Eight knights. We were all that was left of a once numerous band of brothers, the Sarmation Knights. I am such a knight. Young compared to the rest and above all female, but a knight I am. As we sat waiting for the bishop to arrive and deliver our freedom memories flashed over my mind. I am Zala. I am the only female knight. This is my story.
15 years earlier
"No! Gawain don't go!" A high, squeaky voice of a small child carried across the air and the boys who had stopped at the village to pick up more recruits were suddenly touched by an impulse to protect. They could see quite plainly the scene before them and in five of the boys in particular the impulse grew a little stronger as the saw the form of a tiny three-year-old girl clutching at the boy called Gawain's chest.
"Why you have to go? Who pwotect me?" This statement seemed to sadden the boy greatly for he bent down and kissed the young girl's forehead.
"Zala I must go. I cannot stay. I wish I could stay and protect you but I can't. You can't come with me either." He added solemnly as the girl's eyes shone then dimmed again.
"Why they taking you away? Why the nasty Woeman's here?" The boys sitting on their horses gasped and the Roman officer marched forward and before anyone could protest he had hoisted the girl off the ground and turned her face to him.
"You better watch your mouth madam or we'll cut your tongue out." Everyone expected the girl to cower in fear but what they were not expecting was the little girl to sink her teeth into the Roman's hand. He yelped and dropped her. She scurried away but the man caught up with her and smacked her across the jaw.
"No! Zala!" shouted Gawain and rushed to her side. She had burst out crying and the five other boys who had felt the impulse to protect stronger than any galloped forward. Bors, Dagonet, Tristan, Lancelot, and Galahad dismounted and knelt by Gawain and the small girl who was sobbing into Gawain's chest. It was the start of what would prove to be a long friendship.
"Is she alright?" asked Galahad, one of the younger boys, quietly. Gawain looked up at him and nodded.
"I think so." Together the six boys turned and glared at the Roman officer. He glared back and drew out a whip.
"You five back to your horses and you get on one. I need to deal with this one so she knows when to hold her tongue in future" Gawain jumped to his feet and cried out.
"No! Please, don't hurt my cousin! She's young. She doesn't understand." The Roman hesitated before glaring and replacing his whip. He suddenly bent and scooped up the frightened girl and carted her off to some of the supply trucks.
"What are you doing? Leave her alone!" shouted Gawain but he received a backhand from the Roman. Zala was screaming and wriggling, completely terrified.
"She is coming with us and will be trained to serve you lot. Now get on your horses and move out!"
Gawain was horrified but he could do nothing to stop it. He could hear Zala's screaming and sobbing as she was flung into a wagon and he hung his head in shame. He wished so much he could help her but he couldn't.
"Em…Gawain?" asked a voice behind him and he turned to see one of the boys who had come to see if Zala was alright standing beside him. He nodded slowly, turning his defeated eyes on the boy who flushed and coughed, holding out his hand.
"I'm Galahad. It's nice to meet you. That little girl? Is she your cousin?" Gawain took the hand offered and shook it quickly. He let go and turned to the wagon where a muffled sobbing could be heard.
"Yes. She's my cousin…and I can't save her now," he added mournfully. He mounted up quickly with a bowed head and Galahad looked at him sadly. The four other boys who had come to help looked on sadly too as the horn to move out was sounded. It was only the beginning for Zala and the knights who, in time, she would recognise as her brothers.