The Other
Chapter 9
The pale light of the sun's rays found Nara early the next morning already awake, sitting with her back rested against one of the many trees that soared high into the air, branches thrust high. Her sword lay across her lap, held loosely in her hand as she took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the brisk, cool, morning air. After a fitful night of sleep she had finally given up and crept from her sleeping roll to find a secluded place to prepare herself for the coming battle.
After slowly moving through her sword pattern to warm her body, and calm her senses with the familiar, she had settled herself on the ground amongst the trees to just enjoy the rising sun. If she was brutally honest, it could be the last morning she would ever do so.
As the pale light grew stronger, and warmer, on her face, Nara finally let out a sigh and opened her eyes to the dawn. With a quite hiss, she slid her sword back into its sheath and stood. Making her way back to camp she saw many stragglers who were yet to rise. Many of the Briton warriors had fallen asleep where they had sat the previous night, fletching material still in hand, or wet-stone carelessly thrown to the ground from fingers limp with sleep.
Those who weren't shaking sleeping companions awake sat studiously packing their belongings away, to await them if they returned from the battlefield. Warriors would only be carrying their chosen weapons today.
Nara found Guinevere next to the dying embers that had been their small fire the night before. She sat settling the arrows she had fletched the night before in her quiver, slinging it over her shoulder as Nara settled on the ground beside her, drawing her bow and quiver to her. The girls sat in silence as their organised their weapons. Nara secured her sword on her back, the hilt within easy reach at her shoulder. Her quiver she secured above it. She contemplated removing a few arrows from it as the quiver looked fit to burst. But with a shrug she let it be, one never new when too many arrows would be needed. She let out a rueful sigh at her thoughts. With a final, decisive move she strung her bow and set it beside her.
Nara met the gaze of Guinevere over the fire pit, a tight smile on her face, as a low whistle pierced through the still morning air. Nara stood, holding a hand out to help haul Gwen to her feet. No words were necessary as they both threw their arms about each other for a brief, and fierce hug. With a friendly push they and light laugh they fell in beside each other as the fell in line with the rest of the warriors who were filtering through the woods to the planned battle front.
Battle plans had been finalised late in the evening the previous night. Gwen would be in command of the archers, Merlin the catapults, and Arthur would be left on his mount. The peasants from Marius' estate had worked tirelessly through the night to organise the final aspect of their plans. Hay had been piled across the open field that bordered the Wall and the gate that stood between them and the Saxon invaders. They sat smoking, obscuring the wall and sky as great pillars of black acrid smoke blew through the air. The aim was to provide cover and cause confusion as soon as the enemy forces passed through the gate. Irrigation ditches had been lined with hay and tar. When the time was right, they would be lit, forcing a split in the enemy ranks. Hopefully general chaos would ensue through their ranks and they would loose their advantage of superior numbers.
Nara and the Britons moved silently through the woods, halting at the edge of the tree line where the ground continued to slope gently downwards to the flat ground where the fires burned. From their place on the crest of the hill Nara could see the train of horsemen and carriages that were headed south, fleeing the invading barbarians. Nara fancied that she could identify Gawain from the other rides, but knew she was fooling herself. Both distance and smoke ruined any chance of her seeing the one man she wished to most before she flung herself into battle. The now familiar ache in her chest at opportunities missed gave a tug. What would her life be like if she threw down her weapons now and chased after him? Asked him if she could travel with him and the other knights? Learn about her mother's heritage?
She gave a snort. Such wishful thinking could only end in heartbreak. Guinevere cast her an odd, sidelong glance.
"Having second thoughts are you?" She queried.
"No, no. I was just wondering if you were cold in that outfit you have on." Nara deflected. Gwen looked down at her leather leggings and tight breast band.
"Well, maybe a little." She said ruefully, before casting an appraising eye over Nara's own clothing. "But at least I wont ruin my clothing with blood." Nara let out a laugh.
"What is wrong with my gear?" She cried, feigning indignation. Gwen cocked her head to the side as she quickly took stock of Nara's clothing. Her hair was kept away from her face, falling down her back in a braid. Tight woollen leggings disappeared into her usual knee length boots. The only real discernable difference from her ordinary clothing style that Gwen could pick was the leather vest she wore over her thigh length tunic. She could see the small links of chain mail sewn down the front of her chest and back. It wasn't as heavy as a full shirt of chain mail however, so Nara was still able to move freely.
"Nothing, just don't expect me to help you scrub blood out of both tunics and leggings when we finish here today." Nara grinned before playfully landing a punch on Guinevere's shoulder. Neither girl was willing to admit how tense they were in light of the impending battle as adrenalin coursed through their bodies. Their distracting banter died away as they caught a glimpse of the waving white flag just beyond the wall. Both shifted their quivers as they stood and watched and waited to see what would be the outcome of the parley as Arthur rode his mount through the gate to meet the Saxon leader.
vvvvvv
The steady beat of drums slowly drifted through the to reach the ears of the knights as they steered their mounts away from the Saxons, their papers of freedom all secured safely. The men rode in silence, oblivious to those around them, their own thoughts their companions. Were they cowards for deserting Arthur on the eve of the greatest challenge they had faced in fifteen long years? They had served the time however, why should they be asked to do more? Arthur certainly didn't expect it of them; they had earned their freedom. But what of the place that they had come to call home over so many years, to leave all that they had built of the Wall behind, to become sullied by the war mongering Saxons? And what of Nara? Thought Gawain morosely. He knew where she stood on this morning, Arthur had told him that much. She fought with the Woads, to protect a land that wasn't even hers. None of the knights could shake off the feeling of cowardice however, no matter the reasoning, as the reverberating sound of the drums grew in crescendo. Their horses threw back their heads, adding their neighing cries to the disaccorded music of the war drums.
As they soothed their mounts, they each shared a glance, a conversation passed without the need of words. No, Arthur would not fight alone on this day.
vvvvvv
Nara and Guinevere ceased their banter, as the air around them grew thick with anticipation. They had seen the figure of Arthur exchange words with the man who was the Saxon leader. They had seen him return to the wall as the harsh cries of the enemy floated over the wall to line up in battle formations. Nara grunted as Gwen elbowed her suddenly in the ribs, gesturing towards the knoll where Arthur sat seated on his horse.
"They came back!" She cried in an excited whisper, as the silhouettes of six riders appeared over the rise to halt their horses beside their leader. Nara felt her heart soar at the sight as both women exchanged a beaming smile. Word of the knights' return spread quickly through the assembled Britons, whispered among the men and women. A renewed sense of purpose spread through the warriors as they adjusted bow, sword and axe. How could they loose with the legendary knights' on their side?
And then there was no more time for distractions, as the large, heavy gate of the Wall was pulled open to invite the enemy to try and take their land.
With a resounding war cry a detachment of Saxons broke free of their ranks, pouring through the gate as both sunlight and fire glinted off the steely edges of their weapons.
Guinevere gave the nod to knock arrow to string.
The Saxons' headlong charge past the wall slowed and faltered as they were confronted with no visible enemy. They slowed their run to a shuffle, their perplexed movements wringing a vicious smile from Nara's lips. It was not until they spotted the knights' on the hill that they began to march forward with purpose, their rhythmic grunts hanging in their air.
Gwen drew back the string of her bow as Nara and the other warriors followed suit. Aiming high into the sky, Gwen let loose her arrow. The twang of hundreds of arrow strings let loose followed hers as arrows soared into the sky, falling as silent death upon the Saxon forces below. The sudden pained cries rang out across the empty space separating Briton and Saxons. Those who realised what were happening quickly huddled under their shields, but it did not stop every arrow from finding a mark.
The ominous sound of thundering hooves sounded next as the knights made their pass, appearing from behind the veil of smoke to strike at the Saxons from every direction before disappearing into the disorienting plumes of smoke once more.
As the Saxons turned their backs to the Britons to follow the retreating Knights, Gwen once again knocked arrow to string. Hundreds of arrows rained down upon the now unprotected backs of the men below. Their cries wrung out once more, as they were mercilessly attacked, unable to see where the next deathblow would come from, delivered by those who wielded axe, sword and bow from horseback so deftly.
Their cries slowly faded as the knights killed the invaders with deadly efficiency. From their position, Nara and Gwen held their bows ready as the creaking groan of the gate sounded, an open invitation for the rest of the Saxon army to come and meet their doom.
vvvvvv
The Knights sat on their horses; breath haggard as they fought to calm the blood pounding in their veins and shaking limbs before the next wave of the enemy was upon them. Gawain had thought he'd seen a glimpse of Nara standing with the Woad archers, but he had been a long way away. He knew that she was somewhere on the battlefield, with Guinevere, but he could distinguish her from the hundreds of other female warriors on the battlefield.
Not being assured of her safety was playing havoc with his mind. He felt torn in two. One half wanted to ride out and meet the Saxon army head on and kill as many invaders as he could. The other part of him wanted to turn his horse and find her, and put her somewhere where he could keep an eye on her, their were so many dangers on battlefield, so many ways to die or be seriously injured. He was well versed in all.
Gawain run a hand down his face, letting out a rough sigh as he flicked his mass of hair over his shoulder and placed his helmet back on his head. Arthur at least seemed to know what he was feeling as he eyed his soldier carefully.
"Women," Arthur stated ruefully with a twisted smile that showed the same turmoil of emotions playing out in their commander's head, "they will destroy us all." Gawain only had time for a quick laugh before the booming sound of war drums began to ring out once more.
vvvvvv
Nara swallowed a nasty taste in her mouth as the main division of the Saxon army flooded through the gate, met by the sight of their fallen comrades.
"That is a lot of Saxons." She whispered to Gwen.
"A lot of smelly Saxons." Gwen corrected, "Just think about it, they would get all hot marching in those ridiculous furs and I bet they never wash them." Nara snorted as both girls looked towards the rise where Merlin stood, overseeing the catapults as they were pulled into position. Once again they took up their bows and arrows as men with torches walked down the row of archers, lighting the arrows as they went. Gwen looked to the rise where the knights stood, waiting for the signal from Arthur. When it came, as one the Britons let loose a hail of burning arrows, as a resounding twang lingered ominously in the air as bowstrings snapped taut. Arrows sailed high into the sky, a smoky trail following in their wake. Shouted orders could be herd from below as the Saxons rallied around one another, raising their shields. Wooden shields could not protect them from the fiery explosion that erupted when flaming arrows met tar however. The Saxon wing was split down the middle as men scrambled away from the wall of flame that blazed.
And then Gwen began the charge of Briton against Saxon. With a swift move Nara unsheathed her sword and slung her bow back on her back, following on Gwen's heels as she charged towards the enemy from the woods.
Nara had lost Gwen within the crowd of clanging, slashing melee of warriors within moments. She heard the pounding of horses' hooves above the din of war, which meant that Arthur was leading the knights against the other Saxon flank but that was all.
A tall, bearded Saxon was her first foe. He swung his axe high above his head, and Nara used the opportunity to quickly duck beneath his defences and sink her sword into his side. Not stopping to think she scanned the mass of writhing bodies, looking for Gwen, which was easier said than done as half of the warriors wore blue paint and had long hair. She caught sight of her thrusting a spear into one man's belly and started towards Gwen, a flash in the corner of her eye had her quickly twisting the other way as an enemy thrust his sword at her belly. The quick twist may have saved her life as she felt the blade glance of the metal links of her armour, narrowly missing the exposed areas of flesh down her sides. Nara quickly brought up her sword to parry his next thrust as she turned to face him fully. He was a strong brute that was for sure, she thought, mild panic sinking in as his next swing at her had her arms vibrating with the force of it. With a quick twist he brought his sword dangerously close to her neck as she stumbled out of the war over another body. She rushed to get her sword up in time to block his next swing, but Bors was already there slicing his blade across the man's throat. With a nod the knight took off again to find more Saxons to kill. It was at that moment that Nara realised that she was probably in way over here head.
I hope you all enjoyed! Happy holidays to all my faithful readers! I'll update soon :D