Authors Note:
Warning: Just a small note, that some of the conversations in this chapter contain sexual implication.
There are two villages that are mentioned;
- Caerpont, that is derived from the Latin caer (fort) and pont (bridge) and
- Selgovae, that was an actual Celtic tribe in Roman Britain.
Irishfire - I hope this isn't too 'choppy'. And I agree - a female version of Lancelot does sound like trouble! And I have to say, she's really fun to write too!
Amirra - Tension and mystery are the two mixes that I love. And a little bit of brother/sister stirring never goes astray!
amy - I know there are a lot of stories out there like this, but I hope I can throw a few twists in to spice it up a bit.
LillyoftheValley4 - I figured that the Knights wouldn't be very accepting of anyone, whether they were man or woman, so that is what I have aimed for. Hope you like this next installment...
Camreyn - I hope the parts flow a bit better in this chapter. I realised, that by following the film closely, I ended up writing myself into a bit of a corner. But have no fear - the secrets will remain veiled and so will the intentions for a while longer...
fiji-mermaid - It won't just be romance - in fact it might not be romance at all! That's the mystery - even the writer is kept in the dark! But she may be stirring up some trouble...
Kaizer - Thanks for the great review!
Thanks to everyone who takes the time to review, and an extra special thanks to ashersembrace for her support.
Chapter 3 – Uneasiness Lingers.
Gawain followed Galahad into the stables. Galahad was still fuming from the night before and had not looked his cousin in the eye.
Dagonet was already saddling his horse silently when they arrived.
Gawain held his hand quietly on his horses grey neck and the horse flinched at the contact of his cold hands. It was a chilled morning and the air smelt of rain.
If the weather stayed this wet, he would be glad to return to Sarmatia.
Galahad flung his saddle quickly onto his horse, spooking the animal. Galahad shot Gawain an icy expression as he mounted his horse.
No, his cousin would not forgive him as quickly as he first thought.
He let a sigh escape him, loud enough for his cousin to hear. Gawain knew that Galahad had wanted to go home more than any of the Knights.
Gawain took a deep breath. It was the calm before the storm.
Just as Gawain was about to speak, Tristan, Lancelot and Bors walked into the stables.
The stable was silent. Even the horses dare not make a sound as the Knights exchanged looks of foreboding. It was almost as if the horses knew the Knights fate.
Galahad broke the stillness, kicking his horse, coaxing it into action.
As the knights drew their weapons or saddled their horses to prepare for the long journey, Arthur appeared.
Galahad circled his commander on his horse as he strided towards his Knights.
It seemed, he blamed Arthur, as much as his cousin for the orders and directed his resentment towards whoever was closest.
Arthur looked towards each of the Knights in turn with an uneasiness. The Roman's expression showed that he had wished to be served his papers as much as his men.
The Bishop had joined them, toobserve the accompaniment of his secretary.
" My trusted secretary, Horton, will accompany you" ordered the Bishop.
Arthur did not hide his agitation as he commanded Jols to fetch the man a horse.
As the Knights mounted their horses, Taryn noisily halted her horse at the entrance to the stables. She was dressed in light armour, with a black cloak that was dusted with dew.
Lancelot moved his horse towards his sister, and then turned to Arthur.
"Arthur, this is my younger sister, Taryn" he remarked.
"I did not have a chance to introduce you last night" he added remembering the heated words that were exchanged between them.
The young woman smiled at the Roman as she regarded him. He was tall, striking and carried a weight of authority. He also had a look of sharpness to him, that showed he had a quick mind.
Taryn looked to Lancelot in haste. "The Saxon army has reached Caerpont".
She steadied her restless horse and glanced at Arthur before continuing. "They will reach the wall in two days. Maybe less"
Her announcement was received with stern looks amongst the Knights.
Gawain settled into his saddle. "You rode to Caerpont in one night?" He asked in curiosity.
Taryn looked at him suddenly, as though in her hurriedness, she had only just noticed his presence.
"No. I rode to Selgovae and received word that the attack had begun" she replied, somewhat startled.
She looked to each of the Knights before manoeuvring her horse into the centre of the stables.
"May I accompany you?" she said, directing her request towards Arthur.
Arthur looked at Lancelot and then at Taryn and he realised by her attire that she had prepared to go with them.
"You may" he replied curtly, shifting his weight in the saddle.
Sensing that they were eager to leave, Taryn backed up her stallion to allow the Knights to pass. She smiled at her brother as he rode out, her eyes lighting up in playfulness.
"Now I'll get to discover if the stories of your riding prowess are true".
Lancelot glanced at Gawain with a smug expression as the Knights made their way to the gate. Taryn nudged her horse in behind Galahad's.
"Though in the tales, they mentioned nothing of horses".
Gawain chuckled and the cocky air disappeared instantly as Lancelot grasped his sisters meaning.
"You just couldn't help yourself, could you?" Lancelot exclaimed.
Taryn looked innocently at her brother before beginning to laugh along with Gawain. Lancelot called out to Arthur jokingly. "Care to go back on your offer, Arthur?"
Arthur looked over his shoulder and smiled. "I think you've finally met your match, Lancelot".
Arthur picked up the pace as the gates opened, and the group rode out.
The Knights and Taryn rode for a full day through the drenched, evergreen countryside. The heavy mud made swiftness difficult for their horses and Arthur had decided to move through a forest when they had encountered Woads.
The Woads had retreated without a single arrow being released, which had left the Knights edgy.
As night approached, a deluge of saturating rain fell and the Knights made camp amongst the trees. Huddled around a small campfire, the Knights were uncommonly quiet as the rain dampened the sounds of the forest around them.
They were unused to having a Lady in their company.
"So my dear sister, tell us how you made your way to Selgovae and back in one night?" said Lancelot, trying to lighten the soggy mood.
Taryn scraped mud off her boot with her knife before answering Lancelot.
"You forget brother, I was born on a horse," she said matter-of-factly.
She wiped the knife on her cloak and then slid it into the now clean boot.
"And I was the one to instruct you in horse riding".
Lancelot gave an exasperated sigh, earning smirks from the surrounding Knights.
The moon broke through the canopy and drizzle to make Taryn's dark cloak appear a deep blue, causing her skin glow a pale shade. Its soft light made her wet black hair shine and shadowed her eyes, giving her a haunted look.
"What troubles you?" asked Gawain.
She smiled but her reply was hollow.
"You mean besides the fact that I am alone in a dark forest, sodden with rain, in the company of seven men?"
Gawain grinned and Galahad suppressed a laugh. She had tried to hide her discomfort with humour, and Gawain decided not to push the issue of what was on her mind.
Dagonet drew his dripping cloak tighter around himself and stared at the silhouette of Lancelot's sister.
"The only one you need to keep in check is your brother there, and it seems you handle him well enough".
Taryn's eyes shifted around the group of Knights. Being her brother made no difference. She had always been able to handle men like Lancelot. Those that were charming, overconfident, and too sure of themselves. She had shocked many a man and put them in their place.
Her eyes rested on Tristan. Men like him, however, were a different story.
They cared not for her beauty or her wit and were harder to control.
Men like him would not let weaknesses show or secrets slip.
They were dangerous men.
Nodding, she bid the men goodnight and slipped into the dimness of the forest.
Authors Note:
Hope you liked it! As always reviews are appreciated.
