He had felt it from the moment they had entered the dark of the forest.

Eyes.

Watching them.

Ears strained he had kept a careful watch out of the window, occasionally sitting with the driver. The man was oblivious to what was happening around him.

Remus had known telling him would have just caused him to panic… all they could do was wait till they reached the edge of the forest. Once out in the open, by daylight, hopefully they would make it out alive.

He could literally smell Eithne’s fear. She was haunted by memories from her past he knew, and it was worse that her worst nightmares had taken place in the forest very much like the one they were passing through.

He hadn’t slept for almost two days and feeling the exhaustion overcome he had let slip for a moment. It took just a moment.

Now he was riding at the front of the carriage ordering the driver to ride faster from the corner of his eye he saw a man aim something in there direction, the next moment Sedgley the driver was screaming in pain, red blood pouring out of a wound created by an arrow in his shoulder.

Snatching the reigns from him Remus urged the horses to go faster. Then he saw it.

The bandits had dug a hole in the ground and if he didn’t stop the carriage soon they would all be dead. Flashes of Ethnie’s tear stained face and Enya’s sobs came to mind.

“STOP! TIGOREY! TIGOREY!” he shouted as the horses neighed angrily, finally drawing to a stop, dust rising all around them.

Breaking into a sweat Remus looked around him like hunted prey.

The forest had fallen silent.

Jumping to the carriage he ripped the door open to see a cringing Eithne hiding Enya behind her. Lunging in without a thought he grabbed her arm and pulled her out, she cried out in surprise first not recognising him, then as though she did she passed him Enya.

Picking the small shaking bundle in his hands he nodded for Eithne to follow him silently. Sedgley was still gasping at the reigns.

“I know you are fatigued Eithne but you must carry Enya… I will have to help Sedgley”, he pointed to the side of the path indicating they had to make their way through the jungle, never to hide for they would surely get caught, they had to keep moving.

Sedgley who was looking worse for ware moaned as Remus helped him off the carriage, putting an arm under his back they both made their way slowly after Eithne.

Only moments later the bushes around them exploded with screams and shouting as men at least twenty jumped out around them.

---

Loping through the trees and forestry unconcerned of the cuts forming on his skin he ran on. Mud streaked feet hit the ground one after the other tirelessly as the clearing came to view.

In a flash he saw the small bundle lying crumpled and at the mercy of the female bear as it reared for one final swoop that he knew no creature could survive.

Without another thought he leapt onto its back and bellowed stabbing his hunting knife deep into the gullet of the creature. He saw blood spurt out in a fountain and he knew with certainty the jugular had been sliced right through.

Pulling out his weapon he lifted it high in the air holding it by the handle blood pouring down the blade and onto his thick arms.

An almighty roar erupted from him as he brought the hilt down hard on the bears skull. A satisfying crack filled the air and he leapt of the staggering creature landing with a heavy thud as his feet hit the ground bearing his full weight.

Ignoring the squeals from the dying beast he padded lightly to the victim and stood before it a moment. Much blood had been lost. Whoever it was, was dying.

He pulled off his shirt and shred it to form bandages. Concentrating on the wounds he wound them round tightly as he could then surveyed his handiwork.

Knowing it was the best he could do for now he decided to head back taking the shortest route to his cabin.

The brown haired giant picked the dying creature bundling it closer to himself as he stomped through the treacherous blizzard, the wind howling and hurling ice like shards in every direction.

The sooner he returned to his cabin the better. For the sake of the poor fool who was dying this very moment in his arms.

---

They were taken to a clearing where even through the dark Eithne could see clearly was a huge sprawling mansion. Quaking with fear on the inside she held tightly to Remus’s arm as they were led in by the bandits.

Remus who had insisted on carrying Enya glanced apprehensively around. Eithne could tell he was nervous, but he was trying his damn best keep his cool composure. She couldn’t help but let slip a feeling of admiration for the boys composure. It gave her the strength to follow silently.

The entered huge wooden doors as they swung open by slaves. Eithne’s mouth almost dropped open at the lavish surroundings, thick rugs covered the floor, oak covered walls and furniture, paintings hung by the wall.

The were ushered into a huge room on the right, Eithne recognised it somewhat of a library. There was a welcoming fire in the massive fireplace, feeling the heat on her cold wet skin Eithnies lips parted and her eyes rounded a little.

Maybe they would be lucky and the bandits would be kind to them. She didn’t care if they took theyre money or anything else they had as long they didn’t hurt them. Her eyes flickered quickly to Enya still cradled tightly in Remus’s arms, the poor exhausted girl, her heart went out for her daughter.

She knew that there was something ailing Enya… but her mind was refusing to acknowledge it… she knew whatever illness her poor baby was suffering she had not power to protect her. She closed her eyes tightly.

If they had been in Nulan Solange would have had her awake on her feet by the next day. She felt the sharp sting of tears behind her closed eyes…

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