As I try to find the inspiration to finish another story, I decided to write out chapter ten of Ending the Cycle to get the gears in my head spinning again. Sorry to all those reading this… I know it's been… four years, and that I was going to take a bit of a break because I was starting college. Turns out that hiatus morphed into my whole college carrier. However, with the need to create fictional stories to challenge my brain, I have returned. I can't promise an update schedule until my other fic is finished. But that will be very soon, and my drive to continue this epic into the Fate Stay/Night universe has infected y brain.
Sorry about any grammatical mistake, and if this chapter reads a bit strangely (Doesn't help it's a special dream one). Four year's do a lot to a writer's… well writing, and this one has my styles from both four and tow years ago, as well as today. With all that out of the way however, I hope you enjoy this installment!
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Chapter 10
Derfel POV
I was meant to be a farmer. Even before my village got burned to the ground, I was supposed to plant the seeds, plow the fields, and reap the harvest for the rest of my natural life. And for my first fifteen years as a slave that is what I did. Without questions or secret ambition to become something more.
But if I learned anything in the last two weeks, it's that expectation is not the same as destiny, and as fate would have it, I am now expected to live out my days serving food, cleaning armor, and running to the aid of any Lord, Noble, or Superior at the literal snap of their fingers.
Scratching my upper right arm in discomfort I try in vain to adjust the servant's tunic to a less irritating position. Giving off a sigh of defeat, I catch my sister once again admiring her new outfit in the reflection of the bath water,
At least one of us is enjoying this place, I think with a small smile as I attempt once again to shift the fabric, And the gods know this option is much better than the alternative.
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Two Weeks Earlier
My knees buckled as I ran full speed into a small crevice just wide enough to perfectly fit my left foot. As the rest of my body continued forward my stalled leg lagged behind just enough to completely destroy the stride I built up. But just as my short fall towards the Earth began, an opposing force captured my shoulder and lifted me back into an upright position and gave me a sharp shove to encourage my feet to regain their rhythm. Despite the inky void impairing my sight, I know immediately who has once again saved me from my own clumsiness after all he's done the same maneuver so many times within the last half hour that it must be instinctual for him now.
Galahad
The very same knight that had saved me briefly from Lord Gundleous' wrath, was now taking part in making that rescue more permanent. His unquestionable kindness was only matched by his grace and agility as he effortlessly ran through the dark plain towards the approaching lights of the castle. Not only was this man's dexterity making up for my own, but he was able to do this all in a suit of chainmail, and was breathing no harder than when he began,
"Thank you, my Lord,", I gasped out for the hundredth time, my own lungs not showing nearly the amount of endurance as the knight's.
The nobleman gave off a quick nod at the show of gratitude but said no more beyond that. His eyes never leave the shadowy figure in the lead, ready to expertly read any signal that it may give in an instinct. Said cowled individual had all of my attention as well. If I was impressed by Sir Galahad's ability to run in a metal suit, then, under less stressful circumstances, my jaw would be dragging along the ground as the hooded figure in the lead effortlessly carried not only herself, but my younger sibling as well… while also wearing a full suit of armor.
My sister, still undoubtedly in a state of absolute shock, bobbed wordlessly up and down upon this woman's shoulders. The fear from hours before coupled by the unannounced escape must have been too much for her poor mind to handle. Hell, it was too much for my poor mind to handle. I wouldn't even be running at all if Sir Galahad had not literally dragged me across this field until my legs started moving on their own. Just as my original stride had begun to return, and my mind could once again begin unscrambling itself, the knight in front of me made a sudden hand movement. The motion was so fast and small that I'm surprised I picked up on it at all, but then again it wasn't meant for me.
With a sudden jerk I was pulled to the ground as a steel gauntlet simultaneously wrapped itself around my mouth ensuring that my instinct driven screech was muffled. The long grass below us bending and cushioning our fall ensuring that no sound could be heard above the cricket's songs. My mind and body eventually caught up with reality. I tried to ask what was going on, but even in a prone position Galahad's vice grip remained too firm to allow any words to reach the surface. My silence plead did not go completely unanswered and with a sharp motion with his head, he guided my eyes to the causes of a sudden halt.
Igniting the void, five flames rolled through the night at a speed and pace no normal man could ever achieve. As the figures grew nearer, I could begin to make out the distinct shape of men on horseback. The steed's black mane ability to shine, was not due to the reflective light of their torches, but rather it's ability to absorb it better than the surrounding night. Dread quickly filled my blood as I could continue to make out more and more detail.
The chain of their armor ricocheted against themselves, sending out the unnatural metals shrieked produced by human craftsmanship. The half-filled moon shined upon their plate mail, illuminating the five bringers of death in all their glory. From silver helmets covering their face with unnecessary shadows, to the perfectly hammered shields attached to their sides… their shields marked with a proud fox's insignia.
Gundleous, In absolute honesty it was 100% expected that the high standing noble would send his warband to scour the area when he caught word that the two convicted slaves had escaped. Truthfully, we were quite lucky that only five appeared to be anywhere near our current location. Nevertheless, fear swept through my body like the great sea of the west.
They're coming, they're going to find me, terror quickly corrupted my mind and soon even the most logical section became infected. They'll kill us, they'll kill me. Even Galahad's position as one of the fame knights won't allow him to save two enemy slaves from the nobles' fury. I'll be executed and then Linna… Linna will be… I couldn't finish the thought, my mind refusing me to even allow such words and images to enter when in association with my only family.
Adrenaline pumped through my veins, and newfound liquid courage replaced cowardly blood. Galahad, with his years of battle experienced, had more than enough insight to notice my unsubtle personality change… but he was already far too late to stop what was coming
Tearing the metal armor from my face, I, with speed only achieved through the overprotectiveness of an older sibling, sprung forward barely avoiding the last second lunge by the situation was any different, I'm sure the holy servant would have called me out for my own stupidity while quickly subduing me shortly after. But I just didn't care. Even if my attempt was idiotic, and went against whatever plan these two knights have, I refused to let my sister anywhere near the monster that was coming.
Closing the small gap between me and my siblings, the full stupidity of my plan began to finish within my mind,
I'll pick her up in my arms and I'll run. I'll carry her out of this gods forsaken fields and make a dash for the forest. Once we are lost among the branches, we can rest for a short minute then I can, then... I can… Then I can figure out which way is East! Once I know the direction, I can take us to Anglia
In truth, the plan was just as idiotic as the decision I made to stand up in an open field under the light of a half-lit moon. Even if I was lucky enough to escape the field and the notice of five elite guards on horseback, there's no way we'd stay alive for very long. We'd most likely be killed on the way to our 'ancestral' land by any Briton who noticed the slave branded on our arm. If, by any divine miracle, we did reach Saxon land my kinsman would probably execute me as a potential spy. My sister would be put to work on some noble farm, returning to the life of chains we were now fleeing. However, any common sense I might have had was currently on the grass next to Galahads, and this plan was more than good enough to please my fearful driven mind.
As my hand darted out to grab Linna, it also appeared that this scraped together escape route was also the one we were doing, with the first step of the plan about to be achieved… If not for one swordswoman, who in a fraction of second sprang to her feet and blocked my path.
With reflexes faster than my own, she was able to grab my outreached arm that mere centimeters away from Linna. Stunned by the sudden interruption the knight clenched her steel gauntlet to immobilize my hand in an unbreakable vice grip. I'm sure I would have winced in pain at my arm being now caught in a claw, but in my current adrenaline state I simply tried to reach for my little sister with my left hand. This proved a mistake as my body became unbalanced, allowing a swift armored leg to easily sweep my own feet out from under me sending me tumbling to the grassy field. No amount of adrenaline could ignore the sharp pain in my back as I slammed onto what had to be the only two stones in this whole grassland. The small shriek that traveled through my throat however was stopped by cool steel, and for the second time in this very minute I found myself in the hardened grip of a knight.
My sister, coming out of her dumbfounded and shocked state for the first time this night, made a quick dash for her easily beaten brother. Fortunately, Galahad, having pursued me the moment I left his side, snatched her gently in his arms, and effortlessly brought them back down to a safe, hidden, prone position.
"They're not going to see us", the woman above me spoke in a voice that betrayed her physical age. Her speech carried a level of authority with it, only found in the leaders who have seen decades of battle. However, her logic and demands did little to stop an overprotective brother.
I struggled against her hold, my arms and legs jerking out in any direction they could. Despite my height and weight advantage over my newfound adversaries I proved too weak to remove a young maiden from atop me. All that I gained from this struggle were bruises as flesh clashed with metal.
"Stop", she ordered again, her voice coming out much harsher as if she was a parent about to punish their child. Her voice and tone fell upon deaf ears, as my animalistic natures began to fully emerge. Even though I made no progress in my escape, my attacks echoed softly against her metal, and as I knew began to yell beneath her small sounds managed to sneak past the hand guarding my mouth.
"He can't keep making that much noise", I barely noticed Galahad whisper, "Eventually they'll get close enough to hear it".
The women looked towards him, then to the warband sweeping the field. As if addressing all her options she closed her eyes briefly, before allowing them to drift back to the rabid dog she had subdued. In the distance my ears picked up the sound of the steel horseshoes thundering against the ground, but my mind was far too lost to care at the moment. Never taking her gaze from me she lifted her free hand in the air, and for the first time I could make out her face that had been hidden behind the shade of her cloak.
Thunder struck the Earth. Her gauntlet shone in all its unearthly silver under the rays of the waning moon, and I could now see green eyes that resembled a shallow sea. Thunder struck the Earth. Closing her gauntlet, two strands of golden hair cascade downwards in front of her face. Thunder struck the Earth. Taking a deep, yet meditative, breath the knight appeared ready to take whatever action she had prepared, her pale skin now being illuminated by the stars. Thunder struck the Earth. In a flash of movement unable to be seen by even the most skillful scout, she brought her metal covered arm down towards my head. And in the briefest of moments her cloak flew back, and her face was revealed in all its angelic beauty, just as thunder struck the Earth and everything went black.
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The pain in my head throbbed throughout my unconscious mind long before my eyelids shuttered open. My dreams were haunted by images of five reapers on horseback, demons disguised as lords, and a goddess… or maybe it was one of those angels I overheard the Frank missionary ramble about, when he came to the Dumondia territory preaching about his carpenter god.
All religions and monsters aside, these moving mindscapes haunted my mind, repeating endless. But with each passing pulse of pain, the images fainted, and more and more of my consciousness escaped the dreaming plane. And just as the nightmare all but vanished, a new torment appeared in the form of a stinging sensation in my arms.
My eyes shot open, and I fully entered the real world once again. The first, and most obvious, thing to come to my attention that I was that, instead of being beneath a starry cosmos running for my life from a poleaxe that wants nothing more than to implanted itself in my spine, I was 'safe', or at the very least not impaled, within an enclosed cobblestone room. Confused, the second thing on my vision register was the source of my arms distress.
Kneeling beside my prone body, my one and only sister appeared to be pinching my arm every other second, completely unaware that I was now fully capable of feeling it's torturous effects.
"... Linna could you stop, that really hurts", my words came out more rasped and quieter than I initially thought. Despite the weakened state of my body and voice, the message came across quite clearly, for Linna immediately let go of my right arm. Eyes lighting up, and legs tearing their shackles from the floor she shot into the air, diving towards my prone position.
Ignoring my request for no further pain, my sister enveloped me in a bone crushing hug, that fully reawaken my snoozing nervous system,
"Thank the gods you've come to, when we brought you in many of the Druids thought your soul had crossed the bridge to the eternal plane...even when they saw your breath they still didn't think you would come too, and many of the soldier nearby were jeering me constantly that many of their comrades that had sustain similar head wounds never woke again, after some ti-"
I bring up an arm and despite myself being utterly and truly at a loss for what my little sister is trying to communicate to me, even I can deduce that she is beginning to ramble off facts that aren't relevant to our current predicament, "Linna it's okay", my voice still coming off as weak despite my effort to sturdy it's sound to carry a reassuring tone, "I'm okay, feeling stranded in a foreign forest with no direction, but okay nonetheless"
Despite reaching her as mere whispers, the words seem to calm her down and her frantic speech begins to falter,
"Now can you tell me what's going on, you keep mentioning things like druids and soldiers, but the last thing I can recall is-"
"Our King taking the safety of our party's escape into her own hands by forcefully subduing your barbaric tendency with one mighty blow '', My mind overtakes my body, and I instantly focus on the new voice that entered the conversation.
Unfortunately for me my neck still operates at a much less efficient measure and it took a great deal of time and effort to reposition it to the location I thought of. Once it finally did arrive, I was met with the sight of our first savior of the evening. Under the all illuminating light of the candle however, the detail of the knight's appearance became all that much clearer. His armor set, which I had assumed was silver under the moon, was in fact an odd purple complexion, which seemed to match perfectly with the unnatural color of his well-kept bangs. His face was unblemished and still very much youthful, so much so that he could not have been much more than a few seasonal cycles older than myself. However, the sternness of his posture and expression carried with it a maturity and experience that dwarfed my own by the largest of margins. Perhaps the most astonishing and attention demanding part of his attire though is the massive cross shaped shield carrying the King's star blessed Ursa symbol, that despite the earth's demands, he carries effortlessly at his side. Given the subtle nature of our escape, unless I had been blind, he surely equipped himself when we were safely away from Gundleous cavalry,
"That would be correct my lord", I grunt out as I make a failed attempt to straighten myself off the stone table to, out of genuine thanks and years of muscle memory, kneel before the noblemen. Thankfully for my aching muscles the knight dismisses my struggle with a commanding wave of his free hand,
"An unfortunate, but necessary, action, I'm afraid. However, before I rudely interrupted your sibling, I believe she was informing you that your escape from the Foxes Lords field had been successful, and at the moment you are safe behind the walls of Camelot's central castle itself, under the King's protection",
The main castle in Camelot under the King's Protection, I thought astonished as a sudden gear in my mind finally clicked into place with the sudden realization that this was not the first time Lord Galahad had told me about the king. And if not for my physical condition, I had little doubt that I would jump through the ceiling in pure adrenaline field shock, That angel is the King
My face heats up at the sudden comparison I had made, but luckily my mind was still far too preoccupied to care. I had, like others in my field, had heard rumors of the Uther heir, how the crown had been trusted to women who proved herself more worthy than any men. How she overcame the distrust of the Lords when she turned the tide against the Saxons, and stopped the Picts seasonal raids in their tracks. With my words caught in their own throat my eyes showed the man more shock than words ever could, and after a moment for me to process this information he continued,
"That being said, given your upbringing", he says motioning towards a bandage that covers my slave branding, a wound long since physically mended, "For the sake of yours and your sibling wellbeing it is best that you don't speak of this encounter, better to let the search party believe you became food for the wolves"
I nod at his assessment of the situation, not that my compliance meant much or had any sway, at the moments our lives were in their hands and while not willing to outright say it, his soft-spoken demeanor let us know that our very survival rested on us following his order. However, it did bring up the question that I now had the liberty to ask,
"Why go through the trouble to assist a few damn Saxons in the first place though, whether we are mauled or speared we are nothing more than slaves. The mere act of you assisting in our escape is worth a hundred times more to Gundleous than our very lives?"
"That may be true, but there is also value in information, and weather you believe so or not you two have more than you know", upon speaking he adjust himself towards the exit, that I only know can see his entire shield covered, indicating that not much more will be said on the subject, "For now though you will not have to concern yourself with such matters, at the moment you need rest, for when you are able you will need to dedicate yourself to your new task"
As much as my mind lingers on what sort of intelligence Lord Galahad means, my throat latches on to his latter statement to avoid curiosity fatale conclusion,
"New task, I'm afraid I'm not sure what you mean my Lord?"
In my confusion Linna adores a toothy smile that I have longed since recognize as her adorning to express a feeling of joy that came with knowing something I was clearly clueless on, and even with his back turn, with how the knight stop in his track I was willing to bet his lips were in a similar position, "Your new jobs of course, in order to provide you adequate protection you must assimilate yourself into the castle, and fortune smiles upon you for we're always looking for new servants. Starting tomorrow your sister will begin her handmaid duties under Lady Elaine", for reason beyond me I believe my sister's grin somehow grew even further inside, "However, you young Derfel will be given adequate time to heal from your self-inflicted wounds, once mended however you will begin work as one of my personal assistances"
"Assistance?", I nearly shout my voice rising for the first time since my awakening, leaving me glowing pink at how foolish I must seem, "I'm sorry Lord Galahad but I am not sure I'd be qualified for such a duty, I know only of how to raise crops I'm not sure-I'd be able to tend to armor or court aff-"
"This position is not as complicated or as prestigious as you may think, and the acts you list are well on your capability and already attended to by my squire. In truth your job, and your sister as well, is a deterrent from people asking too many questions. While you will assist the fine Lady and I time to time, such as with bathing, bedroom, and meal preparation you will more times than not find yourself doing household or barrack task as assign to you by the head servant and squire"
My sister smiles drop slightly as reality sinks in, but the situation slowly becomes more complete to me, "I see...Well anyway there any new purpose in life for us can only be viewed with generosity, and my sister and I thank you...although I am still not sure why you two put yourself through two much trouble"
The knight nods and begins moving,
"Your wellbeing is more than enough gratitude then I can ask for. As for why we saved you, well the King has her reason in due time will become clear. As for me, I did it for it is my obligation", his hand grasping his shield tightens and the leather around it strains under his grip, "Men like Gundleous, what they do, is worse than anything your kinfolk can unleash upon us through combat. With them, I am in control of who I can bring forth my Lord's retribution too, but with that fox's...I have to walk next to him and hear his atrocious deeds with no power to end his disgusting acts, even worse I have to make friends with them. Any opportunity I have to save people from that life I will take, and you have my word that although we be mere stranger, your sister and your life matter to me"
With that the man leaves the room, leaving my sibling and I in quite wonder about what he could possibly mean by that last statement, why the King risked her own political safety for our lives, and just what sort of information we could provide that made us so valuable.
Present Day
Since that day I had yet to ask the knight any follow up questions nor have we received any answers. In large part due to my recovery taking longer than even the practitioner predicted. Today would be my first day of duty. Hence why I also had such trouble with the uniform that I instantly knew would take many fortnights to break in. My sister, on the other hand, had begun the day after our discussion and had grown accustomed to castle life. Every evening while my condition and strength returned, I would hear a highly detailed version of everything that went on throughout her daily routine.
At first, despite my hesitation and suspicion around why we were even here, I couldn't help but listen to the stories with a satisfied and full smile. Just happy my sister was safe and now was telling me all about her newfound ability to witness exotic food she had never seen being cooked and got to go through elegant dresses she didn't even know the name of. It was a far cry from working as a Gundleous slave, and seeing her come back to our quarters, not in tears or on the verge of passing out was by far good enough for me. However, despite this high increase in our standard of living, and Linna having been practically all throughout this cold stoned behemoth, she had never seen her employer as well, something that has begun to make me highly suspicious.
"DERFEL!'', I jumped up in surprise, as Linna's high pitch voice violently derailed my train of thought. Given the speed in which my name was uttered, and more importantly the image of her puffed out cheeks, told me she had noticed my attention to leave the flow of her current tale.
"Believe it or not sister", I state rather annoyed, but even as I rub the ear she directly screeched into, I can't help but smile at her face, "My head has fully recovered, so it be best not to assault my ears"
"Well, if your ears didn't lead to an empty chamber, I wouldn't have sung my war cry", she crossed her arms with a smug expression. Only to remember she was to upset with my behavior, "Regardless of your thick skull, we must be off to our duties. Or shall I leave the task of finding the barracks to your lonesome"
She threatened to make her words real by walking through the door. But the sudden stop in her footsteps the moment they turned the corner shined the light of truth on her jest.
"Oh, whatever shall I do?", I feigned my own display of jester hood, but stepped through the door. Awaiting her giggles at my horrendous acting she began leading me through the corridors, "S-such tardiness on the first day. What cruel punishment will the Dumondian nobles unleash upon me, as my own sibling watches my pleads for mercy with a jubilant smile"
Very new to the concepts of jokes, both Linna and I made it all of two steps before our giggles turned to full out bouts of laughter. Ones that rang through the hall, as we followed after the echo. Watching my younger sister walk with so much energy, pointing out all the rooms and corridors with glee… it was beautiful.
My life had died the night of the Gundleous' raid. The underworld, or hell as the Franks and old Romans carpenter God had preached, that was his field we were reborn into was a worse fate than the death he brought so many of our prior countrymen with his lance. His realm did not harvest crops. Such a bounty was merely the byproduct of the mechanism of his torture. One that was fueled by the thievery of childhood. It had stolen my youth easily enough and was on the eve of stealing Linna's on the night of our escape.
I shall never trust secrecy Lord Pendragon. Not so long as your title forever cast an agenda to your name, my mind once again blocking Linna words, I followed on instinct as she led me outside. The stone walls guard us from the wrath of man, as well as nature despite the clear skies. A calm in both, as the rising sun brought with it a clear day. Shining down against the glistening steel of at least one chain mailed savor among five, … but your and Sir Galahad act speak louder than whatever true character you may have. So, for that moment in time, you have my thanks.
Said knight of the cross raised his hand with the first ray of light to climb the fortresses barrier. The half a dozen squires among him collapsed to their knees panting, only looking at the day as the bringer of heat. Such an act while sewing crops would have spelled a number lashing countable on two hands. But despite his own physique showing no signs of fatigue, the golden-haired warrior of Dumond gave a hearty chuckle. His faithful eyes looking at the display as of it held nostalgia.
Blinded by his empathy, my own pupils froze that moment in time. Allowing me to gaze over every detail. Shocked that such instruments of war, trained to kill their fellow man at the stroke of a quill, treated each other with such humanity.
"... Derfel", the tug from Linna's hand was the physical form of her frown, "I-I don't actually want you to be punished"
Following her eyes to the source of her fear, I noticed it was misplaced. The man of foreign faith, sending us a welcoming smile during my moment of pause. My duties would no doubt include mind dulling acts like shoveling horse excrement, and removing blood, dirt, and human waste from armor… but given the face of my savior I doubt he'd ever invoke physical repercussions upon anybody for being late to pick up shit.
"... Run along now to your own task sister", more of the trainee's gazes followed their lords. Not to evoke their jeers, I turned the embrace I wished to give Linna into a firm whisper of comfort, "When we meet again in the evening, I shall have tales of my own"
Trusting my wink, or perhaps simply caving into Sir Galahad's kind aura, my sibling turned into a smile. One that still contained a healthy level of sass. Her quick turn as she headed back into the main castle, causing her hair to whip my noise. Sealing her acceptance of my promise.
Hearing a slight chuckle from across the stamped dirt arena, Galahad's joy for the act was infectious. Soon spreading to the other knight's and squire, even if they did not know their leader didn't laugh because of some hidden humor they pretended to see.
Trying to add an inch to an already straightened spine, I was overcome with a feeling of self-consciousness. All these men held ranks leagues and above my own, yet I suddenly felt an urge to not show weakness in front of them. Trapping my face in a stoic expression, I knew any of them could break it by ordering me to complete a demeaning task. But even if it was only an illusion, I found myself trusting they would not… for even if bound behind stone walls… This prison was far freer than any open field.