Dearest Reader, thank you for your support. I am so sorry for the lack of updates but I have been struggling in my junior year with challenging classes filling an equally challenging course load. Happy Thanksgiving for those in the US, and I hope you enjoy my 7th installment of The Caged Bird.

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- Viewer POV of the conversation between commander and Bishop –

"Rome has issued a final order for you and your men."

"Final order?" Obviously, the Bishop was just adding to the fire raging in Arthur's core.

"You are to travel north to rescue the family of Marius Honorius and return, in particular, with Marius's son, Alecto. Alecto is the Pope's favorite godchild and pupil. It is his destiny to become a bishop, perhaps even pope one day."

Arthur stood, distressed and angered. "On this day you ask this of my men. On this day. They have risked their lives for 1 5 years for a cause not of their own. And now, on the day they are to be liberated, you send them on a mission which is far more dangerous than any other they have undertaken. You tell me, Bishop, how do l go to my men and tell them that instead of freedom l offer death?"

"If your men are truly the knights of legend, perhaps some will survive. If it is God's will. Your men want to go home and to get home they need to cross the entire breadth of the Roman Empire. Deserters would be hunted down like dogs. Will you defy the Pope, Arthur? Rome? God himself?"

"Everything I've done has been for the Church and for Rome. Do not mistake a loyal soldier for a fool, Germanius."

"Would you leave a defenseless Roman boy, destined to lead our church, at the hands of the Saxons?! Fulfill this mission, and your men will receive their discharge. Their papers will be waiting here the moment they return. You have my word."

"And what of the woman you harbor as a slave? What will you do with the Lady Kagome?"

"Ha, that is no lady. Do not be fooled by her trickery, Arthur. She is a pagan goddess, a vixen of lies and trickery."

"What will you do with her, Bishop. I will not ask again."

"She is to travel with your men. Alongside the boy, there is her first child. She hopes to regain what she lost and will remain here away from the Roman empire."

"And what of the Saxons?"

"I am sure she will deal with it. She had lived with the church for decades- I am sure she will grab the everlasting attention when caught by the Saxons."

"But the child-" "-is no child of the church, but a pagan demon unworthy of our protection any longer."

"You call these-" gestures to the bloody metal gloves held in his hands, "-protection? These are chains bound in fear and hatred, not the love of the church. You will do best to stay away from the lady as of now she is under my protection. Do not concern yourself with her any longer."

"Of course, the demon is yours to do what you will once you leave for the estate with her in tow."

"You think very hard on your vows Bishop for I will hold you to them. Break them, and no Roman legion, papal army, nor God Himself will protect you. That is my word."

- The Sarmatian Knights -

"Kit, put me down! I assure you, I am perfectly fine walking on my own!"

"Am I assure you, mother, that I will be caring you until we get you seated with a full stomach."

"Now I see where Galahad gets it. That brooding is written all over your face, my lady." Came Gawain's input on the adorable situation. As the knights walked to the tavern, Galahad walked in the middle with and pouting Kagome in his arms. The atmosphere had lightened a little with the banter, but their minds remained fogged with the deep-seated hatred to the Roman that remained with Arthur.

"And what a beautiful face it is, my lady. Even a pout looks good on you." Of course, Lancelot the womanizer butts in before dodging a playful kick to his face from the lady in question.

Arriving at the tavern, their sights were immediately drawn to the Roman officers partying with the tavern whores, or rather, servers/waitresses. The officers paid no mind to the knights except for a sneer, and a hungry glare at lady Kagome and her exposed legs (she was dragged, so any shoes would have worn out, and the bottom of a dress would have caught, so she is wearing a simple, very worn dress that reaches we knees. Certainly, something not seen in Rome but accepted away from the super-conservative capital of the Roman Empire. So indeed, Kagome's hair is very tangled and wearing a plain, tan dress that has seen better days). Walking by to their table, a guard of the bishops reached up to feel her calf, only to be stopped by Lancelot's hand on his wrist and a glare from other members of their entourage.

As the others sat, Galahad placing Kagome on one of his legs, her wrapped hands around her son's neck to steady herself, Bors found his woman in the most romantic way.

"Vanora! Come 'ere!" She came over with a slap and a kiss as an answer. Kagome looked on with a laugh at the oddly loving sight. "Vanora, I got someone you should meet! This 'ere is Kagome, Galahad's mom," that caught her attention.

"But she looks so young." Vanora was so confused, turning in her lovers' arms.

"Adopted mother, don't worry. It's nice to meet you." Kagome smiled at the day, seeing a bit of a Sango in her strength of character. She hoped for another sister in this time and had yet to bond with anyone besides her sons.

"Well dear, let's get you fed and cleaned up. You look half-starved to date with that dress hanging on you like that. One, help the lady please."

"Of course, mum."

And so, the night continued as the knights drank ale and played games, though without Galahad at first. As the time passed, Galahad fed Kagome on his lap to her chagrin (yet, the happiness her aura exuded seemed to affect everyone's attitude as the tavern became livelier). After eating her full, One and some of the other bastards took her to clean up as Vanora manned the bar. Galahad was antsy at first, being separated again, but calmed, trusting the girls to take good care of her. With ale from Gawain, he loosened up and began to enjoy the night. The boys threw knives, drank ale, and entertained the whores that found their way from the Romans' to the Knights' laps. Tristram enjoyed his corner with an apple and a lady (lol, eve and the forbidden fruit, you rascal) as Dagonet stayed standing as their watchman.

—- In the washroom —

Kagome was thankful for the girls' help, knowing getting the years of dust off would be difficult in her own, but fearful. Fearful of the scars that marred her skin from her travels before she became a demon all those decades ago. One, as soon as the dress was removed, seemed to understand as she sent the younger ones away, but she still seemed to shake as she and Four helped her scrub away dirt and untangle her raven hair. The water, though not clear at the beginning, took a brown, rusty hue as dirt and old blood settles in the water. When it came to her hands, she made sure to remove the wrappings in the water to seem as though the blood was washed away. The healing was still not as fast as she wanted, but it helped to convince the girls she was fine as the bruises were yellow, and the holes scanned and smaller than earlier.

Vanora came in with one of One's old dresses, a light blue to match Kagome's eyes, and some worn boots to keep her feet warm in the coming winter. But what she was met with was surprising. The woman she had first seen had unruly hair and tan, dirty skin. But this was a lady with ivory skin and wavy raven locks that tinted blue. Her skin was still pink from being rubbed raw, but it looks smooth. But the scars were far more than any woman should have to bear, or any warrior able to survive. Her right side looked as though something bit and tore out her side, while claw marks and bites continued on everywhere except her face. Vanora expected an abusive history from how she arrived, carried in Galahad's arms, but to see such extensive wounds from things she couldn't imagine brought forth a strong respect for the woman.

"That's much better. Let's get you back to the boys." Dressed and clean, Vanora, One and Four escorted Kagome back to the knights.

— back to the tavern hall —-

Galahad through his knife, hitting the target, only for it to be nailed by Tristram's own. "Tristram, how do you do that?" Came Gawain with his whore behind him.

"I aim for the middle."

Thunk. "As do I." Came Kagome who had gone unnoticed. When walking back to the table she had grabbed a knife from a table and hit Tristam's knife on the hilt. As such, she attracted a lot of attention. "Thank you, Vanora." She said to the woman as she returned to the bar to take her son from Bors.

"Mother, you look as beautiful as I remember!" And indeed, she did. As the men in the vicinity could not deny the newly founded allure she exuded as the lights caught on her hair in a blue tinge, sparkled in her blue eyes, and reflected on her pale, ivory skin. The knights stood in greeting, paying little attention to their disgruntled tavern whores. Galahad made his way to embrace her, checking her hands and nodding in relief at their healing. He led her to his seat, and the entire way they couldn't help but admire her. The dress fit her thin frame while cupping her chest in a way that was heavily appreciated, while it slimed on her back to show where it cut in before her posterior. A simple dress it may have been, but it fit her well enough.

The knights returned to their chairs, as conversation returned, and Dagonet made his way back to Bors.

"Dagonet, where you been? We've got plans to make." And all Dagonet needed was a drink. Indeed, his admiration of Lady Kagome has grown, and seeing her cleaned up had definitely brought to mind many things. He needed to breathe and think, something Bors seemed to be good at making him do.

Lancelot, as you can imagine, was besotted, but when was he not when looking at a woman with a fine bosom and backside. The whore beside him thought to divert his attention but was only half successful.

Gawain seemed the most familiar with the woman. Having heard stories since Galahad was a child who cried himself to sleep every night on the ground beside him, it was stories of this woman that seemed to give him strength in their training sessions. There was a reason the boy was good with a bow, and another reason he sought to survive in hopes of finding her again. This woman, who took on an orphan and cared for his brother, was something uncommon. Let alone a beautiful woman from Sarmatia as far as he knew. One who could hold her own…

These last thoughts were similar to those going through Tristram's head. Indeed, the woman was intriguing, to say the least. Skilled with a knife to such a level was no joke, giving her a dangerous beauty. It reminded him of his home where the women in his village were taught to fight and that the way to gain favor was to beat them in combat. He thought little of life with an exclusive companion, but this woman's arrival seemed to be changing many things.

Their thoughts were interrupted with Bors' voice. "Shut up! Vanora will sing."

"No, no." Vanora was answered with everyone chanting "Sing!" until she gave in.

"Sing about home."
"Don't drop the baby." Said Gawain which earned a slight smile from Kagome.

"Land of Bear, Land of Eagle, Land that gave up birth and blessing, Land that leads us ever homewards. We will go home across the mountains. We will go home, we will go home, we will go home across the mountains. Hear our singing, hear our longing, we will go home across the mountains. We will go home, we will go home, we will go home across the mountains. We will go home, we will go home, we will go home across the mountains."

And during her song, a true sense of longing overtook the audience, especially the knights. Thoughts of home and the years since they had returned. Whether family members would still be there, whether they could find their nomadic tribes. And thoughts of how they couldn't even remember what a parent or sibling looked like, let alone their names. Kagome thought of her friends and family that wouldn't even be born for another couple centuries, and of her first son Shippo, whether he was safe and well cared for. Hope and fear mixed in their hearts, longing for the future and the past, and fear of the truth in the present.

And a man looked on, his Roman Commander uniform's breastplate weighing heavily against his heart at what he was about to ask of his men, knowing to ask was more commanding for such a mission. He turned to leave but was stopped at the call of his name by their squire.

The knights approached, Kagome and Galahad's side. "Arthur! You're not completely Roman yet, right?"

"Rus!" and laughter and bliss followed, only to be dampened by how Arthur's face fell with his next words. Kagome looked on, only able to guess what was to come since Germanius made sure to keep his plans to himself.

"Knights…brothers in arms…your courage has been tested beyond all limits. But I must ask you now for one further trial."

"Drink," as Bors made the light-hearted gesture with his hands.

"We must leave on a final mission for Rome before our freedom can be granted. Above the wall, far in the north, there is a Roman family in need of rescue. They are trapped by Saxons. Our orders are to secure their safety." It was met with laughter that fell into shaking heads and dread filled eyes. Denial rose among them, and Kagome could only look on with sadness as her son pulled away.

"Our duty to Rome, if it was ever a duty, is done. Our pact with Rome is done." Galahad's drunken voice rose, his hatred punctuating every word and syllable.

"Every knight here has laid his life on the line for you. For you. And instead of freedom, you want more blood? Our blood? You think more of Roman blood than you do of ours?"

"Bors! These are our orders. We leave at first light, and when we return your freedom will be waiting for you. A freedom we can embrace with honor."

"I am a free man! I will choose my own fate!"

"Yeah, yeah. We're all going to die someday. If it's a death from a Saxon hand that frightens you, stay home."

"Listen, if you're so eager to die, you can die right now!" Kagome stepped forward to touch her son's arm, hoping to prevent an altercation with Tristram. He turned to look at her with sadness and fear.

"Enough. Enough!" Lancelot tried to stop him as well but Galahad just pushed him away, shouting at Arthur "I've got something to live for!" turning back to embrace Kagome, holding her protectively in fear of losing her after only a day together.

"The Romans have broken their word. We have the word of Arthur. That is good enough. I'll prepare. Bors? You coming?" Dagonet spoke evenly, starting off. In passing Kagome, he made eye contact, nodding to her.

"Of course I'm coming! Can't let you go on your own! You'll all get killed! I'm just saying what you're all thinking! Vanora'll kill me."

"And you, Gawain?" Lancelot looked on as his brothers agreed and left one by one.

"I'm with you. Galahad as well." Galahad answered with a chuckle, turning to pour the wine and smash the wine pitcher in front of Arthur, reaching to carefully lead his mother away.

"My Lady, before you leave, is there anything you require for tomorrow." Immediately, Galahad stopped, his back tense. "What?"

"Galahad, she has been requested to go by the Bishop-"

"I don't care what the Bishop wants-"

"Galahad, it's for Shippo." It caused Galahad to stop. "Arthur, am I correct?"

"Yes, my Lady. Your son is with the Roman boy we seek."

"My Lord, I would like a bow and short sword, please. Will I be chained?" This was all spoken with her back to them. She refused to show weakness, but light shaking in her hands and shoulders shared all with the seasoned fighters.

"Only in Roman territory, then you are free."

"Very well. I will see you tomorrow, and please don't forget the key." With that, she gestured for Galahad and herself to continue on, following Gawain to the knights' quarters. If Germanius cared for her whereabouts, he would make it known. Until then, she had a kit to comfort.

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There you have it! The winter holidays bring finals then celebration, then a break during which I aim to post more. Please let me know what you think!