DISCLAIMER: You know the deal..blah blah blah. We hate these things. We think we should just buy King Arthur and all the knights...hmm...maybe they have them at Target......haha
----------Chapter Six----------
-----Kamilia's POV-----That night I felt so tired. Our freedom was so close and yet that damned old bishop sent us off on another mission. A hopeless one too! The batty old bastard sent us off to escort the pope's favorite godson back to the wall. Of course to do this we had to travel over the Wall, go through the middle of Woad territory, and avoid an army of attacking Saxons. "Hopeless," I thought to myself. Waking out of my own thoughts I heard a knock at the door and I went to answer it. It was Marieta. She looked just as worried as I felt. "What's up?" I asked.
"You know very well what the hell is up!" She sounded exhausted but yet looked like she was ready to punch something.
"Listen Mar, I know that you're just as upset as I am about this mission, but there's no way how we can avoid it."
"I know, I know. It's just so frustrating to think that our freedom is only a couple of rooms away!"
"Well then I suggest you start packing because the sooner we leave then the sooner it will be over and we can go home." I ushered her out the door and said good night.
-----Marieta's POV-----
Oh God how I hated that damn bishop for sending us on this damn mission! So far on the way to the damn little village there had been no sign of Woads or Saxons, which we were extremely grateful for. We just hoped we would have the same luck for the trip back home.
"I can't wait to get off this island. If it's not raining, it's snowing. If it's not snowing, it's foggy," said an irritable Gawain.
"And that's summer!" Lancelot added with his smirk.
"The rain's good. Washes away all the blood," spoke Bors. I smiled at the thought.
"Doesn't do anything for the smell though," Kamilia added her two cents in.
"What are you going to do about all your bastards Bors?" Galahad asked. Bors looked up thoughtfully for a moment.
"I had hoped to avoid that by getting killed!" He roared and we all laughed. "Their mother wants to get married and give them all names!" Tristan looked up and shook his head at the thought.
"Women!" he added disdainfully. Kamilia and I both gave him scornful looks. "And what's wrong with us?" I asked, acting as if I had never been more offended in my life. "Well, I mean, wanting to name your children, wearing too much clothing..." Tristan had started counting off reasons on his hands.
"Don't they have names?" Kami asked, ignoring our teasing, turning once more to Bors.
"Just number three. I don't know. I'd like to bring them with me. I love all my children. They mean something to me." Bors said with somewhat of a affectionate look on his face. He held that expression for a moment before turning back into the husky man we all knew and loved. "Especially number three! He's a good fighter!"
"That's because he's mine!" roared Lancelot. We all busted out laughing at the comment, but more at the look on Bors' face.
"I'm going to take a piss," he retorted and walked away from the fire.
"We're risking our lives for some boy, the Roman church, and that God of theirs," Lancelot said menacingly.
"I say we tie the family up so they can't talk and annoy us, load them in sacks, and carry them on the back of our horses. Who came up with the damn idea of living above the wall anyway? Damn Romans. Think they know everything," I said, distaste in my voice.
Everyone laughed at the remark. Arthur on the other hand looked somewhat offended from the statement about the Romans. He let us know his thoughts and we laughed even harder.
"Don't worry Arthur," replied Kamilia, "of all the pigheaded Romans I could have served, I'm glad that I got to serve you." Arthur seemed somewhat comforted and we all went to find a comfy tree to sleep on.
-----Kamilia's POV-----
For some reason I just couldn't get to sleep. Apart from the fact that my back was killing me from having to sleep on the side of a very uncomfortable tree, my mind just kept racing and just wouldn't shut down. I tossed and turned and tried to get comfortable but it just wouldn't work. Eventually I got up and looked for a more comfortable tree to sleep on. Nothing, so I chose the next best thing.
I walked over to my horse Lucky and motioned him to lay down. I had a way with horses and taught my own everything I could. He obeyed and I laid down next to him, leaning my body up against his warm stomach, and sat in between his front and hind legs. I knew that I was in no danger and it was quite more comfortable that any tree.
"Do you really think that's such a good idea?" I heard a voice. I jumped and looked up immediately. I found Lancelot looking down on me with his infamous smirk. I smiled back at him. "Better than any tree," I replied. He smiled.
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
"I don't think there's enough room for two. Sorry but maybe you can find another horse," I said mocking a serious tone.
"Oh I think there's room," he said with a large smile on his face. With that said and with no further ado, he literally sat on me! I gasped and tried to push him off, seeing as I was having a hard time trying to breathe from all the laughing I was trying to suppress. Fortunately Lucky didn't really care at having two people playing around next to him.
"Lancelot! What the-geroff already!" I exclaimed trying hard not to laugh and wake the others.
"Just trying to find a comfy place to sleep that's all!" he said with hurtful tone and a puppy dog look on his face. I gave him a look, and said that if he didn't get off I would sit on him next. Bad mistake.
"Alright then!" he said happily. He then slid off, and before I could do anything, he grabbed my waist and pulled me into his lap.
"Lancelot, let go! We're going to wake the others!" I hissed trying to get out but he wouldn't let go. I turned around in his lap and found him looking at me straight in the eyes.
-----Lancelot's POV-----
Why I didn't just reach up and kiss her, I'll never know. She was intoxicating. Her scent, her touch, and the comforting weight all but mesmerized me. I never wanted to let go.
"Lancelot, what are you doing?!" I awoke from my reverie and looked up into her face. I stared into her deep brown eyes and my heart stopped at the beauty of them. I was in love. I knew it.
"Lancelot?" she asked. I could sense a bit of concern, or was it, something else? I couldn't stand it any longer.
"Sitting in between a horse's legs isn't smart Kami," I stated putting on my smirk. "I'll just have to teach you a lesson about doing things like that now won't I?" My voice was low, raspy, but I didn't want it to be, I couldn't control it. As I talked I neared my face to hers. She didn't move. With no words said, I reached up and placed my lips on hers. She didn't move away, but she didn't respond either.
-----Kamilia's POV-----
I couldn't believe it! Lancelot was actually kissing me! I didn't move, but I didn't want him to know how inexperienced I was. After a few moments he pulled away. I thought he was somewhat offended that I didn't respond, but that didn't mean I wanted him to quit. "Don't stop," I whispered.
He gave me his smirk and cupped my face with his hands. Without hesitation he yet again placed his lips on mine. I could feel his tongue slide across my lips, tempting me and teasing me to respond to his kisses. I decided to finally respond and took my own tongue and outlined his own lips. Catching me unawares he then took full advantages and slid his tongue into my mouth. At first I was shocked but then I decided to be just as foreword.
-----Lancelot's POV-----
O gods how wonderful she tasted! So sweet and welcoming I could hardly control myself. After a few more minutes I broke it off in need of air. I stared up into her gorgeous eyes and tried to kiss her again. But she pulled back and placed a hand on my chest. I gave her a confused look. Why had she moved back? She motioned to the side with her head.
I turned and saw all the knights staring at us. All each with smirks on their faces, especially Mar who knew how I felt all along (damn her). I could feel my face grow hot as I tried to explain, "We were just um we were uh"
"Yeah whatever" said Marieta with a huge smirk plastered on her face. "Your giggling woke us all up. If you wanted to snog why didn't you just go in the trees and let us sleep, eh?" I could have killed her for that. With that said they all walked back to their trees and went to sleep. Not, of course, before giving us knowing looks as they passed.
-----Marietta's POV-----
The rest of the ride to the village passed in complete amusement. I had talked to Kamilia about what happened after the rest had gone to bed. She told me everything about it. How she felt, how he felt, and so on. I told her she needed to tell him how she felt inside, but she said that that probably would never happen. I sighed at the thought. Why were people so damn stupid? Well, I'm not exactly the right person to be dealing out romantic advice, but no one needs to know that.
Kamilia was too embarrassed that the others saw her and Lancelot and spent the rest of the trip mostly in silence. But every now and again I saw her and Lancelot give each other adoring and tender looks. I couldn't be happier for my friend. Bors, Galahad, and Gawain decided to never let them live it down. Most of the lewd jokes they made from that point on were about the two. After a few days of hearing about only the, "incident", I was more than ready to reach the village. Finally we arrived.
-----Arthur's POV-----
As we rode through the village I noticed that the men and women in the village seemed to be worst off then most serfs. Their houses made of straw and very little wood offered very little protection from the elements. I rode up to the small castle and stopped at the sight of guards.
"I am Arthur Castus from Hadrian's Wall. Open the gates!" I shouted. At that moment the gates opened and a group of people walked out. Most were guards but one caught my attention. A short, plump man wearing very clean and white robes. I dismounted and walked forward.
"Ah welcome knights! I am Marcus Honorius. What is it you need?" the short man said in an obnoxious tone. At first sight I could tell that I didn't like this man.
"Which of you is Alecto?" I asked. I wanted to get back to the Wall as soon as possible.
"I am." A young boy no older than 15 looked down at us from on top of the battlement. He and, who I guessed was her mother seeing as she was also in fine robes, walked down and joined the small group in front of me. He looked somewhat questioningly at me and my knights. "I am Alecto's father. What do you need?" Marcus Honorius asked.
"An army of Saxons is heading this way. I have been sent here to evacuate you and your family." I said grimly. Marcus looked at me as if I was mad. I frowned.
"That is impossible! All our possessions are here! Rome will send an army." He said motioning to his home.
"They have. Us." Arthur said. I was really starting to get annoyed. The man looked as if he was told he was going to be imprisoned.
"We cannot. It is impossible!" He said stuttering. I took a step towards him.
"My men cannot go home unless we return you to the Wall so you will be coming with us even if I have to tie you to the back of my horse and drag you all the way to Rome. My lord." I said dangerously. The stocky man's eyes widened in fear. "We leave in the morning. Lady my men are hungry." I said addressing the woman with the boy Alecto. She timidly touched her husbands arm as if waiting for permission. He nodded and she hurriedly went to prepare a meal. In the mean time, Marcus Honorius seemed to feel his authority was being weakened. I really started to dislike this man.
"Get back to work! All of you!" He shouted at the serfs. Several guards began roughly pushing them away from the knights. I watched the situation with disgust. Meanwhile Marcus turned around and swept back into his house. Immediately, serfs exploded me and my knights with questions.
-----Kamilia's POV-----
I had never been asked so many questions in my life. I was completely dumbfounded at the barrage of questions that were fired at me and the others.
"Are you from Rome?" A young man serf asked pulling at Bors' tunic.
"From hell." He said darkly. I smirked as I heard him say it. Then something caught my eye. I watched as the serfs followed Arthur over to where an older man was chained up. Alecto, the boy, followed.
"Who is this man?" Arthur said looking at the old man. There were stripes and scars running down his back from what looked like a severe flogging.
"He's our village elder. He defied our master. He asked for more rations for us and the master had him chained here." The same serf who asked Bors said, getting angrier as he spoke.
After hearing that I became enraged. Who could do such a thing to an old man?
"You're from Rome. You're a man of God! Tell us; is it true that some men are born to be slaves?" The same serf asked. I saw something flicker in Arthur's face. I looked worriedly at Gawain. Marietta looked like she would be sick. After staring at the poor man for a few seconds, Arthur yanked his sword out and turned to the serfs. They backed away in fear.
"I tell you now; Marcus Honorius is not a man of God. You were all free from your first breath!" He roared, and with a almighty swing he severed the chains that held the man to the post. "Somebody help this man!" An old woman from the crowd, who I assumed was the old man's wife, ran forward and gingerly tended to him.
I watched the boy Alecto's face for any signs of rebellion. However his face remained blank. We watched as the serfs cleared away speaking excitedly about Arthur in low voices. Marcus's wife, Fulcina, had food brought out to us later. Acting like all pissed off Romans do, Marcus did not offer us any quarters to sleep in. Therefore we camped out in the tiny courtyard. I kept watch over the Romans. I had never trusted them and I wasn't planning on starting to.
The next morning Tristan rode up as we were helping the Roman's pack up their wagon. I walked over to here what he had to say.
"Saxons. Heading this way. They'll be here before nightfall." He said gravely. Arthur looked uneasy.
"How many?" He asked gravely.
"An entire army." Tristan said. "One to the north and one to the south."
"Where do we go? South?" Arthur asked. It seemed as if the two Saxon armies where trying to pen us in.
"East. There is a path through the mountains to the east," replied Tristan. "Damn it!" I said to myself. I had always hated the snow. As I was busy with my thoughts, I didn't notice Arthur walking away. I become aware of his missing presence and found him talking to two guards. I walked over as did Marietta, Lancelot, and Dagonet.
-----Marietta's POV----
I heard Arthur arguing with some knights so I decided to investigate. I gave Lancelot a look that asked did he now what was going on. As if reading my mind, he shook his head and just shrugged.
"What is this?" Arthur asked. At first the guards didn't move or speak.
"You cannot go past this point," said one guard.
Then the priests came out. "You cannot enter!" they cried frantically.
Arthur looked at Dag. "Dagonet." He motioned to the half-way made brick wall. Dag understood and went back to his horse to grab his axe. He walked straight past the guards and priests and started to hack at the bricks. Once he had broken through there was a door.
"Key." Arthur said to the guards.
"It's locked. From the inside." The bulky guard said apprehensively. Arthur looked at Dag, and the giant of a man kicked the door in. Arthur, Lancelot, Dagonet, Gawain, Kamilia and I stepped into the dark chamber and began the walk underground as Tristan, Bors, and Galahad guarded the opening. Then out of nowhere a hideous smell filled my lungs and I tried hard not to gag.
Just then an extremely rank looking priest walked up. "Who are these defilers of the Lord's temple?" he said. I looked around and my heart stopped. There were dead people everywhere in cells. By the looks of it, it looked like some had been there for a long time.
"This is the work of your God?" Lancelot asked Arthur angrily, glaring at him. We began opening cells and trying to find survivors. Poor Kamilia. The first one she opened had bodies crammed together. They had obviously looked like they had been stuffed in there to make more room for more prisoners. She froze, and after about two seconds she rushed out of the dungeon covering her mouth and holding her stomach. I could hear retching sounds as she ran up the stairs.
"This one's dead," called Lancelot.
"By the smell of it, they're all dead," said a revolted Gawain. I turned around and glared at the priests.
One of them decided to speak. "How dare you try and-"but he was cut short when Lancelot took out his sword and cut his throat. "One move and you'll join him!" he said looking at the other priest.
Just then Dag pulled out a small, blonde, curly haired boy. "I found one!" he called to us. He then turned to the boy, "you must not fear me." The boy seemed somewhat comforted.
"Found another one!" called Lancelot. He and Arthur then pulled out a young woman. Arthur then carried her up the stairs and outside. We all followed content that there had been no more survivors.
"Give me some water!" Arthur shouted once we reached the outside. A serf then rushed forward and handed Arthur a skin of water. He did the same for Dagonet and the boy. But Dag was to preoccupied at staring horrified at the boy's arm.
"His arm is broken!" He exclaimed. I looked around and saw Kamilia coming over. She looked extremely sick. Her face was pale as she looked at the boy and his arm. Whatever color that was left in her face left. Then as she walked by the opening of the dungeon to see the woman, she got another whiff of the scent. That did it. She covered her mouth and we stared at her as she ran away again. We could hear more retching sounds from behind the hut. After a few moments, Bors and Galahad went to go see if she was alright. Lancelot was to preoccupied at staring at the Woad. I started to get angry. She was beautiful yes, but a pretty face should never get in between you and the one you cared most for.
Just then Tristan walked up next to me. "She's a Woad," he pointed out. I looked and saw tattoos running up her leg. "Great," I sighed. "First we come to save some pitiful Romans and now we end up saving a Woad too. What will happen next?" He just looked at me, flashed me a knowing smile. As if to answer my question, the sound of drums suddenly filled the air.
"Saxons." Gawain quietly. Just then Marcus Honorius walked up looking quite enraged at the sight.
"Stop what you are doing!" he screeched. "These are pagans who refuse to do the task God has set for them!" His wife took one look at the small boy and Woad and attempted to help Arthur.
"You mean they wouldn't be your serfs!" Arthur shouted at the man.
"You! You are a Roman! And Christian! You understand! And you! You kept them alive!" He said backhanding his wife before she could reach Arthur. I was livid. I mean, I've always thought Romans as being arrogant, but you NEVER hit a woman. Before he could take another step toward his frightened wife, and before I could start over to kick his arse to hell, Arthur had got up and punched the man's face, and in an instant, had his sword at the man's throat.
"Stop!" The Roman said to his guards who had started to come forward. "You will be punished for this heresy when you return to the Wall."
"Then perhaps I should kill you and seal my fate now!" Arthur said barely opening his mouth. I could tell that he was ready to kill somebody and it didn't matter who.
"I was willing to die with them." The rank priest said rambling on. "Yes it was God's will that these sinners be sacrificed. Only then could their souls be saved."
"Then I will do his will. Wall them back up!" Arthur shouted.
Lancelot started- "Arthur I-"
"I said wall them back up!" The serfs (including the same from before) rushed forward and pushed the crazed priest into the stone hut and began to wall them back up, trying to ignore his cries of "Sinners!"
After the wall being completed, we all mounted our horses (Kamilia was still a bit pale but I had given her some herbs to quiet her stomach) and left the village. Everyone came including the serfs and guards. I could tell it was going to be a long trip home.
NOTE: YAY! Finally some romance. Aren't you proud of us!!! We promise there's more on the way. Don't forget to R/R!!!!!!!!!!
K & A