Chapter 6: Evacuation
The sun shone through the glass windows in the knights' rooms. Allie blinked sleepily as she lifted her head. The other knights were all fast asleep.
"Typical," she muttered.
She got up and rolled her sleeping bag together. She thought of her family back home. Mostly of Arthur. What would have happened to him if he had come? She shuddered. There was always something about Arthur to her. He was a good leader. He'd be a knight someday, she was sure of it. A noise behind her made her jump. It was Will.
"You're up early," he commented.
Allie nodded her head, still not forgetting last night. Will hadn't either because he edged closer to her. Allie sat like stone and tilted her head a little bit away. He ran his fingers through some of her shoulder length golden blonde hair.
"Will, if your mother knows I am a knight, she isn't going to approve of this. It's not going to work," she said while gently pulling his fingers from her hair.
"We can make it work. I don't care what my mother says," Will said, still staring at her.
Allie got up and continued packing her bag. Will watched for a moment before shaking his head and packing his own bag. The knights started getting up and within a few hours they were all down in the yard helping people put horses on a few carriages and picking what provisions they needed most.
"These people would drag their huts if they could," Allie said. "One woman wanted to bring her chair. She said something about it being the first ever chair in her house."
Will raised an eyebrow and gave a lopsided smile.
"Not as bad as the farrier who wanted to bring parts from his forge in one of the carriages," he said.
Allie smiled and they went back to work. The King stood near the entrance with Master Smith, who was still reluctant to leave, but he wouldn't say anything else with the King there. Allie still didn't trust him completely. He had his guards armed with spears and lances. Allie hated both. She had trouble defending herself against a man with spears. The length of the spear was one problem. She couldn't get close enough with her sword because the lance kept her away. While on the journey back to the castle she hoped that Master Smith didn't try anything. Her attention snapped back to the villagers when a young boy tapped her arm.
"You're not a knight. You're a woman," he protested.
Allie gave him a small smile and told him to go finish packing. Eventually, all the villagers were ready and they headed out. The King sent out several knights as scouts. Will rode up next to Allie.
"What do you think the King is going to do with all these people? They can't possibly stay inside the castle. He'll have to let them stay in the village and behind the wall," he said.
"I think he's planning to do just that. There's no other way and at least they can be protected if anything comes up," she answered.
William frowned. This wasn't going to work. He was better off sending knights to every home to protect them. Also, he should keep a band of knights on their tail, scouting the bandits out. He rode up to Prince Richard and told him his idea. The Prince had a thoughtful look upon his face and he nodded to William before riding up to his father. The King nodded his agreement. Richard rode back towards William.
"My father likes your idea. He says new Sarmatian knights will be coming soon, along with new knights from Britain. We'll have enough for your plan. However, he says this village, now that they've left, will have to stay behind the wall."
Will nodded and the Prince rode away. Will looked at her and smiled. She smiled back. It was a good idea. However, the more she thought about it, the more she began wishing she would get stationed at her parents' home. She was quiet all the way to the wall, which they reached by nightfall. The people rushed inside and the King showed them where'd they be staying. The knights rode farther into the castle. Allie was just getting off her horse when a young boy she recognized ran up to her.
"Allie!" he yelled.
It was Arthur. But why was he here?
"Arthur! My goodness! Is everything alright?" she asked.
Tears pricked Arthur's eyes.
"Dad died soon after you left. The bandits came back and some of the men from our area fought. Swords and all. It looked like a real battle from our home. He's dead. Mum grieved for a while. I was all she had. You were gone, the servants were leaving. Then there was a Woad attack on the village. Our home burned to the ground...with Mum inside," he choked. "Allie, I've trained. I'm going to become a knight."
Allie's face had tears on it. Her family had fallen apart in the few weeks she had been away. She noticed the sword Arthur was holding.
"Father's sword?" she asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"How did you know I was a knight?" Allie asked.
"The King sent a letter back right before you left that village you were in. I was so happy for you. I knew that I could do it once I heard about you, Allie. I"m going to avenge mother. I will, I swear it," he said.
"Don't swear it. She was of this land, Arthur. They did not mean for her to die as well. You don't know the entire story. Come, I'll introduce you to the King."
The two siblings left the group and walked up the stone steps to the castle.