Devonshirelass
I'm glad I could evoke all these stories with my writing. It's so cool!
etraya
Yes I realized I hadn't really seen any stories about the scout and I always wondered what his story was.
Me
Here's a chappy. If I start something I usually finish it! I hope you like it!
katemary77
I'm glad it's different. I don't really like using ideas that have appeared before!
chiefhow
Yeah I know it is darker but I wanted to branch out and test my ability in something more serious.
Mustang Gal
I hate Cynric too! Yeah I'm probably going to stick with Joachim even though his name is Geoffrey. I actually like Joachim better! But hey I'm glad you reading this story now! Lol!
PhoenixFyre
Yeah I always thought the best fics are with oc main characters or minor characters because there is so much room to work with them. There might be some romance between Ardiath and the knights (wink wink) it will be very dramatic though!
KnightoftheRoundTable
Thank you for all that. I was worried how I was going to transition between light and dark but people seem to like it so far! YAY!
Kungfuchick
Yeah she is pretty brave! Sorry it took so long to update.
nidriel
Thank you. I'm glad you liked Ardiath. There will be romance between her and the knights. I just love controversy!
ThePerfectCircle
I'm glad you liked a new way of life. I get to focus on this one now. I'm flattered you think I'm a good writer!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except a migraine that seems to come when you actually do homework, pick extension English and argue with the teacher!
TWO
Joachim woke to see Ardiath's blue eyes shining in the darkness. They always woke and hour before dawn. An hour before the Saxons would rise. Their first night in this camp had resulted in sleep on the ground and a bucket of freezing water being dropped over them in the early morn.
"It's raining," Ardiath whispered excitedly.
Joachim closed his eyes and let his ears take control. He heard the patter of the rain and sighed. Rain meant he would have to run around in the wet, which would make his job, if not difficult, less comfortable. But for some reason Ardiath loved the rain.
He remembered when he was living with her village, which seemed and age from now, she used to run outside and dance delighted in the rain. He could still recall the image of the very first time he saw her out there moving in the drizzle. Her head was thrown back and each drop of water seemed to inspire more joy. Her eyes were closed and her mouth was turned delicately upward in a beautiful smile. If only he could see that smile again.
The drops had slid down her black hair making it slick and damp. It spun around in the air to float down to her shoulders once more when she completed her twirl. Her dress slowly got soaked and clung tighter to her body. The women smiled at her and the men desired her. If he hadn't loved her already, he loved her then!
Ardiath wanted to frolic outside. The rain was beautiful. It was cleansing and pure. Nothing could taint the rain. It was completely oblivious to the Saxon power. She wanted nothing more than to feel it caress her skin like a long forgotten lover. To feel the drops slide over her cheeks and lips and to feel them caught in her eyelashes. She would do all this if she didn't think of the consequences. She hardly thought the Saxons would take warmly to a woman dancing through their camp in sway with the wind and the shower.
Instead she sat up and leaned over Joachim finding his features in the dark. He was asleep but, as if he sensed her presence, she soon saw the starts of a smile on his face. He opened his eyes and their gazes locked, blue and brown together.
"Tell me your story," Ardiath asked of him. Her voice was laden with an emotion that he had not heard since the invasion. She had heard this story before but if she required to hear it again and it would make her happy Joachim would comply.
"Very well," He consented with a sigh. Ardiaths grin broadened and she gently laid her head on his chest. He brought a protective arm around her shoulders and held her close.
"Where do I start?" He asked lowering his eyes so he could gaze at the turned head of his love.
"At the beginning," She suggested helpfully with a whisper. Joachim could feel her mouth move against his chest. Ardiath had her ear pressed against Joachims heart. She could hear it beating slowly and felt the movement of his upper body as he breathed deeply.
"I came from a small Sarmatian village. It wasn't very big but it was home and I loved it more than anything. There was my mother and father and brother, one year my senior. My father was head tribesman. We were very closed and treasured each other. To a little boy this seemed like heaven and in my foolish mind and perhaps in my naivety I assumed this would last forever.
My mother was pregnant. My brother and I prayed for a little girl. We had watched the other boys in the village, the ones with little sisters, and they were their warriors. They loved their little sisters and protected them and played with them.
I think mother wanted a baby girl as well. My father laughed and said he didn't mind either way. He loved my mother like that. They were made for each other. The perfect match," Joachim broke from his story to kiss Ardiath on the top of the head. He felt her smiled, which brought a reflection of her smile to his own face. He took a deep breath before continuing.
"So past nine months and then nine months and one half. The healing woman of the village was worried. My mother should have given birth by now. I didn't understand the complexities of pregnancy but I knew something was wrong. My elder brother, who often seemed so much wiser, also understood that something was amiss. We asked our mother if something was wrong and she told us there wasn't. She tried to reassure us but I could see the fear in her eyes. Father was showing the stress as well. The skin around his face was drawn tight and there lines at the corner of his eyes that weren't there before.
Then one night mother went into labor. My brother and I waited with baited breath all night. Eventually the flap of our tent was drawn back and father appeared. We expected him to come grinning and proclaiming loudly the name of our new sibling. Instead he came quietly.
I saw the tears in his eyes immediately. Then he told us the news. It was a little girl. But she hadn't lived more than a few moments and mother had died with her.
I struggled to comprehend those words. As they sunk in I began to cry. I remember this day so purely because it was the day I lost everyone I loved. Mother died, Father became so caught up in things and my brother turned cold.
The next few years time past quickly. I don't remember most of it. It's caught up in a fog of sadness and distance. My brother and I began competing and he always seemed to beat me. Especially with weapons. I could never best him with a sword or bow. And whilst my father still loved me very much, I knew he favored my brother. It was hard for me to watch.
Then the Romans came. They pulled my brother and I away from everything we had ever known. Father kept his mouth pressed so tight together I feared all the blood had drained away. He was restraining himself from calling out. He would have got us all slaughtered if he attempted to prevent it.
So I rode away with other boys, for that is all we were, from the neighboring villagers. And so I ended in Britain. A Sarmatian knight, slave to the Roman Empire. And I hated them with every breath I took. Nothing could redeem them in my eyes. My commander was an exception but he was part British. Eventually, despite the best commander, I ran away. I crossed forest and land and ended up in a small village where I met and angel and fell in love."
Ardiath closed her eyes at the last part of the story. It was her favorite one from Joachims past.
"Joachim, where are we headed?" Ardiath finally asked. Joachim sighed. His wife was no fool.
"Back to my old post on the wall," He told her though he guessed she already knew.
"So it is possible that your old comrades will slay these vicious Saxons and liberate us?" Ardiaths voice was lilted with something akin to hope.
"It has been fifteen years since we first began to serve. I have no idea how many knights remain and if they will be able to defeat the Saxon army. Remember also that I am a deserter."
"They will save us. Your brother will help us," Ardiath replied confidently.
"I hope so, my angel, I hope so!"
"What is your brothers name again?" Ardiath had been told once before but the name eluded her now like a hare when chased.
"Tristan."
"Tristan," Ardiath repeated slowly to herself. Then she turned the name leisurely over in her head. That moment it became a mantra of strength and hope for Ardiath. Joachims warrior brother was free them both and again she would have a family. Joachim stayed silent. He hadn't seen his brother for a long time and despite the family bond, they couldn't be more different.
"British scum, Cedric wants yer." The harsh voice of a Saxon broke the mood. The rain had stopped and Ardiath looked as hard as rock once more. The light or dawn was teasing at the bottom of the tent. Joachim sighed and got up. Ardiath placed her head on the pallet where her husband had been but it felt cold now. She pulled her self up and pulled her tatty cloak around her shoulders.
Joachim left the tent and Ardiath followed at a slower pace. She watched as the Saxons pulled themselves up and tried to shake of the sleep and the cramp of sleeping on uncomfortable bedding.
When Ardiath reached her husband, he was standing with Cynric and Cedric around a table. There was a dirty weather worn map sprawled out. Ardiath was close enough to hear but not so close her presence would be noted.
"We are three days march from great Wall. If we camp at night- " Joachim began to tell the two head Saxons.
"We won't camp. The wall... what troops are stationed there?" Cynric jumped in.
"Light Roman infantry. And possibly Sarmatian knights. Arthur Castus is their leader," Joachim said wearily.
" Arthur," Cedric murmured speaking for the first time. He spoke his name as if remembering a long forgotten rival.
"Who is this Arthur?" Cynric sounded aggravated. He didn't like facing an unknown foe on the battlefield.
"It is said he has never been defeated in battle. It is said he is a great warrior," Joachim said this as if he didn't know any better. Ardiath shivered at the mention of her husbands commander. She subconsciously began repeating Tristans name again.
"Why should I trust you? You're a traitor to your own people," Cedric coolly asked. Joachim wisely didn't answer. He fought to keep his features under control but he couldn't escape the dejected look that now played on his face as he gazed down. Ardiath kept her face and body perfectly still.
"Tell my father of the Roman estate," Cynric prompted. There was pause before he snapped, "Speak up!"
Joachim was snapped out of the trance and looked up surprised as if astounded to see the Saxons there. He collected himself swiftly though.
"A very high ranking family live there. They are of great importance to Rome." This came easier out of his mouth. He had no problems giving directions to the Romans.
"Father, their ransom could pay for the entire campaign," Cynric was like a puppy, desperate to please his hard father.
Cedric stood there stoically mulling the idea over. He gazed languidly up to Cedric who hovered eagerly nearby.
"Attack from the north with the main army," He stabbed his finger on the map, "You take your men down here; cut off their retreat to the south. Burn every village, kill everybody. Never leave behind you a man, woman, or child who can ever carry a sword."
Ardiath felt a significant horror at the mention of killing every woman and child. She could still see the horrors of the day they came and slaughtered her people. And now this fate was to be delivered to someone else, probably just as innocent, she didn't know if she could bear it. Her hand pressed against the fresh cuts on her wrist made just yesterday. The pain reminded her that she must bear it.
The army went into what Ardiath perceived as chaos. People began preparing for the march. They wouldn't leave till tomorrow but if any man wasn't ready to leave, gods help him because no man here would. Ardiath thought it best to move back to the tent and help prepare with Joachim. She made to leave but Cynric caught her eye. He was giving her a significant look and from the way his eyes heated with lust, Ardiath understood what was to be her fate soon.
"Ardiath," The raspy voice sent chills up her spine. She turned to face Cedric.
'I want you in my tent now," There was no more emotion in his voice as he strode away. Everyone looked within the vicinity looked shocked. Was it not Cedric who had forbidden her to the men? Cynric looked both outraged and taken aback. Ardiath dare not anger Cedric by lingering and so she picked up her skirts and hurried after him.
She could of picked her way to Cynrics tent in the dark she visited it so often. It took a little while longer to find Cedrics. There was fear growing in her stomach. She didn't think Cedric would call her to him. Another man, another chance of getting pregnant. Ardiath knew of ways of ridding herself of a baby but she didn't want to have to resort to that.
When she finally got there she contemplated whether just entering was appropriate. Instead she cleared her throat loudly.
"Enter."
Ardiath nervously pulled back the tent flap and entered. The base of Cedrics tent was covered with thick animal furs. Much different to Cynrics hard ground. She wondered if he would just throw her down on the ground and have his way. At least the fall wouldn't hurt was the absurd thought that drifted into her mind.
"I have a job for you," Cedric stated the words with a schooled expression. Ardiath covered her own feelings with a blank mask of her own. She didn't say anything, instead waiting for him to continue.
"I know you have become my sons bitch," He sated crudely, "Despite the fact I forbade it."
Ardiath neither confirmed this or denied it and remained silent.
"I know he must talk in that tent. I want you to report to me every time he calls you and everything he says. If not… I'll cut your throat."
Ardiath stood there absorbing the information. Cedric had turned his attention to a large map and had entirely forgotten her presence. She took it as permission to leave. She pushed her way out of the tent.
On the way to the tent she filled a small bucket with water and took it back to the tent. Joachim as she guessed had left to go scouting. Cynric had probably arrived here and since he couldn't vent his frustration by slamming into her on some muddy ground he would cruelly send Joachim out so he would be exhausted for the march tomorrow.
Ardiath delicately set the bucket on the ground. She removed her cloak and put it a place it was least likely to get muddy. She returned to hover over the bucket just like she always did. She contemplated the reasons she stood there as she did every time. She just wanted to feel, she decided, and not constantly feel numb.
With a sigh she recovered the small blade and made the first cut in her blemished wrist.
AN: ok here I am with a new chappy for a new story. Let me know if you think I should up the rating! It might be a good idea! So anyway review people! very original chapter name I know! lol
MD666