As Amaya pulled out the weeds in the Queen's private garden she glanced up to the woman in question, who had Morgana's arm slipped through hers and they were smiling and talking as if they had known one another forever. Only Amaya could see the challenging look in Guinevere's eye. She was keeping her enemies close.
Turning back to her work Amaya ripped up another weed then began to cultivate the soil, churning it over to make a new flowerbed as Vanora had instructed. As the women came closer, Amaya wished she could hide one of the bushes she had just cut back. "Maya, how nice to see you." Guinevere smiled to her but the smile never reached her enraged eyes. So Lancelot had told her of what Amaya had done.
Maia had assured Amaya that nothing suspicious had happened in the king's absence and the only people Guinevere saw were people requesting help and the knights, mainly Lancelot but they were never alone together. Still, Amaya did not believe that the knight would be true to his word. "Have you met Lady Morgana?" Amaya lifted her eyes to the woman who instantly put her on her guard.
"Yes." Amaya answered briefly then turned back to her work. "We have met, my lady."
"Quite an extraordinary woman, don't you think? To have travelled as far as she did with such a small escort." Amaya snorted inwardly. The woman had only travelled from Ireland with the intent of seeing some family in the south. Amaya had travelled across several countries alone. Compare that to your books.
"You were very brave, Lady Morgana."
"Oh no, no I don't think so. A woman must do what she must when so directed." She brushed off then turned her head, signalling her wish to continue. When they had stepped away from Amaya, Morgana's quiet whisper still reached the working woman's ears. "Not very respectable looking, is she?"
"She is just a maid." Guinevere replied simply with a wave of her hand. Just a maid. Amaya was beginning to loathe the words. Sighing to herself she stood and brushed the soils from her hands, looking down at her work. At least she had made it easier for the gardeners to begin their work. Taking the weeds and tossing them away appropriately, Amaya began to ask where Greta was. She had not returned from the feast last night and Amaya was beginning to worry.
Jogging to catch up with Vanora, Amaya spoke to her quietly. "Have you seen Greta? The girl I share a room with." Vanora gasped then gripped onto a wall, pain crossing her features and Amaya instantly held onto her, concern flickering in her eyes. "Nora? Is something wrong?" In answer Vanora gently took her arm.
"You'd best brace yourself, lass." Vanora murmured and Amaya frowned but nodded her head. "They found little Greta at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Her neck was completely broken, the poor thing." Vanora touched Amaya's shoulder as her eyes widened. "She must have tripped over the dress you lent her." Amaya could only stare at Vanora in shock, her blood going cold as the colour drained from her face. "It would have been quick and painless, Maya, do not fear. She must have tripped over the dress in her haste to get to the feast."
"I killed her." Maya whispered tightly, beginning to tremble. "That sweet child, I killed her with my urgings for her to go to the feast. I gave her that dress! I suggested she went! It's my fault, it's…it's all my fault." Amaya slid to the ground and hung her head in her hands, breathing deeply as she tried to hold herself together.
"Now you stop that right now." Vanora told her sternly, crouching in front of her and gripped her arms tightly, giving her a little shake. "You were simply being kind to her, that's all. It was not your fault she ran too quickly and did not know she had to lift up her skirts to keep from falling. It was an accident and let that be the last I hear of it."
"I'm so sorry Vanora. Honestly, I only wanted her to enjoy the feast." Amaya murmured, sighing as she let her head rest against the wall.
"What's happened?" Tristan's voice demanded and Amaya exhaled with relief. The scout looked to Amaya with concern then to Vanora for an explanation. The woman stood up and looked squarely at Tristan.
"Keep her company for a moment until she's fixed herself up again." The redhead ordered the scout who blinked in surprise. "I have things to do." Vanora then turned to Amaya. "You remember what I said? It was an accident, that's all there is to it." With that reiterated Vanora strode away.
Tristan slowly approached Amaya, standing next to her then slid down into a seat beside her, saying nothing for a moment but looked to her with surprise as she leaned against him. "So you've heard." Tristan guessed and she nodded her head.
"I feel guilty."
"Well don't." He told her stiffly, shifting slightly as her head rested against his shoulder. "It won't help anybody."
"Yes. I am aware of that." She remarked bitterly, sighing as she closed her eyes. At first Tristan was uncomfortable with the public display of affection, constantly glancing over to her but slowly, he settled into the contact, finding it strangely pleasant and warming to know that she felt comfortable around him. "But still." Shaking her head she lifted herself up, standing. "She was so young."
"Nothing to be done." Tristan said, standing also then looked down to her as she slowly lifted her eyes to meet his. With a slow sigh he reached up and brushed his fingers against her face and she warmed inwardly at the small but meaningful touch, a small smile gracing her lips. He was always better with his actions than his words. "Just try to forget." He advised then moved around her. Amaya stood alone in the hall, listening to his echoing steps slowly disperse before moving off also, returning to her chores.
So do you guys like how I've been introducing characters? Tell me what you think in the reviews, I always check them to see what you guys want so just let me know :)