Dawns first thought was of Lila. The workers in the field would have been the first to spot the approaching warriors. Paul could have had time to get to his wife. She prayed that he did as she ran to find her friends.

She made her way through the madness, ducking, bobbing, and jumping to stay out of the way of the battling warriors. Even in her haste it was easy to see that Colums men were no match for Crees warriors. It would not be long before Cree claimed victory and with it lives.

Children cried, women screamed, knowing what was waiting for them. Once Colums men were conquered the true horror would begin for the villagers. She wanted to tell them to run and hide in the woods but would it do any good? Would Cree send his men to search for them? And where would they go from there?

Dawn finally spotted Lila on the side of a cottage. She was kneeling on the ground crouched over something and Dawn sped to her side. She dropped down beside her friend, her heart pounding when she saw that it was Paul on the ground and he was wounded.

Hes hurt badly, Lila cried.

Forget me, help Lila, the babe is coming, Paul said with such fear that it sent a shiver through Dawn.

She looked to her friend.

I will not leave my husband, she insisted and then doubled over in pain.

Dawn took stock of the situation. Paul had suffered a leg wound that was still bleeding. She tore a piece off the hem of her skirt and wrapped his leg. It wasnt enough to stop the bleeding so she ripped off another piece of her skirt, and one of her sleeves and wrapped both around the wound. Blood seeped through but not as fast as before.

Lila went to do the same, but Dawn stopped her and patted her stomach letting her know she would need it for the babe.

Get her out of here, Paul insisted.

No, I wont leave you, Lila cried.

The chaos in the village grew worse, the clang of swords, the moans of the injured, the screams of the dying shivered Dawn down to the bone. Paul was right... this was no place for Lila to be with the babe coming.

Dawn took charge. She motioned to Lila that she would get her to the safety of the woods and then return for Paul. Lila wanted Paul to go with them, but Dawn argued with exaggerated motions that it could prove fatal to them all. Then she held up three spread fingers and snapped them close together reminding Lila of something the three had long ago agreed to.

Lila shed more tears. We made a pact when we were young to always help each other no matter what.

Dawn crossed her chest with her finger.

Lila nodded. You promise to help Paul and you have never broken a promise to me.

It was Dawns turn to nod and she helped Lila to stand. Dawn then bent down and shifted her shoulder beneath Pauls and with a strength born of determination dragged him closer to the side of the cottage where hed be less noticed. She then motioned to Paul that shed be back for him soon and the three would then hide in the woods and help Lila with the birthing.

Paul tried to argue but Dawn dismissed him with a wave of her hand, then pressed a finger to Lilas mouth warning her to remain silent and took off with her, Dawns arm around her waist to help move her along.

Once Dawn found a spot in the woods, Lila grabbed her arm and with labored breathing said, Please, Dawn, bring him safely to me.

Dawn squeezed her friends shoulder and nodded.

She took off again not wanting to leave Lila alone too long and needing to get to Paul before it was too late. She didnt know where she found the courage to keep going in spite of her fear, though fear had become a constant companion of hers lately. She had come to know it well. It had clung tightly to her from the first moment she had laid eyes on Cree. He was not a man to trust or to care for. Why then was she relieved that he had not died?

The battle had worsened. More of Colums men lay wounded, dead or dying. The stench of blood and death hung heavily in the air and she knew the end was near. Cree would claim victory over the Village Dowell this day.

She hurried to where she had left Paul, weaving, bobbing, and jumping to avoid the battling warriors. She finally reached Paul and with a bit of a struggle she got him up. He leaned heavily on her, his wound painful and making it difficult for him to walk.

They shuffled along and several oaths ran through Dawns head. She was unable to take the easy path to the woods that she had with Lila. The battling warriors had blocked it and so she had to make her way around it.

Paul grew heavier with every step, but she kept hold of his weight and when there was a break in the fighting she hurried him as best as she could across the center of the village giving her a direct path between the safety of two buildings and to the woods beyond.

Unfortunately, the pain had worn Paul out and he staggered weighing down more heavily one her. She stumbled and fought to regain her balance and for a moment she feared he would propel them both to the ground landing on top of her.

Just as she got him steady, she spotted a lone rider baring down on them... it was Cree and fury blazed in his eyes.

Dawn did not think twice, she dropped Paul to the ground and threw her body over him.

Seconds later she was yanked off him with such force that it made her head spin and then she heard Paul cry out, Please no, Dawn is helping me.

The point of Crees sword stopped within inches of Pauls chest and Cree looked to Dawn to confirm Pauls plea and she nodded. He then pointed to her ripped sleeve and tunic. Who did this to you?

She tapped her chest and looked to Paul who hurried to explain that she had used the torn pieces to wrap his wounded leg. He then continued detailing what had happened and the whole time that he did, Cree never let go of her. And while Cree listened to Pauls plea for mercy and help for his wife who was about to give birth, several of Crees warriors formed a protective circle around them.

Cree finally ordered Paul to be silent. He then turned to one of his men. Take this man to the keep for the healer to look after. He looked to three other warriors and ordered, Take this woman and let her lead you to her friend in the woods and bring them both to the keep as well.

When he released Dawn he said to the three warriors, This one hears clearly enough, but she has no voice to protect herself, let no harm come to her. And make sure she is returned directly to me.

The three nodded and then formed a protective wall around Dawn, and she found herself running to keep pace with them as she pointed the way.

Cree mounted his horse and glanced around. The battle was near over, his warriors tending to the last of Colums men who were quickly laying down their swords. As usual he was victorious. It had been an easy battle as he had thought it would be, Colums men no match for his skilled warriors. They had fought brave and hard as always, though the stakes were much higher this time... for them all.

He watched as some women huddled in fear over their injured men while others ran wildly with babes in their arms, where he did not know for there was nowhere for them to go. He could understand their fear, it had griped him when he had seen what he thought was a warrior attacking Dawn.

He had known it could not be one of his, death waited for any who dared to disobey his orders and rape was something he would not tolerate. Rage like none he had ever known before rushed through him when he spotted Dawns ripped garments, and he was ready to kill the man who had attacked her with one swift blow.

Pride quickly replaced anger when Paul explained what had happened. That Dawn would put herself in danger to help her friends spoke generously of her nature. She was a good person and he was pleased to see that she was safe, and he intended to see she remained so.

A wave from his most trusted warrior Sloan caught his attention and he rode to where he stood on the keep steps to join him. As soon as Cree dismounted his stallion one of his warriors was there to tend the animal.

Annoyance plagued Sloans usual pleasant countenance and Cree suspected he was not going to be pleased with the news.

We cannot find Colum or Goddard.

Cree was not happy. He had lain awake last night thinking of how he was going to make both men pay for what they had done to Dawn. He thirsted for revenge and he would not be satisfied until that thirst was quenched.

Send a group of men to scour the surrounding woods. If they have not found them by nightfall tell them to return. He is probably on his way to Gerwan, his feudal lord, to deliver the news and gather troops.

Sloan grinned. Will the news have reached Gerwan by then?

It will have and Colum will no longer be of use to him.

Colum will seek revenge against you.

I am counting on it, Cree said. Now see to the injured and before nightfall I want the villagers gathered here in front of the keep.

Has Turbett arrived yet?

Sloan laughed. The men argued over who would go fetch him.

I expected no less from them. It is another victorious battle and Turbett will prepare a scrumptious feast for all to celebrate.

Sloan nodded slowly. That he will, though it will not be just another victorious battle we celebrate. It will finally be having a permanent home that we celebrate.

A shout to Sloan had him running and Cree standing on the steps of the keep alone. This was his now, hard won and a longtime coming. But he and his men had earned it and they would protect their new home with their lives. No one would take it away from them; no one could. The King had decreed it.

He cast an anxious glance over the village to see if his men had returned with Dawn yet. She was nowhere in sight and so he turned and entered the keep wondering how he would stop himself from taking the silent one to his bed tonight.

Lila would not stop asking about Paul as the warrior carried her out of the woods. Dawn reassured her over and over that he was fine and being tended to by Crees healer. And still she questioned until a pain gripped her and she cried out.

Dawn pointed toward Lilas cottage as they neared it.

The large man shook his head. Cree ordered her to be brought to the keep and you to be brought directly to him.

Paul is at the keep. I want to" Lila screamed and the warrior carrying her stumbled but never let go of her. The baby, she cried out her hands going to her rounded stomach.

Dawn rushed to Lilas cottage and the warriors did as she had hoped; they followed after her. She was ever so grateful that the cottage suffered no damage during the battle. She hurried inside and yanked the blanket down to the bottom of the bed and gestured for the warrior to place her there.

We must go to the keep, he insisted and turned assuming Dawn would follow.

Lila cried out again. The baby is coming.

The warrior sped to the bed, placed Lila on it, and hurried over to the two other warriors who had entered. They whispered amongst themselves Please bring my husband to me, Lila called out to them.

Dawn walked over to them and shooed them toward the door.

The large one protested. We are to remain with you until we can get you to the keep.

Dawn shook her head and shooed them again forcing two out. The big one wouldnt budge until Lila let out another earth-shattering scream.

I will be right outside, he said and hurried out closing the door behind him.

Dawn rolled up her one sleeve and returned to Lilas side ready to help her friend.

Paul entered the cottage a short time later supported by two warriors. Dawn was quick to move a chair by the bed so that Paul would be close by his wife and the warriors eased him down on it.

The large warrior had followed them in and motioned to Dawn. You are to come with me now. The healer will be here shortly to help birth the babe.

Dawn shook her head, her hands motioning and the warrior scratching his head.

Dawn says she is staying here and helping her friend, Paul said.

Cree has ordered her return to the keep, the large man explained.

Dawn shook her head and waved her hands signifying that she was not going anywhere.

The large warrior shook his head and scratched his graying beard. You have no choice, lassie, and he stepped toward her.

Dawn grabbed the broom resting against the fireplace and swung it at the guard.

Shes warning you to stay away from her, Paul said. Can you let her stay until the babe is born and then she will go with you?

Dawn nodded vigorously.

It is not my choice.

The healer entered the cottage the same time that Lila let out another blood-curdling scream and Dawn foolishly let down her guard. The large warrior lunged grabbing the broom and tossing it aside as his other hand grabbed for her. With a tight grip on her arm he dragged her to the door.

Lila screamed at him to let her go that she needed her there with her. The healer, an older woman as round as she was short, attempted to assure her that she would help her and all would be well. Lila would hear none of it; she continued to cry out to Dawn.

Paul pleaded with the warrior to let Dawn stay but he paid no heed to the pleas. He dragged Dawn out of the cottage. She fought him every step of the way but try as she might his grip was too strong for her to break.

Once he got her in the Great Hall Crees voice rang out trembling the rafters.

Dawn, cease your struggles.

She stilled and turned to face him and her heart hammered in her chest. He was more imposing and more handsome in full light and it sent her knees trembling. Whatever did he want with her? And did she truly want to find out?

She wanted to run but where? As much as she wanted to return to Lila, she dare not for fear that her friends would suffer for her disobedience. She was trapped, always trapped and she could do nothing but face her fate.

Come here, Cree ordered.

She walked over to him and as much as she wished to walk with her chin high, she kept her head bowed in respect and out of fear of punishment.

Look at me, he snapped.

She raised her head.

You are safe now. You have nothing to fear.

Did she believe him? Did he truly mean her no harm?

I gave you my word and I will keep it. I will let no harm come to you.

She nodded and placed her hand to her chest in a show of appreciation. She then anxiously pointed toward the door and then herself and back to the door again.

You want permission to leave.

She nodded vigorously and rocked her folded arms as if she held a babe.

I forgot. Youre friend has birthed the babe?

Dawn shook her head.