Seven

"Knights," Arthur said looking up at his men. "We have new orders. Bishop Germanius of Rome is expected to be arriving within the next week. Our orders are to ride beyond Hadrian's Wall and secure his safe arrival."

"Our freedom, Bors," Gawain nudged his friend.

"Mmm, I can almost taste it," the burly man replied with a grin.

"The job isn't done yet, knights, so well remember that anything can still happen," Arthur reminded.

Lancelot stood by his friend and clasped his shoulder. "Come on, Arthur. Don't tell me you haven't thought of what it will be like after we have our papers. We'll be free men, legally."

"We are players in an ever-changing world, and must be prepared for whatever comes our way," Arthur added, but acknowledged his friend's comment. Arthur, too, was ready for some change.

Galahad and Tristan listened to the others as they spoke more of freedom and home. Neither of them joined in, yet they both yearned for the day they would get their documents and their 'pact' with Rome would be finished.

Gawain came beside Galahad and patted his shoulder. "Come on, my brother! Is this your happy face? You should be celebrating; our freedom is near!"

"But, it is not here yet, remember," answered Galahad.

Galahad saw the look of bewilderment on his friend's face and shrugged his shoulders and smiled.

"What the hell!" Galahad shouted, raising his mug of ale. "May I propose a toast, then!"

"Quiet everyone! Galahad's going to charm us with his words!" Gawain chuckled.

The knights faced the youngest man and raised their glasses to him.

"Let us remember we are the lucky ones; let us not forget the brothers we have lost throughout the years. I have never been so good with words..." Galahad admited bluntly.

"We know!" Bors exclaimed, following his statement with fake snoring.

The knights roared with laughter, Galahad as well.

"...I may not always think this way, but I am proud to have served these long years with you all" Galahad felt like he was getting too sentimental as his gaze shifted more towards Tristan. "And...here's to our fallen comrades! May they be remembered and may we live on for them!"

"Here, here!" came the shouts of the knights and they drank.

As Galahad sat down and drank, he peered over at the silent scout. Tristan raised his mug to the youngest knight and drank also.

Two days later the knights stationed their horses atop the hill outside the fortress of Hadrian's Wall. They had not had any woad encounters in days, and this both relieved and worried the knights. The woads had never been so quiet, unless they were planning something.

"Just keep on your guard," Arthur told the others earlier.

He didn't have to tell them twice. The knights seemed to always be on their guard. Galahad was positioned between Tristan and Gawain's fine horses.

He turned to Gawain and asked, "Are you all right, knight?"

It had only been four days since Gawain had been off bed-rest. Gawain patted his chest and smiled.

"Healing nicely," was his reply.

The road was still clear and the knights had been awaiting the Bishop's carriage for an hour all ready.

"So, where is this great Bishop anyway, Arthur?" Lancelot wondered impatiently.

Arthur searched for the sun's position in the sky. "It's only after noon. If all is well, it should be arriving soon."

"If all is well," Lancelot stressed.

"God will see it to be done," Arthur said.

"You and your God, you disturb me," Lancelot grinned from ear to ear.

"I have a firm belief in my faith. Why do you challenge this?" the commander asked.

"I do not challenge you, Arthur, only the person you speak with whom I have never seen," was the first knights reply.

Then, Galahad broke in. "Are you two quite finished? Good, because we have company."

The knights turned their attention to the slender pebble road down the hill. Slowly traveling along was a carriage and a few Roman guards. The knights smiled pleasantly.

"The Bishop's carriage, as promised," Arthur said.

Suddenly, shouts echoed throught the forest and plain as blue-stained men and women poured from the trees.

"Woads!" Tristan said, sending his steed into a full cantar.

The knights immediately followed the scout down the hillside as woads began attacking the Bishop's carriage.

Arthur drew Excalibur and held it high. "Protect the carriage!"

Galahad ran down a group of oncoming woads with his horse, before dismounting and turning about. In one hand he held his sword, in the other, his ax. This fight was more about revenge for Gawain's injuries than protecting the carriage. Galahad figured there were plenty of others doing that part.

After he had disposed of the oncoming woads, Galahad's attention was turned to the woads attacking the carriage. Completing two tasks at once was all right with him. He charged at a woad hanging off the door of the coach, cutting him down instantly. He faultered backwards as two woads grabbed onto his arms. Head-butting one of them, Galahad turned at hit the other with his sword. He picked up his fallen ax just as he was kicked in the face by a third woad. The woad threw sand into Galahad's face afterwards. Blinded for a second, Galahad swung aimlessly at the enemy. Still bent forward, the young knight dove head first into the woad's stomach, knocking him to the ground. Proceeding, he slashed the blue man through the heart.

Regaining his foot holdings, Galahad wiped his eyes and turned to the other battles. He saw Gawain near the water; he was helplessly surrounded by a group of the enemy. Rushing to his friend's side, Galahad lept into the woads, knocking them into the river with him. Suddenly, Galahad found himself trapped under water by the woads. He drew his knife and stabbed them in the legs. He quickly resurfaced long enough to be shot in the side by an archer's arrow. He howled in pain, quickly disposing of the two woads around him.

"Galahad!" he heard somone shout.

Focusing on the arrow, Galahad bit into his tongue hard as he forced it from his left flank. He gasped and coughed at the same time, trying desperately to find his weapons again. Finally, he spotted a sword on the bank of the river. He darted towards the weapon, his bloody hand reaching out for it. Pulling himself from the water, Galahad was met by Gawain, who pulled him out the rest of the way. By then the fight was over and the woads were retreating back into their forest covern.

Dropping the sword he held, Galahad allowed Gawain to help him over to the others. He held his side firmly to keep the blood from flowing.

"Galahad, you are wounded?" Arthur asked concerningly.

Galahad waved his hand dismissively as he sat and caught his breath. "It will be fine until we get back. We must get the carriage back inside Hadrian's Wall first."

Arthur nodded in agreement, patting the man on the arm lightly. The commander exchanged a few words with the Bishop, before he and the knights mounted and escorted the carriage onward. Galahad lifted his hand and gazed down at his bleeding side. The arrow had only struck his left side, put he guessed pulling it out might have caused it to bleed even more. He gritted his teeth and held on so no one would worry about him. Moments later, Galahad began to feel lighted headed. The last thing he remembered was falling off his horse. Then, there was nothing but blackness.

End, 'Seven.'