CHAPTER 12
"To Sarmatia!"
"To Freedom!"
"To us!"
The seven knights toasted to one another, drops of ale spilling from the brims of their cups as they did so. Guinevere sat a table away from the knights, carrying on a conversation with the local women. Only days after they had safely escorted Alecto to the Bishop, they had set off on another jouney. Though, this was a journey that they all were looking forward to: the journey home.
It was the second month of their travels, and they were nearing the shores of the sea. They would need to travel across on a voyage that would take a month and then ride for two more months on horseback before they would be home. But such a journey, compared to the 15 years of knightly service that each of them had endured, was a very short trip indeed.
Bors exhaled contentedly as he placed the cup on the table, patting his satisfied belly. "I've never felt more alive in 15 years than I do now."
"I agree." Dagonet nodded to his brother, calling the waitress over for more drinks.
"I wonder what home will be like?" Gawain sighed, becoming lost in his thoughts as he sat back on his seat. "Many things change even after one year."
"But truly, let us hope that the women have become more beautiful!" Lancelot piped in, grinning, causing the other men to burst out laughing in agreement.
"After 15 years? I think I'll welcome any Sarmatian woman in my arms!" Arthur joined in the jest, receiving a devilish look from Guinevere. He smiled back at her in good nature, taking her hand in his.
Tristan merely grunted as he stood. "All this talk makes me hungry."
Out of all the talkative and jovial knights, Galahad was the only one that remained silent, drinking his ale without much response. He seemed as though he was in a daze, his eyes fixated on his cup and nothing else. The thought of home lifted the heavy weight from his heart, but at the same time, he knew that going home would most likely slay the chances of ever seeing Lourdes once more. She would not be familiar with the lands - and not even that - they both did not know where the other one was! How in the world would they ever find one another, especially throughout these turbulent times?
Galahad chastised himself for being so...emotional! This was certainly not like him, especially not upon the subject of women. He knew of his lifestyle and he knew the length of his service; being attached to women was just out of the question, unless one wanted to endure heartache. As he saw with his fellow knights, it is not only about wearing armour to protect your body - it is also about wearing armour to protect your heart.
True, one could be happy if they procure what one desires, but such happiness does not last, for there will always be some part of you that will be so afraid to lose it. And what would happen if you did lose it? More pain - pain that could have been prevented in the first place.
A plate of food appeared in front of Galahad, and a gentle shake brought him back to reality. He looked to his side, seeing Tristan taking a seat beside him.
"You're quieter than I am nowadays." Tristan began, placing another cup of ale in front of Galahad. "Now that is a sure sign that there is something the matter with you."
"You know me too well, my friend." Galahad managed a smile, taking a bite of a piece of bread.
"We are free men now, and you look like you have come from a funeral." his friend commented, shaking his head lightly at Galahad's unusual disposition.
"It's just hard to explain..." began the young knight, exasperated.
"Try me." smirked Tristan as if in a challenge, giving Galahad his full attention. "And if it is a foolish reason, I will not think any less of you." he twisted his mouth in indecision. "Maybe."
"The prospect of leaving Britannia and going back to Sarmatia..."
"...is the best thing that has happened in 15 years?"
"Well, yes, but..."
"There is a 'but'?"
Galahad sighed, trying to find the right words. "Just leaving people behind, tis..."
Tristan heaved out a sigh, his instinct proving him right once more. "If it is about the girl, I understand."
"I just think of myself as so foolish." scoffed Galahad, shaking his head at himself. He played with the empty cup in his hand, barely looking up to meet his friend's eyes.
"Caring for someone is not foolish." Tristan stated with conviction, pointing an index finger at his friend. "Believing that you will never cross paths once more is."
"Tristan, you do not actually believe that..."
"Actually, I do." the knight interjected, ruffling Galahad's curly hair. "They say that if something is in the stars, then it is in the stars."
Suddenly, Galahad burst out laughing, patting his friend on the back. "Alright, who are you, and what have you done with the true Tristan?"
"The ale has got 'im." Tristan twisted his lips as he brought the cup to his mouth, blinking once. "But I am serious, my friend. If your heart is set on her, then so be it. But just remember that there are many more women out there that would kill for a glance from you. Like that woman staring at you over there by the bar." he shrugged, taking another sip of his drink. "But in the end, it is your choice."
t t t
It has been nearly ten months since Lourdes had parted ways with Arthur and his knights. For her, it became ten months of adjusting to an immensely different lifestyle, adapting to new customs and becoming one with the peoples of the woods. By this time, Lourdes was fluent in the Woadian language and had improved her fighting skills immensely - thanks, of course, to her friend Aiden and Merlin and, not to mention, the hours upon hours of practice. For once in many months, she finally felt at home, surrounded by amiable people who respected her for who she was but also welcomed and treated her as one of their own.
She had been so content in her new environment that she had almost forgotten her real purpose. What it was, truly, she didn't know exactly, but she knew that it would involve returning to Shino and making the wrongs right. She knew it would be a dream to stay with the Woads forever, and even more of a dream to see Arthur and his knights again, but Lourdes never gave up hope. She prayed that the Saxon incursions would end, that they would be driven back to their lands, and that peace would once again return to Britannia, Sarmatia and of course, Shino. That day would not be today, but she would never lose faith.
Her feeling of permanency and peace did not last long. Only a fortnight ago, Merlin bestowed upon her the knews that she would be leaving for Shino. The Saxons had been pillaging Woadian lands, creeping further and further south, and Merlin feared that it would not be long until they would also find Lourdes. She understood the predicament and the reasoning behind her leaving. Though, Lourdes was not fully saddened by her circumstances.
For one, Merlin and Aiden were only a couple of the Woads that would be travelling with her. And two, they would be passing Sarmatia on the way to her homeland. A flicker of hope lighted within Lourdes, and the prospect of seeing Arthur and his knights, especially Galahad and Lancelot, filled her with hope and strength to journey onwards.
"I do not think I will journey on water for a very long time." Aiden commented as he jumped out of the boat, holding it steady for Lourdes. "I do not like this queasy feeling in my stomach."
"I agree." she grimaced, taking his hand as she followed his lead.
The group had travelled across the sea in large boats, able to take a few horses with them. This made the journey easier, for finding wild horses and taming them for their journey would take much effort. Also, they were able to bring more belongings and provisions, making their travels much more comfortable.
Their previous journey had taken a few months, first riding to the east, then crossing the sea to the continent for another couple of months. This journey would have taken its toll greatly on Lourdes if she had not been filled with so much hope and determination. She constantly held the medallion around her neck, replaying the night that Merlin had given it to her.
Flashback
"How is my young warrior?"
Smiling, Lourdes looked up to the sound of Merlin's soothing voice, embracing the old Woad as he strolled to her side. "Becoming better, I hope!"
She placed her sword gently on the ground, following Merlin as he motioned for her to sit beside him on a group of boulders. She rested her elbows on her knees as the Woad leaned his staff to his side, taking something out of his pocket. Lourdes eyed his gestures curiously, but did not speak.
"This," he began, holding out a golden medallion by its chain, "was your mother's."
Lourdes gulped, her eyes brimming with tears but also shining in wonder. She brushed her hair to the side as Merlin carefully placed the chain around her neck, locking it. Looking down, she examined the intricate carvings and pictures on the surfaces of the medallion, thinking about how her mother had once worn the jewel.
"When you were given to me to protect, your mother gave me this for safekeeping. She instructed for me to give this medallion to you when you were ready." Merlin smiled softly in remembrance of the day, placing his hands on her shoulders. "This will bring you safe journey within the Shinodian lands. Guard it with your life."
End Flashback
Lourdes then turned her gaze to Merlin, surveying the Woad as he gave commands to the other travellers. She had not known him for very long, and yet, he had played such a great part in her life. Truly, without his aid, she may be dead right now, slain by a Saxon blade - or even worse, by a Shinodian blade. For this, she made sure to pay her respects to him, to thank him daily for everything that he has done for her and continues to do for her. He was truly a guardian, his reputation only tarnished by the rumours of enemies, spreading lies about the evil actions of the Woadian peoples. Yet, they were only fighting for what was theirs, to keep their homes and not be subdued and enslaved by foreign rulers. Lourdes understood this injustice well, experiencing it now for herself.
Mindful of their whereabouts, the travellers took the way just outside of the trails, careful of Saxon groups and even other hostile tribal groups in the area. Merlin guided the way, as he seemed familiar with many distant lands, travelling for most of his life. They were thankful that their journey had been filled with good luck, barely encountering any bandits and participating in any skirmishes with peoples that they had met on the way.
"In a few weeks, we shall be in Sarmatia."
Lourdes' heart jumped at Merlin's statement. He walked to her side, placing a strong hand on her shoulder.
"Will we stay there long?" she said hopefully, her twinkling eyes meeting his.
"You long to see Arthur and his knights." he replied knowingly, though his voice was lined with sadness. "My dear, we have to be careful about showing ourselves to anyone in these lands. Especially you."
Lourdes knew it was not the time to argue, especially when the band was tired and irritable, all because she had to return to Shino. In response, she nodded in a melancholy manner. "I understand."
Merlin frowned, rubbing her back in comfort. "We rest for a few hours, then we must journey onwards."
Nodding once more, Lourdes turned to help Aiden and the rest of the Woadian peoples unload their belongings. She looked about at the shore before her, scanning the horizon in the distance. Britain seemed so far now, only a fleeting memory. She had spent all her life on that land; and now, she knew it would be many months, even years, before she would ever see it again. And of her Woadian parents - would she ever see them again?
"I must say, it feels nice to have some change of scenery." Aiden piped up, squinting as the sun shone on his face. "I wonder what sort of land Sarmatia will be?"
"I heard it was beautiful." Lourdes said softly in response, remembering the countless stories that Galahad had once told her. "I long to see it. Very much."
"And your knight, I suppose?"
She shot the smirking Aiden a fierce look. "Sarmatia is large. The chances of actually seeing...my knight...or any one of them, for that matter, is quite little."
"Why do you speak like so, different one?" Aiden wrapped an arm around her shoulder, ruffling her hair. "You must always have hope."