Sorry about the delay, been busy doing stuff for music department at school, but now I have a few minutes, I'll post next chapter up for you! Hope you guys like it!
I awoke to Tristan stroking the grove of my throat gently, his arms wrapped around me. He had often watched me sleep before so it was not new to me. What was new, however, was the noticeable lack of clothing. Remembering last night, I blushed deeply, making him chuckle.
"You weren't blushing last night."
"You were distracting me last night." I replied simply, turning around to face him, our fingers entwining. "So, what now?"
"What now?" He repeated. "Now you and I are going to do this every night for the rest of our lives." I smirked at him.
"You can try but I doubt you'll be able to keep up." Rising up onto his elbow he looked down at me.
"I think I can manage. Besides, you're less experienced than I am."
"I was trained, remember? I bet you've never done half the things we did last night before you lay with me." He paused, thought back then smirked.
"True." I giggled quietly, smiling as he leaned down and kissed me. I lifted my head to him, closing my eyes against his lashes then pulled back.
"We should get moving. Arthur will want to leave soon."
"Will you ride with me?"
"Actually, I was going to go to the healers, help them pack away. I want to see Antonius before I go. He still owes me wages." Though I still had Arthur's gold in the toes of my boots. It was a necessary lie. "I'll catch you up on the road."
"We'll be riding horses with wagons." He frowned at me. "We might get too far ahead."
"The wagons will slow you down and I'll ask Jols to leave a horse behind for me. Don't worry, I'm still independent and can look after myself. It's the people on the other side of the wall I'm worried about, not those this side." I told him, leaning over so that he rested against the pillows and I lay against his chest. "It won't take long."
"I'll wait with you." I scowled at him. He was being difficult.
"You're expected to ride with Arthur and the Roman family."
"I'll still wait."
"Tristan." I warned him. "It's expected of you. You owe it to Arthur to be there when you all break off. You can't wait for me." Lifting my head, my hair fell like a blanket around my face. "I'll be faster if I just get on with things. I promise." He seemed reluctant but nodded his head in agreement.
"Alright." Smiling softly I kissed him, pouring my love into him before pulling away. "Stay safe." I scoffed.
"That old man doesn't scare me." I replied, sliding free before getting dressed. He watched me for a moment before getting up and doing the same. I tossed him his shirt then smirked. "By the way, you talk in your sleep." He rolled his eyes.
"You still sing."
"Ah, but I'm better at it now." I replied, lifting a finger to wave it at him. "I've been practising." He laughed quietly, shaking his head as he pulled on his boots. Giving him one last look I slipped through the door then sighed, lowering my head in shame. I hated lying to him but it was the only way to serve both my head and my heart. If the battle looked to be going ill, I would flee. Yes, I would berate myself for being a coward but I couldn't leave Tristan. Not for all the world.
I did as I had said I would, asked Jols to leave a horse for me which he agreed to, then disappeared from the fort, joining Guinevere and her Woads. They all looked at me with different looks. Some with confusion, some with respect and others with little expectation.
Welcoming me with a smile, Guinevere handed me some new clothes. "This will make it easier for you to move. It was the garb worn by all the other Woads. I accepted the breeches, sliding into them but I refused to wear practically nothing to cover my chest. To make things easier for me, I took a knife and slashed through my skirts, shortening them so that they stopped halfway up my thigh then ripped off the sleeves, the dark brown material working rather well with the breeches. Then I strapped my knives back around my waist.
Guinevere offered me a choice of other weapons but knives were all I knew how to wield well, so I stuck with them. Then came the wait. Although everyone else was painted up, I didn't want to wear the blue paint as I knew it took forever to wash off.
I stood close to Guinevere, glancing her way as she stood, perfectly at ease. Arthur stood on a distant hill, mounted atop his horse and fully equipped for battle, carrying the golden eagle in his right hand. He looked kingly. I always knew he would one day make a great leader.
The lines of archers walked up to stand behind us as the Saxons began to filter through, the scouts. I drew in a steady breath, strangely calm at the pause before the plunge. My heart seemed to beat like a war drum, steady and strong.
Then I heard the horses. Not one but many. Frowning I took a step forwards, lifting my head to see through the smoke. I just about made out the shapes of several horses with armoured men astride them. "No!" I whispered, clenching my fists tightly. "They…they should have left!"
"They came back to fight for their freedom." Guinevere told me, pulling me gently back but I whirled around, glaring at her intently, making her shrink back.
"They've already fought for their freedom. They won it through fifteen years of hard labour, sweat and blood." When I get my hands on Tristan, I'm going to choke him! Swallowing, I listened to the panicked cries of the scouts as they tried to figure out what was happening. When their backs were turned, Guinevere signalled the others then led the flight of arrows, loosening her bowstring to let it fly.
The rain fell upon the exposed Saxons, who had initially turned to defend themselves from Arthur. Now they turned to defend from us. With their backs once again exposed, Arthur led his men forwards, swinging his sword which glistened brighter against the dark contrast of blood.
"When do we move?" I asked.
"When the army moves." She replied simply. "Then we'll get to see those fast hands of yours work." Looking down at my fingers I wriggled them before clenching them together, keeping them warm. I hated the waiting but it was all part of battle. Waiting for your enemy. Waiting for the first blow to be made. Waiting to see who lived and who died. Just waiting.
After what felt like an eternity, I heard the steady beat of stomping feet churning through the grass. The Saxons. Instantly I flipped two knives into my hands, working the handles as I shifted from foot to foot in anticipation. I narrowed my eyes. I knew exactly who I wanted to stick my blade into.
Cerdic.
The army split off into two groups and I glanced behind as a Woad rushed by with a lighted torch, the arrows now carrying their flames brightly. Guinevere lifted her bow and the others followed her lead, waiting as she counted down in her head. Then she let go. Bright stars fell from the sky and I watched them hiss through the air, dark smoke trails following behind.
When each arrow struck the river of pitch, I smirked as the bright plume of fire leaped up and swallowed all in its path, racing along the bank and cutting off the small battalion from the main army. Then Guinevere charged with a loud roar.
Joining the battle cry I swept forwards, legs carrying me swiftly as the Saxons charged at us. Among the strange, bearded faces I saw Cynric. Instantly my eyes narrowed as I focussed on him. As the heavy looking shields loomed closer, I leaped up, slamming a foot into one then used it to lift me off the ground, flipping over my head with one foot pointed down to the earth as I fell gracefully. The circus taught me many useful things.
My blades slashed into the Saxons neck before I turned, ducking under an axe then stabbed four times in quick succession into his gut, sliding my last blow up before twisting, jerking out of the way of a spear to place my knee down and snap it in half, flipping a dagger up in the air to change grips, slash the arm then slice through the neck, severing the vocal cords.
Being small was suddenly incredibly useful to me, as was my talent at evasiveness. I was in and out of battles like a shadow, taking down targets faster than the eye could blink. These Saxons were big and powerful, so if one landed a blow I knew I would be done for.
The battle ground evened out as I prowled around a Saxon who was facing me, already splattered with blood, both his own and others. It made my anger burn brighter. He ran at me with a yell so I hopped out of the way, ducking as he wrenched an arm around, wielding an axe.
I tried to dart forwards and nick his arm but he leaped away, turning then slammed his elbow into my face, causing me to yelp then hit the ground. Instantly I was rolled, tucking in my arms as the heavy bladed axe came descending towards me. "Didn't your mother ever tell you…?" I grunted, continuing to roll as he came after me. Twisting, I anchored down my hands then slammed both feet into this groin, earning a howl of pain from him.
Leaping to my feet my blade slid across his neck. "It's wrong to hurt women." Spinning around I dived back into the fight. The Saxons seemed to be losing this battle, with Arthur leading the powerful charge against them. I knew that I was tiring quickly now, I had not the stamina of these seasoned warriors so I kept my movements small, avoiding being hit before going for a single killing blow with my knives.
Turning around I saw a group of women being thrown down by three Saxons, feet pressed into their chests to hold them down. Instantly I threw both blades in my hands then launched another, grimacing slightly. The three Saxons fell down and the women all leaped back to their feet to continue fighting.
Utterly exhausted, I looked around, making sure I was not being threatened as I recovered some breath. Then I spotted Guinevere and Lancelot. He had saved her life, blocking Cynric's blow with both his blades then kicked him back. My attention was drawn elsewhere as a Saxon ran at me with a boar like cry so I rolled onto the floor, using my body to trip him up then turned, grabbing an arrow that stuck out the ground before stabbing it deep into his chest. Again I searched for Lancelot.
His back was turned to Cynric, who was on his knees, reaching for a…crossbow. The coward! He couldn't even face Lancelot in honourable battle! Racing forwards, I found the strength from somewhere to push my way through, twin knives slicing a path clear for me to hurry towards where Cynric lifted the weapon and aimed at Lancelot as he turned around.
It happened so fast that I wasn't entirely sure what progressed. I had cried out in an unearthly scream to warn Lancelot, making him look around to me but Cynric had fired the bolt. I was close, close enough, so I just leaped without thinking, stretching myself to get to the bolt before it hit Lancelot. Though the crossbow was a powerful weapon and fired bolts faster than bows shot arrows, somehow I managed to put myself in front of Lancelot.
With the force of something ripping through my teeth I spun to the ground, dropping down with exhaustion as Lancelot flung his blade with an angered bellow, lodging it into Cynric's chest. I heard Lancelot leap over me with his other sword in hand before taking off Cynric's head with one, clean strike. I continued to shiver, blood dripping from my wound.
"Kat! Kat look at me." Lancelot grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back into his arms, kneeling down on the blood soaked earth. I blinked up at him, bolt clenched tightly in my teeth as the cut on my jaw bled smoothly, warming the cold skin of my neck. "Thank the gods, you're alright." He sighed with relief as I spat out the bolt.
"Ouch." I mumbled. "Lancelot? I'm tired." He smiled down at me, glancing up to make sure no one was going to attack us.
"You need to get off the battlefield. Tristan nearly had a fit when he realised you had lied to him." I smirked.
"Annoying Tristan is what I do best." A Saxon's roar filled my ears so I grabbed a knife and flung it, slightly awkwardly as I was still in Lancelot's arms but it hit its mark. "But I'm not done here. I'm not leaving until this battle is over." Standing shakily on my feet Lancelot gripped my arm, supporting me. "Go get your swords, you'll need them." I told him affectionately then hurried off to find Tristan.
I saw Nadia not far off, so I ran to her side, grabbing her reins as she reared in fear at a Saxon, who was trying to mount her. "She's not available for plunder!" I roared, stabbing him in the back then pulled Nadia's head down to me, hushing her gently. "Hush now, there, you remember me? It's Kat. You know me." At the familiar sound of my voice she calmed down, pushing her nose into my hair to sniff me softly. "Where's Tristan, can you show me?" The great horse lifted her head, flicking her ears about as if she knew what I was asking.
With her distracted I tried to mount up but she moved away from me, snorting before pushing me roughly away with her nose. "Hey! I need to find Tristan!" I began to complain but stopped when I saw where she was pushing me towards. Tristan. Frowning at her she gave me an innocent look. "This conversation is not over." I stated flatly then ran to Tristan, who was attempting to battle Cerdic.
The fight was going poorly. Although Tristan was one of the best swordsmen the fort had ever seen, Cerdic had no qualms with using his superior Saxon strength and degree of skill against Tristan's flawless art. Both were skilled, both were deadly, one was proving more effective than the other. My eyes widened in horror as Tristan was forced to his knees, Cerdic picking up his blade as he held Tristan's arm. No!
Without alerting him to my approach I leaped up onto Cerdic's back, snarling as I gripped my dagger tightly in my hand then went to ram it into his throat. Upon pure reflex I was thrown over his shoulder, breaking my grip as he then kicked Tristan aside and turned to me. I rose to my feet, gripping my measly little knife in my hand as Cerdic snorted.
"So, maybe you truly are a witch."
"I've been commented on my mysterious witchy powers before." I replied crudely. "Though I only seem to be able to infuriate people with them."
"When this battle is over, you will remain my conquest." Cerdic assured me. "Magic or not, you will make a fine prize to my collection." My eyes narrowed dangerously at him, sickened at the thought of being a prize. Tristan tried to move over to my side, weaponless save for his sword but three armed Saxons got in front of him. My eyes widened again.
"Ah, your lover, I presume?" Cerdic questioned, seeing my look. "Don't worry. After a while, you'll hardly miss him." With an angered growl I tossed my knife at him with a fine flick of my wrist. He lifted his blade, barely deflecting it as I reached for another then threw that one two, a third soon following. I was pushing him back with my throws, his heavy sword only just managing to protect him but one clipped past, slicing into his face as he jerked his head out of the way.
Blood dribbled down this cheek and into his mouth, giving him an even more sickening look. With him distracted I flung a blade at Tristan's attackers, taking one down for him before running at Cerdic, preparing for the first move I knew he would make. All Saxons did the same, they tried to swing at a sloped angle, which made it easy for me to slip under and catch him in the ribs, his heavy coat and metal proving hard to pierce through but I drew some blood, at least.
When he whirled around, I ducked again then twisted, spinning around off my foot to keep behind him, confusing him as to swing wildly, his breaths becoming greater and more ragged. He was tiring, only so was I. I could barely keep ahead of him. Swallowing the large lump in my throat I turned and kicked up my legs, gaining as much power into the kick as I could to draw Tristan's sword from one of his grasps. I did not want the weapon but Tristan needed it, as he was facing more and more Saxons with only his bare hands and a small knife.
The blade sank deep into the earth and Cerdic looked at it before turning to me. "You are not a warrior."
"No, but I am a killer." I answered smoothly, surprisingly calm considering I was bleeding from a slim cut on my arm and my jaw. "And I certainly have no remorse in bringing about your death."
"Is it because I killed everyone in your village?" Not giving him an answer, I rolled forwards, missing his blade then stabbed him in the leg, making him cry out in agony then leap away from me, limping as I rolled forwards again, drawing one of my few remaining blades to face the Saxon who had lunged for me then cut into his face with two, firm strikes, finishing him off.
I had barely turned when I saw the blade spinning towards me. Out of pure reflex, I caught it in my hand before smirking at Cerdic, whose skin paled and his mouth dropped open in shock. "It's true…"
"Yes. It is." I replied smugly then threw the blade back at him, lodging it in his shoulder, which made him jerk backwards. Tristan turned, catching my eye and we both paused, sensing the anger between the both of us. I was furious with him. How dare he put himself in danger when he should be sailing home? I was going to kill him myself!
His raging eyes left mine as he turned to Cerdic, who had flung himself at him. I skipped and jumped to the side, avoiding several axes and broadswords before elegantly spinning, cutting into each man as I went before stopping, panting for breath as my chest burned with a tight bond clenching around me, limiting my breath intake. How do the others make it seem so easy?
Several other Woad warriors came to my aid, finishing off my opponents to leave me free to reach Tristan. The scout was protecting a wounded Woad with his body, once again on his knees as he lifted his sword, blocking Cerdic's blow before the Saxon kicked him down, landing on top of the Woad who screamed in pain. I had to act fast, to save both Tristan and the Woad. Drawing my last knife, I ran forwards. Cerdic, with rage engulfing his eyes, lifted his sword uneasily, struggling under its weight to land it on Tristan who was only just rolling onto his back to look up.
Knife tightly in my grip, I called out, face contorting with fury as I leaped over Tristan, standing in front of him then drove my knife forwards whilst gripping onto Cerdic's hair. The blade cut through his windpipe, oozing blood into his lungs which he choked back up as he sank to his knees. My eyes looked down at him coldly, my lips drawn into a hard line as I continued to grip his hair.
He tried to speak but he couldn't form any words, blood gushing from the wound and from his mouth as I jerked my hand backwards, pushing him away before watching him fall. He was dead. The battle was won. Sighing with relief I looked down, taking a moment to compose myself before turning. I met the face of a furious scout.
"I should have known you would be here." He snarled at me, taking my shoulders in a grip that made me twitch from the pain. "You lied to me."
"When has that ever bothered you before?" I spat back. "You're the greater fool! You should have stayed away and gone to the ship! You were meant to go home! Not come back!" My tone was just as dangerous as his. "You earned your freedom after fifteen years of fighting, yet you come back for more?"
"We are warriors, it is what we do!" Tristan's voice rose and for a moment, I was shocked. Tristan never shouted. I had never heard his voice go louder than a growl before. It frightened me but I didn't let it show. "Our loyalty to Arthur brought us back, we couldn't leave him to die. There's nothing you can do to change that!"
"You stubborn imbecile! You could have died here! Cerdic had you on your knees for God's sake!"
"The one more likely to have died here was you, woman! You've never been in battle before, you're lucky to be alive!" My eyes flashed dangerously as our voices continued to rise, barely audible over the last screams and clashes of war around us. "If you hadn't been so idiotic, there would have been no reason for me to be distracted whilst fighting!"
"I never asked you to come back, I was doing what was right for my country! These are my lands, this is my blood staining this earth! It was my duty to defend it!" Tristan's glared down at me, realising that I wasn't going to back down. With both our tempers raised to the highest peak, he turned and stalked away, spitting angrily. Instantly I dropped down to the Woad, pressing my hand over his wound. "Lay still, we'll have you healed and well in no time." I promised him, pushing back his hair. "Dagonet! I need something clean!" I called out to the healer as he lifted his head. "We need these wounded seen to!"
Just as I spoke, healers and villagers poured out from the fort, carrying stretchers and healing herbs to help those wounded. With my hand tightly pressed against the Woad's wound, I helped him stand then limp over to a stretcher, where he was put down and taken away.
I followed the others inside, washing my hands and face before putting on an apron and began to help. There were bones to reset, wounds to stitch and blood to stop. My hands never stopped moving all the way through the night before finally I collapsed where I stood from exhaustion, alarming Dagonet as I hit the ground.
"Kat!"
"Rest her head on something comfortable, she's exhausted." Antonius snapped to Dagonet. "Can't you see she's been sleepwalking for the last two hours?" The knight picked me up into his large arms, carrying me to the nearest space where he could lay me down to rest in peace.
All the beds were taken up so I had to make do with the floor, a blanket and a sack of oats under my head. I slept soundly all through the next day and night.
Yeah I know that Arthur is meant to kill Cerdic but I kinda really felt that I wanted to do things differently for Kat, I really wanted to empower her strength and courage as a woman, so I let her finish the job whilst I just stood there with a flag cheering her on. Go Kat!