Thanks for the responses! Feel free to pick apart my writing, I really want to improve!
Nianko- Yeah! You told me what makes Papay sexy! Whoopee! I'm trying to do more with the villages but there is a big problem. The Sarmatians didn't really leave us records of their daily life. Which means I would have to make it all up. I'm sure there are people out there with Sarmatians for ancestors just itching to hire a hit. I like being alive. I wish to offend no one. So, yes, I'm trying to include more, but I only have so much to go on. Thanks so much!
Camlann- Thanks! I hate the stories where Lancelot goes completely mushy, and never flirts again. Neutering Lancelot is seriously unfortunate. I'm glad I haven't done so. Thank you again, and I love your story!
Camreyn- Thanks for reviewing Vashti, that was so nice of you! I'm glad you liked it. I know I miss Bors. He was quite the character. Papay gives Habren a very nice present near the end of the chapter. Have fun! Sorry about the abrupt change of scenes, I was going to separate them, but the edit/preview thing wouldn't let me edit! It's so maddening! You shall see...tee hee hee!
Mustang Gal- Thanks!
MonDieu666- Thank you! (You updated! Happy dance!)
HGandRHrforever- I like showing different relationships. Too often, we assume that there is only one kind of love. I guess I don't buy in to that theory. Thanks for the review!
A.K. Anomynous- I thought the ribbon was a nice touch. I really like Afsati too...who knows what I'll end up doing with him? (Well, I suppose I do, and Camreyn will probably figure it out eventually, she always does! I guess I'm pretty predictable!)
When Fire Meets Ice- Papay is perhaps one of the only males who can look sexy with a pink ribbon on. Those are my thoughts.
Wacilla looked about, a scowl on his handsome face. He was surrounded by idiots. They needed "rest" and "a good drink". Fools. If they didn't want this life, he would end it for them without hesitation. All they needed to do was ask. He had the pleasure of helping another on to the next world only just that morning, when the fellow had complained about wanting to see "home" again. Well, Wacilla had followed his request. He would be in the arms of his ancestors now. It had broken the usual tedium of long rides nicely. Wacilla gave the departed soul a silent thanks for the entertainment.
It was good to feel the wind on his face once more. He had been cooped up in his tent for far too long. His hair whipped around in his face, but he just shook his head, grinning in a manner very different from the one he had worn when blood dripped off his sword that morning. He was doing what he did best, hunting down the enemy. For that was what Papay was now. He was shirking his duties, making the rest of them look bad. The villagers' morale was on the rise, and that could not be tolerated. They were half beaten with fear in their hearts. Now, they actually tried to resist. Imagine!
He patted his horse's neck. Though he had never given the horse a name, he was quite fond of him. More so than any human, come to that. He preferred the company of his fine chestnut horse to the wealthiest of kings any day. People tended to get upset when he decapitated the King. If he lost his temper with the horse, no one really cared. It was that simplicity that he craved, desired, and hunted that had proven ever elusive. It was like chasing rainbows, no matter how far you went, you were never any closer to achieving your goal.
He had been hearing much about this "Habren". Some said she was a quiet lass, one who kept to herself. Others said she had a flaming temper. Still others claimed she had a seductive nature, with no lack of charm, or beauty. She was never described the same by any of his spies, and he had quite a few. It had been difficult to find out any information before, but she had holed up in some godforsaken village, where he had a few informants. She rarely attended communal meals, and was ill a shocking percentage of the time. So many secrets. He would figure out each and every one of them at his leisure. She would beg for him in the end.
They were getting closer.
Deirdre was in another one of her moods. She had suddenly ducked out of evening meal, not even bothering to tell him where she was going. It was becoming a rather suspicious pattern, one that Galahad firmly intended upon figuring out.
He followed her.
She had run away from the village, and was doubled over, throwing up everything she had just eaten. Galahad ran to her, unsure of what was happening. Was she ill? Was she dying? Gods no! When Deirdre saw him, she turned even whiter (if that was possible) and looked ready to run again. Her eyes swept the area, looking for an escape, but Galahad was unwilling to give her one. He grabbed her shoulders, forcing her to look at him. He saw uncertainty, even fear in her eyes. What had made Deirdre so afraid?
"What's wrong?" he asked her in a firm, yet comforting voice.
Deirdre took a deep breath, trying to find the right way to share this little bit of inconsequential information with her husband. Seeing no alternative, she opened her mouth to speak.
"Galahad, I'm...pregnant. I'm sorry." She said, voice shaking. He wouldn't want children, or hormonal women around.
Galahad looked confused. "Pregnant, why are you sorry?"
It was Deirdre's turn for confusion. "But, you don't want children!"
"I don't?"
"No!"
"I do not recall ever expressing such an opinion. For the record, this makes me very happy, though I wish you would have told me sooner." He said, and promptly bent over to examine her deceptively flat abdomen. It was all starting to make sense now. All her mood swings, self-confidence (or lack thereof). Her absence at mealtimes. He hugged her to him, kissing her stomach.
Once he was on his feet again, he said, "We need to get you to a healer. They'll know what to do."
"Oh, I've already seen one. Habren." She said, dismissively.
"Habren?" asked Galahad, his confusion returning in force. "Habren, as in Habren, the girl who never leaves her tent, whom we've traveled with but not actually spoken to. That Habren?"
"Yes. She's very soothing."
"Is that why she's never around?"
"I have no idea what she gets up to, but she has always been there when I wanted answers. I like her." She said simply. She did. When she had first sought out Habren, she had felt so alone, lost. Habren had calmed her down, even making her laugh at herself. She let her use her tent when she went out for locations unknown. Deirdre had been thankful for an escape. Habren had tried to tell her that Galahad would love to have little ones underfoot, but Deirdre had been too stressed out to listen. Now, she realized Habren had been right.
"Well, I guess I owe her some thanks. Have you given her anything for her work?" he asked.
"No, I think she would be insulted. She does this because she wants to, not for rewards. Though, I suppose we could try getting Lancelot to let her be. I don't think she'd mind that."
Tristan was not the only one to notice how worried Lancelot was becoming. He had been forced into the "big brother" role quickly, and it was not an easy adjustment for him. He never felt quite comfortable in that position.
"Come on, we'll tell my family." Said Galahad, taking her hand.
Deirdre could only imagine what kind of welcoming that news would bring. She hoped the baby would survive the squeeze.
Rebekah had had enough. On occasions before this, she had allowed her emotions to get the better of her, forcing herself and others into potentially dangerous situations. Now was no exception. She had tried ignoring it, tried reasoning with herself, but nothing had made her forget that nagging suspicion that had lurked in the corner of her mind since leaving Lancelot's village.
She marched up to Habren's tent and called out. There was no answer. Cautiously, Rebekah opened the tent flap, looking about. At first glance, there was nothing out of the ordinary in this tent. It was clean and neat, in fact, it was too neat. No one kept their living quarters so clean, unless they spent very little time in it, though that did not fit with Habren at all. She supposedly spent most of her time here. And where was she now? Rebekah didn't like this. She didn't like this at all. Habren was up to something. It might be something that would affect them all, but perhaps not. There was no way of knowing. She couldn't just waltz up to Habren and demand answers. She barely knew the girl, and such actions would easily offend.
Rebekah heard footsteps approaching the tent, and silently cursed herself. There was only one way out of the tent, and Habren was now entering it, one eyebrow raised, barely controlled mistrust etched in her features.
"We were looking for you." Said Rebekah, trying to smile, as if this was all going according to plan. As if she hadn't gone through the contents of the entire tent.
"Well, I am here. You needn't worry about me." Said Habren, the dismissal in her voice clear nonetheless.
Rebekah took in the older woman's appearance. It was strange, Rebekah always thought of Habren as being younger, but she was a year older. Her hair had been hastily braided, her dress not adjusted quite right. Ah, there it was. On Habren's neck lay a lover's bite. Habren obviously hadn't noticed this. Well, like brother, like sister. Rebekah needn't worry about this anymore. It was none of her business, and would not bring them into any danger. She could relax. She gave Habren a genuine smile.
"You might want to put a scarf over that." She said, indicating the red flesh in an offhanded manner. "We wouldn't want Lancelot to have kittens, now would we?" she asked, and left a stunned Habren behind.
Habren touched her neck, and found the flesh that had given her away. Papay had felt the need to repay her for the ribbon, it seemed. He could have picked a better spot. While Habren had enjoyed very much the process by which she got such a marking, it was not exactly helpful in concealing her actions. Now Rebekah knew. She didn't know whom, but she knew. Not that Rebekah would tell Lancelot. Rebekah had been cautious around her for some time now, and Habren knew she suspected her of something. Rebekah would think nothing of it now. Perhaps the bite had not been such a bad thing after all. She might have to repay Papay in kind.
Rebekah was nearly skipping back to her tent. She had been worrying about nothing! She could finally jump Tristan without worrying that this time would be their last. With that in mind, she adjusted her speed, trying to get back to the tent faster. She was not being careful, and ran into Sebbi.
Sebbi didn't look upset about the situation. In fact, Rebekah didn't think she had ever seen Sebbi upset about anything. She smiled at him and apologized for her preoccupation.
"So, Aine treating you all right? She isn't hitting you too hard, is she?" she asked.
"Aine is treating me very well. She can't even bring herself to make a decent threat anymore. She doesn't even want to think about making me a eunuch anymore." Responded Sebbi cheerfully, ever the optimist.
"Oh, I'm glad to see that Aine has finally learned to play nicely with the other children. Tell her I want to talk to her at breakfast." Said Rebekah, and gave Sebbi an impulsive kiss on the cheek. She wanted to kiss everybody! She was so happy!
Tristan didn't look up when she entered the tent, but he could sense the change in her mood, and wondered what could have caused such an abrupt turn around. Rebekah had been tense all week, and now she was floating with every step. He simply stared at her, waiting for her to explain.
She didn't.
Instead, she grabbed a fist full of braids and tugged him to her, and set to work loosening him up.
Short update, I know! I wanted to post it though. I also have not gotten many answers to the "What makes Papay sexy?" question. I must know! Is it...
A) His pretty bow
B) His pretty hair
C) His pretty grey eyes
D) other
Let me know! Then, I can use his sexiness to the nth degree!
Also...If people will please review my story, "Vashti" If you don't want to wade through all the stories written by people who simply cannot take a joke, just click on my penname above, and you can access the story from there. No pain. It is rated R, so I completely understand if you don't want to read it.