Chapter 14
We crossed the narrow straight that separated the Holy Island from the mainland.  The Water disc and the Earth disc indicated a north west direction but we were not sure if that meant another disc was there to be found or Eugenix or Orgetorix for that matter were moving in that direction.  But since we had no other clue, we had to pick up that and proceeded accordingly.  The land of the Ordivices offered no hazard as they were a peaceful people, interested in trading along the coast or brave the waves across the sea with the tribes on the West Island or even as far north to the cold land of the Picts.  We arrived at their capital and found a hospital place to spend the night.  
The next day, we rode in the direction of the Deceangli.  The riding was rough and we spoke little throughout the journey.  Odd to say but the more we understood each other, the tenser we were with each other.  Both Epi and I understood why.  Someone was in between and we both knew that person was Nemetona.
After riding for a whole day, we made a stop at a small hamlet and were admitted by the owner to stay for the night.  The food offered were rough and cold and the bed aching for our already weary bones.  But we did not complain, as this was already the best the man could offer us and we thanked him the next morning and gave him and his family our blessing before we started off again.  The riding from that point was easier and the scenery much more pleasing to the eyes than the part we covered the day before.  The rolling green looked like a lush carpet dotted with occasional lines of spruce trees.  The water in the streams was icy fresh and this helped to revive much of our spirit.  We exchanged jokes and Epi even sang.  She got such a beautiful voice and I was totally immersed in her lovely melody that I forgot the fatigue and the hazard of the journey simply by listening to her pouring out of song after song about heroic deeds of ancient heroes and moving love tales.  
There was no hamlet to haven us that night and we had to make do out in the open.  We lay and looked in amazement at the million stars above us.  Being among hills, the summer night air was cooler than it had been in the lowlands.  After a while, Epi gave a yawn and soon enough, her eyes grew weary and nudged against my body and fell into sleep.  Her breathing was gentle and even as she knew she was resting beside one whom she could trust completely.  I looked at the pretty face and put my arms around her shoulders, pulling her closer.  She did not attempt to move away.
The next morning we were on our horsebacks again.  It was one very lovely summer days; the sky was translucent blue and absolutely cloudless.  Epi was in a jovial mood and we let our mounts take us forward in easy canters.  I rode behind her and the way her young body handles her horse was just magnificent.
By midday, we saw a small village in a distance.  There were around a dozen-hatched houses and smoke was rising somewhere behind.  The thought of breakfast caused our stomachs to rumble.  We sped our horses towards the village.
We were closer now and the village seemed more quiet than usual.  We saw a few people moving about slowly at the far end of the houses, their heads down and pulling small carts laden with heavy loads.  There were also some villagers lying against the walls, their heads on their chests.
We sniffed the air and the smell did not please us.  Something was wrong.
Finally, we were there.  I dismounted and went up to a man sitting against a well.  I greeted him but there was no response.  Then I knelt beside him and held up his chin.  Both Epi and I gasped.  The man’s eyes were blank, starring into the air.  There were ugly marks all over his face.  If the man was not dead, he was not far from dying.  We had walked into an epidemic.

Chapter 15

The horror began to dawn on us.  The smoke that rose from behind the village was not from a breakfast oven.  They were burning the dead carried there on those wooden carts.  And all these people lying around were waiting for their turns.
“Bit, let us get out of here.” Epi was paling.
I looked around.  It was a grim sight indeed and my stomach turned.  From deep inside me, a rising fear urged me to run as Epi pleaded.  
“No.  If we leave, these people will definitely all die.” I could not even believe my own words as they slipped out of my mouth.
“But what can we do?” Epi was close to tears.  The manner of death had drilled into us now.  
“Epi, I know how to make herbs.  I may be able to help.”
“Do you know what kind of disease this is?” Epi asked.
I shook my head.  The ugly marks on the man’s face spelled something evil and powerful.  This was something new to me.
“But I cannot just walk away doing nothing.” I murmured.
Epi felt silent and just stood there beside me.
“Epi, go on to the next village. And if there is safe there, stay there till I finish here and I will catch up with you.” I could not bear to bring her into such horror and risk.
“No! “ she was adamant. “If you stay, so will I.  I can help too.”
“But Epi…”
“Just tell me what to do.” She had made up her mind and I knew nothing could change her.
I told her a list of herbs that I would need and she sped off to the woods to gather them.  I did not know if the herbs would be useful to fight this as they were very common sorts and I knew I was fighting something unusual and sinister.
I helped the villages to take the sick into places where it would be cooler and distance them from the still unaffected ones.  I also made last rites for those destined for the fire.  The smell of burning flesh sent up an obnoxious smell and we had to cover our mouths and noses with torn off clothes.  
Epi came back with the herbs I asked and I began to make medicine as best I could.  These failed.  People continued to die.
Chapter 17
Both Epi and I worked almost non-stop.  We tried different combinations and added in new herbs that I hoped would bring some hope.  But all efforts turned out to be fruitless, as I could not diagnose the course of the disease and like a blind man; I was fumbling around for an open door.  I knew we were both exhausted but I just could not give up.
Epi did not even once complained.  She dedicated herself to go and search whatever I asked for.  When I was deep in thinking of possible new medicine, she went to help the sick, to make them more comfortable.  The only thing she was reluctant to do was to help in the cremation, as she would be unable to stop her tears if the deceased happened to be a child.
We were in the village the third day now and I was beginning to lose my patience.  Why had I not learned with more attention when my wise teacher instructed me on the use of herbal drugs?  I thought I was so clever then, brilliant actually, that I could handle any situation like this with relative ease.  I was so wrong!
Yet I could not give up.
“Epi, hand me that basket of clover.” I called over my back as I grounded the nutmeg to prepare for another drug.
There was no answer.
“Epi, hand me the clover!” I raised my voice.
Still no answer.
I turned.
The terror ran through my entire body as I saw Epi sitting against the wall, her head bowing and her limbs hanging at her sides.
“No! Epi, no!” I ran to her and lifted her chin.  What I saw broke my heart.  The ugly marks had not yet appeared but the eyes were familiar.  We had looked into too many of these in the past two days; the helplessness, the vague look into empty space.
“It is all my fault, Epi! It was all my fault!” I held her shoulders and let her head rested on my chest.  I was sobbing because I knew my Epi was going to die.

Chapter 16

Both Epi and I worked almost non-stop.  We tried different combinations and added in new herbs that I hoped would bring some hope.  But all efforts turned out to be fruitless, as I could not diagnose the course of the disease and like a blind man; I was fumbling around for an open door.  I knew we were both exhausted but I just could not give up.
Epi did not even once complained.  She dedicated herself to go and search whatever I asked for.  When I was deep in thinking of possible new medicine, she went to help the sick, to make them more comfortable.  The only thing she was reluctant to do was to help in the cremation, as she would be unable to stop her tears if the deceased happened to be a child.
We were in the village the third day now and I was beginning to lose my patience.  Why had I not learned with more attention when my wise teacher instructed me on the use of herbal drugs?  I thought I was so clever then, brilliant actually, that I could handle any situation like this with relative ease.  I was so wrong!
Yet I could not give up.
“Epi, hand me that basket of clover.” I called over my back as I grounded the nutmeg to prepare for another drug.
There was no answer.
“Epi, hand me the clover!” I raised my voice.
Still no answer.
I turned.
The terror ran through my entire body as I saw Epi sitting against the wall, her head bowing and her limbs hanging at her sides.
“No! Epi, no!” I ran to her and lifted her chin.  What I saw broke my heart.  The ugly marks had not yet appeared but the eyes were familiar.  We had looked into too many of these in the past two days; the helplessness, the vague look into empty space.
“It is all my fault, Epi! It was all my fault!” I held her shoulders and let her head rested on my chest.  I was sobbing because I knew my Epi was going to die.

Chapter 17
“What should I do?  Why am I so stupid?” I kept on banging my head against the wall.  
Epi had fallen into coma now and the end would not be far.  I had dragged her into this and it was my vanity that led to her agony and impeding death.  Who did I think I was?  We should have left the first moment we discovered this!  Or at least I should have insisted her to leave and I would stay behind and try to do what my proud heart told me to; “Yes, take up the challenge.  You can do it!  You will become their saviour!  How clever they will think you are!”
Idiot!
I would never forgive myself!
I looked at the line of baskets holding herbs that Epi had gathered for me before she had fallen victim.  What good could these do?  In my anger, I kicked at these and the baskets and they tumbled and crashed into a mess.  I collapsed into a corner of the small hut and buried my face in my hands.  All was lost now!  There was no more meaning to this life…
Then I heard a voice inside me, some voice that was so gentle and pleasing to the ears.
It was Epi’s voice.
“Why give up?  Why do you want to let me and the others die?  I never blamed you. You did right and I was so proud.  You are a great druid and you have a great heart.  That is why I love you so much.  Even if you fail, I will still love you.  But I will not forgive you if you let yourself down…”
I opened my eyes.  Epi was still lying there, her breathing weak and her face yellowish.
What could I do?  I would be ready to pay any price to save her life.  I started to pray.
“Oh, the ancient and merciful gods.  Forgive my vanity for I am but human.  Grant me the wisdom to find the remedy.  Show us your mercy and your greatness and let Epi and the rest here live.”
A peace descended upon me.  I lifted my head and saw a white shadow in the not too far away hill.
“Who is that?” I asked one of the villagers who were attending Epi by wiping sweat off her forehead.
The villager looked in the direction I indicated.
“Ah, old Robat.  More said he is a holy man.  Others said he is a fool.  I think he is a bit of both.  He lives there all alone all his life and said he is guarding some special treasure.  But nobody really believes him.” He shook his head and continued with his task.
My eyes lighted up.  I knew it was a revelation from the gods!
I took out the discs.  The disc from the Council was dull as ever.  But the other two discs were spinning!
A treasure!  I knew what it was.  It had to be the fifth disc!

Chapter 18
I rode at the speed of wind to the place where I first saw him.  It was not difficult to find, just a single hut with a roof that threatened to cave in anytime.  I crossed the threshold and stepped inside.  An old man was squatting in front of a small fire and had his back turned on me.  He was small in statue and had a limp leg.  The room was almost devoid of any decoration or furniture except a simple mattress and an old wooden box.
“You finally came.” He was obviously addressing me.
“Yes, and I know you can help me.” I said.
“And why do you think I can help?” he turned to face me.  His face was full of dirt and he had lost almost all his teeth.  No wonder most regarded him as a lunatic.
“Because the gods answered to my prayers and showed me the path.” I replied.
“Ah…the gods!” he laughed so loud and I was afraid his remaining teeth would drop off.
 I did not interrupt his merriment.  After a while, he stopped and pulled the box to his front. His face suddenly became solemn.
“Yes, I have been observing you long.  You are a good one.  The gods have chosen well.”
I knew he was not mad.  These eyes were wise and they could penetrate the depth of the one’s soul.
“Now, you must pass the test.”
“The test?”
“Yes, the disc is inside. But it is locked by a magic seal in the form of a mirror.  No force can break it.  You must look into the mirror and think of what you want most in the world!”
I took the box from him.  There was a small mirror in front, kind of brass that had become rusty with dust and age.  
“Be careful, it is powerful and can bring fortune or destruction!” he chuckled.
I nodded and looked into the dirty brass.  Slowly, the dust seemed to fade and the brass became shiny again.  
“Look!  Look into your heart and you would be awarded accordingly.” A deep sound seemed to echo from its depth. “Look!”
I focused my mind and looked.  I saw Epi’s smiling face and those who were sick dancing merrily around a campfire, the epidemic gone.
The lock sprang open!
I opened the box and the disc. Hovered out.  It bore the face of a man in agony and the mark of Nodens, the god of healing!
He saw the joy on my face.
“Yes, it is the Healing Disc.  But it can also bring great suffering in the wrong hands.  You have chosen well.  Should you choose any other thing for your personal gratification, you would have been consumer by a hellish fire that would draw you into the eternal flame of the otherworld!  The gods have to make sure it will not be misused in any way.”
“May I borrow it?” I was to explain our quest.
He simply waved me out. “Take it and do whatever you wish to with this thing.  It is no longer a concern of mine.”  And he turned back to his fire and was more interested in the chicken booth he was preparing than in the disc of me.
I raced back to the village, as I wanted to apply the magic to save Epi and the others.  But that was not really necessary.  By the time I arrived, Epi had already woken from her coma.  Others were also recovering.  
The disc worked on its own according to my will and the epidemic had passed.

Chapter 19
We stayed for two nights to let Epi regained her health completely and to comply with the wishes of the villages to spoil us with splendid feasts to show their gratitude.  There was much dancing and joking around the village square.  Now that we had got three disc at least even without counting the doubtful one from Mona, we could safely prevent Orgetorix to collect five disc to open the gate and the most sensible thing would be to return Marmesse as soon as we could so that we could be protected by Dobunni arms.  The Silure might try to make all out attack on our clan to get the discs but with the strong magic we had gathered and with the possibility of allying us with other tribes including the Memetae, they would have to think more than twice to take that course of action.
So, on the third morning, Epi and I said farewell to the grateful villages and went south, heading towards our much-missed Marmesse. The villages provided us a small contingent of hunters as escort for a while until we reached a point where they were to turn back for their villages.
We traveled light and fast along the valley.  Now that we were close to success, we kept an even more vigilant watch, certain that Orgetorix and that fox Eugenix would not let us enjoy our victory so easily.
And we were so right.  As Epi and I were managing with a dense wood, we heard the thunder of hooves drawing near.  Quickly, we led our horses to shelter behind a huge rock.  The horses drew nearer and we could see them now.  There were three of them and it seemed the one in front was freeing from the other two.  There was no mistake to the identity of the two in pursuit as they wore the headgear of the Silure warriors and one of them was sending arrow after arrow at the rider in black flock in front.  They were rushing in our direction and it seemed the fugitive was in very desperate state as he swayed right and left to avoid being hit.  He had just passed our hiding spot when a stray arrow found its mark on the bum of the horse and it reared up in pain and threw the rider off its back.  
Drunk with success, the two riders reined in their horses and one jumped down, swords drawn, obviously aiming at ending the life of the fugitive who was stunned for a moment and was only able to get up in a most unsteady state.  The hood that had been hiding the face dropped back and we saw who that was.  Nemetona!
Epi and I immediately jumped into action.
A pebble sent the Silure warrior on foot spinning against a trunk and fell flat on the ground.  The second one shouted in anger and with sword drawn, galloped at Epi.  I brought the staff against the legs of the horse and he tumbled forward, his head hitting the rock and spilt his skull.  I did not have intention to kill him but nevertheless he was as dead as a skinned pig.
“Nemetona!” We went to her and could not believe our eyes.  We were careful though, having learned our lesson on Mona and were convinced only after careful examination and applying magic to ensure it was not another case of imposture.
“How did you get out?” Epi was so excited at her sister’s freedom. “Did they hurt you in any way?”
Nemetona still had to regain her mind after the fall.
After a while, she was able to sit down and tell us what had happened to her.
When the Silure attacked our hill-fort, she was leading the small band of warriors to defend it.  She knew it was only a token to show we were not afraid of them and would not run without a proper fight.  So, when the fighting was going tough, she was ready to call for a retreat.  Then, there was a knock on the back of her head and she fell to the ground.  She did not lose consciousness immediately and was horrified to see it was Asla that had betrayed her and attacked her.  Things moved quickly afterwards.  She was overpowered and tied and Asla was about to slit her throat when she was stopped by an enemy chief, which she later learned to be Orgetorix himself.  Then the most tragic moment arrived and she witnessed Tirix being slaughtered as if a lamb in sacrifice and the Fire Disc were retrieved from the secret hiding place.
Then she was brought back to Caerleon where she was kept prisoner.  They subjected her to all sorts of torture but she refused to yield any information that would be helpful to the Silure.  At first, she thought they would kill him but it seemed that Orgetorix was intoxicated by her beauty and ensured she would not be really harmed.
She planned for her escape and as it was impossible to do so in a Silure dungeon, she had pretended to be attracted by Orgetorix also and slowly gained his confidence though he never trusted her completely and had two strong guards watching over her whenever she was not at his side.
When Eugenix and Asla failed to take back the discs from Mona, Orgetorix was furious.  But there was little he could do as he still needed the evil Druid to complete his dream of getting the horrible weapon by collecting all seven discs just to make sure he could open the gate to the Otherworld.  They found out the location of one other disc, the Beast Disc. And they attacked its owner, the Cornovii with his entire army.  There was hard fighting and much slaughter afterwards.  The chief of the Cornvii fell in battle and his head was made into a drinking cup for the feast after the massacre.  Orgetorix was so drunk that Nemetona found her chance to flee.  She was pursued by the two guards assigned to watch her and would have lost her life if we did not save her in time.
“But, Nemetona, Orgetorix has failed as he could not collect five discs to open the gate!  We have collected four discs already” Epi was so exhilarated.
“No, my beloved sister.  We have seven.” Nemetona took out three discs from her pocket.  “I stole them from the Silure before I made my escape.”

Chapter 20.
We stared at the seven disc.  Though we did not know if one was fake, the chance of opening the gate had greatly increased.
What should we do?
“I think we should get back to our tribe immediately.  Only then can we and the discs be safe.” I said.
Epi nodded in agreement.
“Not such a good idea.” Nemetona disagreed. “The Silure had already conquered the Cornvoii and their warriors were crawling all over the places.  We had to go very long way to evade them. Besides, Eugenix had found out the location of the gate and we would never know if there was really no other means to get through it.”
Epi and I looked in bewilderment.
“What is your opinion then?”
“The only way to prevent them to get hold of that horrible thing is for us to get it first. I knew where that place is and we have to go that way in any case now the southern route is blocked.  It is along the road to the east where we must make the detour to avoid running into their traps.”
“But Eugenix would know we are heading that direction once you escaped with the discs.”
“Yes, so we must act fast before he got the information that I had joined up with you and that we had all the seven discs.”
There was truth in her argument and since Epi and I could not think up something better, we agreed to her plan.
So, we mounted our horses and rode east.  Both Epi and I were so happy to see Nemetona alive and well but for different reasons.  All three of us rode in silence as we approached the spot we aimed to reach.

Chapter 21
We rode whole day and stopped to rest only when both we and our horses were exhausted.  We made a fire and Epi gathered some fruits for our meal which we ate in silence.  The prospect of opening the gate caused worry and excitement.  We were curious too.  What would be the terrible weapon that had caused so much fear and concern among the gods so that it had to be hidden away in such manner?
After eating, Epi told us she wanted to take a stroll and gathered some herbs to help us relieve our fatigue.  I offered to go along but she refused.  I knew she wanted Nemetona and I to spend some time alone together and I could see she was kind of sad.
Nemetona had completed restored to her beauty now.  The ride did not tire her out as it should have been, probably she was so happy to be free again.  I avoided her eyes but could not suppress the wild beating of my heart.  The old feelings seemed to floor back all at a time, drowning out my senses and waking up old desires.
Then, her fingers touched me and I jerked.
“Nemetona?”
“Bituitius, do you still remember the promise I made to you before the battle?”
I would be a liar if I told her that I had forgotten it.
“But that was…”
She hushed me, drawing her lips towards mine.
“Tonight would be a perfect night for it.” She murmured.
“But Epi…”
But Nemetona was not listening.  She sealed her lips onto mine and brought me down on the soft grass.  My heart thumped like some bucking colt.  
What happen if Epi came back then?  
But that worry was unfounded.  She had ventured far out into the woods.
I felt Nemetona’s gentle hands on my face.  Tenderly she removed my robe and then her attire.  And she kissed me and guided my hands to her superb breasts.  When I entered her, she moaned under the blanket of stars and it was heaven for me.  I heard the howling of wolves in the distant hills and my mind wandered between my immediate pleasure and the concern of Epi’s safety.
Epi returned safely at dawn.  If she had suspected anything, she did not show it.
We rode in silence again and the mood was unnatural.  I was filled with a sense of guilt.  Epi was moody while Nemetona seemed drunk with the elixir of victory.
We were all relieved when we reached the point where the cliff by the lake was finally visible.

Chapter 22
We would never have found the spot if Nemetona did not show us.  The door was hidden in a shielded cave and furthered covered by a huge vertical slate.  Even if a mortal soul would chance to pass here, he would not suspect anything unusual and certainly would not creep into the crack to investigate.  
“I wonder how that old fox could find out.” I said examining the five hollow circular marks that were without the slightest doubt meant for housing five of the discs which would act as keys.
“He had abandoned his faith and vowed to served the most ancient ones.” Nemetona said in low voice.  We shuddered.  We all knew what the ancient once meant.  Long before the era of we Druids and the gods and goddesses that ruled this universe, there existed something powerful and evil.  Chaos and slaughter were their source of food and reason and compassion something unknown.  So, he had made his unholy pact with them, who were banish from this universe during that big battle!  And he was trying to bring them back!  The world would be swamped with innocent blood if he ever succeeded.
“Let us try to open the gate.” Epi said.  
I hesitated for a moment.  What would it mean?  What could we find inside?  But there was no other choice now and deep inside me, I also wanted to know.
I picked out the disc one by one and tried on the hollows.  Some fit, some did not.  But finally, we fixed five of them on the marks.  I had in my hands the Beast Disc and the Mona disc left.
There was a rumbling sound.
We stepped back and watched in amazement as the huge rock door slid open.
There was a small dark cave immediately after the door and then a narrow tunnel led to an ending with a mysterious blue light.  We looked at each other.  Finally, we mustered enough courage to take our step and walked in.
“But what is the use of the other two?” Epi asked.
Even before she finished her sentence, we heard the rumbling sound behind us.  We turned around and were just in time to see the rock sliding shut!
We tried to arrest its motion.  But the force was too strong.  We jumped back into the cave just as the door locked us in.
I cast a spell and there was light in the cave.
The rock surface was dripping wet.  But we could see strange marks on them.  They did not belong to our druid sign system and we suspected they were much older, rougher and conveyed a spirit of brutality and intolerance.  There was also one hollow mark on the rocky wall to the left of the door.
I placed the Healing Disc in and again the door slid open.
“So, this is the escape disc.  Anyone entering the cave without this would be trapped.” Nemetona made a summary of our observation.  
“I see, so in order to come in and get out, you needed at least six discs.” Epi said.
“Yes.  Very thoughtful.”
The rumbling sound came again and the door again was shut.  So, even with the disc in the hollow, the door would shut by itself after some time.
“Shall we proceed?” I asked.
Nemetona led the way.  It was a long tunnel.  Epi and I were reminded of our scary experience in Memetae and wished that none of the kind we had encountered inhabited here.  We would not be so lucky every time.
We finally reached the end of the tunnel.  A much larger cave awaited us.  It was divided into two halves, separated by a deep abyss in between.  A swinging rope bridge hanged precariously in between.  It was the only mean to reach the other side.
We went to the edge and looked down.  What we saw was horrifying.  Though the objects were so small due to the great height, we could identify as of humanoid form.  They were the source of the blue light, with limbs like humans but on their heads were horns that ended in sharp points.  Their bodies were no more than skin over skeletons and they were groping at each other, biting, tearing, and emitted that made our hair stand on ends.  It was differently non-human.
“The passage to the Other World!” Nemetona exclaimed.
We looked across to the other side.  
There, glittering in the dark was a crystalline sarcophagus.  We could see it was empty and a kind of icy smoke enveloped its base.  But our eyes were all caught by the object that stood on its own on the top of the cover.
It was a double edge war-axe of immense size.  Though it was stationary, its dark and evil blades sent rings of energy across the space.  As we starred longer, those energy took hideous shapes of human like shapes in bitter agony, some trying to flee in vain from the grip on their gas form bodies, twisting and crushing and as soon as one such shape disappeared, another would take its place in its dance in horror.
“The Evil weapon!  The Axe of Affalach!”
I was drawn by it, followed by Epi.  It had a magical property that our eyes seemed drawn to it as if iron to magnet.  
“Stay where you are!” we heard a voice and turned.  
Nemetona was on the ground.  She seemed to suffer no mortal wound but was knocked out by a staff.  
Eugenix and Asla were standing there, smiling.
“How on earth!”
The evil Druid laughed.
“Thank you for leading us in.  It had saved me all the trouble.  Nemetona thought she had stolen the discs.  But she was wrong.  I wanted her to steal them.  And she would come to you.”
“But, how could you…”
“Of course I can.  The five discs were outside.  No. Do not be surprised or feel any guilt.  You could not have prevented it.  If you remove one single disc from there, the door would snap shut and you would not be able to come it anyway. So, the waiting is over.  And I will be the master of the Axe!”
“We won’t let you.” Epi was defiant.
The Druid hissed. “And what can you two miserable things do to stop me?  Bituitius, you should devote more of your time to improve your magic, particularly some that would give you real power, the power of destruction.  Ah, but no, I have forgotten.  You are a peaceful druid and would not harm anything at any cost, right?  Good.  That is excellent.  And you know the odds of your magic against mine, don’t you?”
Of course I knew.  We had as much chance of a sparrow against a charging hawk!
“Asla, get the axe!”
“Not until over my dead body!” Epi guarded the end of the swing bridge.
The old druid simply smiled.  We had forgotten something.
Asla blinked her eyes and immediately took the form of a crow!  She needed no bridge to cross the abyss!
Epi was fast too.  Once Asla in the crow form took flight, her pebbles were in the air, homing in! And she never missed!
Eugenix realized what had happened and he was prepared for it.  From his rod, s protective magic shield shot forward, covering his female disciple all the way.  The pebbles just bounced off!
Epi was desperate.  She shot three pebbles in quick succession with the same result.
By that time, Asla had reached the other side and perched on the cover of the sarcophagus.  She became her human form again and reached her hand towards the axe.
“Nothing could stop her now!” I thought.
Epi shot out her sling again.  The old Druid sneered at such pointless gesture.  
But he was wrong!
Epi had sent out two pebbles instead of one as the old Druid expected and was sure the shield would cause it to bounce off again.  The first pebble indeed hit the shield. But the second one was not aimed at Asla.
It was aimed at the blade of the axe!
The pebble bounced from the axe from an unprotected angle and caught Asla between her eyes!
She gave a sharp cry and fell backwards, and then there was a sharp shriek as she realized she was falling into the waiting arms deep down!
We did not want to look what had happened.
Eugenix’s face contorted with anger.  We had always suspected the old Druid and Asla had some kind of unusual relationship other than master and pupil.  Now it was finally confirmed.  But the element of anguish was not there.  It was simply rage, rage of being deprived of his deserved trophy, even though it would only mean for a very short time.
From the rod, two balls of flames shot in our direction and both Epi and I had to jump to escape being roasted alive!
He was advancing now and the fire balls kept us on our feet to do anything that could stop him reaching the bridge.  Epi tried her sling again but the pebbles just vapourized in the blocking flame.  Eugenix made sure there was no more lucky hit!
I reached into my pouch, hoping to find the last disc to throw at him.  It was not expected to get results but at least I had to do something.
My fingers touched something round and an idea ran through my head.
I took that out and sent it rolling on the ground towards the old Druid.
“Epi, don’t let him get that…please!” I sounded the greatest urgency.
Epi let go another round of pebbles but Eugenix simply used his staff to ward them off as if they were mere flied.  But his attention was caught by the rolling thing now.  I could read his mind: what was it so important that I had to stop him from getting?
He picked it up and looked into it.  His eyes showed his amazement and his face broke into a smile looking at the object as if he was being entranced by a deep probing voice.
     “Look!   Look into your heart and you would be awarded accordingly.”
 
Then it happened!
A fierce black flame erupted from the mirror and engulfed the entire body of the Druid.  He screamed and waved his arms like a madman.  We could see his flesh being burnt away, the sockets of his skull glaring with astonishment and hatred and then he toppled over the rim and joined his disciple in the blue abyss.
I did not know what the old Druid wished to see in the mirror but it certainly would not be the healing of the sick.

Chapter 23.
We breathed a sigh of relief.
We were happy too fast.
“Stay where you are or she dies!”
We turned and saw Orgetorix holding a sharp dagger at Nemetona’s throat.
It was the first time for us to see Orgetorix face to face but we knew it was him, the high cheek bones, the handsome and commanding face, the power insignia on his crest.  There could be no mistake.  She had just recovered from the stunning hit received at the hands of the old druid and was totally unprepared for the Silure chief.
I exchanged a glance with Epi.
“Don’t even think of it!” warned Orgetorix. “I assure you that I have no hesitation to cut her throat if you would even wink your eyes!  Drop your weapons!  Sling sword and staff! Now!”
We froze and then we placed our weapons in front of us.
“Kick it into the pit!”
We had no alternative.
He was using her as a shield now and inched towards the bridge.  He crossed the bridge and then in front of our eyes, he took the axe down!
The axe became radiant in its dark form, as if life had been injected into it!
We watched in horror.  He used Nemetona to shield him across the bridge again but this time, he was much more confident.  He had the axe and its power!
“So, what should we do with you, Bituitius?  You had disrupted my plan more than once and led me to disappointments.  Though, to be fair, you also made this possible for me.” His eyes shone. “Yes, I know what to do.  You will make a fine test of how powerful this weapon can be!”
He let go of Nemetona and swung her to one side and with both hands he made a vertical cut in the air.  A powerful surge of energy rushed towards my chest, as I was dumbfounded.  My feet refused to move in sheer terror!
I was certain that I would die!
But something happened so fast!
Before I knew it, a shadow jumped in front of me and I heard Epi’s scream of pain!
“No1” I cried out in agony!
She was at my feet, blood oozing from her sweet little mouth, her chainmail was cut open, revealing her chest and a definitely mortal cut!
“Epi, No! Epi!” I held the dying Epi in my arms.  Orgetorix could make any cut now and I did not care.
“No1 why did you kill my sister!” Nemetona was screaming too.  Orgetorix pushed her aside and made the second cut.  But no wave of energy came!
Orgetorix was as astonished as I was.  
But he had no time to figure out why.  Nemetona was over him nails and craws.  
“You promised!  You promised not to hurt her!”
And I understood!  She was with him all along!
She had led us to the cave and had made sure he would follow us!
“Why? Nemetona? Why?” my eyes shot out flames of hatred.  She had deceived us and caused the death of her sister!
But I did not have to ask the reason as it all dawned on me.  He was her lover!
“Stop it! Neme! “ The handsome Silure was shouting.
But Nemetona did not stop!  She was out of her control and she kept on attacking and then…
She gave a groaning sound and she slowly sank on her knees.  Orgetorix looked at the edge of the axe’s blade.  It was covered with her blood.
For a moment, he did not know what to do.  Then, he collected his evil self and searched into Nemetona’s clothes and took out the Healing Disc.
“Farewell, Druid.  Rot here!” He cursed and rushed for the gate.
I wanted to go after him, to fight him, to drag him into the abyss with me but my strength had failed me.  I laid down Epi on the ground and went to Nemetona’s side.  
She was sitting against the wall of the cave now; her hands covering her cut open stomach.
“I am sorry. Bituitius!  Forgive me…” And then she was dead.

Chapter 24
I sat there in utter despair. Orgetorix had the evil war-axe and six of the discs and there was nothing I could do to stop him.  The two women I had loved in my life were both lying dead.  I had totally failed.
I sat there for a long time, starring at their fallen bodies and then into the void.  Nothing mattered now.  The Silure would assume supremacy and all the tribes would have to choose between to bow as slaves or died fighting to escape that sad fate.  I thought of Sirona and wept.  She had trusted me and I had failed her, completely.
When I did come back to my senses, I realized I could not leave the bodies of Epi and Nemetona to decay and rot just like this.  I decided to carry their bodies and put them in the crystal sarcophagus.  There, they would lie side by side, sisters once more and I would guard them here until my own end.
I pushed the cover of the sarcophagus to one side so that it would be enough to put their bodies in.  Then I had their arms folded in front of their chests and took a final look at their lovely faces.  I was about to push the cover back to seal it when I noticed something at the end of the crystal coffin that I had failed to see before.  It was a round hollow on which some special signs and patterns were engraved upon.  What was this meant for?  Was it some kind of chant that would escort the dead to the otherworld?  It was certainly familiar…
Then I recognized it.  It was in the same pattern as those on the seventh disc, the disc we got from the Druid council and served no purpose!
I took it out from my hidden pocket and placed it in the hollow.  It turned!  So, this disc was also real and had its purpose!
A bluish glow began to appear at the far side of the cave before my very eyes.  In the midst, I could see two human forms, sitting facing each other.  There was a table between them and it was obvious they were playing a kind of game or engaged in some contest.  One of them wore a black robe and the other, white.  
I stepped towards them and took a closer look!  What I saw made my mouth drop.  They were both ravishingly beautiful.  But what was even more surprising was that they looked absolutely identical!
Who were these two ladies?  Were they twins?  Why did we not see them before?
The game they were playing was of the uncommon sort.  Their palms were extended over the board without touching any of the pieces and through some kind of force, a green light was emitting from the center of their palms which would move the pieces around.  The game had reached a critical stage and I was sure the black side was winning.
The one in white robe turned to me and smiled.
“So, you have given up?” She was addressing me.
I did not know what to reply though by instinct, I knew what I saw was something magical and somehow connected to my present state.
“Is there any other alternative?”  I asked.
“Of course.” She directed her eyes back to the board.
“I do not think so…” even as the word came out of my mouth the situation on the board was changing.  The area controlled by the white pieces expanded and the dark forces were driven back into equilibrium.
“So, you are the goddess controlling the righteous course!” I suddenly realized what all this was about.  Then I looked to the black robe woman.  If the white one was of Right, then she must represent Evil!
“Do not be silly!” The black robe woman seemed to be able to read my thoughts.
“There is no absolute right nor evil in the universe.  It is all relative and one cannot exist without the other. Like the Water disc.  It could bring about irrigation but it could also mean flood.  The Fire disc, weapons of war alongside crafty tools.  The disc of wind allowed you power of flight but you could use it to raise a tempest.  Earth is for mining as well as terrible quakes. The Disc of Beast increased brute force but if properly used, could bring about abundance in livestock and the one bearing the image of agony of Man could mean disease, or the relief of it through healing. And this..."she held out her hand and the disc from the hollow flew and hovered over it. "It could bring ignorance or enlightenment.  It was all a matter of choice."
I could not understand. "Surely to be in the right was important."
The lady in white turned to me.  “What would happen if she was not here, there would be no struggle, no war but also no game.  Life would be plain white and intolerable.”
“So, you let Evil to exist?”
As if by mutual consent, the two ladies halted their game and walked to where I stood.
“You still do not understand, Bituitius.  Right and Evil have always co-existed, side by side.  It is our duty not to let one overcome the other completely, not until the end of days.”
“And so you allow the kind like Orgetorix to wreck the world, to kill innocent and them?” I raised my voice to the level of shouting to express my anger.
“No. You, Bituitius, are allowing it to happen.”
“Me?”
“Of course, you.  Who else?”
“But what could I do?  He had the axe and no one could stop him now.” I dropped my head.
“And what would you do?  Just sitting here and wait for your final breadth?  Do you know what would happen if you do not do anything?”
I starred blank.
“Look!” The white lady raised her arm and pointed.  On the wall a strange scene appeared.  I could see him now, wielding the evil axe, shields and armours shattered into fragments of wood and metallic sheets before it.  Next came the line of prisoners, hostages and fine young men and maidens chosen by the tribes, lined up one after and other and slowing moving to the altar dyed in red, only to perish at the blade of the axe.  The scene changed and I could Marmesse now; its ground littered with those inflicted with terrible sickness.  Our chief was among them, and also Ogmo, his son and heir, all-helpless in their pitiable state. I knew why.  Orgetorix had unleashed the power of the Disease disc and our warriors were decimated.  I had no doubt he would use the other disc too to bring havoc among those who dared oppose him.
Then the scene changed.  Two armies were facing each other.  I could see Sirona on her chariot, Alicia too, as her ally and they led the greatly reduced Dobunni and Memetae forces forward.  And my heart sank as I saw Orgetorix, the war-axe in hand, charged at the head of the Silure hordes.  The axe was formidable, sending waves of destruction even before the two sides clashed.  Lances and swords broke like reeds, shields shattered as if they were of made of soft timber instead of hard oak, and human bodies cut into halves and heads rolled.  It was a massacre!  In desperation, Alicia summoned the Worm and it turned the surging tide for a while.  But even it was no match for the Evil one.  It was cleaved from head to tail and the next instant, both the heads of Alicia and Sirona was in mid-air!
“No1” I shouted and sank to my knees.
She let her hand down and the vision vanished.
“Are they all dead?”
“Not yet.  This is but a thing that will come to pass if you do not do anything.”
“But what can I do?  Orgetorix has the axe and he controls all the discs. Each one of them powerful talisman of magic that I can never compete.” I was running out of my mind.
“Can you?” The musical voice of the White Lady had a most soothing effect. “What about the weapons that you have acquired during the quest?”
“Weapons?  I have no weapon…”
“Sure you have.  They are all inside you.”
I could not understand.
“So, what are the most potent weapons in the world?” She asked.
“Wisdom, courage, trust, patience, humility, forgiveness and compassion.”  It was the other lady who answered for me. “With these, no evil force can stop you.”
I was dumbfounded.
“But…but what about the axe?  You saw that yourself…”
The lady in black nodded.
“Yes, the axe is a terrible weapon and the gods would not ask you to do the impossible, only the very challenging.  Look!”
She pointed at a corner, which was immediately illuminated.  A large circular silver shield stood there.  
“This would be your weapon.  Though the axe could smack any shield or armour, this one would stand!”
“And I can win with this?”
“No.  It will give you a chance.  You have to achieve victory with your own strength inside you.”
I began to understand what they were talking about.  
“But the door was closed.  I could not get out without the disc that locked it in place…”
“What door?” The white lady smiled.
I turned around.  And I was starring at a placid lake; a beautiful animal was standing there, waiting.  It was a pegasus!
I turned to face the ladies and the cave no longer existed!  We were standing by the side of the lake.  Only the sarcophagus that housed the bodies of Epi and Nemetona stood evidence to our entry into the cave.
“How come?” I was shocked.
Both of them smiled. “The only door that cannot be open is in your heart, when you refuse to turn the key. We will guard over their bodies and ensure they will not decay.  And if you can bring back the axe here within three days, there is a chance your friends can live.”
“What?” My heart began to beat fast.
“Yes, but make haste.  For if you return later than the third sunset, when the last shed of light of the sun escape behind those hills, even we can do nothing to revive their young lives.”
I lost no time.  Taking the silver shield, I threw myself onto the back of the pegasus.  It snorted and neighed once and then extended its wings and we were among clouds.
 
 
 

Chapter 25
.
I saw them now, lined up on both sides facing each other just like the scene I saw in the vision.  Sirona was leading the Dobunni warriors in the center.  Wearing her silver breastplates and greaves, she looked magnificent standing on her chariot. Her maids in waiting were also dressed in full battle gear and lined up behind her on chariots.  But they were not real warriors and it showed how desperate was the situation. They were backed by the bulk of the Royal Guards of the tribe behind and at least these men gave them some feeble hope of victory.  Alicia, with the Demetae light infantry was at the right of the Dobunni column.  Keeping their formation in rather loose form, the Demetae were still formidable warriors with their short bows and slings.  They were flanked by cavalry troops at the wing to prevent a surprise attack.  To the left of the queen were the heavy spearmen recruited from the hill-tribes.  These would be able to keep the enemy riders at bay as they were very tough men and not easy to break.
But the Silure hordes were much more numerous.  They were further strengthened by the many tribes who had flocked or were forced to join the Silure now that Orgetorix had the power of the axe with him. For every warrior Sirona could muster under her command, the Silure could boast at least three times more.  Their numbers would continue to grow with each passing hour, as more tribes from the vicinity would arrive, either out of fear or greed o for spoil.  Both the Dobunni and the Demetae were famous for their riches and beautiful women.   And from my high vintage point, I learned more unsettling sight.  Behind the mass of troops and hidden from view was another legion, not of warriors but composed of hundreds of fierce beasts of all sorts, ready to be released and pounce on the unsuspecting troops of Sirona.  It would be a massacre.
My heart plummeted.  What was I who had hoped to stop this bloodshed?  I was not even a warrior!  I looked at Orgetorix clad in bearskin over his strong trunk, holding the blackish magic axe was such a formidable sight.  I had to control the trembling of my knees to keep myself from falling off the back of the Pegasus.
But I had no choice.  If I would not go down and challenge Orgetorix to a duel and win, Sirona and all her warriors and allies would die today.  And Epi and Nemetona would never rise again from their sleep.
I clenched my fist and grab the circular shield tight and charged down.
They saw me coming.  Archers from Orgetorix’s ranks began shooting and the rain of arrows whizzed past me.  Some of them hit and bounced off the shield.  My mount was unhurt as no human weapon could harm it.
I landed twenty steps away from the Silure chief. His face showed the greatest surprise as he probably thought I would simply wither within the cave.  Then, his eyes brightened up as he nourished the thought of killing me with his own hands in the cruelest possible way.
“Orgetorix!” I shouted his name and spat.  This was the greatest insult possible to any Silure warrior and he could not ignore me.
“So, you have come for your death!  Let me help you to join your little Epi.”  At least he did not mention anything about Nemetona.
“That may be, Orgetorix, that may be. “ I dismounted from the back of the Pegasus and slowly walked up the slope towards my foe.  The archers had stopped shooting now, unsure of what to do as their leader engaged me into battle of words. A sudden surge of confidence began to embrace me.  I knew not from where I got my strength and courage but I sensed her presence near me.  “Epi.” I silently called her name.
“Are you mad?” The Silure chief roared. ”What do you think you can do to me?”
“I have come to ask you stop what you are doing.”
He broke out into a haughty laugh and his hordes laughed with him.  The whole valley was filled with sneering.
I continued to walk up.  
“I could kill you with one blow!” He boasted.
“Try”
His face was red with anger now.  He had not expected me to just walk up to him in front of his men.  Sure, he could order his troops to charge down and cut me to pieces but it would cost him his face, that they would think he was afraid.  Better to finish me off with his own hands.  I was just a Druid.  And he had the Axe!
 
I continued to close in the distance, armed only with the round shield.
“Yeah!” He finally made the move.  Raising the axe, the Silure chief charged all the way downhill.  He was still at least twenty feet from me when he struck and the next instant, a tremendous force that the axe generated crashed onto the shield!  The impact was so great that it sent me staggering back and I fell on my knees.  My arms trembled with pain and for a moment, I thought the bone had broken!  I had no time to think of my plight as another blow came smashing in.  I raised my shield to cover me.  The blow was even more powerful than the first one and I went rolling down, my eyes showing traces of fear as my body went round and round like a ball.  But the shield held and was not shattered.
Orgetorix came running after me, axe held high to decapitate me at the first possible chance.  I broke my fall and knelt and took another blow, and another…  The shield held.  And gradually, I was able to stand up and fight.  I still had difficulty bracing up to his powerful strokes launched from a distance and seemed to come in from all sorts of angles. My arms hurt so much but somehow, I could feel his blows were less menacing now and that with each blow, my confidence grew and now I was able to hit back with the rim of the shield.  One got him in the chest and he was sent reeling.  His anger flared up as he felt the hit and the insult.  He could not afford to lose now, not in the eyes of his men who had fallen silent as they saw the slow but certain reverse of fortune.
“Kill him!  Kill him!” they chanted and Orgetorix renewed his vigourous attack.  His blows became powerful again, now that he had come into actual physical striking distance; the blows landed hard on the shield, causing great dents at some parts.  But the shield still held.  His eyes were wide open.  This was impossible as the magic axe was supposed to be unstoppable; capable of cutting apart all shields and armour as if they were of grass.  He must have tried this on all types of arms, even putting human bodies behind them and every time, he could cut through and leave a pile of broken corpses with one single blow.  Yet the shield held.  
For the first time of the battle, his eyes showed something unthinkable…fear!
I pressed forward; parrying off his attacks and forced him gradually onto the defensive so that he had no choice but to strike again.  His movement became wider and gaps started to appear in his defense.  I was using the shield as an attacking tool now; no longer necessary to be on my guard as his strength was fast waning.  He was panting; sweat streamed down from his face, his legs trembled with every step.  Everyone knew he was losing now and it would be sooner or later that he would get smashed against the round shield that would send him flying across dirt.  
“Kill him! Kill him now!” he shouted.
No one moved.
His eyes went wild with anger and terror!
They had deserted him at the moment when help was vital.  They were eyeing him coolly, a loser in the make.  What had been unbridled support had turned to despise and even hatred.  The men remembered their sons and daughters forced to be sacrificed to obtain the blood that was supposed to make that axe invincible…that axe had failed him as he had failed to deliver what he had promised.  He was no longer a god, but a desperate man trying to save his own skin.
And then it came.  He made one slow move and my shield crashed into his chest again and the axe left him and landed in the ground, its blade buried in dirt and his body sprawled feet away.
“Kill me…” he pleaded.
I took up the axe and raised it.
“No!  No! Mercy!” He turned and buried his face into the mud, shrieking out of utter fear.
I brought the axe down, beside him.
His eyes went wide open as he thought I was to decapitate him and his own self collapsed when he realized his life was spared.
“Shall we kill him for you?”  His own men offered.
“No.  We have enough killing.  Take him to the deepest dungeon and make sure he would never come out to hurt anyone else again.”
He was dragged away.
And the battle was over.
“
 
 
 
 
 

 
Chapter 26
.
I did not wait for the cheering to start, as there was no time to lose.  Carrying both the war-axe and the shield, I threw myself on the back of the Pegasus and kicked at its sides.  It made a starting run and then we were airlifted.  The woods and hills sped past as I chase the setting sun.  I could feel my brow covered with cold sweat.  Each passing second was like a year and the sun was sinking fast!
“Please! Please wait!” I prayed in desperation.  I would gladly give my life up to gain another minute…
Then, the Pegasus began its descent.  I could see the lake now and the clearing and then the crystal sarcophagus-
As soon as the hooves touched ground, I jumped from the back of the mount and ran towards the spot where the goddesses had been standing.  They were still there!
I put down the axe and the shield before them.
The one in white robe smiled while the other simply nodded.
“Well done!” They said in unison.
“Please bring them back , please…”
“Wait. There is still time. Just tell us what happened.” The white lady asked.
I told them with maximum economy of words.
Their expression remained calm, as if they already knew this would be the case.
“And do you know what made you victorious?”  It was the lady in black who spoke.
I kept my silence, as I knew she would give me the answer.
“The axe is an instrument of destruction.  It has great power and is formidable in the hands of one with an evil heart.  It can strike terror into the hearts of men and make them tremble.”
I nodded.  This was so true.  When I began to fight Orgetorix I was shaking with fear.  He seemed so strong and invincible.
“But,” the lady in white picked up where her mate left off. “It also need its food and that food is fear.  If you are afraid and allow yourself to be vanquished, it would become stronger and stronger.  However, if you stand your ground and deprive it of the source of energy it needs, it would then sap the strength of the wielder.  The more destruction he wants to cause, the more energy is required to feed it and over time, the energy, or the soul, of the wielder will be sucked from his hands.”
No wonder Orgetorix…fought so badly near the end.
“That is the reason why he could not kill you with the second cut while in the cave after he killed Eporedia.  She was not afraid to die, for you.  And that courage had sapped the strength of the axe.  It must feed on more blood, more fear to revive its strength.”
“On the other hand, what you used was the “Shield of Hope”.  If you survive the first onslaughts, if you did not allow yourself to be defeated, Hope will become expand, adding to your power to grow, to protect, to heal.” The white lady then paused to let his partner continue.
“And you had fought well.  Not because you were stronger in body, but stronger in your soul, you dared to hope because you dared to love and make sacrifice.”
They were both smiling at me now.
“So?”
“Before we do what you bide us.  We will show you something.” The black lady lifted her arm and pointed at empty space.  A flash of light gradually expanded and I could see strange things inside.  A man was dressed in armour of gold and he was riding a chariot drawn by eight black horses. Thousands and thousands followers were behind him, chanting his name as he made a triumphant entry to a great city.  There, on numerous balconies, countless beauties were extending their arms of welcome.  Each of them were like a flower, a star… And the man’s face was…
“Yes, that is you.” The lady in white smiled.
“And that was Rome, the center of the new Empire on the rise and with these weapons, you could check their advance and conquer it.” The black one added.
“Me? Conquering Rome?” I was at a loss of words.
“Yes.  And avert the tide of history that otherwise would cause all tribes of this land to bow and slave under them, that you Druids would be persecuted and hunted down like animals, that your kind would become extinct and would not appear again for a long, long time.”
I shuddered.  Could this be possible?  Were we to suffer such cruel fate?
“And what must I do?”
“Give up what you asked for?  Let them sleep here.  And the axe and the shield will be for yours to keep.  With them, nothing could stop you.”
I looked at the axe and the shield.  Yes, I could recognize their power now!  And I knew this power would make me the mightiest of all warriors, greater than any hero who ever lived.  All the land would be mine!  And the oceans too!  Our people would forever remember my name, their bards sang of my glory for ages and ages…
“Well, have you decided?”
I looked at them in the eyes. “No!  I choose what I had chosen. I want them to live.”
“But why? “ There was almost a pleading in the eyes of the white lady. “With your new won power, you could save thousands and thousands from slaughtering…you could do so much good.  Surely this is better than just saving two.”
“No! I cannot do that.” My voice was resolute.
“But why?”
“An end cannot justify the means.  If I let them die today when I can save them, all the good that will come is still meaningless because it has its birth in the roots of evil.”
The two ladies looked at each other.  And then they smiled.
“You have chosen wisely, druid.”
The mirage vanished.
“You have passed your test.  You have not deceived yourself with illusions and deceit.  To save the world, you have to begin with saving one single life, not destroying it.”
“And the most important time is not the future and what it may hold.  It is now, which is a gift.”
“And that is why it is also called The Present.  And today we will give a present to you. Rise!” the black lady blinked her eyes and said softly.
And a soft glow appeared over the bodies of my Epi and Nemetona and their wounds disappeared and then slowly, they rose as if they had just woke up from a refreshing sleep, more beautiful than ever.
“Epi! Nemetona!” I rushed to them as they starred in disbelief that they could still see and touch.
“Thank you!  Thank you!” I could not hold back my tears.
They let us indulge in our explicit show of emotions for a while.
“And so, what would you do now?” The white lady then asked.
I looked at Nemetona.  She was so beautiful and the many colours of dusk magnified her fiery splendor.  But it was Epi that my heart was aching for.  I knew what to choose.
“I will stay here and build a sanctity for travelers and those who need my help,” it was Nemetona who spoke first “This is the only way that I can make up for my deeds.” Then she put Epi’s hands into mine and kissed us to give us her blessing.
The two ladies nodded.
“And I will take the one I love most to somewhere we will live quietly and contentedly and spend the rest of our lives together in mutual love.”  I held Epi’s hands as if letting go would mean losing her again.
Again, the ladies nodded.
“And what should we do with these?” Epi indicated the weapons on the ground.
The ladies each picked up one, the axe to the lady in black, the shield to the white one.
“They would be transformed into another life and serve its purpose.  Many years later, a worthy arm will wield it and another legend will be born.”
“It? Do you mean them?” Epi was always inquisitive.
They did not answer but then something strange happened.  With a flash, the black and the white ladies merged and another woman, more beautiful and noble than any we had seen, appeared before us.  The axe and shield were gone too.  Instead, a gleaming sword was in her hands.
We were lost at words.
The lady smiled and turned and walked or rather glided, towards the placid lake.
“Wait, please tell me how we can call you.” Epi, being the bard, was always careful to note down all details.
“It really does not matter how I am called.” She replied.
She was half in the water now but her robe was not wet.  The water simply parted to let her in.
“Wait…what about the sword?  Did it have a name?” Epi was determined to get as much information as possible.
“Yes,” The lady turned around for the last time and smiled “It is called Excaliber.”
Then she was gone.
Epilog
So, Epi and I went back to the Marmesse. By that time, the outbreak of disease had passed and Cu Cian and Ogmo as well as so many of the fine warriors had totally recovered. There was great feasting and celebration, both for the victory and the happy reunion. And in the midst of the songs and drinks and merry making, the chief gave his blessing to Epi and I and we started our own family soon after that.
Nemetona never came back but occasionally she would send a present through one of her female disciples who happened to drop by.  She had quite a few of these followers now and the sanctity had become a popular pilgrimage.
Life went on as usual.  Ogmo became chief of the clan and Sirona held the post of high priestess.  She did not marry but was allowed many lovers, as was her privilege.  In fact, it was regarded as a high honour to be chosen as one of such.  Epi always teased me that I was not good enough to be included among the lucky few.  I would shrug and said it was hard luck and we would both laugh.  There were the routine tribal bawls and raids of course, but all in all, we lived a good life.  
Ten years later, the Romans came to our shore and for a brief time occupied some of the coastal area.  But they were not able to maintain a permanent base here and later they withdrew.  We knew they would come back one day though.
In many nights, when Epi and I would be lying under the stars and recounted the adventures we had gone through, we would discuss the decision I made that day.  Would it be right for me to save her and Nemetona when I knew something horrible would happen one day to so many because I did not choose otherwise?    
But in my heart I knew.  I had never made a more correct choice in my entire life.  And I would look into the eyes of my beloved Epi and forget about the blanket of stars covering the sky above us, as I would be starring at the most beautiful pair of them all in her eyes.  Fate might have her way in some future days.  For us, the present was what really counted.  And I knew the gods had indulged me with the most wonderful present a Druid could ever dream to receive.

(End of Story)

This is a story I wrote about four years ago.
Just found it in my archieve..