I have decided reviews are even better than chocolate. Camreyn, observant and wonderful reviewer that she is, pointed out something that had been nagging me, but I couldn't figure out. Character interaction. The knights haven't really talked to each other the entire story. Yes, they talk at meal times and while traveling, but I never bothered to write out their conversations. That was what was missing. I'm so glad this was brought to my attention! I suppose we could pass that up as the honeymoon period, but oh well. I will try to improve that. So, if something is bothering you about the story, tell me I've probably been sensing it as well, but it's so much easier to have an objective outsider look at situations. Thanks Camreyn!
MonDieu666- Oh, don't worry. He most certainly won't be getting off "Scot free."
Nianko- Now! I hope whatever you are writing is going well; I can't wait to read it!
Camreyn- See above paragraph. Yes, Sera has an excellent deal. Now you kind of know more about the massacre two chapters ago. We'll have some more fun with Wacilla later, I promise! The likelihood of Tristan having siblings is very high. However, the massacred village was simply a random village, not to worry for Tristan's relations (or do you?)
Elvenstar5- Papay is sexy.
Dazzler420- You shall see...tee hee hee...
A.K. Anomynous- I suppose... everyone deserves virtual chocolate chip cookies!
When Fire Meets Ice- I was so excited with Papay because he's semi evil but not really. This makes for a very sexy character. Go Papay!
HgandRHrforever- You will just have to wait and see about Papay...
Note- What do we find so magnetic about Papay? Is it his beautiful hair? Please advise.
Afsati wondered why he had awoken so happy that morning. It wasn't that he was a perpetually unhappy individual; it was simply that he wasn't exactly a morning person. Then, he remembered. He could inspect Papay's face for scratch marks from Habren's nails. He had never met Habren, but had heard much about her personality from Papay. She was not the type to take abduction lightly.
Much to his surprise, Papay did not appear to have been harmed by the past nights events at all. There was something distinctly amiss with their brave and fearless leader's hair, however. Generally, Papay kept his hair tied back without ornamentation. Now, there was a nice pretty pink bow tied around his ponytail. He did not appear to have noticed this however, and went about his business as usual. Angi and Magovey had woken, and sniggered to each other at the sight of their leader. Papay could no longer ignore the situation.
"What is it? Did Afsati forget to pull up his trousers again?" he asked in annoyance.
"No." responded Afsati, grinning broadly, "I haven't done that in ages. Your lady fair appears to have left you a lovers token."
Papay looked bewildered, and Magovey tugged at the ribbon. Papay, pulled the offending material out of his hair, and scowled at it. Instead of throwing it on the ground as expected, he tied it around his wrist. Her scent still lingered on it; he couldn't bring himself to get rid of it.
It was at this point that the bandits realized exactly how far over the edge their leader had gone. Yes, there was no getting around it. Papay had gone all mushy. It almost made them sad; before they remembered how much fun they would have at his expense. Chuckling as a unit, the bandits sat down to breakfast, wondering what more fun the day would bring.
The Sarmatian knights, the Woads (and Sebbi) gathered for a communal breakfast. Habren was remarkably absent, though Lancelot assured them that Habren was fine, just tired. In reality, Lancelot had no idea where she was, and decided that he probably didn't want to know.
Rebekah settled herself down between Galahad and Gawain. They had all been so wrapped up in their own lives; it was time to catch up.
"So, how have you been treating my girls?" she asked primly.
The "girls" grinned but said nothing. Rebekah would have her fun.
Galahad looked stricken for a moment, forgetting where he was. He was trying to forget his encounter with Deirdre's parents, and Rebekah had sounded so much like them.
"I am treating her very well, as I am sure she will attest." Said Gawain.
"Will I?" asked Radha, innocently.
Gawain just looked at her, and she stared back, a grin making a belated appearance.
Rebekah was feeling restless. She was no longer content teasing Gawain and Galahad, and moved on to stalk new prey. Her eyes landed on Lancelot, but she didn't grin this time. He was worried about his sister. He tried to hide it, but he was. Why? When Rebekah had seen Habren, she always seemed slightly removed from the situation, as though she wished to be anywhere but where she was. She appeared harmless. Yet, she herself had sensed something amiss. It was making her very nervous, not knowing. Rebekah liked being informed. She sat herself down next to Lancelot, and gave him a hug. He looked like he could use one. Sera smiled at her, happy someone else was trying to make him feel better. Rebekah, unlike other women, was not a threat, at least not in this way.
Lancelot grinned, and pulled both Rebekah and Sera onto his lap. He would distract himself from his troubles for a time. He needed a good laugh. Bors was not around, so making him the brunt of all the jokes was not really an option. Lancelot was shocked to find that he missed the old brute. Not to mention Vanora...or at least using Vanora to get to Bors. They were going to have to get themselves back to that cursed island before they all died of broken heart. If that was indeed possible.
"Lancelot, I told you...Rebekah and I are just friends now. We don't do that sort of thing anymore." Said Sera in a rather patronizing voice.
Everyone laughed, though Tristan merely grinned. He swiftly removed Rebekah from Lancelot's lap and settled her onto his. While he knew Lancelot and Rebekah enjoyed being the flirt, he felt an odd territorial urge possess him.
Lancelot nodded to Rebekah. "Anytime you get bored of Tristan, you can come with me and Sera, dear. We'd show you a good time."
"I'll keep it in mind." Said Rebekah, seriously. "Though he has been paying me much more attention since he let his hawk go."
Yes, the hawk was gone. She had served Tristan well, and he wished her to live out the rest of her life as free as he was. Tristan had watched her fly away with a mixture of sadness and relief. He had never felt right enslaving another creature. The hawk had been good company, but she deserved her own life.
Gawain looked seriously down at his friend Galahad. "So, you keeping our Deirdre happy?"
Deirdre smiled, and kissed Galahad's cheek. "Of course he is. I would tell him if situations were otherwise. I'm so glad you are taking a healthy interest in our intimate life, Gawain."
"I only wish I could do more, my lady."
Both Deirdre and Radha hit him at this remark. He could have his fun, but they were always there to keep him in line. Galahad couldn't resist grinning at his friend's misfortune.
"Aine, will you be excited to see Guinevere again?" asked Rebekah.
Aine honestly hadn't given her younger sister much thought over the last few weeks. She was now Queen of all Britain. It was an odd thought. "I think we would all like to see home again." She said, instead.
They all suddenly realized where home lay for them. Yes, these villages had bred them, and loved them for the early part of their lives. But in reality, they had spent the majority of their lives in Britain. They had grown up there. Even Sebbi, who was born, raised, and until very recently had lived as a Saxon, saw himself as a Britain. It was truly a country of diverse citizens. Romans had integrated with the natives, forming a mixed race. Rome had stationed knights from all over the world in Britain, and many had stayed. They would build their own Empire, one of their own making.
Habren left her tent, on the look out for her brother all the way. While there was absolutely no way he could stop her from going, she knew that her behavior confused and worried him. She preferred that it did neither.
She wondered if Papay had found her parting gift, and grinned. She was not one to let a man off the hook for a kiss. Oh, no. Besides, his men might not hate her now. She had given them a laugh at the expense of their commander, men tended to be more welcoming when you gave them such a gift.
When she neared the bandit tents, she was intercepted by a man who appeared to be in his early thirties. He had dark hair and twinkling green eyes.
"Would you be Habren?" he asked.
"Yes." She said, "and who might you be?"
"Afsati at your service, my lady." He said bowing low. When his eyes were level with hers again, he said, "I must say, that was a fine gift that you left our leader. I've never seen him cry before. It was quite touching."
"The pleasure was all mine. Is he here?" she asked, smiling at this happy fellow. She liked him.
"He'll have heard you by now. Probably just being sullen about it." He said loudly, so that the whole bandit camp could hear.
"Really?" she asked. It wasn't that she didn't understand, she simply felt that Afsati deserved more of an opportunity to speak his mind.
"He's probably gazing at his pretty hair again. It's all he ever does when you're not around."
He led her through the encampment, until they reached Papay's tent. Afsati pushed the tent flap aside, without even bothering to announce he was there. Papay didn't look terribly surprised. Afsati did this all the time. He had long since learned to listen for his heavy footsteps. Afsati gave Habren one last grin, and made his departure, whistling all the way.
"My second in command." Said Papay, rather derisively.
"Is there really a need of a second in command? There are only four tents here." Asked Habren, a bit confused.
"Actually, there was a need. Afsati likes to feel needed. This was the only way I could get him to stick around."
"I like him."
"So do I."
Habren crossed the tent, and his wrist caught her attention. Ah, so he had found her little present. It had been in her pocket, and she hadn't been able help herself. The opportunity had been too good to pass up. She traced the ribbon with her index finger, grinning.
"Do you like it?" she asked.
"I love it. I'll wear it forever. How did you know, it's what I've always wanted." Said Papay, with a hint of sarcasm.
"Lucky guess." She said, simply.
"What are we going to do." He asked. It had been plaguing his mind for some time. He knew her family was important to her, and he didn't think they would be terribly understanding as to his profession.
"We'll figure something out. If not, I'll run away again." She said, half serious.
"No. You won't." he said firmly, catching her hand and kissing it. He would not allow her to simply run away again. That had not gone according to plan, and as a result of that action, he now had a "pretty bow" around his wrist. He didn't think he could handle another one. He wrapped his arms around her waist, kissing her. He would find a way to fix all of this, once he was able to concentrate.
Amage and Babai were still getting used to not having any children around. Not to mention fixing their marriage. It was work, but work that yielded great rewards. Amage looked at least five years younger, even her wrinkles appeared smoother. She was happy, happy that she had someone to talk to, to love. She had missed that. She had retired as village sorceress, and was now solely healing now. She didn't think she could handle the stress anymore. It had hurt more than it helped.
"She'll be fine." Tristan said to Lancelot.
Lancelot had been off in his own little world, and hadn't heard Tristan approaching. He had no idea where Habren was, and he was on edge.
"I'm not worried!" he said, faking a smile.
"Of course you are. She's your sister. Remember, she can look after herself. I don't think she likes your constant hovering." Said Tristan. He didn't usually share his observations so freely, but Lancelot was obviously in need of some direction.
Lancelot just pretended to smile some more, and went back to his tent alone. He didn't want to be around people now.
I'm sure there was something wrong with this chapter, so tell me! It will be for the greater good, I promise!