Chapter 4...First mission...sort of.
After the Romans discovered I was a girl, my life became a hell I had not dreamt of. After my face healed from the beating I'd gotten when the commander made his discovery, he sent the guards for me. They brought me to his tent. I was scared, but defiant. I had an idea what the commander wanted. I had heard the other boys whisper things about it, but never details. It was something they all wanted, but I didn't really understand the desire. I had heard of men, cruel and abusive, who took it forcefully from women. Those men were punished. At least, some of them were.
The Roman invited me to sit at his table. I was wary of a trick, but I knew his temper too well to disobey him. He dismissed the guards and sat at the head of the table, taking a glass of wine.
"Please, have some wine." He glanced at the goblet filled with red liquid in front of me. I cautiously reached out and grabbed it, pulling it to my lips and taking a sip. He laughed at my shyness. I could tell he had already had plenty of the wine. It wasn't uncommon for him to get drunk on our trek north. He took a gulp from his goblet and made a motion with his other hand. A servant appeared and put a plate in front of him and then one in front of me. My eyes widened with surprise. I hadn't seen so much food in one place for as long as I could remember.
He chuckled again at the look on my face and took a bite of his food. When I saw this, I realised how hungry I was and began eating with earnest.
"Yes. Eat. We must get you into better...physical...shape."
I didn't notice the hint in his voice. I was too busy stuffing food in my mouth as fast as I could chew it.
When the meal was gone and I was satisfied, I sat back in my chair, comfortable, eyelids drooping. The Roman stood from his place and made his way around the tent, slowly extinguishing candles. Then he came towards me, his hands he placed on the back of my chair.
"Would you like to sleep now?"
I nodded slowly. I stood and strode toward the tent flap, heading toward my own bed. But he stopped me with a hand on my arm. My eyes widened and I looked at him. He smiled at me and pointed to a large bed in the corner. I looked at it and then back at him. He smiled at me again and gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I was beginning to feel nervous though I didn't know why. I looked down at my feet.
The commander stepped closer to me and I began to shiver. I could smell the wine on his breath as he lifted my chin with a finger and looked into my eyes. He leaned toward me more and I grimaced and stepped away from him.
I could tell that that made him angry by the way his hand lashed out and struck my face. I stumbled backward and tripped over something. He came toward me again and grabbed the front of my shirt, hauling me to my feet. I stumbled as he dragged me across the floor and threw me down on the bed.
He began pulling off his robes in a hurry. I scrambled to the side of the bed and was about to start running towards the door when something hard cracked against the side of my head. I fell limply onto the bed, groaning. There was a loud thud and the sound of a body hitting the floor. I groaned again when I felt gentle arms pick me up under my shoulders and knees, like a child. I felt myself slipping in and out of consciousness as my head lolled side to side, bumping against the mysterious person's chest. I heard a rustle of canvas, like a tent flap opening and closing. Then the cold, outside air hit my face and I gasped, opening my eyes.
As I looked up, my eyes connected with those of a boy. Intense, hazel eyes with dark brown flecks. Then my vision drifted as blackness overcame me. The last thing I remember seeing was a dark brown braid.
She shouldn't have been there, but she was. She shouldn't have baited him, but she did. It wasn't in her nature to slap a man when so many other means of punishment were available, but oh he deserved it.
Tristram's face turned to the side and he made a soft grunting sound when her hand connected with his cheek. She watched him turn back towards her. Her breathing was heavy in her rage and her heart pounded in her ears. As his eyes slowly found hers, she could see his nostrils flare slightly and she tensed, ready for whatever his reaction might be.
He stared at her for a second, then stepped closer to her. She could feel his breath on her face as she glared up into his eyes. Scowling back at her he leaned down and softly brushed his lips against hers. Story's hard demeanor melted away and she leaned into the kiss, deepening it. She felt his hands caress the sides of her face and his fingers slowly run through her hair, tangling in the back and pulling her closer to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled his body into hers.
"Knights." Arthur's voice boomed over the low din of the tavern.
Story released Tristram and stumbled backward, gasping for breath. She caught herself against a table and turned to look at Arthur. He looked back at her and smiled slightly. As she glanced around the tavern she noticed several other of the knights had come in for breakfast.
"Our services have been requested. There is a Roman family coming this way from Rome. We are to ride out and meet them, relieving the Roman escort that was sent with them. From there we will provide their protection all the way to their new estate to the north of the wall." At that, several of the knights began murmuring angrily. A million thoughts raced through Story's head. North of the wall? That's Woad territory...
"We leave within the hour." Arthur turned and strode out with his last words.
Story looked at Tristram. He looked back at her and then walked out after Arthur. She rushed out in his wake, hurrying to keep up.
Once she caught up to him she grabbed his arm and spun him towards her. "Whqt was that?" she gasped.
His eyebrow rose and he cocked his head to the side a little, "A kiss." And then he started walking again.
She grabbed his arm again and he stopped and looked at her questioningly. Her eyes narrowed at him. "I MEAN, where did it come from? Since when do you kiss...anyone?"
"Since this morning."
Her jaw worked but no words came out. She could feel her anger building at his nonchallance over this.
"We have to go," he said simply and walked away once more.
Story stood there for a moment, collecting her anger and gritting her teeth. The man was infuriating!
Then Lamorak walked past, eyeing her and grinning widely. "Nice display in the tavern."
She grinned sheepishly and walked over to him. "Well it just so happens that I like displays. You of all people should know that." Reaching up, she ran her thumb over his bottom lip and then licked her own.
He smiled at her and groaned softly. "You are a tease."
"Yes. And you love it." Her own smile widened. "Shall we go prepare?"
He put one hand on her hip and pulled her to his side. "We shall."
They walked, talking and laughing, the rest of the way to the stables. She caught Tristram's eye as they walked past and just kept on going.
Okay. I think this chapter was a bit longer that my others have been. I know the flashback is much longer, but I needed to put more into it to make it all clear. I hope you all like this one! Let me know what you think! I'm like tinkerbell! I need applause to live!