The Fort – Chapter 21

Amelia and Tristan sat on the horizon in silence looking at the fort in the distance. It was much smaller than what they were used to It seemed to Amelia to only hold up to sixty people at maximum, a very low capacity for the Romans at least.

"What information do we need from here Tristan?" She asked the scout.

"We only need to know if there has been any Saxon movement in these parts." Amelia nodded. Over the course of the journey to the fort the scout had placed his anger and perhaps jealousy behind him and forgiven Amelia. He still may not forgive her as a person but he felt that he could not say angry with her, he had to work with her. He was angry with himself for the things he said to her, she did not deserve to be spoken to like that. He was disgusted with himself for saying that she would be one of Lancelot's whores, for he knew that Amelia would never sink so low.

"Shall we spend the night here?" She asked.

"If the mercenaries are hospitable, yes."

"I am sure that you could find some woman to give you a room for the night." Tristan laughed.

"That would be difficult considering that there are no women here. This is a fort controlled by men only, Romans actually." Amelia laughed.

"Men with nothing to satisfy there needs." Tristan smiled.

"There is a village further to the East but the men do not get much leave. I am surprised that Arthur allowed you to come." The Scout confessed.

"And why is that?" She smiled at the scout slightly.

"There are a lot of sexually frustrated men here. It will be dangerous for you." Amelia laughed.

"Tristan, you must know by now that I live for danger!" The scout laughed before kicking his horse into motion. Amelia followed quickly.

When the Knights arrived at the fort they were greeted by a locked gate and a strong male voice.

"Who are you? What is your business here?"

"We are Samartian Knights sent by Arthur Castus." Tristan shouted. "Open the gate!" There was silence for a moment before the gates creaked open. The Knights quickly rode inside and stopped in a small courtyard.

Amelia looked up to the battlements to see at least twenty mercenaries staring down at them. She swallowed quickly before dismounting onto the muddy ground below. Two mercenaries walked over quickly and held the horses as a tall man in roman attire walked over to them. He stopped in front of Tristan and ignored Amelia, had he even seen her?

"I am General Augustus of the Roman Army, based here in Britain. How may I be of service to the Knights of Arthur?"

"We have been sent by Arthur to ask you about the Saxons."

"The Saxons have never been seen here. It is rather quiet in the East."

"You have never seen any Saxons?" Amelia asked. The General looked at her quickly.

"Women should learn to keep their mouths shut, especially when talking to me!" Amelia walked up to him quickly and smiled.

"I am no ordinary woman." She looked to Tristan quickly. "I will go and inspect the battlements." Tristan nodded to her before she turned and walked away.

Amelia's POV

Stupid man! Who the hell does he think he is, 'women should keep their mouths shut'. I should have cut his bloody head off!

I slowly walked up the steps to the battlements and looked out across the land. I turned and looked across the battlements where mercenaries stood. Something was wrong. I walked slowly passing each one of the soldiers until I came to a corner. Laid in the corner of the battlements was a mercenary asleep.

"Who is in charge here?" I asked the soldiers. One man stood forward.

"He is." He pointed to the man who was asleep. I turned quickly and kicked the man in the leg, he slept on. I was becoming angry, no wonder no Saxons were being seen when the commanders were sleeping on watch. I bent down quickly and grabbed the man's shirt, pulling him up. His eyes opened quickly as I pushed him against the wall. I drew one of my swords and pointed it against his throat.

"Finally!" I said in anger. "I have your attention!" The man did nothing but stare at me. "Are you supposed to be on duty?" The man swallowed quickly.

"No, I am relieved of duty today." I pushed my sword closer to his neck.

"Do not lie!"

"Alright! I closed my eyes for a few minutes." Amelia smiled slightly.

"That was not too hard was it, to tell the truth?" He placed his head down. I pushed him away from the wall quickly and pointed my sword at him. "We are going to see your commander." I said to him. "Walk." The man stood still.

"Please," He said. "You are a woman, you should have sympathy?" I laughed.

"I hold no sympathy for you. You deserve any punishment that you receive!" He stared to walk quickly and I frowned. It was no wonder that no Saxons were seen, their commanders were asleep!

When we walked back into the courtyard I saw that Tristan and the General were still talking. Tristan saw me straight away and started walking over.

"What is wrong?" Tristan asked me. I smiled.

"It is no wonder that no Saxons are seen." I whispered to him. "The commanders are asleep." Tristan looked shocked but followed me as I walked toward the General.

"What is this?" The General asked in anger. I smiled at him slightly as I pushed the man in front of me to his knees.

"This man under your command was sleeping on duty. I am sure that he can see many Saxons." The General looked down at one of his officers.

"Is this true?" He asked the man.

"Of course it is not, she is a woman, she lies!" I laughed before I pushed my sword into the back of his neck, I would hurt him until he told the truth. The man cried out.

"Yes! It is true!" I looked up at the General quickly.

"I should report you," I said. "For not conducting your duty properly." I sighed quickly. "But I do not think that that is necessary." The General sighed.

"Thank you." He called two mercenaries over. "Take him away." The man was dragged away begging for forgiveness.

"Watch your men thoroughly." I warned the General. "If you do not they will deceive you!" The General nodded.

We were shown to rooms for the night and as I sat peacefully looking out to the East there was a knock on the door. I stood up quickly and walked over to the door. I opened it quickly and saw the General stood in front of me. He looked at my hair quickly which was loose down my back and then to my shoulders which were not covered by the shirt.

"May I come in?" He asked. "I wish to speak to you." I swallowed quickly before I opened the door further to allow him to enter. I closed the door behind him and walked over to where he stood in the middle of the room.

"How can I help you sir?" I asked him. He looked up at me.

"I wanted to thank you for your help earlier today, I am indebted to you."

"You have already thanked me once, you do not have to do it again." He nodded.

"Very well." He walked closer to me. "How is it that you are a Knight?" I looked to the floor.

"A punishment." I said. "For insubordination." He nodded.

"I have never seen a woman as a Knight, it is quite unheard of." He placed his hand on my cheek quickly but I pulled away.

"Please, do not touch me."

"Do you know how long it has been since I have seen a woman?" He asked. I looked up at him. "Especially one as beautiful as you."

"Please do not say such things." I stared to walk away but he caught my arm and pushed me against the wall. I cried out. I placed my hand behind my back to reach for a sword but found that they were not there. Across the room in a pile lay all of my swords and daggers, I had nothing to defend myself. I suddenly felt his breath on my ear.

"Do you know how long it has been since I have had a woman's flesh beneath me?" I looked away from him. "I think I have waited far too long!" He pulled me away from the wall quickly, holding my wrists and pushed me forcefully onto the bed.

"Please! Do not do this!" I struggled but he was far too strong. He took both of my wrists in one of his hands and pushed them forcefully into the bed. As I lay screaming his hand traced the outline of my body. I needed someone to help me, Tristan had been placed so far away from me and now I knew why. The scout had warned me to be careful and I had been stupid. I had placed myself right where the General wanted me and as I lay on the bed fully clothed memories of the woads came flooding back.

Would there be anyone to save me this time, or would I go through the same ordeal?