Well here ya go! I know it isn't the quickest update but hey! Better later than never huh-D newho, for those who are wondering, I got the name Shodowboxer from a horse who used to live at the barn I work at. I was briging him back to health and was planning on riding him in the next competition, but unfortunatly he broke his leg and I had to stand there adn hold him as he was put down. So in honor of him I named my horse after him.

ON A BETTER NOTE! I know you want me to shut up and get on with the story but I just had a feeling that people had a right to know...and now! ON TO THE SHOW!

Chapter Three:

It was a three weeks ride to Marius' estate. I was to leave the next day with an escort and with some tradesmen who were also heading to the estate. Once I had cried out all my tears Lancelot, whose tunic was now drenching wet, literally carried me to my room. I didn't want to seem like a poor defenseless woman so I tried to persuade him to let me walk. He would have none of it and continued to walk down the corridor.

"Wh-why-how could they do this?" I asked, my tears resurfacing as we entered my room and Lancelot sat me down on my bed. Crying was weak in my opinion, but this could just not be helped.

"Lancelot, what am I going to do? What are we going to do?" I begged him. He just knelt by my side, holding my hands and giving them affectionate squeezes, his eyes never leaving my face. He sighed and shook his head.

"I don't know Anna, I just don't know. I am as baffled as you are about how they could re-assign you to a new post-"

"Is that all you're worried about!" I screeched. "How can you possibly worry about that when I will be leaving my one and only love here? Are you not afraid of loosing me? We could never see each other again! You or I could die in battle! We could-" I was cut off from my ranting when Lancelot put a finger to my mouth. Through my own tear filled eyes I could see that his were also filled with confusion and sadness.

"Darling know this hear and now. No matter what happens to either of us, one day we will be together and live out the rest of our lives in complete happiness. If we both live to the end of our fifteen year service, and by the gods we will, then I will come find you and we will ride back to Sarmatia and be married and have a family. This is my oath to you Annabelle, knight and lady of Sarmatia. Please, before you go answer me one question," Now his eyes were full of tears, the emotion in his voice tore at my soul, begging me to not leave this man.

"Will you marry me?" I gasped at first. His eyes never leaving mine.

"Yes Sir Knight, but only on one condition. You better keep your promise and come find me or I will send all the demons of hell after you!" I chuckled as I took his head in my hands, wiping away his now tear stained face. He smiled and did the same to me. I leaned into the touch, memorizing the very feel of his hand. He smiled, his true smile, and leaned in to kiss me. I leaned into him, and was met with an equally hungry mouth. We kissed greedily for what I wished was eternity, yet that need for air just keeps popping in and ruining it.

"You need your rest. You have a long ride ahead of you tomorrow," he sighed as he leaned back from me onto his haunches, starting to get up.

"Please Lancelot, this is our last night together for only the gods know how long. Please, don't leave me," I whispered. He looked back at me with pity in his eyes. His chocolate orbs haunting me for the rest of my days. He leaned back into me, kissing me with such tenderness and love that I could only but melt into him. He gently pushed me back onto the bed, and that night we made love to each other as if it were our first time. That was the last night I spent with my knight, my lover, my husband for the past nine years.

When I awoke, I was lying on my back with Lancelot's head on my chest. His soft curls tickled as my chest rose up and down with each breath I took. I sighed and closed my eyes, knowing what was to come in the next few hours. I gently distracted myself from my lover's firm grip around my waist, for I did not want to wake him and have to witness his sadness anymore than I had to last night. Sure he was now my husband, but because of that very thing I did not want him to suffer. I got out of the bed with no trouble and started to get dressed and pack my things. Since I had very few belongings it was quick word and I headed down to the kitchens to get something to eat.

I had headed down to the stables once I was done and was starting to saddle Shadowboxer when Arthur came in. I could tell by the look on his face that he was just as upset as I was. There were circles under his eyes and he already had pre-mature wrinkles on his face. I sighed as I mounted my horse.

"Annabelle, I know you would prefer to leave without saying any goodbyes so I'll make it simple. Take care of yourself and don't get into to much trouble," and with that he left, but before he rounded the corner, I could see him wiping away his eyes.

"Hurry up girl! Lord Marius detests those who are late!" snarled a soldier. I nodded as our small caravan exited trough the main gate. I looked around and memorized every face, every tree, building, and hill that I could cram into my mind. I wanted to remember the place that I had come to love for as long as I could remember. I looked ahead as I heard the unmistaken sounds of the large gates were pulled open. Just before I passed through, I made the mistake of looking back. On the tallest tower stood eight dark figures. Yet again tears rolled down my face as I turned Shadowboxer around and cantered to the base of the steps that led to the top of the wall. I urged my mount forward and we bounded up the stairs, soldiers scrambling to get out of our way. Once we reached the top, I faced the fort and let out the famous Sarmatian war cry. I filled my roar with all the compassion and sadness that I felt with my heart. When I had finished, each of the dark figures thrust their fist into the air and sent their own cry. My face was now tear streaked, but I made no sound. I bounded back down the steps, and galloped through the gates, catching up with the people who would lead me to my doom.

The three weeks it took to get the estate was spent in silence. I kept my head down, warding off any attention that I may have gotten. We arrived in the early morn, and as I looked around, I knew that I had found the closest thing to hell on this green earth. People were bone thin, pulling along bone thin animals. They wore hardly any clothing and used tools that were half rusted or broken. They looked at me in awe as I rode past, whispering to each other behind their hands. I ignored them, and gave a sad smile to those that I made eye contact with.

"Welcome to my home!" yelled a very short and fat man. He was already starting to become bald as little patches of hair were missing. A woman holding the hand of a small child followed him hesitantly. Her face was pale and dark bruises covered her petite face.

"Marius Honorius, my name is Annabelle. I am the Sarmatian knight that you requested for," I replied nicely. I wanted to make a good first impression so that maybe I would not become like his serfs. It was amazing that this man had only just arrived here and yet all his servants were already skin and bones. He walked towards me as I dismounted. I felt my flesh crawl as he approached far more closely than what was necessary. His breath reeked and I could see a tick just behind his ear but I stood my ground.

"Yes," he whispered, with what I thought was lust in his voice. "You will do quite nicely!" I shuddered as raised his hand to my hip, groping and rubbing it in circular motions. Did this man have to honor? His wife and son were barely standing less than ten feet away from him!

I slapped his hand away and my face was filled with disgust. "I may now be in your service, but I will NOT be used in such a way as you have in your mind right now!" I shouted in his face. He looked completely outraged and before I could think, he back-handed me onto the ground.

"You will learn to respect me slave!" he snarled. "Guards! Show her the warm welcome that this estate is famous for!" The guards were instantly upon me and were beating me with feet, fists, and sticks. That was only the first of many beatings that I would encounter in my service to Marius Honorius, man of God.