that Marcus the driver was skilled with a sword as well. They took no chances hearing of the recent upheavals in these part of the world. news had reached London of the bloody battles fought and won by the Scots. Though born in England she carried the blood of a long and proud line with the MacKinnon's as kin.

Suddenly shouts broke through her thoughts and the carriage lurched into a faster pace. " BANDITS!" came the warning as arrows sunk into the side of the carriage... WHOOSH! THUD! THWACK! Hoof beats of the mounted Knight's echoing in the silence of the waining time between day and dusk. Thomas instantly pulled back the covering on the window to see that they were being chased by riders... and they were outnumbered. He looked at his wife and daughter with pale grey eyes silently... his face all they needed to know... they were in trouble.

Marcus did what he could to keep the carriage moving as a few of the Knight's broke rank to slow the bandits while the carriage tried to make an escape. The clash of metal on metal rang through the air. Lissette grabbed her husband hand as if seeking solace from the contact. Katerina just sat there frozen in fear and praying silently they would get away. It was no use soon enough the carriage came to a sudden stop catapulting Katerina forward into her mother who was now crying and her father who was reaching for his sword.. it was then the door was thrown open and he was yanked out, followed by his wife and then Katerina. Faces covered with masks surrounded them and large beefy arms held her as she squirmed for freedom " STOP!" a single command from the man that held her caused her cease her actions. Two men held her father and another held her mother who was a pale as death right now. Her father's voice was the next things she heard " I am Thomas Matheson Earl of Baldreagan... why have you stopped us?" the only reply he got was a large fist to his mid section causing him to double over with a grunt . " We care naught who ye be Englishman... we want yer valuables... and perhaps a taste of yer women he'e." the man chuckled his voice deep and raspy.

Katerina began to tremble " Nay, leave him be . We have done nothing to you. Take what you will but leave us alone." the slap came from nowhere and her mouth filled with the metallic taste of her own blood, from her now split lip. " Eh ye be a feisty wench alri't I think I will ha'e ye first and make them watch no'?" he laughed and it made her stomach lurch in distaste. Her mother broke free and ran to her side " Leave her alone!!" she screamed as she hit the many with tiny fists. He looked down and laughed as he caught her by the hair " Ye shall be first, Connall come take yer prize brother." he threw her mother to another large man that had stepped forward. Catching Lissette Connall smiled wickedly " Wit' pleasure whate'r be left the men can ha'e" with one quick pull her ripped Lissettes dress in twain " NAY!! NAY!!"came her cries as the man threw her mother to the ground. Her father was being restrained and beaten as they forced them to watch Connall rape and kill her mother. She could smell the blood in the air as her sapphire eyes looked at the gaping wound where he viciously slashed Lissette's neck open. He stood pulled his pants on, laughed and then spit on her. Duncan laughed as well as one of the men holding her father drew his dagger across his neck as well .... the gurgling sounds he made filled her ears. She was frozen there as she looked at her parent's lying dead before her... a deep voice shocked her back to herself " Keanan do wha' ye will wit' her and meet us back at camp." Duncan said as he and the others mounted their horses and left. Keanan looked at the small woman in his arms and then licked his lips" Ahh lovey I will be easy wit' ye any worry." his words were slurred as his hands roamed her body then coming to rest on a breast which he squeezed so hard she cried out in pain. He tossed her to the ground ripping at her dress and fumbling to free himself of pants... it was then she saw the dagger on the ground next to her. Slowly she reached out her hand to grab it as she fought to keep him from taking her. WHACK! WHACK! the mans hand met her face the burn made her vision blur yet she continued to reach for the blade. Almost got it! she thought to herself. Small fingers coiled around the hilt as Keanan lifted her gown and his face buried in her bosom. His touch made her skin crawl, just as he was about to plunge himself into her body she tightened her grip on the dagger and thrusted it into his neck with such force it came out the other side. He fell off her frame and stared at her in horror as he reached up and felt the blade in his neck "Ye ha'e killed me." he whispered in gurgled tones before he fell over dead next to her.

She tried to get to her feet but when she stood everything spun around disoriented she staggered only a few feet before she fell and blackness claimed her.

[Lady Katerina]

Katerina awoke slowly her entire body ached form recent events that had taken place. She sat up and slowly let her grey-blue eyes look over the carnage of the scene in the field, her parent's lay near her lifeless as did the entire group of Knight's that had come with them. All were dead except her and she began to cry wondering why the Lord Almighty had seen fit to spare her. Seeing her father's dagger sticking out of the neck of the man who attacked her, she crawled over and pulled it free with a sickening sucking sound. As if his flesh did not want to release the blade, she inhaled and pulled harder and it slipped free at last.

She gained her feet slowly, her legs did not feel they would hold up her slight weight as she stumbled about. Head whipping she looked to see if the men who attacked them were coming back. Fear prompted her next actions... no time to bury those they had slain so she staggered to the carriage. With almost viscous tugs she ripped the curtains that had covered the windows... she would place them over her parent's faces. Saying a prayer as she covered them doing her best a she knew she could not tarry long in case they came back.

Grabbing one last thing from the carriage with what little reserves she had... she removed the small satchel that contained a length of MacKinnon tartan that was her mother's as well as a few other things, tucking the dagger into it as well. Fearing the bandits would come back to see what detained the one they left.She looked around one last time Katerina was cold alone, beaten and bruised, but she needed to keep moving. Having stumbled and fallen several time, she picked her self up and moved on.

Tears filled her eyes and her body protesting every step, dress torn and bloody, slippers that were not made for walking covered tired feet. She had walked for what seemed like hours staying off the main road and keeping to the shadows just in case.

She pushed her long dark hair out of her eyes, would she find someone out here that might help her she knew not. She heard the sounds of nocturnal creatures coming out of their daytime hiding places to forge for food. The rustling of twigs and branches soon had her running like the hounds of hell were after her, fearing they had indeed returned and were looking for her. She fell over a fallen tree and laid there gasping for air for a long minute before getting up and once more running through the now dark field, the only light came from the half moon that bathed the field in an eerie glow. "Lord God why did you not let me die with my parent's? Why me? AM I to carry those last images all my days?" she kept repeating those words in her head.

Tired and disoriented and now most definitely lost, she walked wearily on the road for at this moment she did not care who found her as long as someone did.

[Lady Katerina]

Katerina: Katerina felt as if her whole world had fallen in around her. She staggered and swayed walking now on the dimly moonlit road. Covered in dirt and blood she fought to keep her legs moving but she was getting tired three days now she had wandered and roamed this strange land. How much longer could she continue on?**

Philippe: Philippe had grown bored of sitting around castle parlors and courtyards talking over political matters which Phillipe was just a faint voice in a crowd of loud overbearing voices. But his job wasn't as a politician those men with two tongues to go with their two faces Him and his Templar Knights where to act as protectors bodyguards a task that they didn't take lightly. But Philippe wanted a little time to explore the new land for himself. After the Duke and his family was all settle in for the night even a story was told to the little one. Phillipe took a midnight ride on Orleans. Orleans was a large black stallion standing 15 hands high. Galloping in the cool crisp air those mocha colored orbs of his couldn't help but to spot the women staggering down the dirt road. Galloping over to her he brought Orleans to stop looking down upon her he spoke in his thick French accent " Ma Dame is everything alright?" It was dark so he couldn't see her wounds

Katerina: ** Exhausted beyond reason she walked on in a dazed like fashion. The sound of hooves pounding the ground had her turning to wards the sound, it was then she saw the dark shadow upon an even darker mount. Both stopped abruptly and he spoke to her. looking up at him " H...Help me... pplease." she said softly .Her own words laced with several accents English lilt, French undertones, and a soft brogue .She fell to her knees next to his horse, weary and in pain. It was very dark and she wished the moon was brighter so she could see better.**

Philippe: Philippe dismounted Orleans. The steed had been trained for years so he knew better then to wonder off. He just stood there eating the cold soft grass below him . Meanwhile Philippe was bent down on one knee his arms was wrapped around the weak woman body his mocha colored orbs looking down into her weak pools of blues. The faint calls for help didn't fall on deaf ears. Softly laying her softly on the ground he quickly riches up for his buckskin pouch filled with fresh spring water. The pouch was place to her lips with one arm titling her head up allowing her to slowly drink the water. After a few moments he would pull the pouch away not wanting her to over do it. The night air was unforgiving so his cloak was removed and the woman was wrapped in it. Holding her in his arms like one would hold a baby he looked down into her eyes once more his accented filling her ears " Ma Madame what on earth has happen to you?"

Katerina: ** He moved so quickly dismounting it made her fear grow and then next she knew he was helping her to drink water... it was cool and refreshing and desperately needed. The warmth of his cloak soon enveloped her and she gave him a weak smile even though she was trembling ... she was still afraid, but more afraid to die. He was French by his accent giving a weak nod of thanks to him " Merci (Thank You )." still not sure how much to trust him she took a slow deep breath and winced from the pain it caused. " We... my family.... were attacked by bandits. They killed my parents in front of me...." her words trailed off into soft sobs as she closed her eyes tightly trying to block the horrific scenes from her mind. Her trembling grew worse frightened and cold. Her vision was blurring and her head felt as though it were going to explode. She wanted to get up and run but she could not."Please... I need to get away from here." worry marred her face as much as the dark bruises and cuts. **

Philippe: Philippe didn't show any facial expressions he knew well about these bandits men who have very little morals or limits. She was lucky she left with her life and woman hood in tack. The lands was wild and the times were tough. Causing people to earn a living with a sword then a shovel and a hoe. Phillipe was starting to get chilly himself . His ears could hear the cries of hungry wolves. It would be better if Philippe could find some wood build a fire and camp out until the morning . But he found himself out numbered against wolves the cold as well as a band of roaming bandits " Rest for a moment and then I will take you to the castle where I am staying "

Katerina: ** Katerina just stared at him blankly " Cottage.... not far from here....our knight's found it... it is close." she all but whispered weakly to him. She was fighting to remain conscious but she was quickly loosing that battle. "Th...th.. that way." she pointed to just over the rise. The sound of the wolves howling made her shake more than she was. Though this man was helping her she still feared him as well. She was small and looked frail but she was made of stronger stuff right? Perhaps if she were not so damn tired and weak. She moved to stand up... only to grab her throbbing head in small hands.**