Disclaimer: I only own my band of Moon Riders, not the concept or anything. I also don't own the knights or anyone else, which is a bit upsetting, but there we are.
Chapter 5
Arlia followed Arthur her heart in her boots. How was she to tell her Maidens that after this mission that they would be allowed home? Many of them would jump at the chance, but Reseda. She really didn't know. Home had become something unattainable for all of them. Home for her was a dream and nothing more. All her maidens would be happy about the situation, apart from her and Reseda. But maybe Reseda would be happy. She would have all of Egypt to roam over. And all she would have were her memories. She would have her horses, but that was it. She would miss human contact, she was a very sociable person, and she hated the thought of going back to find the land deserted, or even worse populated by settlers.
Entering the tavern Arlia was greeted by a warm sight. The knights and Moon Riders were sitting around talking and drinking as if they had been doing that all their lives. It was quite a cosy scene. But she was going to be the bearer of news, some of which she hoped would be good. The women and knights looked up when the two leaders walked in. There was an unasked question in their eyes. She looked to Arthur, she wasn't going to be the first one to speak, she was determined of that. But Arthur was just looking at the scene around him. The lights flickered in the cool evening breeze, whipping strands of hair off faces. All the knights were waiting for their leader. Bors was standing with his woman, who was nursing a young baby, theirs she guessed.
"Artorius." Bors bellowed, embracing his friend.
"What is it Arlia?" Bremusa asked, looking at the expression on Arlia's face.
"Nothing, I'm completely fine." Arlia forced a smile onto her face.
"Men I have something to tell you." Arthur began.
"Listen in girls, this involves us too." Arlia warned her riders.
"Knights in the morning we leave on one final mission." Arthur announced.
"What we doing there?" Reseda asked.
"Rescuing a boy, whose family is in danger from the Saxon threat. We leave in the morning." Arthur announced.
"But that's woad territory." Galahad spat.
"Let the Romans look after their own, and we'll look after ours." Lancelot added.
"We have a duty to these people." Arthur spoke.
"Our duty, if ever we had one is done." Galahad said, sounding drunk.
"The Romans have broken their word, we have Arthur's word that is enough for me." Dagonet spoke, "You coming?" He asked Bors.
"Of course I'm coming, someone will get killed if I bloody well don't." Bors yelled.
"Count me in." Tristan spoke from where he was eating his apple, using his knife.
"Count me out." Galahad spat.
"If it's death that frightens you stay home." Tristan spoke to the youth.
"I do not fear death." Galahad spat.
"We will come." Gawain said meaning himself and Galahad, and tactfully avoiding the fight he knew was about to come. Galahad finished off the wine he was drinking and threw the clay mug on the floor.
"Girls?" Arlia asked, aware that now only the moon riders were around, no knights.
"Does it look like we have a choice?" Reseda asked bitterly.
"We get our freedom, you included Reseda, but you'll be shipped off to Egypt." Arlia explained.
"Who ho." Reseda waved her hands with lacklustre.
"Of course we'll come." Bremusa said, speaking for the entire group.
"Well that settles it then." Arlia said, sinking down into a chair.
"You look tired." Bremusa rubbed her friend's back sympathetically.
"I'll get you some stew." Reseda jumped up.
Reseda soon came back with a carved wooden bowl filled with stew. Arlia smiled weakly and tucked in. Soon enough the bowl was finished. The stew was warm and contained meat and vegetables. There was a slightly salty taste that was not at all unappealing. She soon had another one when Bors' woman, Vanora, saw her. She said that she looked like she was half starved, which wasn't far off the truth. She smiled and accepted the bowls of stew that was pressed on her until she could take no more, she was too full. Then she firmly thanked Vanora and took a sip of her wine. The wine was sweet and reminded you of summer fruits and harvests that she had thought left behind long ago. To tell the truth she had never eaten so much in a long time. She always ate enough to barely keep a bird alive, let alone a human. The years of strain toil and leadership had taken their toll on her, she was used to eating the smallest portions and at times she hardly ate at all. She had never really felt the need to. After her parents had died she had stopped eating for a while, and when she did eat it was only small portions. This had carried on well past it, giving her her gaunt appearance.
"Stop worrying now." Bremusa tapped her shoulder.
"Where's Reseda?" Arlia asked, aware that she wasn't there.
"I think she's talking to Galahad." Bremusa said.
"I'll go sleep now." Arlia rubbed her hand over her eyes wearily.
"Don't worry pet, things'll sort themselves out." Bremusa smiled at the younger girl.
"Night." Arlia waved as she walked off.
Author's notes: A short one I know. But I promise the next one will be longer, or hopefully it will be. Right, that's all the names changed so now I just have to write the next chapter. All for now.
