The Mission Part IV: Answers
Lancelot walked over to the fire and in front of everyone abruptly stated, "You're their commander."
She didn't say anything just kept eating staring at the fire.
"It explains an entire army risking coming across the wall to save you, and why they agreed to go to the wall without you, they didn't agree they were ordered to do so. And why you were able to punish that man for something that was – by the rules of war well within his right to do, we are the enemy to your people – "
"No." she said standing straight pointing her finger at him. "You are not, not those who fight for Rome because they have no choice, you were forced into this war, a war you do not believe in and only fight because you are ordered to do so. That does not make you my enemy." Then she sat back down.
"Tell me I'm wrong…are you not their commander."
"No, Maccus is their commander…I am his."
He looked over at the men worried, they all exchanged glances.
"Does that really surprise you that much?"
"Again I ask, how high up the chain of command are you?"
She sighed. "Is it really so important?"
"I just have to know."
She swallowed what was in her mouth and looked at him for a minute before answering. "Well, let me say this, me being his commander is not the only reason Maccus felt compelled to come after me."
They all were interested and leaned forward listening.
"When I was a little girl my mother arranged a marriage between us, mind you my father was gone so she did so without his knowing which angered him when he returned, so much so that he broke it off and knowing I did not want Maccus's affections he ordered Maccus to do as I asked and leave me be. However, no matter how many times I repeat myself and threaten the man he refuses to stay away. Finally the last time my father was home he threatened Maccus as well, except he threatened to kill him for harassing his daughter if he did not stop. Yet he still will not stop, and frankly I am beyond tired of him."
"He must really love you." Galahad said.
"Hah, so he says but somehow I cannot bring myself to entirely believe so, it seems to me he is merely trying to make me fall in love with him so that I would marry him like it was originally planned for some personal gain, after all the whole reason his father made the deal with my mother was because of my rank."
"Rank?"
"That is the other explanation for why he came after me, and the answer to your question. My mother is Merlin's sister, making me his niece."
"Merlin is your uncle?"
"Mhm." She said like it was no big deal.
Lancelot just walked away to think, he couldn't believe they were harboring Merlin's niece. Merlin was the enemy, but she said they weren't her enemy. She knew what was going on, they were probably all having that problem, that's why she didn't answer him the first time, part of her thought if they knew they would immediately go back on their word and either kill her or make her their hostage to use against Merlin. But, nothing happened; they just kept staring at her and at each other. So she took that as her cue to just walk away for a little while. She walked past her sister who was sleeping and she looked cold so she pulled another blanket out of her saddlebag and covered her up with it. Then she kept walking and glanced over and happened to see Tristan looking out into the open field past the trees, he was observing, as a scout does. She walked over to him quietly so as not to disturb him and without him knowing stood behind him. Instead of saying something she merely turned and rested up against a tree staring at one across from her. She pulled her daggers out from wherever she had them stashed on her person, her boots, her sleeves, her pants; wherever she could conceal them she had one. She began throwing them at the tree for practice, even though she didn't need it. It was good for taking her mind off things though, it was a distraction, and she was good at it, which is always a plus. They heard something snap, it sounded like a stick and leaves rustling and Tristan reached back putting his hand on his sword.
"Relax, 'tis only a deer." She said still behind him throwing her daggers.
He turned surprised to hear her so close and she was only a few feet behind him. He thought, 'How did I not hear her?' and 'What makes her so certain it's only a deer?'
"In case you're wondering how I know…" she said turning her head to look at him. She pointed using the dagger in her hand ahead of her. "I saw its eyes glow through the darkness, no person has eyes that shine in the dark."
He walked over to her intrigued now that he saw what she was doing. He looked at the tree and there were at least ten daggers, of a few different sizes, forming a circle. He had to admit she was good, most of his companions couldn't do that, he could, but they couldn't.
"Where did you learn to throw daggers so well?"
"My father, he taught me everything, how to use a sword, daggers, a bow, how to fight hand-to-hand…I can pretty much use any weapon given to me. I'm sure there are some that I am not familiar with, but those I have seen I know how to use."
"Your father taught you well."
"Like I said he has no sons so I was his only choice, he taught my sister too but she is not as… (she paused trying to think of the right word) dedicated to her skills as I am, she knows enough and is good enough to be satisfied, myself on the other hand am never satisfied, there is always something to learn and perfection just cannot be reached, you can always get better, or at least prevent yourself from getting worse."
"I would have to agree with you."
"You're a knight, that attitude seems to be a common trait, after all you are taught to believe so when in training. After all that is what training is for, to hone your skills…My father used to carry on and on about what he went through as a boy during training, which made my training seem less difficult in comparison. If you had to go through what he did during your own training as a boy, you have my respect."
He just smirked and nodded once. "So – " He said to change the subject. "What other tricks can you do with these?" he said pulling one of her daggers from the tree.
"Oh I am sure just about anything you wish to challenge me with…and mind you, I love a good challenge…and I never give up on one until I have completed it. My father says that is my best, yet worst attribute."
"What is that exactly?"
"He says I am too stubborn. He says when it, stubbornness I mean, drives me and I achieve, it is perseverance, which is good, but yet when I fail and fail again no matter what I do, that is when it rears its ugly head and shows itself for what it really is, which is stubbornness, which is bad. He used to tell me that every day, to try to teach me patience but unfortunately I am as impatient as they come."
He laughed a little under his breath. "You've changed." He stated.
"How so?"
"For the first couple of days that you've been with us you were…distant and uneasy. Now, you're talking –"
She smirked laughing.
"And sharing all of these things about yourself."
"I trust you now is all. Remember I said trust from me has to be earned? Well you earned it so there is no longer a reason for me to behave the way I was. Also I was just angry for what I had been through and for Maccus."
He didn't say anything, there was nothing to say.
"I may trust you but I know not all of you trust me, which is fine, I understand, especially after the way I acted, as if I were superior over you."
"We are no different, trust has to be earned."
"And I shall try to earn it." she said then walked away headed into the forest. He wasn't sure if it was safe but he figured she was probably capable of taking care of herself. But then again she was important, they had to make sure she made it to the wall safely or face Maccus again or even Merlin. So he followed, he stayed as close as he needed to be able to see her, he moved through the trees quietly, hiding in case she were to turn around then she wouldn't see him.
Arthur came over to the fire and noticed they weren't there, when he looked around he saw they weren't even in camp. "Where is Tristan?"
They all looked around and he knew they didn't know.
"And the girl?"
"She was over there, by her sister, I thought she retired for the night." Gawain said.
"That woman, she cannot keep walking off like this, if anything happens to her – "
"Arthur, relax, she is a Woad, what does she have to worry about?" Lancelot told him.
"She is wanted by the Roman Legion, they will capture her again if they find her alone."
"We told them about the Woads, they agreed to leave her be." Galahad said.
"If they find out what she just told us they may not keep to that agreement." Lancelot said.
"What did she tell you?"
"She is not just a Woad Arthur, she is Merlin's niece, therefore one of their leaders."
"She told you this?"
"We all heard it." Galahad said.
"We cannot let anyone know this information, it could put her life in danger, and our own."
They all nodded understanding the order.
"It's late, I suggest we all use what is left of the night to rest for tomorrow."
They all got up and made their beds for the night and laid down.
Keena made it back after about an hour or so and went to bed, Tristan waited for her to lay down before he walked into camp. She had known the whole time he was following her, she knew why, so she didn't say anything.
