Good Faith
CH. 1- Rescue
Guinevere trembled beside me and so I pulled her closer to me, enveloping her in an embrace hoping to warm her chilled body. Leaning my forehead gently on the side of her head so my lips were next to her ear, I whispered my apologies.
"I'm sorry, Guin," I said, calling her the nickname I gave her long ago. "I should've seen this coming but I…" my voice cut off, hoarse from no sustenance. A few tears made tracks on my dirty face as I hugged her gently, not too hard to aggravate any wounds. She gripped my forearm with her uninjured hand to comfort me as well.
"There is no need for apologies, Alex," she whispered. "You said so yourself that you had a feeling that we would be rescued."
"Yes, but that was upon our captivity," I reasoned. "I feel nothing but numbness now." I heard quiet sniffling and knew that the boy, Lucan was awake. "Lucan, are you alright?" I asked softly, ignoring the chanting of the priest that had been locked up with us.
"Yes," he replied, barely above a whisper. "Could you sing to me again?"
I smiled sadly at his request, happy to do whatever I could for the boy. Without replying, I began to sing as best I could in my current condition. Guinevere sent me a small smile of gratitude before her eyes became heavy with exhaustion. The song soon ended and by the even breathing, I could tell Lucan had fallen asleep as well. Not long after, my eyelids drooped and I let sleep take me from this dark place to a place I scarcely remembered. A place I missed dearly in my heart of hearts but as consciousness grew, my mind would forget.
-:- -:- -:- -:-
I woke up to commotion and looked wildly at Guinevere, my eyes asking a silent question. She shook her head in reply, not knowing the reason behind the pounding that filled the cavern either. A small smile graced her face as she leant forward to whisper into my ear.
"Perhaps, this is the rescuing you felt," she said before leaning her back against the stone wall of the low cell we were shoved into upon our arrival. Tears filled my eyes and a few fell down my face at the possibility. I only hope whoever entered this place would offer help and not more torture.
The banging stopped and a cold wind flew throughout the dungeon, signaling that they had knocked in the door. They would appear any moment and with my anxiety, I clutched Guinevere's uninjured hand in mine. Soon, voices filled the chamber as an argument started.
"Who are these defilers of the Lord's temple," the priest asked, sneering was heard in his tone.
"Out of the way," a man's voice replied, a bit hostile but I wasn't complaining.
I could imagine all too well what they saw…the dead bodies and rotting corpses of the non-survivors, still strung up like common decoration. I gritted my teeth just thinking about it.
"The work of your God," the same man said to an unknown other. "Is this how he answers your prayers?"
"See if there's any still alive," a second man ordered, but not harshly.
I heard others moving quick to do as their leader bid them to do. Metal on metal rung and I nearly had to cover my ears for the noise being so unusually loud. It was followed by what sounded like metal hitting the ground so I assumed he must have cut the chain holding a cell's door shut.
"How dare you step foot in this holy place," hissed another priest, one that had been there for our torturing. There was a sound of sword through flesh before the body hit the floor.
"That was a man of God," the earlier priest stated.
"Not my God!" yelled the first man.
"This one's dead," called a third man.
"By the smell they are all dead," a fourth replied. "And you…you even move, you join him." I suppose he threatened another priest.
More sounds of metal were heard before the voice belonging to the third man called out. "Arthur!"
I gasped, now knowing who our rescuers were. Arthus Castus and his Sarmatian Knights. I could've burst into tears at the joyous thought of Lucan being found and saved but held it together by biting down on my fist.
"You must not fear me," the man who had found Lucan said, obviously to Lucan.
Suddenly, the face of a man appeared beyond the cell bars that separated Guinevere and I from freedom. He held a torch that illuminated the cell. A second man appeared to look at us before he received the torch from the first when he cut the chains loose. The cell door fell to the ground and I pushed Guinevere closer, giving her a reassuring nod. As soon as Guinevere was safely in the man's arms, I crawled out and stumbled to where a tall man was tending to Lucan. Without a word, Lucan recognized me as the one that would sing to him, instantly holding his arms out. Gently, I hugged him to me being mindful of his broken arm.
"Lucan, everything's going to be alright. We are saved," I pulled back to look him in the eyes and gave him a slight smile while running my fingers through his unruly hair. He merely nodded in response, perhaps too shocked for words. I looked at the Knight at my side who had been watching us, "Can you carry him out?"
The Knight merely nodded as he stared into my green eyes with his grey ones. "Thank you," I said before moving to the side and nearly falling over after I lost my balance. Luckily, I didn't though.
"Do you need to be carried as well," he asked, his voice deep but kind.
"No. I'll walk out of here on my own just to spite that bastard," I said harshly, my hoarse voice adding to my tone.
He looked as if he smiled but set a straight face again. I couldn't blame him. I was black and blue with bruises everywhere as well as a knife wound to the shoulder and a broken finger or two, standing here talking about spiting the man who was the cause of it. I'm sure I looked very intimidating to the big man in front of me. Not that he was plump, on the contrary, he was just very tall and his build made him seem indestructible for some odd reason. Shaking my head of such thoughts, I went to follow him out as he had gathered Lucan in his arms when he paused to look down at me.
"If you need help, grab my arm for support," he said before continuing after the others with me at his side.
I took a deep breath when we came to be outside, not having seen it in however long I had been in that hole. I was quite proud of myself despite everything, having only stumbled and grabbed onto the Knight twice. I kneeled down next to the Knight as he tended Lucan after receiving a look from Guinevere telling me silently that she was alright at the moment and that I should be there for the boy. I drunk my fill after Lucan had his.
"She's a Woad," a man with matching tattoos on his face stated. He must've been another Knight. His gaze turned to me, "Her too." I simply looked back to Lucan.
"Stop what you are doing!" commanded the Roman man, Marius. The man who had been the cause of all my pain and suffering of late. I went to stand but a hand on my arm stilled my movements. I turned to lock eyes with the Knight again as he gave me a pleading look. Huffing in annoyance, I took his silent plea and seated myself once more.
"What is this madness?" Arthur asked, standing up from where Guinevere was receiving water from the Roman's wife.
"They are all pagans here," Marius reasoned.
"So are we," one of the Knights who hadn't been in the dungeon said from his saddle.
"They have refused to do the task God has set for them," Marius yelled, ignoring the Knight's comment. "They must die as an example!"
"You mean they refuse to be your serfs?" Arthur yelled back, others had started to gather by now.
"You are a Roman. You understand. And you are Christian," Marius said before facing his wife. "You! You kept them alive!" He then back handed her as she fell to the ground.
Arthur was quick to punch Marius so he fell backwards to land on the ground. His sword, Excalibur, was at the Roman's neck the next moment and Marius's soldiers moved forward.
"No, no!" Marius ordered their halt before speaking to Arthur. "When we get to the Wall, you will be punished for this heresy."
"Perhaps, I should kill you now and seal my fate?" Arthur asked, gravely serious.
Arthur ordered the priests to be walled back up and ten minutes later, I was sitting in a caravan with Guinevere, Lucan, and the tall Knight and Roman Lady that was tending to us.
Arthur had entered the cart and saw to Guinevere's fingers before leaving to see what news Tristan had for him after she passed out. I sat near Lucan to calm him in his fevered state but he too, fell asleep. The Roman Lady went to cover Guinevere with furs to fight off the cold when the Knight turned to me.
"What injuries do you have? I will tend to them," he said as I looked at him with tired eyes.
"My main injury is not one so easily healed, Sir Knight. I was supposed to be alert, suppose to keep her from harm but I was caught off guard and we paid for it," I said, looking over at Guinevere. "It's all my fault that she was tortured."
I shook my head as I grabbed tufts of hair in my hands. I jolted when I felt his rough, calloused hands and fingers pulling my hands away from my hair with a gentleness I had never associated with men before.
"Two of your fingers are out of place, just as hers were," he said, looking at my tear-filled eyes.
"Go ahead and reset them," I said quietly, kneeling to get in a better position for him since he was still taller even when sitting. As he felt my fingers and braced his own hands just right, I clenched my teeth together. Cracks were heard but I didn't cry out because just by seeing the way this Knight looked at Lucan, he didn't wish to hurt anyone and had I cried out he would feel worse. When he was done, I leant forward and rested my head on his shoulder to regain my breathing.
Once calmed somewhat, I leaned back to sit as I had before and began loosening the ties on the front of the dress that I had been given to me to wear however long ago. Before I reached the third string, the Knight had grabbed my hands to still them. I looked up with a confused expression.
"What are you doing?" he asked, having gone rigid with an intense look in his eyes. Furrowing my brows, I was about to answer when it hit me. He must've thought that I was…oh, no. How stupid of me and at that moment of realization, I could feel the heat of a blush creep up my face.
"I was meaning to show you my other injury," I said quickly. "On my shoulder," I added. "I didn't mean to seem…I'm sorry."
He nodded before releasing my hands slowly. I untied the fourth string and slide my ragged dress down just enough so he could see my left shoulder. His fingers were instantly assessing the wound which was red with irritation and probably infection, with my luck.
"It's infected," he stated, before grabbing his bag and riffling through it.
"Wonderful," I bit out bitterly. "As if I haven't suffered enough at the hands of the Romans."
He came forward with a container of green ointment and I flinched backwards without being fully aware until he spoke, gazing at me with intense grey eyes.
"Do I frighten you," he asked, his voice quiet just above a whisper.
I furrowed my brows, "No." Then curiosity got the better of me and I leaned forward a bit not aware my dress slipped further but not showing anything but more shoulder skin, "Should I be frightened of you? If that is your goal, you have failed quite miserably, I must say. I can tell you are a fierce warrior who has seen much bloodshed and who would do anything for your fellow Knights and Commander. But your eyes give you away, Sir Knight. You are a man who can strike fear into the bravest of hearts…and one who can tend a child and woman with the most gentlest of hands. Quite the conflicting man, are you not, Sir Knight?" I leaned back and regarded him with a look of appraisal.
He shook his head but smiled a little smile, "With words such as those, you call me conflicting." He then reached towards me again and applied the ointment. I hissed as the warm pain entered my flesh but soon turned cool. "It should be wrapped," he said, seeming to be thinking hard as if coming to some conclusion.
Without replying, I slide my arm out of the sleeve but kept the front of the dress pressed tightly to prevent it falling away. "Is this good enough?" I asked. I watched as my voice brought him from his thoughts as he noticed what I had done. I thought that as soon as his eyes saw my fully revealed shoulder and arm that I saw his jaw clench tighter. A curt nod was my reply as he turned to gather strips of cloth for wrapping my wound. I watched as he raveled the cloth around my shoulder. Smiling I said, "I may look it after being in that dungeon but I assure you, I'm not so fragile. I'm far from being made of clay, my experiences of life ensured that." He had looked up at my voice, made a confused face at my words before returning to his work.
"That should do for now," he said. "It needs to be rewrapped after you're clean." I nodded, telling him that I heard him as I pulled my dress back up and tied it. "You should rest like the others."
I shook my head before he had even finished his piece, "I can't sleep."
"Do you require herbs to help it come easier," he asked, his tone one of concern about this development.
"No, perhaps I should have worded it better," I said before looking at him. "I don't wish to sleep. I don't want to fall asleep and wake to find this all some sick dream that my mind has created."
"I will stay right here and keep you company, then," he said. "Tristan, our scout, says you are a Woad. You must have been in battle before." He seemed to take on a more stressful look. I knew he was trying to take my mind off of not sleeping.
"Yes, I am a Woad as you call it. I have been in many battles," I replied. "I've only hidden among the trees as I shot arrows at Roman soldiers, though."
"Not Knights," he asked with a look of apprehension and dread on his features.
"No, never Knights," I said, looking at my bruised hand and fingers.
"Why not," he asked, seeming curious now. I looked at him, feeling very tired and aware that my eyes were drooping. I wouldn't be able to stay awake for another moment.
I managed to whisper a reply as I fell against his side, fast asleep, "I cannot kill my own people. I'm originally from home…from Sarmatia."
-:- -:- -:- -:-
Dagonet couldn't believe what he heard and for a moment, he questioned if he had. This girl, who considered herself a Woad of Britain was actually from Sarmatia, meaning she was Sarmatian. He brushed her hair from her face with his fingertips as he gazed upon her and took in her appearance. She had brunette hair, dirty without being washed in so long because of her captivity and while she was awake, he had noticed her bright emerald green eyes. She was of good height for a woman, perhaps a few inches taller than Vanora. Her body was slim from lack of food, but he assumed she was fit being a battle-hardened warrior which complied when he saw a few light scars on her arm when she lowered her dress.
As soon as his mind went there, he was lost. Her skin had been so smooth and as white as ivory. He had enjoyed tended to her wounds perhaps a bit too much. So much so, that when she had removed her arm from her sleeve, he had to clench his jaw tighter and focus. Not to mention, the thoughts that were so eager to flood his mind when he had caught her untying the front of her dress. Shaking his head, Dagonet settled more comfortably since the woman was leaning into his side and set himself to watch over the pair. His lack of overall focus became clear when he would sneak glances at the sleeping Sarmatian woman and felt all too well, the heat that resonated from her body.
-:- -:- -:- -:-
I woke to hear Guinevere less than polite tones in an argument with Arthur as he rode in front of the cart that bore us. I nuzzled my face into the warm clothing that I had been sleeping on before noticing that said clothing was breathing. I jerked up to meet the Knight's strong gaze. So, he had not left after all? I felt the familiar heat of a blush creep up my face for the second time that day.
"Sorry," I said, still looking into his eyes. Our faces were but a mere two inches apart but I didn't notice our closeness. "In my defense, you're very comfortable."
A low chuckle escaped his mouth as he smiled slightly at my words.
"Hey!" I cried indignantly. "I was being serious." I crossed my arms as my lip jutted out in a pout. Childish, I know but still.
"I know," he replied, still smiling. "That's what makes it so amusing. I do not believe anyone has ever described me so."
"That's hard to believe," I replied, turning slightly more serious. "But you are an honorable Knight, so I shall take your word for it. Should the life of a Knight ever fall short of your expectations than let me know. I may employ you as my own personal pillow." As he looked at me, my smile teased him along with my words. "However, I do not have a paying job," I warned.
"Being your personal pillow? I would've thought people would pay you for the opportunity," he replied, a teasing glint to his own eyes as well as something I couldn't explain. I felt myself blush even more, before my previous one could fade away.
"Good one, Sir Knight," I said trying to cover my embarrassment.
"Dagonet," he said.
I furrowed my brows in confusion, "What?"
"My name," he clarified. "My friends call me Dag. May I have yours?"
"My name is Alexis, but my friends call me Alex," I replied, smiling before turning serious. "Thank you for distracting me earlier until I fell asleep…and for serving as my pillow." I imagined my expression to be a bit sheepish.
"All in a day's work," he replied as the cart rolled over rough terrain before coming to a halt. "It seems we will camp here for the night."
Guinevere climbed from the cart behind the Roman lady who helped her down and Dagonet was after her. I walked with Lucan to the entrance where Dagonet lifted him out and onto the ground. I was slowly lowering myself, not feeling particularly ready to jump down just yet when Dagonet's large hands gripped my waist gently. I instantly locked eyes with him as I allowed him to lower me to the ground. When my feet met the ground, I was very close to him with my eyes meeting his broad chest. Looking up, I gave him a grateful smile as a thank you before walking after the Roman lady and Guinevere. Dagonet's voice stopped me, though.
"Earlier, you said something very interesting before you fell asleep," he said and I turned to face him, nodding for him to continue. "You said you were from Sarmatia. Does that mean you're Sarmatian."
I looked down at my clasped hands, "I was born in Sarmatia to a former Sarmatian Knight and my mother, who was a Woad of this island. When the Romans came to collect my older brother for his service, they were disappointed because my older brother had died two summers past from illness. They…took me instead since my father was then too old to go back into service. They said they would find a task for me to do and they brought me to this island. In the four months that I was with them…things happened that I care not to repeat to anyone." I took a deep breath before resuming. "A few days from the outpost where I would be stationed as a maid, our company was attacked by Woads. When they saw that my wrists were bound and I was not with the Romans willingly, they took me before Merlin and he took pity on me- especially since he knew my mother was of his people. The Woads taught me most of what I know about weapons, fighting in various ways and with different weapons, herbal remedies and ointments, and a lot about life. Guinevere was the one who made me feel the most welcome and she soon became a sister to me."
I paused for a moment to steel myself. "I have scars, Dagonet," I said, looking into his eyes with the knowledge that he was able to see me in a way that no other had seen beyond Guinevere and Merlin. "Many scars of the flesh as tokens from my time with the Romans, on both accounts, but the worse are the few but terribly deep ones within my very soul. I do not speak of the physical pain inflicted upon me nor of the things they took from me that I will never get back. They killed them, Dagonet…they murdered my entire family…my entire village because my father went for his sword when they dragged me away. His hand didn't even graze the hilt before he was struck down and my mother kneeled over his dying body. All hell broke loose and it wasn't long until the bodies of everyone I knew and cared about lay strewn across the area. Only two Roman soldiers died that day. They didn't even allow me to bury the bodies. They were left their to rot with the land." I saw Dagonet move forward, but I simply shook my head and put up a hand to halt him. Turning around, I walked to where the Roman Lady and Guinevere had waited for me- both of them looking at me with pity. Something I didn't need- pity.
I was bathed in a tub next to Guinevere as the Roman Lady saw to her and one of the maidens of the household saw to me. When my ragged dress was first discarded, the maiden gave a gasp at the sight she saw but I ignored it along with her whispered apologies. Guinevere was given a beautiful light blue gown in the Roman fashion to wear as I was handed a white gown with a form fitting bodice but flowing skirt. Gold embroidery was stitched well on the bottom of the skirt and ends of the sleeves. The sleeves were off of the shoulders starting in the middle of her shoulder and elbow to cover her wrists partially but gold fasteners held the dress up as they lay on the shoulders.
"You look radiant," Guinevere said, a sly smile playing on her lips.
"You as well," I replied with a sly smile of my own. "Should I go warn Arthur?" As a blush crept up the face of my beloved friend-sister, I left the veiled tent to find a fire and some food.
I spotted the Knights sitting around a fire pit away from the Romans and for that reason alone, I made up my mind. I was walking up when Dagonet's eyes locked on mine before he averted them to a man sitting next to him, he too had a shaven head but was slightly more heavier. As I neared to a few feet away, I spoke with apprehension.
"May I join you? I fear for the Romans' lives, should I sit with them," I said as seven pairs of eyes landed on me, one set belonging to Lucan who was seated next to Dagonet.
"Shouldn't you fear for your life, should you sit with them," Bors asked, the only one capable of intellectual speech. I merely raised a brow at him as the others looked from me to him.
"I'm not an ignorant pig who cannot discern what certain herbs taste like," I replied. "Unlike them, I can tell herbs that help from those that poison."
Bors roared with laughter as a few others did as well. "Sit, sit…you're a fiery one. My Vanora will like you," Bors said as his laughter subsided.
I smiled kindly at him before sitting next to Lucan, who cuddled closer to me.
"You look like one of Arthur's angels," Lancelot said. I looked at him with a tired expression.
"Strange, since even in the darkness of a Roman torture chamber I clearly heard you say you didn't believe in Arthur's God or why believe in his angels?" I asked, making my point. "Plus, Dagonet warned me about you." I lied of course…Dagonet had only mentioned who his fellow Knights were and how I could tell one from another, but he didn't know that.
"Can you really blame a man for having a good time," Lancelot reasoned. "What exactly did he tell you about me?"
"I suppose I can't and Dagonet told me nothing, but it's nice to know my own observations were correct," I said, smiling innocently as Lucan snickered by my side. A few of the other Knights joined in.
"I like this one," Bors said, laughing.
"She's witty," Gawain said, smirking.
Dagonet handed me some dried meat and bread to eat.
"Thanks," I said, taking it and savoring the food I haven't eaten in quite some time. After some time, my thoughts turned inward instead of paying attention to the talk of the Knights surrounding me.
-:- -:- -:- -:-
Dagonet kept glancing at the woman to his left, only separated by Lucan. She looked so beautiful when he spotted her walking towards them that he was sure his heart stopped beating as he took a sharp intake of breath. She seemed to float along the ground with grace as she glowed in the pure white gown that the Roman woman had given her to wear. Adverting his eyes to the fire again, he thought about her words earlier when she spoke about her family being killed at the hands of Romans. He had wanted so much to take her in his arms to comfort her but when he took a step forward she stopped him and left. He had chuckled with the others at her quips that were truly witty as Gawain said. At least she seemed to be in a better mood than before but even that thought didn't settle his mind for long. He could already tell his feelings for this particular woman was growing stronger than he intended or expected.
-:- -:- -:- -:-
I felt added weight to my side and I looked down to see Lucan leaning against me, fast asleep. I smiled as I combed my fingers through his hair gently.
"Dagonet," I said before shifting my gaze from Lucan to him. My eyes instantly met his, "I can't carry him with my shoulder and I don't have the heart to wake him."
He nodded immediately before standing and picking the boy up in his arms. I stood as well and followed after the pair to make sure Lucan would be comfortable. Dagonet crouched and lay Lucan down gently under a wagon and covered him with his tunic that served as armor as well. Lucan woke with the movement but was still very sleepy as he looked at me. Dagonet had sat but now scooted over to make room as he looked up at me.
"Sing to me?" Lucan asked, his voice slightly hoarse from tiredness.
I smiled, "As long as I'm gifted with my voice." I sat next to Dagonet and turned so I faced Lucan while I ran my fingers through his hair.
The days are getting longer
As we're plagued with dreary grey
But as I look into your eyes
I beg you to hear what I have to say:
Together now
Together always
I'll never leave your side
Never say goodbye
Take from me all the strength you need
For it's my reason of being here
And as I look upon your face
I smile just being close, just being near
Together now
Together always
I'll never leave your side
Never say goodbye…
I trailed off seeing how Lucan was now fast asleep, his breathing even as his chest rose and fell. I turned to find everyone looking at me, including the Knights and the Roman soldiers.
"That song was beautiful," Dagonet's quiet but strong voice said, making me start at having momentarily forgotten his presence. I smiled gratefully at him, my face being heated. For once, the darkness may have been enough to hide the blood in my cheeks. "Where did you hear it from?"
"No where…I made it up," I said, smiling sheepishly at him. "I had a lot of time when locked up with Lucan, Guinevere and the others."
He nodded, "It was well sung."
"Thank you," I said, very self-conscious at that moment. Remembering the conversation from earlier, I spoke with a heavy heart. "I'm sorry about earlier, Dagonet. I shouldn't have-"
"It's fine," he said, interrupting what would surely have become a rant.
"I just have a problem when it comes to people pitying me," I said. "I guess, having been through everything I have, it seems an insult and personal hit to my own pride. Does that make sense to you? Maybe I slipped into some unknown female speak which is one of the many reasons men tend to look down upon us." I shook my head to clear my thoughts before looking back at him. He must have seen something in my gaze for he reached forward and pulled me into his embrace with my head resting against his shoulder.
"You make complete sense and I assure you, I understood your every word," he said, his tone caring as he rubbed my back in soothing circles. I rested my forehead in the crook of his neck between his head and shoulder. I imagined myself a right sight for anyone that happened to look over at us, myself practically sitting in Dagonet's lap.
"You're a good man, Dagonet…thank you," I said as I pulled back and placed a kiss on his cheek before thinking better of it. Standing, I looked back at him before nodding and walking away. Once sure no one was around to see my actions, I gently pressed my fingertips to my lips where I could still feel a tingling sensation. It must have been his short, prickly beard, I reasoned before looking to see Arthur coming back into camp. Walking forward further, I saw Guinevere in a clearing with Merlin.
Merlin's dark eyes met mine as he beckoned me towards the pair. I made my way to them, down the steep hill as I tried not to trip and fall on my face. Guinevere nodded to me as she passed with a bow in her hand. I stepped up to the Woad Leader and he took my hands in his while his staff leaned against him.
"Alexis, daughter and sister of my people…I have foreseen something that may be of interest to you," he spoke in his rough, strong voice. I nodded but didn't say a word. "Do you wish to be told or do you wish to be showed?"
"Showed," I said, thinking it better to see than be told about it.
Merlin nodded before closing his eyes and I did the same. Images flashed before my closed lids as things appeared then disappeared and some things slowed as others were quickened. By the time it was over, I was breathing heavily and tears ran down my face unchecked.
"It is as I thought. You have become attached to them…the Knights of your father's kin," Merlin stated.
"How can I possibly prevent that from happening," I asked, my voice shaking.
"I have no doubt you will find a way," Merlin said. "I also brought you a few things." He handed her a rolled bag before turning to leave.
I left to head towards the wagon where Guinevere and I would be sleeping with the bag in my arms. I paused when Dagonet and Lucan came into my sight both of them sleeping soundly, laying side by side under the wagon. I tightened my grip on my bag as a shuddered breath came out of my mouth. Footsteps were heard behind me and I spun to meet the figure of Bors but his eyes were on Dagonet. He shifted his gaze to me before walking forward until we were side by side but facing opposite directions.
"Dagonet is a good man and a better friend," he said, quieter than I had heard him speak thus far. "I've noticed the glances he gives you. We've been friends…brothers for the past fifteen years and I've never seen him look at a woman they way he looks at you."
"If your words are meant as a warning or a request for me to be careful and to not hurt him knowingly, I promise you, Bors, that I will do no such thing. I would rather go back to that chamber or face the entire Saxon army alone than do anything to cause Dagonet pain. I was never able to target you Knights because I have unwavering loyalty to my people…both of my people."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"Dagonet didn't tell you," I asked, confused.
"Apparently not," he replied, crossing his arms over his chest.
"He must have wanted my permission to tell you all," I said, smiling at Dagonet's consideration. I looked back up at him, "My father was a Sarmatian Knight before returning to Sarmatia with my mother, a Woad woman of this land."
"You're part Sarmatian then," he asked. "Makes sense. Do I have permission to tell the others."
"As long as you ask them not to bring home or my family up," I said. "My family was killed by Romans." I then nodded with a small smile before walking to the wagon to get some well-needed sleep.
-:- -:- -:- -:-
I do not own King Arthur (2004) or its characters portrayed by the cast. I love Dagonet, he seems misunderstood as well as Tristan so later Tristan will be my main story.