Sorry for the wait! Classes are piling up. Summer is less than two weeks away though!
Ciara
The few weeks had passed in blurs of activity for the island nation. The decisions on which vendors would be going to the Wall at the full moon and which soldiers would be going for protection. They decided to show a diversity of their wares by taking the best jeweler, Kia and she would have her brother and son, both soldiers, to guard her. The weavers, Maple and Nick, would be accompanied by their daughter and her husband. The last group would be those selling food, the baker's apprentice, Tole, the butcher's son, Kale, and Nathaniel. They all would be guarded by three of the elite. The Woads knew to bring some of their craftsmen as well, and at the river is where Ciara and Folant were waiting. Once the Woads were in town, the collective group would leave to go to the Wall.
"Ci, are you ready to go to the Wall again?" Her fiancé gave her a concerned look.
"They won't bother me, I can defend myself and I have you." She smiled and squeezed his hand.
A horn sounded and they looked to the forest. Merlin, as always was at the lead and with him was just her brother. She said the oath and the group came over. At Merlin's and Troy's arrival, horses were given and Folant asked, "Where is Guinevere and Lady Nimue?"
"Guinevere is sick and Nimue is taking care of her." Merlin answered. The group headed to the town, ready for the trip ahead. It was decided that Merlin would stay in Anhamarik due to the high price he was worth. Once everyone was gathered and mounted, the group road to the opposite side of the island and towards the festival.
Troy slit his hand this time as they road across the bridge and the sense of nervousness and tension was high. The leader of the group trotting across the landscape was Ciara, Troy, Folant and Warrick fanning behind her before the mass of the group of 40 people hoping to make money and protect each other.
When Hadrian's Wall was in sight the group started walking. Outside the gate two knights and Arthur himself were waiting. Upon approaching, the knights were Bors and Lancelot, the latter waving upon seeing his friend from a few weeks prior.
"Artorius, Sir Lancelot, Sir Bors, a pleasure to see you all again." Ciara said nodding her head to each in turn, her brother following suit.
"Lady Ciara, Sir Troy, Sir Warrick, Sir Folant, glad you made it safely." Arthur supplied.
Lancelot whispered under his breath to Bors, "Safe for now." Which got him a smile.
Arthur called for the gates to open. "Your stalls will be the ones on the end. I see you brought guards to help out, know my knights will also be around."
"Thank you for your concern. I hope they will be idle though." Ciara nodded to her people who filed past them. After helping them set up the stands and leaving the soldiers with them, the royals went to the meeting room where the rest of the knights were.
"Knights, guests, today we wish to keep fighting to a minimum. This is to build trust among our people. I hope that you will all help that." Once the knights left to talk to the Romans, Arthur un-pocketed something and went over to Ciara, who was still surrounded by her men.
"Lady, I offer you this gift. I hope that it will be a symbol to start our co-operation." And handed her the wrapped parcel.
"Thank you. And please, call me Ciara." And she opened the parcel. "Arthur, it's beautiful." She said as she held up the small leaf pendant.
"It is a gift. I hope you enjoy it."
"Thank you, let us go enjoy the festival?" And she waited for him to gesture before leaving with her protectors, Folant glaring. Once among the stalls, people shrunk away until Arthur encouraged them otherwise. The day continued with much wariness being shown to the new comers, but a few brave men went to look at the wares of the islanders as well as the Woads. There were knights watching, keeping both sides inline.
One man, stocky but lean with matted brown hair went to Kia's stall and noticed a golden chain with a blooming rose at the end. "You, how much is this?"
Kia, being much smaller than the man, surprised him with her boldness in saying, "That would be 7 gold pieces."
"How did you come to make this?"
"An old family secret." She smiled at the man. He looked it over for a while.
"Seven gold it is," and he gave her the money before walking off with it enclosed in his hands. Another man who was covered in straw went to the Tale's booth.
"Boy, what food do you have here?"
Tale was being watched carefully by his two guards, as well as all the stalls around him, Gareth and Kay, and the man over twice his size.
"We have sweet rolls, nut rolls and meat pies as well as loaves of bread sir." He didn't let his 14 summers show, dealing with him no different than if he were home.
"What is a nut roll?" The Roman was confused.
Tale pulled one out, "It is a roll with honey and walnuts baked into it. Sweet and crunchy."
The man put a piece of silver on the table and took a bite. "This is good. Thank you boy."
"Have a good day sir." Tale breathed a sigh of relief and put the coin in the pouch at his waist.
It was a while later when more men, as well as groups of women came over. Everything went well, with no problems being started. It seemed too perfect to the Royals.
Arthur
I had gone back the next day and bought the pendant, intending on giving it to Ciara as a gift. It seemed I would be dealing with her the most, so it would be good to have a nice foundation. I knew the next few weeks would require a lot of time with the vendors and Romans so there was no unnecessary bloodshed at the market when the visitors came. I received a lot of stress from it, and one say found myseld in the stable praying to God in front of my horses' stall.
"Oh Lord almighty. Give me guidance on what to do? I know that peace will take a long time to come, if it ever happens, bit I wish no more blood to be shed."
"Why do you continue to pray to your fod Arthur? Has he ever answered your prayers?
A heavy sigh escaped Arthur's lips as his closest friend appeared. "Habit and my religion Lancelot."
"You know, Arthur, back home we had many Gods so power was shared between them. No one could claim rule over the others. Councils were held. That is what you hold this to be, all men are created equal? Why let one god be more powerful than others?"
"It is how it is. You don't convert, neither shall I."
"You confuse me Arthur."
"And you, me. You surely came here for a reason besides my religious habits though."
"I did. What do you think will happen when they come for market?"
"I honestly don't know my friend. I have to hope for the best."
"Do you think they will bring women?" the curly-haired knight asked with a trademark grin.
"You and your ways. One day you will find one woman to be with forever and never stray."
"Until that day comes then, right?" He chuckled and helped his commander to his feet walking back to the castle.
The day came and Arthur chose Lancelot and Bors to greet the group outside the Wall while the others were divided between keeping the Romans in line, led by Tristan, and keeping peace in the street that Dagonet was in charge of. Ciara was riding in front with three males behind her, all of which the men knew.
"Artorius, Sir Lancelot, Sir Bors, a pleasure to see you all again." Ciara said nodding her head to each in turn, Troy following suit.
"Lady Ciara, Sir Troy, Sir Warrick, Sir Folant, glad you made it safely." Arthur supplied.
Lancelot whispered under his breath to Bors, "Safe for now." Which got him a smile.
Arthur called for the gates to open. "Your stalls will be the ones on the end. I see you brought guards to help out, know my knights will also be around."
"Thank you for your concern. I hope they will be idle though." Ciara nodded to her people who filed past them. After helping them set up the stands and leaving the soldiers with them, the royals went to the meeting room where the rest of the knights were.
"Knights, guests, today we wish to keep fighting to a minimum. This is to build trust among our people. I hope that you will all help that." Once the knights left to talk to the Romans, Arthur un-pocketed something and went over to Ciara, who was still surrounded by her men.
"Lady, I offer you this gift. I hope that it will be a symbol to start our co-operation." And he proffered to her the wrapped parcel.
"Thank you. And please, call me Ciara." And she opened the parcel. "Arthur, it's beautiful." She said as she held up the small leaf pendant.
"It is a gift. I hope you enjoy it."
"Thank you, let us go enjoy the festival?" And she waited for him to gesture before leaving with her protectors, Folant not happy with the exchange.
"What do you suggest Arthur?" Troy asked looking down the stalls.
"You can browse until something catches your eye," he responded watching Lancelot take off with Warrick.
Arthur wouldn't admit it, but he was worried that something bad would happen. "Arthur, would you mind standing back a way. I want to try something." Ciara asked. He was confused but agreed as she and Folant went to a fruit stand.
He watched as she ordered a fruit she didn't know about, which he knew was a date. The merchant eyed them warily and would not give them a fair price. He decided that is what his guest wanted to check out.
"Is there a problem here?" Arthur asked once arriving.
The stall tender immediately responded, "No, not at all sir."
"Then I would like a few of your dates, how much?"
"For you sir, one silver."
Ciara then spoke up, "Why for us was it one silver per date?"
"Quiet woman, that is Sir Artorius!" The vendor man hissed at Ciara, Folant itching to reach for his weapons.
Arthur put a bemused smile on his face, more reminiscent of a look that would be right at home on Lancelot's face, "I believe, sir, that she knows who I am as she is my guest."
The vendor stumbled over his next words, his face glowing brightly, "I am severely sorry M'lady. Is there anything I can do to beg your forgiveness?"
Arthur responded for her, "Give her a batch of your best dates, I think it will be a good experience for her."
"Yes M'Lord." And the vendor rummaged through a sack and filled a small container with the dates handing them to Ciara, and refusing her money. "On the house."
She smiled and nodded, "Thank you." and walked away with Folant and Arthur following. They went to the stables and sat on a bench, sharing the fruit.
"You knew that would happen, didn't you?" Arthur asked after they finished the dates.
"I had a hunch." She replied walking over to her horse and petting his nose.
"I hope the others are not like that."
"I know my vendors won't be prejudice."
"Your people must have great strength of character."
"They do," she responded happily, Folant coming next to her.
All was silent until Arthur rose and walked to them, "Let us walk around more, this is a great occasion."
The non-Romans agreed and went back out to the streets.
Knights
The morning was tense with the market including the Woads and the islanders was today. Everyone could feel the tension in our brothers. Arthur ordered some of us to watch the Romans, some to watch the Market, and others as body guards. Lancelot and Bors were to go with him to greet the guests, the rest of us waiting in the hall, our horses and weapons ready.
"Tristan, how are you faring?" Gawain teased.
A grunt was all the reply he got. The dark scout has been quick to anger and quicker than normal to lash out due to the lack of fighting recently. Even the Romans started steering clear of him when he entered the practice fields.
"Leave him alone. He is from a different tribe than the rest of us." Kay defended. They all knew this, and that Tristan's was the furthest north with the harshest conditions. It was fight for survival.
Bells sounded signaling horsemen, and all the knights went to their seats. It was several minutes later that Arthur, Bors and Lancelot reappeared with Ciara, Troy, Folant and Warrick in tow. Arthur reassigned us our positions and told us to leave.
Kay led Gareth, Gawain, and Galahad to the visitor's stands. Tristan led Dagonet and Bors to the Roman bunkers. Lancelot and Percivel were to be following Arthur.
All were mounted, all were armed, and most importantly all were ready to fight.
It turned out that no blood was shed that day, both sides being profitable. Disappointment showed, but it was nothing compared to the disappointment that would be known to them in the future.
