Wow. I feel so terribly pathetic. It has been so long. I haven't been slacking, I've just been reallyreallyreallyreally busy. I am so sorry. But, apologies aside, lets get back to the actual chapter. I had more fun with this one. It's still sad, but there are some pretty interesting aspects that I'll get to go into later. And hopefully soon. Speech season ends in two weeks, and we have spring break coming up. I should be able to update within a week. I won't promise, but it is probable. If the branding seemed extreme to you, read my note to Realtfarriage. It should help. Also, I have a list of the Saxons who survived with a brief description at the bottom of the chapter, if anyone gets confused!

Eiggem- The woads from 'Rebekah' won't be in this one…sorry! You'll have to wait and see about that one!

Mustang Gal- DAGONET LIVES! The dynamic between Arthur and Devona will get much more attention in the coming chapters…keep reading!

Blueglass25- I love that you leave long reviews. That rocks my socks! Oh, don't worry…Guinevere will not be a 'biatch' I just thought it was kind of reasonable for her to be seriously pissed at the people who had decided to invade her land, and most likely kill some of her friends. I thought that was illustrated nicely in the movie when she was talking about the Romans. I loved this review (It wasn't mean at all! It was actually really nice) I'm glad someone takes the time to go "what are you talking about?" every so often…keep doing it! It really helps!

Camreyn- Sorry it took me so long! Life's a bitch sometimes. I am going to have so much fun with this story once it actually gets going. You have no idea (SMILES WIDELY) None of the knights like this plan. Actually, the only one who does is Arthur. That always makes things interesting. Thanks for the nice long review!

Camlann- Guinevere won't always be like this. I just thought she wouldn't be overly welcoming to the invaders. Just one of those things. The branding will be examined more closely in future chapters, don't worry! You are totally my bestest friend!

Realtfarraige- The branding was certainly extreme, I agree. We have to keep in mind that Arthur's mind is on overload. He is really stressed, and unsure of his role. I don't think he really thought that through. Arthur was human. You'll just have to wait and see about that Lancelot. He's a wily fellow. Thanks for leaving such a nice long review!

Katemary77- You'll have to keep reading to learn that one! Thanks for sticking with me!

Je suis une pizza- I think we're all superficial when it comes to Lancelot. The man is a fox. I'm also a Tristan chick, so I really can't complain either way. The character list is at the bottom!

MonDieu666- Thanks!


Esma was not generally a vicious woman. She was not usually one to hold a grudge. The times, however, had a tendency to change one. As she looked down at the angry red flesh of her arm, she knew she would never be the same.


Dagonet was impatient. This was not a usual occurrence. Well, little had been usual as of late. He felt love, desire, anxiety, and yes, impatience. The world was a twisted place. Something had to be done; he couldn't put off his talk with Arthur any longer. Squaring his shoulders, his usual indifferent expression in place, he went to visit his future king.


Blood was glorious. He wiped his forehead, only to have more of the dried red rub off on his hand. He rubbed his fingers together, and the scarlet powder fell from his skin in rolls, giving the grass a bit more color. He was alive, and he wouldn't waste a miracle. He would build a new life for himself. He would rule.


Arthur stared off at the setting sun, wondering yet again what tomorrow would bring. He didn't see her, but rather felt her enter the room. He stood for a long time, waiting for her to make her presence known. Slowly, his ears could detect her breathing. She was upset about something, and it wasn't difficult to figure out what. He turned to her, and waited for her to speak.

"You should have killed them." She said, trying to disguise the venom in her voice. He heard it nonetheless.

"They could be useful to us. I don't want to begin my reign with executions." He explained, hoping she would understand.

Guinevere nearly screamed in exasperation. "If you are going to be king, executions will happen." She pointed out.

"I know that. I don't have to start with them, however."

He crossed the room and gently lifted her chin, bending down to kiss her scowling mouth. "Someday, you will understand." He said, and for once, she kept her mouth firmly closed when she obviously had quite a bit more to say.

"What is this really about?" he asked, knowing she wasn't being completely honest.

She lifted and eyebrow, "What else is there to say? You've let a bunch of Saxon sluts into our army. You won't listen to reason. That is all there is to say, Arthur."

"I would hardly call them sluts." Arthur protested.

"Oh, men rarely do. They prefer to get them on their backs first." She responded, scathingly.

Arthur nearly rolled his eyes. His future wife really worried over nothing.

There was a knock on the door, and they turned to each other. The message in both of their eyes was clear this isn't over.

"Come in." invited Arthur.

The door swung open, and Dagonet stepped into the room. He was acutely aware that he had just interrupted something, but he honestly didn't want to know what. All he wanted to do was leave, galloping after the caravan. He was stuck here until Arthur said so.

He gave a curt nod to Guinevere, and addressed Arthur. "Bors wishes to know when we will be fetching Vanora and the assorted offspring." He said, attempting to remain formal. It didn't sound right to discuss the 'lil bastards" with a king. There was no way he would mention the woman, though everyone knew he wasn't asking for Bors's sake.

Arthur considered this. He didn't want to send the knights out on their own. Even with Dagonet to supervise, they were a wild bunch. He couldn't have them gallivanting all over the countryside wreaking havoc. Now was as good a time as any to test the new recruits.

"You will be leaving tomorrow morning. Take the Saxons with you." He said, knowing he wouldn't have to elaborate. Dagonet understood things.

With a nod, Dagonet left the room.

"Rather sweet, isn't it?" commented Guinevere, with something close to a smile on her face.

Arthur gave her a smile in return. "Agreed, though I wouldn't say that to his face. He'd be far too distressed."

"True."

They reached an unvoiced conclusion. They would leave the issue alone for now, and figure it out later.


Devona led her band through the bloodstained field, until they came upon the first body.

Cwen. They found Atyhtan not far from her, their blood mingling in the grass. Anbidian forced himself to help with the removal of the bodies. He made himself carry her weight to the edge of the wood where they were collecting the bodies. He couldn't make himself look at Atyhtan, though. Even in death, he couldn't bear the thought of letting his friend see what he truly was.

They never found the bodies of Abrecan, Drefan, or Cedric. They supposed that they blue people had made off with them, after they searched for an hour. In the end, they dug a pit, and deposited the bodies of Banan, Colby, Stearc, Atyhtan, and Cwen. They gathered what wood they could, and Aglaeca handed Devona the torch.

Devona watched the flame, oddly reminiscent of her dream. She hadn't been completely wrong. Abrecan was dead, but they could not put his soul at rest. He was damned to wander the world alone. There was nothing she could do without his body. She could pray, but she had never put much stock in that option. It never seemed to work out the way she had planned. So, she would remain. She would look after the survivors. It was all she could do now.

Estra had never liked the smell of burning flesh. She longed to leave, but knew that this was the last time she would see her friends. Banan had always been nice to her. He had helped her out that one time when Colby…well, that didn't matter now. They were both dead.

Bernia was just happy that they had died without their skin being branded. They had died with honor, and she would remember them for the rest of her life. She would tell their stories to her children- or her friends' children, if she had none of her own. She would miss Cwen. Cwen was everything she wasn't. She was sweet, shy, pretty, fragile. Bernia had made it her business to take care of Cwen, and she had failed. She scanned the small group. She would not fail again.

Esma held Devona close, needing something to hold. It was odd, at times like these, that people felt a need to be connected to something real, something solid. She could feel every breath that Devona took, and relished the experience. Her hand reached out for someone, anyone to join them. Her hand closed on Aglaeca's shoulder. She drew him in, and he came quietly.

The silence was interrupted only by the crackling of flame, until Anbidian spoke.

"It's getting dark. We should go." He said, apologetically.

Estra looked relieved, briefly, before she resumed her blank mask. She wasn't always honest.

Devona nodded, and disentangled herself from Esma and Aglaeca. She set off for the wall, not looking back.

Esma and Aglaeca stood together for a bit, before turning to follow. They carried up the rear of the band, still holding on to one another.


Devona had no idea where she was going. No one had told her where they would be staying, so she simply stood in the courtyard, wondering what to do next. Then, she saw the curly haired knight, whom the others had called Lancelot, watching them from the shadows. She went to him, and he showed no signs of alarm at her advance. Inside, he was ready for anything.

"Where are we to sleep?" she asked.

It was not what he was expecting. He was actually expecting a dagger to the throat, so he had to admit he liked this course of action. It was much less lethal.

"Jols didn't show you?" he asked. He took her raised eyebrow to mean 'no', "Well, follow me." He said nonchalantly, and turned on his heal, listening for any violent movements. It would not due to retrieve a blade from his back.

He lead them through a series of hallways, and finally to a narrower one, with several doors on either side. "You'll sleep in here. We'll come for you in the morning. Be prepared for a long and unpleasant journey." He informed them, ever welcoming.

With that, he left them to their rooms. Devona nearly sighed before catching herself. She needed to get everyone settled in. "Well. I guess we won't have much breathing room, but, well…be ready for tomorrow…" she trailed off, awkwardly. She went to her room, berating herself all the way 'that was inspirational…well…be ready…um…yes.'

The room certainly wasn't ornate. No, this was a soldier's room. Devona wondered briefly who it had belonged to before. The bedpost was scuffed with all sorts of designs, she would examine them more later. When she wasn't so, well, tired. She found her weapons a corner, even those she had left in her tent before the battle. Come to think of it, her clothes were here as well…Where had those come from? If only she wasn't so tired! Perhaps this was all a dream…just a dream.

Aefre slipped into her room, unnoticed by any of the others. They hadn't noticed her today at all, but it really didn't bother her. She preferred it that way. She glanced about her room, and noticed that someone had brought the few possessions she had. They had left something else too…something terribly out of place in a soldiers room. An embroidery needle, and a few strands of thread. She tucked it into her satchel, and promised herself to see to it later. She hadn't used a needle since she was a child. It would be fun to pick it up again. As long as no one knew. They wouldn't understand.


Esma couldn't sleep. She felt alone and cold in her own room. She sat in the quiet for a while, trying to listen for any signs of stirring along the hall. She thought she heard someone shifting in their bed next door- Aglaeca. So, he was awake as well. She tiptoed out of her room, slid Aglaeca's door open, and was met with a blade to her throat. She raised a brow, and the sword was lowered.

Esma didn't say anything. She pulled her nightgown up to her thighs, settling herself on Aglaeca's lap, and kissed him. They both needed comfort. They both needed something to hold, something solid. They knew this was a bad idea, but it didn't matter. Nothing else mattered now.


Lancelot tried to sleep. He would have to wake up early tomorrow, and they would have a hard ride soon after. This was not time for insomnia! But, alas, the mystical higher-archy that governed his world was not listening, as usual, and he ended up pacing, one of his least favorite pastimes. It was amazing how often he ended up doing just that. He couldn't stop thinking about her. Guinevere. He knew he couldn't have her. He knew his thoughts were wrong. Arthur was his friend!

Guinevere laid awake, Arthur's arm tossed over her waist. She needed to convince him that the Saxons were up to something. They had to be. Saxons didn't just surrender. There had to be a reason.


He had washed the blood away now. He was almost saddened by its absence, but reminded himself that it would soon be replaced. This soothed his high-strung nerves, and he smiled. This was the best thing that had ever happened to him.


List of surviving Saxons:

Devona: Leader of the Saxons

Esma: Devona's best friend, can be a bit frisky at times

Aefre: Takes care of the horses, and doesn't socialize much

Bernia: Focused on the art of battle. That's all. Scary, eh?

Estra: 'The Blunt One' can always be depended on for an honest answer

Anbidian: A bit shy at times, but has been trying to cheer everyone up

Aglaeca: Probably their best warrior, we don't know much about him yet, except that he holds up well under pressure.

Please review! I'll love you forever!