Lucy flinched at the sight of the slightly ogling men standing on the other side of the river. It was a movement that was strongly felt by Hera as she stopped abruptly in her tracks, in response to the hesitation felt by her mistress. Causing Dagonet to stop at the sudden jarring in his arm by the already skittish mare.
"Lady Lucy?" he asked concerned by the flicker of fear in her eyes. It was only when following her gaze that he noticed what had her worried. Chuckling, he patted the mare "Do not fear, they mean you no harm."
"Are you sure about that? Those are some really sharp knives they have, and I have no intention of becoming a pin cushion."
Laughing the man just shook his head "I give you my word, they will not harm you. And no one is going to turn you into a 'pin cushion'." He said careful with the last phrase. He had an idea what it meant but was still not sure. It must have been enough to reassure the girl as slowly she nodded and with that consent Dagonet slowly got them moving again, through the water and back up to the other side of the bank.
To say that the men were surprised would have been an understatement. Here was this small frightened woman that they had seen, on an enormous war horse. It was a sight that none had seen before and to say the least it baffled them, but also intrigued them. As for Lucy she was still weary of the men as they passed them, but then what they stopped before was even more concerning then the men had been. Here before her was now a tall, well-built man. Sure Dagonet was taller, but the authority that this other man commanded was awe inspiring.
"Dagonet?" it was only one word and yet Lucy herself almost felt like saluting him.
"I found her on the other side of the river. Arthur, she is hurt and frightened, she needs our help."
"Alright." The man consented before turning his attention to Lucy, "My lady, are you alright?" Lucy being to shaken from the earlier experience could do nothing more than nod in affirmation. "What is your name?"
"Lucricia."
"You are roman?"
"No sir, just my name."
"Very well, well Lady Lucricia it is a pleasure to meet you, I am Arthur Castus, commander of the Sarmatian knights. Where to live?" The shock on Lucy's face must have been clear as the two men stared at her oddly. If what this man said was true, then he was claiming to be the Arthur from the round table. Well one thing was for sure this day just kept on getting better and better.
Lucy still had no idea where she was. Although one thing she did know is that she was sure that her home was nowhere near here. She was even willing to bet that she was in another time.
"Very far away from here sir." Some of her despair must have shown on her face as the two men suddenly looked at her sympathetically. Dagonet lowered his head only slightly as he, unbeknownst to Lucy was reminded once again how far away from home he himself was. While Arthur simply nodded in understanding.
"In that case, I would like to offer you the service of myself and my men to escort you to Hadrian 's Wall." That did it now Lucy was sure that she had taken a fall and hit her head. So with that in mind she quickly reached over and pinched herself, hard! The squeal that she emitted from the pain was one that caught the attention of all the men around her. Including that of a very slimy looking Bishop.
"Lucy are you alright?" Dagonet asked as he reached up to her, gently smoothing her arm where she had pinched herself.
"Yeah I am fine." She replied still wincing.
"Why did you do that?"
"To make sure that I was not dreaming."
"Why would you be dreaming?" This time it was another man that approached them, a younger looking man with wildly curling brown hair and a fuzzy beard.
"Because this cannot be real."
"I assure you that this is real Lady Lucrecia." Arthur assured, "Now will you accept our aid?"
"Yes sir, thank you sir." Lucy quickly replied after all it would not do to be lost in time and place as well.
"Very well it shall be done." Arthur replied before he moved off and walked towards the bishop that was still looking at her in a most uneasy way.
Dagonet took hold of her reins again and led Hera over to where his own horse was standing, which so happened to also be within earshot of Arthur and the bishop.
"Arthur, Arthur Castus…you're your father's image. I haven't seen you since…childhood" Lucy could hear every word from her position and even his voice made her skin crawl.
"Bishop Germanius," Arthur began before giving a cocky grin, "welcome to Britain." It was a comment that elected a slight chuckle from all of the nights around her. Lucy herself could not help but snort softly at the comment, remembering to her own memories of the island. "I see your military skills are still of use to you. Your device worked."
"Ancient tricks…for an ancient dog." He chucked before lifting his head and looking around at the knights around her. "And these are the great Sarmatian knights, we have heard so much of in Rome." His eyes, however, did not stay long on the men, but rather drifted back to Lucy as he dismounted his horse and, to Lucy's horror began to make his way towards her. "And this beautiful creature, who is this. Do you come bearing gifts for me Arthur?" The lustful look in his eyes sent Lucy into a fit of panic, as she recoiled, drawing Hera further back. She knew that she could not run. Where would she go anyway she was in another time than her own. Instead she leaned closer to Dagonet who was still beside her.
Dagonet, having felt her distress moved his horse to shield her of the prying Bishops eyes, giving the man a cold, hard, stare, just daring him to come closer. Arthur sensed that his knight was like a tightly strung bow and chose this moment to step in. "This is Lady Lucrecia, she is under my protection." It was a statement that was enough to put a stop to the Bishops advances, where pursing his lips he simply turned back to Arthur, continuing the previous military conversation.
"I thought the woads, controlled the north of Hadrian's wall?"
"They do, but occasionally they venture south. Rome's anticipated withdrawal from Britain has only increased their daring."
"Woads?" This time it was a scrawny black haired boy who spoke up. Lucy could only guess that it was the Bishops assistant.
"British rebels who hate Rome." The blonde night replied.
"Men who want their country back!" Lucy was surprised to hear such venom coming from the youngest of the knights.
"Who leads them?"
"He's called Merlin, a dark magician…some say." This time it was the handsome knight. Lucy had to admit that even with all the dirt and blood on his face he was still strikingly handsome.
"Tristan, ride ahead and make sure the road is clear." Arthur gave the command before a final time turning to the bishop before the bald little man climbed into the carriage. "Please do not worry Bishop, we will protect you."
"oh, I have no doubt commander, no doubt."
"Hundreds don't worry me nearly so much as thousands." The assistant said as he climbed in after the bishop, but not before the handsome knight could question him about the thousands, but the answer that he got was one that did not sit well with any of the men.
"Dagonet, ride with Lady Lucrecia, she is your charge."
"Yes, Arthur." He replied before Arthur rode off to take the lead.
"Are you ready Lucy?"
"As ready as I will ever be." She replied before she brought her horse up next to his, and together they took up the rear of the formation, where Dagonet would offer light conversation it was all the comfort and companionship that Lucy would need to get her through for now. She just hoped that everything would work out alright.