Thanks Wilted flower for staying with me! The convent thing I knew, I just changed it on a whim at the last minute ! I was just being too lazy to open a dictionnary to find a better suited synonym. Thanks for pointed that out. I am still in redemption mode with this new chapter... Not any good probably...Very Confusing also ! You're going to start thinking I always say that... But it is true... I'm not very happy with this chapter... But no holding back this time! We ought to finish this story. You're all invited to review positively or negatively this chapter and the rest of the stories.
12.
The Puzzle that is a Hun's Mind...
While he listened to Amery as she gave him her side of the story, Tanjin couldn't help thinking that all of this wasn't any of his business. Galahad and him were as close as oil and water. He was smart. Galahad's stupidity could be sing in Hun song, would have said Talika. He had a mental glimpse of his brother's smooth features. Why Galahad would risk his life for a girl like Amery, he had no idea. She smiled at him wickedly. Nope, he had no idea, nor did he care to find out. He had noticed that she was a compulsive liar through and through. Always ready to let out a lie slipped pas her luscious lips.
"Sextus just wanted me to entertain him. Not that I would ever do something like that. I don't entertain men... I'm not like that... But they tease me daily. For fun... Your friends just misinterpreted the situation." She lied easily, smiling fondly at Tanjin. "That's all I know… It's unfortunate for Galahad and Aggravain, really. I was growing rather fond of them."
"You said this as if they were already dead." Melan, said, his voice trembling with emotion.
"If they're not, they probably wish to be. Flavius Sextus is a lunatic man and his men are like wild dogs. Everybody knows better than to cross path with them. What happened this morning was a terrible combination of circumstances? Now can I help you in any way, my lord ? Sure, you must be bored, staying here, doing… Tanjin?"
Tanjin stared blankly ahead.
"I'm bored." Stated the brown-haired boy.
"You're always bored." Muttered Tanjin as he munched on an enormous piece of spicy honey cake, which was resting on his naked stomach. He was laying lazily into a bed of soft and tingly fur, his bare torso and arms shiny with sweat, even if outside the snow formed a bright carpet on the front stairs of the East wing. Oddly enough, the atmoshere was hot and breezy like in the summer. He couldn't remember...
"I can't help it. My mind never takes a rest unlike you lot."
"What does it tell about you anyway?" Asked the twins Bleda and Batur, as they play pretend with wooden swords.
"It made me considerably smarter than you." Stated Talika matter-of-factly, brandishing his new invention, with a grin.
Tanjin lifted an eyebrow at the change of expression.
"If you're that bored, why are you smiling like an idiot?" He asked, as he pushed more honey cake sweat-stained crumbs in his mouth with delectation.
"Because I cannot stop smiling at my own brilliant mind." He bragged as he slipped the leather glove in his hands. He stood and his young brothers all turned toward him.
"Look at this, my dear brothers, this is the future of our army."
Tanjin lifted himself on his elbows. He watched as Talika moved in the center of the room. His tiny fists split the air fast, and each steps with deadly precision. He threw a kick in the air, gracefully. He made a hasty u-turn, catching Batur by surprise as his kicks fell dangerously close to his head. His motions were lightning fast, going from motionless to a sudden burst of power. His Eyes were alert and alive, though concentrated at their task. So, he never once touched Batur, his feet acting only as if he was blowing air on his brother's face. Regardless of his speed, his feet stick to the ground, rendering his motions flawless. Tanjin stood up slowly, enthralled by his brother's demonstration. Talika did a backflip, landing swiftly on his hands like a bird, before rotating again, like a restless monkey. Moving like a thundering wave, he grabbed Batur by his collar, bringing his left fist at eye-level, a thin blade shining in his gloved hand.
Tanjin was as breathless as his brother as he approached them, eyes watching the blade produced by the glove, in awe.
"This is…absolutely…"
"Deadly…" said Talika with a feral grin as he let go of Batur's collar, and the poor boy fell to his knees, feeling like he'd never been so scared in his life. "I know, I am a genius."
"How did you do that ?" Said Tanjin, grabbing his hands to study the blade. He wasn't that phased by the demonstration, because as Attila's progeny, they were all trained to do the same. He was better. Of course... He trained harder than any of them, that was for sure...No uni But the new weapon served a sort of fascination on him.
Talika took out the glove. " It's a simple work of mechanic, following Antilidès precepts on the alchemy of the four elements and a lot geometry variables…put in good use...I simply arranged the..."
When he noticed that he had lost Tanjin since the first greek words, he trailed off, looking at his frail little brother.
"Anyway, I made this one for you, Tanjin."
"You did?" replied Tanjin, his emerauld eyes beaming.
"Yes look, just the size of you girlish fists... The leather has been tanned to be very supple. Your pretty little hands will grow in it. "
Bleda and Batur all looked down jealously at their little brother.
"He can barely lift a sword! It's unfair! Give it to us, Talika?"
Talika shook his head stubbornly.
"Especially as he can't lift a sword to save his life. He needs all the help we can give. That's why he is the youngest..."
"Hey, I can… I so can…lift a sword or anything and beat you all." The youngest protested weakly. "Anyway, Talika said it's mine so shut up you all... I keep it. "
"Don't worry, Tanjin, the youngest. Your big brother will always be there to protect you. "
"I need no protection."
" I made this just in case, I'm busy ruling our clan to prosperity, and you do something stupid like getting your girlish bum into trouble." He said shuffling with Tanjin's hair as he took hold of the gloves like it was some kind of treasure. He was so mesmerized by it, that he didn't catch most of Talika's words. He finally threw himself in the arms of his brother.
"Careful, little girl." Talika huffed good-heartedly, as he embraced Tanjin with a matching intensity...
And the lights went out.
Tanjin blinked once, then twice.
"What's wrong with him?" asked Amery to Melan.
"I don't know… I just… It's like he is trapped in his own mind sometimes."
The sunlights warmed his back while the wind freezes his cheeks and nose. He surveyed the land swiftly. His green eyes gorged themselves of their beauty. The green of Hungary was hidden under a crunchy carpet of snow. The horde spread out on hectares and hectares of land. A thick cloud of black and grey smoke rose to the heaven as the decaying corpses of their enemies turned to ashes. More than a hundred general stood there in charge of thousands and thousand of soldiers on horses.
Tanjin blinked again, as he started to make out the details of the scene.
Talika's horse neighed impatiently beside him. His own mount from hell was shaking nervously. But under the circumstances, he tried his best to stay stoic. He was a soldier now. He was a man… A prince… On this very day, he couldn't appear weak. It would shame his father. It would shame…his clan... He looked up and saw Attila's horse, trotting in front of the first line. One by one, his eldest sons joined him up on the hill. He distinguished among them the familiar faces of Diggizik, Ellac, Rugha, Warwulf. Talika shouted merrily and spurred his horse to join them. Bleda, Batur, Hubris and Sogdhian did the same. Tanjin took the reins slowly and carefully climbed the hill behind them.
Attila raised his hands. The crowd grew silent again. Tanjin lifted his head up high to try to take in as much as he could. Talika pointed in the distance. Tanjin followed his finger, noticing Keda's horse making his way among the soldiers. The spears hit the ground respectfully at his passage. He paused in front of Diggizik, and tilted his head, the latter swerved aside, bending his head down, as did his brothers after him. Tanjin happily drew back his horse. And Keda gave him a faint smile. When Rugha's turn came however, as he was the closest to Attila, he didn't let go gracefully. His grey horse neighed conspicuously, entraving the way of the favourite. Keda drew his sword and pointed a scimitar at his throat. Rugha smiled his most wicked smile, and finally backed down. However, he never gave his brother the satisfaction of bending his head in submission. Keda finally took his place alongside Attila. The King of the Huns drew his royal sword from its scabbard, held it out for Keda, who lifted it slowly in the air. The horde growled with a unique voice, like a pack of wolves. He thought he growled the loudest.
The lights went out…Again...He was lost in darkness...
Tanjin shook his head slowly, trying to tear himself away from his dreams. He stared at the floor covered with snow. Everything was waving before his eyes.
The corridor of the golden citadel of Kharaganda...
The black hangings on the walls rustled under a malicious wind…
His little fingers played on the wall… feeling under their touch the complexity of the mosaic's relief...
A symphony of echoes was filtrated by the heavy wooden doors...
Heavy gates in rich and deep mahogany colours embroidered with sophisticated epic scenes carved on them…
The stirring metallic sounds of the golden knobs…
The scent of candles blowing in the air…
A soft hand on his shoulder…
The room plunged in semi darkness wavered in front of him like in a dream. Her hand bruised his, as they both ran unsure of where to go. Breathless, he felt like he was drowning, balloted from side to side by the rolling waves in the sea… He blinked away tears… Attila's dark hair was unkempt on his shoulder as he rocked back and forth a dead body in his arms. Strands of grey hair concealed the sadness in his eyes… The screams of a woman reverberated against the walls of his mental prison. Again... and Again...
A hand hit his left cheek soundly. Then the world came crashing down around him. He fell backward. Melan screamed. And Amery appeared to be the more stunned of them all. She couldn't believe she just strike Tanjin of all people. Then, she realized it did have an impact on the Hun as he gained back the use of his legs almost immediately. He didn't look at her, as if he didn't remember she just hit him, or worse he didn't remember being there. Finally, he blinked back the rest of his dreams, and turn toward them, his face a mask of concentration. He frowned and appear to finally remember what he was doing there.
"Where to?" he growled.
And young Amery was so surprised that she pointed immediately a left alley, despite having carefully applied herself to lie to them, for the past thirty minutes. He pushed her down the alley.
After leading them through dark alleys after dark alleys, they paused in front of a door build in the inner wall. She glanced at Tanjin curiously, then at Melan. Finally she sighed, and pushed the heavy door herself. They walked outside the inner fortifications of the fort. And minutes after they started walking in the deep white snow, Amery slid on a piece of frozen ice, just in front of Tanjin's feet. Melan arrived to her rescue, but she batted his hands away, and turned, eyes sending daggers toward the Hun.
"You are nothing like the other knights." She huffed.
"I'm glad you finally figured that out." He said as he coldly straddled her, and continued on his way.
"You know what? I don't care what happened to him. You're mean and I don't see why I would help you. Or them for that matter."
"Please…" insisted Melan,
She stood, wiping the snow on her skirts.
"I have nothing to gain here, anyway."
"Galahad loves you."
She paused, looking at him, hands on her hips, eyes strong and challenging.
"How is it my business?"
"Well, It's certainly not mine…"
"Then why…"
"I have nothing better to do… Do you have anything better to do ?"
She sighed, and walked clumsily in the snow.
"I certainly didn't ask him to save me."
"I believe you. He is stupid like that. He is one of Arthur's men after all. They have honour or they believe they have..."
"I still don't understand why you feel concerned 'bout this. You don't strike me as the compassionate knight at all."
Tanjin glanced in direction of Melan, who was following wisely two steps behind. Amery smiled faintly, finally understanding Tanjin's motivations. She paused a minute.
"So, what did you take?"
"Are we going to have a conversation? I must warned you. I'm immuned against all your feminine wiles. Spare your efforts."
She snickered.
" You're funny. Tell me you don't find me the least bit intriguing."
" Believe me, I have enough intrigues here," he said pointed out his head. "… to last me in this life and in the others."
" We're not so different, Tanjin. Is it Roman belladonna, Nightshade, Hemlock, Digitalis? Tell me. I want to know..."
He silenced her, raising his hands in the air. He surveyed the field. He had notice something moving in the corner of his eyes. He walked prudently in its direction. A body was lying in the snow motionless. He ran toward it. It was Aggravain, lying on his back like a snow Angel who unfortunately was thrown out of the heavens. Judging by the thin veil of snow covering him, he hadn't been there for long. Melan crawled on his knees by his side.
"Aggravain…"He called out softly.
Tanjin took out his leather hastily. he cupped Aggravain's pale face in his hands. He expertly spat in his hands and stroke them fast. His palms warmed Aggravain's face enough so that his eyelids fluttered lightly.
"He's alive. But he needs to be warm up. You will go back to the fort with him."
"But..."
"You do as I say..."
Tanjin raised his eyes again. He exchanged his place with Melan, who tried his best to revive the blond knight.
"Where's Galahad?" Wondered Tanjin aloud.
Aggravain started to stir on the ground. He opened his eyes, the blurry figure of Tanjin leaning over him.
"Tanjin... Melan…Is that you?" asked Aggravain, weakly.
"Where's Galahad?"
"I don't…Just…" he shivered lightly. "They took him."
"There's a house in the woods." Amery stated. "I was taking you there, anyway. Come with me, Tanjin. Quick!"
"Can you walk?" Melan asked. Aggravain nodded painfully.
"You have to find Galahad…" He moaned but Tanjin and Amery were already gone.
As they entered the woods, Tanjin stopped running, finding support once again on a tree, as his body suffered another round of muscle spasms. He closed his eyes, and tried to blink black his dreams. Again, he failed.
"Oh no, Tanjin. Not Again! How much did you take, for godsake?"
Tanjin ignored her, his eyes staring blankly at his feet.
"Where are you running to little khan?"
Tanjin froze, recognizing his brother's voice. It was not uncommon to find Keda, in his mother's palace. Rumours had it at the time that Keda had a thing for Ludmilla, his mother's first chambermaid. But then again, Tanjin had never caught them together, so he couldn't say for sure the reason of Keda's presence there. He liked this dream. He could stay here forever, he thought, His feet bare against the mosaic on the floor.
"Nowhere." He replied, breathless as he fumbled to put on his boots.
"You're an awful liar, Tan." Keda said, the corner of his mouth twitching lightly.
"Tanjin!"
Unmistakably, it was the voice of Olivia. An unpleasant feeling wormed its way through his heart as he dreaded the events that will follow. He shared a meaningful look with Keda and his brother's smile widen. Behind the doors, they heard the rustling and the fussing of the delicate material that was her dress. It was coming closer fast. In front of a puzzled Keda, he jumped in an empty jar to hide himself. The doors of his room opened from the inside. Enveloped by the glow of the sunlight, she stood gloriously tan in the winter, dressed in a white gown, and her favourite hermine coat. Her face was absolutely flawless, lips fully red, grey eyes smirked with khol, her hair an oily unruly dark, adorned with gem of emeralds She was just like a mystical apparition for both Keda and Tanjin, who observed the scene through a hole in the pottery. Her eyes settled on his older brother, going from head to toe, not necessarily in that order. She paused staring at his scarred left arm. It was still adorned with the claw, but an endless scar now overshadowed the design. It was an intriguing sight. It capture her attention for several minutes before she let an appreciative smile spread on her lips.
"My lord, I am surprised to find you here so early in the afternoon." She walked slowly toward him, holding her fur around a shoulder with one hand, as she extends the other to him. He blew a kiss on the offered limb, never letting go of her afterwards. She smiled again.
"Shouldn't you be training, riding untamed horses, leading your powerful army, drinking, laughing at your good fortune at being his heir, or do whatever you young princes do daily?"
"I came to visit an old friend."
She appeared genuinely surprised and pleased with the idea.
"Really? I am surprised to say the least. It's been a long time we did not have the pleasure of your company." She smiled.
"And must you continue to do so unfortunately." He replied coldly.
A grim expression chased the smile on her pretty face.
"I will." She answered defensively. "You seem in a hurry, though."
"Indeed I am. I must continue on my way, your highness. I cannot be bothered to be delay, particularly today."
There was a twinge of male pride in his voice. He even seemed amused. She glared back at him resentfully.
"The council…" she whispered.
"Today, The King and I, will decide when we will finally walk on Rome. Gaul is ours now... I can smell the Pope's fear… There will be carnages and bloodsheds…I must rest till I can." The word itself sent a chill through her spine. She flinched slightly. He continued. " Suppose I can snatch your chambermaid away for a few hours."
"As the High Queen of the Huns, I have many chambermaids, Son." She said, with a patronizing voice, even if he was superior to her by all standards, especially the criterion of age.
"And I've tried them all…I'm not picky." He taunted.
"Whoring! I should have guessed. What a royal activity, my lord ! "She snapped back, stepping aside immediately.
"You should know. You, who serve my father so well."
"I don't suppose you are jealous of your father as he happens to share whatever is his with you."
"I am not, your Highness. But I came to dislike the crumbs. I want the whole bread. I want Rome."
"Slow down, Keda. You're not the King yet."
"I will be and remember I will take what is rightfully mine."
"It's certainly not in the arm of a Chambermaid, you will find it."
"I know exactly where to start searching, your Highness. You, on the other hand… Did you happen to lose something recently, aside from your integrity?"
Her mouth gasped in utter astonishment. The nerve of him! The nerve of that man! She almost growled in frustration as she forced him to let go of her hand.
"Where is he?"
"Running from you… Like always…"
"How would you know? You're never here. You and your bloody campaigns… You're just like your father…Bloodthirsty…Greedy…"
"I didn't remember it being such a bother to you before."
"I lied. I faked…That's what, we, women do, when you big boys go play war, showing your shiny new swords to your evil and ugly neighbours…"
"I recall again a certain roman princess plotting the death of her own father, carving her way to the throne, claiming the ownership of two of the largest roman provinces in the name of her husband, leaving a bloody trail behind her by doing so. Pax Romana, they said… They didn't know you… I am nothing but a soldier…You, on the other hand…"
" Stop now… Where's my child?"
"Why don't you give him some rest?"
"Why don't you mind your damn royal business? He is all I have, now."
"Is it what you really think?"
She froze, her eyes staring blankly ahead. Somewhere in the middle of their dispute, Tanjin appeared out of nowhere.
"Tanjin?" She breathed, her voice softening upon seeing him. Staring down at Attila's favourite son, her eyes seethed with rage. How dare he put her deliberately in such a compromising situation !
"Oh, love, I was…searching for you… Come to me, my child."
"No, Tanjin, go play with Talika!" Keda said.
Tanjin climbed out of the pot, looking utterly confused. His gaze travelled from his Mother to Keda and back and forth.
"Come, Tanjin, it's time for your bath. You will see your brothers later." She said with determination in her voice.
"Go play with him !"
She glared at Keda with something akin to feral animosity.
"Tanjin!" she called out. Keda turned toward him.
"Go now! Tanjin, that's an order!"
Facing Tanjin, he didn't see coming the palm of her hand, as it connected soundly with his cheek.
"How dare you! How dare you! I hate you! I hate looking at you… He is my child! He is mine… Mine alone! Don't !" she screamed, out of control.
He grabbed her hands in one hand, and her neck in the other and pushed her against the door. She moaned in pain, and khol smeared her tears streaked cheek.
"Mother!"
Face contorted with anger, Keda growled low in his throat.
"I said Go! Now!"
Tanjin wiped his tears on his sleeves, utterly divided between the two unable to move. How did such a nice dream go from beautiful to everything being ugly and messed up! It was the question that could sum so perfectly his life. Oddly, he didn't remember the events played out that way…It wasn't as neat and as insignificant an argument as he used to be in his memory. He had to intervene, tell them to stop. Tell them, it was his fault and that he was sorry. Olivia's face softened.
"It's alright, Tanjin. You heard your brother. You heard his Khan… You can go now."
She shrugged herself free out of the Prince's hands, and stood, draped in her dignity.
"Mother…"
"Go, love. Have fun with the boys… And don't get too sweaty."
She smiled reassuringly. Keda avoided his stare.
Tanjin made his way quickly toward the corridors and the garden. He hid behind a large column, incapable of going further. Panic clutched his heart as her persistent screams echoes against the walls. In the garden, everything became blindingly white.
"Tanjin! Tanjin! It's a dream… It's just a dream."
Amery shook his shoulder, trying to wake him out of his stupor. Tanjin gasped, blinking.
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine. It's out of norm. How much did you take?" She muttered, grabbing snow, with her bare hands to wash his face with it.
"Galahad…We…" He pushed away her hands.
"We will not do a good job of saving him if you have another seizure and we get ourselves killed."
He batted her hands away, standing proudly.
"Stop fussing in my head, woman!"
"I bet they don't even know what you've been doing behind their back." She said.
"Why are you talking so much, woman!" He barked again.
"What do you think will happen, when there will be none left."
He stopped, looking straight into her eyes, annoyed. Amery didn't flinch.
"It's this way. We're not stopping anymore. It's a matter of time for Galahad. It's freezing here."
"I thought you didn't care…"
"I still don't. I Don't! God, you are insufferable! "She fumed.
Droplets of water hit the cemented ground in a resounding splash. The last light of the sun shone through the broken roman windows. Galahad gasped loudly as he woke up with a start. His eyes fluttered opened lazily, and he gasped a second time, when he realized the room was wavering before his eyes. Wavering upside down…He screamed.
The wooden house stood shakily in the middle of a clearing. Amery took his hand, leading him begrudgingly around the corner of the house. She paused, showing him a window. She put a finger on his lips. Tanjin didn't ask her how she knew it was there, and she didn't comment on it. He simply kneeled in front of her enabling the young girl to climb on his hands, and stand at eye level with the broken window. She wiped the edge of the window clean of snow, and it rained on Tanjin's back, who struggle to keep her steady. It looked like a hunter house, the ground was cemented, but the furniture was sparse. Two benches and a taple stood in a corner, a wooden trunk next to the door. Weapons scattered this and there out of reach for Galahad. On the walls, hangings for the game were empty. She finally jumped down.
"They left him all alone. They tied him up like a pig, the animals!" she shouted with indignation. Tanjin grinned wolfishly, his eyes filled with malice.
"I see… You stay put. I'm going to save my brother."
His smile made her blood ran cold in her veins. She watched him turn the corner, and waited hesitantly.
Galahad closed his eyes again, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. The cold wind blew over his wet face, sending a chill through his spine. His body turned around slowly and he noticed for the first time the door was slightly ajar.
"Help me! Help me! Help! Please!" He Begged.
He saw the door move slightly aside and he closed his eyes, exhausted. When he opened his eyes again, a pair of non-roman leather boots faced him, their legs covered with snowflakes. He moved his body on instinct, as he tried to gain back some sensation in his fingers.
"Don't beg, Sarmatian. it makes you look vulnerable and desperate." Muttered a very amused Tanjin. "You're not desperate, are you?"
Slowly the other man crouched in front of him, in order to look into his eyes. An evil shade of dark green eyes met a terrified set of baby blue one… Sharp yellowish canines gleamed in the dark, smirking devilishly at Galahad.
"At the same time, I "kinda" like the sound of your voice when you beg. That's exactly the sort of sounds I like to hear! "
Galahad almost chocked on his tongue in fear, before filling the dark room with his screams.
Hearing his cries, Amery burst through the door open and Tanjin burst into laughter. Galahad's voice died down immediately.
"What are you doing to him, Tanjin?"
Tanjin turned to face her.
"So you care, after all? See, we're not so alike." He slurred, completely intoxicated.
He climbed on the table, jumped nimbly grabbing the beamer and started to untie Galahad's feet.
"It's going to hurt Galahad, my friend." He said.
"No…"
His protest was halted as his body crashed on the ground. He doubled over on the floor, the pain being almost too much for him. Amery leaned over him, trying to tend his fresh scars the best she could with the tissue of her skirts. She glared back at Tanjin who was still balancing his body playfully on the beamer.
"Galahad, are you alright?"
"I didn't want them to bother you. I'm sorry… Aggravain…"
"Is alright…"
"I failed you… "
"Shh….Nonsense…You save me. They didn't bother me after you went after them." She said softly. "You're brave like a legion of men, Galahad. I can never tell you how indebted to you, I feel. " She looked at Tanjin in the corner of her eyes. The Prince Hun snorted.
" However, you certainly didn't save her virtue. It was gone years ago... She's just that kind of girl."
Galahad glared at him. But don't worry, you have indeed quite a few achievements to be proud of Galahad. You got Aggravain almost killed. You got beaten like a dog by a pair of Roman idiots. You dared disrupt me on my quiet time. I still got no violence out of it. Not a bad day! I say. You owe me tremendously for your weakness and your stupidity. You better remember it, Sarmatian. I will collect my due one day."
Galahad gritted his teeth in pain as he tried to raise himself. Amery leaned again to help him. But Tanjin drew her aside. He grabbed Galahad's arm and lifted him up roughly. Still Galahad emitted no sound but a painful gasp.
"I will repay this courtesy of yours, Prince Hun. I promise."
"Good. It's all I ever wanted to hear." He said with a haughty grin. His eyes darkened faintly as he took a last look at Galahad's cage.
Tanjin paused.
"It's not going to hurt for long, mother."
The knights's horses entered the courtyard of the garrison, minutes before Melan and Aggravain. Lancelot dismounted the first, glad to be home. He could not believe they survived the odds and made it back alive. He spotted the first the two young boys, and he shrugged Arthur's shoulder behind him.
"What happened?" He shouted to Melan, who was trying to support the best he could Aggravain's almost dead weight. Gawain dismounted, his heart beating in his chest. He almost fell in his attempt to reach them both.
"Aggravain? My brother?"
"He…. Is okay…" Melan assured. Gawain grabbed his brother's other arm, helping Melan. "He passed out again on our way here..."
Melan tried to catch his breath, hands on his knees. But he knew he was left with the difficult task of having to explain the whole story. " It all started…with Amery….She was there…They tried to defend her…but then… soldiers… And I went to Tanjin, and he said he didn't care… I had to convince him. And…then he…said he would come. Then Amery…told us they were dead… Then Tanjin was sick. Then we found Aggravain… "
"Where's Galahad and Tanjin now?" asked their Arthur impatiently, not sure he like or even understood the turn of events described by Melan. The brunet shook his head confused. Arthur was going to ask again when Tristan pointed out three silhouettes far away.
"I think they are coming. The three seemed fine enough. They're all walking."
Startling his fellow knights, Lancelot started to laugh.
"You leave them here, so that they don't get themselves killed. And they still manage to find trouble. I say Arthur your god has a bloody sense of humour. I like him." He patted Arthur on his shoulder and walked toward Tanjin, Galahad, and Amery.
A week later, the incident had been almost forgotten for some. Outside the weather was mild, the temperature low. The wind whistled softly against the windows. Little snowflakes fell languidly on the roofs. But the tavern was uncharacteristically warm and the atmosphere cheerful. Aggravain was back to play pranks with Gawain. Braden was back to smelling bad. Tristan was back to his observations, Duncan to his torment. Galahad was back to kissing the ground Amery walked on. Amery was back to being flirtatious with them all but Galahad. She was presently warming Lancelot's lap.
However, from time to time, Galahad's baby blue eyes would appeared weary and sad. He would look at Tanjin with a mixture of morbid fascination and fear. Aggravain would pause every time a roman soldier would enter the tavern. His brother would unconsciously hug him, or shuffle his hair tenderly, reminding himself that they were both alive. Melan would pat on Tanjin's shoulder once so often. He would feel a burst of pride when Tanjin would respond to his touch with a friendly smile. Unbeknownst to them all, Tanjin would not smile at Melan but at his life, which was rolling before his eyes like a bloody wet dream. Life was back to normal. They were still stuck on this island. Most of them still hated each other with a vengeance. Some were still wary of others. Eyes were still nostalgic or mournful. Behind the laughter, you could hear the sad complaint…from men deprived of their freedom. But they were in this together…
Arthur welcomed the warmth of the Tavern. Vanora, hands full of a crying baby handed him a mug filled with hot wine before chasing after a five-year old red haired, Bors's oldest bastard, who refused to go to bed. The others were watching in awe, even Tristan, as Blaez spat a mist of fermented alcohol into a small cloud of flame.
Arthur drew a chair for himself to sit next to his best friend. Lancelot pinched the bottom of Amery on his lap, and she yelped in pain. She turned toward him, pinching her luscious pink lips together.
"You, Mean Knight! You hurt my 'tenderest' part! I should go with my saviour. Sir Galahad is worth more than all of you!" She claimed, hands on her hips, before she sat boldly in the arms of the thirteen years old. Galahad couldn't look happier even if he tried. Since the incident, he was determined make Amery see him as a man. She kissed his cheek soundly sparing a glance in the corner of her eyes, to see if Tanjin was looking. But, she had no such lust, as the prince was lost in thoughts and dreams, eyes staring blandly, grinning madly. She put a hasty end to their kiss and got back to drinking ale, watching Blaez.
Lancelot smiled at Amery, eyes filled with mischief. She was happy that Galahad got his mood lift up a notch.
"You, here." He whispered to Arthur. " Does that mean that you quit travelling the path of martyrdom?"
" I thought I could take a rest for one night."
" That's a great move, Arthur. Because the ale is good, the wine is not bitter, and the company is a delight tonight."
Arthur smiled in turn and raised his mug of wine. He surveyed the place, satisfied that everybody was enjoying merrily Blaez's representation. Arthur glanced at Galahad, raising an eyebrow as he witnessed another clumsy kiss between him and Amery.
"Things have changed…"
Lancelot snickered.
"You think? It's bloody winter outside. Yet, it's uncommonly warm in here."
Tanjin's chair suddenly scraped the ground, catching their attention for a while. Duncan was helping the Hun sitting down as he seemed too drunk to stand on his two feet.
"Things have definitely changed." Lancelot said, eyes staring back at the young couple who kissed with a youthful enthusiasm. Arthur nodded, amused.
"Seems like Galahad is getting his bed warm tonight."
"Oh Arthur, you almost surprised me with this thought. Any news from that sneaky rat?"
Arthur didn't need any further explanation to understand Lancelot's reference to the the leader of the brutes who assaulted Galahad and Aggravain.
"Three other soldiers and him have not reported back to their chain of commandment for a week now. Tiberius has issued an order of arrest."
"Bollocks… Like he really will take measures against them…"
"Lancelot…"
"If you truly believe so...Perhaps, Flavius is hiding because he knows what will happen if he and his dogs ever come back." Lancelot replied, his expression suddenly darker.
Arthur nodded, thoughtful. He glanced at Tanjin, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes, at his odd behaviour. Oblivious to his change of mood, Lancelot continued.
"You have to give him some credits. He is full of surprises. They all are... " Lancelot snorted.
Suddenly, the door of the Tavern burst open, revealing the commander of the roman garrison, Tiberius Cicero and his men, wearing their armour.
"Or What now!"
The knights stood up as one, their chairs scraping noisily on the floor. Ignoring the obvious danger, the man quickly crossed the distance separating them, his men in tow. Tiberius Cicero was the youngest Primus Pilus in the whole island. He was only five years senior to Arthur. Son of a general, he was known to be a pretty reasonable man. He had on under his command a total of eight hundred men, which included the Centurion Flavius Sextus and his friends... His facial expression was grave when he stood before Arthur.
"What brings you here, Tiberius?" asked Arthur.
Tiberius sighed.
"I received news that they found the bodies of Sextus, Icarus and Livius. The three of them were found dead. They've been dead for a long time now, their corpses rotting away in the woods."
Arthur frowned.
"In view of the prejudices you faced, following their disgraceful behaviour, I was prepared to apply the common law against them, if they had reported back. I was prepared to punish them. I don't encourage violence of even disobedience among my men. I did not take lightly what they did to your knights."
"What are you to tell me, Tiberius?"
" They've been savagely killed Arthur. And I have reasons to believe that the perpetrator of theses acts is among this crowd."
The knights started to protest vehemently. Tiberius ignored them.
"Reasons?"
"A witness."
Arthur frowned.
"Allow me to take away the culprit so he can face an honest trial."
Arthur turned to Lancelot.
"Is there something you need to tell me, Lancelot?"
"As much as I would love to take credits for the deaths of these animals, I can't..."
Arthur looked then at all of them. And to be fair, they all looked guilty. Galahad held Amery's hand tight. Gawain stood by his brother protectively. Callan and Andreas exchanged knowing looks. Bors, Braden and Dagonet stood, arms crossed over their solid chest, their eyes challenging. Tristan was cutting slices of his apple with too much dedication. Duncan was standing before Tanjin defensively. The Hun was finishing his ale, making a disgusted face at the taste. Blaez still held his tiny torch in his hands, threatening. Everyone of them looked guilty at charge. He sighed defeated.
"What proof I have that he will indeed face a fair trial?"
"I will personally see to it."
"Who are your witness accusing?"
Arthur closed his eyes because very predictably he knew what was going to happen. Tiberius didn't disappoint him as he held his hands up for his men to spur into actions. Two soldiers walked to the end of the table, before Galahad, Aggravain, Gawain, Duncan and the Hun Prince… Not one of them looked like they had a clear conscious, except maybe for Tanjin… who didn't care either way… Unfortunately.
" Arthur, don't let them do that." Lancelot whispered, gritting his teeth in anger.
But Arthur didn't move. Tiberius stood before Galahad, and the young boy looked down toward the floor.
"Tanjin, Son of Attila and Olivia Solitius of Rome. You are accused of multiples murders. I abide you, in observation of the Roman law, to follow me and my men without opposing any resistance."
Tanjin raised his eyes at the mention of his father and mother's name.
"My mother was not "of Rome"." He simply stated coldly. "She was a Hun, soldier. A Hun."
"In case, you should not comply to this order. I will not hesitate to have recourse to violence."
"It will be not necessary, Tiberius." Intervened Arthur. "Tanjin will follow you. More importantly, his comrades will let you take him."
He pivoted to Lancelot who was holding an Amphora of Ale.
"They will let you… Nobody's going to get hurt tonight." Lancelot glared at his friend, throwing the amphora on the ground, which broke in tiny pieces and splattered its content on the ground. He threw a dejected look in Arthur's direction, looking very disapointed.
Tanjin snickered softly.
" All these roman blood… spilling into the frozen and sterile ground… What a waste…" He slurred, looking wasted. "Take me away. Kill me. Do whatever you want with me... But please…"He stood. " Don't you dare summon Roman law in my face… I might react badly, never know what could happen…Lots of blood could be spilled...Again..."
"Come with us."
Two more soldiers approached.
"Arthur!" asked Blaez. "You cannot be serious! Don't touch him, you scum!" as he stepped in front of Duncan and Tanjin.
Though he still hated Tanjin with a passion renewed fervently each day, he could not let the roman take away another fellow knights.
"Blaez, Duncan, step aside. That's an order!"
Tanjin stood, holding out his hands, with a haughty behaviour.
"I'm waiting, Roman… Don't make me wait! I might kill more of you…"
With a metallic sound, the two soldiers closed the shackles around his ankles and his fists. His eyes blurred by the shadows of his dreams, Tanjin smiled at his brothers in arms.