Disclaimer: I own nada that you may recognise. I only really own Dinah and Leri. And the plot bunnies in my head are having a huff now because they want to claim ownership. sigh I guess I have to keep them happy!
Sorry about the line spacing and font jumping around in this chapter, I updated it today from the stuff I had already saved so it went a bit screwy. ah well.
Thank you to my reviewer! Lancelot may have other female admirers, but I think DIiah just finds him a bit shallow! My friend enjoys calling him Lancey-no-pants and I think the name suits him!
Please read and review, it makes me happy happy happy! x
The tavern was worse than Dinah could have possibly imagined. The Sarmatians were now into their second night of revelry following their successful return from patrolling the Eastern wall. Successful meaning they all returned alive.
"More ale!"
Without even pausing for breath, or so it seemed, Vanora had four tankards on Dinah's tray and gently pushed her in the direction of the table. Not enjoying her stint as a barmaid, Dinah was even less impressed when she realised which table she was headed for. Lowering her eyes she offloaded the frothing mugs and turned to make a hasty retreat, but no such luck. A strong arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back. The girl tried to pull away but the arm held firm and the warm voice in her ear made her stop struggling.
"Now then love, tell me how I've been in this tavern more times than I can count and haven't seen your pretty face before?"
Turning her head a little Dinah found herself nose to nose with the curly haired knight with the worst reputation on the wall.
"Lancelot!"
Thanking her lucky stars as he turned towards the approaching man, Dinah used the distraction to shift his arm and leap to her feet. She headed for the bar as fast as her feet would carry her and was soon at the other end of the room serving more ale.
Lancelot watched the girl's disappearing back and frowned, that didn't normally happen when he pulled the other serving girls into his lap. In fact, he thought with a rakish smile, the outcome was usually very pleasurable indeed. Ah well, he'd find the girl after the tavern closed and then...
"Lancelot!"
Disturbed again, the knight scowled. "What do you want Galahad?"
The younger man pulled up a seat and grinned, "How would you like a little competition?"
Lancelot raised an eyebrow, "I'll warn you boy, be prepared to lose at whatever it is."
"You'd better forget it Galahad," A dry voice cut in, "His lordship wouldn't be interested."
"I'm glad you've learnt some proper manners at last Gawain, but I believe my full title is 'his most benevolent lordship'."
"I'll tell you what you can do with your title Lancelot, you can stick it up your..."
"Knife throwing!" Galahad interrupted," We'll use that chair there." He pointed towards the empty table.
Lancelot laughed, "Not a chance, my time can be put to better use elsewhere."
There was a low chuckle from across the table as Bors joined in the banter, " And where would that be?"
"In Vanora's bed of course. Or is that your bed as well"
"Gawain, why don't you use Lancelot's head for target practice." Bors growled back. Lancelot's grinned widened and he saluted his friend with his tankard before draining it.
"More ale?"
"You did well girl." Vanora commented much later, " You even managed to fend off the worst flirts, I'll be sure and tell Leri that you impressed me." The older woman chuckled, "And that's not an easy thing to do I assure you."
Dinah grinned in spite of herself. Her clothes stank of ale and woodsmoke, she could feel the sweat pouring off her and she would happily main the next man to touch her thigh or backside, but a little praise from the notoriously harsh woman made it seem worthwhile.
"Thank you ma'am. I'm sorry for dropping the jug earlier, it was..."
Vanora stopped her with a wave of her hand, " Never mind that. It's been a long night, thank the gods its winding down now. Get yourself off to bed."
Dinah looked at the woman in astonishment.
"But. But there's still all the d.."
"I said shoo girl, and I meant it. Go on, off with you!"
Dinah didn't need telling twice.
Lancelot gulped down the last dregs of his ale and wiped his mouth on his sleeve. He looked over at Galahad and sniggered. The young knight was swaying on his seat and as he tilted his head back to drink, gravity got the better of him.
"Gawain, you better catch sleeping beauty before he hurts himself."
"What?..Oh sh.." The blonde man dived for his friend, only just managing to haul him back to an upright position.
"Gawain! Whatsh wrong with you? I...I was...drinking."
Gawain rolled his eyes. "Of course you were." Slinging the man's arm around his shoulders he hoisted him up. "Come on pup, lets get you to your quarters."
By the time Galahad started protesting they were halfway out the door. Lancelot watched them disappear and smirked, with any luck his night was not even nearly over. Now all he had to do was find that pretty little thing that had evaded him earlier.
His cocky smile had all but vanished a few minutes later. After scanning the room twice, nay several times, he could not find her.
"Damn damn damn." He muttered to himself, and caught Vanora by the arm as she passed by.
"Vanora my sweet, you don't know where you're delicious little helper ran off to do you?"
"Of course I do."
Lancelot's smile widened.
"I sent her away about two hours ago."
And then faded. Trying a different tack he ventured, "You don't want to tell me her name do you?"
Vanora smiled smugly. "Not particularly no."
And with that she flounced off to her lover, and Bors made an extremely rude gesture in Lancelot's direction. It did nothing to improve his mood.
The infirmary was blessedly quiet during the lunch hour, but Dinah couldn't quite stop herself from being disappointed that she'd blown her chance with Dagonet. Some healer she'd make if she fainted every time someone needed a wound stitched. She sighed and selected a couple of jars from the shelf. It was back to making salves to soothe aches, pains and rheumatism. A loud cough from the door made her jump and whirl around. Dagonet seemed to fill the entire room as he stepped inside.
"Today I thought I'd show you how to mix cleansing salves and pastes for wounds and bruises. Does that suit you?"
"But..."
"If you've changed your mind that's alr..."
"But I fainted!" Dinah exclaimed, "Proper healers don't faint!"
Dagonet grinned.
"So aside from your belief that you'll never be a proper healer you've got no objections?"
She shook her head.
Crossing the room Dagonet surveyed the shelves and started picking out different jars.
"You know," he began conversationally, "the first time I stitched a wound was Gawain's shin. The gash was so deep you could see the bone.
As soon as I'd finished I leaned over and vomited all over Galahad."
He glanced at Dinah and laughed at her stricken face. "So don't you worry about it love."
The two shared a smile, and the slightly tense atmosphere dissipated like dew.
"Now, if you take this rosewort and mix it with a little of this like so..."
For the second time that week Dinah had to sprint hell for leather from one end of the fortress to the other and was thoroughly out of breath when she sat down at her post. Lilla, who was stirring the boiling water frowned at her.
"For goodness sake Dinah, if Leri catches you late and gives us all extra duties I'm going to be angry. I have better things to do with my free time!"
"Sorry," Dinah murmured and then added under her breath, "I just bet you do."
Before Lilla could huff any more the headwoman materialised and the volume of chatter in the room decreased dramatically. Leri often had that effect on rooms, even the tavern. She was an imposing lady, standing at nearly six feet, and wielded a sharp tongue. However, if you stayed on her good side she was fair and did care for all her staff. She was the only member of the 'household' who had regular meetings with the commmander, Arthur. Dinah had never met the man, but she'd caught sight of him once or twice and Leri's approval spoke volumes for him.
"Vanora was impressed with you yesterday Dinah."
Dinah looked up and saw a rare smile on the woman's face.
"She exaggerates my usefulness my lady."
Leri chuckled, "Vanora? Never!" There was a pause as she looked at the two piles of clothes next to Dinah. One was considerably smaller than the other.
"You are, in fact needed in the tavern again this evening. Finish that pile there and you may have the rest of the afternoon to yourself."
Without waiting for a response the lady glided away to correct one of the other girls' manners and Dinah could only stare after her. She soon snapped to attention however and attacked the next torn seam with fervour. For an afternoon free she could take on Lancelot any day of the week!
The smell of hay and horse was familiar and foreign all at the same time. After the stuffiness of steam and soap it was like a fresh wind. Dinah stood inside the stable and just inhaled the sweet scent for a few moments. She hadn't visited the horses for several days, she'd been so busy, and now she had a whole afternoon. The sound of heavy footsteps made her turn quickly, but it was only the stablemaster, Jols. He eyed her for a moment and then grunted and disappeared. The first time she'd been caught here Dinah had recieved a blistering set down from the man about sticking to her own area, but he'd relented after catching her a further few times and saw that all the girl wanted to do was look at the animals. He used to stand a small distance away and guard his charges, but now he left Dinah to herself.
She approached the row of stalls and some of the horses eyed her with interest before returning to their feed. A dapple grey mare stretched out to nose her tunic for hidden food and Dinah stroked the velvety muzzle. The horse was unimpressed with this however, and let out a snort of disapproval before turning back to her stall.
A huge dark bay beast watched the girl make her way down the ranks and nudged her shoulder for attention when she reached him. Dinah chuckled and obliged by rubbing his ears. The bay sighed and leaned into her. She stroked her hand from the ears to the massive cheek and gently rubbed the delicate skin around the horses eyes and nose. She was so focused on feeling the different skin textures that she didn't notice the ears pricking up until the horse jerked out of her hands and let out a whinny of recognition. Dinah only had a moment to puzzle over the reaction before she was grabbed by the shoulders and whirled around to face a furious looking Lancelot.
The knight had come into the stables to spend some time in the quiet with his horse and hadn't expected to find anyone else there. He was surprised to see someone else in the stable, but it quickly turned to cold fear as he noticed the special attention they were paying to Bleiddig. The horse was the most important thing he owned, his one reminder of home, and he couldn't let anyone harm him. He approached on silent feet, his footsteps muffled by the carpet of straw and dirt, and reached out to grab his victim, whirling them around to face him.
"What do you think you're doing!" he demanded, giving them a little shake, "Don't you dare hurt that animal or I swear I'll kill you myself!"
Lancelot paused to look at who it was he had caught and shock made his eyes widen and grip relax. "You!"
Girl and knight looked at each other blankly for a moment, before the girl slapped his hands away, ducked under his arms and ran out of the stable.
Lancelot called out after her, and had half a mind to chase her, but a nicker from Bleiddig stopped him. With a sigh he turned to his horse, rubbing its nose affectionately.
"Alright, alright I'm here."
A dry chuckle alerted him to another prescence and he turned around to see the scout Tristan emerge from a shadowy corner.
"How long have you been there?"
The other man shrugged, "'Bout an hour. Watch the girl when she comes sometimes."
Lancelot scowled, "You could have told me she meant no harm."
Tristan grinned and gave his mare a quick pat, "It was more fun this way."
With that the scout silently melted away and Lancelot started grooming Bleiddig, muttering curses under his breath.
Thoughts? I'm bringing Tristan in and gradually going to try and tie in all the knights so you can get some of their personalities. There are so MANY of them though :)
