Chapter 2

The sky was overcast with a slight drizzle of rain. It had been like that for weeks. The land of Britain had changed drastically over the years, but not the inhabitants.

The Woads lived in the woods north of the wall. They had a way of life that most would deem despicable, but unless you lived it yourself, you had no right to speak.

Merlin had ordered many fights and battles, but none were to his liking. Some were for survival, others for vengeance.

"The time has come. We will move out once the sun has set. Aemilia and Guinevere will lead first, making sure the way is clear so we may attack. Remember, we must not be seen or heard. Secrecy is of the essence. Aemilia, Guinevere, you will leave at once, and when we receive the signal, we will make our move. Go." said Merlin.

Aemilia and Guinevere nodded. They mounted their horses and took off through the woods. They were on a mission to retrieve their own who had been captured and enslaved. When they came close, they halted their horses and dismounted. They walked towards the edge of the woods and crouched behind bushes. They waited for a time, watching. Watching to see how the place before them was run. They saw a small building off to the side with two guards on either side of the door.

Aemilia let out a low whistle, loud enough for an animal to hear, but soft enough to pass on the edges of the wind. A white fox stepped out from the trees and rested next to Aemilia. Aemilia petted her while she continued to look at the small stone hut.

"What do we do?" asked Guinevere.

"I have an idea." said Aemilia. "Fina, I need you."

Fina uttered a whimper of understanding and stepped to the outskirts of the bushes. Aemilia grabbed her sword and crouched, Guinevere doing the same.

"When I say run, we run." said Aemilia, Guinevere nodding in understanding.

Aemilia gave a small whistle to Fina, signaling her to go. Fina jumped from the bushes and ran towards the Roman soldiers. When she was spotted, the guards saw the perfect opportunity for a hunt. They grabbed their swords and bows and mounted their horses, leaving the hut wide open.

"Run!" yelled Aemilia.

The two women erupted from the woods, running as fast as they could towards the small hut. They spotted a guard from above and ducked to the side of wall, just in time before either of them was seen.

"Look." Said Guinevere.

Aemilia turned to see a monk walking towards the door. She made sure no one was looking and grabbed the monk, slicing his throat instantly. She searched him for keys, while Guinevere kept an eye. Aemilia found a pair of keys and stood up, receiving a blow to the face. She fell to the ground in a huff while Guinevere stepped in, fighting the attacker. Aemilia stood up, blood pouring from her nose. She went to grab her sword and realized it wasn't there. She turned to see a snarly grin on the face of one of the guards.

"Looking for this?" he asked.

He slammed his fist once more into her face, sending her colliding with the wall. The guard grabbed her hair and pulled her up.

"See, this is why women shouldn't fight. You're no good after the first punch." He said.

Aemilia saw Guinevere be knocked unconscious and realized her situation. Either she save herself or they would both die. Aemilia kicked up her leg, hitting the other guard in the throat. He backed off, gasping for air while Aemilia twisted around and head butted the guard that held her. She sent her foot into his chest and slammed him into the wall.

She grabbed her sword and took one last sorrowful look towards Guinevere who lay unconscious on the ground. She felt terrible for what she was doing, but knew it was the only way. She turned and ran full speed towards the woods where Lela, her horse waited. She mounted her mare and took off into the deep woods where she knew she would be safe.

Tears fell from her eyes as she flew between the trees, the wind making sad music as it whistled past her ears. She could hear the world cry as she arrived at her camp. She fell from Lela into a heap of sobs on the ground. Lyran, one of Merlin's best men, helped her stand. He guided her over to Merlin where she knew she had failed.

"I'm sorry." she cried. "They took her. They took her."

Merlin saw the despair in her eyes and knew she blamed herself. He bent down so that he could see her face. He noticed the beatings beginning to form on her face. She still had blood running from her nose and bruising forming on her cheeks and jaw.

"My child, this was not your doing. You did what you thought would benefit the both of you and you chose wisely." he said.

"Then why do I feel guilt?" she asked.

"It is what everyone feels when they think they've done wrong." he said. "There was nothing you could have done. You kept yourself alive. There is nothing wrong with that."

Tears racked her body once more and Merlin worried for her. He signaled to Salene who helped Aemilia to stand. She took Aemilia to her bed where she gave her a steaming cup of tea. A sleeping herb was mixed in with the tea leaves so that Aemilia would rest.

"What are we going to do?" asked Lyran.

"We wait." he said.

"But-"

"No one wants my daughter back more than I do. But these Roman's are different. We must be wary of them, study them. If we get to know them, we will easily be able to outsmart them." said Merlin.

"And what of Aemilia?" asked Lyran.

"We let her be. She will be herself, in her own time. We must not pressure her in any way. She is the prophetic child, and we must keep her safe, whatever we do." said Merlin.

They looked to where Aemilia slept. Fina had curled up next to her, keeping her warm and safe. These animals were her friends that would keep her safe no matter what.

Chapter 2!! Please review and let me know what you think!!