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CHAPTER 10

The years passed by quickly for Sha'ri, Tristan, Corrin, and their friends.

During their sixth mission for Rome, about three months after the birth of Corrin, the knights lost two of their number. The deaths of Mordred and Agravaine were hard on everyone, especially their brother Percival. Sha'ri had done everything she could but in the end the injuries they had earned were too much and even with all the healing knowledge she had gained over the years of training with her mother, and the last two years working as the main healer for the fort could not help her heal the gravely wounded men.

Percival became depressed and extremely withdrawn from his fellow knights and during their skirmishes with the Woads and smaller bands of Saxons; he would fight as if a man possessed and truly try to get him self killed. He finally succeeded about two years later, and was felled by a poisoned Saxon arrow. Because they were so far from a healer, he was unable to get help in time.

It was after the death of Percival that Sha'ri made major decision; she would take one of the knights and train them in healing so that if the troop were ever too far from help, then there would be someone who could deal with the injuries, at least temporarily. After talking with Arthur and proposing the idea to Tristan and the rest of the knights, the only person to volunteer was Dagonet. Over the years, Sha'ri taught him in earnest and trained him well.

Two years after Sha'ri had given birth to Corrin, Vanora gave birth to a pair of twins, whom went unnamed (for the time being) and called One and Two. Sha'ri on the other hand didn't want to take the chance that she would have another child so soon and began to use an herbal brew that had been passed down threw her mother's family for many, many generations

After the birth of Vanora and Bors' twins, the Terrible Trio joined the knights at the Round Table. Now there were only nine knights left, not including Arthur. However, due to Sha'ri being Tristan's wife, the Fort's healer, (the closest thing to a mother/sister figure as the knights had, besides Vanora,) and her status as a warrior in her own right, as she proved time and again when the wall had been attacked by the Woads, she was granted a seat as well.

So it was that only eleven of the twenty chairs at the Round Table were filled. Over the following years the losses of Kay, Gaheris and Bedivere hit everyone hard. The three men had all died in battle versus the Woads and had died during their sixth year of service to Rome. Though their deaths would never be forgotten, they were over shadowed by the births of the rest of Bors and Vanora's brood, whom they aptly named: Three, Four, Gilly, Six, Seven, and Eight (6, 7, and 8 were triplets), Nine, Ten and Eleven.

Those births were not the only ones to affect the knights. About five years after the birth of Corrin, Sha'ri discovered she was pregnant again and gave birth to a daughter whom they named Ciarraí. Three years after that Sha'ri gave birth to their third and last child, Gaheris, after their fallen 'brother'.

The days had become synonymous with boredom, repetition and of course the knights all grumbling about wanting to go home, or how much they hated Rome.

The knights would spend their days training, or gambling and drinking at the tavern or even playing with Tristan's and Bors' children. If the knights were not doing that then they were planning battles with Arthur, or receiving their next orders from Rome. Sha'ri and Vanora were kept busy by dealing with the running of the tavern, the infirmary, and taking care of their combined children. Who, though there were times when they could be reminiscent of Arthur's Christian Angels, could also channel the Demons that the Church feared.

It was in this atmosphere that the children grew up. Moreover, while it was one filled with danger and with fighting with the Woads and Saxons, it was also one filled with love, and the children learned early on to call their parent's friends 'Uncle' and 'Aunt' (in the cases of Vanora and Sha'ri).

NINE YEARS LATER…

The peace was somewhat shattered one day during the ninth year of their service. It was rare that a day passed where Arthur, Lancelot, Dagonet, Bors, Vanora, Gawain, Galahad, Tristan, and Sha'ri were able to just sit back and relax. However, on this day it was not to be. While the nine adults were enjoying the day, and talking amiably at the tavern they had no clue that an important Roman Official was about to enter the fort.

As they were talking: Corrin (who was now a strapping lad of eight and a half), Ciarraí (a sweet little girl with her mother's hair and nature, and her father's eyes of three and a half), One and Two (mischievous twin boys; age six and a half), Three (a shy girl; age five), and Four (a very opinionated little girl; age three and a half), all came running up to their parents and uncles.

The two youngest, Gaheris (who was only a few months old), and Gilly (a sweet little boy only a year old) were both sitting in the laps of their mothers, just watched their siblings interestedly.

"Uncle Arthur," Corrin panted as he caught his breath, "The watchman told me to tell you that there's a carriage headed this way. He said it looks like some Roman official."

Arthur smiled. "Thank you Corrin," he looked at the knights, "Well, it looks like we may have work yet to do today. Let's prepare to greet this official at the Round Table."

Sha'ri groaned inwardly. 'When will the Romans leave us alone?' she wondered. She then turned to Vanora. "Van would you mind keeping an eye on my three? I'll send Malin over to help?"

Van, who had known what Sha'ri was going to ask, nodded. "You know I will. But do hurry," she paused and added fondly, "I can only handle the little devils for so long."

Sha'ri chuckled and promised she would hurry as she rose from her seat to follow Tristan and the others, who had already left. She handed Gaheris over to Van, who had adjusted Gilly so one arm was holding him, and the other would hold Gaheris. Sha'ri then looked down at Corrin, and told him, "Now you mind your Aunt Van and Malin, and help them with your brother, sister, and your friends, you hear me?"

Corrin nodded and replied, "Yes mother. When will you and father be back?"

Sha'ri thought for a moment and answered, "Most like we'll be back by supper. Stay out of trouble my little Hawk," she gave him a kiss on his brow and turned to Ciarraí and smiled, "that goes to you as well Cia."

Ciarraí nodded and went to follow her brother, their friends, and Vanora. Once Van and the children were out of sight, Sha'ri walked home and changed out of her everyday dress and into her most elegant dress.

If she was going to meet with a Roman Official, then she was damn well going to do her husband and 'brothers' proud. Once she was dressed, Sha'ri washed her face, combed and re-braided her hair, then placed her knives in their leg sheaths. As she was about to walk out the door, Sha'ri called over to Malin, "Malin!"

The sixteen-year-old brunette girl, who Sha'ri and Tristan took in and who helped Sha'ri and Vanora keep herd on the children, walked over and asked, "Yes ma'am?"

Sha'ri gave her a wan smile and said, "I have a meeting with Arthur, Tristan and the knights. Could you please go help Vanora watch the children?"

Feeling she looked presentable enough, Sha'ri left the hut and walked to the meeting hall to take her place at the Round Table.

As usual, Tristan was the first to spot his wife and offered her a slight smile as she walked over to take her place at his side.

"You're just in time my love," he told her quietly as the herald for the Roman Official walked in.

"Announcing, General Giovanni of Tuscany," the herald bawled.

The General walked in and waved the herald away as he approached the Round Table. He looked at Arthur and raised an eyebrow, before he took a seat to Arthur's left. Once Giovanni took his seat, the other followed suit and took their seats as well.

"Welcome to Britain, General," Arthur greeted, "What brings you this far from Rome?"

Giovanni, who suddenly looked tired, replied, "Commander Castus, I was sent by Bishop Patricus to ask for your aide in fighting a host of Saxons attacking the coast …"

"And what is it that Rome asks of us, that they have not already asked before?" Sha'ri spoke up.

Arthur and Tristan both looked at her with stunned looks in their eyes. Giovanni looked at her curiously and asked, "And who might you be, Lady?"

Sha'ri smiled coldly. She hated it when she was not treated as an equal, as she had been accustomed since she joined the Round Table. "My lord, my name is Sha'ri and this," she said gesturing to Tristan, "is my husband Tristan. Before you even say anything I married him before Rome took him and I followed my husband here of my own free will. I have been fighting here with these men, as well as healing their illnesses and injuries, for nigh on ten years now."

"A woman…fighting?" Giovanni scoffed. "That has got to be the most unlikely thing I have ever heard."

Giovanni then turned to Arthur, not noticing the death glare that both Tristan and Sha'ri were sending him. "You allow this woman to fight, Arthur?" he asked.

Arthur arched an eyebrow. "Actually General, when it comes to defending the fort, I do. Sha'ri is a skilled warrior, nearly as skilled as her husband, who is perhaps the best archer and one of the best swordsmen in the world. So I suggest you do not anger her or her husband further by insulting her."

Giovanni then moved so he could get a better look at Sha'ri's face and was shocked at the sight of the anger, loathing and impatience he saw in her eyes. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he replied, "Very well. And to answer your question Lady, Rome wants to be sure that all available troops, including the Sarmatian Knights, were going to be fighting against the Saxons."

Lancelot rolled his eyes. "Of course we're going to be there…"

Arthur shot Lancelot (who at the age of twenty-two, was a little hotheaded) a 'shut-up' look and continued, cutting Lancelot's rant off, "Of course we'll be there. Otherwise, as they know, our freedom would be forfeit."

"Indeed," Giovanni replied. "Now, where am I going to rest? I have been traveling for weeks without a decent bed."

At Arthur's nod, Sha'ri, Tristan, and the others left, leaving Arthur to escort Giovanni to the guest chambers. As they walked out Tristan said, "I am going to the practice field."

"Shall I join you?" Sha'ri smiled.

Tristan took her hand in his, placed a kiss to the back of it, and replied, "As you wish."

Sha'ri watched as Tristan left and headed to the practice field for a moment, then headed to the tavern and sought out Vanora and Malin. As she walked in, she noticed a couple of Roman Centurions hassling a couple of the barmaids. Sha'ri walked over and said, "Lauren, Pauline, I think I heard a couple of your customers over by the bar needing more ale."

Lauren and Pauline looked at Sha'ri and shot her thankful glances. The two girls quickly made their escape. Sha'ri was about to leave when one of the Centurions grabbed her arm, stopping her dead in her tracks.

Sha'ri stayed still and softly, but firmly said, "Release me!"

The centurion just laughed. "I don't think so ducks. You just cost me and my friends our entertainment for the evening."

Sha'ri then turned around. "Do you know who I am?" she said calmly.

The centurion paused in his laughter and took a good long look at her. "No, I can't says I do."

Sha'ri smiled predatorily. "My name is Sha'ri, and I am the Healer here at the Fort. I also happen to be the wife of Sir Tristan. I'm sure you've heard of him," she said innocently.

The centurion and his friends paled. Tales of the bravery and the battles that the Sarmatian Knights had fought over the last nigh on ten years now had most definitely traveled to Rome. However, the stories always mentioned the most deadly of the knights. One was the Silent Scout and the other was a female warrior who was said to be not only a well-trained warrior, but was one of the finest healers on the Isle of Britain. And if this was the same woman, then they did not want to take the chance that they were going to be found in little pieces because they pissed off the wrong Knight and his wife.

The centurion who had grabbed Sha'ri let go of his arm and went back to his table, as did all of his friends. Sha'ri chuckled silently and looked around the tavern. It took her a few minutes, but she finally located Vanora and walked over to where the redhead was pouring more ale at the bar, and holding little Gilly.

"Van!" she called out.

The other woman looked up and smiled. "It's about time. Are you all done with the meeting then?"

Sha'ri nodded. "Yes, but as you can see," she said pointing to her attire, "I am gracing the boys with my presence on the practice field today. Can you and Malin handle the boys for a little longer?"

Nodding, Vanora replied, "Course. But do me a favor," Sha'ri looked at Vanora curiously, "Give me Bors a slap upside his head for me. And tell 'im I love 'im."

Sha'ri smirked and assured Van that she would do as was requested and quickly made her way home to change into her training and fighting attire; which consisted of a pair of breeches, camisole, tunic, and a comfortable pair of boots. Once she was dressed, she took a couple of hairpins and pinned up her braid then headed over to the practice field.

Which was where she found Tristan cleaning and prepping her weapons for her.

As she walked up to Tristan, she noticed Bors about to enter the area with Dagonet and grinned. She had made her best friend a promise after all. She snuck up behind the larger man and quick as a snake she struck and cuffed Bors upside his head.

Bors turned around to see who hit him and say Sha'ri and shook his head. "What'd she want?" he asked knowing that it was Van who had asked Sha'ri to smack him upside the head.

Sha'ri just gave an innocent smile and said, "Van sends her love, and that smack was for leaving her to deal with the kids, alone with only Malin." She then left Bors standing there looking surprised and walked over to Tristan.

"Sweeting," he said using his favorite pet name for her.

Sha'ri smiled and wrapped her arms around Tristan's shoulders and whispered, "Thanks," into his ear.

Tristan's eyes shone with love and desire, as she held onto him and spoke into his ear. Before he knew it, she had him pinned on he ground. Her lips curved in an impish smile. "The usual bet lover?" she said in a decidedly naughty tone.

Tristan closed his eyes and called upon all of his warrior skills to ignore what she was doing to him. As he finally got a handle on his emotions, he answered, "Of course dear heart. Twenty arrow shots and first blood. Loser has to do what the winner asks."

Satisfied with the bet, Sha'ri rose from her position straddling Tristan and grabbed her weapons, which were done being cleaned, and walked into the second arena. As she moved to the center, she called out, "Tristan, will you keep your lady waiting?"

Growling in response to the challenge, he rose from his spot on the ground, grabbed his own weapons, and met Sha'ri in the arena. Both husband and wife moved into position and readied their bows.

Galahad, who had already told Tristan he would count off, and check their arrows, began counting off. At the count of three, both fired their arrows and both hit…dead center. The second shots were fired in rapid succession, and both arrows split the previous occupants of the center of the bulls-eyes. That is until the last arrow was being nocked.

As Tristan prepared to fire the last arrow, out of the corner of his eye he noticed Sha'ri was removing her outer tunic and only wearing her dark green camisole. He tried stoically to ignore the distraction. And unless you could see the look in his eyes, you would assume he was succeeding. He waited until Sha'ri was ready and then fired. His shot was quickly followed by Sha'ri's last shot.

Galahad, self-proclaimed judge walked over and checked both. Grinning, he yelled back at them, "Sha'ri, you won!"

As soon as those words left Galahad's mouth, Tristan strode over, pulled Sha'ri into his embrace, and kissed her passionately, "You wench," he murmured fondly.

Sha'ri laughed and replied, "Whatever it takes, right my love?"

Author's Note:

For those of you who may recognize it, the herbal brew I mentioned was taken from the Jean Auel book series "Earth's Children". This series includes the book, Clan of the Cave Bear, and it is in this book were you can find the first mention of a tea that was used for contraceptive purposes.

And yes, I do know that the line Tristan used, ("As you wish.") came from The Princess Bride. It just so happens that, that movie is among my all time favorites, which include: LOTR, POTC, King Arthur and a select few others.

Also I want to apologize for skipping ahead ten years like that, I figured that it would have been for the best by just showing the early months of the fifteen years service and the birth of Tristan and Sha'ri's first child, then fast forward to one of their major battles.