Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from the film King Arthur, nor do I own the myth, or anything else, just Dzerassa's character. This story was written for entertainment purposes only, no money was exchanged. Please don't sue, just tell me if I need to change something.
I realize that I haven't described Dzerassa physically yet. I have an idea of how she should look, but was wondering: how do you all picture her?
Chapter Nine: Tricks and Tasks
The next day I awake to the sound of whispers outside my door. I open it, outside is Galahad. He smiles, and gestures over his shoulder. I dress quickly and follow him out to the courtyard to see Gawain waiting for us. The both start walking towards the stream.
"What's this?" I ask. Galahad responds, "I don't know. But Gawain is holding my breakfast hostage until I woke you—" He shoots a nasty look at his companion, and Gawain and I both laugh. Gawain hands him a piece of bread and an apple he had been hiding in his cloak, and then he gives one to me too. I take it gingerly and ask in a much lighter tone, "Where are we going?" Gawain only nods.
After about a fifteen minute walk, with much laughing and teasing between us all, we arrive at Gawain's destination. It seems he's either forgotten or just doesn't care about my reaction yesterday, which, I must say, is a relief. Galahad and I survey our surroundings: we are still within the protective walls of the fortress, but near the edge. We've followed the small creek down stream, and are at the edge of a serene looking pool of water, large and deep. There is a grassy knoll on one side, and it is surrounded by friendly-looking trees. It's all so peaceful. That is, it is so peaceful until Gawain tries, unsuccessfully, to skip a rather large rock across its surface. I roll my eyes at him, "So why are we here?" He grins at me, "You're going to teach me how to swim. And teach Galahad how to swim better." I raise my eyebrows, and glance over at Galahad. It is obvious from his reaction that he did not know of this plan, but seems like he thinks it might be fun. He shrugs indifferently, and both men start pulling off their close and jump in, Gawain staying very close to the edge so as not to drown. They turn to me, expectantly. I just stand there, kind of shocked. "Well?" asks Gawain, "Are you going to teach us or not? You owe it to us after almost getting Galahad drowned." I know by the tone of his voice that he is still kidding, but his voice has a kind of edge to it, like he is daring me. I look over at Galahad who just seems amused, waiting to see how I react. Maybe by now he doubts that I am a girl. Well, I see no reason to prove it to him. "Fine," I say, in an equally lighthearted voice, "But you have to turn around." Both men roll their eyes, but agree, although I hear Gawain mutter "fairy" under his breath. Once their backs are turned, I do the only thing I can think of to get myself out of this predicament. I steal their clothes. All of them. And then I run back towards camp.
Once I reach the knight's rooms I burst out laughing. No one is inside, so I put Gawain and Galahad's clothing back into their respective rooms. I am still laughing as I walk out, but cease suddenly as I see Lancelot leaning against the wall of the hallway. He nods slowly as I walk past. I know that he is not a bad man, I know that he only wishes to watch out for his fellow knights against anything suspicious, but he puts me on edge. I feel his eyes on me as I walk towards the door.
A few hours later I am asked to come into the knights meeting hall. I have only been there once before, when Arthur questioned me that first day. It is huge, but hollow or empty seeming. There is a magnificent round table at its center, that seems to glow in its own glory. No one else is there yet, so I wait, awkwardly leaning against a column. I don't feel that I have the right to sit down in one of the knight's chairs, deceased or otherwise. After a few minutes the others come in, Dagonet and Tristan, silent as always, and then Bors, who seems to be cursing at something. A few minutes after that Gawain and Galahad walk in together. I burst out into laughter in that silent room, and they both glare at me. I try to shut up, but can't. Bors makes an obscene sound, he has obviously heard about the knights failed attempt to discretely re-enter the town. For a second I think they might really be mad at me, but then I see that their eyes are laughing though they try to maintain an indignant expression on their faces. After a minute though, they give up and start laughing, and thenswear that they will have their revenge on me in a most humiliating of manners.
We all wait around, although I still don't know why I have been called to this meeting, I know I am not anywhere near meriting it. A few more minutes pass, and then Arthur and Lancelot arrive, deep in conversation. The others all rise in greeting, and Arthur holds out his hands. He speaks, "Knights: a task."
Arthur explains the situation. The mission is nothing out of the ordinary, nothing extremely dangerous. There is a contingent of Roman soldiers scheduled to land on the east shore in two days. This is routine, however, it was reported that a bridge they would need to pass has collapsed. Because Arthur and his knights are all very familiar with the terrain, they will ride to the docks and then escort the regiment back to the fortress. I am confused, this is all extremely ordinary, in the few months I have been here, they have gone on countless such trips. Why have I been called to this particular briefing? At the last minute before dismissing everyone, Arthur turns to me and informs me that I will come along for the experience. I have a feeling that there is more than is being said, but immediately agree despite my misgivings.