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Amaya dressed into a shirt and her breeches then swung her cloak around her shoulders, not caring for the disapproving look the maid gave her as she stepped outside her room. "Thank you for the dress." She said politely, handing over the folded garb. "Please return it to Vanora with my gratitude." Nodding her head the maid spun around on her heel and strode forwards. Rolling her eyes Amaya followed, one thumb tucked into her belt which was buckled tightly around her hips.
Breakfast was already set out on the table so Amaya took a seat alone, not wanting to disturb the others. She sat with her head bowed, not feeling particularly hungry. Galahad bounded forwards with all the cheer and energy of the eight year old boy Amaya knew. "Good morning sister!" He greeted brightly then sat down beside her. "Ready to ride?"
"I am ready." She nodded her head with a small smile. "Where exactly will we be going?"
"Just around and about." Galahad waved his hand dismissively. "I hope you don't mind but Gawain and Lancelot have invited themselves to ride with us." Amaya nodded her head simply, taking an apple and a knife then cut it up to eat and set a few pieces aside to take to Arluin. She cut out the core then placed a segment into her mouth, chewing slowly. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, I was very comfortable." She assured him. "Though for a moment I was confused as to what I woke up in." Galahad laughed.
"Yes, the beds here are a large step up from the sacks we used to sleep on back home." Amaya finished her half of the apple, took a handkerchief then wrapped up the other pieces. "Finished?" She nodded her head. "You didn't eat much."
"I do not normally eat in the mornings." Amaya answered as she rose, holding her apple pieces in one hand. Galahad thought about insisting she try to eat some more but decided against it. He would make sure she ate well at luncheon instead.
"Come on then, come and meet Carlo." Following silently Amaya glanced back over her shoulder, listening to the calm conversation that the morning brought with the first meal of the day. Her eyes caught on Tristan's, who had lifted his head when he felt eyes wandering around. For a brief second they simply watched one another like two predators preparing for the first leap of attack.
Silently Amaya arched an eyebrow then turned away, following after her brother. The stables instantly brought a smile to Amaya's face and she strode up to Arluin's stall, calling softly to him. "Here my friend, I have brought you a treat from the king's table." She whispered as he tucked his head over the stall door, breathing in Amaya's scent as she unwrapped her gift and fed him the pieces.
Once he was munching happily Amaya stepped inside and checked his hay and water. Seeing that it needed refilling and some more straw was required, Amaya set about retrieving these things. She grabbed a pitchfork and shoved it into the straw pile. Someone had kindly cleaned the bedding for her but had not finished the job, so she shovelled the straw into the stall then swept it about, spreading it over the sawdust before drawing water from the well and heaved the bucket over to Arluin's stall.
"Here allow me." A stranger's voice said then went to take the bucket from Amaya's hands but she drew back, narrowing her eyes at the stableman, who smirked at her, narrow eyes gleaming lustily. "Only trying to help, little maids like you shouldn't handle such heavy things."
"It is not heavy." Amaya replied tersely then continued over to Arluin's stall, opening the door then sliding inside but the stableman slipped inside with her, eyes constantly roaming her body. "Away with you." She commanded hotly but the taller man merely laughed.
"You're just a maid, you can't order me to do anything." Amaya put down the bucket, carefully watching him as she drew herself up and placed her hands on her hips, letting her cloak pull back to reveal that she was more than just a maid. The stableman halted, frowning slightly at her attire.
"I order you to leave." She pointed to the door and he paused before continuing his prowl forwards. Amaya stepped up to him, making him start in shock, then grabbed his jacket by the scruff and arm, whipping him around then slammed his head into the door, making him bellow in pain as Amaya then ripped his head back. She picked up the bucket of old water and dumped it onto his head, smirking with satisfaction as he cussed at her, swearing loudly.
The commotion brought Galahad, Gawain and Lancelot running. When they saw Amaya calmly replacing the fresh water whilst stroking Arluin's neck as well as the soaking wet man on his knees, their faces darkened. Galahad ripped the door open and grabbed the man roughly, hoisting him to his feet. "Did you dare try to touch my sister?" He snarled, pulling back his lips to bare his teeth. The man's eyes widened.
"Forgive me." He begged. "Please sir, I did not know." Galahad slammed the stableman back into the wall, making Arluin start with surprise but Amaya hushed him gently then turned her head slightly.
"Galahad, let him go."
"No, he tried to defile you." Galahad growled, his hands tightly gripping the terrified man's neck. With a soft sigh Amaya turned fully and rested her hands on her younger brother's shoulders, gently drawing him back as a relaxed sensation flooded through him. Staring in fear, the man looked from the knights to Amaya, who inclined her head towards the door. He bolted, shoving past Gawain and Lancelot.
"Are you hurt?" Gawain asked her and she shook his head.
"I believe I hurt him more." Satisfied that Arluin was comfortable, Amaya strode out of the stall with Galahad following. Her eye caught someone shifting straw into an empty stall and she paused to call out. "Good morning Sir Ganis. Are you well?" The knife master jumped with surprise at beigng directly addressed but Amaya offered him a calm smile which eased his sudden nerves.
"Oh, oh yes, good morning to you too milady. I'm well." He answered, glancing to the other knight who honestly still nerved him slightly. "Going riding, milady?"
"A true Sarmatian is always happiest on their horse." She answered, taking a step towards him as Galahad continued to ready his horse. "Do you often come to the stables?" Ganis nodded his head, leaning on his pitchfork with a little sheepish blush.
"The horses calm me, milady." His accent told Amaya that this man had once be a simple commoner, like the people out in the city or those who tended small farms, yet Amaya saw him as a very timid man who did not believe in his own strengths. Silently she reached out and held out her hand.
"May I?" Ganis frowned in confusion so Amaya proceeded and picked up his hands, turning them over to see the roughened skin, tracing it slowly. "These hands know how to wield knives." She said confidently. "Is that your weapon?" He nodded his head.
"I'm quick, milady, and small. It's easier to use smaller weapons." She gave him a smile of understanding.
"I was much the same when I was younger. I never could understand why someone would choose a sword over a more reliable weapon like knives. Practice them well, Sir Ganis, may they keep you well." She said to him, bowed her head then left him to continue his work, though he was a little unsettled. The woman, though perfectly ordinary looking and gentle mannered, unnerved Ganis. He could not understand why, but he believed it was because of the simple dominance she seemed to have over everyone and everything, though she did not exert it. She walked proudly and with ease whereas Ganis preferred to shuffle in the shadows.
"Which one is Carlo?" Galahad grinned at Amaya as she approached then led her over to his grey stallion. The muscled horse snorted and lifted his head away from Amaya as she approached but she caught his head and drew him down to her. She looked pointedly into his eyes, not looking away until the horse exhaled softly and submitted. Smiling she leaned forwards and stroked his velvety muzzle. "He is a fine mount."
"Let's go, I'm aching to get going." Lancelot called, swinging up onto his darker mount. He looked mostly to be black but you could see the lighter brown colouring touching his ears and muzzle. Gawain also had a grey horse, a mare, which looked very similar to Galahad's. Her brother mounted up then offered his hand to Amaya, who lifted herself up behind him then gently wrapped her arms around him.
They trotted out of the stables then over the bridge, heading into the city. Galahad rode past the blacksmiths, the seamstresses, the market and the tavern the knights sometimes retired to in the evening. The city was a beautiful place, clean and well kempt with cheerful smiles and peaceful conversation buzzing in Amaya's ear as she leaned against Galahad's back.
Once the tour was over, Gawain suggested that they go out to the open fields for a proper ride. Lancelot led the way, trotting towards the main gates which were wide open, allowing travellers and merchants in and out. The moment they were free of the path, the horses were urged into a gallop. Amaya kept her seat well though unused to riding pillion. The wind whipped against her face, causing her hair to fly on the wind in its longish plait along with her cloak, which snapped against the air as Galahad raced against Lancelot and Gawain.
It felt good to simply gallop, feeling the rush of a horse's strength underneath as their hooves pounded the earth and churned up the dirt. Amaya sighed contently then smiled briefly, allowing peace and elation to wash over her until slowly, the three knights drew their horses to a halt.
To give the horses a rest everyone dismounted and Amaya walked off a little way, turning her face to greet the horizon and open plains. With the wind caressing her face Amaya closed her eyes and for a brief moment, she could see ice encrusted grass with the morning mist rolling through the grasslands, a cover of cloud overhead with the ghostly shadows of galloping horses slipping in and out of view as the laughter and morning greetings of her clan mellowed in her ears.
When she opened her eyes, for one brief moment, she could still see her homeland before her before it was snatched away by the brightness of the sun. Amaya stood alone, facing the rather daunting world before her. Galahad stood watching his sister with concern. Something was wrong, he could tell by natural instinct. She wasn't quite the way he remembered. It was if she were a shell, empty and hollow of all life and meaning. "I don't understand." Galahad murmured to Gawain who lifted his head. "She's not the same."
"Galahad, it has been seventeen long years since you last saw one another." Gawain reminded the youngest knight. "People change. Amaya must have endured much to reach you. It would have taken all of her strength and energy to remain untouched and travel across the great distance that she did." Gawain paused, suddenly frowning. "Unless…"
"Unless what? Tell me Gawain." Galahad pestered so Lancelot clapped a hand to his back.
"Unless she was touched, Galahad." Galahad's eyes widened before darkening suddenly afterwards.
"If she has been harmed, I will find the pig who dared lay a finger on my sister and rip him to pieces."
"Then you would be searching for a ghost." Amaya said, not turning her head around and the knights blinked in surprise. "I have already killed him." Slowly she turned around, pale faced and withdrawn as she looked at her brother with an empty soul. "There is nothing to be done now, what's done is done."
"Maya…I'm…I'm so sorry. Sorry I wasn't there to protect you." Galahad whispered as Amaya approached him, a weak smile on her lips as she reached out and brushed her fingers through his hair.
"It's alright. I'm alright." She promised him in a tender, almost motherly voice. "I'm here now and that is all that matters." Nodding his head Galahad's shoulders relaxed as he cupped a hand to Amaya's cheek, brushing his thumb against her skin.
"Who was he?" She shrugged.
"A blacksmith in Rome." She shuddered visibly as she pressed her eyes shut, seeing the hellish dungeon she had been trapped in by chains around her ankles and wrists, covered in grime and dust. "He saw me outside his shop and decided to enslave me." Galahad's fingers clenched as Amaya drew herself up. "I choked him on his own chains then left him to burn in his own dungeon."
"There…there is no child, is there?" Amaya shook her head.
"No child." She assured him. "It was months ago. Had I conceived, I would have delivered by now." Galahad tensed, breathing deeply before turning and striding away. Amaya let him go, lowering her head. "He is ashamed of me."
"No! No of course not. Don't think such things." Gawain soothed, touching her shoulder but she did not raise her head. "He is just angry. At himself and the Romans. He has never liked them and now, he'll hate them for sure."
"I did not want to lie to him." Amaya murmured quietly as Lancelot carefully stepped to her side then placed a warm hand on her back for comfort, genuine concern lighting his gaze for her. "I did not want to keep secrets from him. Was I right to tell?"
"Yes, you were right." Lancelot assured her in a calm voice. "He'll get over it. No doubt he'll head to the training grounds next and work up a sweat until he feels better." Taking a deep breath Amaya drew away then approached her brother carefully, seeing his shoulders rise and sag in deep, angered breaths. Before he could turn around Amaya wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his back as slowly, he began to relax. Galahad turned around and welcomed his sister into his arms, holding her close.
"I swear, I shall not allow any more harm to ever befall you." Galahad whispered. "Upon my honour, I shall protect you with my life."
"I swore on my own blood to protect you, Galahad, no matter what the cost may be." Amaya murmured to him gently, lifting her head to meet his loving gaze and it warmed her to the core, filling the cold emptiness she had for a long time carried with her. "So it seems we are now eternally bound by our promises." Galahad leaned down and kissed Amaya's face, making her smile honestly. "I shall always be with you, Galahad. Whatever it is you may need, I shall fight any battle to give it to you."
"What if all I ask for is your safety?" Her brother questioned and she paused for thought before smiling further.
"Then you had better be fighting by my side."