By Flaneroi: kmenard@mail.multi-medias.ca

All disclaimers enforced. We continue form where we 
left off: Catlin struggled against her capture with all her 
might but couldn't get free of his grasp. Before any of 
the others realized that Catlin was on trouble the 
soldier was already on his way back to his camp with
Catlin in tow.

CATLIN'S NIGHTMARE (working title)

 	Everything was quiet and peaceful in the 
Sanctuary. Everyone had retired for the night, everyone 
except Conor. He just couldn't face another night of 
seeing Claire in his dreams. At least they weren't
nightmares any longer, but seeing her face while he slept 
made him miss her all the more when he was awake.
 	Conor was sitting outside his tent, sharping his 
sword his for the next days hunt, when a blood curdling 
scream came from Catlin's tent.
Without a moments hesitation Conor ran to her tent. 
When he pulled back the flap he saw Catlin sitting straight 
up in her bed sobbing uncontrollably. He went to her and 
held her in his arms trying to sooth her.
 	" Hush Catlin, Hush."
 	" What's going on?" Conor turned when he 
heard Fergus' voice, to see him and Tully standing in the 
doorway. They both had great concern on their faces to 
see their friend in such a state.
 	Conor shrug his shoulders as to say he didn't 
know. Then he returned his attention to Catlin.
 	"It's alright Cat, I'm hear."
 	Catlin tried to speak but the words got caught 
in her throat. Conor just rocked her gently as they all 
wait for her to calm herself enough to speak.
 	Catlin slowly regain her composure. " I'm sorry for 
waking all of you,"
 	"Don't worry about us. Are you alright?" Tully 
interrupted. The look of concern in Tully's eyes made 
Catlin smile despite herself.
 	" I'm a bit shaky but I'm fine. I can't believe I 
caused such a fuss. I'm truly sorry."
 	Conor held her by the shoulders, " There's no 
need to be sorry Cat. We all just wanted to make sur you 
were alright," he said with a smile that warmed her.
 	" What happen to make you scream the way you 
did?" Conor asked still holding her shoulders.
 	" I dreamt that I was recaptured by Diana and 
made a slave again. I could feel the pain of the guards whip 
as it stuck me and his fists..." she started to shake.
 	" Catlin, I would never let anything happen to 
you. You have my word."
 	" And ours as well," Fergus  and Tully echoed in 
unison.
 	Catlin looked at her three friends and they meant 
every word of it.
 " Will you be okay?" Catlin nodded. Conor gave her a hug 
and turned to leave, " You know your my hero Conor, don't 
you." He just smiled and left with Tully And Fergus.
 	The three of them went back to there tents, satisfied 
that Catlin would be fine. Conor decide he would try to sleep. 
To dream of claire wasn't such a bad thing he thought, when 
he compared it to the night mare Catlin had dreamed as well 
as lived.
 	Catlin laid in bed unable to go back to sleep. She 
knew she could trust Conor and believe his words, but she 
had an uneasy feeling about the day ahead that she couldn't 
seem to shake.

When Catlin finally fell to sleep she tossed and turned the 
rest of the night. Images of her enslavement plague her 
dreams. The only thing that kept her from screaming again 
were Coron's words in the back of her mind, "Catlin, I 
would never let anything happen to you."
 The next morning when she  woke she dressed and 
emerged from her tent to see Fergus, Tully And Conor 
preparing for the day's hunt. Fergus was the first to 
notice her.
 	" How are you feeling this morning lass?"
 	" I'm feeling much better," she lied. She did not 
want to worry her friends any further. They might think 
her incapable of going on the hunt and she desperately 
wanted to go. It was exactly what she needed to clear her 
mind she thought.
 	They all had there morning meal and then headed 
out of the Sanctuary. A cold shiver went down Catlin's 
spine as they left. She still felt uneasy about their 
excursion. She didn't know why she felt the way 
she did, but she didn't like it. She tried to convince 
herself she was being foolish and put it out of her mind.
 	The beginning of the day went without any 
incident munch to Catlin's relief. She was actually 
starting to relaxed. They had gotten a couple
of rabbits and two deer and were discussing whether or 
not they should go home or continue to hunt.
 	" I think we should head back. If we kill to 
much more we won't be able to bring it all back with us."
 	" Ah, come on Tully just a little longer," Catlin 
pleaded.
 	" Conor, Fergus what do you say?"
 	Conor looked at Catlin and smiled. He was 
happy to see her in such great spirits, especially after 
the night before. " Don't see anything wrong with going 
on a bit further. Maybe we can get a few quail to go 
along with the rest. What do you say old man?"
 	" Sounds like an excellent idea."
 	Catlin thank Conor and Fergus and looked back at 
Tully. He shrugged his shoulders and smiled, " Okay, 
you win!"
 	They had been hunting again for about an hour 
when Catlin got the strangest feeling. It stopped her 
dead in her tracks.
 	" What is it?"
 	" I don't know Conor. I just have this felling..."
 	" Sweet Brigit!" Everyone turned to look in the 
direction Fergus was staring.
 	" Romans," whispered Catlin.
 	" What are they doing this close to the Sanctuary?" 
Tully asked to no one in particular.
	" I don't know but I don't like it at all!"
 	" I don't either Fergus. Let's take cover before they 
spot us." Conor turned to Catlin, " Come on Catlin let's go."
 	Catlin just stood there in silence unable to move.
 	" Catlin!"
 	For the first time since she arrived at the Sanctuary, 
Catlin was truly terrified. Conor grabbed her arm and pulled 
her to cover, but it was to late. They had been spotted. The 
Romans were headed in their direction at full speed. Within 
seconds they were upon them.
 	With a roar the hunting party charge their attackers 
head on. Catlin was slow to react, images of her nightmare 
where flashing in her mind. She went to pull an arrow from 
her quiver when she was taken by surprise from behind. The 
Roman soldier put is hand over her mouth, silencing her cry 
to Conor and the others, and pulled her away. Catlin struggled
against her capture with all her might but could not get free 
of his grasp. before any of the other realized that Catlin was 
in trouble, the soldier was already on his way back to camp 
with Catlin in tow.

Conor, Fergus and Tully fought with a vengeance. They 
had put a large dent in the Roman's ranks. As Conor saw 
the rest of the soldiers retreat, he looked around to make 
sure his companions were alright. The battle had been so 
fierce and so quick, Conor never had a chance to notice 
how the others were doing. He saw Fergus finish off a 
Roman with a thrust of his sword and another falling at 
Tully's feet, but Catlin was no where to be found.
 	"Fergus, Have you seen Cat?"
 	"No I haven't," Fergus started surveying the area 
trying to see if she was near by.
 	"Tully?"
 	"I haven't seen her either, not since the beginning 
of the fight. You don't think that..."
 	"Aye Lad, the Romans must have her."
 	"That can't be right Fergus, She was right behind 
us. We would have heard or seen something."
 	"Then you explain her disappearance!"
 	"Conor, it all came about so fast anything could of 
happened."
 	"Catlin! Catlin!" Conor yelled but there was no 
reply. He scanned the ground looking for a roman who was 
still conscious. He held his blade to the Solder's throat, " 
Where did they take her!" He just glared at Conor and said
nothing. 
 	"As it is know with the wounds you have would 
live, but if you don't tell me where she is I will kill you!" 
Conor snarled.
 	"the roman saw the pure rage in Conor's eyes and 
did not want to be on the receiving end of it. " They took 
her to our camp."
 	"Where is this camp?"
 	"Ten miles to the North."
 	Conor released him form the swords edge and 
struck him across the temple with the but end of it. "Go 
back to the Sanctuary. I'm going after her."
 	"Conor wait up!"
 	"I can't lose her like I lost Claire. I can't go 
through that again."
 	Tully and Fergus looked at each other with 
surprise. Neither had realized before exactly how much 
Conor really cared for Catlin. 
 	"We'll all go and get her."
 	"We'll find her lad and bring her home. Come 
now times a wasting!"


 	When she got to the camp Catlin was thorn into 
a tent. She could not believe the situation she was in. It felt 
like the time she  had spent in the Sanctuary had been all a 
dream that she had just woke up from. That she was still 
a slave and that Conor, Fergus, and Tully were all just 
figments of her imagination. In her heart she knew that 
wasn't true and she tried to kept her head clear but to no 
avail. her fear had almost completely taken over her. 
Exhaustion had finally taken its toll and she feel into 
troubled dreams.
 	She had no idea how long she had been there 
when she was awakened by the sound of foot steps 
outside her tent. Suddenly the flap to the tent opened.
Catlin couldn't make out who it was standing before her. 
The sun was shinning through the opening creating only 
a silhouette of the person. When the flap closed and her 
eyes readjusted to the dimness of the tent she shudder  
with fear as she recognized he man standing in front of 
her.
 	"What do you want of me?" Catlin asked with 
as much courage as she could muster.
 	Longinus smiled, "All in do time Catlin, all in 
do time,"
 	Catlin tried to hide her fear form him. She knew 
she couldn't let this monster see exactly how afraid she 
was. Nothing would have pleased him more, she knew, 
then to see it. Then he could use it to his advantage 
against her.
 	" I never realized how beautiful you really are." 
He stoked her face and hair.
"It would be a pity to have to hurt such a beautiful creature."
 Catlin recoiled form his touch. It repulsed her to think that 
he found her attractive. The very thought of it made her 
stomach churn.
 	"But we could save your loveliness if you give me  
what I want."
 	"If you touch me, so help me I'll..."
 	"You'll what?'" Longinus laughed. "You seem to 
forget my dear that I have  you at a disadvantage. Your the 
one on your knees bound by your ankles and wrists, not 
me. You give me the information I want and there will be 
not need for me to 'touch' you."
 	"I'll tell you nothing." 
 	"Tell me where the Princes' stronghold is."
 	"I'll tell you nothing!" 
 	"Oh, Are you so sure of that Catlin? Guards come 
in here." Every muscle in her body stiffened in fear but 
she let on to nothing. The two guards entered the tent, one 
was carrying a whip. When she saw it a gasp escaped her 
before she could stop it.
 	"I thought that might get your attention."
 	"I still won't tell you a thing."
 	"You, tie her to that support post and bare her back."
 	The guard dragged catlin to the post with her struggling 
every inch of the way. He tied her hands above her head and 
tore the back of her tunic.
 	"Now what do you have to say?"
 	"Nothing. I will never betray my friends."
 Longinus nodded to the guard with the whip to begin. With 
the first lash Catlin let out a whelp. As the lashes continued 
tears started flowing like rivers down her cheeks. She sobbed 
softly, wincing with each lash at the unbearable pain coursing 
throw her body. 
 	Longinus motioned to the guard to cease the 
whipping. He walk around the post to face Catlin. He 
noticed that her breathing was labored, "So will you tell 
me now?"
 	"NEVER!" Catlin gasped.
 	He told the guard to continue. After a couple more 
minutes the guard stopped. Longinus moved closer to her. 
His face was only a few inches form hers. "Tell me."
 	Catlin glared at him and spat in his face.
 	Longinus could not believe the spirit still left in her. 
He wiped the spit from his face as he walked away. As he 
about to leave the tent the words he spoke to the guards 
sent chills down Catlin's spine. "Do what you will with 
her, but remember I want her alive." With this he left and 
Catlin wished that they would kill her.
 
 	Diana was waiting for Longinus outside, " So did 
she give you the information?" He looked at her and smiled. 
Just as he was about to answer her he heard Catlins'
cry's. " Not yet, but she will."


 	Conor and his companions headed North. They 
were looking to see if they could find any sign of the Romans.
 	"Conor look, hoof prints and they're no more 
than a couple hours old. They're most likely belong to the 
Romans."
 	Conor moved ahead to look at the prints with 
Tully. "Your right, This must mean that we're headed in the 
right direction. let's kept going, the quicker me move the 
faster we'll get to Catlin."
 	Conor's guilt was eating him up inside. He blamed 
himself for Catlin's capture. He had promised her he 
wouldn't let anything happen to her and now the Romans
had her. What kind of leader, what kind of Friend was he if 
he couldn't keep that promise. His feelings for Catlin were 
becoming clearer to him but he couldn't let himself think of 
that right now. He knew if he thought of his feelings for her 
that he would end up acting rashly. He had to stay level
headed, which was quite hard at the moment, if he was 
going to be any help to Catlin.
 	They traveled a while longer, following the 
horse tracks. Conor was starting to wonder if they were 
going in the right direction. He was afraid that they had
wasted precious time.
 	"Fergus, I don't think we're going in the right way."
 	" I wold say we are. Look up a head." 
 	Conor saw a large clearing. Within the clearing there 
was a Raman camp. There were at least six tents forming a 
semi circle with guards posted at two in particular. The 
grass around the camp was at least waist high which
ended in the woods. As far as Conor could see there 
was a dozen or so guards milling around the camp.
 	"Okay," Tully sighed, "how do we go about finding 
which one Catlin's in?"
 	"The tent in the middle of the camp," Fergus 
motion to the tent in the center of the semi circle, "is the 
heaviest guarded. My bet is she's in there."
 	"Sometimes Old Man you make a lot of sense. 
Come on let's go."
 	Fergus grab Conor's arm, "Conor no. We should 
wait until nightfall. It will be easier to entre the camp 
undetected."
 	"Nightfall! Who know's what they've dome 
to her already."
 	"If you go in go charging in there now half 
cocked you could yourself killed. What help would 
you be the lass then? Think clearly boy!"
 	Conor knew what Fergus said was true. He was 
letting his emotions get the better of him even thought he 
tried desperately not to. "I don't like it but your right. 
We'll wait for nightfall. In the mean time let's get a plan 
together."

 Longinus entered the tent where Catlin was being held. 
He walk over to where was lying on the ground and 
knelt beside her. He saw her trembling and smiled
to himself. He was sure she would talk to him know. 
He stroked her hair and spoke in a gentle voice, "Why 
are you making things so hard on yourself? All you 
need to do is tell me what I want to know and this 
nightmare will end."
 	The only response Catlin gave him was 
silence.
 	He waited sure she was going to tell him. 
Then he asked again, "Catlin where's the Prince's 
stronghold?"
 	"Go to hell where you belong." With that 
Catlin recoiled from Longinus' hand  and rolled away 
from him.
 	"Now, now, are you going to make me have 
to hurt you again?"
 	Catlin got up on her knees, "Do what you 
want to me, I'll tell you nothing." She dared not try to 
get to her feet afraid her legs would not support her 
weight.
 	Longinus had a menacing look in his eye, "I 
will break you."
 	Despite being battered and bruise beyond 
belief, Catlin hope she was strong enough not to let 
him break her will. "I would rather die before I ever 
betray my friends," she hissed, the words full of 
venom and hatred towards her capture.
 	Longinus grabbed Catlin's hair and held her 
tight to him, "I could arrange that for you. Your death 
that is, but only after I've broken you." He dragged her
back to the post she had been bound to before and tied 
her to it again. "I will have my way," he whisper in her 
ear.
 	He called the guards back into the tent and the 
whipping began again. Between her sobs and cries of 
pain, Catlin wished that she would die before she did
betray her friends.

To be continued..........


Flaneraoi aka Kim
~From this life to the next~