Don't hate me. I know I told some of you that I would have this chapter out the other day, but it just wasn't doin it for me. So, I ripped it apart and I have to say that I am much more satisfied. So…I hope this means that you really, really like it.
Thank you to all of you who took the time to review, it means a lot.
Breena stood tall and confident next to her father staring over her warriors, their blue painted bodies poised and ready for battle. Three years they had been fighting Jaden. Three years innocent Woads have had to die all because of him and his sadistic ideals. Three years she has had to stress over the Knights, forced to keep an extra eye on them, forced to continue to bare an overwhelming amount of pain deep within her heart. It was all Jaden's fault she had concluded long ago and he was going to pay dearly for it. She was now so close to finding him her body constantly tingled with excitement knowing soon she would personally take out three years of pent up anger on him.
Taking a deep breath, she turned and faintly smiled at Isolde who was crouched petting one of the wolves while Lorna and Kora stood next to her bickering about nonsense. She could tell her three most faithful companions missed their Knights terribly, each hurting in their own way. She knew they tried to hide their own individual pain from her, not wanting to come across as somehow betraying her. The truth was she felt she had betrayed them. She knew she had, and it only added to the pain and guilt that plagued her.
She also didn't fail to notice the Knights changed demeanour when out on missions, she knew they were suffering as well. She would always watch their downcast faces after battle when they noticed her black arrows, her signature. They would scan the woods with nothing but hope of perhaps seeing her or one of the others. She had almost revealed herself many times when Lancelot's gaze would linger the longest, his dark eyes staring into the woods as if he could see her, could feel her, but her hurt always extinguished those thoughts when she would replay the words that were spoken, or left unspoken, to her that painful night. It was painfully hard to watch them; the first time it had stung liked a thousand arrows piercing her heart and despite all the time that had gone by, it has only intensified.
Merlin, who was standing patiently beside his daughter, watched the emotions play across her face. He knew where her mind had led her, as it always did, and it saddened him to know she was so plagued. "Breena now is the time," he instructed softly bringing her attention back to the present.
They had almost eradicated the Rouges and had finally tracked down Jaden's first in commanded, Rowan. Rowan had managed to kidnap Guinevere while she and a group of her men were tracking Saxon scouts. Breena was in a rage Merlin had rarely ever seen when word reached them. She had torn half the country apart trying to find her cousin, only to be left with nothing. Rowan was as good as dead when Breena was through with him. He smirked to himself over his daughter's loyalty. She was a force to be reckoned with when angered, especially when her family was involved, and he didn't pity the man one bit.
Breena instantly cleared her head, her features returning expressionless as she turned and nodded in response. "There is a Roman caravan approaching with a Bishop," she explained as she unsheathed her swords to gaze over the flawless metal, a habit she had to ready herself for battle. They were her 'security blanket' in a sense. She felt almost naked if they weren't attached to her in some way. She was more than capable of handling herself without them, but her mother and father had designed them together especially for her. Her twin double-edged short swords were perfect for her arm length and size. The pommels were thick braded rings of silver and brass, the steal grips were wound with hard black leather that had been perfectly moulded to fit her grasp after years of use, the guards were solid silver which were slightly pointed instead of traditionally rounded and etched with a mixture of Sarmation and Gallic symbols signifying who she was. They were immaculate, her pride and joy and most importantly, a piece of her mother and father fighting with her at all times.
Her desire for twin swords had actually been inspired by Lancelot. Ever since she had seen him when she was young handle the blades effortlessly, she was determined to be just as good; though she would never admit that to anyone. She sighed disgusted with herself for once again straying to painful memories. She didn't know why she couldn't give him up, or any of them for that matter. Why she could just let go…well, she knew why and it ate away at her, slowly consuming her to the point where she didn't know if she could ever recover.
Merlin nodded and smiled as she scanned over the blades, fully aware of what was going on in that mind of hers. He knew, he always knew. "I assume that the Knights will be sent to escort and Rowan will be targeting them," he exclaimed looking at his daughter for her predicted reaction. That was why they were here. They knew who the Bishop was and how important he was to Rome. Jaden and Rowan would be fools to pass up the opportunity to attempt to kill two birds with one stone.
Breena stood there stock face, jaw clenched, eyes slowly darkening while gripping her swords so tightly her knuckles turned white. A whine below her and a pawing at her ankles brought her attention down Arwain who had immediately sensed her anger. Smiling down at his calculating grey eyes she sheathed her swords and gave him an affectionate pat on the head.
Breena took in a deep breath to clear her mind and focus her anger on Rowan; she really hated that man. Receiving a quick nod from Isolde, Kora and Lorna, she turned to her warriors who immediately straightened realising it was time. "As you know, there is a Roman Bishop travelling towards Hardens wall," she paused and smirked as her warriors rolled their eyes at the mention of the Bishop. "We are all here because we expect to meet the Rouges, especially Rowan. It is imperative that he be left for me. We may receive a visit from the Knights and as you all know, none of them are to be harmed," she reiterated, all the warriors nodding obediently. "Some of these Rouges were once our fellow Woads," she paused as she scanned each of them, each face contorted with rage, "I do not want to lose any of you while they pay for their treachery," she said sternly igniting their adrenalin.
Merlin watched all the Woads nod and beamed with joy, she was a true leader. He didn't think there was or ever would be a time where he didn't beam with pride that she was his daughter. She was a vision of the Goddess, her mother in everyway. The woman she had become had by far surpassed his expectations. She was undefeated, no one could best her and her style of fighting was unique to all. The Woads loved her and followed her willingly into any battle, honoured to be fighting with their Princess. She was their link, without her one was not able to hold the other. She brought the people together and was the one who was going to lead them to Arthur. He just hopped that when he told her that he lived to see another day.
Nothing ever eased Breena's pain no matter how hard she fought to distract herself. His heart hurt for her. He could feel the hurt and pain in her heart even now. The day she had returned to the Woads was a day forged into his memory. She had come back a changed woman, talking nothing about her feelings or emotions, but instead devoting herself into training and the war with Jaden, hunting him all across Britain. She tried to hide her heart behind her black exterior, but it was there. He could see it in her eyes whenever the Knights were mentioned, whenever she left to ensure their safety across the land and even more so when she returned. He sighed tiredly, just when they were so close to ending the war with the Rouges, the Saxon's show up and now they had a new war to fight. There would come a time when there was not physical battle to be fought and he wondered how long Breena would run from herself, how long it would take for her to realize she had the power to fix her broken heart.
Breena held her father's gaze for a moment, his eyes telling her to be careful. Leaning up to give him a reassuring peck on the cheek, she turned to the girls and nodded to move out.
Arthur and the Knights chatted dryly as they watched the carriage that held the papers declaring their freedom. As much as they tried to seem eager, which they no doubt were, all were consumed with mixed feelings. This would mean the end of their service, the end to the dark and dreary lives they were forced to live and the end to wondering each day if it would be their last. As must as each of them wanted to be excited over these facts, there was a heavy burden that weighed down each of them, some more than others, but each still suffered.
Not a day would go by where Lancelot, who was often joined by Tristan, Gawain and Galahad, wouldn't stand at the top of the battlements and stare into the woods with a look of pure longing. They would all stand in miserable silence not able to bring themselves to discuss the conflicting emotions that plagued each of them. Arthur would often observe from the shadows, watching as his men pined for the women he himself ached to see, one woman specifically. The woman who for a brief time brought light to his dark world, the sister he had quickly made and so carelessly thrown away. His heart ached everyday with emotion, constantly in battle over who really betrayed who.
Lancelot had hardly spoken to Arthur for months after Breena left. He loved Author like a brother but felt torn between his loyalties. He wasn't sure he agreed with throwing the girls out so hastily, which only led him to hate himself all the more for how he reacted. He had just sat there letting his pride and emotions get the better of him. He had willingly let her leave thinking she was nothing to him which was farthest from the truth. The pain in her eyes when she looked at him that one last time still haunted him, leaving him cold and bitter not only to himself but to those around him.
Tristan withdrew more into himself, hardly speaking to any of them anymore. He still performed every task asked of him to perfection, but no one missed the intense longing in his eyes whenever they were out on missions.
Galahad was angrier than normal only able to be calmed by a quick tongue lashing from Gawain who himself was also torn between his loyalty to Arthur and his still evident feelings for Kora.
Dagonet, like the others, remained torn between his loyalty to Arthur and the friendship he had with the Woad women. He had chosen his side and it was only the love of Nora that was able to ease his troubling guilt. She was just as heartbroken over the entire situation as the rest of them. He was fortunate to have married her a year later, yet still to this very day it was no secret that the young woman continued to mourn for her lost friend and it hurt him knowing that.
Bors had been the one to voice his feelings the most regardless of what they were, but a quick word from Vanora always put him in his place. In fact, the redhead never let any of them forget the friend she had lost due to their pride. Vanora and Nora did bond though over the whole ordeal; in fact, the pair had forged an unbreakable friendship.
The Knights did pay particular attention to the rumours about the Black Princess, about Breena. It was difficult for them to think of her that way, the undefeated warrior who was both loved and feared by all. The people whispered about her beauty, her black eyes that meant death to those who held her wrath and yet had the heart of a Goddess. Just by the way the people spoke of her left no doubts that she was loved by the British people for she had not only brought balance to the Woads and Britain's, but also to the Sarmation Knights; sadly though, they had all come to realize this too late.
Tristan continued to sit in silence as the others spoke around him, his eyes never leaving the forest. Despite the fact that the others didn't feel their presence was overly needed having long ago accepted that Breena would not attack, he was not so convinced; the forests dark, strained silence and the eerie fog looming over the valley only made his skin crawl further. It was not her he was concerned with but the Rouges. It was not long after Breena and the girls had left the Fort that word had spread like wildfire of the war between the Woads and Rouges. They had had a few skirmishes themselves with the Rouges but every time they saw the arrows, the black arrows, always aimed true taking out any enemy that was threatening to end one of the Knights lives.
While the others continued their idol chatter, their conversation was soon interrupted when an arrow shot out of the woods piercing threw a Roman's neck and knocking him off his horse, his steeds startled cry echoing throughout the entire valley. "Rouges," Tristan yelled having recognized the different coloured men as they swarmed out of the dense forest like locus. They looked truly digesting, dirty bodies caked with blue and black Woad paint and filthy yellow teeth always barring viciously like a rabid dog.
Arthur sighed and looked at his six Knights then to the many men who were continuing to swarm out of the woods. They were greatly outnumbered and he knew this was not going to go easy for them…Breena had to be close by and for once, he knew they really needed her. "Knights!" he yelled unsheathing Excalibur as a command to attack. He raised the flawless blade in the air, the metal glistening in the sun, as he delivered a gentle kick into the beast beneath him who obediently launched into a canter, the Knights flanking in their V formation as they made their way down the hill to where the Rouges were quickly overpowering the Romans.
Breena watched the Rouges attack the Romans, perhaps she would let them kill a few before she intervened; however, as soon as the plan entered her mind, she was forced to dismiss it as the ever valiant Arthur came into view, each of the Knights flanking him. She felt her body ignite with nerves knowing that this time she was going to have to face them. She had tracked Rowan for too long and she couldn't risk the Knights or she dare say a Roman killing him before she got what she needed. Pushing away all the pent up feelings she had, she turned to the three women next to her who were watching the Knights. "Well ladies, ready to have some fun?" she asked with an evil grin, her eyes starting to darken as her body prepared itself for the ensuing battle.
"Lead the way Princess," Kora exclaimed excitedly with a grin, her sword twirling with anticipation. She knew what this would mean for Breena, for them. It would be hard for her to see Gawain and not want to hit and kiss him all at the same time; she could only imagine what Breena must feel. But, as usual, she would stand faithfully and proudly behind her Princess, her friend, her sister.
Breena received equal grins from Isolde and Lorna and let out a chuckle. "Woads," she yelled as she jumped to her feet, unsheathed her blades and lead the others out from their hiding towards the fray, attacking from the opposite direction of the Knights hoping to lead the fight away from them.
Lancelot swung his leg over his stallion and pushed himself off running full speed into the Rouges without missing a beat. He ducked easily as one took a carless swipe for his head while kicking the Rogue's legs out from under him and thrusting his sword into the man's side as he fell to his knees. Removing his blade, he looked up slightly started when he heard what sounded like a battle cry…coming from a woman. "Did you hear that?" he yelled to Arthur who cast him a confused look as he cut down a Rouge with his sword.
Before Arthur could question Lancelot, he turned his head waiting for another Rouge to take the place of the now dead one that lay at his feet only to be shocked to see that all the Rouges seemed to be leaving the Knights and Romans. His eyes widened when he saw the familiar blue men mixing with the rugged black and blue, he had expected her help but he had not expected her to physically join the battle. His eyes immediately began to frantically scan for her and that's when they saw her, her black clad form dropping bodies effortlessly as she skilfully fought.
In a matter of seconds, the Knights were all congregated together (the Romans slightly behind them) in stunned silence as they watched the battle unfold before their eyes, the women they had not seen in three years fight with such fierce they found themselves ever grateful they had never been forced to fight them.
Lancelot's eyes widened, his eyebrows rising to his hair line, his breath hitching when he saw Breena, her body was unmistakable. He was stunned to see her wielding twin blades just like him; and he thought she was skilled with one, she was amazing. He felt himself gripping his swords tighter with worry as it seemed majority of the Rouges were focussing their efforts on Breena. "Should we help?" he asked tearing his gaze away from Breena to Arthur who had a look of astonishment and awe on his face.
Gawain was completely captivated by Kora, Breena and the others. "Doesn't look like they need it," he answered with a slight shake of his head, the others nodding in agreement.
Breena was a flash of black, cutting and hacking anything and everything that approached her or threatened her warriors; she was by far the deadliest. The Rouges seemed to flock to her in groups but only met their deaths by her twin swords or by the wolves that seemed to be fighting with her.
Galahad almost chocked when his breath hitched. "Are those wolves?" he asked no one in particular as he counted five wolves flocking around Breena. They watched as the largest lunged up on its hind legs taking the nearest Rouge to Breena down. Tristan watched in awe as Breena let out a command and the others ran off and launched themselves much the same way on any who were near the other girls.
Bors clicked his tongue as he shook his head. "Well I'll be," he whistled in awe as he watched Breena roll over Isolde's back, her legs connecting to a Rouge's head sending him staggering back, her sword then lunging into his gut once her feet hit the ground. "Would you look at the lassies," he stated, his gaze darting between Breena and Isolde then to Kora and Lorna who seemed to feed off each other's strengths as they fought side by side.
Dagonet only nodded as the rest stood awestruck as they watched.
Breena lunged down, ducking as a Rouge took a swipe for her head and thrust her sword into his gut, her other arm swinging out and slashing against another's chest as he lifted his arms up to bring his sword down on her in an attempt to take advantage of her position. She grinned when Arwain lunged up on the Rouge as he staggered finishing him off when his sharp fangs pierced the man's neck. Standing up right, she parried a blow with another, kicked his knee out and swung her sword across his neck as he fell to the ground. Looking up, she caught sight of the Knights gawking at her and rolled her eyes. "Get out of here," she yelled at them after she swung a sword over her shoulder when a Rouge tried to take advantage of her distraction, twisted around and plunged her free sword into his gut before he could recoil.
Breena spun back around and looked at the Knights again, flashing them a hard glare. Realizing they were not leaving, she let out an agitated growl as she spun away from a blow for her shoulder then thrusting a sword up the Rouge's body while hitting him in the back of the neck with the guard of her other sword.
"Oh Princess!" came the taunting voice of Rowan from behind her.
Breena smiled as she spun around and came face to face with Rowan. Oh fun she thought to herself as a sadistic grin appeared on her face while she twirled her swords, blood spraying everywhere. She quickly scanned around, her grin widening. "Rowan, you have lost," she stated as Lorna, Isolde and Kora all stood behind her, her warriors taking out the last remaining Rouges.
The Knights realized this too and followed Arthur as he slowly approached the glaring pair. They were dumbfounded, completely stunned, as they approached and really took in the girls appearances. Isolde, Kora and Lorna all wore the usual Woad clothing, fitted brown breeches that sat low on their hips with brown leather strips covering their chests with shoulder straps. They each had symbols the Knights couldn't quite make out tattooed on their shoulders along with looked like spiked double blue rings on their arms to indicate their warrior status.
Breena though was who really captivated them, she was a vision.
Whereas the Woads all had blue paint, Breena's was black. She wore black thin leather breeches that sat low on her hips, black boots that came almost to her knees with daggers strapped to each one, and an odd top that tied around her neck and back, just covering her breasts. The straps to her scabbards crossed over her chest and were held securely by an intricate silver claps.
From what they could see her back was covered in tattoos. Large swirls and what looked like flames curved around her hip bone, and when she flicked her hair, they noticed that the designs went all the way up to the back of her neck (those were obviously new). As they squinted further, it seemed that various Celtic symbols were interracially woven amongst the swarm of swirls.
Lancelot's breath hitched when he finally realized what the symbol on her chest meant. It was Sarmation and not just any symbol, but one worn by leaders and worriers of the highest position. It was just above her breasts and about the size of a clenched fist and Lancelot's fingers itched to trace it. She had grown even more beautiful in the past three years and it was all he could do not to run to her.
Breena ignore the Knights crowding and stared at Rowan. "Tell me where she is?" she hissed knowing he would know who she was referring to while again twirling her swords, droplets of blood spraying over his body.
Rowan ignored her question and eyed the Knights, hissing menacingly in their direction. "I see your precious Knights are here," he snarled nodding in their direction next to her.
All the Woads who stood back slightly having finished off the last of the Rouges finally acknowledge the Knights presence and turned giving a brief nod to the shocked Knights before going back to ignoring them.
Isolde, Kora and Lorna who were standing behind Breena turned to glare at them. "Shouldn't you be leaving? Your precious Bishop looks a little impatient," Lorna yelled pointing the tip of her bloody sword to the Romans who were in fact standing behind the Knights, deliberately avoiding eye contact with Galahad. It was no time for her emotions to take over.
The Knights were stunned at the greeting but stood their ground, forcing down a gulp when the Woads again turned to face them, this time glaring in warning.
Arthur frowned. They had a right to know what was going on and upon turning to glance at the Bishop who stood slightly behind him it appeared that he was just as curious.
Isolde sighed and put her hand on Lorna's shoulder realizing that they weren't leaving. "Leave them be," she said softly also avoiding actually looking at the Knights. She could practically feel Tristan's eyes burning holes into her skin his gaze was so intense.
Breena shrugged lazily not bothering to follow Rowan's nod. "I am not here for them," she replied patiently. "Now, where is she?" she asked again as she took a swing cutting his exposed right bicep before any of them had realized she had actually moved.
Rowan snarled in rage as he gripped the wound and staggered back, the shock evident on his face as he looked between the wound and Breena.
"Don't think for a moment I couldn't cut you down without you even being able to react, Rowan," Breena spat, her black eyes boring into him as she read his shocked look. "Your men are all dead because of you and yet you continue?" she sighed angrily as she noted the defiant look in his eyes and face.
Rowan gave a snort of disgust while straightening himself and doing his best to ignore the burning sensation in his arm. "I just want you dead," he yelled before lunging at her.
Lancelot's eyes widened and was hardly aware that he had taken a step forward until he was held back by Arthur who shook his head. This was not there business. Besides, he was convinced that Breena again would be the one walking away from this. Lancelot having read the look nodded in understanding before he returned to focus on the one woman who still claimed his heart.
Breena quickly twirled away and swung her sword to the left distracting Rowan then slashed her other down his open side. Rowan grunted in pain but continued to attack her with as much speed and strength as he could muster. He only growled more in rage as she dodged and ducked each blow with such grace Tristan couldn't believe what he was seeing. The rest of Knights were in equal awe, she was a demon.
Breena grunted as Rowan continued his feeble assault. He really didn't get it she sighed to herself. She easily blocked a blow with her sword and slashed at his thigh causing his leg to buckle. She brought her leg up kicking him in the face and lunged forward as his head shot back and slashed his sword hand causing him to drop it.
Breena backed up as Rowan collapsed to his knees, screaming in pain as he clutched his bleeding hand to his chest, blood oozing from his bicep, side and thigh. "You have lost Rowan," she again stated as she started to circle him like the predator she was closing in on her pray.
Stopping in front of Rowan, she extended a sword, the tip coming below his chin and forcing his head to rise. "Now," she began, her tone laced with an icy sweetness that sent shivers down the Knights and Roman's spines, "tell me where she is and I will give an honourable death. If you tell me where Jaden is, I may let you live." She paused and crouched in front of him bringing her sword out from under his chin and sliding the tip down the side of his injured arm. Not enough to draw blood, but hard enough to agitate his wound. "Fool with me, and by the time I am done with you, the Gods won't even be able to recognize you," she exclaimed so plainly that no one doubted for a second she wouldn't follow through. Tristan couldn't help but smirk.
Rowan's only response was to laugh while shaking his head as he attempted to swallow the excruciating pain over taking his body.
Breena sighed dramatically as she straightened, drew her arm back and struck him in the jaw with the guard of her sword. The Knights cringed as they heard the cracking of bone.
"Again Rowan, where is she?" she asked as she tapped one of her swords lazily against her leg signifying her dying patience.
Rowan groaned in pain then looked up at Breena with what she hopped was a look of defeat. "Why tell you? I die one way or the other and it matters not to me what happens to her," he exclaimed painfully as his jaw throbbed. "As for Jaden, he will come for you…you can count on that," he stated spitting blood at her feet.
Breena sighed tiredly as she looked down at her boot before wiping it on Rowan's trousers. Must men be so difficult she thought? Without warning, she smacked the side of his head with the flat side of her blade, cutting up his cheek in the process. "I suppose it doesn't matter to you," she exclaimed as she leaned down smiling as he hissed in pain. "But do you honestly think I will kill you if you don't tell me?" She asked before she shook her head to answer her own question. "No Rowan, you will be kept alive for as long as possible and will wish death with ever fibber of your being. I have ways of making you talk," she said lowly with a frightening glint in her eyes that made even the Knights pale. Each of them were easily able to put together that somehow Rowan had done something or perhaps taken someone very dear to the Woad Princess. It was the only reason anyone could come up with to warrant such treatment.
"Pagan heathens," the Bishop finally snarled as he listened to Breena.
All the Woads shot around and glared murder at the Bishop, the Knights each cursing under their breath. "Bishop if you value your life, I suggest you return to the carriage," Arthur hissed hopping beyond hope the man would do as instructed.
The Bishop obviously ignored him and continued to watch. Breena flashed the man a scowl that made his skin crawl before she said something to the Woads in Gallic, each of them turning away and continuing to ignore the Knights and Romans.
"Now what is it going to be?" Breena asked with a raised eyebrow as she leaned closer to Rowan. "Are you going to tell me and die honourably or be stubborn and have me torture you for the rest of your days?" she asked calmly as if it were the simplest of ultimatums.
Rowan sighed with defeat. He did not like the idea of torture; he knew she would do it. She would probably let her wolves eat him alive if she wanted. He gulped as he looked at the frightening creatures who all sat around her. As if reading his mind, the obvious alpha male licked his chops before he snarled exposing his blood stained teeth. That was enough for him. "I took her to Jaden and we sold her to the man in the north," he sighed finally, slumping lower to the ground as his energy started to leave him from all the blood that was still pouring from his wounds.
Breena visibly paled, her eyes widening in horror as she took in a sharp intake of breath. "YOU BASTARD!" Lorna yelled as she lunged towards Rowan, an equally angry Isolde and Kora each grabbing an arm to restrain her. All the Woads scowled in rage, each knowing just who the man in the north was. He was Roman and the very definition of evil. Breena could only imagine what her poor cousin was going through.
Breena stood there in a fury, her body visibly shaking as horrifying images of her dear cousin being tortured flashed before her eyes. Letting out a cry of rage, she swung her sword removing Rowan's bowed head from his shoulders. As his body slumped to the ground, his head rolling to the side, she looked into the woods and nodded. They now knew and justice had been served. Merlin, who was standing at the tree line still well hidden, returned the nod. He knew she would go after Guinevere and sighed to himself knowing what that would mean. Meeting her eyes one last time, he turned and headed back to their camp. He had his own plans to make and would meet her later.
Breena turned to the girls. "Get the men ready. We will return to camp, resupply then leave immediately," she instructed, each of the girls nodding. She sighed tiredly as Kora and Lorna turned to do as Breena asked and started shouting orders.
Isolde cleared her throat catching Breena's questioning look before diverting her eyes in the direction of the Knights and Romans then back to Breena. Turning to follow Isolde's gaze, Breena noticed the Knights still staring. "Well you can leave now," she ordered bitterly while walking up to them, her wolves at her heals. It was cutting her deeply every time she looked at them and now with being so close she could touch them, it made her chest heavy and heart beat frantically.
The Knights were speechless at her beauty. They were really able to take in her appearance now. Her hair was longer, she was at least a head taller and slightly thinner, though her body was still firm and well formed. Lancelot, Arthur and Tristan, the three that knew her best, were instantly able to see right through her forced scowl. They could see the pain in her black eyes, the distress it brought her having to see them. It was plainly evident that she had been going through just as much turmoil as they had been these past years. It only made them ache all the more.
The Bishop, who still stood protectively behind Arthur, couldn't help but scan her body lustfully. "Who are you?" he asked eyeing her with suspicion and want. He had never seen anything more beautiful and dark in all his days and he couldn't help but wonder how she seemed to know the Knights.
Breena rolled her eyes having read the look. She really didn't have time for this. "I suggest you leave Bishop," she growled sternly knowing it would anger him that a woman, a 'heathen' woman, ordered him around.
And indeed it did. The Bishop eye's widened in surprise before he narrowed a glare at her. Who did she think she was? He was a man of the cloth, of power, of Rome and here some child was ordering him about. Though he had to admire such spirit, he had an overwhelming desire to break. "I asked you a question wench?" he barked back.
The Knights all clenched their jaws as the remaining Woads immediately unsheathed their weapons having heard the man's comment. Breena held up her hand, the Woads instantly stopping in their tracks, before she moved forward to the Knights, Isolde and a now rejoined Kora and Lorna, all next to her with Arwain and the pack standing protectively in front of the four Woad women.
Breena was mere inches from them as her hands clutched her blades tightly while she glared at Arthur. "I highly recommend you leave," she reiterated darkly before she then glared at the Bishop. "And I will talk to you any way I like. This is our," she swung a sword out behind her to where her Woads stood, their chest instantly puffing with pride, "land and we do not tolerate you or your kind," she hissed venomously. "Now go before my warriors forget the Knights are here to protect you. They," she pointed to the Knights, "are the only reason you and your men still live," she snarled bringing one of her still bloody swords eye level and raising an eyebrow to emphasis her point.
Arthur whirled around knowing that the Bishop was about to open his mouth and get himself killed. "Get to the carriage, now!" he ordered sternly, his eyes hard and commanding leaving no room for argument.
The Bishop was slightly taken back by this treatment but shut his mouth as he glared at Author then the Knights who were all staring him down. He fumed as he looked at the Woads then to the woman leader who was staring at him with her demon black eyes with such hate and disgust it left his very soul shivering. Deciding he was the minority, he lifted his chin haughtily and yelled to the surviving Romans' to return to the caravan. He would leave it, for now.
Breena smirked sadistically at the Bishop one last time as he turned and left before she refocused her attention on the Knights. Flashing them a lazy nod indicating they were done, she turned to leave.
Lancelot, who couldn't take his eyes off her, panicked as he realized she was going to leave. He couldn't let her leave again, he wouldn't. "Breena," he addressed frantically as he stepped forward hopping to catch her attention.
Breena froze and clenched her eyes shut as the sound of her name rolling off his tongue sent a wave of warmth down her spine. Growling under her breath for allowing herself to be affected so easily, she whirled around with a forced scowl on her face, "What?" she spat. She couldn't do this, not now.
Lancelot ignored her hostile look and took another step towards her but stopped short when he was met with five snarling faces. "Please don't leave," he pleaded softly, his eyes darting between the snarling faces and Breena's.
Breena for a moment, only a moment, softened as she took in his pleading face. She wanted noting more than to run into his arm, have him hold her and never let go, but as she looked into his face she snapped back to reality remembering it was he who had made her leave. "Go home Lancelot," she ordered with no emotion in her voice.
Galahad stepped forward as well wanting nothing more than to hold Lorna, hell he would settle for an argument with her, he just wanted to talk to her. "Please just talk to us?" he asked pleadingly, his eyes drifting from Breena to Lorna who stood with her arms crossed, her face unreadable.
Breena raised her eyebrows in mock amusement. "Talk to you?" she asked as she looked at the girls who all stood with stony expressions of their faces. "There is nothing to say," she answered firmly as she turned back to the Knights
Arthur decided to take a different approach. "Breena, what has happened here?" he asked calmly while looking around at all the carnage.
Breena just glared at Author, her black eyes boring into his intense green ones so they could convey all the hurt and pain she felt at the moment. "The near end of the Rouges," she replied bitterly disregarding Arthur's wince.
"Who were you looking for?" Gawain asked following Arthur's lead to lure Breena to them.
Breena rolled her eyes seeing right into it. "Enough," she growled finally sheathing her blades. "I don't have the time nor do I wish to discuss this with you, any of you," she stated dryly.
Lancelot felt her words sting. He knew though he deserved this, they all did, for were they not the ones who had treated her the exact same way? "Breena please," he again pleaded.
Breena shook her head unwilling to let it go. It was true when she said she didn't have time for this. She had much bigger things to handle then the Knights at the moment. Using all the strength she could muster, she turned around to the remaining Woads and spoke to them in Gallic. The Knights watched in awe as the warriors bowed and left, obeying wordlessly whatever order she gave them.
Breena watched her warriors leave before she turned to the girls who all nodded at her reassuringly. They were here for her and supported her wholeheartedly. Taking in their strength, she stared at the Knights with an unreadable expression. "I understand the Bishop has your freedom?" she asked surprising them by the sudden question, not to mention knowledge. They all nodded. "Good. Now you can leave," she said snidely using Arthur's words against him. He felt as if she had punched him in the face she sounded so cold.
Tristan's eyes darted to Isolde who finally met his gaze. He attempted to convey all that he felt, all the pain that consumed him, all the love that he still had for her but he was met with was nothing. He knew she was holding back. Her loyalty for Breena was just as strong as his was for Author. He didn't blame her, he admired her. It pained him all the more though knowing that none of them would ever recover from this until the two leaders made amends. Judging by the cold look Breena was flashing them, he didn't know if that would ever happen.
With those words having been said, Breena turned and left without another word, the girls following faithfully behind her, the wolves growling at them one last time before they too turned and followed.
With a laboured sigh, Arthur turned to the others painfully taking in their grim faces as they eyed the now quite forest. Feeling that no words could be uttered to break the unbearable silence, he spun on his heal, sheathed his sword and lead the men back to the Bishop then back to the Fort, each man making lame attempts to try and be happy that they were at least finally receiving their freedom.
Alright, time to lay it on me!