Ireland (1944)

Abegail cringed as she felt the stairs under her feet. They were old and not meant to have four adults creeping down them. There was no telling who had gone down the stairs ahead of them or how many. Abegail prayed the crumbling didn't give away their position. As if sharing her thought Bridget looked at Abegail and her eyes told Abby that she too was worried. The four reached the bottom. Standing in a cavern Abegail had to chuckle, "Deja vu, aye?" She looked at Walter.

Ahead of them in the cavern stood three doorways. Abegail began inspecting on, looking for writing or carving that would help indicate what it lead to. Bridget did the same with one of the others. Indy wandered a bit, looking for a sign of others that had gone ahead of them and which path they had taken.

Abegail's hands ran over the stone. "Have ye found anything?" Her hands encountered something as if in answer to her own question. "I need the light. Walter if ye'd be so kind? I think I found something." Abegail's voice, though quiet echoed slightly in the vast cavern.

When Walter moved over with his lighter, Bridget followed. Indy continued on his own inspection. With the light closer by Abegail could see the grooves her fingers had encountered. There were small pictures carved in the rocks. Pictures of warriors, a great battle and two races who seemed to be in a war. "Seems ta be the story we are trackin' aye?"

Abegail walked, Walter stayed clse to her with his lighter to light the way. The four scholars moved down the passageway of the first door. As they moved Abegail noticed random carvings in the wall. Most were covered by moss. Abegail stopped abruptly causing Walter to bump into her. The others followed closely behind. Abegail grabbed Walter's wrist and pulled the lighter closer to the carving. With one hand she brushed the moss away. She was muttering to herself, half english and half gaelic.

In front of her, Walter could see the carving she was uncovering. There were two figures. One large and imposing, gigantic. The other was lean, tall and holding something in front of him. Abegail pointed to the lean figure. "That one there, the spear is in his hand." Pointing behind the figure a large rock stood. "The stone, before they destroyed it."
Abegail shook her head. "Another door." She backed up from the wall. A glance into the darkness of the rest of the corridor and Abegail wanted to go. There was something watching her.

The four turned and arriving back into the main cavern turned to the second door. As they walked in Bridget and Indy began making some noise, talking to themselves. brdiget raised her voice a little "Abegail, yer glowin'. Ye too Walter. Yer pocket." Abegail turned to give the young woman a scowl. "What de ye mean I'm glowin'?" Then Abegail saw Indy and Bridget's pockets. They too were glowing. "It's the pieces of the stone." Abegail reached into her pocket and pulled her out. Abegail turned to walk down the second corridor again, frowing at the rock glowing in her hands. In front of her the darkness made a noise. Abegail took a step back from the noise. Just over her shoulder she could feel Walter standing there, "Tell me ye hear that? People? Animal?" her voice a whisper.

Abegail jumped slightly as Walter whispered to her. Her mind was focused on the whatever was present with them and she had forgotten about the others. "Aye, there is another." Abegail nodded slightly trying to keep her attention on her surroundings.

Bridget shook her head at Indy's question. She had an inkling that something had spooked them but she chalked it up to them being unused to enclosed spaces and bodies and things.

All four heard the noise. Turning Abegail saw the figure. She paled and gripped Walter's arm, "Tuatha De Dannan" was all Abegail managed to whisper out as the rest stared at the figure.

The figure moved forward a bit more. Bridget's eyes were wide with childlike excitement. Oh she knew the stories but this was just amazing. Stories are stories but here in front of her stood one of the fair folk. Abegail's eyes were wide as well but it wasn't excitement that the Fae man saw in them. She knew him, had seen him in the fairy ring and he had tried to beckon her to join the dance with them. Abegail backed up and against Walter. "What do ye want?" Abegail was addressing the Dannan man. She knew he would not be alone, and if he was it wouldn't be for very long. "Fág dúinn a bheith ..." Bridget turned to Abegail. "No don't you see? If he stays he can help us. We seek the sword. We need to stop others from getting it." Bridget turned to address the man.

Abegail looked at the man as he gazed at the group. The Dannan would not help without payment, the fae never did anything without some sort of reward to themselves. be it food, trinkets, a baby or a human to take back wtih them, the fair folk only did things if there was something in it for them. So Abegail asked him, "Ní bheidh muid ag dul in éineacht leat. Agus ní bheidh tú cúnamh gan ar phraghas ... cad é do praghas?" She held her breath waiting for an answer.

Abegail frowned. She was scanning the carving intently. "Aye water is involved...but I donna think it's a lake." Abegail stepped closer to the carving. "I think the first two lines are about the sword. You would keep it to survive in the fields od death, the battleground. It was forged for the great battle. The second part is about water. I would bet my life on it. It's the third part...."

Abegail's hand caressed the carving of the pool. Her head tilted. "The pool on here has the outline of a shadow....it's carved in, but why add dimension to this? Nothing else..."Abegail didn't finish the thought. Turning she ran towards the pool in the room. It almost looked as if she was about to jump in. Instead she went to it's side. Abegail began feeling around the rocks. "Here! I found it!" With great effort Abegail began to move a portion of the wall behind the pool. It was dark but the edges of stairs could be seen. "Shadow, the third part was about shadows. In the shadows of the water." Her cheeks flushed in excitement and a smile touched her lips.

Abegail didn't wait for the others. She stepped into the dark and descended the stairs. She kept a hand on the wall. It was a narrow stairway and damp from the pool of water. The stairs were carved into the rock and the pool seemed to be the decoy for others who would look for the sword. Most would assume that it was in the pool as Bridget had. Others would search for an other body of water in the twisting corridors. Abegail had noticed the small clue carved into the picture. Subtle shadow. Abegail moved slowly, her footing tentative on the slick stone stairs. Down further she went. Reaching the bottom, Abegail saw it. The sword placed on a rock. In the carving the woman no longer had the sword. She must have placed it here after the man had died. Abegail wondered who they were but there was no time for that now.

She very cautiously approached the sword, unsure of how to go about taking it. Something like this one did not just grab. Abegail stared down at it, not daring to breathe.

Abegail heard rather than felt Walter fall. "What the hell is this." Abegail held her breath. "Oh no, please don't let it be Indy....please..." Cautiously, Abegail crouched and felt for what Walter had tripped over. "Walter, move yer lighter so I can see what it is ye fell over. Bridget, keep an eye and ear out. No tellin' what is in here with us...."

Bridget kept half an eye on the corridor behind them and half on Abegail as she crouched. Abegail waited for the lighter to illuminate the lump. It could be a person,a body but Abegail couldn't tell for sure. Whispering to Walter, "Do ye think it's Indy?" Her fear was clear in her voice. Abegail bit her lip to stop the potential tears.

Abegail paled. "No, dammit, not now!" She turned, the sword in hand to face Niclas. Abegail stared at Bridget and Walter. The tip of the blade lowered slightly. Bridget shook her head at Abegail.

"What will ye do if I just decide to run you through with it?" Abby knew there was no way she'd get to him before one or both guns went off. Her mind raced. "Where is Indy?" That man had disappeared yet again. She wanted to curse him, curse Niclas and curse this entire place. Abegail decided to see how much Niclas knew of Irish legends.
"I canna just hand it over. I am it's owner now. It canna go to another unless I am dead. Will do ye no good to kill them. I canna just give it to you. Ye will incur the wrath of the Dannan if ye try and take it."

Abegail swallowed, fearful he would shoot her in order to get the sword. "I'll make ye a deal. I'll take the sword and come with ye. Do ye know how all the weapons work together? The professor never made it that far with ye did he? Can ye read Gaelic? I donna think ye can. So, ye let them go and I'll come with ye, sword and all."

Abegail narrowed her eyes at the Fae man. "Aye, you'd think he could but even he would have to challenge me for it. He cann just take it. I possess it. I am it's rightful owner. He knows that." She raised her chin to the Dannan man. "They are not my silly rules, they be his and I wouldna mock them with him standin' right beside ye."

Abegail looked at the Dannan man "Ye through yerself in with that lot? They have stolen the rest. The spear, the armour and they destroyed most of the stone. Is that what ye want? What price did ye ask from them hmm? What are they promisin' to give to ye? Ye have no idea what they will do to ye once yu give the sword to them."

Abegail raised the sword again. She glanced at Walter and Bridget. Her confidence waivered slightly. They still had guns pointed at them but she couldn't just give the sword up without a fight. Abegail turned her full attention to the Dannan man and Niclas. "Well, have at it. If ye wish to take it then do so...I'll not be handin' it over." Abegail's eyes flashed and if she was wearing clothes of a different time she'd be every bit a Celtic warrior woman, fierce, stubborn and determined.

"Ní Feicfidh mé a thabhairt suas gan troid."

Abegail felt the sword pulled away as she heard the deep voice. It was right behind her. She could feel the breath on her hair. Walter and Bridget came to Abegail's side. "Where the hell is Indy?" Abegail wondered as she turned to look at the thing that had taken the sword.

"That does not belong to ye. I am the wielder. Ye have no more claim to it than the Dannan at this point." Abegail's tone was calm, her accent coming back. She was trying to gauge what the creature was going to do now that it had the sword in it's possession. "What do ye intend to do with us now?" Abegail looked up towards the eyes. Her expression questioning. She was beyond fearing any one the things in the cavern. Too much had gone on for her to be afraid now. Abegail was bolstered by her companions presence at her side. Bridget's eyes were wide as the girl absorbed all that hat just occured.

Abegail slid into the passenger seat, struggling to catch her breath from the run. She clutched the sword tightly to her. There was no way anyone would be taking it from her until they had a place to hide it. She was grateful that the nazi's had left the jeeps but the bile rose in her throat as the fact that they had led them to the sword occurred to her.

Abegail's hands shook slightly as they held the sword. The adrenaline was pumping through her body. That had all been too close, and too many all at once. It was times like this that she wished she was at home in her mother's kitchen instead of running around the Irish countryside. The sword was almost vibrating in her hands. It wanted her to fight with it, it wanted her to pay the price of it's power. Abegail took a deep breath and ignoring the sword, turned to Bridget and Walter in the back. "Are ye alright? I'm sorry but I couldna just hand it over. Not now, they'd be unstopable."

Abegail mulled over their options. They needed to get far away but to someplace where the sword could be interred again, hidden away. "Carrowmore Cemetary"

Bridget raised her eyebrows. "That's quite the drive and it's must more burial mounds. Why there?"

Abegail sighed, "Aye, more mounds but this belongs in the hands of the Dannan woman who originally hid it. The sword tells me the warrior, the one who possessed all the pieces was her love and when he died, the four exacting their payment from him she was left with the sword. She hid it, tucked away, only those in great need of it would dare the depths of the mound. There are Court mounds at Carrowmore. I might have a chance there..." Abegail kept back that the sword was asking her to use it so it could exact a price from her. She held back that it frightened her as much as the surge of power from it thrilled her. Abegail looked at the rest daring them to question her statement about the sword telling her anything.

"Carrowmore is near Sligo. We can find a place to rest there." Abegail turned her attention forward and held onto the sword.

Abegail saw the look of concern on Indy's face and heard him talking to himself. She was too tired to care. As long as he hadn't pissed off the fae or some more nazi's she was happy. Abegail sat in silence for the drive to Sligo. Arriving, Abegail had Indy drive to the smallest inn they could find. "Go in, get the rooms." Indy hopped out and went to take care of getting rooms.

Abegail turned in her seat, her face drawn and pale. She needed sleep, they all did. "Bridget, ye go in ahead of us. Walter would ye mind walkin' in with yer arm around me? We can put the sword between us and hide it as much as we can. Do us no go ta go walking with it just hangin' out." Abegail slid out of the passenger seat. The sword wanted her to use it and it was taking a great deal of willpower to hold it in check. She leaned against the jeep, holding the sword in front of her.

Indy came back with two sets of keys for the rooms. Smiling, he and Bridget headed in slowly in front of Walter and Abegail. Abegail held the sword at her side so Walter could press in close to her. The sword would be between them and a little less obvious. Abegail hoped Indy had paid the innkeeper a little extra to forget he ever saw them. She waited for Walter so the two could walk in together.

Abegail's cheeks flushed a little at the teasing. She had caused her fair share of rumours in the States. Single woman, professor, seen around her single male colleagues. Oh, Abegail had heard it all. This was different. She wasn't really in the mood for teasing and yet, she had to admit they must look pretty cozy walking together. Reaching their rooms, Abegail moved away from Walter, "Thank ye. I think we managed to hide it effectively." She turned to Bridget and Indy who were still chuckling at the pair. "As fer ye two. Ye both could have been a bit more helpful aye? Instead of tauntin' that way." She shook her head smiling. "Night ta ye." Abegail let Bridget into the room and then followed, carrying the sword with her.

The women took turns cleaning themselves up, doing the best they could to brush their hair and then settled in for the night. Abegail never let the sword out of her sight. As she settled into bed the sword was with her. Her hand rested on the blade under the covers. Abegail fell into a restless sleep. Dannan warriors fell in battle, giant Fomorians died under the blade. A woman stood at the edge of the battlefield. These things haunted Abegail's dreams. The entire night Abegail woke often and then tried to go back sleep.

In the morning, Abegail slid out of bed, sword in her hand. Dark circles stood out on pale, freckled skin. Bridget looked at Abegail, "Ye look like a banshee. Did ye na get any sleep?" Abegail shook her head and went to the bathroom. Splashing cold water on her face, Abegail looked in the mirror. She had been sleep deprived before, this was something more. With a sigh, Abegail headed out to sit on the bed. Seeing Bridget was ready, "Ye best head for food. I'll stay here. Hard to move around with the sword and I donna want ta leave it. Bring me back some coffee?"

Bridget nodded and headed out in search of the men and coffee.

Bridget came in the door, coffee in hand. "There's trouble down there." Abegail shook her head, "Indy I assume." Standing she carried the sword with her and headed down the stairs. Silently lamenting the loss of her coffee, Abegail stood at the top of the stairs and looked down at the fighting men.

"Really now, boys it's not the time. Too early and what not." Abegail took two steps down. Sword in front of her now, not threatening yet. "Step away now and take a breather aye? I have na had my coffee yet and yer makin' far too much noise." The men stopped midpunch, looking at the red headed, sword carrying woman. "Indy, I should ha known when you said there was minor run ins here." She sighed. When Walter looked he could see how tired she was but behind it in her eyes was something else. She wasn't quite herself.

In her hands the sword was calling for action, it wanted the men dead. Abegail was using all her willpower to push the call out of her head. "Can we sit, then boys? A coffee or a pint and figure out what Indy here did?" Abegail was at the bottom of the stairs now, sword at the ready.

Abegail frowned and stepped closer, "Aye I'll use it iff'n I need ta." Walter spoke up and Abegail's anger grew. "Little miss indeed!" In her hands the sword wanted her to keep moving. She lowered it knowing that it's draw was wearing on her willpower too much.

The men said that Indy had a past with a shared female and Abegail sighed. "Oh Indy? Really now...I missed my coffee for this?" She shook her head. "He's not worth it, boys." Abegail glared at Indy, a hint of teasing in her eyes. "I'm sure she had nothing good to say about him, trust me. Not worth losing sleep over." Abegail smirked. "I'm buying if ye'd rather a drink."

Abegail stepped to the counter, "I need a bottle of whiskey please and a few glasses." The innkeeper frowned but headed off to grab it for her. When he returned, Abegail balanced the glasses, bottle and sword carefully. She placed it on the table. Sitting, sword resting on her leg. "How 'bout it? A shot before ye beat my traveling companion?"

It was the best Abegail could do, short of stabbing the men and it wasn't worth the swords price for Indy's indiscretion. He'd have to get himself out of this. She poured a decent sized glass for herself and toasted the men, waiting to see if they'd turn down a drink.

Abegail was heartened to see Bridget and Walter talking. She was a pretty girl and Walter was handsome in his own right. As the evening went on, she was sad to see Bridget leave to return to the room and Walter remained at the table.

Abegail enjoyed her evening immensely, she hadn't had a breather like this in a long time. Even when she first came home she was so busy trying to simply breathe after what she and Walter had been through that she didn't take any time to really enjoy herself. The sword remained propped against her leg as she, the two big men and Indy worked their way through the bottle.

Eventually, the two men bid her a good night. Indy received a solid whack on the back and assurance that he wasn't half bad. Course, should he cross them again...The threat hung in the air as the men retired. Abegail stood, and gently shook Walter. "Time to go to bed." She smiled down at his groggy eyes. "Why did ye not join Bridget? She's a pretty thing." Abegail stepped back, balancing the sword and reached a hand to help Walter up. Abegail's cheeks were flushed from the whiskey and she was smiling more than Walter had ever seen her smile. "Ye two seemed cozy enough."

Abegail waited for Walter to stand and she leaned heavily on his arm. She giggled a bit watching Indy work his way up the stairs. "Indy, ye need ta keep things a tad more discreet aye? We canna have ye beaten ta a pulp in every place we walk inta." She climbed the stairs slowly.

Abegail frowned. "Watch out?" She watched the men go into their room. Quietly, sword still in hand, Abegail opened the door to her room. She stifled a giggle thinking how the men couldn't handle their whiskey and happy she was a well trained Irish drinker. Tip toeing in, Abegail headed to the bathroom. Leaving the light off to not wake up Bridget, Abegail closed the door. Only once it was securely closed did she turn the light on.

With a sigh, Abegail washed her face and ran her fingers through her hair. She hoped the boys wouldn't have too much trouble in the morning. Picking up the sword again, Abegail turned out the light and slipped back into the room. A look over her companion asleep in the other bed and she crawled into her own bed. Hoping the nightmares would stay away tonight Abby lie in bed, sword at her side and closed her eyes.

Abegail got up in the morning and finding Bridget gone set about getting ready. She opened her door to find the men in the hall. Tilting her head she chuckled. "Walter, ye donna look too bad. How's the head?"

Three moved downstairs, finding Bridget at a table. She had an empty plate and a cup of coffee in front of her. With a nod of welcome the others sat with her. The innkeeper brought the other three coffee and some food. The sausages were greasy and the eggs a little runny. Abegail, sword propped against her leg, eyed Walter as she picked up her toast. A smile played on her lips. He definitely seemed a little worse for wear this morning.

"So, we need to head to the mounds this morning." Abegail took a large drink of her coffee.

Abegail watched the men as she ate her breakfast. Walter seemed the worse of the two. "Poor Walter...should have gone to bed with Bridget." Eating a bite of her eggs, Abegail put her fork down and swallow some more coffee.

"Aye, a plan...we need to get to the cementary. Once we get there we need ta find the mound that might lead us ta the Dannan woman. If we give her back the sword then the only way that Niclas can get it is to take it from her. I am na sure it's the best solution but I canna think of what else ta do with it. Worst case we start a war between the Dannan, Formorians and the nazi's in the cementary." Abegail looked down at her plate. She knew it was not only the worst case but a very real possibility. The mounds were strong tie to the mortal and fae realms. Indy and Walter might not fully believe in this yet but from the look on Bridget's face, she too knew that Abby was holding back just how dangerous this could get.

Abegail smiled up at the men, "So aye, we need a vehicle and Walter needs a new head me thinks." She chuckled and took another drink of coffee. The younger woman looked at Abegail. Abby met her eyes and slightly shook her head. Now was not the time.

Abegail barely contained her laugh at Walter's statement. "Aye, more mounds." She finished up her breakfast and sat sipping her coffee as Indy left and Walter went to shower. With the men gone, Abby turned to Bridget.

"Ye canna say anythin' right now. War between them is a very real thing, I know but if we can draw Niclas to us with the other pieces then maybe while they are all fightin' we can steal the rest and hide them or destroy them."

Bridget frowned at the idea of destroying the spear, armour and what was left of the stone. "I donna like it bu I donna see what else we can do but go to the mounds and see what happens." Bridget pushed her plate away. "Can I ask ye somethin'?"

Abegail looked at the younger woman. "Aye." She was wary now, as she saw the look on the younger woman's face. Bridget leaned on the table, "Ye look like death warmed over. I can see it even if they won't say nothin' ta ye. Are you alright? It's the sword isn't it?"

Abegail sat a little straighter, then cast her eyes to the table. "Aye. It's takin' a lot of my willpower ta keep the thing from making me attack someone. If I hurt someone it will drain more of me until by the end of a fight there might not be anythin' left. For a warrior, the sword's effects would take many battles but I'm not a warrior. I'll be fine, we just need ta get this thing to the mounds and keep it out of Niclas' hands."

Abegail went back to her coffee and Bridget couldn't say anything more as Walter rejoined them at the table. The three took care of the inn bill and met Indy outside. Climbing in the four headed to the cementary and the mounds.

Abegail frowned as they pulled in a quietly parked. Niclas was already here. This was not good. Abegail took the sword and slid out. Her mind was working on what the best solution might be at this point. She didn't know what mound the woman might be in or even if she would be there. Abegail hoped that if they could find a door, they could call her forward.

Frankly, Abegail wasn't sure if any of this was even going to work. She was tired. The sword was draining her energy and taking all her willpower. Her face had gotten paler on the ride and while her spirit was happy and relaxed, Abegail was begining to look drawn. She walked to stand by Walter. Without realizing it she leaned heavily on his arm.

"Alright, we need to find a way to get them out of the tent so we can have at the other pieces, assumin' he brought them. We need to find a mound with access to the Dannan and hope to hell that if we can call her forth she is willin' to help unlike the male..." Walter could feel that right now, he was the only thing keeping Abegail's legs from giving out.

Abegail took a deep breath, "The sword knows...it senses a fight comin'" With that Abegail stood, relieving Walter of her weight and walked quietly closer to the nearest mound. "So what are we gonna do ta get them to go away from the tent? We need them chasin' somethin' through the mounds or at least on the grounds. Unless we have another idea, preferably one that does na involve driving our vehicle into their tent." Abegail smiled at Indy.

"Aye, there is a very real chance that they might connect." Abegail pointed at the two mounds that sat close together. "Those two likely have a connection but there is a chance that even one of the others connects in."

Abegail pondered the idea for a moment. "We will have to be careful, there is a chance that there are others in the mounds as well and not just soldiers. What are ye thinkin' Walter? Head in one and see if we can get into the big one? Niclas is obviously interested in it and that canna be a good thing."

Abegail sighed and tried to stand taller. A weak smile crossed her face. Bridget didn't know the woman well but she was struck at how much Abegail seemed to have lost some of her fire that she had when they started. Indy glanced at Walter. The two men knew that something was no right with Abby. The red head was stubborn, out spoken, quick to act and at times a force to be reckoned with. The Abegail in front of them looked tired and was quiet. Indy moved over to Walter. Abegail was looking over to the tents, an eye on Niclas.

Indy leaned over to Walter, "You see that right? Abbs isn't right. She looks like she might collapse on us. We shouldn't have brought her along." As Walter answered Indy, Abegail turned back to look at him, wondering why she hadn't received an answer yet and found both men staring at her and Bridget casting her eyes down, as if guilty of something.

Abegail frowned, "What are ye starin' at?" Her voice contained a bit of the Irish temper but no where near her normal.

Abegail liked the idea but was wary now of the way they were staring at her. Walter mentioned his name and Abegail saw Niclas turn to look in their direction. Abegail felt the bile move into her throat. That man made her stomach ill and her blood boil.

Abegail leaned against the mound and slid till she was sitting on the ground, the sword leaning against her shoulder. They would wait until dark. She didn't suggest being the distraction knowing that if she even attempted to the sword would win and she'd likely kill someone. Abegail closed her eyes and rested her head back on the grass of the mound. "What are ye thinkin' for a distraction?"

Abegail moved with the others. She was slower when they crawled due to the sword but she managed to keep up. Entering the small mound with Bridget, Abegial's eyes adjusted to the dark. Something was near by, the sword could feel it. Abegail began moving quickly, and Bridget fell behind not knowing where the woman had gone. Bridget began to search frantically in the dim light but there was no sign of Abegail. She waited for Walter so that they could continue with the plan to move to the large mound.

Abegail had followed her gut. Everything told her to turn to the right and walk. So, she did. She walked, and walked. The corridors twisted and turned. About half way she realized Bridget and the others were no longer with her. The walls became damp and Abegail stopped for a moment. Looking around she gauged the distance to be close to where the large mound was. She was correct as she stepped out of a crevice n the wall into another corridor. To her left sat the large main chamber of the mound. Abegail shook her head. What she needed was not there. Right again. The smaller corridor became darker and Abegail's heart pounded in her chest.

A soft voice called to her in Gaelic. Abegail followed the voice.

As Walter and Bridget made their way from the small mound into the large mound there was no sign of Abegail, save the occsasional footprint in the dirt. Indy's distraction outside managed to give Walter and Bridget enough time to find the adjoining corridor and turning to their left found themselves in the centre and main chamber of the large mound. The walls had carving and paintings depicting the Dannan and some of their finest warriors.

Meanwhile, Abegail found the woman. She sat on a stone bench, her beauty could only be called ethereal. Abegail moved to sit with her and the two sat and talked as if chatting over tea and not discussing the fate of mankind.

The Formorian man made his way to the large mound. Inside the mound, Walter and Bridget were in a bit of a stalemate with the Dannan man, although Bridget had picked up a few pieces of the stone.

Bridget whispered to Walter, "What are we gonna do?" Her eyes never left the Dannan man. "We need to remove all the pieces I think. Destroy them?" The faint booming noise that she thought she was imagining was very real and getting louder.

Meanwhile, time stood still for Abegail. Carrying the sword she followed the ethereal woman. The woman was telling her of the battle that took the original warrior of Erin. Abegail came to understand that if one piece was utterly destroyed then the rest could not be joined together. Out of all the pieces, the sword was the most powerful, for even without the rest it was capable of making the wielder faster and stronger then any warrior. It would need to be destroyed. The woman told Abegail that as the current posessor of the sword only she could destroy it.

The two women stopped in a dark room. In front of Abegail stood a large mirror. In the reflection she didn't see herself but her companions in the main chamber. Walter and Bridget stood together. Bridget was holding a few pieces of the stone. The Dannan man was with them and Abegail could see the giant figure that was stepping out of the darkness behind them. At the entrance of the room, soldiers began coming in, weapons drawn and behind them stood Niclas.

Abegail looked at the woman for a moment. The woman had explained what was needed to destroy the sword, now Abegail just had to watch for the right moment. She held her breath and watched in the mirror again.

Abegail watched the Formorian fall and the Dannan man spring into action. With a great inhale she stepped through the mirror. It was cold as she passed through. Stepping onto the other side she found herself in the main chamber of the mound. In front of her, the Dannan man was attacking the soliders. To her left stood Bridget and Walter and her right lay the body of the giant.

Bending, Abegail dipped her hand in the Formorian's blood. "The blood of the enemy" She wrapped the hand around the hilt of the sword, the blood making it slick. "On the weapon of our warrior, wielded by a child of Erin....to kill one of our own."

With that statement on her lips Abegail took one step closer to the Dannan man. In that moment she allowed the sword's power free reign. Abegail's eyes flashed as the blade came out at the man. He turned to look at her as the blade pierced his body. He reaction was slow as the red-haired woman sunk the blade deep. Pulling it out quickly, Abegail spun and bringing the blade around it bit deep into his body.

Walter and Bridget could see that it was the sword had control now, giving Abegail the ability to fight. The Dannan man slumped to the ground.

Abegail stood over him, chest heaving as she struggled to breathe. In her hands, the blood of the Dannan man ran on the sword mixing with the blood of the Formorian. The sword began to crumble, turning to dust.

As the blade fell away Abegail felt the last pull of the sword as it exacted it price from her. Walter and Bridget watched as Abegail's knees gave out and she dropped to the ground. Beside him, Walter could hear Bridget stifle a cry. Her hands were at her mouth.

The moans of the soldiers, not quite dead were the only sounds in the mound. Bridget looked at Walter, clearly she wanted to move to where Abegail lie but she was too scared to. "Is she...?" Her wide eyes looked at him.

Abegail slowly regained conciousness. She rolled onto her back slowly. Her eyes opened. She realized both Indy and Walter were beside her. Looking up she saw Bridget standing. Abegail gave them all a weak smile. Before she could say anything Walter yelled for Bridget.

The girl turned to look but it was too late. Niclas fired and Bridget made a noise as she hit the ground behind Walter. Abegail was jolted by the shot and the girl falling. "No! No!" Abegail mind was yelling even as no sound would issue from her mouth. She crawled to where Brdget lay. She rolled the girl and found the gunshot. "Stop him, get help...do something." Abegail's voice was hoarse as she pressed on the wound. Blood seeped from under her hands.

Niclas was an excellent shot. Abegail's eyes were blurred with tears as she desperately tried to ignore the slowing of the heartbeat under her hands. "No, Bridget...someone...." Her tears fell as she held the wound tightly.

Indy placed a hand on Abegail's shoulder. Under her hands the heartbeat of the young Irish woman had stopped but Abegail couldn't bring herself to move them yet. She didn't even realize Walter was gone. Indy grabbed Abegail's shoulders and stood her up slowly. He was quiet, none of his usual mirth or cockiness now. With Abby out of the way he scooped up Bridget's body and began leading them out of the mound.

Abegail followed, slowly, wiping her eyes as she moved. Behind her the bodies of the Dannan man and the Formorian giant crumbled into nothingness much like the sword had. Abegail looked around. "Where's Walter?" Her voice was fearful as she realized the other man was not with them.

Indy cleared his throat, "He's gone to take care of that nazi." Abegail shook her head, "Alone? Niclas will kill him..." She couldn't get past Indy as he carried the body in his arms. Abegail herself was close to collapsing, her body exhausted from carrying the sword for so long and the reprecussions of using it. Indy exited the mound and stepped foot on the grass of the cementary.

There had been no sign of Walter in the dark corridor, no sound of gunshots yet. Abegail stepped out. Dusk was beginning to fall, the sun setting in the distance. Indy lay Bridget's body down on the grass and turned to look at Abegail. "Are you hurt at all?" Abegail waved him away as she scanned the cementary for Walter or Niclas. As she turned that is when Indy saw it. A streak of white hair now ran through Abby's red locks. One streak down the middle of the left side of her head.

Indy frowned but didn't say anything. He too began looking for some sign of the other scholar. Abegail's voice was angry, her worry hidden behind it, "Damn him, does he have na sense at all?"

Abegail climbed in and stared out the window the entire trip, hoping for some sign of Walter. Indy and Abegail took Bridget's body to the hospital. There the plice became involved and Abegail was admitted. For four days, she remained in the hospital being treated for exhaustion and dehydration. Indy was questioned by police and finally on the fourth day the two scholars returned to Abegail and Bridget's hometown.

The previous day, Bridget's body had been sent back there to her parents. The next day would be the funeral for the young woman. That evening Abegail, still not looking quite herself and Indy sat in the cleaned up and repaired home of Abegail's parents. The mood was quiet and somber as the two sat in the sitting room, sipping tea. Neither could bring themselves to speak aloud their fear for Walter.

The next morning, the clouds refused to fully part and allow the struggling sun to break through as if they knew no one in the little town wanted to bask in it's warmth. Abegail's parents and most of the town gathered in the small community cementary. A simple casket sat next to the open grave, flowers adorning it's cover. To the back and on the right hand side, where they could clearly see the coffin and simple gravestone, Abegail and Indy stood. Indy was holding Abegail's hand as the two watched the mourners speak about the vibrant, stubborn woman.

Tears dropped from Abegail's eyes. Bridget was gone, shot by a man Abby hated. A man who on more than one occassion almost ended her life. She barely knew the girl but for the short time she had, she liked her. Abegail's tears were also for Walter. They had a shaky start that first meeting at Marshall. It seemed so long ago now. Walter and Abegail had been through quite a bit togehter and now he was gone. Not a trace or word from him in days. Abegail mourned both her friends.

By the grave, they were slowly lowering the coffin into the ground. There were women openly weeping. Abegail shivered and Indy wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "It will be all right Abby." He did his best to sound comforting. Abegail nodded. The pair waited until most of the others had bid farewell to the woman and left the cementary. They made their way to stand at the edge of the grave. Abegail looked down at the coffin.

"Oh Bridget, I'm so sorry. It should have been me he shot. He had no business..." Abegail's words choked in her throat.