Sorry I didn't update yesterday. No time!
Dazzler420- that was an inspiring attempt, but no. Papay is mine!
A.K. Anomynous- I think it's "thinking out loud" but I could be wrong.
When Fire Meets Ice- I agree! And Wacilla is sexy. Psycho, but sexy. I personally would love to see the "sexy villain showdown." Villains in general are sexy.
Mustang Gal- His bow is pretty hot.
HGandRHrforever- I have no idea what fatherhood will do to Galahad. We can only hope that it doesn't kill him.
Trinity Valyntine- you are so right!
Tomb Raider X- Thanks, update soon!
Camlann- I read your last chapter, it was very moving! I could just see Tristan staring stonily at a wall, as this little girl is jumping around, singing, and begging for pony rides. It's quite a picture.
Camreyn- Yes, I do. And, yes, you generally do figure my plotlines out. Huzzah! I'm sorry, I cannot allow you to rip Wacilla's throat out. Maybe later. I need him right now for a little thing called "plot."
Note- Wacilla. He is what we would call in these modern days, a psychopath. So, if you think he is acting irrationally, he is. Just thought I'd clear that up.
Radha was confused. She wasn't showing any of the usual signs of pregnancy. She felt normal. Gawain had been letting her have top lately, not wanting to crush the child. But Radha knew there was no child now. At Deirdre's suggestion, she had gone to see Habren, only to confirm her suspicions.
Amage had been mistaken.
Afsati chuckled at Habren's departing back, knowing how it would affect Papay's mood. And, sure enough, a rather glum figure emerged from his tent, heading for the warmth of the fire. He reached out his hands to warm them, and the bandits saw that he still wore the ribbon.
"So, when are you going to marry the woman?" asked Afsati, with apparent interest.
"I would marry her now, if it were not for that pesky little detail of my profession." Replied Papay in monotone.
"What pesky little detail?" asked Magovey, grinning.
"Hmm...That would make for interesting meal conversation. 'Yes, future father-in-law, I'm a bandit. Yes, I make a very good living.' People don't generally like us, Magovey."
"Why tell her parents?" asked Angi, confused.
"Some people-namely Habren- actually like their parents. It's hard to keep insignificant details-like one's marital status- secret from such relations." He said, more annoyed with himself than with his men.
He should have let Habren run from him. He would end up ruining her life. He couldn't stop himself from loving her, touching her, but he wanted her to be happy. She wouldn't be happy without her family, and her family would not accept him. He could not run away from her. He had traveled all over, learning about thousands of herbs and their affects. None could affect him as much as Habren. One could not abandon such a powerful element.
He sighed, knowing that he would follow Habren the rest of his days. It was an inevitable conclusion-he might as well accept it.
Afsati watched his friend struggle with his thoughts. Love confused him. If it was so much bother, why did anyone love in the first place? None of it made sense to Afsati. He had known Papay his entire life, never had he behaved this in way.
Now, he stroked his neck, exposing the reddened flesh beneath his fingers. Habren had felt the need for payback, and he had not resisted. Habren knew how to get to him, knew how to make him gasp. He often returned the favor. He was a flawed individual, but she didn't seem to care. She loved him for it.
Breakfast was always an illuminating meal. You discovered peoples true natures so early in the morning.
Tristan was his usual serene self, irritating Lancelot, who could barely get one eye open. Galahad was humming, much to the annoyance of Gawain. How he could find something to be happy about at this gods-forsaken hour was a mystery to him. Rebekah had managed to get both eyes open, but had not accomplished much. She wanted to talk to Aine, but didn't think she would be able to articulate anything while her mind was still asleep. Deirdre was holding Galahad's hand, looking thoroughly pleased about something. Radha was wide-awake, alert, flashing self-satisfied smirks in Gawain's direction. Sebbi was trying to talk to Aine about some "fascinating" type of butterfly, and she couldn't even summon the energy to hit him. Yes, food would do them all some good. Habren had even come, shocking them all. Yes, today promised to be an interesting day.
Food was passed around, and the group gradually began to awaken. Aine managed to glare at Sebbi, who just grinned. Sera opened her eyes, and managed to raise her head off of Lancelot's shoulder. Gawain sent Radha a suggestive glance, only to have her smack his shoulder. Tristan actually grinned at Lancelot, rendering Lancelot completely speechless. Yes, this day was interesting already. Once everyone was semi-conscious, Deirdre cleared her throat.
"Um...I'm pregnant..." there. It was over and done with.
The Woads looked a bit shocked at first, but quickly smiled, and gave Deirdre lots of hugs. Habren grinned, glad that she had finally told Galahad and her friends. Her eyes inadvertently strayed to Papay's campsite, out of view. She liked these people, she really did, but she couldn't help but wish she were somewhere else.
The knights were a bit stunned. They hadn't thought that the first father among them would be the youngest.
"Galahad, I had no idea this was even possible for you!" teased Lancelot, "This will put Bors's concerns and mine to rest."
Deirdre let out a sigh of relief. She knew Radha wanted a child of her own, and had been worried that she would be upset by the news. Radha had been genuinely happy for her, though her eyes told her that she still wished for the same.
Radha turned to Gawain, and raised an eyebrow. Was he still willing to take her up on that offer he had made earlier. Gawain grinned, and threw Radha over his shoulder, taking her back to their tent.
"Don't worry about us, we'll be ready in time to leave!" he called over his shoulder.
Today, they were leaving for Tristan's village. It was time to move again. They hadn't yet gotten used to this whole "peace" concept yet, and didn't think they ever would. Perhaps parenthood would change that.
The others returned to their tents, to finish their packing. There wasn't much to do, they had all been so ready to leave that most of it had been done last night. They didn't travel with much baggage, anyway.
Habren slipped away from the group, running as fast as she could to the bandit camp. She ran into Papay's tent, catching him in the middle of putting on his tunic. Habren stopped to catch her breath, but was unable to, as Papay had covered her mouth with his with great speed. She managed to tear her lips away for a moment, and Papay moved on to her neck, renewing the bite he had left earlier.
"Papay, we are leaving today." Her voice came out a bit strangled, but he could still understand her words.
His lips stilled, and silence filled the tent.
She had actually told him of her travel plans in advance. It was a miracle. He wouldn't have to travel blind this time.
"I will follow you, if you wish it." He said, wanting to make perfectly certain that that was what she wanted. He cursed himself mentally, knowing that he would not follow her wishes if she told him she never wanted to see him again. Well, he was a bandit, and bandits are not always honest. At least now he appeared to be concerned.
"Oh, I wish it." She whispered. "But I have to leave soon."
"There is always time. We won't be able to have each other until we reach the village. I'll make us some time." He said, and pulled her over to the cot. Habren did not, could not, resist. He brought up the hand attached to her pink ribbon, and ran a finger over her bottom lip. No, resistance was not a possibility.
Wacilla could see the village. He itched to attack, but knew that it was best to bide his time. He would find her soon; there was no need to rush things. Papay's tents were near, though he did not approach. He would get his mistress first, and then go for the Bandit leader. People were generally more cooperative when someone they loved was in danger.
He had ten well-trained cavalrymen at his beck and call. It was not a large number, but that hardly mattered. They managed very well for their purposes. Yes, when darkness fell, he would go to her. Now, however, it was time to rest. He would need his strength for the hours to come. He brushed the hair out of his face, loosening his tunic, removing the weapons from his body. It was a lengthily process, due to the numerous hidden knives and daggers hidden all over his body. He kept the dagger that hung around his neck on at all times. It had saved him on numerous occasions, though you wouldn't know it. It looked so clean, innocent, harmless in its neat little sheathe. On it ran the blood of nearly fifteen men. All had dared to challenge him, meeting a rather sticky end. He clasped the dagger in his left hand, holding it to him. It could not produce warmth, good company, breath, but it was comforting nonetheless. Now, all he needed was this "Habren" creature, and his dreams would be complete. She would provide the warmth, the excitement, the sighs. She would complete this fellowship. If only the rumors were true.
Habren left his tent, after insisting several times that she really had to leave now. The bandits smiled knowingly. Habren grinned at them, and kissed them all on the lips.
"I'm sorry you have to follow me around. And on top of that, you have to put up with him all day. You have my sympathy." She said, and ran off, finally ready to leave now.
The men gathered their things. They had known that they would not remain long here. They wondered how long this quest would last. If only Papay would come to his senses and marry the woman. It would make their lives so much simpler.
Wacilla's men were frightened. The target was riding away, yet anyone who dared to disturb their leaders sleep was met with a dagger slashing through their throat. Yet, if he was not alerted to this change, he would not be in the best of moods. Finally, an ambitious young man stepped forward, He would warn his master of this new development. He took a deep breath, every step carefully thought out. The men watched him go with apprehension. He had a nice singing voice, and would be greatly missed.
Review please! Also, if you're into Van Helsing, I have started my parody entitled "The Hairclub for Men" yes, now you will finally know why everyone in that movie had such pretty hair.
On a sad note, my own personal Papay (well, I guess he wasn't that hot) has been expelled from school. Alas, when someone is intelligent in one area, (i.e. decent conversation) they can be completely stupid in another (yes, lets get expelled, because I'm an idiot!) so, my days are no longer spent in sometimes intelligent and hot company. My heart will go on.