Finally some more daylight penetrated the dense wood as the knights reached the edge of the forest. Arthur was relieved. He knew that sunset was near and he had no idea how they were going to find Lancelot if the darkness unveiled itself.
Tristan turned around on his horse. "We're almost there." Only a short time later, the knights emerged from between the trees.
"Tristan, keep us close to the woods. I don't want our presence known just yet." Arthur looked around, but saw no sign of either Lancelot or his capturers. Still far ahead he could see the houses forming the outskirts of Lytchett.
Slowly and cautiously they continued their travel along the tree line of the woods. A few miles further, Tristan once again turned around on his horse. "Arthur…" Tristan pointed towards a group of trees.
Arthur had to strain his sight before he saw what his scout had already seen. A gathering of men and horses. Woads. Blue painted warriors. One dozen of them. The Roman couldn't tell whether Lancelot was amongst the group. He looked at Tristan, who shook his head uncertainly.
Arthur remained silent for a few moments before he turned to Tristan once more. "Take Galahad and disappear in the darkness between the trees. Knights! Be ready for anything!" He drew Excalibur from its sheath over his white horse's shoulder, and spurred the large stallion on to proceed in a slow gallop. Gawain, Bors and Dagonet followed easily, weapons ready, as they had drawn their swords and axe at the same time as their commander drew his big sword.
As soon as Arthur had approached close enough to be able to distinguish the Woads from each other, they parted into two groups, revealing what was in their midst.
Arthur's heart skipped a beat as he made out Lancelot. He took in how the Sarmatian knight was bound to a large oak tree, his arms pulled back in an awkward position, like he was hugging the tree, his hands bound together by a rope wound around the big stem. His eyes were closed, his head lolled to one side. His feet were touching the ground, but his entire body was hanging limp, his knees buckled. Arthur couldn't make out whether he was alive or dead.
"Sweet Goddess! Don't let us be too late..."
Arthur heard Gawain's soft exclamation as he too took in the sight before them, shock evident in his voice. He could hear both Bors and Dagonet cursing in their native tongue. For a brief moment, the Roman closed his eyes, sending up a quick prayer to his own God, to keep his knight, second in command, and closest friend safe.
As the group of four knights approached further, they watched how two men, Woads, appeared from behind the trees and bushes on either side of Lancelot. Both men carried bows, the arrows nocked and ready to be fired. Their target was Lancelot.
Arthur continued to approach the group of Woads, the others close behind him. When they had neared up to sixty feet, the Woads suddenly drew their weapons, more bows being raised and aimed, this time at Arthur. Arthur pulled his stallion to a stop, but remained on his mount.
One of the Woads stepped forwards, a gleeful smile on his face. "So glad you cared to join us for your knight's last hour on this earth." The bass voice of the Woad leader thundered across the space between himself and the Roman commander.
"What issues do you have with my knight?" Arthur's voice sounded just as thundering and enraged.
Arthur saw how Lancelot's eyes fluttered open upon hearing his voice, revealing dazed and feverish dark eyes radiating with pain. Lines of agony were etched on his face. "Lancelot!" he shouted. Slowly the Sarmatian's head lifted slightly.
"You and your knights killed my son! An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth! We grabbed the first man we could, and pretty boy here was in the back!" The Woad leader started to cackle like a mad man. Roars of laughter escaped from his lips, the men around him joining him. "But it turns out he was a pretty good catch, wasn't he? He's very dear to you, isn't he? Good, very good! Then you will know exactly how it feels to watch the one most dear to you die a slow and painful death…"
The Woad leader turned around, not giving Arthur a chance to reply. He walked to the tree to which Lancelot was bound.
Lancelot turned his head to face the man that he knew had just walked up to him. His vision was blurred, and no matter what he tried, he couldn't get his eyes to focus. His hearing was being hampered by the sound of his own blood rushing through his veins as his head and back ached mercilessly. He felt how a hand was placed under his chin and his head lifted. He blinked again but to no avail. He could hear a voice speaking but he couldn't make out the words.
The knights watched as the Woad leader grabbed Lancelot by his chin. The Sarmatian did nothing to protest the rough treatment. Arthur felt the fear for Lancelot's life blossoming within him. The next words of the Woad made him shudder with anger, with horror.
"He was a lot more fun to play with before he fell so silent. He liked to play too! Nasty words from the mouth of such a handsome face…" Another cackling sound rose from the throat of the Woad leader.
Arthur made a mental note to talk with his dark knight to finally learn when to speak and when to be silent. If he were to survive.
Two arrows flying through the air from the shelter of the trees interrupted the Roman's thoughts. With perfect aim both Woad archers threatening Lancelot were killed instantly and simultaneously.
Two other arrows immediately followed, killing the other two archers. The Woads scattered in surprise at the unexpected attack.
"Forwards!" Arthur yelled as he pushed his heels into his horse's flanks and went straight for the leader of the Woads, Excalibur outstretched in his hand.
Before Arthur reached the Woad leader, one of the other warriors aimed his spear at the legs of the Roman's horse. With a high squeal, the white stallion went down when the long weapon got caught between its front legs. Arthur jumped off easily. Turning around, Arthur threw up Excalibur, and caught it again easily. With one swift motion, he plunged his sword further downwards in the chest of one of the Woads.
Arthur noticed that Gawain and Bors were on foot as well already. Tristan and Galahad came charging into battle from the tree border, both knights firing off arrows in full gallop.
Stepping forwards, Arthur came face to face with the Woad leader. Bringing up Excalibur to block the Woad's sword, the Roman stepped backwards, before immediately stepping to his right and raising his sword to push it through the man's chest. Arthur realized that the Woad leader was a skillful opponent when the warrior managed to block Excalibur's descent with a motion as swift as Arthur's. He didn't waste any time and used his momentum to swing up the big sword, slashing his opponent across his right arm, his swords arm. The Woad let loose a scream in pain and surprise, but held on to his weapon tightly. Arthur immediately progressed to another attack, which was deflected once more.
After two more attacks, the Roman found the opening in the Woad's defense that he had been looking for. Arthur swiftly brought down his hand that was holding Excalibur, bringing his arm backwards. With a sudden change in direction, the Roman commander brought his arm forwards again, his sword moving upwards now. Excalibur found its target as it embedded itself in the Woad leader's abdomen, running him through completely. The Woad slowly sagged to his knees, his sword falling from his hand, blood seeping out of the corners of his mouth.
Arthur's gaze met the Woad's as he pulled back Excalibur. "If you harm my knights, be ready to bear the consequences," Arthur threw at the man coldly as he watched how grey eyes turned into lifeless orbs.
Soon all Woads were dead. When the Roman looked up he saw Tristan killing off the last of them.
Immediately, Arthur focused all his attention on Lancelot. Dropping Excalibur, he spun around. For a moment he was frozen in shock as he took in how Lancelot hung tied to the tree with his head down. His eyes were open, but seemed as lifeless as the eyes of the Woad he had just killed.
"LANCELOT!" Arthur's scream tore through the air, carrying his full terror, reaching his other knights, as he ran towards the dark Sarmatian knight.
A/N: Thank you for all the marvelous reviews!
