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Disclaimer: Nope, dont own anything, although I'm tempted to kidnap Ioan hehe
What Heaven Is...
Chapter 11- "Underneath the Smoke"
My eyes burned from the smoke, and I rubbed at them desperately. I walked blindly towards the sounds of screaming, and I always found the same thing, Saxons. I would disperse of them quickly, and move to get the women or children quickly.
I walked forward hesitantly, my blades in front of me protectively. I heard the soft crying before I could see anything in front of me. I walked closer to the noise.
"Where are you?" I asked.
I heard the soft gasp, and the rustling of clothes. A child cried out and I took a small step backwards as a figure started towards me. Then I saw her, he face was covered with soot, and ashes covered her red hair.
"Lancelot…"
"Vanora?" her name left my throat softly.
There were tear stains on her cheeks and she reached out for me. She trembled as I pulled her to me,
"Please…they've already taken two of the children, I cannot…"
I pulled away from her and beckoned for her to follow me.
"Come…I'll get you and the children to safety." I said
She nodded and called for the children, they appeared out of the smoke like ghosts. I nodded and turned to leave but three men stepped in front of us. I put my hand out to block Vanora and the children and the men laughed.
"It's the Sarmation." One said.
"Stay back, gather the kids." I whispered to her.
Vanora nodded and she disappeared from my side.
"Why have you come here?" I demanded.
They all laughed this time, and cut the air with their weapons. I gripped my swords and watched them intently, waiting for an attack.
"It'll be an honor to kill you…" the largest one spoke up.
They started at me and I blocked most of the swings. My blades made contact with ones chest and he fell to the ground. Another swung at me, and I dodged the attack. He grunted and came once more, and I shoved my blade through his neck, his body went ridged and blood seeped through his lips. I pulled away from him and he slid to the ground slowly. The last one looked at me and tossed his sword from hand to hand. I went at him first and his sword blocked me quickly, he shoved at me from the back and I stumbled forward, nearly losing my footing. I spun around quickly and swung at him, I caught some of his side and he cursed me. I backed away from him and took a deep breath.
This is it…your tired, you can feel it. This man will take you.
Our swords met once again, and I fought to keep the man at bay. He swung at me and I felt the blade cut my stomach. I looked down at the wound, and I heard him laughing. I could feel the blood on my flesh and I stepped back, he hit me cruelly in the face and I fell back to the ground. His sword gleamed in the firelight and I saw her face one last time.
Watch after her.
The man went to swing down at me, but an arrow pierced him in the neck suddenly. The man stumbled and remained standing for a moment before falling next to me. I struggled to get up and looked around me for the archer. She walked out of the smoke and let the bow drop to her side. The air rushed out of me when I saw her, she was here against my wishes. She came to me and we looked at each other,
"Guinevere…"
Her eyes begged me for forgiveness and I smiled.
"Thank you…" I said.
"My lady." Vanora had come to our side again, pulling the children with her.
Guinevere smiled at her and pointed towards the smoke,
"Come, let's go."
Vanora nodded and we started walking. Guinevere lingered with me, her eyes searching my body.
"Your hurt…" she said as her hand found the wound in my stomach.
I winced at the touch, but didn't respond.
"I'll live, I promise." I said smartly.
Guinevere smiled and took my hand; she raised it to her lips and kissed it softly. I watched her do this without protest, knowing that Vanora could see.
"Don't scare me like that again." She said as we disappeared into the smoke.
Arthur:
My breath caught in my throat as I saw the flames. They rose above the wall and seemed they wanted to burn the stars. I heard the Knights behind me curse aloud and I urged my horse faster.
Death greeted us at the gate, men, woman, and children lay at our feet.
"The bastards…these people were unarmed!" Galahad said angrily as we made our way through.
I gripped my sword tightly, wishing I would have been here to prevent this.
You couldn't have stopped it…
Screams made my skin tingle and I squinted, trying to see through the heavy black smoke. The whole encampment was a blackened nightmare, smoke rose from every house and stable, it came from the windows, doorways and roofs. These people hadn't known what was coming.
"Bors, Gawain you two, over that way. Galahad, you stay with me." I said as I pointed to my left.
The two nodded and walked off into the blackness. Galahad looked at me and shook his head as he took a deep breath.
"I fear they might not have lived Arthur." He said sadly.
"Do not say such things. Lancelot and Guinevere both can fight, and wouldn't go out without one. You know this." I said, anger coming to my throat.
Galahad nodded and we started in a forward direction. The pathways were empty, and for the most part silent, save for the screams that came every few minutes.
"Lancelot!" I yelled, smoke going into my lungs.
"Lancelot! Can you hear us?" Galahad yelled after me.
Silence met us, and I bowed my head.
You know Galahad may be right, Lancelot may be the best warrior, but not when he's outnumbered.
I pushed my thoughts away from me. I would not give up hope, there is always hope.
"Lancelot!!" my yells rose with the smoke.
Lancelot:
I stood by the doorway, waiting for a Saxon who came near. My stomach throbbed with pain and I gripped the hilts of my swords. I felt Guinevere brush up beside me, bow at her side. I looked at her and sighed, she had saved my life. I wanted to brush the soot and ashes from her face, but I didn't dare distract us both with affection.
"Are they safe?" I asked.
She nodded, but didn't look towards me.
"I sent them into the woods, to a place Saxons dare not venture." she said.
I nodded and crossed my blades behind my neck.
Say something to her, tell her…
"Lancelot!!"
I heard the far off cry and I straightened. Guinevere looked at me then, hope coming to her face.
"Arthur!" she shouted.
I walked forwards hesitantly, my blades prepared in front of me.
"Lancelot? Guinevere?" the voice came again.
I let myself sigh and my frame shrink with relief.
"Arthur!" the hoarseness of my voice made me flinch.
I saw him then, through the smoke. Excalibur gleamed in the flame and I walked towards him. He saw me also and he quickened his pace, we met halfway and Arthur smiled,
"My dear friend." He placed his hand on my shoulder.
I nodded, a supple smile crossing my lips. I heard Guinevere running towards us, and soon Arthur had her in his arms. She kissed him lightly and separated from him,
"Arthur, there are more Saxons inside the main chambers." I replied as I tried not to look at them.
Arthur nodded, but placed his hand on Guinevere's face.
"Tell me you haven't come to harm." he said.
Guinevere shook her head, and looked towards me.
"No, Lancelot made certain that I did not." she said, her eyes thanking me once again.
Arthur nodded, and removed his hand, he hadn't seen the wound at her neck, and she hadn't mentioned it. Bors and Gawain had approached us and I nodded at both of them.
"Lancelot…Vanora?" Bors voice hinted with fear.
I patted him on the back,
"Ah, do not fear my friend. I came upon her and she is now safe with the rest." I said softly.
Bors smiled and nodded.
"Thank you."
I nodded and looked at Arthur.
"Seems there are more Saxons to take care of?" I asked.
Arthur nodded.
"Yes, come we'll all go so we can end this quickly."
We all followed him, but I stayed at the back and watched as Arthur and Guinevere took the lead.
What did you expect? For her to just leave Arthur on the spot? You're being selfish, and you know it. Now stop this and let her make her own decision in her own time.
I took a deep breath as Saxons appeared before us.