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Chapter 14
Myrrah tossed her head nervously, her mane blowing in the wind. Akira barely noticed. She watched the knights ride away into the smoke coming from the fires the townsfolk had lit.
She didn't feel anything. This was their choice, this was what they wanted, she couldn't change that. But she wished she could.
Arthur, sitting astride a black stallion beside her, turned to look at her.
« Why did you stay? »
Akira smiled before answering. « I heard a lot of things from Vanora when I came to visit, Arthur. My brother died protecting you. I'm not about to ride off and leave you to die. I won't let my brother's death be in vain. » Her smile broke into a grin. « Plus I couldn't let Guinevere fight an entire war without someone to bandage her up afterwards. You've chosen an extremely reckless woman to marry, Arthur. »
If Arthur was surprised that she knew this, he didn't show it.
A yell from below them interrupted their conversation. Akira and Arthur looked down to see Bors, saluting Arthur. When he'd stopped, Arthur hesitated an instant, them raised his sword and returned the salute. Akira watched the knights ride away, watching one of them in particular.
Tristan seemed to feel her gaze on him. He turned in his saddle and looked straight back up at her. They kept eye contact for an instant, them Tristan nodded and turned away. Akira was aware of a vague feeling of loss. She shook it off almost immediately, and turned Myrrah back to face the Wall through which the Saxons would shortly emerge.
Arthur's armor clinked as he turned with her. She wasn't wearing armour, not even a mail shirt. She was covered instead in leather of a deep brown colour, with her hair bound up by a black scarf, and another thin layer of black cloth covered the bottom half of her face, obscuring her features. Only her eyes were visible. She was dressed as an assassin.
Tristan watched with the other knights as Bors came back. Why had he done that? What would it change? Arthur would die that day, as well as Akira. They were doomed. Why couldn't they see that? Why had they stayed when both only wished to reach their home?
A sudden movement from his mount brought him out of his musings. All five of the knights mounts had shied at the distant sound of drums. Saxon drums. Tristan exchanged glances with the remaining five. Dagonet was still resting.
The scout turned to his hawk, who looked back at him inquisitively until he spoke.
« Hey... You're free. » He launched the bird into the air, only to see it speed back towards the battle. He smiled ruefully, dismounted and removed his armour from the nearest wagon. The other knights joined him quickly, tying on the armour they had grown to know so well over the last fifteen years. Galahad grinned.
« It was almost predictable it was going to end like this. »
Oh, sod it... Here's the very short next chapter, I'll try to make the next one much longer. I'm not inspired and I need to rethink the ending a bit. Will post the next chappies as soon as poss. V. sorry to all you wonderful people who have reviewed my fic. Oh, and flame if you like. It doesn't bother me anymore.
Carly